However, one recent TV ad has stuck with me. I think it about it when I consider the blessings of fatherhood. The catch phrase of the commercial was, “It takes a man to be a dad.” What a powerful statement! Especially when we consider the admonition in Ephesians 6:4, which says, “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (KJV).

Dads, it is a tremendous privilege to teach our children the things of God!

One of the fondest memories of my childhood focuses on waking up in the middle of the night and seeing my dad kneeling beside my bed, praying for me. He would then slip into my brother’s room and pray for him. Wow! I am so thankful for my dad.

Now it is my turn to hold my children before the Lord in prayer. It is my turn to model God’s love for them, his self-sacrificing love in Jesus and his cross. It’s my turn to teach them how to walk with God, and to show them by example how to do that.

It takes a man to be that kind of dad. May our Savior work that kind of courage and strength in all the men to whom he has entrusted the gift of fatherhood!

We’d also like to let you know that it’s not too late to order Father’s Day gifts to present to the men of your church this Sunday.

We can get your order out as late as this Thursday (6/18) with expedited delivery. Friday is cutting it close, but we may be able to get your order to you by USPS Saturday delivery. We suggest you call customer service for help at 888-285-3598.

Here’s the official verbiage we use on our website:

IMPORTANT! To ensure delivery in time for Father’s Day, we strongly urge all customers to choose Next Day Air as their shipping method. If you have questions, please call Customer Service at 1-888-285-3598.

And from this blessed father to all, Happy Father’s Day!

Father’s Day Articles:

• 3 “Body Building” Ideas for Father’s Day
• 4 Encouraging Words for Fathers & Father-figures
• Celebrating Father’s Day—Purposefully!
• Letters to Dad
• Timely Tips for Father’s Day
• The True History of Father’s Day
• Praying for Dads
• 3 Hints for Making Mother’s Day and Father’s Day Meaningful

Ministry Messages:

• Blessed for Life Adult Ministry Message
• Blessed for Life Adult Ministry Message – Versión en Español
• Blessed is the Man Who Trusts in the Lord Adult Ministry Message
• Blessed is the Man Who Trusts in the Lord Adult Ministry Message (KJV)
• Blueprints for Life Adult Ministry Message
• Blueprints for Life Adult Ministry Message (KJV)
• God Promises for Parents Adult Ministry Message
• Man of God Adult Ministry Message
• Man of God Adult Ministry Message (KJV)
• Man of God Adult Ministry Message – Versión en Español
• Measure of a Man Adult Ministry Message
• Measure of a Man Adult Ministry Message (KJV)
• Measure of a Man Adult Ministry Message – Versión en Español
• Strength for the Journey Adult Ministry Message
• Strength for the Journey Adult Ministry Message – Versión en Español

Even if you would not ordinarily observe these two events in your church, you may want to consider doing so in this centennial year, using this anniversary to help all your women (whether they are moms or not) and all your men (whether they are dads or not) see the significance of the roles they play as spiritual mentors, teachers, coaches, and role models.

When I Grow Up . . . Populate the board with note cards on which older elementary and high school students finish the sentence: When I grow up, I want to be like . . . Encourage them to name adults in the congregation—parents, teachers, pastors, troop leaders, or people without formal roles but who nonetheless have influenced them. Encourage them to add a sentence or three explaining why they picked that person.

Start collecting comments a few weeks before Mother’s Day and keep adding to the board for several weeks after Father’s Day. You may even want to capture the comments and add them to your congregation’s website or print them in the August newsletter. Make extra note cards available near the display and encourage adults to participate too—naming their “mothers” and “fathers” in the faith.

That’s just one idea. What ideas did this spark for you? Post them as a “Comment” to this blog and let’s see how many we can collect. And do be sure to let us know how they worked for you!

Link here to find Christ-centered, affordable gifts that will help you make Mother’s Day and Father’s Day memorable for your members.

Whatever you do, be sure to spell the names of these holidays correctly! Sometimes people place the apostrophe in the wrong place (i.e., Mothers’ Day—instead of Mother’s Day; Fathers’ Day—instead of Father’s Day). In doing so, we give the wrong idea. Anna Jarvis, the person most responsible for the way we currently celebrate Mother’s Day, emphasized the idea that these days are personal.

