Faith of my fathers.
Have you ever wondered what that statement actually means? As I understand it, each and every generation walk to their own drum and their beat is a little different than the beat before it. Growing up in the 60's-70's, what was acceptable to me was not acceptable to my father. Today, what my son finds enjoyable I may not and so it goes from generation to generation. Every once in a while you find a old, "young-at-heart" soul that seems to transcend the generational challenges, but that is the exception rather than the rule.
From time to time I hear expressions like, "Old Fashioned" or "Old Timer". Growing up as a little tike on a country farm near the small town of Eden Valley, Minnesota, I often sat on milk cans and listened as my grandfather visited with other grandfathers. To me, these farmers were the "Old Timers", the term was designed for them. Many late afternoons, after back breaking work in the fields, before milking the cows, they would sit and chat. As I remember, much of their conversations evolved around how fast the world was changing. There was the invention of the audio cassette followed by the U.S. Postal Service developing a thing called zip codes for every location across America. How will we ever keep all those numbers straight. And who could forget, the invention of permanent-press fabric! "Times we're a changing", they said. I wonder what they would say today if they were still alive?
These type of changes focus on the "ways" of life. That is the constant challenge. The "ways" are always changing. Year after year, month after month or even by the attosecond today. I think that is the latest record for controllable time measurement. The "ways" of life change fast and constantly. A simple example of how fast things change, look at the evolution of the cell phone and how our life dependens on it. How can we live if we do not log onto our FaceBook account every few hours to see what our friends are doing?
So, I understand the cultural changes that come with the "ways" of life. It is the "whys" of life, the core reason for life that stays close to the same. It is in this I share the faith of my fathers and value their "whys" of life. Their faith. When an old hymn plays during a Sunday morning church service, I can listen and enjoy the words as a clear message of faith is presented, in essence, the faith of my father. So, in this little blog, I want to express thanks for the faith of my fathers.
My dad, Larry Hall, passed away in 1991. Dad was a wonderful minister, pastor and most importantly, a loving father. He strongly believed in the truth of the Bible. Never doubted it. He believed Jesus would return again for a pure, redeemed and Holy bride. Never doubted it. He believed in heaven and hell. Heaven for believers and hell for sinners. Never doubted it. He faithfully trusted in God's provision through his life. I can believe in this "Faith of my fathers."
I am now the 57 year old father with children and grand children. I know we will see the "ways" of life from different eyes, different generations, but I fully want them to walk in agreement with me on the "whys" of life. I want them to believe in the faith of their father. Although their faith must begin with them, a personal faith, may my influence help them on that journey. Because...
Have you ever wondered what that statement actually means? As I understand it, each and every generation walk to their own drum and their beat is a little different than the beat before it. Growing up in the 60's-70's, what was acceptable to me was not acceptable to my father. Today, what my son finds enjoyable I may not and so it goes from generation to generation. Every once in a while you find a old, "young-at-heart" soul that seems to transcend the generational challenges, but that is the exception rather than the rule. From time to time I hear expressions like, "Old Fashioned" or "Old Timer". Growing up as a little tike on a country farm near the small town of Eden Valley, Minnesota, I often sat on milk cans and listened as my grandfather visited with other grandfathers. To me, these farmers were the "Old Timers", the term was designed for them. Many late afternoons, after back breaking work in the fields, before milking the cows, they would sit and chat. As I remember, much of their conversations evolved around how fast the world was changing. There was the invention of the audio cassette followed by the U.S. Postal Service developing a thing called zip codes for every location across America. How will we ever keep all those numbers straight. And who could forget, the invention of permanent-press fabric! "Times we're a changing", they said. I wonder what they would say today if they were still alive?
These type of changes focus on the "ways" of life. That is the constant challenge. The "ways" are always changing. Year after year, month after month or even by the attosecond today. I think that is the latest record for controllable time measurement. The "ways" of life change fast and constantly. A simple example of how fast things change, look at the evolution of the cell phone and how our life dependens on it. How can we live if we do not log onto our FaceBook account every few hours to see what our friends are doing?
So, I understand the cultural changes that come with the "ways" of life. It is the "whys" of life, the core reason for life that stays close to the same. It is in this I share the faith of my fathers and value their "whys" of life. Their faith. When an old hymn plays during a Sunday morning church service, I can listen and enjoy the words as a clear message of faith is presented, in essence, the faith of my father. So, in this little blog, I want to express thanks for the faith of my fathers.My dad, Larry Hall, passed away in 1991. Dad was a wonderful minister, pastor and most importantly, a loving father. He strongly believed in the truth of the Bible. Never doubted it. He believed Jesus would return again for a pure, redeemed and Holy bride. Never doubted it. He believed in heaven and hell. Heaven for believers and hell for sinners. Never doubted it. He faithfully trusted in God's provision through his life. I can believe in this "Faith of my fathers."
I am now the 57 year old father with children and grand children. I know we will see the "ways" of life from different eyes, different generations, but I fully want them to walk in agreement with me on the "whys" of life. I want them to believe in the faith of their father. Although their faith must begin with them, a personal faith, may my influence help them on that journey. Because...
I believe in the Bible,
Never doubted it.
I believe in Jesus and his soon return,
Never doubted it.
I believe in heaven and hell,
Never doubted it.
I believe int he faith of my fathers,
Never doubted it.
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