Hey Dads,
I just wanted to say…YOU MATTER and You are Fathered and therefore equipped to father! You've got what it takes!
I love this picture of Daddy and me … so thankful. I still miss him even after 21 yrs.
May we continue to pass on a legacy of faith that the generation to come might know of his faithfulness even the children yet unborn Ps 78!
Hey Dads,
I just wanted to say, YOU MATTER and you've got what it takes: You are Fathered and therefore equipped to father!
Father's Day Prayers and thoughts:
I am praying that you feel loved, affirmed and encouraged in whatever season of life you and your family are at. I am also praying that by God's grace you can affirm and speak life into your kids today if you have the opportunity. If not physically then through prayer!
For those Dads dealing with regrets and fighting shame; I am praying….
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope (Romans 15:13).
Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. And that you would not grow weary in well doing (Psalms 34:5).
Like Peter in John 21 when he faced Jesus after his failures… face your heavenly Father's embrace and forgiveness. Hear him say keep loving me and feed my sheep. I have cast your sins and failures into a sea of forgetfulness. Get back in the game; we've got work to do!
I am also reminded that having a great Father's day doesn't mean your family is perfect or without pain! One of the fatherhood class leader's motto on his WhatsApp says, "keep walking…even with pain". Corinthians teaches that He is the God of all comfort and that we are never allowed to endure one trial that doesn't pass through the hands of our loving Father first with the end purpose of all these actions (including the trials) being used for His Glory and our good. I personally don't always understand why He allows some trials to go on for so long. However, when I can't see His hand; I trust His heart. I pray that God gives both you endurance, hope, and joy and that we would not faint but keep following after Jesus. The promise is in due season we will reap if we faint not and see the glorious works He has done even through trials and pain. May he also give us the ability to see the good; not all is bad. The ability to focus on what is good and lovely and praise worth. To rejoice and love people in the middle of their sin like the Heavenly Father did and still does for us!
1 John 3:2 "see what kind of the love the Father has lavished upon us that we should be called sons of God."
You are Fathered and therefore equipped to father!
Lord, thank You so much for fathers and all the sacrifices they make out of love. When they feel tired, overwhelmed, and weak, please give them the strength to keep going and the courage to stand strong. May we keep loving through all seasons: joy and sorrow. Remind us of our great value to you, our kids, and those around us, Amen.
Love you, never give up… you "du dad" and you got this!
For more on Why Dads Matter you can read the outline below from Session 1 of the Fatherhood Class – Why Dads Matter
Another pic of Daddy and me… now I have the matching hair line :)
Session 1 of the Inspiro Fatherhood Class (Outline):
Why Dads Matter
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Why Fathers
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Many dads believe they can be replaced by someone else in their children's lives, so it's critical that dads understand that they provide a unique and irreplaceable role in the lives of their children. Great dads are aware of themselves as a man and aware of the significant impact they have in their family and society. Luke 1:17 / Mal 4:6
The scriptures teach that turning the hearts of fathers back towards their children is one of the most powerful pictures of the gospel and has drastic effects on the home, the nation, and the generations to come.
…in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, …. to make ready a people for the Lord…lest there be utter destruction upon the land. (Luke 1:17 / Malachi 4:6)
Luke 1:17 & Mal 4:6 compares turning the hearts of a dad towards his kids is compared to Spirit and Power of Elijah. Think of the miracles Elijah did. Raising the dead, parting the sea, …. Walked with God!
So how is a father's influence as powerful as the life of the prophet Elijah….
Norm Wakefield from Spirit of Elijah Ministries says "The father / child relationship is not really the biggest deal. It is the shadow of the biggest deal ----- the Gospel."
Our earthly father is our first impression of the heavenly father
One of number one way God reveals himself in scripture is Father
Through the life character of their earthly father they learn to frame up what is expected of a "father"
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Number 1 reason why a father's role in the life of his kids is so important is because Fathers are a
1.) Forerunner to Christ: The earthly father is first impression of the Heavenly Father
2.) The Father Factor: The exponential Impact for Blessing or Curse by Fathers
Malachi 4:6 warns us…When the heart of the father is not turned towards his child there is utter destruction in the Land.
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Sadly in America alone
19.7 million children grow up without the physical presence of a biological, step, or adoptive father! That is 1 in 4! (2017 US Census and National Fatherhood Initiative)
To these children God the Father is ….
Absent (uninterested),
Angry
Or He Abandons…..me
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Bible and Statistics connect social problems back to FATHERS!!!
According to Focus Family Insight: The physical absence of fathers is now considered the most significant family and social problem facing America. The research is staggering.
Prisoners, drug users,
dropouts, runaways, and rapists
all share something in common.
The overwhelming majority come from homes without a father.
Research shows when a child is raised in a father-absent home (no biological, step, or adoptive father), he or she is affected in the following ways... (called the Father Factor!) Source: 2017 U.S. Census Bureau and NFI
20 times more likely to go to prison
7× more likely to become pregnant as a teen
4× greater risk of poverty
More likely to commit a crime, abuse drugs and alcohol, have behavioral problems and face abuse and neglect
2× greater risk of infant mortality
2× more likely to suffer obesity
2× more likely to drop out of High School
YET…THERE IS HOPE….
3.) Family works: God's Plan still works. God commands and designed the Father to lead spiritual discipleship in the family.
Family first institution God designed (Genesis)
Discipleship begins at home Deut 6, Ps 78, Eph 6
Fathers are the spiritual head / shepherds of the family
When the father turns his heart towards God and family!
56% of kids who have a close relationship with their dads share his level of religious commitment. (John Stonestreet & G. Shane Morris // "Families and Faith: How Religion is Passed Down Across Generations", Vern Bengtson)
This is not to under value the role of a mother in anyway, but God directs fathers to love and lead the overall training of children in the home (doesn't mean he does it all but he gives the leadership)!
Brad Austin
Founder, Inspiro Ministries