A Day for Dad

The Bible says to honor your father and mother (Exodus 20:12). How do we do that? There are many ways, but how about these ideas for starters: Listening to them, respecting them, and showing gratitude for who they are and what they do 

I grew up as a PK, or "preacher's kid." In the professional world, Dad joined the Ministerial Association wherever we lived. But to me, he was a "pastor."

Pastor brings to mind pasture. Pasture brings to mind sheep. Sheep need a shepherd. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me” (John 10:14). That was the type of relationship Dad had with people in his congregations.

Dad loved to study God's Word. In fact, I was blessed by his preaching from both the Old and New Testaments. 

I've heard people say, “You preachers have it easy. You only work on Sunday.” Not true. With Dad, ministry was twenty-four/seven.

Sometimes people came to our home, sometimes to his office. He went to them, too, through hospital and home visitation. He felt it was important to care for God's sheep in practical ways and everyday settings.

My life was greatly influenced by his consistency. Although compassionate to the wayward, he held himself accountable to personal principles. For example, his word was his bond. 

Before Dad passed away, I was his caregiver for two and a half years. I often saw him read his giant print Bible and get down on his knees to pray. This matched my childhood memories.

For the last three days of his life, he was in a hospice care center. My oldest brother sat by him most of that time. 

One day, while enjoying a cup of hot tea in a deli, I felt prompted to go home and get my Bible. I wanted to honor my Psalm One Daddy.

Standing close to his bedside, I said, “Dad, according to Psalm One, you are a blessed man. You have not taken advice from the wicked, but you’ve walked in the ways of the Lord as you’ve read and studied His word.”

“You may not have felt prosperous, but God met your daily needs. You have consistently produced spiritual fruit as you’ve shared God’s Word and prayed for people."

“And there are people in the churches you pastored who have continually loved the Lord and raised their families to do the same.” 

Then I read Psalm One out loud, but Dad never responded. Hospice says hearing is the last to go, so I believe he heard me. 

Dad died in 2012, but today is Father's Day, and I'm honoring my father by sharing this special memory. 

Pixabay: Ai Generated, Dad, Heart; GDJ.

A Self-Made Challenge

I just finished the Book of Ecclesiastes by King Solomon. OK, I’ll admit it. I made myself read it!

I’ve read it before but never studied it. My large-print *Life Application Study Bible (New International Version) motivated me with its footnotes, cross-references, introductory notes, and charts. We are blessed to have such help available

I’ve always enjoyed the classic beauty of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. Solomon wrote, “There is a time for everything,” then contrasted positive and negative events in our lives. It’s worth a read!

Ecclesiastes opens by using the word “meaningless” four times in the NIV (in the King James Version, the word is “vanity”). Not exactly words to draw us in, but this time I determined to plow on through it. Raised on the plains, plow was exactly how I felt about it. . . breaking into fertile, untouched territory, one chapter a day. Footnotes were the biggest help. Then I considered cross-references.

I discovered some “meaningful” scriptures along the way. For example, as a history major, I could agree with Solomon that “there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9-10).

From other Scriptures, I also knew he was correct in saying “God will bring into judgment both the righteous and the wicked” (Ecclesiastes 3:17). Also, it’s better NOT to make a vow to God than to make a vow and not fulfill it (Ecclesiastes 5:4-7).

I finished the book and then paged through to review. Chapter two caught my attention because sixteen verses in a row were extremely self-focused: “I” will do this, “I” will do that. My previous note in the margin said: Great accomplishments with no eternal motives.

At the end, with his focus on God and not himself, Solomon said, “Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body. Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind” (Ecclesiastes 12:12-13).

Remember: All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). Even the Book of Ecclesiastes!

Ready for a self-made challenge? You might be pleasantly surprised, or at least get a feeling of accomplishment.

*Life Application Study Bible, Lge. Print (NIV: New International Version) is published jointly by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and Zondervan. Life Application Study Bible copyright 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1996, 2004, 2005 by Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, IL 50188. All Rights Reserved. (Note: Available where Bibles are sold. I purchased from christianbooks.com. It comes in different translations.)

*Pixabay: Explore, Word, Letters; WOKANDAPIX.

What Am I?

A passing comment this week caught my attention and wouldn’t fade away. By the time you finish reading this, you might ask yourself the same question.

I don’t remember who said it, but here’s the comment: The word “disciple” comes from the word “discipline.”

I had always thought of discipline as a verb: Action taken to train, control, or punish those who didn’t see any need to obey/follow certain rules.   

Now I was reminded that discipline could also be a noun, meaning: Mental self-training or preparation, while developing a system of obedience to rules of conduct.

Here’s where it becomes personal! Jesus said the Holy Spirit would come and lead us into all truth (John 16:12-14); however, it is always our choice to follow what we learn, or not.

Why do I say that? For two reasons:

(1) Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24 and Luke 9:23).  

(2) Jesus’ final instructions were to “make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey all I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:18-20).

Words tend to change meanings over time. For example: (1) In Acts, disciples were all who believed in the risen Lord, (2) Then, with the Great Commission, disciples became those who responded in faith to Jesus Christ for salvation, and (3) Eventually, “disciple” became an equivalent to the word “Christian” (Christ One).

In our time, the Great Commission resembles a Great Evangelism program. I really appreciate the ministries that: (1) Not only call people to salvation through faith in Jesus, but (2) Also offer materials and further teaching on how to become a committed “disciple,” learning/obeying Jesus’ teachings.

So, I’ve asked myself, “What am I: A Christian, or a Disciple?”

I’ve always considered myself a Christian, believing in Jesus as my Savior. Now, I’m going deeper and identifying as a disciple.

By God’s grace and the help of the Holy Spirit, I desire to: (1) Continually learn and obey Jesus’ teachings, and also (2) Try to encourage others with what I learn.

How about you?

Pixabay: Screen, TV, Watch TV; geralt.