Rise up Men! Take your role that God has given you! I've been to all men gatherings, which sometimes we need to as men to get refocussed on what God has us to do.
Tomorrow (Sunday, June 17th of 2007) is Father's Day! I already sent my Father's Day card to my dad already, so I did my part! This year, I've grown more of an appreciation of my dad compared to previous years. As I've grown in my personal walk with God, I've learned to deal with some past issues/challenges and move on with my life! I try to not dwindle in the past and focus on better things that lies ahead.
Yeah, my "earthly" dad isn't perfect-in fact, I don't think there is no one perfect overall! I feel we put so many expectations on our "earthly dads". At work the other day, I asked what you gave your dad for "Father's Day?" This individual responded, "Nothing!..He doesn't deserve a gift...". I thought to myself that this wasn't the best question to ask. Fathers have so much pressure (e.g. finances) that we don't understand until we are put in their shoes-same as mothers too! I sometimes reflect on how my dad could've done better and would start having resentment or anger. I've learned that I can't change the past and must learn to accept them. I keep remembering Jesus' words, "Forgive them for they do not know what they do". I pray for my dad as I've learn to understand what my father have been (e.g. WWII experiences) through when he was growing-up. I might not understand everything about my dad, but God knows! I just thank God for what my dad has been "able to do" and not focus on what he "wasn't able to do" or "wish he was able to do" (e.g. go watch me play-need to stop comparing ourselves with others). I'm just grateful that he was able (never divorced) to be there growing-up. I've had and have friends who grew-up not knowing (e.g. adoption) their father. I feel things happen for a reason and it just made me the person I am- depend on my Heavenly Father!
As I wrote my Mother's Day reflections a month ago on "Best moment's with my mom". I'll do the same, so here are my best moments (look at the positive instead of the negative) with my dad:
I remember my dad would take us (my siblings and I) golfing-driving range in Maplewood, Minnesota. To this day, I still love to do this! We would also practice mini-golfing in our make-shift mini-golf course in our living room (e.g. inspired by the golf game in "The Price is Right"). We would use plastic-grocery (Rainbow's) bags to catch the golf ball and wrap it underneath a small hole we made with the floor heater ducts.
Another memorable activity was going to different houses my dad rented to folks and clean it up. Back then, I really dislike this because I wanted to go out and have some fun with my peers! My dad owned 8 different properties and this took a lot of time and hardwork. I look back at this and I appreciated the time I had with my dad-rest of the family at times!
Lastly, I would always remember my dad telling me "don't look at the negative of people, but the positive of people. This will help you get along with everybody" (paraphrase). I tried to do this all my-life. I look back and wished I did this more with more of my peers back growing-up; however, this helped me get a long with many folks to this day. My dad would "lecture" me countless times, but this quote above is probably the most remembered of all of them. Other little things was that my dad would always wrap his fruits in napkins after cleaning them and would put it in a lunch bag before going to work. He would have this routine (e.g. going to the bathroom to brush his teeth too-"Son, did you brush your teeth") down every night! He taught me well-thanks Dad for giving me my dad!
Examples of the Father's Love
The Choice
"Years later an elderly pastor recalls a decision he had to make"
Men's Bible Study?
I've been to all men's bible study, men's retreat, men's conferences, etc... It's very much needed to take care of some "specific-issues" that men deal with that needs that intimate setting.
Men's Bible Study - The Power of God's Word, from allaboutgod.com
"We know unequivocally that men, women and children all deal with different issues. A child doesn't worry about paying the bills, a man doesn't worry about getting pregnant, and a woman doesn't worry about making the high school football team. Since we know each group has specialized thinking, concerns, and emotions, we need to take this understanding and apply it when studying the Bible. Men's Bible studies deal specifically with sexual purity and other issues that affect men."
New Men's Devotional Bible, from Zondervan
Heavenly Father in the Bible
Articles
God the Father in the Holy Scriptures
"Father-less": Grew up with no dad or father?
(Saturday, June 14th of 2008)
"But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless....-Psalm 10:14
I have lived with folks that grew-up not knowing their "biological" father (see adoption) or were "orphans" and didn't have a good experience with their "adopted" parents or "step-dad", etc..
"Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me"-Psalm 27:10
I can "somewhat" relate to folks that have been in the similar situation because I've had many friends in the "same boat", but I can never "fully" relate to their experience. I've been fortunate to grow-up with parents (challenging, but through prayer-God has kept them together). I can only just direct them to my "Heavenly Dad/Father" through that "loving" personal relationship with Him!
more verse...
Bible Verses for Father's Day
A Collection of Inspirational Bible Verses for Men, from christianity .about.com
"Is your father a man of integrity with a heart that follows after God? Why not bless him this Father's Day with one of these Bible verses for Dad.
