MARTY GABLER — As the people of God assemble today may they each realize that they are a child of our Heavenly Father’s big family and that we, together, have a great big wonderful Father. These are lyrics to a song I sang as a solo in church many times when I was young. It has always been one of my favorites.
“My Heavenly Father Watches Over me”
1. I trust in God wherever I may be,
upon the land or on the stormy sea;
for come what may, from day to day,
my heav’nly Father watches over me.
Refrain:
I trust in God, I know He cares for me,
on mountain bleak or on the stormy sea.
Though billows roll, He keeps my soul,
my heav’nly Father watches over me.
June 15, 2025 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: Apostle, Barbara Yoder, Bethel, Bible, Bill Johnson, Body of Christ, celebrate, CFNI, charismatic, Christian, Chuck Pierce, church, Cindy Jacobs, circumstances, comfort, destiny, dreams, Dutch Sheets, elderly, encouragement, faith, father, father's day, Five-Fold, FMCI, future, gifts of the Spirit, god speaks, grace, Grace Church, Haggin, happy, healing, Holy Spirit, hope, Identity, intercession, Isaiah 9:7, Israel, Jentezen Franklin, Jeremiah 29:11, Jesus, Jim Goll, Jim Hodges, John Eckhart, John Kelly, Joyce Meyer, Kathy Gabler, Kim Clement, Kingdom of God, Lakewood, Lance Wallnau, life, long life, manifestation, Marty Gabler, Matthew 6:33, Myles Munroe, obstacles, ORU, Osteen, power of god, prayer, Prince, problems, prophecy, prophesy, prophet, prophetic, prosperity, Psalm 91:14, Psalm 91:15, Psalm 91:16, purpose, rejoice, Rick Joyner, Rick Pino, righteousness, salvation, Savior, SEEC Ministries, sons of God, spiritual warfare, success, victorious, victory, visions, Will of God, wisdom, word of god | Leave a comment
As the people of God assemble today, may hearts of fathers be turned to the coming 
generation. May fathers in our congregations discern the potential of the youth around them and let their hearts be turned to affirming them, encouraging them and enabling them on to their destiny in Christ. May this be the most memorable Father’s Day with fathers and children turned to each other in love and in honor, grasping the heavenly Father’s heart for the generations to glorify His intent. “May the Lord richly bless both you and your children.” (Ps.115:14, TLB)
June 21, 2020 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: Apostle, Barbara Yoder, Beside Still Waters, Bethel Church, Bible, Bill Johnson, Body of Christ, celebrate, CFNI, charismatic, Chuck Pierce, church, Cindy Jacobs, circumstances, comfort, Daily Discovery, destiny, dreams, Dutch Sheets, ekklesia, encouragement, equip, expectation, faith, father, father's day, Five-Fold, FMCI, freedom, future, gifts of the Spirit, god speaks, grace, Grace Church, Hagin, happy, healing, Hebrews 9, history, Holy Spirit, hope, Identity, intercession, Isaiah 9:7, Israel, issues, Jeremiah 29:11, Jesus, Jim Goll, Jim Hodges, John 3:16, John Eckhart, John Kelly, Joseph Prince, Joyce Meyer, Kathy Gabler, Kim Clement, Kingdom of God, Lakewood, Lance Wallnau, life, Lindsey, manifestation, Marty Gabler, Matthew 6:10, Matthew 6:33, Melissa Gabler, Myles Munroe, obstacles, ORU, Osteen, power of god, prayer, problems, prophecy, prophesy, prophet, prophetic, prosperity, Psalm 115, psalms, purpose, Redding, rejoice, Rick Joyner, Rick Pino, righteousness, sacrifice, salvation, Savior, scripture, SEEC Ministries, sons of God, spiritual warfare, success, Texas, Tony Evans, transforming power, victorious, victory, visions, Will of God, wisdom, word of god | Leave a comment
I saw a statue of a child standing on the shoulders of a man. The plaque at the base of the statue was a quote attributed to Sir Isaac Newton. It reads something like this: “The reason the present generation can see so far is because it is standing on 
the shoulders of the former generation.” Is the generation coming after us presently standing on their fathers’ shoulders? Does that generation even know that those shoulders are available? Have we taken that generation and lifted them, no matter what the cost, up and onto our shoulders? Are we expecting them to simply stand alongside us and inherit the same inadequacies and shortcomings we have been willing to live with? Some people rehearse to their children the failures and injustices and less-than-desirable qualities of their heritage. While some boldly abort the coming generation while they are still in the womb, some abort them in a more religiously acceptable manner once they are out of the womb. In either case, the future has been robbed of their God-ordained potential. Perhaps it is the job of the mothers to push until they are born and then perhaps it is the job of the fathers to push up until they are securely standing on our shoulders.
