On Training Up Children

Posted on January 28, 2019 by wisdomfromafather

Words for the week. Sometimes they’re deep. Sometimes they’re inspiring. Sometimes they’re instructional. And sometimes … they’re more on the lighter side.

The latter takes stage this week as I share a tongue-in-cheek message from Chapnotes, as cited on www.witandwisdom.org

On Training Up Children

One man says he had a great speech for parents. It was called, “How to Raise Your Children.” He traveled on speaking tours in the midwestern United States and was paid a high honorarium for the talk. “This guy will wow you,” people said.

Then this famous speaker had his first child. His majestic speech lost its punch at 2  a.m. with the baby in full cry. But he kept trying. He renamed his new, modified speech, “Some Suggestions for Parents,” and charged bravely on.

He and his wife had two more children. The speech changed again. And again. Now it’s called, “Feeble Hints for Fellow Strugglers,” and he begins with the question: “Does anyone here have a few words of wisdom?”

As a father of five, I CAN relate!

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: God doesn’t want you to sacrifice fun for Him. He wants you to bring Him into your fun.

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Faith

Posted on January 27, 2019 by wisdomfromafather

This week’s Sunday reflection focuses on Christ healing a Roman officer’s son/servant in Matthew 8:5-13 from The Interpreter’s Bible.

Matthew’s ambiguous pais  can mean either “son” or “servant.” Luke understands it unambiguously as “servant” (Luke 7:2), while the related story in John 4:53-54 speaks of the nobleman’s “son” (John 4:47). Matthean usage suggests “son” as the meaning here (cf. 2:16; 17:14-21); “slave” in verse 9 translates a different word. The parallel to the Canaanite woman’s daughter (15:22) also argues for “son” as the meaning here.

Nonetheless, if we were to first define faith so we know clearly what it is, and then go looking for people (like ourselves) who have it, would we pass by this Roman officer?

Even for us, he is an unlikely candidate for faith, and even more so for the other characters in Matthew’s story. He is doubly the outsider, the first Gentile to appear in Matthew’s story (after the magi of the birth narrative) and he is an army officer, part of the oppressive establishment.

One who is looking for evidence of faith in this man may first be struck by what is not said. There is nothing at all about his creed. As far as the story is concerned, we do not even know if he was a theist, not to speak of monotheism.

The form of this story in Luke 7:1-10 has additions that show early Christian storytellers were also nervous about such issues, and they made the centurion into a supporter of Judaism who had built a synagogue and was commended by Jewish elders as “worthy.” None of this is in Matthew. Such comparisons remind us in each case we are to interpret the text before us, not to make harmonizing reconstructions of “what really happened.”

Yet Matthew speaks of him as a model of faith. What does Matthew want to say to us in this story about the contours of real faith?

The man feels compassion for someone else who depends on him. Matthew does not not novelistically speculate on the details of the boy’s illness or his relationship to the centurion. The story focuses on the centurion’s concern for him, a concern that impels him to make a potentially humiliating request. He is not embarrassed to seek out an itinerant Jewish preacher and healer, confess his unworthiness to receive a personal visit and ask Him only to speak the authoritative word of healing for the child.

There is a notable lack of swagger in all this. He understands the sickness to be a matter of authority and Jesus’ authority overrules the power that holds his son/servant in suffering and paralysis. This is what Matthew here identifies as authentic faith, or as emphasized in Revelations 17:20, faith that moves mountains.

Some of the categories are problematic for us, such as the the view of the nature of authority presupposed. Yet, there are ways in which we, too, may see the ills of life as a matter of authority, of Who is finally in charge, and come to share the Gentile’s faith, which trusts in an authoritative healing word that, once spoken, must have the last word. So understood, we may be saved from the simplistic reduction of this and similar stories to the formula “If I pray for healing and nothing happens, I don’t have enough faith; if healing does come, it is because I have faith.” Both self-centered guilt and self-centered pride can be dissolved by the faith that, in Jesus, the word of God is spoken, which finally transcends all boundaries and heals all wounds.

Lord, I do not deserve to have You come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. — Charles Spurgeon

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We Come to You, Lord

Posted on January 26, 2019 by wisdomfromafather

I hope this becomes a Saturday fixture. I know the requests are on my prayer list and I hope you consider putting them on yours as you place your petitions before the Lord Sunday.

Andrew, despite pain and suffering, shared his request with a poem with prelude “And I need your prayers. More than you may know.

