GoodnewsEverybody.com Man, Men, dad, father, "Heavenly Father", etc....

" And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."-Genesis 1:26


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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.

""Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."-Matthew 5:48

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

  • (Our) Father Knows Best: Our human dads let us down--or worse. When fathers have hurt us, how can we trust our Heavenly Father? By Scott Hahn (beliefnet.com)

  • Excerpted with permission of Lay Witness magazine.
    "This is why Tradition tells us to go beyond our earthly experiences and memories of fatherhood when we pray "Our Father." For, though He is a provider, begetter, and protector, God is more unlike than like any human father, patriarch, or paternal figure. The Catholic Catechism puts it this way: "God our Father transcends the categories of the created world. To impose our own ideas in this area 'upon him' would be to fabricate idols to adore or pull down. To pray to the Father is to enter into his mystery as he is and as the Son has revealed him to us."
  • God the Father-what the bible teache us?

  • " Many people are struck with the many clear references in the New Testament to the Father as "God", and Jesus as "Lord". A cursory examination of the New Testament will show that, in general, when the Bible uses the word "God", it almost always refers to the Father. Does this mean that Jesus is not God? No it does not mean that. Let's examine Title, Position, Name, and Essence to explain this."
  • How Should We Honor Our Father? A Sermon Delivered At West Fulton United Methodist Church and North Blenheim United Methodist Church 17 June 2001 Frank L. Hoffman, Guest Preacher

  • " So, how should we honor our father? The best and most effective way is to do the will of our father, but unfortunately, not all earthly fathers have set the proper example or provided effective direction for their children to follow. Can we still honor our father in such cases? We sure can! And we can do it by following a higher example; the example of our Father in heaven."

    God the Father in the Holy Scriptures

    "But if you will not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive you your offences."-Matthew 6:15

    "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 "


    Recommended Resources

    Local-GoodnewsMorris

    Conference

  • Stepping Up National Men's Simulcast Saturday, August 4, 2012 familylife.com

  • " “What’s the most courageous thing you’ve ever done?” It’s Dennis Rainey’s favorite question to men. And in a four-hour simulcast August 4, Dennis Rainey, along with James MacDonald, Robert Lewis, and Crawford Loritts will unpack what biblical manhood looks like and what it means to be a godly, courageous man in today’s world. They’ll do more than say, “You can do this.” They’ll show you how...

    When does a boy become a "real" man? goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com

    It's NOT this...

    Retreat

  • Morris Community Church, my personal experience since 96'

  • Annual Men's Retreat
    My local church encourages the men to attend the annual Men's Retreat, which other men from a network of churches come to at Inspiratonal Peak-Clitherall, Minnesota

    Ever felt you were a dissappointment?, December 7, 2010 from Goodnewseverybodycom’s Weblog

    State-GoodnewsMinnesota

  • Men's Ministry of my home church in St. Paul-Woodland Hills Church
  • 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

    Nation-GoodnewsUSA.Info

    Articles

  • Leader's Insight: Dodger Heaven: Baseball, hot dogs, and an afternoon with my dad was a foretaste of glory divine. by Gordon MacDonald, Leadership editor at large (Christianity Today)

  • "Muse on this! You're seven or eight years old. It's the middle of a school day, and your father springs you from school to see a baseball game.
    Ninety or so minutes later, my father and I, hotdogs and crackerjacks in hand, were in our seats along the third-base line at old Ebbits Field in Brooklyn where Jackie Robinson, just feet away, was warming up to play one of his first games as a Brooklyn Dodger. Does this smell like Heaven?....
    These are not only experiences that can be classified as Living; they are a foretaste, I think, of Heaven. You can have your mansions and streets of gold. I'll take the kind of gladness that comes from going to the ball game with your father (especially if school is in session) and from being with a grandchild who loves you�and all the other stuff I mentioned. If Heaven's like that, sign me up. "

  • The Little Things 5 simple ways to let your kids know you love 'em. by John Trent, Ph.D.

  • "We busy dads are always looking for new ways to grow closer to our kids. Sometimes we think we need tons of time to make this connection�like regular "date nights" with each child or weekend camping trips with just Dad and the kids. Dates and camping trips are great, but it's actually the little things�done over time and with a loving heart�that do the trick for kids. Try some of these and watch the connections happen."