We celebrate, not all mothers or motherhood in general, but our own mothers in particular. We show appreciation, not to fathers in general, but to our own fathers in particular.

This does not mean we must observe Mother’s and Father’s Day only at home! Church is the perfect place to do so!  Almost every Christian I know has at least one person they consider “my father in the faith” or “my mother in the faith.” These are people who have witnessed to us, taught us, mentored us, warned us, encouraged us, and helped us grow. Whether the individuals we call “Mom” and “Dad” are believers or not, we all need as many “mothers” and “fathers” in the faith as we can get. And your church can encourage the behaviors that make it more likely your members will see it as a spiritually nurturing place.

Whether you would ordinarily observe Mother’s Day and Father’s Day or not, in this centenial year, you may want to consider using these days to highlight the critical role played by Christian mentors.

(You can read more details about the history of Mother’s Day here and Father’s Day here.)

Mother’s Day began in one, small West Virginia congregation in 1907 at the suggestion of Anna M. Jarvis. But by 1909, it had spread to 46 states. Its popularity that year firmly established it as a national observance. In 1909, Mother’s Day was here to stay.

That same year, 1909, Sonora Dodd first proposed a national “Father’s Day.” Partly because Mother’s Day had become so popular, Father’s Day, too, soon gained national acceptance. It, too, was with us to stay.

(For more information, read these articles on the history of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.)

Please don’t think I’ve lost my way or that I’m ready to abandon my faith. My walk with the Lord is more real than ever; indeed, I think I’ve grown closer to Him during this season of struggle.

But stuff happens. The loss of a son to suicide. Distance with a grieving spouse. Fathering two head-strong teenage daughters. The financial pressures of being the lone breadwinner.

In such times, any sign that God knows and God cares is a welcome relief. Strangely, I have found that relief in recent days from an air freshener. That’s right, an air freshener from CTA that hangs from the rear-view mirror in my Buick.

The Lighthouse Car Air Freshener has been a surprising reminder – to both my nose and eyes – of God’s blessings in my life. Every time I get in my car, the fresh “ocean” scent and the visually striking lighthouse let me know that my Savior is bigger than any problem I face and that He will guide me through the darkest nights of my life.

Who would have thought an air freshener could do that?

For several years I have ordered products for our church to  celebrate Mother’s and Father’s Day. When a large quantity of items is needed money does play a role, and we didn’t want to give our folks junk or wasteful trinkets. Your company has provided us with nice gifts at a reasonable price.

Most of all, your company, in my opinion represents and manifests the type of service Jesus Christ would offer if He were running your company. Thank you for your great customer service, and your positive witness.

Sincerely,

Jane Dauterman
Victory Christian Fellowship
Freemont, Ohio

These gifts were purchased as Christmas Gifts for the men in the Sunday School Class. I want to get them something they would use and look at often.The wording on the clip I thought would be a constant reminded of the walk God has appointed for men & the card could always go in the wallet as another reminder. They were well liked. They are also excellent Father day Gifts.

From Virginia about the Happy Birthday Jesus Party Pack

We have a birthday party each year for Jesus in our Children’s Ministry. What a pleasure to have everything ready for the big day with my purchase of the Happy Birthday Jesus pack. The stationery was a big help in promotion of the event, and the kids loved the take-home cup and goody bag.

From Midland, Texas about the Nativity Angel Ornaments of Faith® Dimensional Greeting Card

We are a Christian business and your products send a wonderful “message of Love” to our clients.

From Greensburg, Indiana about Ornaments of Faith

I felt the card and ornaments were like 2 gifts in one. The price was reasonable, and made it possible for me to send a message to many school helpers and volunteers. Thanks for your help.

From Birmingham, Alabama about Jesus the Sweetest Gift Tote Gift Set

The Jesus the Sweetest Gift tote gift set was the perfect addition to our Christmas Eve service. It looked much nicer and more professional than the simple candy cane we had done in the past.