A Blessing for Dads

Happy Father's Day...

I am grateful for the many sacrifices Jim makes

for the benefit of us, his family!

Thank-you 💖

Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, 

bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

I am so thankful to God for my dad who loved the Lord

and instilled the spark of God's love in us when we were but a little child,

and nurtured it, sometimes by great frustration of the child

into something we can look back on, in maturity

and marvel at his wisdom!! 

A photo from a month ago of my grandson and his daddy...

my love and prayers are with young dads esp. who are seeking to

raise children to grow into godly men and women, in an ungodly world.

What a tremendous, sacred calling, dear young fathers, you have!

I pray God's Word is a lamp to your feet

and a light to your path!

Without it we stray and become wise in our own eyes 🙏

God bless the dad who is undeterred

In training a child through the lens/Light of God’s Word

God bless the dad whose ultimate goal

Is nurturing child in both body and soul

…who teaches his children to love and revere

Our Father in Heaven, who loves us so dear

God, bless the dad who hallows Your name

And teaches his children to do the same

And, bless the dad who, when the going gets tough

Still trusts in Your promises to be enough

Who instructs his children with more than mere talk

But, sets by example, the way they should walk

…who faithfully labors and faithfully prays

And shoulders the yoke of his call, by God’s grace

© Janet Martin

I love this excerpt from the book Little Rivers

by Henry Van Dyke

I'm sorry I can't share the whole chapter!

I'm dusting off an oldie this morning, as well;

a poem my son and some of his friends read for a Father's day church service 

around 16 years ago!

Some dads are really, really cool, and some are really smart,

Some dads barely went to school but still have big soft hearts,

Some dads stand up straight and tall and look all sober-like

As if they’ve never thrown a ball or raced on their old bike,

Some dads like to tease and wink and some dads laugh a lot,

I guess, I suppose, it depends, I think, on how many bills they’ve got,

‘Cause dad says, as long as the bills keep a-comin’,

He’ll have to get up an’ keep on a-workin’,

And God bless the dad that keeps on a-hummin’

Even when the bills keep a-comin’

Some dads make lots of money and some, I’ve heard, are broke,

Some say things like sweetheart and honey and some dads never joke,

Some dads work from dawn ‘til dark with little time to play,

Some take their children to the park and some just go away,

Some dads work so very hard so mother can stay home,

Some dads are so very tired, when at last they come,

But, God bless the dad, who at the end of his day

Still gets down on his knees to pray,

And God bless the faithful dad who

Teaches his little ones to pray too

Some dads are really big and tough, while some are short and thin,

Some dads are kinda’ rough and some are gentlemen,

Some dad’s hair is curly and some dad’s hair is gray,

Some don’t really worry ‘cause their hair has gone away,

Some dads drive pick-ups shiny and new, some say any wheels will do,

'As long as it takes me to work and such, and the insurance on it isn’t too much,'

Some dads whistle and some dads sing,

At home some dads feel as rich as a king,

But for one thing I sure am glad,

God knew how much we’d need some dads

Some dads read God’s word every night, some never read at all,

Some dads teach us wrong from right to guide us lest we fall,

And some dads are a little like God, I suppose,

‘Cause through trial and error this dad knows

Though hearts be broken and sometimes need mending,

A father’s love is never-ending,

And God bless the dad whose love never fails,

When the going gets bad, love still prevails,

Thus, for one thing I sure am glad, 

God knew how much we’d need some dads,

Some dads’ sure leave big shoes to fill 

but the One who guides them will be there still,

Someday, when someone says they’re glad 

God knew how much we’d need some dads

Janet Martin

This Little Bit of Time We Have...

Last Sunday we celebrated today's milestone,

Dad's 80th birthday!

Happy 80th Birthday, Dad

To us, much or somewhat younger, 80 years seems like a long time,

but it's a blip on time's screen, isn't it?!

Before refreshments we had an opportunity to share memories and words of appreciation.

Lots of laughter and a few tears too.