I’ve got a lump upon my chest
that hurts with every breath.
I’m God’s hands, it’s for the best
but it’s got me scared to death.
I’ve always been a hard-assed thug
for whom fear’s been a stranger
but now I really need a hug
to help me hide from danger.
I’ve always been the one who’s paid
my way through pain, and more,
but today I’m scared, and needing aid
to swim to the fatal shore.
So I ask your arms, though far away
to help me stay afloat this day.”

Another friend, Bill, advised me he was going for closed heart surgery, not blockage issues, just heart rhythm issues. “Good news,” he reports, “I will totally healed and healthy again by end of February.”

Julia asks for prayers for upcoming laser surgery at the end of the month, while another Bill also undergoes surgery this week.

I also heard from Christine letting me know my good friend Mary Alice passed away last week.

Marala put it all into perspective with the simple “Trust God.”

We come to You, Lord, with that declarative statement in mind, “Trust You!” We may be broken and battered but recognize You heal and quiet the soul. We acknowledge You are the source for all that happens in our lives. We thank you for the many blessings we have received this week — some we unfortunately didn’t notice. Nonetheless, those blessings are ever-present in our lives. We thank You for healing. We thank You for slowing us down. We thank You for providing us our daily needs — no more and no less. We thank You for being with us, listening to us, walking with us on this journey. We thank You for the support of our family and friends … for seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary — sunrises, sunsets, flowers, kids laughing, adventures, good news amid the bad news like David’s. We also know we can come to You with our concerns and they will be heard. We lift up those family members and friends who are battling various physical, emotional, financial, career or spiritual issues and ask not for Your healing (although that would be welcomed) and guidance but to keep reminding us we are not alone in our battles. Specifically we lift up Andrew, Bill, Julia, Bill, and the family and friends of Mary Alice and all those You have called home. We grieve … You celebrate. We come to You in Jesus’ most holy name, as we pray for obedience to Your Will so Your Light shines through us. Amen.

Keep your joys and concerns coming. They have been and will be included during my prayer time and I trust they will be on the lips of my followers as well. All it takes is a couple of keystrokes under the “Contact Me” button on the top bar {and I believe to the right if you’re not a follower yet}. I hope it becomes your best friend as you navigate around the site. You can also comment or reach me at wisdomfromafather@gmail.com.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Here is a test to find whether your mission on earth is finished: If you’re alive, it isn’t.

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Five Minute Friday: Convenient

Posted on January 25, 2019 by wisdomfromafather

Here’s this week’s installment of Five Minute Friday. You might remember the task is to write for five minutes on a specific prompt word. Then, post and encourage others who have braved the exercise by linking up at Kate’s spot on Facebook at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com. That’s the fun part!

To entice you to check us out, I’ve also been sharing some of the experiences my fellow writers have shared as chronicled in Five Minute Friday: A Collection of Stories Written in Five Minutes Flat. This week, I hope words from S. inspire you to join our writing club.

“What is FMF? Community. Friendship. Sisterhood. Spontaneous. Free. Off-the-cuff. Yes, thst’s exactly what it is!”

So, the timer is set for five. The word for the week this week is CONVENIENT… so here goes. {clock starts now}

Since the prompt was released last night until now, I have had three instances of the prompt word or a derivative. First was a phone call where the caller asked “Is this a convenient time to talk?”  Next was a voice mail that asked me to call back at my “convenience.” The third was a simple declarative statement saying my actions came at a convenient time.

Honestly, I never gave the word too much thought. I’ve always sought my interactions to be at the convenience of others, especially if I’m offering something. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t imposing my will on their time. And I appreciate it when it’s reciprocal.

In a way, God does the same thing. He wants us to come to Him at our convenience, when we’re ready, when we are open to sitting still and listen, when we are willing to follow His suggestions and rules. The problem is, we should come to Him at His … STOP

… conveniences. He reaches out to us but He is not going to wait forever. Our days are numbered, His are not. What might be convenient for us — like tomorrow, or next week or next year — may not fit into His plan. After all, our days are numbered. There may not be a tomorrow or a next week or a next year. So why not address our relationship with God with His convenience in mind?

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: A girl on the street is pointing up at the sky. “Look, an angel!” she yells. Passerby laughs, “You fool, that is only a cloud.” How wonderful it would be to see angels where there are only clouds. How sad it would be to see clouds where there are angels.

