History is replete with men of great renown. Their names and accomplishments are chronicled in history lessons, newspapers and even in Holy writ.
Here are two examples from the Bible:
1. Samuel was a judge in Israel, a prophet and a priest. He was the only man who ever filled all three offices.
2. King David stands among the tallest of leaders excelling in economic prosperity, military dominance, and spiritual pursuit.
Both share many stellar characteristics, they were great leaders of people, they were men of renown, they were men of great influence. Their names still require respect and reverence even though they are no longer upon the stage of life.
The greatest thing they both share is that they were terrible fathers.
While they were both busy building a name and a legacy, accomplishing great feats in government and politics. Their children sadly went un-guided and un-corrected.
Sameuls life which started out with such great promise, a child of promise miraculously conceived. Ended with a nation turning it's back on Gods government and rule, because of his children's un-disciplined natures.
Thus though listed In the hall of faith ( Hebrews 11 ), in the things that mattered most, Samuel utterly failed.
Davids tragic tale closely mirrors that of Samuel. Davids moral failures and lack of self control opened the door to one of the saddest stories ever recorded. Gross immorality, murder, betrayal, broken and shattered lives, was part of the legacy David left to his children.
"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
Better yet, what doth it profit a man if he leads the whole world and has no influence upon his own children?
Let me tell you a true story of one of the greatest men I have ever known.
He was born into a very poor home. Most of his early childhood memories included domestic violence, multiple divorces and always hunger.
His mother eventually found a new life through the power of the cross. The old hardship were replaced with new ones as his mother and he answered the call of God to ministry in the very primitive conditions of South East Alaska.
After completion of high school he went to Bible School where just prior to graduation he married the love of his life. Into this union 4 boys were eventually born.
There were three constant fears that he battled while raising his little family.
1. Fear of poverty, which he answered by doing the work of two men. By the time he retired well into his 70's. He had worked his way from manual labour on the oil docks, to a lucrative management / part owner of a oil distribution company.
2. Fear of violence, which he answered by vowing to God that his children would never even hear a verbal argument. I have known this man for 47 years and can vouch that there was never a verbal or physical altercation in his home. Out of the ashes of violence a man of peace was born.
3. Fear of the ravishes of sin, which he answered by raising his family in the house of God.
His oldest Son is 51, I am 49, my younger brothers are 46 and 33. Though not perfect we have followed in the steps of this great man.
All four of his sons have been faithfully married to one wife.
All four of his sons have worked hard to provide for the spiritual and physical needs of their families.
Two of his sons feel the call of ministry, all four are faithful in their local churches.
To date all of his Grandchildren have been baptized and infilled with the Holy Ghost.
He is my father. Outside of his immediate circle of friends, church and family no one hardly knows his name. But to me he is a giant of a man. Many a lesser man have used the hardships of their life story to repeat and reproduce the conditions of the past. My dad shook off the conditions he was raised in and created a world completely different from his up bringing. Where as all he knew was anger and violence he choose peace. Where all he knew was poverty and uncertainty he created a world of stability and hope.
Happy Fathers Day Dad! You are a giant in my world, I am proud to be called your son!
Lance Dean Meyers
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