6/11/04 FATHER'S DAY SPECIAL EDITION
Posted by: jhbreneman <jhbreneman@...>
ENCOURAGEMENT TO WOMEN
Compiled especially for YOU with LOVE by Lois Breneman
CONTENTS:
A PARENT'S PRAYER
WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A DAD
A DAD'S POEM
ONE THOUSAND MARBLES
CELEBRATING FATHER'S DAY
QUOTES TO THINK ABOUT
A 31-DAY PLAN FOR WIVES TO USE IN PRAYING FOR THEIR HUSBANDS
A TRIBUTE TO FORMER PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN
08-Jun-04 ~ Psalm 146 (NLT)
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, I tell myself. 2. I will praise the Lord as long as I live. I will sing praises to my God even with my dying breath. 3. Don't put your confidence in powerful people; there is no hope for you there. 4. When their breathing stops they return to the earth, and in a moment all their plans come to an end. 5. But happy are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God. 6. He is the one who made heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them. He is the one who keeps his promise forever, 7. who gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry. The Lord frees the prisoners. 8. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts the burdens of those bent beneath their loads. The Lord loves the righteous. 9. The Lord protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows, but He frustrates the plans of the wicked. 10. The Lord will reign forever. O Jerusalem, your God is King in every generation. Praise the Lord!
A PARENT'S PRAYER ~ Written by a father
By Garry Cleveland Myers
O God, make me a better parent. Help me to understand my children, to listen patiently to what they have to say and to answer all their questions kindly. Keep me from interrupting them, talking back to them and contradicting them. Make me as courteous to them as I would have them be to me. Give me the courage to confess my sins against my children and ask them forgiveness, when I know that I have done them wrong.
May I not vainly hurt the feelings of my children. Forbid that I should laugh at their mistakes or resort to shame and ridicule as punishment. Let me not tempt a child to lie and steal. So guide me hour by hour that I may demonstrate by all I say and do that honesty produces happiness.
Reduce, I pray, the meanness in me. May I cease to nag; and when I am out of sorts, help me, Oh Lord, to hold my tongue.
Blind me to the little errors of my children and help me to see the good things that they do. Give me a ready word for honest praise.
Help me to treat my children, as those of their own age, but let me not exact of them the judgements and conventions of adults. Allow me not to rob them of the opportunity to wait upon themselves, to think, to choose, and to make decisions.
Forbid that I should ever punish them for any selfish satisfaction. May I grant them all their wishes that are reasonable and have the courage always to withhold a privilege which I know will do them harm.
Make me so fair and just, so considerate and companionable to my children that they will have a genuine esteem for me. Fit me to be loved and imitated by my children.
With all Thy gifts, O God, give me a calm and poise and self-control.
WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A DAD
by Chuck and Eileen Rife, editors of Lifetime Growth News, [email protected]
Used by permission http://www.iwanttomakemymarriagework.com
Model Jesus before them.
Gather them together for Bible reading and prayer.
Read to your children.
Keep your promises.
Go for walks together.
Let your children help with household projects.
Spend time one-on-one with each child.
Tell your children about your own childhood.
Go to the zoo, museums or ballgames as a family.
Set a good example.
Use good manners.
Help your children with their homework.
Show your children lots of warmth and affection.
Set clear, consistent limits.
Consider how your decisions will affect your children.
Listen to your children.
Know your children's friends.
Show your children where you work.
Open a saving account for their college education.
Resolve conflicts quickly.
Take your children to church.
Make a kite together.
Fly a kite together.
(Okay, you get the idea.)
IT TAKES A MAN TO BE A DAD
A DAD'S POEM ~ Author unknown ~ Contributed by Linda Klein of California
Her hair was up in a pony tail, her favorite dress tied with a bow.
Today was Daddy's Day at school, and she couldn't wait to go.
But her mommy tried to tell her, that she probably should stay home.
Why the kids might not understand, if she went to school alone.
But she was not afraid; she knew just what to say.
What to tell her classmates of why he wasn't there today
But still her mother worried, for her to face this day alone.
And that was why once again, she tried to keep her daughter home.
But the little girl went to school, eager to tell them all.
About a dad she never see - a dad who never calls.
