Dads, What Is the Best Gift You Can Give Your Kids?

My dad had an old mantel clock that he received from his father. It belonged to his father’s father. I’ve always thought it was a beautiful piece. It holds sentimental value because it belonged to my great-grandfather, and because my dad literally took it apart, piece by piece, cleaned all the pieces and put it back together -- correctly.

A few years ago mom and dad visited and brought the clock. I am the oldest son, actually, their only son. The intended to keep the clock in the Stinnett family and wanted to give me the clock while they were still alive. It was a wonderful and moving gesture, but honestly, I never really cared much about the clock.

Don’t get me wrong (and don’t tell mom), the clock is a beautiful piece. It still holds sentimental value. However, it IS just a clock.

Dad is gone now; the clock remains. Thankfully, the clock is NOT all that Dad left behind. He was a Christian man, a man of integrity, a true servant. By his life he taught many lessons that are of much greater value than the clock. His words of wisdom are still with me. His devotion to Christ and dedication to God’s word stand as an example to follow.

The clock was a special gift, but his life...a far greater gift.

   A righteous man who walks in his integrity-- 
   How blessed are his sons after him.
   --Proverbs 20:7

Dads, when it comes to our children we have a responsibility. Each day we have a choice. We choose what we will leave behind for our children.

It's fine to leave behind clocks and other things, but wouldn't you like to leave behind the really good stuff? Let's leave our children something far superior to the 'stuff' we possess. Let's leave our children a life of righteousness and integrity that reflects the way of Christ!

Refined

   The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, 
   But the LORD tests hearts.
   --Proverbs 17:3

The refining pot is not used to figure out whether the silver is really silver. Rather, it is used with fire to purify the stuff that is already there (i.e. silver).

The furnace is not used to figure out whether the gold is really gold. Rather, it is used with fire to purify the stuff that is already there (i.e. gold).

The Lord knows your heart, and he purifies by fire what is already there. That means that he challenges our faith and is even willing to bring difficulties into our lives to purify the stuff that is already there.

Life’s difficulties test our hearts, refining what is already there. Life's trials are uncomfortable and can make us feel weak. Yet, when we endure the trials, we can know that God has been cleaning out the stuff that drags us down and makes us weak. He is purifying the good stuff that is already there.

Now, here's an encouraging thought...

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.     --James 1:2-5

God is so wise. He refines his people.
Do you know why a person can find joy in the trials of life?
God is purifying you to be something in the future that is more beautiful and more precious than what you are today. He is transforming you into His likeness!

What Would You Like To Hear?

It seems a little sarcastic to ask the question, but...

“What would you like to hear?”

Politics:
The president is doing a lousy job. The election must have been rigged. Congress needs to get rid of the president. Impeach!
   OR
What a challenge it is to be the leader of such a great country! The president needs our support. Mistakes will be made, but we should rally around our nation’s leader or at least keep quiet and promote national pride.

Economics:
The rich and powerful must be controlled. They do not understand the little guy. They often take unfair advantage of the system. Where’s Robin Hood when you need him!?
   OR
There are so many people with problems. They need help. The government needs to establish more programs.
   OR
God helps those who help themselves. If a man won’t work he ought not eat!
   OR
Trust in God and he will make your dreams come true. Just BELIEVE!

Morality:
God is holy. He will not tolerate sin. If you don’t do right, speak right, think right, and believe right, then you’re doomed! Repent!
   OR
Jesus did not come to judge, but to save. Love demands that we tolerate the shortcomings of people. We must be patient and give folks a chance. No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care. (Hugs.)

Church:
There is only one church...and by the way, this is it! I can prove it to you with scripture. Everyone else has got it all wrong. And if you are not a part of THIS church...Repent!
OR
Many churches are off track, but they still love Jesus and have concern for people. God is patient and makes allowances for opinions. Tolerance. Peace. Unity. COEXIST. (More hugs.)

Truth...
Is anyone interested in truth?
Are people today in such despair, like Pilate, that they sigh, “What is truth?” Truth is really quite simple: Truth is reality, the way things really are. It can be difficult to find truth with all the distractions and lies in the world, and with our own self-deceptions and perceptions. Yet...

God has declared truth.
God wants you to know truth.

Many people have already decided how they want to think, what they want to believe. Fabricated ‘truth’ is fine for them. Myth is meaningful. They only listen to people who applaud their thinking and promote their beliefs.