June 20, 2020 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: Apostle, Barbara Yoder, Beside Still Waters, Bethel Church, Bible, Bill Johnson, Body of Christ, celebrate, CFNI, charismatic, Chuck Pierce, church, Cindy Jacobs, circumstances, comfort, coming generation, Daily Discovery, destiny, dreams, Dutch Sheets, ekklesia, encouragement, equip, expectation, faith, father, father's day, Five-Fold, FMCI, freedom, future, gifts of the Spirit, god speaks, grace, Grace Church, Hagin, happy, healing, Hebrews 9, history, Holy Spirit, hope, Identity, intercession, Isaiah 9:7, Israel, issues, Jeremiah 29:11, Jesus, Jim Goll, Jim Hodges, John 3:16, John Eckhart, John Kelly, Joseph Prince, Joyce Meyer, Kathy Gabler, Kim Clement, Kingdom of God, Lakewood, Lance Wallnau, life, Lindsey, manifestation, Marty Gabler, Matthew 6:10, Matthew 6:33, Melissa Gabler, Myles Munroe, obstacles, ORU, Osteen, power of god, prayer, present generation, problems, prophecy, prophesy, prophet, prophetic, prosperity, psalms, purpose, Redding, rejoice, Rick Joyner, Rick Pino, righteousness, sacrifice, salvation, Savior, scripture, SEEC Ministries, sons of God, spiritual warfare, standing on shoulders, success, Texas, Tony Evans, transforming power, victorious, victory, visions, Will of God, wisdom, word of god | Leave a comment
As the people of God assemble today, may hearts of fathers be turned to the coming 
generation. May fathers in our congregations discern the potential of the youth around them and let their hearts be turned to affirming them, encouraging them and enabling them on to their destiny in Christ. May this be the most memorable Father’s Day with fathers and children turned to each other in love and in honor, grasping the heavenly Father’s heart for the generations to glorify His intent. “May the Lord richly bless both you and your children.” (Ps.115:14, TLB)
June 16, 2019 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: affirmation, anticipation, Apostle, Barbara Yoder, Beside Still Waters, Bethel Church, Bible, Bill Johnson, Body of Christ, celebrate, CFNI, charismatic, Chuck Pierce, church, Cindy Jacobs, circumstances, comfort, Daily Discovery, Damon Thompson, destiny, dreams, Dutch Sheets, elderly, encouragement, expectation, faith, father, father's day, Five-Fold, FMCI, future, generation, gifts of the Spirit, god speaks, grace, Haggin, happy, healing, Heavenly Father, history, Holy Spirit, hope, Identity, intercession, Isaiah 9:7, Israel, issues, Jentezen Franklin, Jeremiah 29:11, Jesus, Jim Goll, Jim Hodges, John 3:16, John Eckhart, John Kelly, Joseph Prince, Joyce Meyer, Kathy Gabler, Kim Clement, Kingdom of God, Lakewood, Lance Wallnau, life, Lindsey, manifestation, Marty Gabler, Matthew 6:10, Matthew 6:33, Melissa Gabler, Myles Munroe, obstacles, ORU, Osteen, power of god, prayer, problems, prophecy, prophesy, prophet, prophetic, prosperity, Psalm 115, psalms, purpose, Redding, rejoice, Rick Joyner, Rick Pino, righteousness, salvation, Savior, SEEC Ministries, sentiment, sons of God, spiritual warfare, success, TD Jakes, Texas, Tony Evans, transforming power, victorious, victory, visions, Will of God, wisdom, word of god | Leave a comment
Jesus was the Kingdom of God exposed to mankind. In Jesus, the Kingdom was 
observed (Matt.12:28). In Jn.1:14 The Message version puts it like this: “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish.” Though the Father was sitting upon a throne in heaven, He could be seen in the earth in Jesus as He interacted with His environment. (Jn.20:21b) Jesus said, “…as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” There are people in our neighborhoods and at our jobs and in our families who need to see the Father through us. We are praying you discover daily that your life is reflecting Jesus.