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Q & A

Posted on January 24, 2019 by wisdomfromafather

One of the downsides of publishing is the need to promote it … especially if you’re not necessarily into self-promotion. That’s me. I want to build readership {and sales} for the novella Heaven Shining Through and the collection of essays, Wisdom From a Father. But I’m reluctant to tell readers to read them because I say they’re good.

That’s the conundrum. I want readers to read the books and tell others why they felt it was good. However, with so many reading choices out there, how do prospective readers even know your book is available?

So, you request reviews. You post on social media. You hawk {I hate that word} your product. You seek promotion options. You watch sales flat line. Even the positive reviews don’t move the needle.

And then you’re reminded why you ventured into the wild, wacky, unpredictable world of publishing. An e-mail here — “You brought a needed smile! And I need your prayers.” A comment there — “Some days these are just what I need.” A positive review — “Sometimes, as believers, we are afraid to present the raw truth of what life is like. We want our churches to be friendly, our marriages to be solid, our kids to behave, and our novels to be chaste. We miss out on the beauty of the experience precisely because we deny the downs and focus on the ups. We present life in a series of vacation pics and high life selfies. In doing so, we leave out half of life and wonder why people don’t take Jesus seriously. Joe Siccardi is not one of those believers, and his story is not one of those stories. While he remains true to the faith, he uses the suffering of Samantha Watt, his everyday girl in her everyday world, to show the ragged lines of humanity. Don’t be shocked, be still. Don’t be judgmental, be honest. Read this story at the peril of your heart, but not in any peril of your faith. In the end, you will see heaven truly shining through.” — offsetting a not so glowing one — “This 64 page novella should have been a novel. The characters lack distinctive development and don’t come to life as real people with inner lives … The plot moves along at warp speed as the decades pass and the characters marry, die, reconcile. They go through a series of events that lack emotional resonance for the reader. There are many missed opportunities for going deeper with descriptions.”

I was reminded of the “why” through a series of questions posed to me. I thought I would share some of them with you.

Tell us about your latest work—title, genre, etc. — and why you wrote it?

Wisdom From a Father – Christian non-fiction, a reflective look at life, segmented into chapters. The 52 essay chapters include reflections on life, love and family. All are written from the heart, sometimes seriously and sometimes with a touch of humor. Heaven Shining Through – Christian fiction. Samantha is dreading her return home. Throughout her life, she had a rocky relationship with her mother – and now her mother is all she has left. Through a nostalgic look back, Samantha recognizes the presence of God in an ordinary life. She learns more about herself as a wife and mother who has had her share of sorrow and blessings. As her faith increases, she is able to see her mother through new eyes, leading to reconciliation … and is reminded of that every time she sees Heaven Shining Through.

What inspired you to write Heaven Shining Through

This was Samantha’s story as seen in my mind. Samantha (the lead) is strong willed and had a lot of dates, leading to some confrontations with her mother. She was equally strong in her resolve to remain pure. There is a scene when she and her boyfriend make love; however, the focus is the aftermath — the remorse, the regret by both Samantha and Chad. They do get married and live a rewarding, faith filled life. It was that faith I was trying to promote in the book. No matter what, God loves us and forgives us. Honestly, the book was not intended to be a “Christian” novel, but a novel everyone could enjoy without an overt Christian message. I intentionally did not want to preach to the choir. This is a story of reconciliation and self-awareness. And it does deal with the sometimes messiness of life.

How did you choose the title of your books?

I didn’t have a working title for the novella until near the end and it just hit me one day while driving and I saw the rays of sunshine streaming from a cloud. I had referred to a conversation Sam had with her children when they saw such a scene and commented they thought the light was heaven shining through. It just clicked. Wisdom From a Father is also the name of my blog, which was the foundation for the book. The essays, I hope, will direct readers to look for the extraordinary in the ordinary … every day.

What draws you to your genre(s)? Why is this type of story compelling to you?

Two different genres. I love telling stories with a message.

What is your writing process like? Do you map the whole thing out or do you just let it unfold?

Basically let the story unfold.

What kind of research was involved?

Life experiences.

How much of  YOU makes it into your characters?

Some. More surroundings than personality.

How do you balance the need to have time to write with the needs of family, society, etc.?

I wasn’t able to really write for pleasure until I retired.

What is your cure for writer’s block? Or do you even get that?

Step away for a couple of hours or days or even weeks … but make sure you come back!

Have there been any authors in particular that inspired your writing?

