DADs…what are your struggles? 

Struggles come in all shapes and sizes - fears, addictions, persecution, and worries can all seem to take over our thoughts. God tells us that we will face trials, but that we should not lose hope! 
Be encouraged, God has called you an overcomer! 

This week let’s tackle the issue of struggles with those things causing fear. As a man and the DAD…there are probably countless fears we could list.

Fear of failure.
Fear of not measuring up.
Fear of tomorrow. 
To name a few...

Zig Ziegler once said, “FEAR” stands for “False Evidence Appearing Real.” DADS...it is that "false evidence" in the battle fields of our minds that triggers our greatest fears, sometimes moving us one step forward and two steps back! 

It has also been said that “90% of what we worry about, causing us to struggle and leading to fear, never ever happens.”

In the middle of his darkness, David makes two bold statements followed by two questions found in Psalm 27:1:

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

DADs…if you are struggling with fear, and constantly finding yourself moving one step forward and two steps back…then perhaps like David, even in the midst of our greatest fears, we need to profess Today, that our heavenly Father is our salvation and our stronghold!

DADs...Be encouraged! God has called you an overcomer! Whom shall you fear? 

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

2 Timothy 1:9 

9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, 
not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, 
which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began

DADs…when was the last time someone told you to stop working? I know, I know!  For many dads work is just what we do. Work may not always include manual labor or sweat, but nonetheless can be exhausting regardless of our focus. As men we have to be constantly moving and doing to achieve.

So I ask, achieve what? 
And for what? 
What are we doing? 
How much of the work are we doing daily could be deemed eternal?

Now being a dad is work TOO. 
Hard work. And yes…often times makes us sweat!
But guess what men?…Our kids down deep inside do not desire all the things we want to give them. In reality, all they really want is your attention, your time, and your love. 
 
Paul reminds Timothy, that we are in His fold, held close in His arms, NOT because of our works, but as DADs we have received a “holy calling”AND a “purpose” given unto us through Jesus Christ!

DADs…lets face it…work is what most of us do…work represents in most cases "who we are"…but DO NOT let it become the work detouring you 
from being the dad your kids need!

If your work outside of being the dad limits your time to practice actively being the dad, then its time to take an inventory, reflecting upon your priorities. 

DADs...stop working…or at least stop working so long. 

As Stephen Covey shares, “never allow what matters most…to be sacrificed for what matters least!

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

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

Hebrews 12:14 NIV

DADs. Why are we so driven sometimes to the right? At work, at home and at play?

After all what does it truly mean to be right?

Why do we feel like we have to be right?

Why is it so important to be the one with the solution or answer?

The struggle to be right is exhausting. It takes away our peace and removes us from exemplifying Christ's love.

In Christ we don't have to know it all. We don't have to be right.

We are to be peace makers. And when we can give peace….we will get peace, opening the door for us to truly share and to be God's love.

One of my favorite things to do at church is to exchange the words "peace be with you” with others during the Sunday morning service.

What if we did more than just exchange words… but lived peace everyday?

To God be the glory!

Peace be with you!

DADs...

“Get in the game”…

Today is game day…

and so is every day…

God gives you! 

So…C’mon men...

Suit Up!

DADs…
there is no better time like the 
fourth of July 
to reflect upon the 
countless opportunities 
we are gifted in this country everyday!  

Opportunities presented because of the men and women 
who have gone before us 
and continue even as you read this…
fighting all over this world...protecting our freedoms.

In our freedoms...are many blessings God has given each of us…
often bringing personal success along the way. 
In our success however 
we can get lost in the moment.

As I sit and reflect this day…
I am reminded of the countless times 
I have missed the mark 
especially in the midst of achievement…
by giving glory to all others and forgetting 
the one who created it all. 

Too often I have celebrated 
my good fortune…
accepted and taken the recognition…
stood in the limelight, 
but failing to pause
and to give Glory to God.

In my receiving...I often forget to give. 
In the moment I forget to redirect 
the attention I receive from others…
in essence denying the credit 
our Heavenly Father so deserves 
and those around us need to hear!

As Paul exhorts in Philippians 2:11:
"and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, 
to the glory of God the Father"

DADs…in the victories of today…
and even in our defeats along the way…
seize the platform God has given you…
and welcome each opportunity saying 
"to God be the glory” 
leaving no doubt 
whose glory you wave!

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