June 15, 2019 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: anticipation, Apostle, Barbara Yoder, Beside Still Waters, Bethel Church, Bible, Bill Johnson, Body of Christ, celebrate, CFNI, charismatic, Chuck Pierce, church, Cindy Jacobs, circumstances, comfort, Daily Discovery, Damon Thompson, destiny, dreams, Dutch Sheets, elderly, encouragement, expectation, faith, father, father's day, Five-Fold, FMCI, future, gifts of the Spirit, god speaks, grace, Haggin, happy, healing, history, Holy Spirit, hope, Identity, intercession, Isaiah 9:7, Israel, issues, Jentezen Franklin, Jeremiah 29:11, Jesus, Jim Goll, Jim Hodges, John 1, John 20, John 3:16, John Eckhart, John Kelly, Joseph Prince, Joyce Meyer, Kathy Gabler, Kim Clement, Kingdom of God, Lakewood, Lance Wallnau, life, Lindsey, manifestation, Marty Gabler, Matthew 6:10, Matthew 6:33, Melissa Gabler, Myles Munroe, obstacles, ORU, Osteen, power of god, prayer, problems, prophecy, prophesy, prophet, prophetic, prosperity, psalms, purpose, Redding, rejoice, Rick Joyner, Rick Pino, righteousness, salvation, Savior, SEEC Ministries, sentiment, sons of God, spiritual warfare, success, TD Jakes, Texas, Tony Evans, transforming power, victorious, victory, visions, Will of God, wisdom, word of god | Leave a comment
As the people of God assemble today, may they honor Him by trusting completely in His Fatherly love and wisdom toward them, and live this week in the peace and knowledge that He will never abandon them. ”[ Divine Sonship ] Look with wonder at the depth of the Father’s marvelous love that he has lavished on us! He has called us and made us his very own beloved children…” (1Jn.3:1, TPT)
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June 17, 2018 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: 1 John 3:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:17, anticipation, Apostle, Barbara Yoder, Bethel Church, Bible, Bill Johnson, Body of Christ, celebrate, CFNI, charismatic, Chuck Pierce, church, Cindy Jacobs, circumstances, comfort, Daily Discovery, Damon Thompson, destiny, dreams, Dutch Sheets, elderly, encouragement, expectation, faith, father, father's day, Five-Fold, FMCI, future, gifts of the Spirit, god speaks, grace, Haggin, happy, healing, Holy Spirit, hope, Identity, intercession, Isaiah 9:7, Israel, Jentezen Franklin, Jeremiah 29:11, Jesus, Jim Goll, Jim Hodges, John 3:16, John Eckhart, John Kelly, Joseph Prince, Joyce Meyer, Kathy Gabler, Kim Clement, Kingdom of God, Lakewood, Lance Wallnau, life, Lindsey, manifestation, Marty Gabler, Matthew 6:10, Matthew 6:33, Melissa Gabler, Myles Munroe, obstacles, ORU, Osteen, power of god, prayer, problems, prophecy, prophesy, prophet, prophetic, prosperity, purpose, Redding, rejoice, Rick Joyner, Rick Pino, righteousness, salvation, Savior, SEEC Ministries, sons of God, spiritual warfare, success, TD Jakes, Texas, Tony Evans, victorious, victory, visions, Will of God, wisdom, word of god | Leave a comment
