2010 06 20

Sunday class: Matthew 6:16. "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18. so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Scripture Reading: #473

No Vespers this evening nor next Sunday evening.

Wednesday evening: prayers from 5-7 “Come & pray as you have opportunity.”

Next Sunday: Dr. Paul Batson

Father’s Day: Being a father – lessons from Ephesians 4.

Ephesians 4:1. As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

I’ve used that first verse, with a minor change, as part of my charge and philosophy of being a “Dad.” Here’s how I read it: “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of being called a Dad.”

For me, being a Dad is a divine calling. The highest and most difficult calling to which I could aspire and respond.

The Apostle Paul, in I Timothy 3:12, is talking about a church leader must be a person who “…must manage his children and his household well.” (My Greek dictionary lists the word as ‘proistemi’: Pronounced pro-is'-tay-mee “maintain; manage”)

I Timothy 5:8. “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (Again, my Greek dictionary says the word is ‘pronoeo’: Pronounced pron-o-eh'-o “to consider in advance, i.e. look out for beforehand [actively, by way of maintenance for others; middle voice by way of circumspection for oneself]: KJV--provide for.)

So, Paul was saying – once we get the muddled English out of the way, was that it is absolutely imperative for any man who considers himself to be a ‘believer’ to be one who ‘maintains’ his household in such a way that the management of risks and benefits are considered in advance; the best interests and opportunities for his household are circumspectly analyzed; that he is the middle voice of calm, encouragement, hope, vision, provision and opportunity.

Here’s how I understand Ephesians 4:1. “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of being called a Dad. 2. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

Dad, ‘be completely humble and gentle.’

Dad, ‘be patient.’

Dad, ‘hang in there with your kid in love.’

Dad, ‘make every effort…make it your top priority, to keep the unity of the Spirit in the house through the bond of peace.’

And then that last verse of Ephesians chapter 4 (32.): “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Five things…those are just five little phrases from the fourth chapter of Ephesians that can enable a man to live a life worthy of being called a Dad.

So what about me, did I do it right? I’m not done trying. I still have hopes of being worthy of being called a Dad.