There were daddies along the wall in back, for everyone to meet.
Children squirming impatiently anxious in their seats.
One by one the teacher called, a student from the class.
To introduce their daddy, as seconds slowly passed.
At last the teacher called her name, every child turned to stare.
Each of them was searching, for a man who wasn't there.
"Where's her daddy at?" she heard a boy call out.
"She probably doesn't have one," another student dared to shout.
And from somewhere near the back, she heard a daddy say,
"Looks like another deadbeat dad, too busy to waste his day."
The words did not offend her, as she smiled up at her Mom.
And looked back at her teacher, who told her to go on.
And with hands behind her back, slowly she began to speak.
And out from the mouth of a child, came words incredibly unique.
"My Daddy couldn't be here, because he lives so far away.
But I know he wishes he could be, since this is such a special day.
And though you cannot meet him, I wanted you to know.
All about my daddy, and how much he loves me so.
He loved to tell me stories - he taught me to ride my bike.
He surprised me with pink roses, and taught me to fly a kite.
We used to share fudge sundaes, and ice cream in a cone.
And though you cannot see him, I'm not standing here alone.
"Cause my daddy's always with me, even though we are apart
I know because he told me, he'll forever be in my heart"
With that, her little hand reached up, and lay across her chest.
Feeling her own heartbeat, beneath her favorite dress.
And from somewhere in the crowd of dads, her mother stood in tears.
Proudly watching her daughter, who was wise beyond her years.
For she stood up for the love of a man not in her life.
Doing what was best for her, doing what was right.
And when she dropped her hand back down, staring straight into the crowd.
She finished with a voice so soft, but its message clear and loud.
"I love my daddy very much, he's my shining star.
And if he could, he'd be here, but heaven's just too far
You see he was a fireman and died just this past year
When airplanes hit the towers and taught Americans to fear.
But sometimes when I close my eyes, it's like he never went away."
And then she closed her eyes, and saw him there that day.
And to her mother's amazement, she witnessed with surprise.
A room full of daddies and children, all starting to close their eyes.
Who knows what they saw before them, who knows what they felt inside.
Perhaps for merely a second, they saw him at her side.
"I know you're with me Daddy," to the silence she called out.
And what happened next made believers, of those once filled with doubt.
Not one in that room could explain it, for each of their eyes had been closed.
But there on the desk beside her, was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.
And a child was blessed, if only for a moment, by the love of her shining bright star.
And given the gift of believing, that heaven is never too far.
ONE THOUSAND MARBLES ~ Author unknown ~ A Story for Fathers
The older I get, the more I enjoy Saturday mornings. Perhaps it's the quiet solitude that comes with being the first to rise, or maybe it's the unbounded joy of not having to be at work. Either way, the first few hours of a Saturday morning are most enjoyable.
A few weeks ago, I was shuffling toward the basement ham-shack with a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and the morning paper in the other.
What began as a typical Saturday morning turned into one of those lessons that life seems to hand you from time to time. Let me tell you about it.
I turned the dial up into the phone portion of the band on my ham radio in order to listen to a Saturday morning swap net. Along the way, I came across an older sounding chap, with a tremendous signal and a golden voice. You know the kind; he sounded like he should be in the broadcasting business. He was telling whomever he was talking with something about "a thousand marbles.." I was intrigued and stopped to listen to what he had to say.
"Well, Tom, it sure sounds like you're busy with your job. I'm sure they pay you well but it's a shame you have to be away from home and your family so much. Hard to believe a young fellow should have to work sixty or seventy hours a week to make ends meet. Too bad you missed your daughter's dance recital" he continued, "Let me tell you something Tom, something that has helped me keep a good perspective on my own priorities." And that's when he began to explain his theory of a "thousand marbles."
You see, I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives about seventy-five years. I know, some live more and some live less, but on average, folks live about seventy-five years.
Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and I came up with 3900, which is the number of Saturdays that the average person has in their entire lifetime.
Now, stick with me, Tom, I'm getting to the important part. It took me until I was fifty-five years old to think about all this in any detail" he went on, "and by that time I had lived through over twenty-eight hundred Saturdays.