For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

           —2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NLT)

We laugh at the ancients for believing in their mythologies. Are we also laughing at ourselves???

Don't Use Your Imagination

Our nation is driven by money. Many people believe that with a little more money, they can ‘get ahead.’ If they can just get ahead, things will be better.

“With more money will come security,” many think. They will not have to worry about juggling bills and skimping on necessities.

There is a perception that with more money a person will be accepted. After all, they will be able to purchase the clothing styles that are popular ‘now.’ They will be able to drive a late model vehicle. They will be able to have the latest technology, just like all their friends.

We see it all the time; people cater to the wealthy.

We put such importance on wealth that we train ourselves to believe that the wealthy are important, at least, more important than the rest of us. (And then we turn around and resent 'those' wealthy people for thinking they are better than the rest of us.)

Politicians listen to the wealthy because the wealthy contribute to their campaign. Nonprofit organizations listen to the wealthy because the contributions of the wealthy keep them in operation. Businessmen listen to the wealthy because it is good business. Some folks cater to the wealthy in hopes of receiving some sort of benefit; they want a 'piece of the pie.'

Solomon wrote:
   A rich man's wealth is his strong city, 
   And like a high wall in his own imagination.
   --Proverbs 18:11

The term ‘imagination’ is translated from a Hebrew word that meant ‘showpiece’ or ‘figure.’ It was sometimes used to describe carved images, the tangible result produced from a mental image.

Wealth, in the mind of a wealthy man, creates a mental image of strength and security, a 'high wall.'

Now, let’s back up one verse and see true reality:
   The name of the LORD is a strong tower; 
   The righteous runs into it and is safe.
   --Proverbs 18:10

Will you accept reality, or is wealth stronger than the Lord?
Will you accept reality, or is wealth better than righteousness?
Will you accept that wealth is an illusion, or have you already created your own illusion of its strength and security?

When it comes to money... Don’t use your imagination.
Be wise.

Transparent

A child is overheard heard calling to his father, “Dad! Watch this! Watch, dad, watch!” Children love for their parents to watch.

A child is often quiet when caught doing something wrong. He wishes his dad had not been watching at that moment.

   The eyes of the LORD are in every place, 
   Watching the evil and the good.
   --Proverbs 15:3

How does this proverb strike your mind?
Is God the father you wish to call out to so that He will watch you? Or do you feel ashamed when you think about God hoping that He does not look your way (because you know you do not measure up to His standard)?

In reality, He is the same God. He sees the good AND the evil. He IS watching. He sees everything.

Perhaps the question is not about how you feel about this reality, but whether you have a relationship with God. You see, if  you are a child of God, then even when He sees you doing evil, He will act for your good. 

God is the loving father who is joyful when we do good; and He is the loving father and disciplinarian when we do something wrong. The goal of His discipline is to provide correction and move us back to the right path. He loves his children and always acts for their good, whether blessing or discipline.

Be wise and take inventory of your relationship with God.

ANOTHER ILLU$ION

   Wealth adds many friends, 
   But a poor man is separated from his friend.
   --Proverbs 19:4

What does this proverb tell you about friends?

It would seem that some friends can be rather fickle. Lots of folks would love to be your friend as long as you have money. But when the money is gone, they are gone too. 

Friends like that are sometimes called ‘fair-weather friends.’ They are friends in good times (fair weather), but not in bad.
(Remember the 'friends' of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15?)

What does this proverb tell you about wealth and poverty?

At first glance, it would seem that wealth is better than poverty. After all, wealth assures a person of many friends. However, if we understand that wealth attracts fickle friends, we see the true nature of wealth. Wealth can only create the illusion of friends.

Think about marriage vows for a moment. Typical marriage vows include the lines:
   For better or for worse;
   For richer or for poorer.
In other words, the marriage vows assure the bride and groom that their relationship is based on something much deeper than money and 'fair weather' circumstances.

Wealth is overrated.
Wealth creates illusions of grandeur.
Wealth has no benefit after this life.
Have you ever watched a wealthy person die? It is not their wealth that gives them confidence. It is not wealth that calms their fears.

The lesson is not to hate wealth and love poverty. That does not make sense. Rather, we must view wealth as neither good nor evil. However, it IS an illusion.

Don’t be fooled by the illusion.
Wealth will not insure true friendship.
Those who accept you or reject you based on your wealth or poverty are not real friends. So, don't chase after wealth and its illusion.