Aug/100
Do You Have a Nathan?
Tonight in our lifeGROUP lesson we read about Nathan, a prophet, sent to speak to David regarding his fallen state and his sin. The Lord sent Nathan speak correction to David.
As we talked, I realized that every one of us is in need of those in our lives who will speak the truth to us in love. Many times we’ve been so surrounded by our ongoing issues and weaknesses (all of which manifest in sin if not resolved) that we are unable to see the error of our ways. The reason many of us don’t have people around us that can speak accordingly is because of our own pride. We have convinced ourselves that between God and us, “we’ve got it covered.” Pastor Lonny Dyer actually said today in our Living Stones Crown Point service, “The religious spirit says, ‘We’re ok. We’re good.’”
I know that I personally am grateful for Pastor Ron Sr. and my wife who both have complete access and permission to speak the truth to me. My question to you is, “Who are those around you that have the authority in your life to speak the truth.” Not just give you an opinion or some random advice; who are those that have complete access to speak the truth even when it hurts? If you don’t have them, find them.
Jun/101
Happy Father’s Day Cards
Every Father’s Day is filled with cards of various kinds. Last night I got my usual three — one from Charlene and one each from Selah & Samara which are the best little girls (not so little anymore) in the entire world including all of China!
Anyway, this morning I received a couple more. What’s funny is BOTH of them were the exact same card. I must confess that I am one of those individuals that usually jumps to the bottom of the card and reads the signature and any note that someone may have taken the time to include. However, I figured that God must really want me to read the card and take them seriously since I got two of them. Here is what the cards said:
DAD — There are lots of dads in the world, but I got the one who was just what I needed . . . Thanks for saying no when it needed to be said, for giving me limits and keeping me safe, and most of all, for believing in me and loving me, no matter what. I hope I make you proud, since that’s the only way I can ever begin to thank you enough. Happy Father’s Day.
Tarik El-Naggar during our Living Stones Crown Point services this morning made the following statement: “The greatest joy of a father is the success of his child.”
You see, I have two daughters — 8 and 11 years old. Then I have a group of spiritual kids most of them being sons. The young ones range in age from 18-25. The greatest joy I find as a spiritual father (and as an adoptive father of my two girls) is seeing them grow, learn, fail, stand back up and then grow, learn, and fail all over again. I am a very proud father of many children. And my greatest joy is seeing them succeed. For all of my spiritual sons & daughters, I am so proud of you and thank God for the opportunity to see you grow and learn and to help guide you along the path.
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!
Jun/102
To My Spiritual Father
This morning I woke up thinking about my spiritual father — Pastor Ron Johnson, Sr. He and Pastor Carol are headed off this morning to beautiful Maine on the east coast to celebrate their 50th Anniversary which is on Friday. 
This morning as I was standing in the kitchen thinking about how grateful I was for his influence in my life. While thinking on this, I quickly broke into tears. If you know me well, that really isn’t saying too much because I can hardly make it through a day without crying about something and definitely never a week! And for the record, I think I am emotionally stable. Some may disagree.
In any event, the point is that I honestly do not know where I would be if it weren’t for my spiritual father’s influence in my life. So much has happened in my life, particularly in the last year or so including among many things, losing my own father who passed away in September.
As I continue to age, grow, and mature, I am more aware than ever of the true significance and importance of having a spiritual father. Some have mentors; few have fathers. To some it may be a matter of semantics and actually may mean the same thing. However, for me, this isn’t the case. A mentor is someone who gives you advice and you choose to listen or not. They are the person you go to when you have major life decisions to make, and you’re not quite sure what to do. A true spiritual father is more than that. A spiritual father is one who loves their son more than their own self. A spiritual father is one who is willing to die to his own desires in order to see his son accomplish his. A father is there to listen, guide, and most of all protect the son at all costs; whatever it costs him, he is willing to give. If it’s time, energy, money — whatever the cost — he gives it.
What every generation and this culture needs is true fathers who will lay down their lives for their sons. Thank you, Pastor. My hope and prayer is that I will become a father to many as you have been to me.
