Tag: Fathers

God Is Looking For A Man

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Father - Son, Men, Ministry, Pastoring, Uncategorized

Dad-Army

Recently while looking through a stack of papers that had collected on the bookshelf in the garage, I found something precious, challenging, and meaningful to my heart.  Immediately I recognized the handwriting on the stenographer’s note paper as being my precious dad’s penmanship.

At the top of the page were the words, “Jer. 5:1,2  Search for a Man,” and in the right corner, he had penned my name.  This was one of his many ways of encouraging his son, of being a mentor to me.  The writing is below.

God is looking for:

  1. A man who will not lose his individuality in a crowd.
  2.  A man of convictions who is willing to say “no” when all others are saying “yes.”
  3.  A man who is upright, pure, and generous.
  4.  A man that’s not a coward in any of his parts; no fear of man.
  5.  A man with balanced character, conviction, and consecration.
  6.  A man who wants substance rather than show.
  7.  A man who will be the conscience in his society in which he lives.
  8.  A man who delights in the privilege to glorify Jesus Christ.
  9.  A man who is dogmatic in his loyalty to the Bible, even if it costs him his friends.
  10.  A man who is determined to stand for Christ even if it becomes unpopular cause.
  11.  A man who denounces sin without apology in high or low.
  12.  A man who has a desire to fellowship with good men.
  13.  A man who displays compassion for lost souls.
  14.  A man dominated by the control of the Holy Spirit.
  15.  A man who knows how to discern between love that is based on truth or mere  sentimentality.
  16.  A man who has a decisive desire to build a strong Christian home.
  17.  A man who walks in the will of God.

Thanks, Dad, that even after departing this earth sixteen years ago, your influence is still strong in my life!  Thanks for being that kind of man. By God’s grace and for His glory, I want to be that man, too!

Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem,
    look and take note!
Search her squares to see
    if you can find a man,
one who does justice
    and seeks truth. (Jeremiah 5:1)

I Want To Be That Man

A Godly Heritage

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Family

Yesterday I was reminded of two men that have impacted my life in great ways.  The first was my own father.  Having received a Facebook notification, I saw a picture of my dad standing beside newlyweds of which he had performed their wedding.  There he stood in his suit looking sharp and stately as always.  What memories that picture brought to my mind.  He has been celebrating in the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for nearly twelve years. How grateful for a dad who loved “his Jesus,” preached the Word, cared deeply for lost souls, was faithful to my mom and a great provider for her, was a hard worker, prayed passionately, was a giver, loved his siblings and their families, and was a mentor and dear friend to me.   He was shorter in height than me, but he stood tall in my eyes.  How grateful I am today for the godly heritage of my dad.

The second man is my father-in-law.  Yesterday while chatting with him and my mother-in-law via Skype, I was reminded again of what has made him so dear to me.  His personality is one of a quiet demeanor. Even his voice is soft.  As a man “in the background,” he has loomed large as a servant and a giver.  He is always looking out for Mom, his girls, and his grandkids.  You never leave their house without some Ale-8’s, cookies, bottle of water, coffee, etc.  He is always looking for ways to serve you while you are in their home.  He loves sports, UK Wildcats, and southern gospel music.  Every time we visit, those subjects are dear to us.  He and I have enjoyed many concerts over the years preparing our hearts for the day of eternal praise and worship.  He is also a man of a tender heart.  He is having a surgical procedure done today, so before we ended our conversation, we had prayed together.  When we were finished, he had tears in his eyes.  I have seen those tears several times in joy and sorrow; in church, at home, at southern gospel concerts, at our daughter’s funeral, or before we leave to go home, and we gather in the kitchen for prayer.  How grateful I am for the godly heritage of my father-in-law.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. (Psalm 1:1-6)