Happy Fathers Day!

Today is Fathers Day! The time-honoured tradition where the family will take a day to encourage, bless and thank the father of the home.

Today was really nice. Lydia came through at 5am and whispered, "Happy Fathers Day ... can I get a Yakult" all in one breath. Today, for the first time, wee Josiah came with his daddy on a preaching engagement. We dropped mummy and Lydia off at Cornerstone Santiago (because Lydia goes to Kids Church there and loves it so much she doe not want to miss it!) and Josiah, me and Pepito (Josiah's bestest friend in the Philippines and my unofficial adopted son!) headed for Cornerstone Ramon.

Well, surprise surprise. Josiah behaved great! He didn't cry for his mum once and seemed to enjoy the occasion. At the end of the service there was a 'Fathers Day' time where the kids or wives of the fathers said something really nice and then handed us a mug. Well, when my turn came, wee Josiah grabbed the mike and said, "Happy Fathers Day daddy, I love you!" I was taken aback and even more shocked when he started to sing! No, it wasn't an emotional paternal love song ... but it was from his wee heart -"One Way, Jesus"! He he. He even went really low and did the "You are the way, the truth and the Life ..." bit and started all over again! What a hoot. The folk loved it! And I was so touched.

I spoke about the Father Heart of God, and here were my points. I know there are 7, but I can assure you they were short!

1. A FATHER WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR HIS CHILDREN
2. SOMETIMES NO WORDS ARE NEEDED
3. THERE IS NO DAY OFF - IT'S 24/7!
4. CHILDREN TOTALLY DEPEND ON US … BUT ONLY FOR A SEASON
5. MY CHILDREN KNOW MY VOICE
6. MY DESIRE IS TO BE CLOSE TO MY CHILDREN
7. A FATHERS LOVE IS FOREVER

I thank the Lord so much for my dad and all the he has done for me. You never really understand the sacrifices and pain that your father goes through until you yourself are a father! Even now, my dad is so important to me and I know he he right behind us and what God is doing at Sefton Village. And I thank the Lord so much for that. I pray that I will be as good a dad to my children as my dad has been to me.

I remember speaking to Pastor Jim McGlade ad he said something really interesting. He said that you can only test how good your parenting skills are by how your grandkids turn out! He said that if you have spent time with your kids, brought them up in the ways of God, taught them good morals and trained them in righteousness ... then what you have put into your kids will come out in their kids! So I'm praying that not only will myself, Paul and David bring blessing for my mum and dad ... but OUR kids will also be a blessing to our family, their churches and the society they live in. Interesting ....

Well, we have a tough week ahead. Tomorrow, the new Elementary School will start as well as the new school year for the Nursery School. Also, the Bible School will start our new year. I am also preaching at the launch of our 'Feeding Programme' at Nagassican. Help ma boab! What a day!

But there is a very serious problem we have to deal with tomorrow. I cannot share any details but we would really appreciate your prayers. Right now, it is living on a roller coaster ... so many ups followed by great tests and challenges. I feel that there are great victories ahead ... but we have many battles to face on the way there.

Here are some laughs concerning fathers. Enjoy:

Letter to a Father:

Dear Dad,

$chool i$ really great. I am making lot$ of friend$ and $tudying very hard. With all my $tuff, I $imply can't think of anything I need, $o if you would like, you can ju$t $end me a card, a$ I would love to hear from you.

Love,
Your $on

The Reply:

Dear Son,

I kNOw that astroNOmy, ecoNOmics, and oceaNOgraphy are eNOugh to keep even an hoNOr student busy. Do NOt forget that the pursuit of kNOwledge is a NOble task, and you can never study eNOugh.

Dad

My Dad thinks he wears the trousers in our house, but it's always Mum who tells him which pair to put on!

After the church service a little boy told the pastor, "When I grow up, I'm going to give you some money." "Well, thank you," the pastor replied, "but why?" "Because my daddy says you're one of the poorest preachers we've ever had."

A company held a contest for kids with the theme: "The nicest thing My Father Ever Did For Me." One kid answered "He married my mother."

Happy Fathers Day to all you great men out there. Be blessed and bring up your kids in the ways of the Lord.