Dad...Best Three-Letter Word Ever!

Throughout my short life on earth…48 years to be exact, I have been given a variety of titles:  Coach.  Sergeant.  Preacher.  Husband.  Bus driver.  Uncle.  Son.  Mister.  Soldier.  Veteran.  Brother.  Nephew.  Friend.  Pastor.  Rev.  Teacher.  Dad. 

Ah…Dad!  I love it.  No matter how many times my children have called me dad, never one time have I ever said, “stop calling me, DAD!”  The older that I get and the more independent my children become, I cherish the word even more.  On September 2^nd my son will be moving to Texas to serve as a youth minister and on September 5^th my daughter, who married a Navy Seabee will be moving to California.  All at once, the house will be empty of noise and clutter and left on lights and piles of clothes and the constant calling out of the best three-letter word ever…DAD! 

The first time I heard my son speak, the word came out dada!   It melted my heart and I wanted him to keep saying it over and over again.  When my daughter came along and she starting talking, she called me daddy for the longest time.  Dada, daddy or dad, it doesn’t matter.  I love that title!

One of the most important roles a dad has is to ensure that his children know about a dad who expects our faithfulness to him and who is eternal in love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness.  Ephesians 6:4 declare to dads everywhere to, “bring [the children] up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.” (NLT)  Even Moses instructed the dads to “Love God, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that’s in you, love him with all you’ve got! Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children.” (Deuteronomy 6:5-7 The Message)

Not only do I want to hear my kids talk to me, but I want them to talk to their heavenly dad, too.  Jeremiah 33:3 says it best, “…Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.” (The Message)  God loves it when he hears from his kids.  He loves it when we call him Father.  Dad.  Pappa.  We never wear out our welcome, nor does our heavenly Father ever get bored with any of our conversations we have with him. 

 

Setting on my desk is a plaque my daughter bought me one year that says, “I’m as lucky as can be, for the world’s best daddy belongs to me!”  I see the plaque every day and it reminds me that I must live like the best daddy for my daughter so that she can truly know the best daddy of them all…our heavenly one!

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian

"In or Out of Context?" Part 1

When one asked God to lead in the process of digging deeper into the Scriptures he will give the digger a deeper insight of his intended will. It is true, however, that there are  “out of context” teachings that lead some down the wrong path. 

2^nd Timothy 2:15 is a riveting passage of Scripture about being a good worker and handling truth correctly.  The Apostle Paul said to Timothy the evangelist, “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” (NLT)  Correctly teaching truth in “context” is vital for the young believer in the faith and for those who desire “…to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people.” Jude 1:3 (NLT)

The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Christian in Ephesus is extraordinarily powerful even for twenty-first Century believers.  Paul penned powerful words to help the believers know that God chose them, adopted them and redeemed them.  Paul helped them see the value of the life in the light of Jesus by living the Jesus way every day.  He shared the importance of family and how couples should treat each other at home and he gave them resources to combat Satan by wearing the armor of God daily.

What is fascinating about the letter to the Ephesian believers is the way that he weaves together how to live the Jesus life and how to live it effectively.  Over the years, one part of this letter seems to take aim at how one worships God with music.  “In context” Ephesians 5 is about godly living in the community and in the home.  In essence, Spirit-filled believers will live godly lives in such a way that gives credibility to the Christian life.  The section of Scripture that must be kept “in context” that has been taken “out of context” is Ephesians 5:19,  “singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.” (NLT)  One of the “out of context” teachings has been that Paul is talking about a general church worship setting where we go to a facility and sing to God.  However, “in context” it is one part of the entire section of the letter that teaches us how to live our lives for Jesus on a daily basis. 

“In context”:  Ephesian 5:15-20, “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.  Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.  Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.  And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Speak to one another in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs – Ministering truth

Making music to the Lord in your hearts –Inner joy

And give thanks for everything – Being grateful

“Out of context” is a mandate on “how to” sing in a general church gathering.  It would also being interesting to know how many general church gatherings who teach that this is a “how to” sing in church gathering actually “speak to one another in Psalms and hymns and spirituals songs? 

Stay tuned for another, “In or Out of Context!”

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian