Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Father's Day—6/17/2012

We Honor All Fathers

Sav-A-Child takes this opportunity to honor all
fathers especially those who have done or are
still “doing their job.” If your Dad is still living,
show him honor. If he is not living, remember
the good things and release the painful things
you remember about him.

Lack of Fathering Has Negative Results

An inmate in a state prison was a very gifted
artist. He displayed his gift and was well-known
for his artistic talent among other inmates. One
year he decided to do hand-painted Father's Day
cards. He put them on display and priced them
reasonably. None sold so he cut the prices to
almost nothing. Still not one card sold. Then,
just before Father's Day, he tried to give them
away, but no takers!

Why, You ask? Our prisons are filled with men
and women who are in prison largely because of
absent or abusive fathers. If you took a poll of
why no one took a Father's Day card, you'd
discover that the inmates either did not know
who their father was; or if they did know their
father, they hated him.

Society's # 1 Challenge

There are many great Dads, but
the bad ones get most of the
attention. The absence of
fathers, and neglectful or
abusive fathers are the number one problem in
our society. Many of the family issues I deal
with at SAV-A-CHILD point to the lack of
good fathering in the family.
The best mother in the world cannot be both
father and mother. While there are increasing
numbers of mothers deserting their family, it is
usually the father that runs away from the
responsibilities of being a father and husband.
The single mom raising her children without
help deserve our prayers and help. Many are
true “heroes” of the faith.

Why Are Father's So Important?
 
A child's identity, self-respect
and success in life are related to
the quality of fathering they
have received. Fathers are to be
the authority and strength of the
family while mothers nurture the
emotional and character contents of the child's
life. Often, without a good male figure, the
family is disorganized and unprotected from
damaging outside influences. As cited above,
absent and renegade husbands and fathers
contribute more to delinquency and crime than
any other single factor in our society. The
fatherless children who overcome the absence of
a father and stay out of trouble with the law still
have a “father hole” in their heart. The promise
in God's Word is Psalm 68:5,6a-- “A father of
the fatherless and a judge for the widows, Is
God in His holy habitation. [6] God makes a
home for the lonely;” [NAS]. I really believe
God, the Father, takes special interest and care
for those without a father. The key is that these
fatherless ones must trust God and look to Him
for their safety and provision.

Most of the gangs roaming the streets of our
cities are “quasi-families.” The gang leader
becomes the “father-type,” and the gang
members are like brothers and sisters. In
prostitution, the pimp becomes the girl's
authority figure and takes the place of a father in
her life. In most cases those caught up in the sex
trade--boys and girls--are fatherless!

Fathers are absolutely critical to a family's sense
of order and safety. Mothers are important, but
fathers are far and away the most influential
person in a child's life. If he is not there or is
immature or abusive, the family suffers. In some
cases, the suffering continues for generations to
come.

Release Him from Judgment --Forgive

The starting place for those who had no father
or who had a bad life with his/her father, is to
totally and completely release him from
judgment. You cannot go back and do it all
over again. You can hold on to the hurt and
bitterness, but it hurts only you [and those you
are now living with].

Good and Godly Fathers are to be Praised
 
On the other hand, if we had a loving and
trusting relationship with our dad, we will
probably transfer this love and trust on to God.
If you had a good or godly earthly father, you
are most blessed!!! Thank the Lord for His
goodness and honor your father or his memory
any and every way you can!!!

Honor Your Father

If you had or still have a good Dad, honor him if
he’s alive, and honor his memory if he’s in
heaven. If your Dad was not a good Dad,
forgive him and honor him as much as you can
for any good points he had. I’ve actually had
some cases in my counseling practice in which
the person cannot think of one good thing to say
about his/her mother or father. In which case, I
have them pray something like this: “Heavenly
Father, I thank you for my mom who furnished
the egg and for my dad who provided the sperm
and together gifted me with my earthly life.” In
spite of the good character or lack of character,
God used your parents to give you life. This
prayer honors both mother and father!

Get Free and Receive God’s Love,
Acceptance and Forgiveness.


Once you fully release your earthly father from
judgment, you are ready to fully and freely
receive God’s love, acceptance and forgiveness.

Let God be your loving Heavenly Father. By
forgiveness and faith, believe that God is a
PERFECT FATHER, and let Him love you and
bless you!!!

God’s word promises that He, God, will be a
“father to the fatherless.”

Sav-A-Child Is Standing In the Gap

We are “missionaries to the family.” At SAV-ACHILD
we are focused on the whole family—
not just children. In fact, before I see a child in
counseling, I will almost always meet with the
parent or parents first. I can often “discern” the
problem by talking to the parents.

Your continued prayers and financial support
keeps us on the “front lines” of the family. God
is using this agency to help hurting families and
their children.

We appreciate your consistent “Partnership!”

His servant to His servants,
 

Arville L. Renner, Ph.D.
 

Executive Director
 

Happy Father’s Day
 

Love and prayers
 

Sav-A-Child