Sunday, June 8, 2008

Father's Day/Wedding Anniversary

This next weekend will mark Father's Day once again. I am extremely blessed to be a dad of our wonderful children. It is a day since Fletcher came into this world 14 years ago that I really am just thankful. Don't want anything (although the XM radio gift five years ago/it was a father's day-birthday gift combo) still is one I love because I have enjoyed having XM both at home and at work. Being a radio/music/info consumer it has been super. That is a whole different blog about how that technology works.

I just enjoy seeing these children grow and look forward to what God has in store for them in their lives. I have more than enough for this life. I just want my children to know the one true God and to have a continuing relationship with Him. For He is worthy. He is not just a story, either you believe who He said He is or you don't. Your faith will show it, through your actions. OR inaction.

Being their dad is wonderful and they are a blessing to me. The way they study, and are learning the word of God, how they interact with others makes me proud.
But men today are not real clear on what this looks like. With 72 million children under the age of 15 without dads in this country today you can see why. They see divorce as a norm. Most 20-30 year olds come from broken homes and have the technology downpat just need to know what it means to chart the course. Name one tv show today that is a role model show? Guys today have the God of Materialism down. How do you get a view of this manhood?

How do they get this? Well, one of the best ways is to make time to start I share here is what I have done. First is to learn about it from men that have been there. Pray for someone to disciple you that is older and been there done that. AND- Large and. Listen to wisdom, have someone whom can tell you NO, bad idea- and challenge you. Don't have someone that tells you how wonderful you are all the time. Beteachable in all things. Show humility at all times. It is not a sign of weakness but strength.

Next, in the word of God look for applications to your life and your family. Precept Austin's link to the right can take you to some wonderful sermons around the family. This will allow yourself to see ways to honor your wife and stay in touch with your children.
Learn more about yourself. Seriously. Your behavior profile can tell you alot about yourself. This helps me more than anything in dealing with my children but also all people.
Have a plan thru prayer. Men's Fraternity is a wonderful baseline curriculum for men to see in "Winning at Work and at Home," what your role is thru different years with your children. The reason I say have a plan is that the time moves very quickly.
Congratulations to all the dads out there. Even if you have a prodigal or are struggling, continue to pray. Continue to trust God. Life is a training ground for heaven. As my bible study teacher said last week-Are you closer to God yourself than yesterday? Last month?
This pursuit of holiness in very important mine and your growth as men.
Do you see where God is using circumstances to bring you closer to him?
Do not be alone men either. You can easily be picked off in isolation.

21 years of marriage to my wife. We celebrated this yesterday with dinner at Bonefish Grill. Wonderful meal and service. So much to be thankful for. We both looked at how different we are today than on that day in 1987. I thank the Lord for his patience with me.
We went by World Market and then LifeWay and they ran us out at 9pm. Patrice has purchased a new glider for her and her mom to sit in on our front porch. The installation begins tomorrow as the final push to renovate our front bathroom. (We love American Express Rewards Points)

We came home and Brynna had made a banner for us. Corley made a newspaper of the "Humphrey Family News" complete with a salute to us, movie polls and upcoming stories. That was pretty funny. She didn't realize I used to do this, let her read some old handwritten papers I did in junior high and she laughed. That is too funny.

Our Dads and Daughters class started this Wednesday with a good start with more men than we thought had signed up! We have men that have one daughter all the way to four. They all want to raise Godly women. It will be an exciting eight weeks for us to learn about being better fathers....Our summer breakfast series starts this Tuesday. Don Gordon will be leading a series around "Walking With God," Please continue to pray Don's wife's family in the passing of her mother.

Must travel on Monday, hopefull we will see a post by Gary. If the Braves lose today, I may been in for some heckling in Philly. I got a text after last night's game from a friend from work up north....that just read....."get the broom out." I look forward to the cheesesteaks. The Braves just need to finish a game. (Like the Lakers do!)

Two things I have down from work this week- One is a quote-"To teach is to learn twice," -Joseph Joubert

and from Pat Leconcini's e-blast this week on Leadership. That leaders need to get out of their office since leadership is social by nature since it always relationship driven. Staying in your office leads to privacy instead of openiness and colloboration. Now, Pat is an extrovert so he admits later that this plays a role in his thinking and it does. But, his points are true about the relationship angle. My job is always about relationships and if stay in my office all the time I will not be able to help in things that happen the course of just walking thru our plants or offices. So for yourself how does that apply? Don't send an e-mail to someone next to you. Talk to them. Don't let an e-mail thread go beyond about two-go talk. Leaders listen, Leaders open doors, bring about change and then go back for more.


May God Bless you today....May you understand the overwhelming grace He gives you and me. May we take His light and shine it around us and make the world a little brighter place. May you be salt to this world to bring a flavor to it that is different and inviting.

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