Who_be_The_Ideal_Daddy_of_The_Year!

#Who_be_The_Ideal_Daddy_of_The_Year!
#Fathers_Day
“Anyone can be a father, but it takes a real man to be a daddy,” Anonymous.

So, Father’s Day is loading in just a few. I have a blend of feelings and emotions about it but for now, I’ll shelve expressing it. Who is a father and what’s father’s day all about? Father's Day is a celebration honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. By the way, is there a difference between Dad and Father? Merriam Webster defines a father as a “Man who has begotten a child.” Dad on the other hand is “An informal word for father” (Collins Dictionary). It’s assumed that the word dad originated from baby’s first cry, ‘dada.’ Simply, dad and father are synonymous; however, dad implies affection and familiar relationship with a child. Fathers can share the DNA with the child, but may not share responsibility in the child’s growth and development. An ideal father is one who besides fathering a child; he is involved in the child’s holistic growth and development. Fathering is an act of nature, in fact is it easier to become a father, even unintentionally, but it’s much harder to be fatherly, affectionate and be in a familiar relationship with a child.

I came across this on the internet, “A father is someone who believes that by donating his sperm for your creation, he has done his duty in life.” Ouch! That is a sad truth; however, some fathers deserve a round of applause. Today’s society is divided and ambivalent about fatherhood idea. Based on childhood experiences and relationship to our fathers, some people don’t even remember fatherhood-consciously and/or unconsciously. Others get offended by the mere mention of fatherhood. Still, some neglect and/or disdain it; others are not opposed to fatherhood neither are they committed to it. Dear fathers, even as we celebrate you, I wish to remind you that your duty as a father doesn’t end in being a progenitor to that child. Fatherhood is divine in origin. It’s a 24/7 work which requires sacrifice; and the most indispensable work as a father is to be a man of God to your children and to turn their hearts to their heavenly Father.

Now, who is and what are the characteristics of an ideal daddy? Well, personally I missed out on the fatherliness figure in my early childhood, adolescence and now in my prime time but at least I have a vision of the kind of daddy I covet my children to have. (Dear future hubby, I pray you are reading this from wherever you are.) Come with me and let’s take a keen look at one ideal daddy in the Bible. This daddy is none other than Job. As we celebrate Father’s day-the ideal father of the year, let’s look at these characteristics:

1. An ideal daddy of the year has a good reputation, (Job 1:1).
 He is blameless, upright, fears God and shuns evil. What a testimony! Dear fathers, as we celebrate you, remember to practice these things: fear God and shun evil. Do not neglect the testimony of your reputation in your children’s lives.
2. An ideal daddy of the year has a complete family and is the greatest among all men, (v. 2-3).
 What? Ok, don’t panic, this has nothing to do with wealth but it’s about the quality of life. Do not neglect the influence of quality of your life on your family and the people around you.
3. An ideal daddy of the year is socially involved with his children, (v.4).
 Awwww, imagine all your children coming together in fellowship and feating! Please daddy, cultivate this fellowship, its crucial. It is sad there are siblings that can’t see eye to eye and daddy can’t do anything.
4. An ideal daddy of the year takes up the priestly responsibility and is involved in the spiritual lives of his children, (v.5).
 Daddy Job understood the egotism of youth, he wasn’t ignorant of the bad choices his children could make while in the feasting; he was concerned they might curse God in their hearts. So, he made arrangements for their cleansing and early in the morning he made a burnt sacrifice for each.
 Wow! An ideal daddy is concerned about the salvation of his children and their spiritual wellbeing. Dear fathers, do not neglect the influence of righteous living in your family. Build godly character in your children’s lives.
 Be involved in their spiritual life, like Job and also Elkanah, serve God together with your children; train them to worship God appropriately and also apportion them individual portions for sacrifice to God, (1 Samuel 1:4,21).
5. An ideal daddy is resolute in faith, worships and is faithful even in the face of tragedy and spiritual test, (v.6-22).
 Daddy, your motivation for God shouldn’t be based on God’s blessings upon your life. Let your children know that you love God for who He is not for what you have.
 Should tragedy hit you right left and centre; should your loved ones forsake you, just know that it is natural to be emotionally broken. Don’t be embarrassed to cry. I know my African culture says that a real man does not cry, but I personally don’t subscribe to that thought. It is natural to feel broken and grief stricken, do not withhold natural responses.
 However, even if/when you are emotionally broken, your faith can still remain resolute. It’s not easy but God’s grace is enough for you. In your brokenness, do not curse God, but remember to worship Him and stay faithful. Do not neglect the influence of your worship and resolute faith and faithfulness to God.

Finally, dear fathers, you don’t have to be supermen. But all I ask and pray for you is that your reputation, greatness/quality of life, social and spiritual involvement, priestly responsibility and resolute faith, worship and faithfulness will have an influence on your children.

