Fathers: Heavenly and Earthly

Fathers will be the main topic in the news on this Fathers' Day. Already, I've seen the results of an AAP study on the importance of fathers in the lives of children. In a nutshell, the study said that fathers are more involved in the lives of their children than ever more. Fathers are deeply concerned about the time they spend at work and away from their children. Fathers make a bigger difference in the lives of their children than most people realize.

I was surprised there was money to fund this study. The findings seemed nothing more than would be expected, but apparently not everyone understands. Fathers are important.

Jesus spoke often of His Heavenly Father and, in John 10:30 said, "I and the Father are one."

The word translated as father is "patēr". This word is used 415 times in the New Testament, indicating both heavenly father and earthly father. Blue Letter Bible provides such rich insights that I've decided to share just a few today.

A father is more than a male ancestor. The word literally means "nourisher, protector, upholder." A father is "one who has infused his own spirit into others, who actuates and governs their minds," "one who takes charge of the interests of others."

The role of a father is a heavy responsibility, for our earthly fathers stand as a flesh-and-blood example of our Heavenly Father. It's a hard job, one in which mere humans are destined to fail.

Fathers, take heart. Our Heavenly Father is more than able to demonstrate His great love for us, even when you stumble and fall.

Children of fathers, offer grace to those who've stumbled and thanks to those who've done their very best. 

Today, be sure to express gratitude for the role of your earthly father, for he has infused his spirit into yours, but don't forget to thank your heavenly Father, too. 

Jesus described Our Father as loving, kind, generous, forgiving, involved in the intimate details of our lives. He listens to us, and He responds, every time we call upon Him.

"Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" Matthew 6:26 esv

Today, look outside at the birds. You'll not see a skinny, underfed bird among them. Our Heavenly Father provides for their every need, and they know it. 

Take heart in that truth. He sees, He loves, He provides. 

We have a Good Father who loves us, and always will. He's the kind of Daddy who takes delight in His children. 

Today, let's honor fathers everywhere, but especially the Father who loves us most.

Happy Fathers' Day, Abba.
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In case you missed these, here are the links to a couple more posts about fathers:
The Value of a Life: We are Deeply Loved
Teach us to Pray: Our Father Aba-na

#FathersDay #fathers #abba

The spirit of adoption

"For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out 'Abba! Father!" (Romans 8:14-15 NASB)

I'm still at Writing Conference. The last few days have been a whirlwind. In case you're wondering, the day starts with worship at 9 am, then classes until lunch, then more classes until the late afternoon, when there's a panel discussion that ends just in time for dinner. After the evening meal, there are "night owl" sessions. Meetings with agents, editors, and mentors are sandwiched in between all the classes and meals. 

It's been late when I've finally headed to my room, and even later when I've finally settled down after the excitement of the day. My head has been in a whirl, and so has my heart. 

After the last nine months of 12-14 hour days spent poring over my computer, writing up a storm, editing until I wept, and agonizing over just the right word, I'm finally pitching my story while trying to fine tune it. It's been a solitary life these last months, and the bustle and crowd this week have been a shock. 

Even more shocking has been this business of pitching my story in two sentences. Thirty seconds to tell what has taken most of a year to write. As a person of many words, the restriction of words frightens me. Pitching to people who could impact my future terrifies me.

When I read this passage, however, I'm reminded once again that there is no need to fear. As a daughter of God, I have not been given a spirit of fear, which enslaves me. The logical thing, the way of the world, might be to have, instead of fear, a spirit of courage, but that's not what God gives us. 

Are you ready for this? 

We don't need courage because we have been given a spirit of adoption.

That's counterintuitive to me. I want courage as I head to these meetings. I want to be bold and brave and strong, but courage and bravery and strength are a distant second to the great gift God has given me.

The spirit of adoption, as a child crying out Abba Father, changes everything.

The one in charge of my life and my future is not an agent or an editor. The one in charge of my life is God Himself, and He's my Daddy. He has a plan and it's good. Because God is my Father, I can count on Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope." 

Our Father has a plan, and it is good.

There's no need to be afraid, because I want God's plan more than I want my own. The search is not for just any agent. The search is for the agent God wants for me, for God's plan, and that changes everything.

The truth that stuns me is that God's plan is not just for the big things like agents and editors and publishing companies. God's plan is epic in its expanse. Eternal in its duration. He is our life and breath. There is no need He's overlooked, no search He cannot solve. 

If you are searching for answers, turn to the One who is All-Knowing. Cry out to Abba Father, who doesn't give us fear. He gives us adoption, the most incredible gift of all.

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Father, Thank you that you have a plan for us and it is good. Help us to walk as children of the King and follow Your path for our lives. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Acting like we belong to God

"For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out 'Abba! Father!" (Romans 8:14-15 NASB)

We're taking a little break from Luke 12 today to dash over to Romans 8. This is Writing Conference week, in case you didn't know, and my schedule (and my brain) are in a bit of a jumble. It has been an exciting and overwhelming week and I've seen God's hand at work all around me. I'll give a full report when I get back home.

My Abba (Daddy God) has been so nice to me that I'm looking at an "Abba passage" today, and maybe tomorrow, too.

The word translated as "being led" is agō. It could also be translated as "being carried". Close your eyes and imagine the arms of God carrying you. That's how His leading is sometimes, isn't it? We can't make the steps ourselves so He scoops us up, snuggles us close, and carries us in the way He intends us to go. 

The word translated as "sons" is huios. It literally means "those who manifest a certain character". 

This is the Leanna translation, but I think it's right. "For all who are being led or being carried by the Spirit of God, these are the ones who act like their Father because they are His children."

If God is leading me, even if He's having to carry me through, my behavior will be a reflection of Him. I'll act like whose I am.

If I'm my Father's daughter, I'll act like it. People will recognize it. Just as people used to say, "You look so much like your mother," they should also say, "You remind me so much of your Father."

Is that what people say about me? Is that what they say about you? It should be.

For today, if we can't walk in obedience, let's ask God to carry us into obedience, so that all who see us will say, "I know her family. She's just like her Daddy."

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Abba Father, lead me, carry me through whatever You have for me today. Help me to act like You and make You proud. May all who see me, also see You in me today. In Jesus' name, Amen.