1 QUOTE

“The reward for fathers is spending the rest of your life proudly knowing this person you helped guide.”

- Mike Sager (Rolling Stone Magazine)- Frank Sinatra

1 NOTE

I operate in the spiritual gift of evangelism. I intentionally put it to use (personal relationships and public calls to faith) because it is the first spiritual gift to fall off the table. When it comes to evangelism ‘we must use it or lose it!’

Last year on the way to LAX, I began chopping it up with my Uber driver. He asked me where I was going. I told him to Nairobi. He nodded. I put a little bait on the hook and told him about my church planting partners, Pastors Philip and Eve Mungai. No reaction. So I changed my approach and asked him questions. I learned he was from New York. I asked him how he ended up in La La Land. He said, “Bro, it was like a spiritual magnet brought me to LA. The 3Ws drew me west.” I thought we were beginning to cook. So I asked him, “What are the 3Ws?” He said, “That’s easy. The 3Ws are weather, women and weed.” He knew I was a pastor but went there anyway. That abruptly ended our evangelism convo. Good thing we were pulling up to Terminal 4.

This is Father’s Day week. I lost my father to a plane crash at age 10. Historically, Father’s Day is the day that sinks me emotionally. But with Becky and the kiddo’s help, I have really enjoyed the big day the last few years. I have been reflecting on Genesis 2:5-25 and faithful fathers. This section is a zoom in on Day 6 of creation. And I observe the true 3Ws.

1. Fathers Worship (Genesis 2:5-14) - The Holy Garden is the symmetrical bookend of The Holy City. The rare stones that adorn the garden worship center are found in heaven come down to earth. The Garden was a holy worship center. Adam worshiped God.

   
   

2. Fathers Work (Genesis 2:15-20) - Adam had real responsibility to work and keep the garden. This is a fresh reminder that work is part of God’s creation before sin (sadly many men today view work as part of the curse). Adam worked with God, not for God.

   
   

3. Fathers Serve their Women (Genesis 2:18-25) - God created the woman from the rib of the man. This is a foreshadowing of how Jesus loved His bride and sacrificed for her (John 19:34). Jesus and Adam share similar scars, calling all husbands to sacrificial, servant love.

Since this week is Father’s day, I will end on a parenting note. I see too many young women in our churches settling for men who don’t have God’s 3Ws in place. As a pastor, I exhort our young women, “The man must worship, work (and only then should you consider being his woman).”

The Uber driver is building his life on the sinking sand of weather, women and weed. My guy needs to build his life on God’s 3Ws! I feel a nudge from the Spirit to request him next time I need a ride.

1 QUESTION

Will you join me in prayer and bless all of the dad’s in our life today?

Until Next Tuesday,

John