DADs…
There is nothing like the rush of finishing a race and cooling down after a great run. 

Maybe I like cooling down because it means that I am done with my workout…but I think more than anything else…it represents accomplishment.
 
When I am in the cooling down phase of a run or work out I find myself reflecting on the work out itself and it never fails the harder the workout the better the feeling!
 
What I have found is that the feeling of accomplishment carries over into other parts of my life. 

Finishing strong in purposeful tasks helps me be a better friend, husband, and dad. Physically working out helps me see the blessings of each day.
 
Even beyond a physical work out is the importance of your spiritual fitness. Reaching the cooling down phase with God may represent a mountain top or life changing experience, or simply persevering through a challenging day. It is following these times the “cooling down" in the spiritual sense is the time to bow down and give thanks to God for the blessings of the day. 
 
Romans 14:11
For it is written: As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to Me, and every tongue will give praise to God.
 
At the end of every day, or upon reaching a milestone find time to pause & let your gratitude be known in the cooling down times of your day Acknowledge your Lord and Savior. 

DADs…
When was the last time you found time to cool down and give praises to God?

On this July 4th, typically one of the hottest days of the year, find time to "cool down" in all aspects of your life!

To God be the glory!
 
DADs…
“Get in the game”…Today is game day…and so is every day…God gives you! So…
C’mon men…
Suit Up!
 
To follow the “Suit Up” Movement…

• go to suitupministries.org for contact information

DADs, experts say, when preparing to run it is always important to warm up after you stretch. 
The problem I sometimes have with warming up prior to running is that it makes me tired before I really get started in my work out! 
 
But if I fail to warm up…then I increase the chance of injury that I otherwise could avoid.
 
Warming up is also essential with our walk with God as well. The warming up phase of our spiritual workout with God could be reading scripture, prayer or meditation...enabling your mind and heart to get ready and to fully receive...His message as you gain speed while getting into the word.

As it says in 1 Peter 1:13:
"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, 
and being sober-minded, 
set your hope fully on the grace that will be 
brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

It is in our preparation we are able to ready ourselves to not only receive God’s message into our hearts, but to also put into “practice” by enabling us to say as it is written in 
Psalm 19:14:  
"May the words of my mouth and the meditation 
of my heart be acceptable to You, LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.”

DADs, consider today where in your daily walk could you add a little more warm up, strengthening your preparation to receive His word and to do His will?

To God be the glory!

 

Well Father’s Day has come and gone and I pray yours was a day of positive recognition.

As you know, leading up to Fathers Day, many store promotions are ramped up and 
geared towards catering to meeting every stereotypical dad dreams!

One clothing ad I read asked the question…What type is your dad?
Their three categories were:

• casual dad
• cool dad
• business dad

I am not sure my kids would use any of those three descriptions for me! 
How about your kids?

Recently I watched a movie that I really wouldn't recommend, however, there was one line in the whole movie making it worthwhile…that should be music to dads everywhere!

It was a line from a teenage babysitter telling the dad of this particular family, as he was driving her home, that of "all the families she babysits, his were the only kids she has 
to fight to go to bed, because they want to stay up to see their dad!"

Don’t we want to all be that type of dad?

Well that doesn’t just happen because we are the father. It happens because we are the dad!
A DAD that is Daily Active and Devoted!

There may be times requiring us to be the casual dad, the cool dad, or the business dad, but unless we are Daily consistent, an Active contributor, and Devoted to our children, we will never be the “type” of DAD our kids really need!

DADs…
“Get in the game”…
today is game day…
and so is every day…
God gives you! 
So…C’mon men…Suit Up!

DADs…how often daily do we fall prey to the world’s messages and to the world’s views?
I think the car industry has a huge piece of the corner market, creating the desire in our minds placing each one of us behind the wheel promising a new adventure and a new life! 

This new driving experience promises us a sharper image…a new career…sometimes even a new family! We catch ourselves thinking…"if only I had that car."

At Christmas time the car commercials are relentless! 
In the commercials cars are marketed as the perfect gift that every little boy dreams about growing up, and illustrates a storybook ending of a little boy now as an adult realizing his dream becoming a reality!

Honestly, I do not know too may people in my circle of friends waking up on Christmas morning with a car under the tree…but maybe one day? 

So how much of your waking and sleeping moments do you imagine…dream…desire something else, anything else…promising something different…promising excitement?

How many times have we all obtained some of those things and very shortly after receiving or achieving realize its just not enough? 
But nonetheless its like the line in the song that goes…”I want it all and I want now.”

In Romans 1:25, Paul shared just how quickly even in the early church how its members allowed rules, ideas, and idols to get in the way from the creator of all...   
25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped 
and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. 

The truth DADs…collecting things gathered here on earth, trophies, careers, accolades, and even people without building a foundation deepening our relationship with Jesus Christ daily, is meaningless, empty, and fruitless.

It is IN our creator sacrificing His one and only Son for US…we find the VICTORY eternal!
NOT in the things external the world has to offer. 

To God Be the Glory!
 
DADs…
“Get in the game”…
today is game day…
and so is every day…
God gives you! 
So…C’mon men…Suit Up!

In Matthew 11:28-30, we are reminded by Jesus Himself,
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”