June 20, 2016
Happy Father’s Day.
I know; I’m a day late. Yesterday was the day to honor fathers. The market for Brookstone nose hair trimmers – and, Costco’s Chateau Kirkland 2015 Burgundy – peaked, the day before Father’s Day. The barbeque tool-set was used immediately after opening; those formalities are passed…
Now, it’s the Day After; time to get back to being a dad. American eagles are staging a come-back, from their threatened status; American dads are in decline, nationally. Less homes have them than ever before, and the ones still present are increasingly marginalized. We – dads – need all the help in the task assigned us than ever before…
“Fathers, don’t exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master.” (Ephesians 6:4, from The Message). That responsibility does not drop-off when the kids turn 18; it’s a life-long delegation – from the Heavenly Father – that runs from kid-birth to dad-death. How do we – as dads – “lead them in the way of the Master?”
Most fathers have had a similar experience: tell your tribe which end is up – over and over again – and they listen like they no longer understand English. Then, one day, they come home from an encounter with a coach/youth pastor/older friend, and sing their praises because of the incredible insight they just heard from them. It was just what you had said, but – coming from another source – it’s now validated.
Hey, dad: how would you like some help with that lifetime initiative that God laid on your shoulders? Would there be any value – for you – in arranging for some trusted friends to spend 20 minutes every week telling your kid(s) what you’ve already told them – or, what you’d love to tell them – in pursuit of “the way of the Master?”
My first grandson graduated from high school last week. I met him for coffee on his grad day, to hand him an envelope marking his milestone. Inside: a handwritten note of affirmation, some green “coupons” ($$) that are redeemable everywhere, and, a scholarship to Master’s OnLine (MOL).
Jackson – my grandson – is going to be led in “the way of the Master” every week for the next three years. In August, he lands at Biola University… but, he’s already enrolled in MOL.
Weekly installments, send to his iPhone: Week #1 is a 20 minute teaching video from me, on that month’s concept. Week #2 is Noah – my MOL partner – and me, unpacking the concept’s application. Week #3 works through the chokepoints: what obstacles will he face in putting this MOL concept into practice? Then, Week #4: an interview with a Master’s grad, describing life on a different path – “the way of the Master.” That ends the month… and the next week starts up again, with a new concept.
He could have enrolled, himself, at the normal $99/month rate. Instead, I sent $1000 – as a tax-deductible contribution – and scholarshipped him for Year #1 (I’ll renew that next year). He’ll have great profs in his classrooms at Biola… but, he’ll also have MOL taking him to yet another level.
MOL is designed for Millennials – currently, 18-30 in age – who have the challenge of living their faith in a culture that is becoming increasingly hostile. I want some voices in his life that will help him find – and, follow – the way of the Master. MOL will be those voices, in biblical harmony.
Perhaps you’ve got some millennials in your family system – or, in your org chart – who would benefit from this fatherly gift. How about it? Click here to go to a page that will present your options: go straight to masters.life and enter the enrollment onramp, or contact us directly to arrange the tax-deductible scholarship that you can invest in your family/business downline.
Do you trust the culture to shape your legacy? Would you allow me to echo your life message and example in the lives of the youngers who are coming behind you?
Bob Shank