Idads (Intentional Dads)

iDADS

“Intentional Dads”

1 Thessalonians 2:8-12

http://www.sermonspice.com/product/17321/

im-watching-you-dad

Wow…

I’ve watched that video a bunch of times this week, and I gotta tell you, it moved me every single time.

It’s powerful, convicting, challenging…

Sooo convicting, and sooo true

I am watching how you treat people.

The way you are living is having a big impact on me

TODAY – is Father’s Day 2014… Happy Father’s Day to every DAD out there this morning…

NOW – let me say a couple of things up front this morning…

#1 – I love being a dad. I really do. AND – my adventure into fatherhood 3 decades ago on March 20, 1984… (I was 6 years old @ the time)…

Fathers Day 1984

TODAY - I have…

Three daughters - 30, 22, 10

Two sons 8, 27

Three grandchildren (Zeb, Maciah and Asher) and a 4th on the way.

#2 – I have always found that wearing the title of Father (one of the titles for our God) is an incredible honor, a huge responsibility… and slightly overwhelming and intimidating.

#3 – Dads (despite what modern culture and our secular media says) we matter… A LOT!

QUESTION… What do

• 90% of homeless and runaway children

• 63% of youth who commit suicide

• 80% of all rapist

• 85% of children with behavioral problems

• 71% of all high school dropouts

• 75% of all teens in chemical abuse centers

• 85% of all youth in prison

• 70% of all girls who become pregnant as teens

Have in common?

THEY ALL come from homes without a dad.

YEAH - I know there has been a lot of debate on the importance of fathers in the home in recent years. AND - let me say up front that though many single moms can and often, do a great job - it still does not diminish the importance of dad in the life of a child…

I MEAN – it’s how the Creator of the universe wired, and set the system up….

OKAY… #4 – I recognize that just like with Mother’s day… father’s day can be pretty tough.

• MAYBE - you had a great dad and he is no longer here and you really miss him

• OR MAYBE - your dad was not around… OR MAYBE he was and things were not that good and it still kind of hurts

• OR MAYBE - you are a dad, and you are afraid that you are not measuring up.

The truth is I recognize that holidays like Father’s Day always come with an emotional charge.

AND

#5 – my goal today is to first and foremost honor God our heavenly Father and second honor, encourage and challenge the DADS in this room… (and when I say dads I am talking about…

Dads and step dads, foster dads, adopted dads) to live out more fully this call to fatherhood…

The Truth About Being A Dad,

According To 14 Really Funny Famous Guys

On how kids' songs should really go: “There should be a children’s song: ‘If you’re happy and you know it, keep it to yourself and let your dad sleep.’” – Jim Gaffigan

The truth truth...

“Having children is like living in a frat house -- nobody sleeps, everything's broken, and there's a lot of throwing up.” -- Ray Romano

On why it's really beneficial to have kids: "I learn things from my kids constantly. Most of their knowledge comes from Snapple caps." -- Jimmy Kimmel

On how simple dad-hood should be:??

"Be a dad. Don't be 'Mom’s assistant.' That's depressing, just waiting for her to write you a list, walk around a store staring at it, calling her from the cereal aisle to make sure you got the right thing. Be a man. Make your own list. Fathers have skills that they never use at home. You run a landscaping business and you can’t dress and feed a 4-year-old? Take it on. Spend time with your kids and have your own ideas about what they need. It won’t take away your manhood; it will give it to you. I did that. I spent more time with my kids. And I found out that I’m a pretty bad father. I make a lot of mistakes and I don't know what I'm doing. But my kids love me. Go figure." -- Louis C.K.

The truth:

"When I hear people talk about juggling, or the sacrifices they make for their children, I look at them like they're crazy, because 'sacrifice' infers that there was something better to do than being with your children." -- Chris Rock

On the only thing you need to know:

"Having a kid is like falling in love for the first time when you're 12, but every day." -- Mike Myers