{"id":7642,"date":"2015-06-26T08:58:00","date_gmt":"2015-06-26T12:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=7642"},"modified":"2015-07-17T21:53:51","modified_gmt":"2015-07-18T01:53:51","slug":"a-right-relationship-with-your-father-62115","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=7642","title":{"rendered":"A Right Relationship with Your Father (6\/21\/15)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Father-silhouette-84825__180.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-6101\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Father-silhouette-84825__180.jpg\" alt=\"Father-silhouette-84825__180\" width=\"231\" height=\"180\" \/><\/a><em><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Our speaker on June 21 was Lay Servant Jim Kier.\u00a0 Pastor Jim (Bolton) enjoyed a brief break while Lay Servant Jim (Kier) lead the Father&#8217;s day worship service.\u00a0 Jim&#8217;s message took us into the Word to explore our relationships with our earthly father and with our Heavenly Father.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Click the below &#8220;Play&#8221; button to start the recording, scroll down, and follow along&#8230;<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-7642-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Sermon-2015-06-21a-Right-Relationship-with-Your-Father-by-Jim-Kier-Lay-Servant-6kbs-mono-uncut.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Sermon-2015-06-21a-Right-Relationship-with-Your-Father-by-Jim-Kier-Lay-Servant-6kbs-mono-uncut.mp3\">https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Sermon-2015-06-21a-Right-Relationship-with-Your-Father-by-Jim-Kier-Lay-Servant-6kbs-mono-uncut.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Jim&#8217;s scripture was from Ephesians 6: 1-4, 13-18.\u00a0 Open the following drop down box to read&#8230;<\/p>\n<div class='et-learn-more clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='heading-more'>Ephesians 6<span class='et_learnmore_arrow'><span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='learn-more-content'><p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Ephesians 6:1-4<\/span><\/strong>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.\u00a0 &#8220;Honor your father and mother&#8221;-which is the first commandment with a promise\u2014\u00a0 &#8220;that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.&#8221; <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">*******************<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Ephesians 6:13-18<\/span><\/strong>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. \u00a0\u00a0 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,\u00a0 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. \u00a0 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. \u00a0 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0 NIV<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Father Trivia&#8230;<\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><div class='et-box et-info'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et-box-content'><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Q:\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">What day of the year are the most phone calls made???<\/span> <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: circle;\">\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A:\u00a0 Mothers day. It seems that on mothers day everyone wants to call home. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Q: What do you thinks happens on fathers day?<\/span> <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: circle;\">\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A: The most collect Calls are made.<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Ala David Letterman, here&#8217;s a top 10 list of the &#8220;wise sayings&#8221; of wisdom that our earthly fathers tell us&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-container et_sliderfx_fade et_sliderauto_false et_sliderauto_speed_5000 et_slidertype_top_tabs'>\n\t\t\t\t<ul class='et-tabs-control'>\n\t\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\t10\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\t9\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\t8\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\t7\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\t6\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\t5\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\t4\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\t3\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\t2\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\t1\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul> <!-- .et-tabs-control --> \n\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content'>\n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-main-wrap'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t10. Why? Because I said so, that&#8217;s why!\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t9. Just wait &#8217;till you have kids of your own.\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t8. What did I just get finished telling you?\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t7. This is going to hurt me more than it does you.\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t6. Do I look like I&#8217;m made out of money?\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t5. Not now, I&#8217;m watching the game.\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t4. When you break your leg, don&#8217;t come running to me!\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t3. No! We are NOT lost.\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t2. Be quiet! Can&#8217;t you see I&#8217;m trying to think?\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t1. How should I know? Ask your mother!\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .et-tabs-container -->\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/VBS2015-Stef-_IMG_2255.