Happy Father’s Day 2024

It is June 1st, 2024. Memorial Day is gone and Father’s Day is two weeks away. We honored those who paid the ultimate price in sacrifice to our country. Now we honor those brave souls who lead the next generation of fathers and mothers by example, hard work, and selflessness.

Fatherhood can be summed up in these seven qualities:

Spiritual Leader, Loving Husband, Encourager, Role Model, Dreamer, Mentor, Provider.

Most folks in this audience have already walked that road and are on the second leg of being Grandfathers. Some of us did a good job, and some didn’t, but we all wish we had done better. Sweet Janice and I began our journey as teenage kids 55 years ago. Although vocations have come and gone, our commitment to raising our children has never wavered. Since we started so young, we now have four great–grandchildren in addition to our seven grandchildren.

With three young children and a very sweet wife, I moved our family 2,500 miles across the country and began a new life in 1979 determined to do better for them. One of the best decisions I ever made was to define my role as their father and not as their friend. They were only ever going to have one father and that was my job, but they would have many friends in their lifetimes. I accepted that role as God’s assignment and did my very best to teach them wisdom, honor, and humility.

I am very proud of each of my children and today we can finally be friends too. Regardless of how things worked out for your family, I’m proud to know each of you even if it is just by phone calls, email, or visits much too short at a turning demonstration or trade show across this great country.

Sweet Janice and I wish you a happy and meaningful Father’s Day in 2024. Remember that wherever you go, there you are.

Here is my inspiration for this message:

(Prov 22:6 [KJV])

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

(Heb 12:7–8 [MSG])

God is educating you; that's why you must never drop out. He's treating you as dear children. This trouble you're in isn't punishment; it's training, the normal experience of children. Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God?

(Heb 12:9–11[MSG])

We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God's training so we can truly live? While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God's holy best.

At the time, discipline isn't much fun. It always feels like it's going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it's the well–trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.