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Nothing But the Truth

4/27/2016

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(Excerpt from my book, When Father is a Bad Word)

The story is told about Frank Szymanski, a center for the Notre Dame football team, who in the 1940s was called as a witness in a civil suit in South Bend. “Are you on the Notre Dame football team this year?” the judge asked.

Szymanski replied, “Yes, your Honor.”

The judge asked, “What position?”

“Center, your honor,” came the response.

“How good a center?” asked the judge.

Szymanski squirmed in his seat, then said firmly, “I am the best center Notre Dame ever had.”

Coach Frank Leahy, who was in courtroom, was surprised by the answer of the usually modest, unassuming Szymanski. When the proceedings were over, the coach took Szymanski aside and asked why he made such a statement.

Szymanski blushed and said, “I hated to do it, Coach, but, after all, I was under oath.”

As children adopted by the Heavenly Father, we must be unabashedly confident in knowing who we are.

In His love letter to the world God brags about us. He calls us beloved. Says we’re His lambs. He makes it clear that He delights in being our Daddy; that He treasures spending time with us. He invites us to share with Him our dreams and desires, our problems and pain. He cares so much about us that He offers us love without condition and grace without exception. The Creator of the Universe is pleased to call you and me His own. 

That is the truth and nothing but the truth. How would our lives be different if we walked boldly in that truth? 
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My Father's Arms

4/20/2016

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I was cradling my beautiful new grandson soon after his arrival. As I held him close and looked at that sweet face I was overflowing with love for him; a love so deep that I realized that there was nothing I wouldn't do for him.

What exactly did he do to earn such love? Absolutely nothing. At that point in his young life, pretty much all he could do was eat, sleep, and poop. But I don't love him because of anything he does. I love him because of who he is. He's my grandson. 

In that tender moment I came to understand that my Heavenly Father loves me much the same way. He doesn't love me because of the things I do. He loves me because of who I am. I'm His child. Made in His image. Bought with a very high price.

Our Heavenly Father loves His kids without condition and without exception. He doesn't withhold His love until we've proven ourselves lovable. He loves us even when we smell and fuss and need to be changed. He overflows with love for us. He loves us so much that there is nothing He wouldn't do for us.

When I need to be reassured, when I need to feel secure, when I need to be reminded that I have value and am deeply loved, I know what I have to do. I must place myself in my Father's arms. ​
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Parallels Between Dad and God

4/14/2016

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Father. For some that is a word that conjures up feelings of warmth, security, and pride. For all too many others it is a word that triggers pain, anger, and shame.

It is not an overstatement to say that the relationship we have with our fathers has a profound effect on every human relationship we will have on this earth. And I have found that it plays a crucial role in shaping the relationship we have with God.

I am amazed at the parallels between the relationship we have with our earthly father and the perception we have of our Heavenly Father. If we had a loving, encouraging relationship with our dad it is common to view God as One who genuinely loves and cares for His children. Conversely, it is true that:

  • Children who had an angry father are more inclined to be afraid of God.
  • Children whose dads left the family (physically or emotionally) often find it hard to believe God will always be there for them.
  • Children of workaholic dads are more likely to grow up believing that God is much too busy to be concerned with their needs.
  • Children of sexually abusive fathers often want nothing to do with a male God.
I am saddened by how many people with father wounds, because of their misunderstanding of God’s role as Heavenly Father, have distanced themselves—either intentionally or unintentionally—from the only One who can provide the healing they desperately need.

If that is you, I would like to invite you on a journey. My weekly blogs, as well as my book, When Father is a Bad Word, will help you to discover who God, our Heavenly Father, really is. I will warn you, it won’t always be smooth traveling. The terrain may be rough. There may be times you will want to turn back. We may have to take an occasional detour. But once we’ve arrived at the destination you will discover it was worth the trip.

You may not know it, but you have a Father who wants nothing more than to have an intimate relationship with you. A Father who loves you more than you could ever imagine. A Father who will never leave your side. A Father who longs to give you the peace and healing you’re searching for. One of His many promises to you as found in Psalm 27:10 is this: Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.

It is said that “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Ready? Let’s go!
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