firstIMPRESSIONS
from Senior Pastor Timothy Satryan

Do you think that Moses sat down and figured out the logistics of what God told him to do before he set out from Egypt with the liberated Israelites? If he thought about it even a little bit it shows how much faith He must have had in God to take care of everything. The very same God is at work today in our lives!

Consider that Moses led everyone across the Red Sea in one night. Scripture records that there were about 600,000 men on foot besides women and children. This could mean that there were close to 3-1/2 million people. Now if they went on a narrow path, double file, the line would be 800 miles long and require 35 days and nights to complete the crossing. So, to get it over in one night there had to be a space in the Red Sea about 3 miles wide so that they could walk 5,000 abreast.

Moses led the people of Israel into the desert... Now what was he going to do with them? They had to be fed, and feeding 3-1/2 million people requires a lot of food. According to the U. S. Army’s Quartermaster General, Moses would have needed 1500 tons of food a day, filling two freight trains, each a mile long. Besides, you must remember, they were cooking the food (not to mention for keeping warm, and if anyone tells you it doesn’t get cold in the desert don’t believe them!). Just for cooking this took 4000 tons of firewood and a few more freight trains, each a mile long and this is only for one day!!! And they were for forty YEARS in transit!!! But God miraculously provided manna for His people. Just enough each day for that day. God can supply our needs too.

Let’s not forget about water, shall we? If they only had enough to drink and wash a few dishes (no bathing?!), it took 11,000,000 gallons EACH DAY – enough to fill a train of tanker cars 1800 miles long.

Think about this – every time they camped at the end of the day, a camp ground the size of Rhode Island was required, or 750 square miles.

Let’s trust in God like Moses. Let’s have courage as we face our “impossible” events in life.

Here is your copy of firstIMPRESSIONS, Volume 7.24. Live for God, on purpose, knowing that nothing is impossible with God!

In Luke 15:11-32 we find what is commonly referred to as the “Parable of the Prodigal Son.” Most folks are familiar with this illustration that Jesus taught about a young man, who rebelled and demanded all of his inheritance, then squandered it all away, only to later return home and beg forgiveness.

However, although the “Prodigal Son” has traditionally received the “top billing,” there are actually three main characters, each worthy of examination. In addition to the prodigal son who left home, we also read of his brother, who remained faithful and stayed home, but who nonetheless exhibits his own way of rebelling when his prodigal brother returns home.

I have heard – and preached – sermons focusing on both sons. But actually, neither son is actually the main focus of this parable! The most important character in this story, and the one about whom my message this Sunday will be drawn, is the father of the two sons! The prodigal’s father as long been used as an example of the love of our heavenly father. But, this week, we will look at his actions and words, and see how they demonstrate to us of what we earthly fathers should strive to be like. Don’t miss this special Father’s Day message, “The Character of a Loving Father.”

(top)

Just like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day is celebrated in every part of the world. In the United States, Canada and most countries in Asia, Father’s Day is the third Sunday in June. Although Father’s Day is not observed on the same day in some countries (like Spain and Belgium where Father’s Day falls on March 19th, Sweden on the second Sunday of November, and New Zealand on the first Sunday of September), expressing gratitude and appreciation for dads with a special day seems to be universal. Today, Father’s Day is not only a day to honor fathers, but one to show respect for all father figures. Families honor grandfathers, step-fathers, uncles and other adult male figures that are special to them.

Sonora Louise Smart Dodd, of Spokane, Washington, was 27 when she listened to a Sunday sermon about Mother’s Day in 1909 and wondered why there was no corresponding day for fathers. (Mother’s Day observances began in 1908 in West Virginia and Pennsylvania, according to Hallmark Cards in Kansas City.) She was just 16 when her own father, Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart, was widowed when his wife died in childbirth with their sixth child. Mr. Smart was left to raise the newborn and his five other children by himself on a rural farm in eastern Washington state.

Sonora Dodd began her campaign after that sermon. She believed that the nation did not show enough respect to fathers, citing such popular songs of the day as “Everybody Works But Father,” she promoted Father’s Day out of love for her father.