 

The verse below stands out as one my dad strove to live by, 

(and a few mentioned their thankfulness for his kind and wholesome habit of speech.)

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,

but only what is helpful for building others up

according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Eph.4:29

The memories re-impressed on me

the little bit of Time we have in light of eternity

no matter how long/short life is!

This little bit of Time we have 

before Soul’s husk falls to the grave

Compels us to fine-tune want’s quest 

and strive to give each day our best

For it will not be long until 

the shoes we leave behind to fill

Will be worn by feet still so small, 

while we go on to That Last Call

Then, with this bit of time life grants 

we do not want to leave to chance

The calling and election of 

what soon is stripped of mortal glove

But pray each day, God will equip 

us with tools for good stewardship

His Word directs and edifies 

to feed the soul that never dies

His grace forgives, His love sustains 

us through whatever time remains

He helps us do the best we can 

to love Him first, then fellowman

So, someday when this race is run, 

we’ll hear hope’s glorious crown ‘well done!’

Where, when time’s veil is rent, we’ll see 

intangible eternity

© Janet Martin

On behalf of the whole family I also shared this poem My Dad

 written a few months ago but saved to share with him till this celebration.

 We also sang one of his favourite songs; 

Bringing Home our Sheaves by

Elizabeth A. Allen  and Henry S. Rupp

My Dad

Happy Father's Day!

Dad in his woodworking-shop...

His love for God and family and fellowman shines through

His unspoken humility and reverent point of view

His sense of humour quick yet kind, not off-colour or mean

Where God’s Word feeds and fills his mind to keep his conscience keen

Father of ten and yet again, it seems like so much more

Blessed by beloved grand-children and great-grandchildren galore

Hard-working and hard-praying, his hallmark of workworn hands

Committed to obeying His Father in Heav’ns commands

His words worth listening to because his speech is not idle

But in sincerity and truth he draws from wisdom’s well

With honour to the One who makes his love and laughter glad

Each one of his ten children are so proud to call him Dad

The older that he gets the older turns his darling brood

And we begin to cherish him with deeper gratitude

For his faithful example; so we work hard and we pray

For our dear dad (and mom), God's keeping, each and every day

For generations yet to come, with shepherd's staff and rod

He seeks first the kingdom that leads to, not from Holy God

He teaches us to keep in mind the footsteps that we spawn

Where precious souls follow behind long after we are gone

 

© Janet Martin

Numbers 6:24-26

The Lord bless you and keep you;

25 The Lord make His face shine upon you,

And be gracious to you;

26 The Lord [a]lift up His countenance upon you,

And give you peace.” ’

Psalms 127:3-5 - 

Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.

 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.

 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. 

They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

Daddies Of Laddies and Little Girls....

  Is that one the bull, daddy?

This poem started 'percolating' yesterday morning
when I went to a neighboring farm for eggs.

 It appeared they were sold out when Farmer came out of the house
(with a little lad tightly at his heels)
offering to take my egg bowl and fill it from the barn...

...then I stopped by a local roadside stand to pick up some fresh baking

and another dad and his son were splitting wood together...

(the above roadside stand is open for the summer at 7123 Wellington Cty. Rd. 12

Friday and Sat. from 7:30a.m. till 8:00 p.m)

...then in the evening I caught of few precious shots of

Son-in-law explaining many 'why daddy'  things to his son 

such as 'the purpose of the bull is to make cows have baby calves'

how, daddy?...?...?

Happy Father's Day and thank-you to all dads

whatever stage of 'dadding' you are in ...