When I was a small boy, there was a huge German Shepherd that would come trotting down our street every day. To my young eyes, looking through our backyard fence, he looked as big as a horse. I would tremble trying to hide behind the gatepost and hoped he did not look my way or come up our driveway. One day my father was standing outside the fence, in the driveway, talking to our neighbor. I was standing next to him. That dreaded wolf-like creature came trotting down the street and looked right at me as he passed. I simply put my arm around my father’s powerful leg, looked right at that hell-hound and stuck my tongue out as far as I could! I had no fear and wasn’t in the least concerned because I was convinced my father could handle anything that slobbering, long-toothed denizen-of-the-hood might attempt. If I am overshadowed, I don’t have a shadow. If I am hidden in the shadow of my Father, I am so close that HE is the one who is seen and I am afforded His protective covering. ”He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].” (Ps.91:1, AMPC)
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June 16, 2018 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: 1 Thessalonians 4:17, anticipation, Apostle, Barbara Yoder, Bethel Church, Bible, Bill Johnson, Body of Christ, celebrate, CFNI, charismatic, Chuck Pierce, church, Cindy Jacobs, circumstances, comfort, Daily Discovery, Damon Thompson, destiny, dreams, Dutch Sheets, elderly, encouragement, expectation, faith, father, father's day, Five-Fold, FMCI, future, gifts of the Spirit, god speaks, grace, Haggin, happy, healing, Holy Spirit, hope, Identity, intercession, Isaiah 9:7, Israel, Jentezen Franklin, Jeremiah 29:11, Jesus, Jim Goll, Jim Hodges, John 3:16, John Eckhart, John Kelly, Joseph Prince, Joyce Meyer, Kathy Gabler, Kim Clement, Kingdom of God, Lakewood, Lance Wallnau, life, Lindsey, manifestation, Marty Gabler, Matthew 6:10, Matthew 6:33, Melissa Gabler, Myles Munroe, obstacles, ORU, Osteen, power of god, prayer, problems, prophecy, prophesy, prophet, prophetic, prosperity, protection, Psalm 91:1, purpose, Redding, rejoice, Rick Joyner, Rick Pino, righteousness, safety, salvation, Savior, secret place, SEEC Ministries, shadow, sons of God, spiritual warfare, success, TD Jakes, Texas, Tony Evans, victorious, victory, visions, Will of God, wisdom, word of god | Leave a comment
(Kathy Gabler) — Who is in heaven . . .“Our FATHER who is in heaven,” releases a son from any earthly father’s shortcomings. There will be no hindrance in our conversation because of a father’s bad mood or 
because of an earthly father’s personal guilt or distraction or misunderstanding or prejudiced opinion or unjust anger or mistaken views or lack of foresight. His being in heaven declares His Divine Supremacy while removing all human limitations. We are praying to a powerful Father, the Father who is situated above all, the Father who controls the universe, the Father who is almighty, the Father who is subject to none, the Father who prevails over all. Praying as a son changes the posture, scope and expectations in prayer.
