I’ve been asked a few times lately,
{and I’ve got to give an extended answer in front of a group next week}
So I thought it was worth writing about.
And I’ve thought that many times before.
So, here we are.
I have no idea, yet, where we’ll go from here.
And it may be a long journey.
But, I think it should be an interesting one {it has been, for me, so far}.
So, if you like, join me.
{But either read all of it, or stop reading. right now.}
Otherwise… click >>> Continue reading “Why, Jesus”
Tag: Gospel
Thoughts on my dad, from a new dada
Wow, what a year 2010 was.
After an amazing friendship, I married Lee Anne & then less than six months into our marriage (which has been wonderful) we found out we’re pregnant!!
The journey to marriage involved standing up to my parents, mainly my dad, and realizing that I am in desperate need of wisdom when it comes to making decisions.
In discovering the pregnancy, I have realized just how hard it can be to make decisions, both big and small. Everything from eating right to paying bills to praying becomes more important when you know another human being will be dependent on your success. As the days pass it has become clear that no matter how bad some of my dad’s choices have been, he has always tried to do the best thing for his family, the best he knew how.
When I look back at the story of my dad’s life, I can’t imagine going through the heartbreak of his father’s losing battle with lung cancer (before he even got married). This alone would have me insulating myself and my loved ones from any possible bad thing. And yet my dad has given me the gift of passion for family and a love for Jesus that is blissful.
Growing up with my dad meant seeing people challenged, amused and sometimes confused by his outgoing personality. On more than one occasion he would reach out with the simplest part of the gospel (God in & through, Jesus, loves you) and encourage someone to accept Jesus into their life. Experiencing this as a kid helped me to see how big of an impact any conversation can have, even if the method of “shotgun evangelism” wasn’t a good approach.
Now that I have had years of church experience and seen evangelism done so many ways, I can see that regardless of the long-term effects, my dad was and is trying to love people the way he knows how.
And he’s loved me this way my whole life.
One of the biggest gifts I ever received from my dad is his open display of affection.
My wife just watched a video I recorded the night before I proposed and it was SOOO cheesy & silly that it was hard for me to watch. Displays of affection and love were common growing up with my dad. He was/is affectionate with us and showed his love for my mom through hugs and kisses.
I love you dad, and I look forward to learning from your effort at being the great dad you have been.
