Today’s writing was done by Julie’s daughter, Kendal.

Abraham laid his son on the altar and raised the knife. 

Willing to sacrifice the one thing he prayed for all his life. 

A burnt offering to God. A testament of his faith. Isacc’s recognition when he saw his father’s face. 

Yet Isacc’s life was saved by his father’s belief. I can only imagine the extent of Abraham’s relief. 

The debt of human sin remained unpaid. Whose life would this debt claim? 

But God himself would provide the Lamb for the burnt offering. For He gave His son. The debt was paid, and the war was won. 

Maybe God spared Isacc because He too knew the pain of a father. For He also sacrificed His only son at the altar.

I wrote this poem with the intention of portraying the love of a father. Not just the love that Abraham had for his son, but also the love that our Heavenly Father has for each of us. If you read my Mother’s Day poem, then you probably noticed that it also mentioned sacrifice. I did this unintentionally but, upon reflection, I realized I could think of no greater word to describe a parent than sacrifice. To be a parent is to sacrifice. I would like to think that sacrifice and love go hand in hand. I would even argue that you cannot have love without sacrifice and vice versa. To love is to sacrifice and to sacrifice is to love. To be a parent is to love.

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭14‬-‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

These verses lead me to the question, “What do you call God?” The New International Version refers to God as the “Abba Father.” The Message version calls Him “Papa.” The Passion Translation calls Him “Beloved Father.” I tend to say “Lord” or “Heavenly Father.”

One of my favorite names is “The Lord is Peace” in ‭‭Judges‬ ‭6‬:‭24‬ ‭NIV‬ — So Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it The Lord Is Peace. To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

I have lost both my father and father-in-law. There is peace leading into the final days of life. When my dad first found out he had stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer, God spoke to him about the Footprints In The Sand poem. He felt as if God was saying, “I will carry you.” Throughout his cancer journey, we witnessed the Holy Spirit do just that. My Dad had the peace of the Holy Spirit through his entire journey. In my father-in-law’s last year of life, we watched him suffer from delirium. He would often recall things that happened years ago, but suffer from short-term memory. You could either keep the peace by following along or disrupt things and try to reason. Again I got to see and experience the peace of the Holy Spirit in his final hours.

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the perfect peace that only You can offer. Thank You for gifting me with my earthly fathers. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.

Video by Ray White.

Take some time today to meditate on this week’s scripture verses.

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭14‬-‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

John‬ ‭14‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”

‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭27‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Happy Fathers Day!! Take some time today to honor our Heavenly Father through worship.

Lord Send Revival by Hillsong Young Young and Free

Peace by Hillsong Young Young and Free

Pride of A Father by Hillsong Young and Free

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, pour out your Spirit on me. Inhabit my praises, as I cry out, Holy are You Lord. King of Kings and Lord of Lords. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Matthew 14:29 NIV — Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 

We are always looking to God on how we can grow that blog by listening to His nudges. We are not sure what is ahead but we know that God continues to show off. Looking forward to the next step out of the boat as we continue to walk on water. Thank you everyone who supports us helps us in sharing God’s word.

Mark‬ ‭6:31‬ ‭NIV‬ – Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Join us on our YouTube channel as we finish out the week sharing on summer.

Mark‬ ‭6:31‬ ‭NIV‬ – Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

We never have to worry about receiving an invitation when it comes to our relationship with God. We don’t have to wonder, will we make the list? Will we get an invite? Our social status is nonexistent. There is always a place we can retreat with God. Are we accepting the invite to retreat with God? Are we choosing to follow God? Are we choosing rest? 

Sometimes we are forced to rest because of sickness or a change in plans. I am talking about true and intentional rest. One of my favorite quotes by Mark Batterson is: 

“Change of PACE + change of PLACE = Change of PERSPECTIVE.” 

Notice today’s photo collage. Each photo represents a time when either Deborah, Ray, or I changed our pace and place. The opportunity to sit and rest with God just may be the rest our perspective needs. I hope we can all lean into God today and accept His invitation. As we conclude our week sharing the summer season, I encourage you to look at next week’s schedule and carve out some time to rest with God.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for Your invitation to rest. As I look through my calendar, help me to find opportunities to change my place and pace to sit with You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.