I got to thinking that if I lived to be seventy-five, I only had about a thousand of them left to enjoy. So I went to a toy store and bought every single marble they had. I ended up having to visit three toy stores to round up 1000 marbles. I took them home and put them inside a large, clear plastic container right here in the sack next to my gear."
"Every Saturday since then, I have taken one marble out and thrown it away. I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focus more on the really important things in life. There is nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight."
"Now let me tell you one last thing before I sign-off with you and take my lovely wife out for breakfast. This morning, I took the very last marble out of the container. I figure that if I make it until next Saturday then I have been given a little extra time. And the one thing we can all use is a little more time."
"It was nice to meet you Tom, I hope you spend more time with your family, and I hope to meet you again here on the band. This is 75 Year Old Man, K9NZQ, clear and going QRT, good morning!"
You could have heard a pin drop on the band when this fellow signed off. I guess he gave us all a lot to think about. I had planned to work on the antenna that morning, and then I was going to meet up with a few hams to work on the next club newsletter. Instead, I went upstairs and woke my wife up with a kiss.
"C'mon honey, I'm taking you and the kids to breakfast."
"What brought this on?" she asked with a smile. "Oh, nothing special, it's just been a long time since we spent a Saturday together with the kids. And hey, can we stop at a toy store while we're out? I need to buy some marbles."
CELEBRATING FATHER'S DAY
by Patti Chadwick ~ http://www.ParentsandTeens.com ~ Current Editor, Lyn Gregory To subscribe send your request in an email to: [email protected]
Everyone celebrates Father's Day a bit differently, but if you are looking for something a bit different then here are some things/ways you might consider:
Flowers - Yes flowers! How many ties does one dad need?! If you know your dad has a special favorite flower then a bunch would be a nice gesture. If you are unsure what type of flower, then the elegance of a single rose will let him know you care.
Homemade Card/Picture - It doesn't matter if you're 8, 28 or 48, a handmade card or note from the heart speaks more of your feelings than the store bought variety.
Home cooking - Give mom the day off as well and invite them both over for a good home cooked meal. But remember today is not the day to test out that new recipe. Play it safe and stick to dad's favorite dinner. If you are not the home cooking type - then nothing's better than being treated to a tasty meal at a nice restaurant surrounded by the ones you love. It doesn't have to be anywhere fancy, depending on your dad it could be the neighborhood diner or even the local pizzeria!
Munchies - Does your dad have a sweet tooth? A plate of those homemade cookies or his favorite pie tastes even better when he knows it comes from your heart.
QUOTES TO THINK ABOUT "During childhood, boys and girls look to their fathers for a sense of security, warmth, attention, patience, and understanding. As young people mature, their fathers contribute to their spiritual, emotional, physical, financial, and social well-being. In reaching adulthood, men and women alike are enriched immeasurably by the wisdom of their fathers as they pursue careers, start families, and take active roles in the community." -- George W. Bush, June 15, 2001
Don't let a day go by that you don't pray for, and over, your child. Even when I'm on a trip, I always call home at night, and put a "night blessing" on each child. (Yes, even our teenager!) It's just a short prayer, but even a short sentence prayer can be a powerful way to shine God's light on our children." - John Trent, Ph.D., author, speaker, President of StrongFamilies.com.
"Sometimes your medicine bottle has on it, 'Shake well before using.' That is what God has to do with some of His people. He has to shake them well before they are ever usable." -- Vance Havner
A 31-DAY PLAN FOR WIVES TO USE IN PRAYING FOR THEIR HUSBANDS
1) That he would become a holy man, a man of prayer, mature in the Lord, growing in his knowledge of the Lord. I Thes. 5:23, Col. 4:12, Eph. 1:18-19, 3:16-19, 6:18
2) That he would grow in all 11 descriptions of a man who will not be shaken as listed in Psalm 15.
3) That he would be a man of contentment as seen in Prov. 15:16, Phil. 4:11, I Tim. 6:6-8, Heb. 13:5.
4) That he would learn to take every thought captive, to not be conformed to the world's thinking and to think scripturally. Rom. 12:2, II Cor. 10:5.