“One group of men conventioneers laughed and said they didn’t want a Father’s Day,” according to an article in The Spokesman-Review. “A national fishing day would be better", they told her. She persuaded the Spokane Ministerial Association and local YMCA to pass a resolution in support of Father’s Day, and the first local Father’s Day was observed on June 19, 1910, in Spokane, Washington. Mrs. Dodd wanted Father’s Day to be celebrated on the first Sunday in June, her father’s birthday. However, the Spokane council could not get the resolution through the first reading until the third Sunday in June.

States and organizations began lobbying Congress to declare an annual Father’s Day. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson approved of this idea, but it was not until 1924 when President Calvin Coolidge made it a national event to “establish more intimate relations between fathers and their children and to impress upon fathers the full measure of their obligations.” In 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as Father’s Day.

Sonora Smart Dodd was honored for her contribution at the World’s Fair in Spokane in 1974. Mrs. Dodd died in 1978 at age 96.

from http://www.inspirationline.com/Brainteaser/fathersday.htm

(top)

by Richard Innes

Paul the Apostle wrote, “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8)

Ron Farmer of the University of New South Wales (Australia) Psychology Department said, “Any man seeking too strenuously for recognition in his early adult life was likely to find that neglect of his family unit during that time would lead to an alienation from his wife and children at the time he most needed their affection and understanding.”

As fathers we know we are to provide for our families, but this provision goes far beyond just meeting physical needs. We are to model Christian fatherhood and provide for our families’ spiritual needs. Equally important is to be present for our family and meet their emotional needs, the absence of which is a major cause of family breakdown.

As fathers we need to be emotionally present and connected to our wives and children. However, if we’re not connected to our own emotions and inner self, we cannot be emotionally connected to or intimate with our families or anyone else.

Listening beyond words to what our loved ones are saying and feeling, and accepting, caring, spending quality time with them is all a vital part of providing for our family’s needs. Being present emotionally and spiritually, as well as physically, is critical.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, help me to be connected to my own ‘inner self’ so I can be fully connected to you and my loved ones. Help me to change so my loved ones will never say that I was distant or emotionally uninvolved with them. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’ name, amen.”

as seen in Richard Innes’ “Daily Encounters.” © Copyright 2007 ACTS International. Visit them online at http://www.actsweb.org.

(top)

by Steve Troxel

The motivational speakers of our day want us to set great goals for our life: “Where do you want to be in two, five, or ten years? What type of lifestyle do you want when you retire?” We are encouraged to set goals slightly beyond our reach, and then instructed how to create a plan to accomplish these goals. The implication is that a more focused effort will yield superior results and lead to greater “success.”

But before we can ask where we want to be in the next few years, we must first ask a longer term question: “Where will I be in one hundred years?” No other goal is worth pursuing until we have a solid answer to this most basic (but all-important) question. What difference does it make which college we attend, which job we take, or what our home looks like if we have failed to address the issue of where we will spend eternity!?

Proverbs 14:8

“The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.”

We must be wise with the days we are given and no longer be deceived by the values of the world’s system. There’s nothing inherently wrong with goals and plans; but far too often, they lead to a self-determined lifestyle and away from the true Director of ALL plans; “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps” (Proverbs 16:9). Our planning must be as a direct response to God’s leading; and once in place, our plans must remain in complete submission to His will; “I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). When our goal is to be in the center of His will, the specifics of where we will be and what we will be doing are really none of our business.

Every moment of our life is a precious gift from God. Even though the average life span continues to increase, our time is extremely short. An average life lasts about 45,000,000 minutes (much less in many countries). This may seem like a lot, but by this time tomorrow 1440 minutes will be forever gone; “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14).

We must not waste our limited time by chasing after things which vanish; “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity” (Ephesians 5:15-16). We must evaluate ALL our decisions and goals based on the overriding desire to glorify God in all we do, to rejoice in His many blessings, and to long for the time when we can worship before His throne for all eternity. Any other set of values must fade to nothing in comparison.

Every day we are handed a block of time and given the freedom of how it will be spent. This is a wonderful opportunity, but the clock continues to tick! Let’s honor our Heavenly Father with our goals and plans and give careful thought to our ways.

as seen in Steve Troxel’s daily email devotional, “God’s Daily Word” from June 13, 2007.

(top)

10. “Let me explain what ’deductible’ means on car insurance.”

9. “Your mom’s almost ready. Where are we going on our double date?”

8. “Seems to me last year’s prom dress still has some life in it.”

