Influence

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. Psalm 37:23-24 KJV

From Activated June 2009

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.—Proverbs 22:6

Whenever you hear of someone doing a great thing, you may be sure that behind it somewhere is a great background. It may be a mother’s training, a father’s example, a teacher’s influence, or an intense experience of his own, but it has to be there or else the great achievement does not come, no matter how favorable the opportunity.—Catherine Miles

Fathering helps self-esteem

A study by the British parenting research project Tomorrow’s Men found that fathers who spend a few minutes each day one on one with their sons greatly increase their sons’ chances of growing into confident adults.

Of the boys who said that their fathers spent time with them and took an active interest in their progress, more than 90 percent fell in the “can do” category, whereas 72 percent of the boys who said that their fathers rarely or never spent time with them fell into the group with the lowest levels of self-esteem and were also more likely to have emotional and behavioral problems.

More surprisingly, the study found little difference between the positive effects of good father/son relationships in two-parent homes and homes where the father was absent (as in divorce situations) but nevertheless took time with his son. Similar studies have found that in a father’s absence, another father figure such as a stepfather, uncle, grandfather, teacher, or mentor, by assuming an active role, can have an equally positive effect.

Put high expectations in front of [young people]. Give them love. Give them support. They will succeed.—Said Sewell

The greatest sermon

A farmer had an unusually fine crop of grain, but just a few days before it was ready to harvest, there was a terrible hail and wind storm. The entire crop was demolished. After the storm was over, the farmer and his young son stepped outside. The little boy looked at what was formerly a beautiful field of wheat and, with tears in his eyes, looked up at his dad, expecting to hear words of despair. Instead he heard his father softly sing, “Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee.” Years later the son, now a grown man, said, “That was the greatest sermon I ever heard.”

Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction.—John Crosby
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EVEN WHILE THE WORLD GOES TO PIECES, GOD'S WORD STANDS FIRM!

"How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled!
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled!

Fear not, I am with thee, Oh be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, I will still give thee aid!
I'll strengthen thee, help thee and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My gracious omnipotent hand!
Upheld by My gracious omnipotent hand."

That's an old hymn, and a wonderful one for these last days when you're going to need the firm foundation of His Word.

"Behold," He says, "I am with you always, even unto the ends of the Earth!" (Mat.28:20). He's with you in His Word, and His Word is with you, and you can stand firmly on this as a firm foundation that cannot fail, for He's promised to keep you!

Someday the only Word of God you'll have may be what you've implanted in your heart, so hide away His Word faithfully that you may be kept by the power of God and comforted in difficult times, now and in the future!



Activated TFI