a father’s heart

Posted on March 14, 2003 by Dana

Is it possible to care for a person with a father’s heart? Just out of college, many of my students looked older than I did, but I was their leader. Even though I was a teacher, a coach, and an administrator, in my early years, I don’t think I understood a father’s heart. Perhaps I was too young.

Now that I am a little older, I think I see with different eyes. As a coach, it is often tempting to view a young person as simply an athlete. Good coaches often help players improve in a game, but a father’s heart has higher concerns. Skill doesn’t matter quite as much… character does. Wins may not be quite as important… maturity is.

Of course, it sure helps being a father. For over sixteen years I’ve been a dad, and I think I’ve made about every mistake. How I need wisdom from above! But despite my weaknesses, I know my heart toward my children. I love them dearly, and I want what is best for them.

So if I am evil, and I still have such a heart toward my children, what about God? He has the ultimate Father’s heart, for He is the perfect Father. We present many requests to this invisible One, but do you know what He most wants to give? Himself! Oh to fathom the love He has for His children!

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God! And that is what we are!” I John 3:1

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:11-13

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fellowship

Posted on March 6, 2003 by Dana

I’ve written before of the support group Susan and I attend.  Each month, thirty to forty people gather to encourage one another and talk about the common struggle with our disease.  There is definitely fellowship in suffering, but there is also a celebration of life.  Each person may be at a different place in his own battle, but we all have a special appreciation for each day we live.

Though there are differences, something about this group reminds me of church.  God intends there to be fellowship among His children.  He wants our eyes open to realities that the rest of the world often ignores.  How do the mature view their days on earth?  “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.  What is your life?  You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”  Do we live with such truth in mind?

Difficulty has a way of bringing focus.  Fellowship in suffering can make the focus even sharper.  Some of the most passionate songs about Jesus and Heaven were composed and sung by slaves many years ago.  Sufferers who know Christ have hope in their hearts and have so much to share.

I am thankful for healthy days and sunny skies, but fellowship is not just about my present circumstance.  Do I have a friend in difficulty?  Perhaps I can carry a bit of his load.  I can always enter the place of prayer on behalf of others.

Richard Wurmbrand was a Romanian Christian who spent 14 years in prison for his faith.  He often boldly challenged Christians to remember those who suffer for Christ.  May such fellowship bring us joy in the Lord.  From Richard’s book In the Face of Surrender:

Our brothers and sisters in jail volunteered to take beatings for others.  When it was cold, prisoners gave away sweaters so that others might feel warm.  I have witnessed such scenes myself.  Concern for others drowns out your own troubles.  Focus on God as the saints in prison do, and you will know that heavenly peace comes from patient cross-bearing.  To get out of the neurosis of lawlessness, begin to practice the law of love, at least in the little things.  Deny yourself for a period the food you love most, or some luxury of clothing, and think of those who eat unbearable food and are in rags.  Interrupt your sleep for prayer on behalf of those interrogated during the night.  Give up some item of cosmetics for those who cannot wash.  Renounce an hour of television for those who for years have been in solitary confinement in underground cells and see nothing.  Sacrifice your complaining and grumbling for one day.  Take time from other preoccupations to pray for the persecuted.

“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort of his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”  Philippians 2:1-4

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Counselor

Posted on February 27, 2003 by Dana

Just outside the gates of Jerusalem, my friend, Harm, told me to park the rental van while he ran into the old city to get my family. If you think Atlanta traffic is bad, you ought to drive in Jerusalem! I tried to back into the only open place I saw and of all things… I hit a car! Just remembering that moment makes me break out into a cold sweat. The driver of the car was an Arab man, who spoke no English. Of course, I was an American man who spoke no Arabic. Thinking back on it, our efforts to communicate were quite comical, but I did not laugh at the time. My only thought was, “Where is Harm?” Since he lived there, he knew the laws of Jerusalem. Harm also spoke both languages. Harm could intercede for me. How I needed my friend!

Since I am here and not in a Jerusalem prison, you know the Lord delivered me from my poor driving, but I gained a fresh understanding of the need for an advocate. I have a friend from another country who is in great need of a lawyer. He can’t defend himself. He needs someone who understands our court system and the laws of our land. He needs someone to argue his case and bring out the truth before a fair judge. He really needs a friend.

One of the words Jesus used to describe the Holy Spirit is a Greek word that carries the meaning of “coming along side” in the same way an attorney helps his client in a court of law. In some versions of the Bible this word is translated “Counselor”. Jesus promised a perfect Counselor to be with those who put their trust in Him. This Counselor is the Spirit of Truth who will constantly remind us of the things Jesus says. He knows us perfectly; He also knows the Judge. Jesus promised this Helper will be with us forever. Whether we are sick, or imprisoned, or jobless, or in an accident in Jerusalem, we need not fear… a Friend is there.

“If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you… All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:15-27

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surrender

Posted on February 20, 2003 by Dana

What prohibited the rich young ruler from obeying Jesus? He was man with high morals who recognized something special about the Teacher from Nazareth. “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” The young man may have expected the answer he received as Jesus listed several of the Ten Commandments. He replied, “All these things I have kept from my youth up: what do I still lack?”

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Jesus puts His finger on the one thing in our lives that can prevent us from receiving true life. For some it may be material possessions, for others it may be knowledge, for others it may be family or friends. Jesus sees eternal truth when he looks at us; the world does not. Some might have argued that this rich young man would have been an important member of the early church. “Look what he could have done with his money!” But Jesus knows the things we often see as blessings are really the chains that bind us. Only one thing leads to eternal life, “Come and follow Me.”

Perhaps we all will be offended as we get close to the Lord… especially if we have much wealth, much education, or much status in society. “Do you trust that I see things as they really are? Are you willing to surrender all that has been most precious to you to follow Me? Don’t you realize I am the only Way? I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”

“How can a man be born again when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You can hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” John 3:3-8

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obedience

Posted on February 13, 2003 by Dana

Jesus made the relationship between love for Him and obedience very clear. “If you love Me, you will do what I say.” We sometimes would rather there be other criteria. On the great day, many will try to defend themselves. “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?” “I never knew you,” will be His stunning reply. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven.”

The great news for all of us who often find our love lacking is the promise Jesus gives His disciples. He knows we’re not much different than Peter. There is no doubt Peter disobeyed as he denied Jesus three times. Later, he was upset that Jesus kept asking if he loved Him. Peter loved Him with a friend’s love, but God is after more. Jesus’ greatest command is troubling to all who take the time to think about it. “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” Who can obey this call?

Only the Holy Spirit makes such love possible. As Jesus tells the truth about those that love Him, notice the promise He makes to help us obey. “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

“If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him… If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.” John 14:15-24

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