7. “I signed us up for the pairs karaoke contest this Friday night.”

6. “We ate possum toes like popcorn when I was a kid.”

5. “Let’s get ice cream, my treat! Just let me grab my jar of coins.”

4. “I am proud that you decided to keep the family unibrow.”

3. “You don’t need to go shopping after all. I picked out a purse for you on my way home.”

2. “I ran into Bobby at the grocery store. I told him that you’re really hoping he’ll ask you to the dance.”

1. “By the way, I had to borrow your deodorant yesterday.”

as seen at fathers.com

(top)

by Todd A. Rhoades

What is the price or value of a soul? $215,000.

That’s the price that Wal-mart has put on each of their customers. A couple weeks ago, I happened upon a documentary on CNBC about the inner workings of Wal-mart. It was a very interesting program. One of the main things that stood out to me is that Wal-mart has done extensive research into their business.

If, for example, I go into my local Wal-mart store and get bad service; can’t find what I need; have to wait in the checkout line too long; or anything else that really makes me upset, Wal-mart knows that they have a lot to lose. In fact, they’ve calculated the value of what I’m worth to them. If I get mad at Wal-mart and never return, I have just cost the company (on average) $215,000. That’s how much sales they have figured they will lose from the average customer over their lifetime if they don’t come back...

Wal-mart puts a high value on me and every other person and family in my community.

Many churches, on the other hand, seemingly couldn’t care less about the people in their community. Sure, we give them lip service, but when it really comes down to reaching our target, many of us are too busy arguing about carpet color, worship styles, and how much to ‘give’ to missions in Africa, all the while missing the main point of reaching our own community for Christ.

Wal-mart provides diapers and socks and hemorrhoid cream for a profit.

The church offers eternal life and salvation for free.

Shouldn’t our communities know we value them at least as much as Wal-mart?

as seen in Todd Rhoades’ blog, located at MondayMorningInsight.com

(top)

It’s a fascinating story that comes out of the 1989 earthquake which almost flattened Armenia. This deadly tremor killed over 30,000 people in less than four minutes. In the midst of all the confusion of the earthquake, a father rushed to his son’s school. When he arrived there he discovered the building was flat as a pancake.

Standing there looking at what was left of the school, the father remembered a promise he made to his son, “No matter what, I’ll always be there for you!” Tears began to fill his eyes. It looked like a hopeless situation, but he could not take his mind off his promise.

Remembering that his son’s classroom was in the back right corner of the building, the father rushed there and started digging through the rubble. As he was digging other grieving parents arrived, clutching their hearts, saying: “My son! “My daughter!” They tried to pull him off of what was left of the school saying: “It’s too late!” “They’re dead!” “You can’t help!” “Go home!” Even a police officer and a fire-fighter told him he should go home. To everyone who tried to stop him he said, “Are you going to help me now?” They did not answer him and he continued digging for his son stone by stone.

He needed to know for himself: “Is my boy alive or is he dead?” This man dug for eight hours and then twelve and then twenty-four and then thirty-six. Finally in the thirty-eighth hour, as he pulled back a boulder, he heard his son’s voice. He screamed his son’s name, “ARMAND!” and a voice answered him, “Dad?” It’s me Dad!”

Then the boy added these priceless words, “I told the other kids not to worry. I told ‘em that if you were alive, you’d save me and when you saved me, they’d be saved. You promised that, Dad. ’no matter what,’ you said, ‘I’ll always be there for you!’ And here you are Dad. You kept your promise!”

Jesus said, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” [Hebrews 13:5]

from “Chicken Soup For the Soul", edited by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen.

(top)

Two tourists were driving through Louisiana.

As they were approaching Natchitoches, they started arguing about the pronunciation of the town. They argued back and forth until they stopped for lunch.

As they stood at the counter, one tourist asked the employee, “Before we order, could you please settle an argument for us? Would you please pronounce where we are, very slowly”?

The guy leaned over the counter and said, “Burrrrrrrrgerrrrrrr Kiiiiing.”

There are many places you could be this Sunday, but we hope you will be at “chuuurrrrrrrrrrchhhh!” This Sunday is Father’s Day, and we will honor all fathers here at WFA. We have a special gift for every dad! So, be sure to bring your father with you as we gather together to worship our Lord Jesus Christ!