Yesterday was my father's 88th birthday! 88 years of excellence--well, not actually. Dad told us last night at the family gathering that it was the prayers of his godly parents who brought him home to Jesus at age 28. So, giving him credit for a few excellent years as a child, I would say 60+ years of excellence would be fair. :-)
His father was an amazing man, as well. Godly to the core, and a lay preacher. He led in his community with the strength that only God's anointing and pure living can engender. He and my grandmother shared the Word, earnest prayer, sacrificial giving, and warm-hearted, generous living for nearly 70 years as a couple. My dad was called by God out of that kind of environment.
My dad has been a much-loved, godly pastor, pillar of any community where he has served. Dad and Mom have lived so consistently and sacrificially that they stand among the wonders of the world to me. They made serving Jesus and the people He loves look like the most amazing thing any person could do. From their home, both my brother Dwight and I were called to ministry.
Charlie and I have been in full-time ministry together since 1974. We are far from perfect, but are striving to live consistently, faithfully, and to give God the daily opportunity to love the world through us. To our grateful joy, two of our children are called, one serving full-time in ministry now, and the other workig part-time while on track to ordination. God is so good.
This week a godly Christian leader in the Akron community came to visit me at my office. We discussed the fact that two of my children were working with me. He said, "That is so wonderful--never let anyone make you feel less than proud and delighted about that! Whenever a pastor's home and life is what it is supposed to be, it is likely that at least one of the children will respond to the call of God to serve as a 'priest' to God." It's the principle of the priesthood---the calling of God in the Bible did not remain limited to the tribe of the Levites. When Christ came, anyone could be called to follow and serve. But there was a special responsibility given to the tribe where the priesthood began to hold high the calling and live it attractively and faithfully.
This man told me it is a great gift to have your children follow you in ministry. I believe it. And I am grateful. I am praying that I will live up to my heritage and calling, and that my children and grandchildren will have a clearly marked, wise path to follow.
1 comment:
That was so much fun last night!
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