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June 15, 2018 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: 1 Thessalonians 4:17, anticipation, Apostle, Barbara Yoder, Bethel Church, Bible, Bill Johnson, Body of Christ, celebrate, CFNI, charismatic, Chuck Pierce, church, Cindy Jacobs, circumstances, comfort, Daily Discovery, Damon Thompson, destiny, dreams, Dutch Sheets, elderly, encouragement, expectation, faith, father, Father in heaven, father's day, Five-Fold, FMCI, future, gifts of the Spirit, god speaks, grace, Haggin, happy, healing, Holy Spirit, hope, Identity, intercession, Isaiah 9:7, Israel, Jentezen Franklin, Jeremiah 29:11, Jesus, Jim Goll, Jim Hodges, John 3:16, John Eckhart, John Kelly, Joseph Prince, Joyce Meyer, Kathy Gabler, Kim Clement, Kingdom of God, Lakewood, Lance Wallnau, life, Lindsey, manifestation, Marty Gabler, Matthew 6:10, Matthew 6:33, Melissa Gabler, Myles Munroe, obstacles, ORU, Osteen, power of god, prayer, problems, prophecy, prophesy, prophet, prophetic, prosperity, purpose, Redding, rejoice, Rick Joyner, Rick Pino, righteousness, salvation, Savior, SEEC Ministries, sons of God, spiritual warfare, success, TD Jakes, Texas, Tony Evans, victorious, victory, visions, Will of God, wisdom, word of god | Leave a comment
(Kathy Gabler) — Our Father . . . The first emphasis in Jesus’ instruction was to start prayer from the “Our Father” position of a son to his father. This places priority on relationship rather than protocol and on heritage rather than hierarchy. Relationship assures us we can be confident of acceptance when we approach Him personally, face to face. Lack of relationship (1) leaves us unsure and at a distance, (2) a questionable guest in the throne room or (3) a needy outsider having to beg. Coming face to face is about knowing our Father well enough to see as He sees. If we don’t come face to face, we position ourselves on the peripheral where we are susceptible prey for misbeliefs about God. When men are too far away to really know Him as a son, they are more apt to lean to their own understanding and create images from their own imagination and experience, like the ancient Greeks did. The gods they created had so many human flaws that their supernatural powers over men were distorted to extremes by emotion and whim. If misbelief misrepresents God, it corrupts the potential and purpose of relationship and the motivation of the heart. Then there is no sonship and no “Our Father” entrance into the dimension of prayer Jesus taught.
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June 14, 2018 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: 1 Thessalonians 4:17, anticipation, Apostle, Barbara Yoder, Bethel Church, Bible, Bill Johnson, Body of Christ, celebrate, CFNI, charismatic, Chuck Pierce, church, Cindy Jacobs, circumstances, comfort, Daily Discovery, Damon Thompson, destiny, dreams, Dutch Sheets, elderly, encouragement, expectation, faith, father, father and son, father's day, Five-Fold, FMCI, future, gifts of the Spirit, god speaks, grace, Haggin, happy, healing, Holy Spirit, hope, Identity, intercession, Isaiah 9:7, Israel, Jentezen Franklin, Jeremiah 29:11, Jesus, Jim Goll, Jim Hodges, John 3:16, John Eckhart, John Kelly, Joseph Prince, Joyce Meyer, Kathy Gabler, Kim Clement, Kingdom of God, Lakewood, Lance Wallnau, life, Lindsey, manifestation, Marty Gabler, Matthew 6:10, Matthew 6:33, Melissa Gabler, Myles Munroe, obstacles, ORU, Osteen, power of god, prayer, problems, prophecy, prophesy, prophet, prophetic, prosperity, purpose, Redding, rejoice, Rick Joyner, Rick Pino, righteousness, salvation, Savior, SEEC Ministries, sons of God, spiritual warfare, success, TD Jakes, Texas, Tony Evans, victorious, victory, visions, Will of God, wisdom, word of god | Leave a comment
As the people of God assemble today, may hearts of fathers be turned to the coming generation. May fathers in our congregations discern the potential of the youth around them and let their hearts be turned to affirming them, encouraging them and enabling them on to their destiny in Christ. May this be the most memorable Father’s Day with fathers and children turned to each other in love and in honor, grasping the heavenly Father’s heart for the generations to glorify His intent. “May the Lord richly bless both you and your children.” (Ps.115:14, TLB)
