Speaking the Truth in Love

[DividedThigh]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Beautiful story, Chosen!

really nice chosen, we many times just dont know the people that are around us, god is so special to me, always listens and never leaves. Even in our failures and darkest hours he understands us, in spite of really knowing us, dt

[Coonskinner]

Read a short story by Hemingway called "The Capital of the World." It is very moving, and came quickly to my mind when I read this thread this morning.

I too was over 30 years old and already pastoring a church before i really was able to view God as my Father in a positive sense.

My relationship with my own dad was very bad. It ranged from at best indifferent in good times horrible most of the time.

But God is patient and He is faithful, and time has a way of healing all wounds if we let Him help us.

My dad died when he was pretty young, a consequence of a hellbent lifestyle of drugs, alcohol, carousing, and general hooliganism.

I had often made the statement that I always felt like an orphan, and had never known what it was to have a father...

One day the Lord spoke to me after I said something like that and said, "Have not I been a Father to you?"

My heart smote me and I broke down sobbing and repenting, and resolved never to make those kinds of statements again.

Since that time, a lot of healing has come my way.

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

I had often made the statement that I always felt like an orphan, and had never known what it was to have a father...

One day the Lord spoke to me after I said something like that and said, "Have not I been a Father to you?"

My heart smote me and I broke down sobbing and repenting, and resolved never to make those kinds of statements again.

Since that time, a lot of healing has come my way.

I'm living this right now... I'm really just coming to the realization that you have already come through...

It's saddening to me that it's taken this long...

[Coonskinner]

Originally Posted by Ronzo

I'm living this right now... I'm really just coming to the realization that you have already come through...

It's saddening to me that it's taken this long...

PM incoming.

[chosenbyone]

There has always been a need for every child to know the security of a loving father and unfortunately there continues to be countess boys and girls that have to travel the painful road of the fatherless. Let us keep those children and those that are now adults who suffer from not having the love of an earthly father in our prayers.

Thank you all for sharing on this thread. Ronzo and CS thank you very much for sharing. We need more men like you show others that they are not alone when it comes to this subject.

At the end of "Father's Love Letter', there is a link to a special article that I feel will be a blessing to you.

Father's Love Letter

My Child
You may not know me, but I know everything about you Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your father 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore Psalm 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is Will you be my child? John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you Luke 15:11-32
Love, Your Dad. Almighty God



http://www.insideworship.com/resourc...=2204&Itemid=2

[RevDWW]

At one point years ago I was discouraged because it seemed that my ministry was hampered because I didn't have a father in the ministry. I was whining to the Lord in prayer and He not so gently reminded me that He was my Father and that all things are possible through Him. If He opens a door no man can shut it and if He closes it no man can open.