1 Chronicles 29:17
I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity ... (NIV)
Deuteronomy 1:29-31
Then I said to you, "Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. The LORD your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the desert. There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place." (NIV)
Joshua 1:9
...Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (NIV)
Malachi 4:6
He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse. (NIV)
Psalm 103:13
As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; (NIV)
Proverbs 3:11-12
My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline
and do not resent his rebuke,
because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in. (NIV)
Proverbs 3:32
For the LORD detests a perverse man
but takes the upright into his confidence. (NIV)
Proverbs 10:9
The man of integrity walks securely,
but he who takes crooked paths will be found out. (NIV)
Proverbs 17:24
A discerning man keeps wisdom in view,
but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth. (NIV)
Proverbs 17:27
A man of knowledge uses words with restraint,
and a man of understanding is even-tempered. (NIV)
Proverbs 23:22
Listen to your father, who gave you life,
and do not despise your mother when she is old. (NIV)
Proverbs 23:24
The father of a righteous man has great joy;
he who has a wise son delights in him. (NIV)
Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (NIV)
Colossians 3:21
Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. (NIV)
Hebrews 12:7
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? (NIV) "
5 Minutes Bible Study - for Fathers
"ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR CHILDREN
by Dr. Harold Sala
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Mark 8:36 NKJV
If a skeptic should ask me for proof that the Bible is a supernatural book, among the reasons that I should proffer is this one, unmistakable fact: this book never glossed over human failure but revealed in accurate detail the mistakes and derelictions of men, telling it exactly as it was.
In some nations, a Sunday is set aside this month to honor fathers usually in June. Naturally, dads think this is a great idea. Sometimes, however, it is a travesty, because the failure of fathers today is an enormous social blight. The emasculation of men began almost a generation ago, when the feminist movement began to tell us that parenting is a non-gender issue, that you are much better off to be single than to be in a marriage which is less than ideal.
A great many men, however, can't blame the feminists for their failures. They have only themselves to blame. They haven't been there because they were climbing the corporate ladder, striving to prove their self-worth or to make enough to satisfy the thinking that enough money will bring the good life. Their kids don't agree. The son of a prominent executive described his dad as a Phi Beta Kappa, a Rhodes Scholar and a company president who flunked marriage, fatherhood, friendship and fun."
Jesus said, "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" (Mark 8:36 NKJV ). But today I think he would say, "For what will it profit a man if he gains the company presidency and loses his family in the process?"
Is success�the kind which brings membership in the club along with the car and the status�really worth the cost?
The Wall Street Journal in conjunction with the Gallup Organization surveyed the heads of 780 major corporations, focusing on the work habits and attitudes, and how men coped with the pressures in relationship to their marriages and their children. The survey was based on interviews with 360 CEOs among the 1300 largest corporations. It included 100 of the Fortune 500 companies�276 heads of medium-size companies, and 198 independent owners of small businesses."
And how are men coping with success? Here's the bottom line: "The survey delivers an unmistakable verdict: home and family come second for the typical corporate executive.
"Among the specific findings: chief executives typically work sixty to seventy hours a week, travel six to ten days a month and give up many of their weekends for business meetings."
Having made it to the top, two out of every three executives said they were convinced the pressures were greater and the cost to their family more severe than when they were middle managers.
One company president quipped, "I gave my family everything in the world but myself."
"Dear Dad, please give us yourself, your time, and your undivided attention. Please show us the way by being there, by listening when we need to talk, by giving us guidance when we stray, by being God's man so we can understand who we are and who God is."
"Daddy, how much do you make an hour?" asked one little boy. And his father told him. Five minutes later, the boy appeared with his piggy bank and said, "Daddy, here's all my money�just half of what you make in an hour. Now can I have you for just 30 minutes?"
The whole experience of being a dad and father goes by so quickly that you look back and ask, "Where was I when my son was growing up?" There are no second chances, no retakes�only memories. The best of intentions will never suffice for missed opportunities. If God has made you a dad, rise to the challenge. You'll never regret it.
Resource reading: Proverbs 3 "
Our Goal
The mission of the men's ministry at Woodland Hills Church is to make believing Christian men more equipped for the work of their individual ministries as:
A Disciple of Jesus Christ
A Godly Husband
A Nurturing Father
A Member of Woodland Hills Church
A Christian Employee
A Compassionate Neighbor
Articles
5 Minutes Bible Study - for Fathers
"ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR CHILDREN
by Dr. Harold Sala
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Mark 8:36 NKJV
If a skeptic should ask me for proof that the Bible is a supernatural book, among the reasons that I should proffer is this one, unmistakable fact: this book never glossed over human failure but revealed in accurate detail the mistakes and derelictions of men, telling it exactly as it was.
In some nations, a Sunday is set aside this month to honor fathers usually in June. Naturally, dads think this is a great idea. Sometimes, however, it is a travesty, because the failure of fathers today is an enormous social blight. The emasculation of men began almost a generation ago, when the feminist movement began to tell us that parenting is a non-gender issue, that you are much better off to be single than to be in a marriage which is less than ideal.