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June 18, 2017 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: 1 Thessalonians 4:17, Apostle, Barbara Yoder, Bethel Church, Bible, Bill Johnson, Body of Christ, celebrate, CFNI, charismatic, children, Chuck Pierce, church, Cindy Jacobs, circumstances, comfort, Daily Discovery, Damon Thompson, destiny, dreams, Dutch Sheets, elderly, encouragement, faith, family, father, father's day, Five-Fold, FMCI, future, gifts of the Spirit, god speaks, grace, Haggin, happy, healing, heart turn, Holy Spirit, hope, Identity, intercession, Isaiah 9:7, Israel, Jentezen Franklin, Jeremiah 29:11, Jesus, Jim Goll, Jim Hodges, John 3:16, John Eckhart, John Kelly, Joseph Prince, Joyce Meyer, Kathy Gabler, Kim Clement, Kingdom of God, Lakewood, Lance Wallnau, life, Lindsey, manifestation, Marty Gabler, Matthew 6:10, Matthew 6:33, Melissa Gabler, Myles Munroe, obstacles, ORU, Osteen, power of god, prayer, problems, prophecy, prophesy, prophet, prophetic, prosperity, Psalm 115:14, purpose, Redding, rejoice, Rick Joyner, Rick Pino, righteousness, salvation, Savior, SEEC Ministries, sons of God, spiritual warfare, success, Sunday, TD Jakes, Texas, Tony Evans, victorious, victory, visions, Will of God, wisdom, word of god | Leave a comment
There is a statue in the Woodlands area just north of Houston. A child is standing on the shoulders of a man. The plaque at the base of the 
statue is a quote attributed to Sir Isaac Newton. It reads something like this: “The reason the present generation can see so far is because it is standing on the shoulders of the former generation.” Is the generation coming after us presently standing on their fathers’ shoulders? Does that generation even know that those shoulders are available? Have we taken that generation and lifted them, no matter what the cost, up and onto our shoulders? Are we expecting them to simply stand alongside us and inherit the same inadequacies and shortcomings we have been willing to live with? Some people rehearse to their children the failures and injustices and less-than-desirable qualities of their heritage. While some boldly abort the coming generation while they are still in the womb, some abort them in a more socially acceptable manner once they are out of the womb. In either case, the future has been robbed of their God-ordained potential. Perhaps it is the job of the mothers to push until they are born and then perhaps it is the job of the fathers to push up until they are securely standing on our shoulders.
June 18, 2016 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: 1 Thessalonians 4:17, Apostle, Barbara Yoder, Beth Moore, Bethel, Bible, Bill Johnson, Body of Christ, celebrate, CFNI, charismatic, children, Chuck Pierce, church, Cindy Jacobs, circumstances, comfort, Damon Thompson, destiny, dreams, Dutch Sheets, elderly, encouragement, faith, family, father, father's day, Five-Fold, FMCI, future, gifts of the Spirit, god speaks, grace, Haggin, happy, healing, heritage, Holy Spirit, hope, Identity, inheritance, intercession, Isaiah 9:7, Israel, Jentezen Franklin, Jeremiah 29:11, Jesus, Jim Goll, Jim Hodges, John 3:16, John Eckhart, John Kelly, Joseph Prince, Joyce Meyer, Kathy Gabler, Kim Clement, Kingdom of God, Lakewood, Lance Wallnau, legacy, life, Lindsey, manifestation, Marty Gabler, Matthew 6:10, Matthew 6:33, Myles Munroe, obstacles, ORU, Osteen, potential, power of god, prayer, problems, prophecy, prophesy, prophet, prophetic, prosperity, purpose, rejoice, Rick Joyner, Rick Pino, righteousness, salvation, Savior, SEEC Ministries, sons of God, spiritual warfare, success, TD Jakes, Texas, Tony Evans, victorious, victory, visions, Will of God, wisdom, word of god | Leave a comment
Click on cover. When the magazine appears, scroll down to read articles.
