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Dear Sons and Daughters of God,

A belated Happy Father’s Day to the dads! We’ve all had different “father” experiences that drive our images of “father”. My own father wasn’t around much. Work consumed much of his time early on. Then, after my parents divorced, he moved away for work. But through it all, he took care of my needs – putting food on the table, clothes on my back, and a roof over my head. And when I went off to college, he never failed to send a regular check to help me eat, remain clothed, and stay sheltered. My image of a father is someone who, despite infrequent physical presence, always tried providing for my needs. A shirt of mine expresses my thoughts, I’m a “Grateful dude.”

We learn something of the character of God, our Father in heaven, in His word. God provides us – and all people everywhere – with all that’s needed to live in this life He’s given us. Everything needed – food, drink, clothing, shelter, and the like – comes from God to all in this world (Matthew 5:44-45). But He desires to give even more. He desires for us to call Him “Father.” And by His grace, we can. Through His gift of baptism, God adopts each of us as His own sons and daughters (Galatians 3:26-27, 4:4-5). We become, in fact, children of God, calling out to Him.

Our Father still provides for all our physical needs. But He also longs to provide so much more. “Because (we) are (His children), God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying ‘Abba! Father!’” (Galatians 4:6) As we cry out to our Father in prayer, He hears us. He answers us. He provides us with all we need in this life … AND so much more! He gives us all we need to gain eternal life in His kingdom – forgiveness of sins on account of Jesus Christ. This Father’s Day let’s express our gratitude to God our Father for providing for ALL our needs – both now and in eternity!

                                                                                                        In His Love,

                                                                                                        Pastor Jim