    Bible

  • INTIMACY WITH GOD !, from Godtube.com

  • "A FIRESIDE CHAT DISCUSSING THE IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF A DEEPER, AND ESPECIALLY MORE INTIMATE, PRAYER RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. FAR TOO OFTEN, WE TEND TO IGNORE OUR OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP A TRULY PERSONAL, RATHER THAN JUST COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD."
    INTIMACY WITH GOD--PART 2, from Godtube.com
    "PART 2 OF A FIRESIDE CHAT DISCUSSING THE IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF A DEEPER, AND ESPECIALLY MORE INTIMATE, PRAYER RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. FAR TOO OFTEN, WE TEND TO IGNORE OUR OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP A TRULY PERSONAL, RATHER THAN JUST COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD."
    *see Personal Relationship

    Business

    -Financial Investments

    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

  • Just Like Dad (1995) (TV) More at IMDbPro », from imdb.com

  • "Wallace Shawn , best known for his role in My Dinner With Andre, is memorable as a good hearted , but meek, father of a son who feels pressured by circumstances to the point of pretending that another man is his father. Film`s action hero finale is not all that terrific. ..
    Scenes:
    Disney Just Like Dad: Taking Down the Bullies *Requested*

    " This is a clip from Disney Movie Just Like Dad, when Charlie and his dad stand up to their bullies "
    He Knows My Name - Tommy Walker

    "I have a Father
    He calls me His own
    He'll never leave me
    No matter where I go

    He knows my name
    He knows my every thought
    He sees each tear that falls
    and He hears me when I call..

    *see GoodnewsEverybody.com Life-Meaning, Natural Gifts-Talents-Skills, Plan, Purpose?

    E-Cards

  • Day Spring
  • "Fathers Day Movie Card" by White Wing Films

    "A beautiful Thank You message to all fathers for Father's Day from White Wing Entertainment."

    Health

  • Men's Health, a magazine
  • -Testosterone

  • 4 Dangers Destroying Men

  • 13 Ways to Naturally Boost Your Testosterone Levels By Ron Geraci, Men's Health, December 25, 2000 timinvermont.com

  • "...Stick With Tough Exercises To beef up your testosterone levels, the bulk of your workout should involve "compound" weight-lifting exercises that train several large muscle groups, and not just one or two smaller muscles. For example, studies have shown that doing squats, bench presses or back rows increases testosterone more than doing biceps curls or triceps pushdowns, even though the effort may seem the same. This is why doing squats could help you build bigger biceps....
    Natural Testosterone Boosters:How To Boost and Increase Your Testosterone Naturally

    Holidays

    Father's Day Tribute

    "Quotes and images paying tribute to fathers. Originally created for Hillcrest Church."

  • Annie's Father's Day Links
  • Father's Day Christian Gifts
  • Fathers's Day Gifts on the Spot, from the holiday spot
  • Father's Day on the Net
  • Kid's Domain

  • Wikipedia

  • "Father's Day is a primarily secular holiday inaugurated in the early 20th century to complement Mother's Day in celebrating fatherhood and parenting by males, and to honor and commemorate fathers and forefathers. Father's Day is celebrated on a variety of dates worldwide, and typically involves gift-giving to fathers and family-oriented activities."
    Father's Day quotes

    "A 4 minute looping video perfect for before a Father's Day service. This is an example of a video resource Muddy River Media offers freely to churches. For more information go to http://www.muddyrivermedia.org"

    Life

    -Mentoring

    Steve Harvey on Educaton & Mentoring

    "Added On January 18, 2011 On AC360's Perry's Principles, Steve Harvey talks about his mentoring programs to help America's education system."

    Ministries

  • Promise Keepers

  • *attended a first of kind all-men's conference at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota (I think 1999?). Wow, it was an awesome up-lifting experience! I just never been in a place where so many men were praising and worshipping God through singing!
    Promise Keepers Stand in the Gap - 3 Million Men in DC

    "On October 4, 1997 over 3 million Christian men descended on Washington DC for Stand in the Gap: A Sacred Assembly of Men, a day of personal repentance and prayer for our nation. The footage here was all shot as they prayed and sang and were inspired by incredible Christian speakers. I shot all but a few segments of this footage. The most impressive shot (one I did not shoot) is near the end of the video. It is an aerial view from above Lincoln Memorial looking down the Mall toward the Capitol. The mass of men, packed in like sardines, extends from this side of the Washington Monument to the Capitol and from the buildings and streets on each side. I am still emotional when I watch this footage...Evidence that GOD IS AT WORK in the men of our nation!
    Glory to God!

    Question: 3 Million? really?
    Stand in the Gap:
    http://www.neohiopk.org/SITG.jpg

    Million man march: (1 - 1.2 mill)
    http://img.slate.com/media/41000/4152..."

