This Sunday is Father’s Day! Again – give thanks to a Methodist for helping to create a day to honor Dads following Anna Jarvis’s initiative to honor Moms. I appreciate Max Lucado’s comments about his Dad from his book, “God Came Near.”

Father’s Day. A day of cologne. A day of hugs, new neckties, long-
distance telephone calls, and Hallmark cards. Today is my first Father’s
Day without a father. For thirty-one years I had one. I had one of the
best. But now he’s gone. He’s buried under an oak tree in a West
Texas cemetery. Even though he’s gone, his presence is very near – especially today.

I had a great Dad as well –Bob McAdow – for twenty-nine years. He loved God, my Mom, my sister and me. He taught me how to look at a person in the eye and shake their hand with a firm grip, how to work hard, to treat women and others with respect, to serve at Church and to play golf (unfortunately not near enough time at that!). I had the privilege of praying with him to recommit his life to Christ while in Seminary. He grew up in a home without a Dad, but somewhere along the way he learned how to be a great Dad. Coach Tony Dungy has some great advice along those lines for all of us who are privileged to be Dads:

1. Spend time with your children – Value their interests and their schedules.
2. Earn the right to be heard – Listen first. Listen for how they feel. Listen for what makes them smile.
3. Discipline with a gentle spirit – Be aware (know what happened). Be alarmed (admit it bothers you). Be accepting (solve the problem, save the person).
4. Be a role model – Display humility, integrity and patience.
5. Teach the lessons of life – You are their teacher, their mentor and their guide.
6. Eat together as a family – Eat a weekly family meal, have a monthly family celebration and take a yearly family outing.
7. Respect your children’s mother – Respect her with words. Respect her with time. Respect her with agreement.
8. Read to your children – Read a book. Read from a magazine. Read from the Internet.
9. Show affection and appreciation - Show them their strengths. Show them unconditional love.
10. Realize a father’s job is never done – Let them hear your voice, for life. Let them have access to you, for any need. Let them feel unconditional love, forever.

Tony’s ministry is called All Pro Dads. I’d encourage you to check out their website at allprodad.com for other great advice and encouragement.

Be sure to join us this Sunday as we honor our Dads with special recognition, prayer and a gift too! We are so very thankful for all our First Church Dads!

Yours in Christ,

Mark

PS – Last Sunday night’s Mission’s Talent Show was another smashing hit! It’s great to laugh together and enjoy our varied gifts! Blessings!
PSS – Happy 27th Anniversary to my beautiful bride Robin. I love you Honey!