Like Arrows in the Hands of a Warrior

Fathers! Warriors! What does it take for a warrior to skillfully use an arrow? He must first prepare the arrow, decide on the arrow’s target/direction, and then release it to fulfill its intended purpose.

When the scripture tells us in Psalm 127:4 that “Like arrows in the hands of a warrior, are sons born in one’s youth”, it paints for us a vibrant picture of our role in our children’s training, purpose, and release. My mind immediately thinks of the hours my wife and I have spent in prayer over those gifts, callings, talents, abilities, and even iniquities that make each of our children unique.

We are definitely in the “arrow preparation” mode with the young ages of our children. But we can see that we are entering the “target determination” phase rapidly. Our children are each so wonderfully gifted and we love hearing them tell us what they want to be when they grow up. From president to businessman, from ballerina to rock star, it varies by week, but we can see the trends begin to emerge.

It seems a long way until the “arrow release” stage, although those who have walked this path advise us that it will go much quicker than it currently feels. I can only speak from my own release experience when I began to leave the bow. From that experience I think I can speak for many, many of this generation that we are gathered here to father.

What does an “arrow” do with limited preparation and little to no direction? Well, from the looks of it, the arrows don’t know either. So many are walking around in this state that it is what has defined this generation.

Where are the spiritual fathers who will invest their lives to prepare those who have had no preparation? Where are the spiritual fathers who will give purpose and direction by speaking the unseen things as though they already exist? And where are the spiritual fathers who will release these arrows in the Lord’s timing to pierce the darkness and bring forth the light? I think they are currently reading fatheringgenerations.blogspot.com.

On the Subject of Princess Brides

As I look at that beautiful picture of Robb and Shiloh I'm reminded of how close we REALLY are supposed to be to our princess brides...over the years.

The old Navigator who discipled me back in the day.... He used to say to me. Derek.... when I want to know how things are REALLY going, I won't ask you cause I know you will "spin it".
All I need to do is look at Marie. Her countenance will speak volumes about how things are at home. Yikes! I thought to myself. That's cheating isn't it!!!! I'm in charge of P.R. for my household.

Over the subsquent years that little tip has come in handy countless times for me as it became my own measuring stick of how well I was doing in caring for and covering my princess.

It has been one of the saddest things in my life to come to realize how quickly I can take for granted the ones the Lord has placed closest to me. No where is this more apparent than with my wife.

So I periodically cross my fingers and ask her to tell me truthfully where am I missing it. There is nothing quite like honest feedback to bring my head down out of the clouds.

These days I am getting pretty good report cards. This is not scientific but there appears to be a direct correlation between how much we pray together and how close we are. Learning to pray together as a couple has opened up new areas of intimacy for us.

It also gives me ample opportunities to cover her with the Word, to declare my love and gratitude for her in front of Dad. To minister to her when she is overwhelmed, to hear her heart on issues we are facing, and that is just the beginning.

So how about a quick survey..... who is intentionally praying with their wives more than once a week?

Derek

Receiving the Father's Heart

Hello world. This is my first official blog post. I hope this day goes down in history so that when my kids do a Google search from their iPhones in ten years they will see where it all began.

Let me begin by thanking Robb for the kind invitation to be a contributor to this wonderful blog. My expectation after reading those writings already posted is that I will learn much, much more from the group of contributors than I will ever attempt to write. You know… the whole two ears and one mouth theory.

For this post I will share something that happened just this last week. I was up late working on a few projects long after all the kids were in bed and the house was settled. It was around midnight and I was exhausted from several nights in a row without much rest. I knew the next day was going to be a long day full of meetings, deadlines, and then the weekly bible study held at our home. A good friend of mine was also up working so we had been chatting every few minutes on the instant messenger, much like truck drivers talking on their CB radios to make sure they don’t veer to far over the yellow line.

As I was trying to wrap things up, my instant messenger alerted me that one of my contacts whom I had previously mentored had signed on. Immediately and with much haste I reached for the exit button before this person, whom we will call Bob, could begin a conversation with me. I really didn’t know based on previous conversations with Bob if this would be a positive or difficult visit. Usually when that is the case, I tend to avoid the encounter altogether.

Just as my mouse hovered over the exit button, God spoke to me in that way He does - so gently and peacefully. I knew instantly that I was not supposed to close out the computer program, but to simply keep working as I had been until I was finished. Whether or not Bob began a conversation, I desired to be obedient. So, can you guess what happened less than five minutes later?

My computer beeped at me to let me know a new conversation was starting. I looked down, still filled with the desire to hide, and saw that it was indeed Bob. Now I do care about Bob and I have spent much time praying for him, but it was clear that my heart and attitude were not in a very caring or “fathering” place.

The conversation began as all do, with small talk about the weather and the family. Quickly, however, it became apparent that I needed to give something – encouragement, love - something. My choices where to either give something out of my place of hesitation and timidity or to give something out of the fullness of Jesus Christ in me. As quickly as I reached for that exit button, I began to pray.

Within seconds the most incredible thing happened – the Father heart of God for Bob began to overwhelm me. In a moment I began to see Bob as someone that God was lavishly in love with and that God desired nothing more than to be close to Bob. I began to write those things out and encourage Bob that he could be so very close to the presence of the living God.

Needless to say, the conversation went well. I was encouraged by God’s goodness and faithfulness and I hope Bob was encouraged as well. Finally getting to bed another hour and a half later, I was blown away with the fact that God could drop His father heart for someone in me. My heart for Bob was replaced with God’s and we know that His heart is the one we want as fathers – both as physical fathers and spiritual fathers.

I know my first priority - my own four precious ones - will do much better to have a father that has God’s heart for them than anything I could muster up on my own. God is faithful to give us that heart if we will ask. I think I am going to start asking.