A great many men, however, can't blame the feminists for their failures. They have only themselves to blame. They haven't been there because they were climbing the corporate ladder, striving to prove their self-worth or to make enough to satisfy the thinking that enough money will bring the good life. Their kids don't agree. The son of a prominent executive described his dad as a Phi Beta Kappa, a Rhodes Scholar and a company president who flunked marriage, fatherhood, friendship and fun."
Jesus said, "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" (Mark 8:36 NKJV ). But today I think he would say, "For what will it profit a man if he gains the company presidency and loses his family in the process?"
Is success—the kind which brings membership in the club along with the car and the status—really worth the cost?
The Wall Street Journal in conjunction with the Gallup Organization surveyed the heads of 780 major corporations, focusing on the work habits and attitudes, and how men coped with the pressures in relationship to their marriages and their children. The survey was based on interviews with 360 CEOs among the 1300 largest corporations. It included 100 of the Fortune 500 companies—276 heads of medium-size companies, and 198 independent owners of small businesses."
And how are men coping with success? Here's the bottom line: "The survey delivers an unmistakable verdict: home and family come second for the typical corporate executive.
"Among the specific findings: chief executives typically work sixty to seventy hours a week, travel six to ten days a month and give up many of their weekends for business meetings."
Having made it to the top, two out of every three executives said they were convinced the pressures were greater and the cost to their family more severe than when they were middle managers.
One company president quipped, "I gave my family everything in the world but myself."
"Dear Dad, please give us yourself, your time, and your undivided attention. Please show us the way by being there, by listening when we need to talk, by giving us guidance when we stray, by being God's man so we can understand who we are and who God is."
"Daddy, how much do you make an hour?" asked one little boy. And his father told him. Five minutes later, the boy appeared with his piggy bank and said, "Daddy, here's all my money—just half of what you make in an hour. Now can I have you for just 30 minutes?"
The whole experience of being a dad and father goes by so quickly that you look back and ask, "Where was I when my son was growing up?" There are no second chances, no retakes—only memories. The best of intentions will never suffice for missed opportunities. If God has made you a dad, rise to the challenge. You'll never regret it.
Resource reading: Proverbs 3 "
Business
Chris Gardner on fatherhood
"The Pursuit of Happyness author Chris Gardner on the importance of fatherhood, and the commitment he made at age 5 regarding his future as a father. Courtesy Leadership Team Development, ltdteam.com. "
Chris Gardner
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Philanthropic initiatives
Chris Gardner is a philanthropist who sponsors many charitable organizations,[9] primarily the Cara Program and the Glide Memorial United Methodist Church in San Francisco, where he and his son received desperately-needed shelter.[4] He has helped fund a US$50 million project in San Francisco that creates low-income housing and opportunities for employment in the area of the city where he was once homeless.[1]As well as offering monetary support, Gardner donates clothing and shoes. He makes himself available for permanent job placement assistance, career counseling and comprehensive job training for the homeless population and at-risk communities in Chicago.[4]
Dedicated to the well-being of children through positive paternal involvement, Gardner serves on the board of the National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI).[4] He is also a board member of the National Education Foundation and sponsors two annual education awards: the National Education Association's National Educational Support Personnel Award and the American Federation of Teachers' Paraprofessionals and School-Related Personnel Award.[4]
In 2002, Gardner received the Father of the Year Award from the NFI. Since then, Gardner also had the honor of receiving the 25th Annual Humanitarian Award and the 2006 Friends of Africa Award, presented by the Los Angeles Commission on Assaults Against Women (LACAAW) and by the Continental Africa Chamber of Commerce, respectively.[4]
In 2008, He spoke at his daughter's graduation from Hampton University."
Chris Gardner at Hampton University 2008 (excerpt 1)
, from youtube.com
"Chris Gardner, author of The Pursuit of Happyness, emotionally expresses his pride at his daughter being the first member of his family to graduate from college, in his 2008 Hampton University commencement address. "
*see GoodnewsEverybody.com Social Issues: Needy, Poverty, Poor, etc...
Children
Just Like Dad
"I wanted to be more popular," explains Charlie, an ungainly and awkward 12-year-old. Charlie rented Joe, a handsome bodybuilder, to be the perfect dad to replace his not-so-athletic dad for the father/son competition at the school picnic. But when his real dad discovers he has been replaced, Charlie must come to terms with the terrible pain he has caused him and learn, that although dad is not big and strong, he has his own special qualities that just might save the day when Joe's gangster past threatens them all. "
*watching this movie this weekend for Special Touch
E-Cards
Health
Father's Day Tribute
"Quotes and images paying tribute to fathers. Originally created for Hillcrest Church."
Ministries
Sex
Comedian Mark Gungor - Men & Sex (LaughYourWay.com)
"Comedian Mark Gungor talks about men and their sex drive. Funny Stuff! www.laughyourway.com"
Tribute
"Heaven 9 11"
Heaven 9 11
Add to My Profile | More Videos
Father's Day 2007
"Music for the King of Siam."
Religious
- Genesis 12:1-3 (NIV)
*see GoodnewsEverybody.com Middle Eastern Outreach