Today on Father's Day, let's honor and give thanks for the great dads many of us had. I would say that I had the most wonderful dad a boy could ever ask for. He taught me so much in the few years we had together before he died: character building and godliness, practical things too, like working safely with electricity, wood working, singing, playing musical instruments, about harmonies, and appreciation for the symphony and church choirs. All four of us in my family sang as a quartet and read the Bible together.

Dad taught us about plant life, fruits and vegetables, and where food comes from. He took us to his cousins' farms where we learned about animal husbandry and dairy farm life, tractors and wagons, combines and balers, and hunting in the late fall. He taught us the value of hard work and gave us an opportunity to rake leaves and mow grass, chop ice and shovel snow from sidewalks and driveways. We went sledding together, and we listened to Cleveland Indians baseball games on the radio. He also gave me the vision to be a newspaper boy when I grew a little older.

Dad taught me about photography. We had our own film processing dark room. He gave me the opportunity to shoot and edit home movies. I learned the proper use of microphones — how to record audio tapes, about amplification and speakers. We also put together a crystal radio kit. (No electricity needed).

One of the most special memories I have is when Dad bought my brother John and me each quite expensive Lionel train sets for Christmas and taught us how to assemble layouts, safely operate the trains, and appreciate modeling the landscape with realistic scenery. He also encouraged me to be an artist: drawing, painting, and sculpting.

Dad took our family on trips to show us our great nation. We traveled usually by passenger train across several states. We took annual family vacations to Bible camps and family reunions. He expanded my world in this way so I never had the fear of new places like some people have.

Dad loved to cook, and he loved to eat. He also loved to serve. He was a greatest example of a godly husband to my mom, and a wonderful friend to many, too.

Dad read the Bible to us, prayed over us each night and at meals. We had several Bible story books— “Hurlbuts” is the one I remember the most. And we memorized and quoted scriptures together. He hugged us often and told each of us how much he loved us and cared for us and wanted to provide the best for us. We were not wealthy, but Dad taught us the importance of diligent work and providing for our families. He was highly respected at his work at the New York Central Railroad where he served for 39 years.

Dad served our nation, too, as a member of the civil defense during World War II. He was too young to serve in WWI and too old to serve in WWII, but he loved our nation and our city – Cleveland, Ohio. And so he served as an auxiliary policeman during the war.

Dad would be 122 years old if he were alive today. He went home to Glory when I was only nine years old. But today is a perfect opportunity to give honor to the memory of my dad, Clarence Paul Steiner and the godly legacy I received from him and my mother. I am so grateful! I’m looking forward to our reunion in heaven!

"'Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise)" ~~ Ephesians 6:2 (ESV)

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you” ~~ Exodus 20:12.

"For example, God said, 'Honor your father and your mother'” ~~ Matthew 15:4a (God's WORD).

Oh, … please don’t get me a tie!

The Church by John Woolston

“People ask me, ‘Do you go to church?’ Yes, I go to church. I go to take church to the world. We are the Church. Church is not a location. The Church itself is the sum total of all believers and it is referred to as Christ's body. Christ lives in us. We take Him with us wherever we go. He is what makes us the Church. Our mission as the Church is to take Him to those throughout the world who do not know Him. I go to the world to ‘church...’ to be the Church... to do what the Church should do.

“So, do I go to church? Yes. I am going to "church." Not to a place people might think of as a church, but I interact with people and to show them and tell them about the Christ who lives in me! I am going with passion for a purpose, and that purpose is to be the Church. I am going to Church.”

~~ forwarded from John Woolston

Recently God has been busy shuffling my card deck (as it were). For a long time, I couldn't figure out what He was up to, but I figured, "Hey, He's God! He knows what He's doing, so I'll just continue to trust Him." (I've seen what happens when I try to do my own thing apart from Him, and it isn’t pretty.)

The last several years have brought significant changes in my life. The constants I had relied upon had become variables or disappeared completely. Last summer, for example, my wife Kathy went to be with the Lord. Then I moved to my new home near Austin, Texas. I’m making new friends while continuing to intercede for the many on our prayer list for decades.

We all who are still here thankfully made it through Covid. Nevertheless, right before Christmas I had a mild heart attack. Thankfully, I’ve recovered and just completed 12 weeks of cardio rehab… more shuffling with lifestyle changes.

We are all experiencing major inflation such as hasn’t been seen in decades. There have been droughts, then torrential rains, extreme heat, and then more water restrictions. What in the world is going on? The only thing constant is change.

The Bible says in Hebrews 12:26-27: “Now he has promised, ‘Once more I will shake not only the earth but also heaven.’ The expression ‘once more’ signifies the removal of what can be shaken, that is, what he has made, so that what cannot be shaken may remain.”

In the midst of all the uncertainty, revivals broke out especially among the youth. People are calling upon God once more. We are not shaken when we are firmly planted upon the Rock, Christ Jesus!

On a personal note, just 6 weeks ago, I lost my job. Sometimes we have to leave something good for something better that God has for us. The new card on the top of my personal deck involves serving in a ministry through intercessory prayer as I Pray in Jesus’ Name!

I waited upon the Lord and things worked out for everyone’s good because I serve Him. So I have again been amazed as He shuffled my deck and provided for my needs. So, we all choose to walk by faith and not fear the future, for our Lord IS our future.

When I wait upon the Lord, I have confidence that things always work out for my good because I love and serve Him. So I have chosen to watch in amazement as He shuffles my deck and provides for my needs. So, we all are choosing to walk by faith and not fear the future, for our Lord IS our future.

We are saved by God's grace through faith, not by what we do. Jesus' death and resurrection paid the price for our sin. We who believe have been redeemed — totally pardoned from every sin! We'll never need to pay the penalty for our sin. Jesus took care of the sin issue by purchasing our

redemption! So we don't need to try to live a perfect life or jump through any hoops in a vain attempt to earn our redemption. It's already paid for as a free gift from God to us who believe! Thank God for such a great salvation! Being saved by God’s Grace alone is such good news! Hallelujah!

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast" ~ Ephesians 2:8

“‘Yes indeed, it won’t be long now.’ God’s Decree. ‘Things are going to happen so fast your head will swim, one thing fast on the heels of the other. You won’t be able to keep up. Everything will be happening at once—and everywhere you look, blessings! Blessings like wine pouring off the mountains and hills. I’ll make everything right again for my people Israel: They’ll rebuild their ruined cities. They’ll plant vineyards and drink good wine. They’ll work their gardens and eat fresh vegetables. And I’ll plant them, plant them on their own land. They’ll never again be uprooted from the land I’ve given them.’ God, your God, says so’” ~~ Amos‬ ‭9‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭(MSG‬‬).