This morning my youngest son, Evan, who turned 3 in June, was “reading” his picture Bible. As he turned the page he said, “Jesus!” Then he turned to the next page and said, “Jesus!” Every page was about Jesus.
Evan probably knows the Bible better than most of us. While we are busy trying to figure out all the deep things of the Bible, Evan knows simply that the Bible is about Jesus. Every page, every story, is about Jesus…
When my wife and I came to Prairie Bible College last year, we knew God was up to something beyond just going to school for a few years and getting a degree. As the year went on, I began to think about how everyone has different paths and some look quite straight and consistent, and others look more like a roller coaster. I observed other students, and saw how some, like a fellow pastoral student, who are there to get a degree and go back home,…
This morning I thought I’d reflect a bit on the Biblical responsibilities of a father. Most of the references to fathers in the Bible are in the stories themselves, but relatively little instruction is given directly to fathers. I do not hesitate to say, however, that if a man is wondering how he can be a good father, his main source of instruction should be Scripture. The entire Bible is the foundation for good fatherhood.
When I think about being a good father, and I try to evaluate how I’ve been doing so far, I take verses like Proverbs 4:20-22 (there are many others like it) and ask myself the question, can I say this to my children?
My [children], be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.
The truth is, my words will never be as wise as Solomon’s, but thankfully the wisdom of God is available to all of us through the Bible, through wise mentors and teachers in the church and through the Spirit of God within us. My responsibility is to treasure the wisdom of God; to be a father who’s children can look up to and seek council from.
I see father’s day as a day to not only honour the fathers in our lives, but also as a reminder that God has given me the tremendous responsibility to take care of three of His children. With God’s help, I commit to passing on wisdom to my children and to be an example of one who’s treasure is Christ and who’s purpose is to glorify our eternal Father, who is in heaven. As J.I. Packer has said, “What is a Christian? The richest answer I know is that a Christian is one who has God as Father.”
Happy Father’s Day!
Three men in their 60′s talk for a few minutes on how to stay married. Based on Bonhoeffer’s statement: “It is not your love that sustains the marriage, but from now on, the marriage that sustains your love.”
Piper, Carson, and Keller on Sustaining the Covenant of Marital Love from The Gospel Coalition on Vimeo.
Just over a month ago, I announced that we were making a decision on where I will be going to school this fall. Since then, I have applied and been accepted to Prairie Bible College in Three Hills, Alberta.
By the will of God, we will be selling our house and moving out to Three Hills this summer and living there for at least 3 years while I complete a Bachelor of Ministry – Pastoral degree. We are very excited about this move, but have a lot of work to do before then.
We thank you for your prayers and ask that you continue to pray for the things mentioned in my previous post. Thanks so very much!
13 years ago, I made a commitment to God, and although I stumbled and struggled with my faith along the way, I always knew that one day I would go to Bible College for Christian Ministry. Lynn and I have decided that this Fall is the time for me to do this.
Over the next couple weeks, we will be making a decision to move to one of two communities, depending on which school I choose. Our first choice is Prairie Bible College in Three Hills, Alberta. This is our first choice for many reasons, most of which have to do with family life within the community. Our second choice is Providence, which is closer to home, but not as good for family life.
Please pray for us as we make this decision, and all of the steps that need to happen from now until August: application and acceptance, scholarships, bursaries and students loans, selling our house and arranging housing at the school campus, and our kids as they will have to adjust to a different living arrangement.
We appreciate your prayers and support!