5) That he would daily seek God with all his heart, walking in the Spirit moment by moment, growing in his dependence upon Him. Psalm 119:1-2, Prov. 3:5-6
6) That he would ever be captivated by my love. Prov. 5:18-19
7) That he would be a man of courage. Deut. 31:6, II Chron. 19:11
8) That the Lord would give him wisdom to lead his family physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Eph. 1:17-19
9) May he always look at the plank in his own eye before seeing other's sawdust. Matt. 7:3
10) That he would become a called man, not driven, with well-thought-through-and-prayed- through goals in his life. I Cor. 9:24-27
11) That he would be a man of prayer, guarding his heart and mind, putting into practice what he has heard, seen and learned. Phil. 4:4-9
12) That he would stand firm against the schemes of the devil and resist Satan in all circumstances. Eph. 6:10-18, James 4:7
13) That he would grow in spiritual maturity by putting away childish things, cultivating understanding, striving after the Christ ideal, partaking of the deeper truths of the gospel, and overcoming temptation. I Cor. 13:11, 14:20, Eph. 4:13, Heb. 5:14, I John 2:14
14) That he would make me holy, cleansing me by the washing with water through the Word. Eph. 5:26
15) That he would learn to not depend on his circumstances for happiness but on God alone. Heb. 3:17-19
16) That he would be a man who enters into spiritual warfare. Eph. 6:11-12, I Thes. 5:8
17) That he would have new strength in the midst of his busy schedule, and that the Lord might infuse him with His strength. Isaiah 40:31, Eph. 3:14-19
18) That he would have a burden to see lost people come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Matt. 28:12-20
19) That he would be kept from strange women and evil men, and that his friends would be men and women who walk with God. Prov. 13:20
20) That his self-image might be a reflection of the Lord's thoughts toward him. Eph. 1:17-19, Rom. 12:3, Psm. 139
21) That he would be a man responsible for his family's spiritual growth. Prov. 4:1-14
22) That he would not be deceived into unbelief, sin or bitterness. Matt. 13:8-10
23) That he would learn to love as God has commanded. I Cor. 13:4-7, Rom. 12:8-10, Eph. 5:25
24) That the fruit of the Spirit would be exhibited more and more in his life. Gal. 5:22-23, John 15:8
25) That he would grow in humility and in being a shepherd. I Pet. 5:2-6
26) That he would grow daily in character. II Pet. 1:5-8
27) That he would keep a clear conscience. I Pet. 3:16-18
28) That the Lord would protect him, guarding his course. Prov. 2:8
29) That he would learn to manage his time well. Eph. 5:15
30) That the Lord would put a song in his heart. Psm. 33:3, 40:3, Job 35:10
31) That he would have a holy fear of God. Psm. 34:11, 111:10, Prov. 9:10
A TRIBUTE TO FORMER PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN
This has been a week to look back and honor the memory of one of our greatest American presidents. President Ronald Reagan infused into America the hope in God, optimism, vision and patriotism by his strong leadership not only in this country, but in the world. He looked to his God, the Lord Jesus Christ, each day and prayed, "Not my will, but Thine be done," and took a bold moral stand on many issues. I remember how he said several times in speeches that the Bible had the answer to all of life's problems and he tried to have it returned to the public schools, but that decision was always blocked by an opposing Congress. He often spoke about prayer and moral values. President Reagan stood up all through his presidency for the sanctity of human life - for the protection of defenseless unborn babies - a battle we are still waging. God bless the memory of President Ronald Reagan!
The key in having good leaders like Ronald Reagan is in electing more men and women like him Reagan into government leadership - and that is our job. Please make sure you are registered to vote and then make it a priority to vote on election day, so we can have congressmen, senators, presidents, vice presidents and others who honor the Lord in office. Vote by absentee ballot if there is even a slight chance that you will not be in your hometown or might be unable to get to the polls on election day. Help an elderly person who can't go to the polls to obtain an absentee ballot. For help on how to vote by absentee ballot, look in the government pages of your phone book for your city or county Registrar. I know our county Registrar is extremely helpful. We can not afford to let the opportunity to vote in every election slip by us. Our actions or apathy will affect future generations - our children and grandchildren.
God bless each one of you ladies, as you make Father's Day special to your own fathers, your husband, and your sons and sons-in-law who are fathers!
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