June 7, 2012 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: Apostle, apostolic, articles, Bible, blessing, Chuck Pierce, church, comfort, dominion, Elwyn Lewis, encouragement, faith, father's day, Father's Heart, future, God, god speaks, government, grace, healing, help, hope, Hope Taylor, ILE, influence, Jesus, Jim Becton, Jim Hodges, John Paul Jackson, Kathy Gabler, Kim Clement, Kingdom of God, Lord, magazine, Marty Gabler, power of god, prayer, principles, prophecy, prophesy, prophet, prophetic, Rick Joyner, salvation, Savior, SEEC Ministries, Simon Purvis, success, TD Jakes, unlimited, victory, wisdom, word of god | Leave a comment
As the people of God assemble today, may they honor Him by trusting completely in His Fatherly love and wisdom toward them, and live this week in the peace and knowledge that He will never abandon them. ”[ Divine Sonship ] Look with wonder at the depth of the Father’s marvelous love that he has lavished on us! He has called us and made us his very own beloved children…” (1Jn.3:1, TPT)
would tremble trying to hide behind the gatepost and hoped he did not look my way or come up our driveway. One day my father was standing outside the fence, in the driveway, talking to our neighbor. I was standing next to him. That dreaded wolf-like creature came trotting down the street and looked right at me as he passed. I simply put my arm around my father’s powerful leg, looked right at that hell-hound and stuck my tongue out as far as I could! I had no fear and wasn’t in the least concerned because I was convinced my father could handle anything that slobbering, long-toothed denizen-of-the-hood might attempt. If I am overshadowed, I don’t have a shadow. If I am hidden in the shadow of my Father, I am so close that HE is the one who is seen and I am afforded His protective covering. ”He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].” (Ps.91:1, AMPC)
because of an earthly father’s personal guilt or distraction or misunderstanding or prejudiced opinion or unjust anger or mistaken views or lack of foresight. His being in heaven declares His Divine Supremacy while removing all human limitations. We are praying to a powerful Father, the Father who is situated above all, the Father who controls the universe, the Father who is almighty, the Father who is subject to none, the Father who prevails over all. Praying as a son changes the posture, scope and expectations in prayer.
and at a distance, (2) a questionable guest in the throne room or (3) a needy outsider having to beg. Coming face to face is about knowing our Father well enough to see as He sees. If we don’t come face to face, we position ourselves on the peripheral where we are susceptible prey for misbeliefs about God. When men are too far away to really know Him as a son, they are more apt to lean to their own understanding and create images from their own imagination and experience, like the ancient Greeks did. The gods they created had so many human flaws that their supernatural powers over men were distorted to extremes by emotion and whim. If misbelief misrepresents God, it corrupts the potential and purpose of relationship and the motivation of the heart. Then there is no sonship and no “Our Father” entrance into the dimension of prayer Jesus taught.
As the people of God assemble today, may hearts of fathers be turned to the coming generation. May fathers in our congregations discern the potential of the youth around them and let their hearts be turned to affirming them, encouraging them and enabling them on to their destiny in Christ. May this be the most memorable Father’s Day with fathers and children turned to each other in love and in honor, grasping the heavenly Father’s heart for the generations to glorify His intent. “May the Lord richly bless both you and your children.” (Ps.115:14, TLB)
statue is a quote attributed to Sir Isaac Newton. It reads something like this: “The reason the present generation can see so far is because it is standing on the shoulders of the former generation.” Is the generation coming after us presently standing on their fathers’ shoulders? Does that generation even know that those shoulders are available? Have we taken that generation and lifted them, no matter what the cost, up and onto our shoulders? Are we expecting them to simply stand alongside us and inherit the same inadequacies and shortcomings we have been willing to live with? Some people rehearse to their children the failures and injustices and less-than-desirable qualities of their heritage. While some boldly abort the coming generation while they are still in the womb, some abort them in a more socially acceptable manner once they are out of the womb. In either case, the future has been robbed of their God-ordained potential. Perhaps it is the job of the mothers to push until they are born and then perhaps it is the job of the fathers to push up until they are securely standing on our shoulders. 
martygabler 