Comments on: For the Fatherless on Father’s Day

By: Pat

Pat — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 04:45:16 +0000

It is true that so many just tell people that God is a father to the fatherless, and He is. But God wants us to be like Him. My name is Pat. I am a a father to as many as I can who do not have fathers. They deserve the best.I pray every day that God makes me more like Him. If you go to this web site you will find lots of good info. God is calling the church to do more then mentor. http://www.ammissionary.org

By: Jen

Jen — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 17:08:26 +0000

Tipper, reality collides with the spiritual - somewhere in there it all must be worked out. :-) Rob, interesting, I get what you're saying - this is a double expression. Like saying "father, father." "Abba" is the Aramaic word for father, and is used 3 times in the New Testament, and in each case has its Greek translation joined to it. So it reads abba ho pater in the Greek text, and in English it reads Abba, Father.. See Mark 14:36, Romans 8:15, and Galatians 4:6. So, the reason Christians use this term today is just in imitation of Jesus himself, who used this term, and other early Christians. I suppose maybe it's a way of really emphasizing a certain characteristic of father. Anyone else have thoughts on this?

By: Rob at Kintropy

Rob at Kintropy — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:29:58 +0000

Hi Jen,

Coming from a Jewish perspective, where does the “Abba Father” term come from? Curious because “Abba” in Hebrew means “father.”

By: Tipper

Tipper — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:14:54 +0000

I’ve heard sermons about the fatherless too-and although I know God is the true father-I know too it would be very difficult to deal with the reality of missing your earthly father.

By: Jen

Jen — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:54:34 +0000

Sheila, please call me Jen, that’s my name. :-) I’m glad this post was helpful, somehow. I’ve always looked for other father figures, too, and in this context, that’s a good thing. That’s what Christian community is for, and I’ve always been blessed to find other godly role models. I hope for those who don’t have those role models within their family unit that they look to the larger body of Christ to fill those needs. And of course, ultimately, look to God himself.

By: Sheila

Sheila — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:26:20 +0000

Jen- Can I call you Jen? I feel like I know you… you’re an Oregonian, you have such a heart for God… Anyway, I just wanted to say this post and the post of your comment on Tipper’s blog is honest, vulnerable and wise! I still struggle with understanding God as my Father. I’ve often prayed, “God, please teach me about what kind of father you are!” Though I had a father who I also seek to find redeeming truths about…looking for the good things…he wasn’t a great example of our Heavenly Father.

I read a post the other day at a blog called Exemplify where Kristen wrote about her dad- a godly man who left her a great example of who our Father God is. I’m so thankful for dads like that, though mine wasn’t all that. At least I can look to those men’s examples and see some of the character of my Father God.

Thank you for being out here vulnerably and honestly!

sheila

By: Jen

Jen — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 06:32:20 +0000

Jane, you’re right. There is no perfect earthly father and we all have issues - it can be difficult for anyone to grasp the depth of the Father God’s love and faithfulness, no matter their background.

By: Revisiting Father’s Day

Revisiting Father’s Day — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 02:10:48 +0000

[…] asked for three random facts about your dad. Tipper, … I wrote a short paragraph today about being “fatherless.” You know, I had a father, and when I was 12 or 13 years old, my parents separated, I moved to a […]

By: Jane

Jane — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 01:59:16 +0000

Yes, good thoughts Jenn. It is always important to acknowledge those who are without on these kind of days. I am glad that you know your Abba Father. For those of us who do have dads, but may not have the best past, this is an important, but hard concept for us to grasp as well.