Oh, what a gift to have a dad who shows the kind of love

We tenderly envision from our Father up above

The dad of lad or little girl has quite a sacred role

Breadwinner for the body and the shepherd for the soul

Those small fellows that follow on the heels of daddies dear

Will soon reflect dear daddy by what laddies see and hear

God bless the dad who gives his all to try diligently

To be the kind of man he hopes his son turns out to be

…and be the kind of man he hopes in some sweet-dreaded ‘glim’

Will sweep his daughter of her feet because he is like him

God bless the dad of lad or little girl and gently guide

And grant them strength and wisdom for all that dads must provide

© Janet Martin

If Your Son Was A Chip Off The Old Block

If your son was a chip off the old block

And followed the footsteps you laid

Would we know, would it show that he loved God

By laws he revered and obeyed

Would we see him reach for his Bible?

To look to his Father above

For life’s daily guidance and counsel

Would we see God’s light in his love

If your son was a chip off the old block

Inheriting more than your name

Would it make you humbly thankful?

Or sorrowfully fill you with shame

Would he be a man among men, sir?

Or ever remain just a boy

Would he, in his speech and his manner

Fulfill a father’s pride and joy

Would he be master of his vices

As he mirrors more than your face

Would he, by his words and his choices

Make this world a better place?

And, if as time passed, folk would mention

How much he is just like his dad

If your son was a chip off the old block

Would this make you happy or sad?

© Janet Martin

 
Proverbs 13:24
He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.

Proverbs 23:24
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice;
he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.

Prov.10:1
A wise son maketh a glad father:

We Are So Glad For Dads...

Happy Father's Day!

We are so glad for dads who teach lads how to hit a ball

Who kindly sit a bit and listen to some childish wish

Who pause in spite of work because they love more than its call

Who sit on docks or riverbanks to thank the Lord…and fish

We are so glad for dads who try so hard to do their best

To guide, correct, provide, protect; an unrelenting Must

A man who realizes the significance of steps

How little feet that follow need somebody they can trust

We are so glad for dads who take the time to laugh and tease

And listen to small chatter of matters tall and dream-wild

And dads who bounce their baby boys and girls upon their knees

Because they know how swift the ease of moments steals the child  

We are so glad for dads who get down on their knees and pray

And ask their Father for direction in a world gone mad

Lest, God forbid, they are the feet that leads a child astray

We are so glad for men who make us proud to call them Dad

© Janet Martin

 

A letter from a father to his sons...

Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;
    pay attention and gain understanding.
² I give you sound learning,
    so do not forsake my teaching.
³ For I too was a son to my father,
    still tender, and cherished by my mother.
⁴ Then he taught me, and he said to me,
    “Take hold of my words with all your heart;
    keep my commands, and you will live.
⁵ Get wisdom, get understanding;
    do not forget my words or turn away from them.
⁶ Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
    love her, and she will watch over you.
⁷ The beginning of wisdom is this: Get^[a] wisdom.
    Though it cost all you have,^[b] get understanding.
⁸ Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
    embrace her, and she will honor you.
⁹ She will give you a garland to grace your head
    and present you with a glorious crown.”

¹⁰ Listen, my son, accept what I say,
    and the years of your life will be many.
¹¹ I instruct you in the way of wisdom
    and lead you along straight paths.
¹² When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
    when you run, you will not stumble.
¹³ Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
    guard it well, for it is your life.
¹⁴ Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
    or walk in the way of evildoers.
¹⁵ Avoid it, do not travel on it;
    turn from it and go on your way.
¹⁶ For they cannot rest until they do evil;
    they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.
¹⁷ They eat the bread of wickedness
    and drink the wine of violence.

¹⁸ The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,
    shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
¹⁹ But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
    they do not know what makes them stumble.

²⁰ My son, pay attention to what I say;
    turn your ear to my words.
²¹ Do not let them out of your sight,
    keep them within your heart;
²² for they are life to those who find them
    and health to one’s whole body.
²³ Above all else, guard your heart,
    for everything you do flows from it.
²⁴ Keep your mouth free of perversity;
    keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
²⁵ Let your eyes look straight ahead;
    fix your gaze directly before you.
²⁶ Give careful thought to the^[c] paths for your feet
    and be steadfast in all your ways.
²⁷ Do not turn to the right or the left;
    keep your foot from evil.

Prov.4   

continued here

and here

and here