Dear friends,
On Tuesday night in our men’s group study, the subject of Father’s Day came up and the consensus was that sermons on Mother’s Day extol mothers’ virtues, while sermons on Father’s Day generally focus on telling fathers where they need to improve. The day before, a pastor friend sent me a very interesting message by Steve Jones, president of the Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches in Canada. It begins: “I looked up the definition for ‘fatherhood’ in the Oxford Dictionary and discovered it was located between the two words ‘fathead’ and ‘fatigue.’ I wonder if the Oxford Dictionary made a Freudian slip?
I read of one father who was complaining he was tired. He blamed it on his age, blood pressure and lack of exercise. But he said he discovered it wasn’t any of these things. He was tired because he was over-worked. The way he figured it:
1. The population of our country is just over 30 million.
2. 7 million are retired.
3. That leaves 23 million to do the work.
4. There are 18 million in school and college.
5. That leaves 5 million to do the work
6. 2 million are unemployed and 2 million are employed by the Government.
7. That leaves 1 million to do the work.
8. 100,000 are in the armed forces, leaving 900,000 to do the work.
9. There are 620,000 people in hospital and 279,998 in prison.
10. That leaves 2 people to do the work: You and me.”
2. 7 million are retired.
3. That leaves 23 million to do the work.
4. There are 18 million in school and college.
5. That leaves 5 million to do the work
6. 2 million are unemployed and 2 million are employed by the Government.
7. That leaves 1 million to do the work.
8. 100,000 are in the armed forces, leaving 900,000 to do the work.
9. There are 620,000 people in hospital and 279,998 in prison.
10. That leaves 2 people to do the work: You and me.”
To read the complete article by Steve Jones, please visit: http://www.fellowship.ca/AWordFromSteve
In our men’s group, ages range from late teens to seniors. Although we are at different stages in life, our identity in Christ binds us together. As the Scripture for the weekend below states, we sharpen each other as we study God’s Word and pray together.
I am very blessed to still have my father nearby. He turned 93 last month and goes golfing three times a week! I have many wonderful memories of my father making things for me, going to my hockey games, driving many hours to vacation spots in Maine and Florida and much more. Two years ago, Karen’s father went to be with the Lord. I had the privilege of working with him for more than 30 years and saw how God honoured His servant in many ways. Last Friday, a friend came to our radio follow-up office in Châteauguay to fix a turntable and I told him how the Lord is providing funds for the ministry in tremendous ways and how I wished I could tell Mr. Shelly that the work that he pioneered is continuing well. God is faithful! He has given us many promises in His Word and He keeps every one of them!
Scripture for the weekend: “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17 (NASB)
Thought for the weekend: “Godliness is characterized by internalizing – being a doer of the Word, and not just a hearer. A godly walk is guided by integrity, and displays works of righteousness.” – Dr. John S. Barnett (from his book “The Joy of a Word Filled Family”)
By His grace,
Steve