Christian Fathers Day - Whatever is Pure, Poetry, Stories and Thoughts June 2008

I remember the story from God
Of how a boy took all his cash
His father just stood with a nod
That boy just seemed a bit rash

This boy just partied all day
But one night came home to find
His bill he could no longer pay
He really was in a bind

To get all the money he'd need
He got a job feeding the hogs
These pigs the boy would daily feed
While he himself ate like the dogs

He made up his mind then and there
To go back home to his dad
But did he even think to dare?
They would surely think he was mad

The boy finally decided to go home
And watching the path was his father
Who ran down the path his son did roam
Without a care or a bother

With tears of joy on his face
The dad embraced his son
Extending our Savior's dear grace
To his son that had gone off in a run

A party was held in the son's honor
The eldest was a little bit irked
At his bro who was thought to be a goner
The eldest had always worked

But the father confronted the older
And told about grace and of love
With a light tap on his shoulder
And a small but playful shove

Our Jesus is much like this Pa
Who cares deeply for his us, his center
We look at both with awe
Because they both are our mentor!

© 2008 by Diego Salaza
Diego was asked in a class assignment to submit a poem to be published on the net or in print. After contacting us, he wrote this poem specifically on the theme of Fathers upon our request.

To be blessed by God, to find His favor is something we all desire, but what is the rhyme or reason for God pouring out His blessings? Is there a secret to finding blessings, or do we simply need to have our vision improved so we can see blessings? Is it that we have no responsibility in "qualifying" for these beautiful blessings? Is it purely God's decision as to who is blessed more than someone else?

God has been so good to me! He and I talk often and I am always watching to see what He does in my life. His plan is rarely what I expect, but it is always good and fills me with great joy to see Him at work around me. As a child I still remember my first prayer, I asked the obvious question; "Why am I here?" I received an immediate response in my mind, He said "To serve one another." Well that made perfect sense, to give of myself to others. My father was a fireman and he risked his life "serving" others.

As I grew older, I began to forget about that first prayer, but God did not! I also was not looking to see what God was doing, but God never gave up on me. A few of my first jobs included mowing lawns, working with my dad, on his off days at a big farm, pumping gas and repairing VW engines. I never noticed my service like jobs and had forgot Gods answer to my question from long ago. God was leading me down a path, a plan He knew very well, which I was not the slightest bit aware of.

God can be pretty tricky when He wants to. To get me on my path of service he brought a confident, intelligent and pretty young lady into my life. And like a tough, strong, independent man I followed her everywhere, through high school, college and to work for NASA! I became a civil, now catch this word, servant.

So what does this have to do with blessings? I believe God always wants to bless us, as He has all my life. After all He loves us with an unending love! Still, why do others seem to be more blessed than others? Let's dive into this water of God's word to find the keys to blessings and joy! Here are a few key verses to get us rolling:

Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Psalm 40:4.

He who despises his neighbor sins,
but blessed is he who is kind to the needy. Proverbs 14:21

Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. Job 5:17

Looking at his disciples, he said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Luke 6:20

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. Romans 8:11

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:9-12

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' Acts 20:35

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35

If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:3

So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. Matthew 6:2

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured in to your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Luke 6:38

Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.
"But you ask, 'How do we rob you?'
"In tithes and offerings… Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. Malachi 3:8-10

Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Matthew 19:21

Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. Luke 12:33

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." Luke 19:8

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, "Cornelius!"

The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Acts 10:1-4

Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy. Luke 1:58

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:9-11

Stewardship, and giving are not our favorite Biblical topics. However, I have found the verses above to be absolutely true, and God has blessed me. My wife and I have suffered through my fractured spine and five operations only then to find out she has an in-operatable brain tumor. That was over 15 years ago, and even though the brain tumor has reoccurred, treatment has put it into remission again! God disciplines the ones He loves, but He is with you the whole way! He pours out joy and blessings in the mist of trials, you just have to be watching for them!

You must email the author to gain permission to use this article before using or copying it in any media format including email, blog, print or electronic form.

He's tired coming home as the day's nearly spent
Selfless shoulders may sag and then droop, greatly bent
But when he walks through the door at the end of the day
He's met by a chorus chiming, "Dad, can you play?"
First Josiah jumps up and dashes to Dad
Sammy swoops in - "Daddy's home!" - is he glad!
Nathan grabs gloves, "Hey Dad, come this way!"
Daniel with Math, "Can you help me today?"

He sets down his lunch box, straightens up with a sigh
"Just a minute you guys, let me loosen my tie"
Surveys the day's damage, "Where's the train wreck?" he asks
Then quietly helps Mom with each clean-up task.
"Ready now?" ask four boys, their eager eyes wide
‘Cause when Dad strides "ashore," ev’ry game changes tide.

Then shirt sleeves rolled up, Dad wades into the fray
His strong, sturdy arms help guide and relay
Helping fend off those Zeroes, a Pearl Harbor attack!
Pushing through Normandy, the Allies are back
Rousting out Redcoats, bounding over the Main
The Alamo's waiting, brave defenders to fame
Sherwood Forest to save, David Balfour to greet
Captain Hook to swash buckle, make Godzilla retreat.

"Time for Practice" Dad says -- it's the signal at last
While tornadoes of cleats, gloves, and caps all roar past
Chauffeuring kids to and fro, chasing bats, balls, and gloves
Afternoons in the sun, spending time, spelling "love."

Chugging home after dark, too weary to eat
"Where's Josiah's new jammies--the ones with the feet?"
Day closes, sun's snoring, tub and dinner are done
Kids all quiet in bed, still at last -- ‘cept for one
He whimpers and cries, a dark dream in the night
Dad creeps to his room, soothes a small child's bad fright.

Big hands clasp those smaller, to protect and to guide
Bear the love of a Father whose own Son has died
On his knees on the floor, Daddy battles for peace
Prays mountains of mercy, sweet repose to release.

From whence comes his fervor, dogged courage and grace?
Where's the fount of such mettle, who pilots the pace?
A source every human dad needs, and can know:
"In weakness My strength is perfected and flows."

Our Dad isn't perfect, for humanity's flawed
But his life is poured out to his family and God
You gave us your name, will to run the race true
Granite strength, fountain foaming with grit, grace, "can do!"
So Dad, we salute you and thank God so much
Yes, YOU are our hero; for through you comes His touch.

© Kristine Lowder
You must email the author to gain permission to use this article before using or copying it in any media format including email, blog, print or electronic form.

As of May 2012, "WHATEVER IS PURE" ARCHIVES will no longer be seeking submissions. As most authors and poets now have their own blogs, we noticed a significant drop in submissions over the past year and felt it was best to move on to other endeavors.

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