A Word to Dads

[Ncdataman]

A Word to Dads

And now a word to you 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.

— Ephesians 6:4


A few years ago, someone asked former President George H. W. Bush, "What is your greatest accomplishment in life?"

I thought that was an interesting question to ask someone like him, who has quite a long list of achievements. After all, he was the U. S. Ambassador to China, the director of the CIA, the Vice-President for two terms under President Reagan, and then, of course, the President of the United States himself.

That is not to mention, of course, that one of his sons is the President of the United States, while another is the governor of Florida. I would have expected him to point to the accomplishments of his children or to his own success.

Yet here was his answer: "My children still come home to see me." That is a man who has his priorities in order.

As a pastor, I have visited people who are coming to the end of their lives. I have seen what really matters to them. And as I have said before, it always comes back to faith and family. When your life is over, it is not going to matter how many business deals you made, how many investments you have, or how many things you've accumulated. When it is all said and done, it will come down to these basic values.

Tragically, so many men today are abandoning their families to chase after something they rationalize as a midlife crisis. Men, we have to stand by the commitment we have made to our wives and children. We cannot even for a moment consider turning our backs on them.

From Harvest

 

[jas]

disciping kids

HI
i had 3 kids and 2 miscarriages and then married the same alcoholic abusive man, Ronnie 17 years ago. My kids have grown up with problems, i left the marriage, My kids are now 24,19 and 17. He never disciplined them, but praise God he has stopeed drinking after 40 odd years in August 20th 08.
My kids have emotional problems, lots of hurt and pain, a lack of respect for me and themselves,
I am praying God will draw them close to himself, and forgive me as a mother for marrying this person.
My life is a mess, cos i listened to the minister when he told me to stay in the marriage, even though he was beating me, my kids can still remember him doing this.
I thinkministers shouldnt give marriage couunseeling. My minister really did do a lot of damage. I wanted to leave my alcoholic abusive husband, minister said no, i was vulnerable so i listened to him, it drove me into the arms of another man (adultery), and i lost my kids to my ex-husband for 2 years and with the eldest daughter, janine, 8 years (cos she was older when it happened 13), so on my daughter's suzie's 8th birthday, my husband threw me out of my home (i never returned), while the minister stood beside me and watched (he had gone and told him i was seeing another man), that very day, early on, i had decided not to have anything to do with that man, (by the way, my husband and i had decided to get a divorce against minister's wishes), but the minister, went ahead and told my husband about the wipsy affaire that at that moment in time was over.
Ministers should keep out of marriages. I am very angry. This particular minister was only working as one for 4 months and only had his own honeymoon. They moved him over to England to work on a navy base as a padre
I did, at one point feel such anger and hatered towards him , that i phoned him up to forgive him, he did and he asked for my forgiveness. I forgave him, at times, it hurts, like now, very verybadly, not least of all my children. I forgive him when it hurts. (forgive continusallly).
Lucinda