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright  wp-image-7634\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/VBS2015-Stef-_IMG_2255.jpg\" alt=\"VBS2015 - Stef _IMG_2255\" width=\"175\" height=\"132\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/VBS2015-Stef-_IMG_2255.jpg 600w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/VBS2015-Stef-_IMG_2255-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 175px) 100vw, 175px\" \/><\/a>Well, maybe your father doesn&#8217;t always have all the right answers, but God has blessed most of you with a Godly father, and he has commanded you to show him honor and respect. You should also remember to pray for your father and ask God to give him the wisdom he needs to train you in the way that God wants you to grow.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">===================<\/p>\n<p>Now let\u2019s look at a different situation and how a wise father handles it.<\/p>\n<p>One of my favorite books is \u201cWhat\u2019s so Amazing about Grace,\u201d By Phillip Yancey. In the book Yancey tells the story of a prodigal daughter who grows up in Traverse City, Michigan&#8230;.<\/p>\n<div class='et-box et-shadow'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et-box-content'><p><span style=\"color: #993366;\"> Disgusted with her old fashioned parents who overreact to her nose ring, the music she listens to, the length of her skirts, so she runs away. She ends up in Detroit where she meets a man who drives the biggest car she\u2019s ever seen. The man with the big car \u2013 she calls him \u201cBoss\u201d \u2013 recognizes that since she\u2019s underage, men would pay premium for her. So she goes to work for him. Things are good for a while. Life is good. But she gets sick for a few days, and it amazes her how quickly the boss turns mean. Before she knows it, she\u2019s out on the street without a penny to her name. She still turns a couple of tricks a night, and all the money goes to support her drug habit.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #993366;\">One night while sleeping on the metal grates of the city, she began to feel less like a woman of the world and more like a little girl. She begins to whimper. \u201cGod, why did I leave? My dog back home eats better than I do now.\u201d She knows that more than anything in the world, she wants to go home. Three straight calls home get three straight connections with the answering machine. Finally she leaves a message. \u201cMom, dad, it\u2019s me. I was wondering about maybe coming home. I\u2019m catching a bus up your way, and it\u2019ll get there about midnight tomorrow. If you\u2019re not there, I\u2018ll understand.\u201d During the seven hour bus ride, she\u2019s preparing a speech for her father. And when the bus comes to a stop in the Traverse City station, the driver announces the fifteen-minute stop. Fifteen minutes to decide her life.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #993366;\">She walks into the terminal not knowing what to expect. But not one of the thousand scenes that have played out in her mind prepares her for what she sees. There in the bus terminal in Traverse City, Michigan, stands a group of forty brothers and sisters and great-aunts and uncles and cousins and a grandmother and a great-grandmother to boot. They\u2019re all wearing goofy party hats and blowing noise-makers, and taped across the entire wall of the terminal is a computer-generated banner that reads \u2013 Welcome Home!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Out of the crowd of well-wishers breaks her dad. She stares out through the tears quivering in her eyes and begins her memorized speech. He interrupts her. \u201cHush, child. We\u2019ve got no time for that. No time for apologies. We\u2019ll be late. A big party is waiting for you at home.\u201d<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>I see Dads as being different, Dads just seen to be like some of the tools in the garage that are just sitting there until you need them.\u00a0 I don\u2019t speak as an authority or that I know how to raise children, I am learning, and making many mistakes as I go.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">How to Create a Relationship with Your Children&#8230;<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>What do you need to do to create a relationship with your child? The scriptures are the best reference we have, I want to share just 10 examples with you, but this doesn\u2019t include all we need to be as dads.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-container et_sliderfx_fade et_sliderauto_false et_sliderauto_speed_5000 et_slidertype_top_tabs'>\n\t\t\t\t<ul class='et-tabs-control'>\n\t\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tLOVE WIFE\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tNO PERFECTION\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tENJOY\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tLISTEN\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tPROVIDE\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tTEACH RESPECT\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tSEEK STRENGTH\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tPRAY ALWAYS\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tTRAIN\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tPREPARE\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul> <!-- .et-tabs-control --> \n\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content'>\n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-main-wrap'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tEphesians 5:28 \u2013 \u201c<strong><em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies.<\/span><\/em><\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n<p>LOVE YOUR WIFE. \u00a0 You are creating a pattern and model for how your children will live their lives as parents and mates.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tColossians 3:21 \u2013 \u201c<strong><em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Fathers, don\u2019t make your children resentful, or they will become discouraged.<\/span><\/em><\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t expect your children to fulfill your unfulfilled goals. Don\u2019t use your children as a way of doing what you weren\u2019t able to do yourself\u00a0 Accept your children \u2026 acknowledge their imperfections \u2026 and love them in spite of their imperfections. DON\u2019T EXPECT PERFECT CHILDREN.