Questions Of Fatherhood

Question: What is my role as a father in this life?

Answer: Lover, Teacher, Guide, Mentor, A Pointer To The Truth, A Resource Of Truth, & A Shepherd. I want to encourage my children's search for the answer to the question 'What Is Truth?' while all the time pointing them to Jesus as the answer to that question. I want to speak God's destiny and identity into their lives as much and as often as possible. I want to encourage my children to know God's Word from as young an age as possible. I want to instill a love of the truth in my children. I want to be a refuge for my children.

Question: What is my goal as a father in this life?

Answer: That my children would learn and grow in the knowledge of God, trust Him with all of their lives, and become conformed into the very image of Jesus even when the world is shaking apart and unbelievers hate them and would try to have them killed.

(Psalm 1:1-3; Luke 1:17, 74-79; 2 Timothy 1:6-7)
Written May 20, 2012

'Patterns'

Patterns - Didn't Follow

Covenant - Didn't Trust Me, Didn't Trust The Pattern

Renewed (New) Covenant - The Law In Their Minds, The Law On Their Hearts

I AM their God!

They are MY PEOPLE!

None will teach saying 'KNOW GOD'.

ALL WILL KNOW ME!

'Small' AND 'Great' Will Know ME!

Mercy To The Wicked! Forgetful Of Their Sin!
(Hebrews 8:8-12 Complete Jewish Bible)

Poem Written June 22, 2012

Isaiah 59

Arm Not To Short To Save
Ear Not To Dull To Hear
Sin Separated Us
SIn Hid Us
Our Hands Stained With Blood
Our Fingers Crusted With Guilt
Our Lips Speak Lies
Our Tongues Utter Wicked, Evil Things
No Justice!
No Integrity!
Our Deeds Are Evil
We Act Violently
Truth Can't Be Found
Upright Men Torn Apart
Justice Far Away, Righteousness Gone!
No Man Intervenes
Therefore God Does!

His Arm Works Righteousness!
His Arm Works Salvation!
He Clothes Himself For Battle!
He Wraps Himself With Zeal!
In Vengeance He Repays!
Everywhere, Men FEAR HIM!
Everywhere, Men REVERE HIM!
Redeemer Comes To Zion
To Jacob Who Repents

Covenant!

Spirit In You, Won't Depart
My Words In You, Won't Depart
Your Children Will Know Them
Their Children Will Know Them
All Your Descendants Will Know Them

FOREVER!
Poem Written April 8, 2012

Questions

Who Are You, God
That You Would Love One Like Me?

Who Are You, God
That You Would Use One Like Me?

Who Am I, God
That You Would Plan My Destiny From The Beginning?

Who Am I, God
That You Would Extend Your Mercy To Die For Me?

What Is The World To You, God
That You Would Care To Bring Forth A Bride For Your Son Out Of My Ugly Brokenness?

What Is The World To You, God
That You Would Pour Forth Your Amazing Grace Before Such An Ugly World?

Who Are You, God? LOVER!
Who Am I, God? BELOVED!
What Is The World To You, God? DESIRED!

Song of Solomon 8:5-7, Isaiah 62:4-5

In Response To The Terrorist Attacks In Israel

In praying for Israel in the wake of the recent terrorist attacks and Israel's response to them, I was meditating on scripture and the Lord gave me Isaiah 42:6-9 and Matthew 5:13-16. We must stand before the Lord in the identity we have received as believers in Yeshua and reject the idols of convenience, success, and materialism we have accepted even within the church. The Lord said through the prophet Isaiah, "I am the Lord, that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols. See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you." - Isaiah 42:8-9

We must be prepared to be a light as Gentiles to everyone we meet whether Jew or Gentile even as we have received light. Yeshua himself said, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden" and "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:14,16

Pray for Israel right now, pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and especially that Prime Minister Netanyahu has the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the knowledge of Yeshua during this time of crisis for Israel. - (Eph. 1:17-19)

Three Ways to Forgive

1. Be a Screen Door

     Like the wind blows through a screen door, let blustry comments, stormy blasts just blow right past. Incidents can only hit hard if you have your front door closed. But having a screen door policy allows some of the pain to blow by, us all hidden in Christ….

2. Only Believe the Best

     When you believe that everyone is always just doing their best, that we never war against flesh and blood but against the principalities, that in light of this fallen world and sinful limitations, they truly are doing their best… this changes everything. Love bears all things, hopes all things, believes all things and whatever is good and pure and lovely, think on these things.

3. Tell the Thankful Truth

     The truth is, there is always something, a lot, to give thanks for and that is the truth about every single parent. Consider offering a father, a mother, the gift of a jar full of slips of paper with your gratitude and thankful memories jotted down. This kind of grateful truth-telling helps to heal old wounds.

Here I Am, Signing Up Again

     Here I am again, Abba. How often do I seem to want to stray away from your heart? My heart's desire is to be wholehearted, childlike, and mature in my trust in you and in my love for you. And yet, I find myself again and again throwing a childish fit when I don't receive what I think you want for me. I don't want to disqualify myself when you don't disqualify me, but I don't want to make a religious excuse for my sin either. I love you, Abba, and I want to please you in everything that I do. I didn't please you yesterday, and I missed a great opportunity to partner with you in prayer. Please forgive me and set my heart again in the place of wholehearted devotion to you. You are my greatest treasure and my greatest pleasure, and I don't want to sacrifice your presence on the altar of my own selfish desires that don't really satisfy anyways. I know that I can only love you as much as I receive and understand how much you love me. I sign up again to love you with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength, Abba. In Yeshua's Name, Amen.