Fathers are misunderstood

Today's affirmation: #FathersDay2017

Honor thy father…. Exodus 20:12, Proverbs 23:10-26

http://ow.ly/IkMe100HY8C

A cup of COLD water… Get it yourself

READ: Matthew 10:34-42

…a cup of COLD water… Matthew 10:42

Jesus dividing families

Today’s scripture lesson speaks of several things – Jesus coming with a sword breaking up families, fathers against sons and mothers against daughters.  The Prince of Peace goes on to say (me paraphrasing) – whoever finds their life will lose it but if they lose for the sake of Jesus it will be found.  By welcoming a righteous person as a righteous person, and sacrificing to help others we will receive the rewards of prophets. But if anyone gives one of Jesus disciples a cup of COLD water truly that person will not lose their reward.

Digging for cold water

What’s the big deal about COLD water? To us it does not mean much because of its convenience.  It only takes a few seconds for us to walk to our refrigerator and get a bottle of ice COLD water.  Just envision during Jesus time, COLD water was a luxury more of a sacrifice. To get COLD water a person would have to walk for miles to the river, climb rugged terrain, or dig a well. The COLD water was deep. You would have to lower a bucket into the swift currents and struggle to pull it out.  Then the trek back home… COLD water was not found near the surface only tepid and nauseating warm water cooked by the sun.  So would you sacrifice your time and energy in Jesus name to get me a cup of COLD water?

Looking for convenience in God

Some people’s relationship with God is like COLD water today. They look for convenience by lounging at home streaming services on-line, watching on television, or listening to a pre-recorded sermons. If it is raining, too hot or cold stay at home. Where is the sacrifice?  Nothing wrong with either of these methods the problem is people are relying on someone to make it convenient by spoon feeding them the word.   Sacrifice the time to go get it for yourself and take the word to someone else while you at it.

Lukewarm words

I have heard from many of The Soul’s Remedy followers that they enjoy reading my devotions. Thank you, I appreciate it! My devotions are my way of bringing God's message to others as I see it. Yet in translation, my words lose some of its freshness; they are lukewarm in comparison to God’s cooling water.You may have noticed I now include scriptures to read with each devotional. The reason I preface devotions with God’s word, the Gospel is more important. If reading The Souls Remedy is a method to get people closer with God, I have done my part...

But I ask of you one thing - the next time you read a devotional bring your cup to the spring dip it and take a sip. Sacrifice a few extra minutes to pray, study, ask questions and enjoy God’s COLD revitalizing word before reading The Souls Remedy.

.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your cooling water the fresh word. May your Holy word flow fresh through each reader blessing them in the name of Jesus.  My lives be changed and souls saved today by the reading of your word.  This I pray in Jesus name. Amen.

From a boy to a man... If only

Father and son bond

If only…

As a boy there were times to express deep thoughts –

that linger in one’s mind.

Or deliberate the contemplations of a man.



If only…

As a boy reminiscing of long walks

that first bike ride without training wheels and

laying catch in the park

or staying up late listening to man talk.



If only…

As a boy there were adults who understood –

brewing emotions of the mind

Is it not okay for a man to show emotion of any kind?



Your succinct roar

Where often words of encouragement –

I now realize.

not to bring me down

But to make one soar



Spring turned to winter

Hopping right over summer

Now all is left are memories

And plenty of what if’s to wonder



If only…

I knew – your last words of wisdom bestowed

would be the end



I remember your teachings –

Keeping them close to heart

love and faithfulness never leave me;

each morning I recite from the very start









If only…

Every man would learn –

To express their deepest thoughts

It is okay to say I love you

and not withhold good to whom it was due



If only…

every man stop making promises

Especially those they know they can’t keep

But start removing EGO and pride

Then the true bond of fatherhood would finally be found

Dominoes... A game of chance just like Life

Hand of Dominoes

Keep asking that God of our Lord Jesus Christ may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know him better.  Ephesians 2:17 (15-20)

My father was a domino fanatic. A daily ritual – wake-up,work, eat, and slam bones. Nightly his crew would battle – Russell, Pee-Wee and a few others. This was a game of war no mercy – may the best man win – strategic moves, name calling until the break of dawn.  The sound of Dominoes click-clacking reminds me of life.

There are similarities between Dominoes and life both are a game of chance.  To play, first know the rules. Either follow them or choose your own path. For both - every thought a decision has to be made - right or wrong - good or bad.  There is a way that appears to be right but in the end it leads to death Proverb 14:12.

Life choices playing Dominoes

Shuffle

In the beginning all dominoes are "shuffled."  Life shuffles or rearranges our goals – we loose direction. Confusion develops blocks.

 When we seek God, his kingdom, and righteousness, our goals will be placed in order Matthew 6:33.

Block

The lost of direction cause setbacks – a "block.”  With no moves we make irrational decisions. We reach for help from the bone yard. 

Things that hinder us set them aside, fix our eyes on Jesus Hebrews 12:1-2.

Bone yard

We gather dominoes from the bone yard. We randomly select – ideas, goals or dreams. We hope for the best. When all else fail we draw again from the reserve in suspense.

Take your dreams to God. Don’t depend on your understanding. Submit to God, he will layout your path Proverb 3:6

Layout

What is before us is a table of connected dots - we play and  layout each Domino – some are winning hands, others retreat back to the bone yard eager for another opportunity.

Stop wishing. Rely on your faith and trust in the Lord. Proverb 3:5

Father and son

Dominoes was the game where I connected with my father and learned Man talk. In between trash talking, counting, and analyzing there was a bond – a sense of togetherness. God desires for us to choose him in our game of life. Do you trust him?

Each game 'pops' and I played - All problems were laid out in a row – on the table. I calculated each move - every thought began with a decision. The end result we had fun no tension everything was carefree – until I yelled DOMINO!