    Movies

  • Courageous, official movie site


  • "Four men, one calling: To serve and protect. As law enforcement officers, Adam Mitchell, Nathan Hayes, David Thomson, and Shane Fuller are confident and focused. Yet at the end of the day, they face a challenge that none of them are truly prepared to tackle: fatherhood.
    While they consistently give their best on the job, good enough seems to be all they can muster as dads. But they're quickly discovering that their standard is missing the mark.
    When tragedy hits home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Can a newfound urgency help these dads draw closer to God ... and to their children?
    Filled with action-packed police drama, COURAGEOUS is the fourth film from Sherwood Pictures, the moviemaking ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. Riveted moviegoers will once again find themselves laughing, crying, and cheering as they are challenged and inspired by everyday heroes who long to be the kinds of dads that make a lifelong impact on their children.
    Protecting the streets is second nature to these men. Raising their children in a God-honoring way? That's courageous."

    =>Scenes
    Courageous Movie Scene: When Did You Know?

    Courageous Movie Scene: Nathan Meets Derrick

    *see GoodnewsEverybody.com Singlehood, Dating, etc...

    =>Music

    "ABOUT COURAGEOUS, THE FILM AND THE SONG The Film: Courageous, the new action-packed movie from the creators of Fireproof, is a powerful reminder of the impact fathers have on their kids…and the legacy they will leave for future generations. Courageous:"
    Story Behind The Song - Casting Crowns - Courageous - Music Videos

    Courageous, Soundtrack #2-When We're Togeather,Mark Harris

    Mark Harris - "When We're Together" , from youtube.com
    When We're Together Mark Harris Lyrics Video Courageous , from youtube.com
    MARK HARRIS when we're together (subtitulos en español).wmv , from youtube.com
    =>Reflection
    The Importance of Fathers

    =>Other
    Learning to be a Courageous Dad

    *see GoodnewsEverybody.com Life-Love, Agape, Passionate, Romance, etc...
    Tony Dungy Encourages Dads

    =>Stats
  • Fatherhood the 'Courageous' Way By Wanda Thomas Littles September 29, 2011 urbanfaith.com

