We have a new study in our on-line series available - "GREAT EXPECTATION...How to raise or lower the bars we set for our children." To request this new study simply send me a quick email at tony@yourfamiliesforward.com. If you did not have a chance to complete our first study A FATHER'S LEGACY, it is still available by request as well.
This 360 Community is just one of many components of Families Forward's new 360 Dads fatherhood initiative. We are in the middle of updating our website with this information. In the meantime, feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.
Check our Families Forward's website at www.yourfamiliesforward.com for events and information for the entire family.
As you work through this study, be sure to post comments, questions and requests so that those who visit the community can either reply or be encouraged by your input.
Make sure you hug your kids today! Hope to hear from you soon.
For the FAMILY,
Tony
Monday, November 5, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
A Father's Blessing
First I want to welcome you to this site. As Tony said, we hope you find this site a place where you can discuss issues that are on your mind either as a result of the studies we will do, or just things that Dad's need to discuss with other father's. Please use the "comments section" to tell others your thoughts or ask questions. If you would like privacy, please feel free to use either my email address at the top of the site or Tony's email address.
I finished the first reading while on a plane to Las Vegas for work, and have read it a couple of times since then. Several things struck me, but none more than the study done by Dr. Paul Vitz who studied the lives of more than a dozen of the most influential atheists, and learned that the ONE thing they had in common was a defective relationship with thier father. WOW, the power of a fathers blessing (or lack of a father's blessing) can have long lasting and far reaching affects!
I remember like it was yesterday, I was in the 9th grade and had started in a new school. I came home from school and wanted to be "cool" in front of some kids I desperately wanted to become accepted by. So I jumped on my motorcycle and took off up the street, only to get stopped by a policeman less than 100 yards from my house. After a rather embarrasing lecture in front of the other kids walking home from school, the officer told me to go home and tell my parents that he would be by later to talk to them. I, of course, being scared to death went home and waited for my dad to come home from work, and told him what had happened and that he should expect a visitor any minute. My dad never lost his temper, didnt yell, didnt ground me, he simply said "well, when the policeman gets here, you will get yourself out of this the same way you got yourself into it and face whatever the consequences are. I want you to know that I will be with you all the way, and if your are in the right I will back you 100 %, if you are in the wrong I will back you 100% but you will still face the consequences of your actions"
Well, the policeman never showed up and I had admitted to something that I could have kept to myself. But I would'nt have traded the time with my Father for anything. From that day on, I knew that no matter where I found myself, no matter what I had done, no matter who was after me, know matter what decisions I had made or was contemplating....My Father would always be there for me and would never leave me on my own. At the same time I knew that he would not keep me from learning lessons that were needed to be learned because of MY actions. There was a lot of comfort in that. And from that time on, till he passed away in my late 30's he held to that promise. It was'nt just empty words, but a promise that he kept to me in his actions.
I want to end this post by listing the the 5 major elements of a Fathers Blessing as discussed by Gary Smalley and John Trent from the book "The Blessing"
1. Meaningful Touch - Dad's dont be afraid to hug and kiss your children.
2. A Spoken Message - Dads tell your kids that you pray for them and want the best for them.
3. Ataching High Value - Dads give value to the lives your kids have and will lead.
4. Picturing a Special Future - Dads let your kids know that God will use them for mighty things.
5. An Active Commitment - Dads use your time and energy to stay active in your kids lives.
We need to understand and hold to our hearts the awesome impact and influence we can have over our children's lives. A father's blessing can create in a child a desire to have a personal relationship with our God and know that they are loved, respected and have talents that can take them through life. On the other hand the lack of a father's blessing can have long lasting detrimental affects on a child that many times cannot be undone.
I finished the first reading while on a plane to Las Vegas for work, and have read it a couple of times since then. Several things struck me, but none more than the study done by Dr. Paul Vitz who studied the lives of more than a dozen of the most influential atheists, and learned that the ONE thing they had in common was a defective relationship with thier father. WOW, the power of a fathers blessing (or lack of a father's blessing) can have long lasting and far reaching affects!
