June.18.04: Light for the Day - "Father's Day" -- 2Corinthians 6:18 "And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." -- Proverb 23:22  "Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old." ------- "The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.  -- Anonymous Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him Father!  -- Lydia M. Child It doesn't matter who my Father was;  it matters who I remember he was.  -- Anne Sexton ----------- "What Makes a Dad?" God took the strength of a mountain, The majesty of a tree, The warmth of a summer sun, The calm of a quiet sea, The generous soul of nature, The comforting arm of night, The wisdom of the ages, The power of the eagles flight, The joy of a morning in spring, The faith of a mustard seed, The patience of eternity, The depth of a family need, The God combined these qualities, And then there was nothing more to add, He knew His master peice was complete, And so, He called it- - Dad. -- Unknown ----------- "My Dad" When I was just a tiny kid, Do you remember when, The time you kissed my bruises, Or cleaned my soiled chin? You scrambled for the balls I hit, (Short-winded more than not,) Yet, every time we'd play a game, You praised the "outs" I caught. It seems like only yesterday, You wiped away my tears, And late at night I called your name, To chase away my fears. Though time has changed your handsome grip, Your hair is snowy white, You gait's a little slower now, Thick glasses help your sight. Oh, do I thirst for years gone by, To be that growing lad, Re-living all of the memories, Of growing with my dad. - Tracee Anne Beaty  ----------- "Teach me daddy" Teach me daddy About What I should Know Team me about the love of God Teach me how to sow Because one day to the Father I will go. Teach me daddy of the love of the Father Teach me daddy so that I may not falter Teach me daddy with love and kindness Tell me of how Jesus can do away with our blindness Teach me daddy how to praise the Lord above Do everything you do daddy with love Let me not harden my heart to you oh daddy For if I do, Will I envision the Father above as only human do? Teach me daddy through your example For one day our time will not be so ample The Holy Spirit will be our guide and you the light As we prepare to descend to Heaven on our final ride, never again a need to fight. -- Rhonda Pasibe -- Ephesians 6:4 "Fathers, don't make your children angry by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction approved by the Lord." -------------- "To Any Daddy" There are little eyes upon you, And they're watching day by day; There are little ears that surely Take in every word you say; There are little hands all eager To do everything you do. There's a little boy who's dreaming of the day he'll be like you! You're that little fellow's idol, You're the wisest of the wise. In his little mind, about you No suspicions e'er arise; He believes in you devoutly, Holds that all you say or do He will say and do, in your way, When he's all grown up like you. There's a wide-eyed little fellow Who believes you're always right; His keen ears are always open To catch your words, day or night. You are setting an example, Every day, in all you do, For the little boy who's wanting to grow up to be like you. -- Isabelle Tucker ---------- The Quiz!! Possible points: 70 Necessary points to qualify for Perfect Father: 70 F aithful? A lways there?  T rustworthy?  H onoring?  E ver-loving?  R ighteous?  S upportive?  Add up all the points--not on paper, but in your heart-- and you KNOW the score. Your dad, your spouse, or yourself didn't quite make it!     Don't feel bad--cause no one else on planet earth did either! It's an imperfect world, with imperfect people taking imperfect quizzes, and no surprise! And so the "Quest for the Perfect Dad" continues! -- Romans 8:28 (RSV) "And we know that in everything God works for good with those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose." --------------------- -- Ephesians 6:1-3 "Children, Obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right - Honor your father and mother ....... that is may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." -- Ephesians 1:3 (RSV) "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places." -- 2Corinthians 6:18  "And I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." -- Psalm 34:11 "Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you the fear of the LORD." -- Proverb 23:22 "Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old."