  • Absent fathers are prime contributors to the failure of the family. The new film ‘Courageous’ challenges men to step up and be the fathers God intended.
    "A disturbing trend has subtly crept into the American family, and its onslaught was so insidious that it went unnoticed for 40 years. It’s called the absent father. Fatherlessness affects more than 25 million children in America. Emotional fatherlessness affects millions more. Absent fathers are the root cause of children who are oftentimes abused, live in poverty, and suffer psychological distress, which produces: 63 percent of youth suicides, 90 percent of all homeless and runaway children, 85 percent of all children with behavioral problems, and 85 percent of all youth in prisons. Children without a father become the statistics of every negative report and they most often live with a mother burdened by the stress of a lack of support for her children. Alex and Stephen Kendricks (creators of Fireproof, Facing the Giants, and Flywheel), realizing that fatherlessness has grown to epidemic proportions, prayerfully went about crafting a movie that would rivet our focus to the urgency of this problem. The brothers have written their fourth movie called Courageous, which addresses the issue of absent fathers. A Provident Films and Affirm Films production, Courageous depicts the lives of five men — four urban cops, and their newly found working-class friend, who through a series of tragic events are forced to look to God for guidance as fathers and husbands, as well as keepers of the law. Not since Will Smith’s portrayal of Chris Gardner in The Pursuit of Happyness has a film made a more vigorous plea for fathers to take their parenting role seriously. The intended purpose of this film is to challenge all men to have the courage to step outside their comfort zones or bad histories, and to have enough integrity to put away their excuses and be the fathers they’ve been called to be. The actors in Courageous aren’t your dime a dozen, glitzed and spritzed glory seekers — but they are ordinary Christian men and women called out by God through the Sherwood Movie Ministry of Albany, Georgia. They have nurtured wounded spirits, jumped from moving cars, run for causes, and have sounded the trumpet call to all fathers who are out of their children’s lives in any sense, to come home and step up their game as the leaders, lovers, providers, and protectors of their families. UrbanFaith spoke to two actors from the Courageous movie, Robert Amaya and Ken Bevel. Amaya, a Latino, plays Javier Martinez, a family man who was laid off from his blue collar job and is facing the challenge of providing for his wife and children with very few resources. Bevel, an African American who’s also an ex-Marine, plays the role of Nathan Hayes, an urban cop struggling to forgive his deceased father for not being there for him and his mother. His greatest ambition is to be a better husband and father than his father was.
    Addressing the absent father issue in the Latino culture Amaya said, “The second most violent area in the world is Latin America and this violence usually comes from men or women raised without a father.” He offered that, violence due to absent fathers is not only a problem for Latinos, but it’s a blanket problem in America and in the world across the board, because every father leaves a mark on his child. What Amaya along with the makers of the movie are hoping to accomplish through Courageous is, “To let all fathers, Latinos included, know their responsibility under God, and reconnect them to the Lord so that they can be at home with and engaged in, their children’s lives, because it’s the father’s responsibility to call out the men in their sons. In other words, to teach them how to be men, and to show daughters what they should be looking for in the men of their future.” Amaya, the father of a 2-year-old daughter, says, “Since working on this film, I have found that it is not enough to just listen to my daughter say her prayers at night. I must live before her and teach her the principles of the Bible that we are to live by through Scripture memory, stories, and family time that stresses the values of the Bible.” Though Amaya’s character Javier shows a gentle, lovable man who doesn’t overtly embody machismo (a Latino concept of masculinity and power), Amaya says of Javier, “Under the light of machismo, he shows that he’s not a weak guy. His strength lies in the fact that he loves the Lord, he loves his family. He shows that men can be gentle and loving to their families, gaining the loyalty and love of their wives and children. When men are great leaders they are also loving leaders. God calls us to be the men in our families but to also be family men who don’t have to be domineering and harsh.” Statistics show that 28 percent of white children are in single-parent homes, while 35 percent of Hispanic children are in single-parent homes, and the figure is equal to the combined totals of white and Hispanics for African American children, at 63 percent. Phillip Jackson, the executive director of Chicago’s Black Star Project, told Reuters, “Father absence in African American communities has hit those communities with the force of 100 Hurricane Katrinas. It is literally decimating our communities and we have no adequate response to it.”
    However, Bevel feels that Courageous will offer a message of motivation and hope to African American men on the importance of fatherhood and throw a lifeline to those men who are ready to change. Like the character he plays in the movie, Bevel says, “I grew up without a father — loving and yet resenting him, because I didn’t have him to give me leadership and wisdom at those critical times in my life, so I kind of fumbled my way through being a youth into being an adult — not really knowing how to treat my wife, not really knowing how to treat my family.But I determined to depend totally on God to put some strong men in my life to show me how to be a man, and He did.” Some of the same issues affecting fathers and children today were highlighted in the film, such as physical and emotional absence. Bevel believes Courageous will show men that they can return and not only be good fathers, but great fathers, if they follow the plan God made for them as found in the Bible. “There’s something about this movie that will cause men to see that it’s the responsibility of the fathers to guide and raise their kids. Nobody wants to have children and be a bad father. Nobody wants to go into a marriage and say, ‘Okay, I’m going to divorce my wife five years from now.’ What’s lacking among African American men who grew up without fathers is guidance, and this movie provides a model that shows them: this is how to love the Lord, this is how to follow his Word, this is how to love your wife, and this is how to love your kids.” Bevel, the father of a 3-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old son said, “When I saw the last scene in Courageous, the man in me stood up. It caused me to want to do greater things for God, and to lead my kids and my wife in every aspect of our lives. I wanted to lead my family in Bible study, to be intentional about what we watched on TV and how we spent our time together — to be careful with what I said in their presence. I wanted my children to hear me praying for them and see me studying the Scriptures, so that they would imitate their father.” Both Bevel and Amaya, with help from their wives, worked out an intentional plan of leadership, guidance, and love for their children with amazing results. If you are a father who is out of touch with your children, just pause and reflect: Where will your son learn how to treat women? Who will teach your little girl her true worth? Where will they learn to stand up for what’s right? Who will instruct them on the value of an education? Where will their work ethic come from? Where will your child learn about the importance of abstaining from substance abuse and illicit sexual activities? Where will they learn to obey authority? How will your children learn to love and respect God, others, and themselves, if you don’t teach them? Dads — please don’t turn away. The bravest thing you could ever do as a man is to be present. Your children need you. Now."

    -Action
    final battle:darth vader vs luke skywalker

    *see GoodnewsEverybody.com Issues: Greed, Greedy, Elite, Power, Rich, Wealthy, etc...