I remember like it was yesterday, I was in the 9th grade and had started in a new school. I came home from school and wanted to be "cool" in front of some kids I desperately wanted to become accepted by. So I jumped on my motorcycle and took off up the street, only to get stopped by a policeman less than 100 yards from my house. After a rather embarrasing lecture in front of the other kids walking home from school, the officer told me to go home and tell my parents that he would be by later to talk to them. I, of course, being scared to death went home and waited for my dad to come home from work, and told him what had happened and that he should expect a visitor any minute. My dad never lost his temper, didnt yell, didnt ground me, he simply said "well, when the policeman gets here, you will get yourself out of this the same way you got yourself into it and face whatever the consequences are. I want you to know that I will be with you all the way, and if your are in the right I will back you 100 %, if you are in the wrong I will back you 100% but you will still face the consequences of your actions"
Well, the policeman never showed up and I had admitted to something that I could have kept to myself. But I would'nt have traded the time with my Father for anything. From that day on, I knew that no matter where I found myself, no matter what I had done, no matter who was after me, know matter what decisions I had made or was contemplating....My Father would always be there for me and would never leave me on my own. At the same time I knew that he would not keep me from learning lessons that were needed to be learned because of MY actions. There was a lot of comfort in that. And from that time on, till he passed away in my late 30's he held to that promise. It was'nt just empty words, but a promise that he kept to me in his actions.
I want to end this post by listing the the 5 major elements of a Fathers Blessing as discussed by Gary Smalley and John Trent from the book "The Blessing"
1. Meaningful Touch - Dad's dont be afraid to hug and kiss your children.
2. A Spoken Message - Dads tell your kids that you pray for them and want the best for them.
3. Ataching High Value - Dads give value to the lives your kids have and will lead.
4. Picturing a Special Future - Dads let your kids know that God will use them for mighty things.
5. An Active Commitment - Dads use your time and energy to stay active in your kids lives.
We need to understand and hold to our hearts the awesome impact and influence we can have over our children's lives. A father's blessing can create in a child a desire to have a personal relationship with our God and know that they are loved, respected and have talents that can take them through life. On the other hand the lack of a father's blessing can have long lasting detrimental affects on a child that many times cannot be undone.
Friday, September 7, 2007
A FATHER'S LEGACY
Welcome to 360 Dads! 360 is just one component of a bigger monster known as Families Forward. Please take some time to check us out -- our link is included on the blogsite. We plan to use this site to connect men who want to be the best dads they can be.
Hopefully you will find our postings honest, upfront and Spirit-led. We would like to use this site to discuss a variety of fatherhood issues...one of the main intentions of this site is to interact with each other on our current study. Our first study is called "A Father's Legacy..Blessing your children and giving them a legacy that lasts a lifetime." If you would like a free copy of this study, just send us an email at tony@yourfamiliesforward.com.
Sometimes it's just too hard to find time to meet for a weekly, sit-down Bible study with a group of guys sharing a common goal. Our desire is to give you the opportunity to see what God's Word has to say about being a father, husband and man of integrity. We will have AT LEAST one new study available each month. To get the free lesson, just shoot me off an email. As you are working your way through the lesson, feel free to post your thoughts, questions and insights on the site. Check back regularly for updates and new study topics. Please pass the news of this opportunity on to your families and friends.
Mark and I hope you find this avenue of study and community rewarding in your busy daily lives.
We hope you enjoy your time w/ us, w/ Families Forward, w/ your family ALL IN PURSUIT OF A MIGHTY GOD AND SAVIOR!
For the FAMILY.
Tony Foreman
Hopefully you will find our postings honest, upfront and Spirit-led. We would like to use this site to discuss a variety of fatherhood issues...one of the main intentions of this site is to interact with each other on our current study. Our first study is called "A Father's Legacy..Blessing your children and giving them a legacy that lasts a lifetime." If you would like a free copy of this study, just send us an email at tony@yourfamiliesforward.com.
Sometimes it's just too hard to find time to meet for a weekly, sit-down Bible study with a group of guys sharing a common goal. Our desire is to give you the opportunity to see what God's Word has to say about being a father, husband and man of integrity. We will have AT LEAST one new study available each month. To get the free lesson, just shoot me off an email. As you are working your way through the lesson, feel free to post your thoughts, questions and insights on the site. Check back regularly for updates and new study topics. Please pass the news of this opportunity on to your families and friends.
Mark and I hope you find this avenue of study and community rewarding in your busy daily lives.
We hope you enjoy your time w/ us, w/ Families Forward, w/ your family ALL IN PURSUIT OF A MIGHTY GOD AND SAVIOR!
For the FAMILY.
Tony Foreman
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