Charles Dickens, although I also like James Patterson and Tom Clancy. I was struck how weaved his words well and painted a picture in my mind, and I try to do that as well.

Is there a story you want to tell behind or about your work(s)?

Heaven Shining Through started as a “community novel” without community involvement. When I realized I wasn’t getting any help I shifted into the message novella.

What was your favorite part of your books to write?

I think it was the immediate grief of character Samantha in Heaven Shining Through when her husband died. It was raw … similar to the emotion in “Amazing Grace” in the non-fiction Wisdom From a Father.

Which of your characters is most like you?

I would like to think it was Chad in the novella.

Which of your character would you want to be your best friend?

Without a doubt, Samantha. She embodies the free spirit and resolve so needed in a friend. I could see myself attracted to Sam, just as Chad was. Mary Bernadette (Bernie) also was a life-long, talk over coffee type of friend.

Are any of your characters/plots drawn heavily from your own background?

My background played a role, but more in locations.

How do you choose the names for your characters? Do you research the etymology of the names you use?

I just chose them and built a personality around them. I do listen to suggestions, though.

About how long does your typical book take to write?

That’s a loaded question. It depends on the genre and research. Writing is the “easy” part. Re-writing, re-writing, re-writing and editing takes so much more time.

What was the most difficult thing about publishing your first book?

Getting traction/reviews/sales

What other projects are you currently working on or about to start?

The most consistent negative about Heaven Shining Through is it was too short (in all my years, I was NEVER told that!), so my next project is converting the novella into a novel. I’ve started working on it and hope to have it ready by Spring. I’m still not sure whether I will re-publish or publish as a spinoff.

Could you share some of your marketing strategies? Which ones are the most effective in your opinion?

It is HARD work, probably more than the actually writing. My strategy has been to network as much as possible.

Can you tell us a little about you?

Not much to tell. I was an editorial writer, editor and publisher for 52 years and post a blog at https://wisdomfromafather.com/. I’m the ordinary Joe walking along this journey called life and sharing it with my followers. I’m the proud father of five children, 18 grandchildren and three great-granddaughters. I currently live in Dover-Foxcroft, ME, after life experiences in Paterson, Totowa, Ogdensburg and Newton, NJ; Belvidere, IL; Toledo, OH;  Washington, DC; Laurel, MD; and Seneca Falls and Willard (Romulus), NY.

If you weren’t a writer, what would you be?

Good question. I really don’t know, although probably in ministry.

What do you enjoy doing when you not writing?

Traveling, especially since my kids are scattered in five states and grandkids and great-grandkids in two others.

What are some things that you would say to fans if you met them?

Thank you!

What would be the top five, (or 3 or 1 or however many) things you would tell aspiring authors?

Keep writing. Don’t get discouraged. Never give up. Never give in to the naysayers. Write from the heart. Don’t expect to get rich, but recognize everyone has a story to tell – why not yours.

What social media do you like to share your works through most? How can readers best connect with you?

I have a blog and a presence on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. My website/blog/social networking links are https://www.facebook.com/wisdomfromafather; https://wisdomfromafather.wordpress.com/; @joesiccardi (twitter); and
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39704566-heaven-shining-through

Do you do book tours/signings? If so is there a schedule already?

I did a book tour/signing for both books following publication in Seneca County, NY, and here at the library in Dover-Foxcroft, ME. I’ve also been at a number of festivals and special “house parties”. I am always up for a book tour/signing and would love to schedule one in my native northern New Jersey, which is the backdrop for Heaven Shining Through.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: If all my friends jumped off a cliff, I wouldn’t jump with them. I would be at the bottom to catch them.

 

 

 

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Midweek Mirth

Posted on January 23, 2019 by wisdomfromafather

One of the misconceptions about being a Christian is we don’t know how to have fun or have a sense of humor. Trust me, if the Big Guy can have a sense of humor when it comes to dealing with us mere mortals, so can we.

The difference for Christians is we don’t have to debase ourselves or others to generate a smile. Laughter at life or ourselves is a gift from God.

So, let’s smile a little!

Seems Fair

A motorist, driving by a Texas ranch, hit and killed a calf that was crossing the road. The driver went to the owner of the calf and explained what had happened. He then asked what the animal was worth.

“Oh, about $200 today,” said the rancher. “But in six years it would have been worth $900. So $900 is what I’m out.”

The motorist sat down and wrote out a check and handed it to the farmer. “Here,” he said, “is the check for $900. It’s postdated six years from now.”