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tPsalm 127:3 \u2013 \u201c<strong><em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Behold, children are a gift of the Lord; the fruit of the womb is your reward.<\/span><\/em><\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Have fun with your children. The QUANTITY of time you spend with them indicates how important they are to you \u2026 don\u2019t give them your leftovers. ENJOY YOUR CHILDREN.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tProverbs 1:5 \u2013 \u201c<strong><em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">A wise man will hear and increase in learning.<\/span><\/em><\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n<p>LISTEN TO YOUR CHILDREN &#8211; They need your undivided attention \u2026 be available.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t1 Timothy 5:8 \u2013 \u201c<strong><em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.<\/span><\/em><\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n<p>PROVIDE FOR YOUR CHILDREN \u2013\u00a0 but we shouldn\u2019t give our children everything, allow them the blessing of WANTING, WORKING and WAITING for material things. \u00a0 Providing TOO MUCH is as bad or maybe even worse than providing TOO LITTLE.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tEphesians 6:4 \u2013 \u201c<strong><em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.<\/span><\/em><\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n<p>TRAIN YOUR CHILDREN\u00a0 Teach your children BOUNDARIES \u2026 Teach them to respect authority. \u00a0 If you don\u2019t, THEY will become the authority in the home.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t1 Chronicles 16:11 \u2013 \u201c<strong><em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually.<\/span><\/em><\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Dads we need to pray for ourselves; You and I need help \u2026 we can\u2019t do it alone.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tPsalm 55:17 \u2013 \u201c<strong><em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Evening and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud; and He shall hear my voice.<\/span><\/em><\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n<p>PRAY FOR YOUR CHILDREN.\u00a0\u00a0 Let God do for them what you can\u2019t \u2026 He loves them too!\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tProverbs 22:6 \u2013 \u201c<strong><em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.<\/span><\/em><\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Use the way you live as an example- BE A POSITIVE ROLE MODEL because whether you like it or not You ARE a role model!\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tProverbs 23:24 \u2013 \u201c<strong><em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who begets a wise son will be glad in him.<\/span><\/em><\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n<p>PREPARE YOUR CHILDREN- Prepare them for eternity \u2026 have a Godly influence on the path they take for eternity. Teach them about God, about Jesus and especially how much they are loved.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .et-tabs-container -->\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">In the Garden&#8230;<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>These are just a few examples of the relationship human fathers should have with their children. Before this can happen you need to know what is your relationship with God your Father.<\/p>\n<p>Check out Genesis 3:8-9&#8230;<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.\u00a0 \u00a0 But the LORD God called to the man, \u201cWhere are you?\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>God demonstrated the relationship He wanted with us.\u00a0 Just for a moment close your eyes picture yourself in the Garden of Eden.\u00a0 The grass is green and lush, there are no weeds, can you feel the soft texture of the grass on your <a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/sunflower-402249__180.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright  wp-image-6634\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/sunflower-402249__180.jpg\" alt=\"sunflower-402249__180\" width=\"230\" height=\"153\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/sunflower-402249__180.jpg 270w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/sunflower-402249__180-140x94.jpg 140w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 230px) 100vw, 230px\" \/><\/a>feet, do you smell the fragrance of the wonderful flowers surrounding you, do you hear the wonderful songs of the birds serenading you?\u00a0 Listen God has come to the Garden He is calling your name. God wants to walk with you through the Garden and have a discussion with you.\u00a0 Do you think you he will hold your hand, or maybe hum some music, just enjoying each other\u2019s company? Isn\u2019t this a wonderful picture, well this is the way God wants it to be.<\/p>\n<p>Yes here comes the BUT, Adam and Eve disobeyed God, and they had to pay the penalty of being separated from God. Adam and Eve changed their relationship with God. But you know God didn\u2019t change His relationship with us. He stills wants to walk with you and me and for us to be close to Him.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Walking Tools: The Armor of God&#8230;<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>God gave us His full armor to be able to stand against evil when we meet it, and we will meet it. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil\u2019s schemes. Use the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<div class='tabs-left et_sliderfx_fade et_sliderauto_false et_sliderauto_speed_5000 et_slidertype_left_tabs clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et_left_tabs_bg'><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<ul class='et-tabs-control'>\n\t\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tBELT\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tBREASTPLATE\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tSHIELD\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tHELMET\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tSWORD\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul> <!