Happy Father’s Day,

Yours faithful scribbler,
NzakuNashipae

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KACHELBELA: #Excellence #Eloquence #Accuracy #Teachable: Dear Diary, # Apollos_A_Man_of_Excellence # No_to_Mediocrity In my devotion today, I encountered another man in Acts 18:24-28 whose qu...

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#The_Civil_Suit_that_GodtheJudge_ruled_in_Favor_of_the_Plaintiff

Nzaku Nashipae

May 30 at 3:32pm · 

#The_Civil_Suit_that_GodtheJudge_ruled_in_Favor_of_the_Plaintiff
#Mahlah_et_al_vs_God
#A_Fusion_of_Faith_Wisdom_Courage
#God_Can_Use_you_to_bring_Change

In Numbers 27, I met with 5 fearless women who got me thinking loud. A man named Zelophehad died. He left behind five daughters, but no sons. The rules were clear about inheritance: Sons could inherit their father’s land but daughters could not. The five daughters of Zelophehad boldly approached Moses, Eleazar the priest, the chiefs and all the congregation at the Tent of Meeting and challenged the rule. Well, before we hear this case, allow me to give a disclaimer: today, we’re not in the Bible times, we have the Bible, the rules are set; they’re final and unchangeable and we can no longer do what Zelophehad’s daughters-Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah did. So this post is not about arm-twisting God to change or bend some rules.

So, what can we learn from this women? Put yourself in their shoes, what would you have done? They were single ladies, orphaned and in the Jewish culture, it seems women were not numbered. In such a state probably they’d have had pity parties but instead they took a bold and wise move. They came forward and stood before the leadership and filed their appeal. Ok, women standing before men to challenge a rule, especially a “Thus sayeth the Lord” rule! That was not popular. Now, take note, they didn’t go in arrogance but in wisdom and humility. So Moses and his leadership listened and Moses took the matter straight to God. And you know what? God, the just Judge ruled in their favour. In fact the Lord said to Moses in v.7 “The request of the daughters of Zelophehad is justified. You shall certainly give them a possession as an inheritance among their father’s brothers, and you shall transfer their father’s inheritance to them.” Further the rule was revised and now daughters could inherit their father’s land. Definitely, today we cannot make God bend or change His rules. Thing is, we can approach the throne of God boldly, humbly and wisely to petition Him to intervene in our situations. Hebrews 4:16, Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” On the other hand, we can challenge injustices that are being endorsed in our country and champion for justice for the widows, orphans and children among others.

In chapter 26, the Promised Land was being divided among the people. The generation that went before them were fearful about entering the Promised Land and as a consequence they all died in the wilderness, including Zelophehad and did not get to enter the Promised Land. But these women believed the Promised Land was good and they wanted an inheritance there. These women did not live for the present; they had faith in God’s promises. Do you have faith in God’s promises? Are you willing to stand before His throne to present your requests?

These 5 women had the courage to approach Moses and his leaders to make a transformation! As a result of their faith, courage, wisdom and humility, they were given a share just the same as the men. They not only gained an inheritance for themselves but for ALL women, in this situation, for generations to come! Wow! These were indeed agents of change! Are you willing to be the voice for the less fortunate? Are you and willing to speak against injustices being enacted against men, women; young and old; children? For sure God can use you and I to bring change in the world.

Kazi kwako!

Faithful scribbler,
NzakuNashipae

#Excellence #Eloquence #Accuracy #Teachable

Dear Diary,

#Apollos_A_Man_of_Excellence
#No_to_Mediocrity

In my devotion today, I encountered another man in Acts 18:24-28 whose qualities are worth considering. From Dr. Luke's description of this itinerant dude there's something to learn from him generally as a man and as a preacher.

1. Apollos was an eloquent, cultured and knowledgeable man, v.24. First, he was eloquent. It is important to learn to speak out and express yourself clearly and powerfully. Second, he was cultured. Well, having a refined taste and manners; being enlightened and well informed, whether an ordinary man or a preacher, it's of paramount importance to be well-mannered. Third, it good to be knowledgeable. Knowledge is good and the more you know the more you learn. Knowledge improves your thought process and gives you confidence and importantly, you can apply what you know and learn. How much more when you know God, His word and will for your life?

2. Apollos was fervent, he was impassioned/ardent/wholehearted, v. 25. Now, you need to have passion for what you do. Be passionate about God and His word.

3. Apollos was careful, excellent and presented the truth accurately, v. 25. Accuracy and precision are tied together. Some mistakes are intolerable and others are fatal. Men ought to present the truth, especially God's truth carefully and accurately.

4. Apollos was a courageous orator, v.26. You will face too many competing agendas, polarizing personalities, complexity and uncertainties but as a man, whether ordinary or a preacher, you need courage to defend your faith. Stand for what you believe.. courage is a healthy sense of pride and it gives you influence.

5. Apollos was a teachable man, v. 26. He willingly submitted under the tuition of Aquila and Priscilla and his knowledge and understanding was enriched. Be sort of Berean, receive good teaching about God with eagerness. Be teachable.

Regards,
NzakuNashipae