On June 10, 2004, this true story was aired on a program called ‘Haven.' It's such a beautiful _expression of love that TJIFA wanted to attempt to tell it to our readers. We hope that you enjoy it and share it with as many Fathers as you can on this blessed occasion. TER

A young man, who had grown up in many foster homes, wanted the love of his biological father. Even though he was treated well by his father, he desperately wanted his father to say, "I love you."

It was not as if he didn't feel the father's love in all that he did for him, but this young man just wanted the reassurance of ‘hearing' his father say these coveted words, "I love you . . ."

Time had passed, and many things had happened in the lives of these two men. The father had become a very prominent political figure in American politics. The possibility of the son ever hearing these affirming words were becoming dimmer and dimmer.

The son was a practicing Catholic and his father was a Protestant. One Father's Day the son went to the church and sat in the pew reserved for his father, with the permission of the secret service men who were in constant attendance with the father. He sat right there next to his father. Excitedly, he wished him Happy Father's Day. The father thanked him and settled down to listen to the service. The son wondered, "what condition would make him say . . . I love you?"
The son, now grown, found himself praying and in the prayer he questioned GOD, about his father's lack of verbalization regarding love for him. He didn't know how much this meant, until he realized his reactions in prayer.

He doesn't tell just how long he prayed for this miracle, but, according to his message, it wasn't right away. He said that one day while he was pining in prayer about the lack of verbalization from his father, his FATHER, GOD, asked him this question . . . "Have you ever told him that you love him?"

He thought about it for a moment, then he realized that no, he hadn't. He had never told him that he loved him. He pondered the way that he would tell this giant of a man about his own feelings. He decided after some time, that he would not see his father again without telling him that he loved him. He determined that the very next time, no matter where he was, he'd tell his father, that he loved him.

The day was finally on the horizon. The son, Michael, was to interview the father on his radio program. He was a little nervous as he contemplated telling this great politician-father . . . "I love you." The seasons of doubt ran through his mind. What if? . . .Well, he reasoned, all he can do is tell me not to talk like that anymore. He practiced what he would do, and then his father arrived. The Secret service and body guards were around him, as usual. Michael, like a child, ran up to his father, and hugged him with a big bear hug, and with great feeling said, "Dad, I love you." Nothing was rehearsed! Even with all the rehearsal…Nothing was rehearsed. When he first grabbed his father, the hug was momentous. His father looked around at the Secret Service men with a look on his face that asked ‘Can't you do something? That's your job, isn't it?' But, when Michael blubbers out "I love you." His father melted and returned the adoration.

The story continues. Michael's father was diagnosed to have Alzheimer's disease. Years passed, but every time that Michael and his father met, they shared a hug and those coveted words. Eventually, his father was unable to speak, but when Michael would visit, his father would open his arms wide and Michael would hug him, and tell him those words that he, Michael, had wanted to hear. It had become a type of ritual with meaning.

One day, Michael and his wife visited his father, and Michael hugged him when he first arrived. Now, his father barely talked, and moved slowly, but, somehow, his father still communicated in his own way.

Michael and his wife left the house and as they were getting into the car, Michael's wife looked back at the house. "Michael, you forgot something." She said. Michael asked, "What? What could I have forgotten?" His wife said, "Look." She tilted her head toward the house. Michael turned and looked in the direction of the house. There, in the doorway stood his weakened but communicating father with his arms outstretched. Michael Reagan ran to the waiting arms of his father, President Ronald W. Reagan, "Oh father, I love you too!"

Note: Fathers and Sons, we hope that you have a wonderful ‘Father's Day.' This story reminds us of how Our Father is waiting with open arms for all who have given up this world's way, and embraced the way of the Father. Your father, here on the earth, is a personification of the authority of Our Heavenly Father.

In the past Nancy suffered from breast cancer and I had my cancer surgeries. We found through our open disclosures we able to raise public awareness. We were happy that as result many more people underwent testing.

So now, we feel it is important to share it with you. In opening our hearts, we hope this might promote greater awareness of this condition. Perhaps it will encourage a clearer understanding of the individuals and families who are affected by it.

At the moment I feel just fine. I intend to live the reminder of the years God gives me on this earth doing the things I have always done. I will continue to share life's journey with my beloved Nancy and my family. I plan to enjoy the great outdoors and stay in touch with my friends and supporters.

Unfortunately, as Alzheimer's Disease progresses, the family often bears a heavy burden. I only wish there was some way I could spare Nancy from this painful experience. When the time comes I am confident that with your help she will face it with faith and courage.

In closing let me thank you, the American people for giving me the great honor of allowing me to serve as your President. When the Lord calls me home, whenever that might be, I will leave with the greatest love for this country of ours and eternal optimism for it's future.

FRIDAY'S WORD: Father;
This term in the OT has a wide spectrum of meanings. These may be divided into literal and figurative usage.
Basically it refers to the male parent (Genesis 2:24; 22:7; 48:1: etc.) One of the most basic and foremost ethical precepts of the OT and NT relates to the honor and obedience due to fathers. This esteem of parents was characteristic of godliness even before Decalogue was given. The father's authority over his family was absolute . . . The blessing or malediction of a father was of special significance and conferred benefit or injury (Genesis 9:25-27; 27:27-40; 48:15-20; 49:1-28).
Taken from: Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia

IN THE MIRROR:
"For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." (Hebrews 12:6-11)KJV

Two particular places in the Bible where God talks about the characteristics of a earthly father, and a heavenly Father. Speaking as a father myself, the experiences and responsibilities of the role we have in our relationship to our children can vary anywhere between, ‘very successful, and totally unsuccessful,' depending upon what time in your/their life that you're bringing into account. The lessons are never-ending, and you have to only hope to come away with a reasonable understanding between both parties.

Looking into what's being shared with us in the book of Hebrews 12, we find such a realization that can be taken under full consideration for every child of God that is willing to understand and allow their lives to be influenced by what's written. I can't write or share with you as a father that has not or will not make mistakes, but God can.

Speaking in perspective, (whether you're a parent or child), the Bible tells us that ‘we not only have a Father that is incapable of making any mistakes, but also that His chastisement of us will lead us into life eternal'.
If you enjoy truth, then how does it strike you when you read the words, "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: . . ." Why? Because the earmark of every human being is not ‘obedience,' but ‘dis-obedience'.

Just like we were unhappy many a day at the strict rulings we had to undergo as children from our parents and different authorities; when we grew up later in life, we then were able to see why there were certain principles that had to be enforced and re-enforced time and time again.

Catch hold of the words, "exercised thereby". We especially understand the word ‘exercise' today because we live in a world conscientious of fitness. We exercise to lose, sometimes we exercise to gain, but the word itself implies something we do repetitiously, and with expected results.

Jesus talks with us today as a representative of the Father. He knows exactly what we need; He knows completely how to bless us beyond measure. ‘Father's Day' for Him is not a matter of receiving, as in our tradition for giving gifts on Father's Day. No! . . . It's only a matter of Him reaching down and giving you a "Gift".

Why is that ‘Gift' so important? I'm glad you asked . . . Because everything that God has for our lives; the peaceable fruit of righteousness; the conversion; the transformation; the restoration; the regeneration; all the blessings He has and ever will have are going to come into your life by way of the precious Gift of the Holy Spirit. What a Gift!!! What a God!!!