Father’s Day 2018: God’s Call To An Extra-ordinary Life
This time last year I was staying in Andros, The Bahamas. I spent time with the folks in the Cargill Creek Church. This was the first time I could call myself "Dad", as months earlier we adopted a beautiful little girl named Shaneillia. This week Shaneillia and I are in Florida with the folks at Transformation Ministries. She surprised me with a two page hand made card which said "You're The Best Dad. I Love You!" Awwww. The Journey of fatherhood. I was upset at her earlier today. My car had a flat tire, so we both shared in the experience of changing the flat. On the way to the tire store, she hangs something in the roof of the car that could dirty that really clean "roofing". I got mad and shouted at her. What is she thinking...messing up my Acura? (smh). There are some things a kid will never think through. At nine years old, I cannot expect her to process certain actions. But that still does not mean I cannot expect her to think about her actions, and it is my job to develop critical thinking skills. Oh yes, I realize that I place a lot of stock in my stuff (My Acura...bye bye always clean interior..bye bye scratch free anything). We had a few words, then she was silent for a while. I made up to her by offering her $10 if she would help me wash the car. You should have seen the big smile on her face..Money!! I had to get her talking again so I asked her questions about her brother and family back home. That was all she needed, as she talked for another 30 minutes till we got to MacDonald's. She got a vanilla Sundae. What a journey it has been since the day we adopted her. My life has never been the same. Not only have I learned so much about me, but I find myself learning more about God in the process. My level of dependence on God has also grown as I must seek of Him to provide for our every need. This decision to adopt a child I will call "My Boat". The journey of life involves a series of getting out of the boat decisions, or not!
I am developing a character study on the Apostle Peter partly with John Ortberg's book "Get out of the boat". My views on Peter will never be the same. I encourage you to read the book.I have listed a few highlights from the book below. I thought it interesting that I could relate to getting out of my boat on Father's day. Happy Father's day to all the Dads. For those who have lost a father, may the good memories give you some comfort. Grace & Peace!
“22 Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and
go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. 23 After He
had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and
when it was evening, He was there alone. 24 But the boat was already [m]a long
distance from the land, [n]battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary. 25
And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. 26
When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said,
“It is a ghost!” And they cried out [q]in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke
to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” 28 Peter said to
Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 And He
said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came
toward Jesus (Matthew
14:22-29 Nasb).
WATER WALKING
ü
“Walking on water means facing your fears and
choosing not to let your fear have the last words”[1].
ü
“Walking on water means discovering and
embracing the unique calling of God on your life”.
ü
“Walking on water means experiencing the power
of God in your life to do something you would not be capable of doing on your
own”.
ü
“Water walkers GET OUT OF THE BOAT” – What’s
your boat?
ü
“Water walkers expect problems” – The wind
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“Water walkers accept fear as the price of growth”
– Get used to fear and press on. More to come. Jesus told him “Don’t be afraid”
(14:27)
ü
Water walkers master Failure Management” - It depends on how you look at things. While Peter
got out of the boat, walked on water… “There were eleven bigger failures
sitting in the boat”.
“The Worst Failure is Never Getting Out Of
The Boat!”
ü
“Water walkers see failure as an opportunity to
Grow” - Peter knew how to ask for
help (“Lord save me!”). And Jesus knew how to speak to him in private (Why did
you doubt yourself Peter?). Jesus stretched his hand out and caught Peter
(14:31).
ü
“Water walking brings a deeper connection with
God” - If you want to gain a deeper
relationship with God, it requires stepping out of the boat. There are many
reasons not to get out of your boat, but think of what you are missing by just
sitting in the boat like the other. Remember, this was all part of a test - 22 Immediately He made the disciples get
into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds
away. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the
sea. He is waiting for you to get
out of your boat too!
[1]
John Ortberg, If You Want To Walk On Water, You’ve Got To Get Out Of The Boat,
(Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2001), 16-29.
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