And now for a bonus …

Lively Conversation

An executive was interviewing a young woman for a position in his company. He wanted to find out something about her personality so he asked, “If you could have a conversation with someone, living or dead, who would it be?”

The girl responded confidently, “The living one!”

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Everything is always okay in the end; if it’s not, then it’s not the end.

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One Winter Proposal

Posted on January 22, 2019 by wisdomfromafather

I admit it. I am a Hallmark movies junkie. Hey, you can only take so much news.

Hallmark movies are non-threatening and, yes, predictable.  I mean, you can almost forecast how many near kisses there will be and pinpoint just when true love shines. Typically, it’s a story of opposites attracting with the long lost boyfriend of girlfriend making a late appearance to foil the leading ladies and gents.

In addition to the gushy romance, a number of storylines center on two of my favorite things  — food {from cupcakes to restaurants} and writing {book stores, book tours, writer’s block}.

But, who cares? It’s fantasy. I mean, how do our heroes and heroines go from adversaries to lovers in the space of a weekend or week or month condensed into two hours? And the similarities  — the stars, the locations, the storylines — do have an upside. You can doze off and not miss a beat.

There are times, however, when a scene just commands your attention. If you TiVo, you’ll rewind (been there, done that) … and if you watch live you eagerly look for the next showing.

Such was the case this weekend with One Winter Proposal, a sequel to last year’s One Winter Weekend, including the same cast  and fireworks — reunited a year later. I didn’t watch it’s premiere, but did watch an encore. The scene in question was near the end when Cara (Taylor Cole) followed the rose petals to meet with Ben (Jack Turner). I must have blinked the first time around {okay, I probably started resting my eyes … two hours is a long attention span these days}. After a day of snowboarding, Cara returns to the chalet in casual attire. After my blink she was all dolled up as she found Ben.

Wait! What! Where and when did the wardrobe change happen? How did it happen?

That was Saturday night. And it bothered me. I needed answers!

Lucky me, Hallmark was counting down it’s Winterfest features Sunday and Monday … and One Winter Proposal was on the schedule. The problem was, Hallmark kept the sequence a secret. So Monday I watched encores of Dater’s Handbook, A Winter Princess, Love on the Sidelines, Unleashing Mr. Darcy and Winter Love Story, {I told you I was a junkie … and a hopeless romantic.} Excitedly, I discovered One Winter Proposal was No. 1 and set for a 10 p.m. showing. Realism set in as I realized One Winter Proposal was No. 1 and set for a 10 p.m. showing. That’s bed time for this septuagenarian … especially the last 10 or 15 minutes, which would answer my questions around the bewitching hour.

What to do? What to do?

I came up with the solution … set my alarm for 11:45 p.m.!

I’m happy to report, it worked! I slept through most of the show {after all, I had seen it before}, but the alarm woke me in time to see Cara walk into chalet, follow the rose petal trail where the dress was neatly displayed in the library. Apparently Cara changed {and fixed her hair and makeup} before finishing her journey to Ben under a rose-laced trellis overlooking a picture window showcasing the snow and mountains.

Now I know. And I was tucked warmly under the covers by 12:05.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Happiness comes through doors you didn’t even know you left open.

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Power of Words

Posted on January 21, 2019 by wisdomfromafather

It’s time to share this week’s Words for the Week.

This come from Chris Snook from his original book Wealth Matters, co-written with Chet Snook. I picked these words to share because, I feel, we are in the middle of a no-holds-barred war — one that starts with loose words and have led to increased bullying and hurt.

Yeah, the phrases have been there for years, but it’s time to remember words DO matter — both spoken words and written words. And we have the power to change the way we communicate.

So, here’s today’s Words for the Week.

“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me!”

We all heard that saying when we were children, and, like so many other childlike chants, it was a great myth. Words do have power, immense power, and they can cause much pain, because when they are repeated in negative fashion, people, especially children, may end up believing them. “You’re a bad boy,” “You’ll never amount to anything.” “You’re a loser,” “Does your face hurt? It’s killing me.”

These are only slight examples of the negative language we often hear. We have all heard them, and unfortunately have been guilty of dishing them out as well.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: The bubbling brook would lose its song if you removed the rocks.

 

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To Bring Good News to the Poor

Posted on January 20, 2019 by wisdomfromafather

As the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity continues, I’ll share these words from Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute, a ministry of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, a Roman Catholic religious community of brothers and priests in the tradition of St. Francis of Assisi.

