DAD WISDOM: PART II, Words of Wisdom for Fathers
Father’s Day Advice for Fathers
Arena Men,
As a follower of Jesus, pop culture and social norms fall victim to truth. They must. The non-conformist Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:25, “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”
And again in 1 Corinthians 2:4-6, “My message and my preaching were (a) demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away.”
Sadly, many fail to either recognize or remember that the majority is usually wrong, which is the glory of Jesus’ Church. We walk by FAITH. Not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Words of Wisdom for Fathers
It was an honor to have Kenny Joyner back on the Men in the Arena Podcast for Part II from his book, Without a Father: From Fear to Faith. (Part I of our interview is here.) Kenny Joyner is the director and co-founder of Boys with A Purpose, a nonprofit after-school mentoring organization for young boys. Growing up without a father ignited Kenny’s passion to help young men develop their gifts and to ultimately find their life’s purpose.
(My last post summarized Words of Wisdom #1-10.)
Word of Wisdom #11: Transform Your Thinking. Change the way you think to develop a different outcome for your life. This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. Change your thinking. Live according to the Word not the world (Romans 12:1-2).
Word of Wisdom #12: Be Responsible. Many men walk away from their responsibilities as fathers because they have not been trained in the importance of being responsible. Take responsibility for who you are and what you do. Men accept responsibility. They may delegate but they do not defer final responsibility.
Word of Wisdom #13: Be Present. You don’t become a father when the child is born, you become a father when you accept your role as a man who is walking in the awareness of who God designed you to be. Your presence represents an assurance for your children that can only be given by you. Be present.
Word of Wisdom #14: Finish What You Start. Joyner writes, “As we examine a society where some men have not been protectors, providers, present physically or emotionally, or responsible, we see a society that is crumbling in disaster in every area.”
Word of Wisdom #15: Failure Produces Success. I once heard a parenting class teacher say, “You don’t have to be a perfect parent. You just have to be good enough.” That statement freed me as a father to make mistakes, bounce back, and keep parenting. Today I have three wonderful sons, who were raised by less than perfect parents.
Word of Wisdom #16: Discover Your Purpose. When you walk in purpose you become the very best version of yourself. You must become who you were designed to be. You are not a mistake. If you trust the designer, he will give you clarity and a vision for your destiny. God wants to give you a rich and satisfying life. Don’t die with an unopened gift inside you (Psalm 139:1-18).
Word of Wisdom #17: Know and Develop Your Self-Worth. Develop ways to use fear and anxiety for your benefit. No matter what you’ve done, or where you come from, God wants you and I to remember that we are His (Romans 8:16-17).
Word of Wisdom #18: Walk by Faith. Walking by faith will require the ultimate trust in God’s Word, not the world’s foolish lies disguised as truth. Become a lie-hunter instead of a blind lemming. Like Noah, you may often have to walk alone (Genesis 6:13-22, Proverbs 3:5-6).
Word of Wisdom #19: Play Until You Win. It’s not over until God says so. Whatever you don’t destroy will eventually come back to crucify you. You must grow to a place where your past doesn’t come back to choke your future (2 Timothy 4:6-8).
Word of Wisdom #20: Leave a Legacy. Joyner writes, “Don’t let your past define you, but let it mold you into the person you want to be. Our children will follow the example we set regarding how to live. Live life with passion and gratitude. Showing that we care for our children plants the fuel for life in them and, ultimately, helps them succeed. Give your family the gift of time.”
Word of Wisdom #21: Live in Truth and Obedience. We are not called to fear death or blindly following the norms of those who do not seek truth. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6)
Do you believe Him? Will you be a godly man?
Best Father
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Becoming His Best Version,
Jim