As the week unfolded we attended church with the ministry we have at the police check point. This worship service was just a little different. It was Father's Day. Ginger was asked to bring the message to the fathers that evening. As we gathered there was a door prize provided by Fernando, one of our staff members. We put a red card taped to the bottom of a chair and the father with that chair will win the prize. The police officer who one stood up to share how blessed he was to be a father of a eight month old little boy. He also shared his child was a blessing from God, a gift from God. This was encouraging to all the fathers in the audience this evening. One of the police came up and thanked Papi Mike for all he has done for everyone at the police check point and told Papi Mike he was just like a father to him as well as the rest of the police officers. We sang songs celebrating fathers and lives of the fathers. Ginger shared her personal testimony of how growing up she was abused by her earthly father and she did not trust men at all for a long time in her life until God introduced her to Papi Mike and even then trust was still difficult. It was not until she rededicated her life to Jesus Christ could she even love her earthly father who she started praying for and praying someone would lead him to Jesus Christ. It was not until he received cancer did he accept Christ and it was Ginger who led her father to the Lord and he is waiting for her up in Heaven. So one day Ginger will be reunited with her earthly father because she was faithful to her Heavenly Father and was obedient to Him with her life. Ginger encouraged the men to pray if any of their fathers were similar to hers because there is always hope in the promises of our Lord and Savior. Ginger shared word of encouragement which was all scripture as well as characteristics of a godly father all scripture based. Ginger shared with them they could not be a godly father without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and even then they need to spend time in God's Word daily, in prayer and just simply being still in His Presence. Ginger contacted their two daughters Allyson and Stephanie to ask them to send a scripture which made them think of their dad, Papi Mike, MP and Papa Bear. Mike has a lot of nicknames because he is such an awesome father to so many. Allyson shared "My dad does everything he does for the Lord and you can tell because he does it endlessly." Her scripture reference about her dad was Colossians 3:23-24. Stephanie shared, "Dad is a kind, giving and humble man. We are similar in we don't have a lot to say but when we both speak we have something important to share." Stephanie's scripture reference was Joshua 1:9 which is actually on of the verses I had chosen to share under the ones of encouragement. As we closed with the message Ginger shared a few of the adjectives describing our Heavenly Father: Almighty, Bread of Life, Comforter, Compassionate, Deliverer, Everlasting, Faithful, Spirit, King of Kings, Forgiving, Loving, New Every Morning, Powerful, Redeemer, Savior, Trustworthy, Worthy of Praise, Unexplainable and Unchangeable. Ginger asked the fathers who were sitting on the first two rows names for God as well. They came up with several, Peace, Sustainer and God is good!!
At this time the men gathered together in a circle and Mike closed in prayer as we then went into celebrating with physical food, cake and coke. Laughter and sharing was going on all around me, Ginger, who was very humbled to have the privilege to share and encourage the fathers represented this evening. Ginger shared how it definitely was not her sharing a very difficult topic but the Holy Spirit which dwells inside of her which she had just recently taught to a group of ladies. So God provisions is abundant if we only are obedient to His Calling. Doing His Will sometimes is not always easy and comfortable but God provides us with all we need to do His Will, the Holy Spirit through His Son Jesus Christ. All God's people shout AMEN!!!!
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