Trinity Bible Church Ottawa

My Dear Friends:

This Sunday is Father’s Day, a day where we traditionally pause and take a closer look at what it means to be a “great” dad of faith. It’s tough out there trying to be a “great” dad of faith isn’t it. In some ways, it’s even tough be a dad of faith much less a “great” dad of faith. There is much that we dads struggle with when attempting to share faith.

Here are what Canadian dads struggle with in passing faith along to their kids:

#1 – Time and busyness (25%)

#2 – Lack of self-discipline (13%)

#3 – Fatigue (11%)

#4 – Consistency (10%)

#5 – Personal Spiritual Walk (7%)

While it is a challenge to pass on faith, it can be done for we dads already have the tools in our tool box to do it. This Sunday I will literally pull out the tools that we all love to play with (screwdrivers, hammers, tape measurers, levels) as we explore how to be a dad of faith. When we truly understand the truth behind these tools we can build that house that is secure. “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” Psalm 127:1 We are called to join the Lord in this building. As a Father, I believe I am called to build into the life of my wife, my children and, since it is Father’s Day, my own Father. Are you building the right things the right way or are you wasting your time?

Until Sunday, please allow me to pass on a bit of wisdom to all the dads out there. Dad, treat your children’s mother with love and respect. Tell her you love her every day – in front of the kids. Tell her three, four, five times a day. They need to hear you say it. They need to see you live it!

“So guard yourself; remain loyal to the wife of your youth.” (Malachi 2:15)

In the mid-'90s, Sports Illustrated did a cover feature entitled "St. David," on David Robinson, the MVP center for the San Antonio Spurs. One segment described how Robinson handled himself, as a professing Christian, husband, and father, in the midst of the NBA's intense temptations. For example, during television breaks, he'd sit on the bench and stare studiously at the floor to avoid looking at the gyrating cheerleaders out on the court. The article also mentioned that like all NBA players, Robinson was constantly being approached by attractive women who wanted to talk to him . and were probably offering more than just witty conversation. Apparently, he would rather brusquely brush them off. When asked to comment on that seemingly "rude" practice, he said something like this: "If any woman is going to get her feelings hurt, it's not going to be my wife." A protector and hero in action. Each day your wife and mine hold out to us their intense, God-given, little-girl desire (and right) to be treasured. Each day she's threatened on all sides by an offensive and abusive world. And each day-with kind words and faithful eyes-we, too, can be our wife's protector and hero. -Jeff Feldhahn in For Men Only My Response: Can my wife feel confident that I have eyes only for her?

God bless you

Shawn