NOTE: If you would like to send us a question for our “Ask me Anything” episode, please email scott@risefmohio.com or tom.hccm@gmail.com We would love to hear from you! Serious or silly, it doesn’t matter! Father’s Day, Part 1 (We didn’t intend for a 2-parter, but it’s us, so….)Luke 15:20So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Father’s Day is:· A day to be thankful for the men who take on the responsibility and obligations of guiding us through life.· Jesus gave thanks to the Father as an example to us. Father’s Day is the time we designate to thank our earthly fathers and our Heavenly Father, just as our Savior did. Stephen Scott & Focus on the Family.· Scripture clearly shows the importance of the relationship between Jesus and God, the Father· John 20:17 is a good example; Jesus said, 'Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'How do fathers want to be celebrated on Father’s Day?· They are more into a family activity. That may mean a hike or a family kickball game. They may enjoy a family bike ride.· If you're wanting to surprise the father of your children this Father's Day, plan a romantic night or weekend getaway. Yes!!God, our Heavenly Father, is the ultimate example of a righteous father. Even amid our shortcomings, His love is complete and endless. He invites us to talk with Him in prayer. He wants us to be happy. Through Jesus Christ, we can know God as our heavenly Father. In a sense, the Creator is the Father of all humanity. However, it's only through trusting in Jesus that a person becomes a child of God (Galatians 3:26).—Jesus calls God “Father” over 165 times! See how important this is to God? And I wish I could say Jesus settled the matter. But, no—to this day God longs to be called "Father." He will forever want His children, seeking those who walk away. But in the New Testament, although God remains holy and majestic in our eyes, Jesus adds a strikingly clear emphasis on God as Father—both his Father and our Father (John 20:17). It is Jesus who calls God “Abba, Father” (Mark 14:36). It is Jesus who teaches us to pray to God as our Father (Matt. 6:9). Ray Ortlund said, “That God the Father has made himself God our Father means that he is personally, emotionally, and even sacrificially involved with us.” Step Dads Let’s celebrate all the dads who, like our Heavenly Father, selflessly infuse their own spirit into the lives of others. Is there someone in your life that fills that father role – thank him today. A special note from a stepdaughter to a stepdad, from LuAnn Prater-“I was thinking about it, and there is a difference between Dad and Step-dad. A Dad just is. It’s Dad. But the word Step is one of those polite substitutes for what it truly is: a LEAP; a PLUNGE; a FREEFALL on to the side of an unknown mountain, knowing no matter where you land on it – you MUST climb and fair the weather along the way if you want to reach the top. A different view for step childrenThe Step – “much like the jagged blender blades which create the blended family – is what it takes to bridge the chasm from your heart to mine. And you took that Step, that Leap, that Plunge. I cannot thank you enough. You stand by me. You listen – really listen. And perhaps what most impresses me is that you opened your arms to me – from the first day we met. You were willing to love me, and hold me. For once I could be held by a man and trust, to feel SAFE. I cannot thank you enough…for being a father to me…my incredible Step-dad. I love you, Tiffany.” What causes a stepchild to resist the relationship with a step parent?· Comparing a parent to your biological parent· Fear of losing a bio parent because there is a step parent in the picture· Lack of trust and not having control in their lives that cost them their bio parentLet’s look at Father’s Day and a familiar Bible story from a different perspective. Let’s look at the story of the Prodigal Son from the Father’s perspective. What can we learn from him, and from God, about a father? An additional resource for another “dad” story and perspective: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/pro-life/what-fathers-day-means-to-me/
