His Only Son!

Romans 8:32

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Easter comes once a year – even if we should celebrate Easter every Sunday or even every day. Yet – we don’t have to limit our joy to that one day – do we? If your family is like mine – when we gather for Easter – for the family gathering – we usually end up talking about life and the blessings of that life. It is always a touching time – and watching our family age before our eyes – year after year. It brings a nostalgic note too. Listening to what the girls have shared over the years and now what the grandchildren will share has been and is a blessing. We are always thankful for the way God touches our lives and the joy we feel being together.

I’m the crier in the family (one daughter is starting to show my emotions as well). An example of my inability to hold back my tears can be seen in most any family gathering. I remember at a special birthday for my wife in recent years – as others were sharing – I tried to share my heart and the tears flowed. Tears will flow for most any reason from my eyes. I will shed tears when I watch It’s a Wonderful Life for the 200^th time – and even while watching certain episodes of The Andy Griffith Show – tears will flow.

Easter – 4th of July – Birthdays – Thanksgiving – Christmas – are all family time for our family – and we will gather once again – the Lord willing. Holidays and special days are especially hard for me now that mom and dad have gone to be with Jesus – along with my father & mother-in-law. Our parents loved the holidays and family times. We must keep making them special for ur children and grands.

Why Do We Follow Jesus?

Matthew 4:20

At once they left their nets and followed him.

Why do we do what we do in life? Often our answer would include our learning or life’s experiences. We follow a certain team – often because a parent did or our friends do or because we went to a game and a player was nice to us. We all have our own experiences. I have a friend who is a lifelong Yankees’ fan and if you asked him – he would tell you of his life’s experiences.

Why do we drive a certain make or model of vehicle? Again – it is often from our learned behavior (our parents were Ford people) or personal experience (I’ve always had a Honda and they never failed me). Same used to be why we used certain gas (my parents always used Shell gas – so I do).

We do a lot in life because of some learned behavior or some personal experience. We tend to be creatures of habit. Do we have a favorite restaurant? Do we tend to watch certain TV shows – even the same ones over and over (did someone say The Andy Griffith Show)?

God Knows Best

Matthew 6:8

Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

I was thinking about my dad this week. Dad would have been 95 this year. He was an awesome dad. The best as far as I’m concerned. I wish I was even half the dad to my children that he was to me. I try to model him in many parts of life.

Do you remember the Television Show that aired from 1954 to 1963 titled Father Knows Best? It starred Robert Young (Jim) – Jane Wyatt (Margaret) – Elinor Donahue (Betty) – Billy Gray (Bud) – and Lauren Chapin (Kathy) – as the Andersons. The show won six Emmy Awards and was a consistent Top 10 show in the Nielsen Ratings. It was based on a patriarchal model that was popular in the 50’s on TV and in American life. By the way – Elinor Donahue (Ellie Walker) also played the part of a female druggist and an early flame for Andy Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show (1960 to 1968). She wasn’t around long – but I thought I’d mention it for us old folks.

The premise of the show – Father Knows Best – was that the family would have all sorts of trouble – only to turn to their father (Jim Anderson) for help. He would often give sage advice and would make things all right in the end. He always seemed to know best – of course that was very idealistic – but for the show it worked. We know that not all fathers are so wise and not all families turn to their father for help – often turning to mother as well – and even others inside and outside the family. Some might not have anyone to turn to – and that is sad.

I’m Emotional – I Cry A Lot

Romans 12:15

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

In case you didn’t know it – or don’t know me well – I’m a very emotional person. I’m the kind of guy that cries at shows on the TV. I cry when certain songs are played. I’ve yet to watch It’s a Wonderful Life without crying (and I can’t wait for it to begin playing this winter). I cry at most movies that talk about the death of a parent (Sunday was the 10th anniversary of my dad passing). I can be found crying while watching The Andy Griffith Show or MASH at times as well.

In case you didn’t know it – or don’t know me well – I’m a very emotional person. I like a good belly laugh – hearing jokes – or telling them. I like to be around funny people. I have numerous golf jokes and pastor jokes – if you’d like to hear any of them.

In case you didn’t know it – or don’t know me well – I’m a very emotional person. I enjoy expressing my love for my wife – for my children – and for my grandchildren. I love hugs and my granddaughters and grandson give the best hugs. Some of them were over the other day – and we had loads of hugs. I drive my brother crazy when I tell him I love him.

In case you didn’t know it – or don’t know me well – I’m a very emotional person. I have a hard time at funerals – often shedding tears right along with the family. I remember doing the funeral of my brother’s future father-in-law (the same week as his wedding) and losing it in the midst of the service. I had known that man my whole life and knowing the emotions of that week got to me. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done (aside from leading my father’s funeral).

Let’s Go Fishing

Matthew 4:19

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

I have a number of friends who love to fish. I never really got into it – I have a bad case of motion sickness – but wouldn’t mind sitting on a shoreline somewhere on a lazy summer day with a line in the water. My friends post pictures of some of their favorite fishing holes on social media. They really enjoy fishing. It must be very exciting and relaxing to them. I might have to try it sometime in retirement.

A friend of mine – from a former church – is really into fishing. He often posts pictures of fish he has caught on social media. He gets some big ones. He and another friend go deep water fishing at times. My friend’s youngest son has taken an interest in fishing as well and they are often together at their favorite fishing hole – as seen on his social media pages! He brought a dozen or more rods to church one Sunday for a prop for a sermon series titled Gone Fishing or something like that. I miss this friend dearly! We both play golf and need to do more of it together.

One of my golfing buddies bought a nice boat in the not too distant past (my wife just bought one too – so – maybe – I’ll be out on it – can someone pass the Dramamine please?) My fear was that he would be going fishing a lot and we would not be golfing much anymore. This past summer we ended up not playing much golf together – not because he was fishing – but because of my schedule (I didn’t get to retire as planned). He says he doesn’t have time for those of us still working full-time (LOL).