-- .et-tabs-control --><\/p>\n\n\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content'>\n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-main-wrap'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tHe gave us the belt of Truth, <strong>Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I feel that truth is now under attack. It seems that everywhere we look people are not being truthful about what they are doing or what they are saying . Just this week we heard a woman declared that because she believed herself to be black, her belief was truth for her.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tGod gave us righteous. and with our feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.<\/p>\n<p>I was studying about the origin of evil this passed week, I came across a paper written by John MacArthur the pastor-teacher of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gracechurch.org\/\">Grace Community Church<\/a> in Sun Valley, California, as well as an author, conference speaker, president of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.masters.edu\/\">The Master\u2019s College<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tms.edu\/\">Seminary<\/a>, and featured teacher with the Grace to You media ministry. In a sentence he said God can not create evil, because God is all good. But he goes on to say that the lack of righteous allows evil to happen. We have evil because that is what we choose.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tThe Shield of Faith\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tThe helmet of Salvation\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tThe Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .tabs-left -->\n<p>God did this for all of us. God wants us.\u00a0 Even though He gave us these tools, he did not stop there He went much further. He gave us the His precious son Jesus Christ, so that we would be able to live a life that is worthy of the gift of life. Jesus was born, lived as we live, faced the same decisions we face and He did not stray from His relationship with God His Father.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Our Heavenly Father Gave and Gives His All in All&#8230;<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>But just showing, teaching and living was not enough for Him. He gave His all, He gave His life on the cross, He stood before God with our sins, so that we may enjoy a loving relationship with God our Father. Today Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God still representing and pleading on our behalf.\u00a0 Do we deserve this, of course not. We need to ask if we are doing our best to follow all God has done for us?\u00a0 Are we ready to walk in the Garden of Eden with God?<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\"><strong><em>How is our relationship, and are we being obedient to God\u2019s marvelous call?<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">\u00a0Quiz Time!<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #000080;\">As you reflect on what you&#8217;ve just heard\/read, give this quiz a try.\u00a0 If you don&#8217;t understand an answer (or if you disagree with the &#8220;correct&#8221; answer, post a comment)&#8230;<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<div id='quizArea'>\n<script type='text\/javascript'>\njQuery(document).ready(function($) {\n$( function($){\nvar quiz = {\nmultiList:\n[{ ques: 'On which holiday are the most phone calls usually made?',\nans: 'Mothers Day',\nansSel: [ 'Fathers Day',  'Fourth of July' ] },\n{ ques: 'Dads daughter sold herself in prostitution.\u00a0 How did Dad react when she came home?',\nans: 'Threw a party!',\nansSel: [ 'Hit her over the head with a Bible.',  'Ignored her as is she were dead to him.' ] },\n{ ques: 'Complete this verse:\u00a0 Behold.\u00a0 Children are a(n) _____ from the Lord.',\nans: 'Gift',\nansSel: [ 'Assignment',  'Challenge' ] },\n{ ques: 'What does the Belt represent?',\nans: 'Truth',\nansSel: [ 'Righteousness',  'Holiness' ] },\n{ ques: 'According to Ephesians 6:16, what extinguishes the flaming arrows from the Evil One?',\nans: 'The Shield',\nansSel: [ 'The Helmet',  'The Fire Extinguisher' ] }]\n};\nvar options = {\ntitle: 'Father Relationships',\nhelp: 'Select the correct answer and click Check.',\nshowAns: false,\nshowAnsInfo: false,\nallRandom: false,\nshowFeedback: false,\nrandom: false\n};\nvar lang = {\nquiz : { tfEqual:'' }\n};\n$( '#quizArea' ).jQuizMe( quiz, options, lang );\n$( \".q-innerArea\" ).css( {\"backgroundColor\": \"#EECCAA\", \"color\": \"#222222\"} );\n$( \".quiz-el\" ).css( {\"backgroundColor\": \"#776655\", \"color\": \"#222222\"} );\n$( \".q-ques\" ).css( {\"backgroundColor\": \"#EEEEEE\", \"color\": \"#222222\"} );\n$( \".q-ansSel\" ).css( {\"backgroundColor\": \"#EEEEEE\", \"color\": \"#222222\"} );\n$( \".q-result\" ).css( {\"backgroundColor\": \"#EEEEEE\", \"color\": \"#222222\"} );\n});\n}(jQuery))\n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #003300;\"><strong>+\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?cat=50\">Click Here<\/a><\/strong><\/span> to view other sermons.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our speaker on June 21 was Lay Servant Jim Kier.\u00a0 Pastor Jim (Bolton) enjoyed a brief break while Lay Servant Jim (Kier) lead the Father&#8217;s day worship service.\u00a0 Jim&#8217;s message took us into the Word to explore our relationships with our earthly father and with our Heavenly Father. Click the below &#8220;Play&#8221; button to start [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5554,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[50],"tags":[72,156],"class_list":["post-7642","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sermons","tag-family","tag-father"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7642","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7642"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7642\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7666,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7642\/revisions\/7666"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5554"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7642"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7642"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7642"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}