The prophet Amos criticized traders who practiced deceit and exploited the poor in order to gain maximum profit. Amos also underlined how God observes their wrongdoing and will never forget it. God listens to the cries of victims of injustice and never forsakes those who are exploited and treated unjustly.

We live in a globalized world where marginalization, exploitation and injustice are rampant. The gap between the rich and the poor is getting wider. Economic achievement becomes a deciding factor in relationships between peoples, nations and communities. Economic issues often trigger tensions and conflicts between them. It is hard to enjoy peace when justice is absent.

By virtue of our common Baptism, all Christians share in the prophetic mission of Jesus to proclaim good news to the poor and the weak, in both words and deeds. When we recognize this mission, the Spirit of the Lord will be upon us too, empowering us to work for justice. Our dignity as Christians calls us to speak and act in such a way that the words from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah which Jesus proclaimed in Nazareth are fulfilled each day in the hearing of those around us.

God our Father, forgive our lust for power and free us from the temptation to oppress others. By your Holy Spirit of communion, help us to live in solidarity with our neighbor, and so share together with your Son Jesus in fulfilling your promise of freedom from poverty and oppression. We pray in His name. Amen.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Life is what you make of it … kinda like Play-Doh.

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Let’s pray

Posted on January 19, 2019 by wisdomfromafather

I hope this becomes a Saturday fixture. I know the requests are on my prayer list and I hope you consider putting them on yours as you place your petitions before the Lord Sunday.

June shares her great-grandson Jaiken was born at 30 weeks and remains in the NICU in Salt Lake City, UT. His parents live in Rock Springs, WY, and have to stay with the baby at least another month so everything is piling up and very costly. Jaiken is doing well and is at five pounds now but is struggling breathing. His lungs and brain weren’t developed … but he is a fighter. Please pray for Krysta and Jake.  A Facebook fundraiser page has been set up at Krysta & Jake. 

Kirah admires my desire to bring my followers together through prayer. She does have a prayer request for her oldest daughter. She is in her 40s, recently separated (not her choice) with a 16 year old daughter and 18 tear old son. She feels unworthy. Kirah’s prayer is her daughter will see herself as Jesus sees her, and He will direct her thoughts and choices when it comes to moving forward. Thank you for providing this forum. Blessings on you!

Joys reported included one from David, who reported the CT scan showed cancer has not entered bones/organs. The doctors are optimistic. They will remove prostate cancer and proceed with radiation and chemo. He asks the date to mark for special prayer is Jan. 25 when he meets with surgeon and starts tests.

Concerns have come from Scott who is battling depression; Toni, dealing with an unexpected death; Sean who is under spiritual attack; William, who’s daughter has had a persistent cough; Rob, whose father is having back problems; Andrea, whose mom is in critical condition and is going in for emergency surgery; the R Family, whose dad is tired, depressed and ready to call it quits on God, Bible, etc.; and Keegan, who has been sick for four months.

So … keep your joys and concerns coming. They will be included while I’m on my knees and I trust they will be on the lips of my followers as well. All it takes is a couple of keystrokes under the “Contact Me” button on the top bar {and I believe to the right if you’re not a follower yet}. I hope it becomes your best friend as you navigate around the site. You can also comment or reach me at wisdomfromafather@gmail.com.

Lord, we come to You broken and battered but recognize You heal and quiet the soul. We acknowledge You are the source for all that happens in our lives. We thank you for the many blessings we have received this week — some we unfortunately didn’t notice. Nonetheless, those blessings are ever-present in our lives. We thank You for healing. We thank You for slowing us down. We thank You for providing us our daily needs — no more and no less. We thank You for being with us, listening to us, walking with us on this journey. We thank You for the support of our family and friends … for seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary — sunrises, sunsets, flowers, kids laughing, adventures, good news amid the bad news like David’s. We also know we can come to You with our concerns and they will be heard. We lift up those family members and friends who are battling various physical, emotional, financial, career or spiritual issues and ask not for Your healing (although that would be welcomed) and guidance but to keep reminding us we are not alone in our battles. Specifically we lift up Krysta and Jake, Kirah’s daughter, Scott, Toni, Sean, William, Rob, Andrea, the R Family and Keegan. In Jesus’ most holy name, we pray for obedience to Your Will so Your Light shines through us. Amen.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: A good exercise for the heart is to bend down and help another up.

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