"The father who does not teach his son his duties is equally guilty with the son who neglects them." Confucius, Chinese Teacher and Philosopher, (551 BC - 479 BC)

Hello and welcome one and all. It's Friday, June 13, 2014. You can relax. This is the only Friday the 13th we have this year. Whew! Listen folks, it's just another day on the calendar, you know, the day after the previous Thursday, and the day before the following Saturday. Nothing more than that. But you knew that already. Father's Day is Sunday. I can tell you from my soon to be 68 year sojourn here on the planet that being a dad of distinction is as much a challenge in my life as any I can think of. Even those in the Bible commended for their faithfulness and their influence on their children, well, they had recognized failures in their lives. In Genesis 18, Verse 19, the Lord God of heaven had this to say about Abraham: "For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him." Yet, we also know that this man of God lied about his wife to protect himself. He also listened to his wife and then attempted to preempt God's plan of the promised heir by joining himself to his wife's servant, Hagar. He didn't always do everything right but he passed God's test. I'm certainly glad for this example and I commend it to us all as we strive to make a difference in the lives of those God has given to us in our families. And, I do need help. That's certainly my Father's Day prayer. Amen. 

Thinking about dads of distinction, I've had many that have impacted my life. I do thank God every day for the dad that he has given to me for the past 37 years. Dad is a servant by nature. He served our nation by wearing the uniform of the Untied States Army for twenty years. Until his retirement, he served our military as a specialist working as a civil servant at the US Army Fort Polk training facility. He has served his community in the little town where I grew up, as a council member and Mayor Pro-Tem for nearly 25 years. A servant. More importantly, he has served my mom and the rest of our huge blended family for all of these years. He dotes on our mom and we are so thankful that he does. He serves his local Church and is faithful to the services and the ministries she pursues. I know it sounds like I'm bragging but may I make it clear that I'm counting these as blessings and giving praise and honor to God for His provision. Happy Father's Day dad. We love you and thank you for all you are and for all you do. Love, Marilyn and Al

It's been quite a week folks. While some may have begun to wonder, the wife did come back home again. I'm thankful for that. I'm also thankful for my boys, Chris, Jimmy, and Rodney, and their families, and especially the efforts they have invested in their children as dads. It matters folks. It matters a lot. As always, there typically is a lot for me to say Grace over, everyday, therefore, I mostly give out as best I can only a highlight version each day. Thanks for riding along with me and I pray that you will have a great Saturday, and a great Father's Day/Lord's Day Sunday. I promise to do my best, Lord willing, to show up next time where we can sit for a spell and do a little jawing. Forth and back. Or, as so many prefer, back and forth. (Depends on your point of view I suppose. I was told by our Scotland tour guide that one must go forth before coming back, but, some may not trust the word of a fellow who wears a skirt.) May God bless us all is my prayer. Amen.   ....More later.