    -Drama

    Road To Perdition Trailer Original

    Road to Perdition pt. 1, from youtube.com

    Road to Perdition From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
    Fathers and sons
    "The film also explores father-son relationships, not only between Michael Sullivan and his son, but between Sullivan and his boss, John Rooney. Sullivan simultaneously idolizes and fears Rooney, and Sullivan's son feels the same for his own father. Rooney's son, Connor, has none of Sullivan's redeeming qualities, and Rooney is conflicted on whom to protect: his real son or his surrogate son. Connor is jealous of his father's relationship with Sullivan, which fuels his actions, ultimately causing a domino effect that drives the film.[6]
    Because Sullivan shields his background from his son, his attempt to preserve the father-son relationship is actually harmful. Tragedy brings Sullivan and his son together.[21] Sullivan escapes from the old world with his son, and the boy finds opportunity to establish a stronger relationship with his father than before. Tyler Hoechlin, who portrayed Michael Jr., explained, "His dad starts to realize that Michael is all he has now and how much he's been missing. I think the journey is of a father and son getting to know each other, and also finding out who they themselves are."[6...

    "People always ask me if Michael Sullivan was a good man. And I always give them the same answer: He was my father."-Movie Quotes from Road to Perdition: Quotes from the movie Road to Perdition innocentenglish.com

    Road to Perdition....The End Scene , from youtube.com
    Memorable quotes for Road to Perdition (2002) More at IMDbPro »

    Big Fish - trailer

    -Others

  • 10 Great Father-Son Relationship Movies by The Kids Are All Right Fans on July 08, 2010 7:16 AM blog.family-is.com
  • Sex

    Comedian Mark Gungor - Men & Sex (LaughYourWay.com)

    "Comedian Mark Gungor talks about men and their sex drive. Funny Stuff! www.laughyourway.com"

    Social Issues

    -Adultery

    "Psalm 1 BOOK I : Psalms 1-41

    1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. ''

    Slow Fade Teaching Video from TAATD DVD/CD

    *see GoodnewsEverybody.com Music: Rock-Alternative, Classical, Hard-Core, Punk, etc... Tribute
    "Heaven 9 11"
    Heaven 9 11

    Add to My Profile | More Videos

    -Fatherless
    Impact World Tour Day #3 (Fargo, ND on Sun., Oct 9th 11') -Island Breeze: Fatherless

    Sports

    -Basketball

    Rare interview with Michael Jordan's dad

    -Football

    Men's Fraternity - The Quest - Matt Stover, Baltimore Ravens

    Statistics

    Fatherlessness

    The Facts: Americas Fatherless

    "http://www.AllGodsChildren.org presents the statistics on orphans and foster care in America. This was created for the Christian Alliance Orphan Summit to share the plight of children in need."

    Teaching

  • Men's Fraternity

  • "... is a series of three one-year-long studies, beginning with The Quest for Authentic Manhood, followed by Winning at Work and Home, and ends with The Great Adventure. Men's Fraternity provides men with an encouraging process that teaches them how to live lives of authentic manhood as modeled by Jesus Christ and directed by the Word of God....
    Men's Fraternity - The Quest - Tim Lundy, Quest Leader

    Introduction to Men's Fraternity

    The Quest for Authentic Manhood

    Global-Multicultural

    Father's Day 2007

    "Music for the King of Siam."

    Ministries

    40 Days for the Fatherless

    "Uploaded by FBCHvideo on Jul 30, 2010
    40 Days for the Fatherless is an effort by the Florida Baptist Children's Homes and Orphan's Heart to bring increased awareness of the plight of orphaned and disadvantaged children in Florida, the nation, and throughout the world.
    The campaign will end on November 7, 2010 (Orphan Sunday) and will conclude with a national time of Prayer for orphans all over the world.
    Please visit http://prayerproclamation.org to sign the Prayer Proclamation for the Fatherless and find out how you can get more involved.
    Please visit http://www.FBCHomes.org to learn about the ministry of the Florida Baptist Children's Homes and http://www.OrphansHeart.org to learn about the international childcare ministry of Orphan's Heart. "

    Religious

  • Abraham From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

  • "(Hebrew: אַבְרָהָם, Modern Avraham Tiberian ʾAḇrāhām, Arabic: إبراهيم‎, Ibrāhīm, ʾAbrəham) is the founding patriarch of the Israelites, Ishmaelites, Midianites and Edomite peoples, as described in the book of Genesis. He is widely regarded as the patriarch of Jews, Christians, and Muslims. It is uncertain to what extent Abraham was a real historical person and to what extent a mythical figure.
    According to Genesis, Abraham was originally named Abram and was of the tenth generation from Noah and the 20th from Adam.[2] His father's name was Terah, and he had two brothers, Nahor and Haran. Abraham was sent by God from his home in Ur Kaśdim and Haran (perhaps Harran) to Canaan, the land promised to his descendants by Yahweh.
    The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

    - Genesis 12:1-3 (NIV)

    *see GoodnewsEverybody.com Middle Eastern Outreach


    *see Bible

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