Happy Fathers Day.

I love being a Dad, I wish I could tell you about all the wonderful times I had with my Dad but, If the truth be told I can only remember only a handful of times that he spent with me and only one or two of those did he act like he wanted to be there.  He was always chasing success “The next Big Deal” someone or something else always had his attention. The family suffered because of it. The really sad thing is he never found what he was looking for.

Most of what I learned from my Dad is what I didn’t want to be for my kid’s. One of the things I wanted to do for my kid’s was BE THERE, and if you have kids you need to learn this Now. I know that we have to work and have things to do but, kids would really rather just have YOU. The time you spend with your children is the most significant investment you can make, and the reward is eternal.

No matter where you are in life you can learn to be Gods man for your family. I didn’t know anything about being a Dad, so I looked for men who were doing right. They weren’t perfect men but they wanted to be and I began to imitate them. Here are Five characteristics that where evident in their lives. Philippians 2:19-30 flushes this out.

1. God’s man is a man of compassion. A man who puts relationship before results
“all the others care only for themselves.” v. 21
2. God’s man is a man of consistency. A man who puts character before conformity.
“…. Timothy has proven himself……he has served…”
3. God’s man is a man of cooperation. A man who puts cooperation before competition.
” I thought I should send Epaphroditus, My brother, co-worker, and fellow solider” v. 25
4. God’s man is a man of commitment. A man who puts the cause of Christ before comfort.
” He was ill; in fact he almost died” v. 27
5. God’s man is a man of courage. A man who puts service before security.
“…. give him honor…. for he risk his life for the work of Christ…..” v. 29-30

God’s man is a ordinary guy with extraordinary values, a man that lets the Holy Spirit guide and direct his life and thats the way I see it in my market

There are two choices in life that are the most important choices you will ever make.

The most important: Choosing Jesus Christ as your Savior.
The second most important: Choosing a Mate.

In the book of beginning Genesis chapter 24 is the beautiful story Isaac and Rebekah. The father of faith Abraham sends a trusted servant to find “The One” for his son Isaac, Isaac the promised one. God made good on his promise to Abraham to give him a son and through him many would come, A Great Nation would be born and also the blessings of God.

As we read the story some very important Principles are found. It is interesting to me that God only uses about 31 verses of scripture to describe how everything came to be “creation” and when he describes how we are to find a mate he uses 67………. Do  you think he is trying to tell us something about the importance of this subject? I think so. Here are four things to take notice of,

The first thing to do when looking for a mate is: Pray (v.12)

The second: Watch (v13-21)

The third: Turn

The fourth: walk through (v.67)

It works well when we ask God to reveal His choice. One of the obvious problems is waiting and watching when we fail here we end up in a wrong relationship and here are a few of the wrong kinds relationships.
 Crowbar relationship: Always pushing and pulling against God, His Plan, His principles, His word, and having the idea he will change his mind, so I can be forgiven later but right now I am going to do what I want to.
Caveman relationship: Good at killing things and dragging you around.
The Bad Taco relationship: Hot and spicy, but leaves you bloated and tired. I know better, but eat it anyway.
Romeo & Juliet: Hasty and emotional – Always running ahead- Always dramatic- Always ends in death of the relationship. The relationship is based deception, not to each other, but to everyone else- Parents, Families, and Friends.
 When looking for “The One” take time, ask God then watch what can happen when you don’t get in a hurry. And thats the way I see it in my market.

Somethings, good things have happened on accident, can you imagine  a world with out Corn Flakes, Microwave Ovens, Silly Putty, Slinky, Potato Chips, Play-Doh,  all those things happened by accident. Healthy Families don’t belong in that list. Some really great things have happened on accident , but Healthy Families don’t,. healthy families whether is with children or just a couple need to be there for them, to spend time in intimacy, maybe using toys like a hands free vibrator to keep the fire on the relationship.

The drive verse we have been using in series has been Joshua 24:15 “but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Joshua is conveying the idea that there is something intentional about following the Lord,  it just doesn’t happen on accident.

Matthew chapter seven gives us some advice on how to have a Healthy Family. Here are a few of the principles that promote a healthy family.

1. Healthy Families are built on honesty. (vv.1-5)
2. Healthy Families are protected by faithfulness. (vv. 6)
3. Healthy Families are built on thoughtfulness. (vv. 7-12)
The golden rule V. 12 – living in right relationship with each other
4. Healthy Families rely on deliberate choices. (vv.13-14)

Everyone in the family has a part to play and the biggest part is becoming the best you, you can be and the Apostle Paul gives a good place to start Romans 12:2 “Don’t be conformed……….but renew your mind. and thats the way I see it in my market.

Credit: www.naturoids.health

“What do these stones mean?” Joshua tells us they are to remind us of what God has done in our life. What have you done to make sure you will remember Gods faithfulness? We are only one generation away from losing our faith, and this is what happens.

“After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel.” Judges 2:10

That is what happens when no one builds a Memorials. We need to be faithful to teach our kids the things God does in our Family. Build a Memorial, pile some stones but you say I don’t have any, well here are some things you can do.

1. Make Sunday special – worship God, rest, unplug, disconnect. Ex 20:8                                                                  
2. Meal time – take time to share life.  Deut 27:7
3. Family Devotions – Talk about God.  Deut 6:6-7
4. Holidays/Vacations – Celebrate & Dedicate Time. Numbers 10:10
5. Passover/Communion – Remember. Ex 12:13-14

These are just a few ideas you or can make your own “Family Memorial” and then when someone asks you why you do these things you can tell them they remind us of a time when God did_______________
you fill in the blank. and thats the way I see it in my market

As we are working through this current series on the family ( Family Guide ) we have come to the the subject of parenthood- to be or act as a mother or father to someone.

Its an interesting definition: to be or act.

This implies doing something. So many parents seem to be willing to let someone else – to be or act – as a mother or father,  why would you want someone else to be the primary influence in their life?

God gave them to you and the responsibilities of raising them. Training kids doesn’t just happen, we have to Be or Act. This is the greatest Job you will ever have. And the Bible is full of advice to help us raise healthy Kids.

1. Train them to manage God’s money (Proverbs 3:9-10)
2. Train them to carefully select friends (Proverbs 13:20)
3. Train them to watch their words (Proverbs 4:24)
4. Train them to be responsible (Proverbs 6:6-8)
5. Train them to guard their minds (Proverbs 23:7)
6. Train them to be generous (Proverbs 11:25)
7. Train them to fear God (Proverbs 1:7)
You as a parent are called to lead your children don’t let a oppertunity to shape a life past by you. They need you to lead them to God, you as a parent have the ability to affect generations by what you do now and that’s the way I see it in my market