BIBLICAL FATHERS

I love the Bible. It is so real—not only with examples of how to live; but also with examples of how not to live. Some of the Bible’s biggest characters were horrible fathers.

Samuel had no control over his sons who took bribes as leaders of Israel. Lot wanted to give his daughters to the men of the town to rape. Abraham, Isaac and David were all heads of seriously dysfunctional families. Israel showed so much favoritism to his son, Joseph that Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery.  

The point is that even though they made mistakes—lots of them—terrible ones—ultimately they were saved because God loved them and they loved God. 

Fortunately, the Bible also gives us examples of good fathers. One of the greatest examples is Jesus’ earthly stepfather. Joseph married Mary in spite of her being a pregnant, unwed young girl. He gave her and Jesus a home; gave him stepbrothers and a stable family life.  

Jesus would have still been God in human form if Mary had been a single mother. But no doubt, God intended Jesus to be part of an intact family with an earthly father-caregiver for a purpose. And one purpose might have been to show the importance of fathers in children’s lives. As an example to us. 

I had a wonderful earthly father. But not everyone had kind, loving earthly fathers who loved God. Some of us have stumbled our way through life, grasping onto Jesus’ hand when we finally met him in a dark place in our lives. How much better might it have been to have been raised as a Christian, knowing Jesus as a child; led to Him by our earthly mother and father who loved Him, too?

This Sunday, as we celebrate the fathers we had and the legacy they leave through us, we are grateful for the creation of family; for the example of Jesus' earthly family and even more for our Heavenly Father who loves us eternally.

Happy Father's Day to all of you fathers.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for placing us in families and for the legacies you provide through our parents and through us. Thank you for being our eternal Heavenly Father. Help us celebrate Heavenly Father's Day every day for you. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? How will you observe Father's Day this weekend?

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Today’s post is part of the Christian Writer’s blog chain. This month, our theme is “Savor.” Please visit my friends’ blogs by clicking on the links in the right-hand column.

April 1 is the one-year anniversary of From Carol’s Quill. Here are the stats:

1 year of blogging

158 posts

Six pages to the site

88 prayers based on the meaning of names

8,482 hits to the site

 + + +                 

The more important stats are not quantifiable. The goal of this blog is to encourage others in their faith in Christ. Whether I have done so is up to God to determine.

As I set out to encourage others in their faith, though something amazing happened. Writing about my faith has encouraged me.

• Preparation for blogging requires me to look around each day for parables about Jesus. When I look for Jesus, I find him.

• Preparation for blogging requires me to research and meditate on scripture. More head knowledge results in more heart knowledge.

• Preparation for blogging requires me to pray and allow the Holy Spirit to guide my hands. More prayer and more attuning to the Spirit is always good.

Blogging has grown my faith; brought me closer to my Savior; helped me savor time spent with Him.

Is that not the way it is when we first set out to encourage others? We find ourself encouraged, stretched and strengthened through the process.


A few thank you's are in order:

• To my readers for your faithful reading and commenting.
• To the Christian Writers.com community for letting me join in the blog chain fun.
• To my Heavenly Father for using me in this one and only life He’s given me.
• To my Savior for the reason for my faith.
• To the Holy Spirit who has guided my hands this past year.

I look forward to another year of savoring the way God plans to use me for His good purpose. And savoring the friendships I make along the way.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the opportunities you give us to share your love with others. Thank you for showing us ways to use technology for this sacred purpose. Holy Spirit, please give us words to express your love in this world. Let it always and only be for your glory. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? How do you use technology to encourage others?