Father S Day

Father’s Day is a day to celebrate dads for who they are and all of the wonderful things they do. It is also a great time for dads to remember the important role they play in influencing the choices their kids make regarding tobacco use. For many kids, Father’s Day means taking Dad out to breakfast, giving him a gift, or just saying thanks. But hundreds of thousands of kids throughout the country have fathers who smoke and who need to be reminded that smoking is America’s number one preventable cause of death.

Sunday is Father's Day. Being a new father to a 4-month-old little girl, I can't help but recall memories of my own dad. Father's Day really hasn't meant that much to me since dad passed away in 1986. Since that time, I really haven't given it much thought. But now, I find myself reflecting on the many lessons he taught me during my childhood and most of my teen years. He wasn't perfect, but a few constant themes pop into my mind as I think back. Number one, love.

I texted the words, “Happy Father's Day” to him. No exclamation mark or “hope it's a good one!” or any other such nonsense. Our family history precludes any other such nonsense, but he is the father of my children, and we text now. Ignoring the occasion would have proved harder than the simple sentence. He thanked me. Said he hadn't heard those words in a while. This is true. He may have received similar texts from his kids today, I don't know. I don't pry in that area or try to lead them toward or away from him. They are big now and the damage has been done already and he buys them nice things and sends them cash from thousands of miles away.

It was, indeed, a pleasant visit at the end of a long and busy day.  The father, the mother, and their little son welcomed us graciously into their home. As we visited, the little boy, active and playful, was expressive and interacted with us in a pleasant way that made the visit most enjoyable. At once, some things were obvious; it was noticeable in several significant ways that the life of the father was having a decidedly shaping influence upon the life of that little boy.  Beyond his physical appearance that was the result of gene transmission, the influence of his father was obvious in the son's attitude, imitative habits of speech, and behavior.  In so many ways, the little fellow talked and acted like his father.

Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.

I expected things to change. But exactly how radically different my life has become since I became a father 9 1/2 months ago, I never could have imagined. Samuel Edward Morris was born at 7:02 a.m. on Aug. 29, 2007. And since then, I've had every conceivable bodily fluid come flying at me from different areas of my son's body. I've been awakened every hour on the hour when he just wouldn't sleep through the night. I've memorized the "Going to Bed Book" and "Barnyard Dance," and it is terrific to see his little personality start to develop.

I expected things to change. But exactly how radically different my life has become since I became a father 9 1/2 months ago, I never could have imagined. Samuel Edward Morris was born at 7:02 a.m. on Aug. 29, 2007. And since then, I've had every conceivable bodily fluid come flying at me from different areas of my son's body. I've been awakened every hour on the hour when he just wouldn't sleep through the night. I've memorized the "Going to Bed Book" and "Barnyard Dance," and it is terrific to see his little personality start to develop.

Blake Bottoms struck out - again. He looked at his father's face. All he could see were the deep lines of concentration; it was enough to let him know his father was 100 percent coach at the moment. But, then, to his surprise, Coach let him try again. Please let me do better, Blake begged. The ball was flying at him. He swung, closed his eyes, and heard the crack, the crack that only comes from a bat smacking a ball. He opened his eyes and saw a tiny dot high in the air - the baseball.

Make this Father's Day special by drawing your father. Supply us with a photo to help us determine how well you did. Turn in your entry on clean, white, 8 1/2 by 11-inch paper by June 14. We'll select the top three drawings who will receive an 8- by 10-inch family portrait taken by Advocate photographer Clay Jackson. Send entries to Emily Toadvine, features editor, The Advocate-Messenger, P.O. Box 149, Danville, Ky. 40423. Please include a phone number, your age and address.

I texted the words, “Happy Father's Day” to him. No exclamation mark or “hope it's a good one!” or any other such nonsense. Our family history precludes any other such nonsense, but he is the father of my children, and we text now. Ignoring the occasion would have proved harder than the simple sentence. He thanked me. Said he hadn't heard those words in a while. This is true. He may have received similar texts from his kids today, I don't know. I don't pry in that area or try to lead them toward or away from him. They are big now and the damage has been done already and he buys them nice things and sends them cash from thousands of miles away.

It was, indeed, a pleasant visit at the end of a long and busy day.  The father, the mother, and their little son welcomed us graciously into their home. As we visited, the little boy, active and playful, was expressive and interacted with us in a pleasant way that made the visit most enjoyable. At once, some things were obvious; it was noticeable in several significant ways that the life of the father was having a decidedly shaping influence upon the life of that little boy.  Beyond his physical appearance that was the result of gene transmission, the influence of his father was obvious in the son's attitude, imitative habits of speech, and behavior.  In so many ways, the little fellow talked and acted like his father.

Sunday is Father's Day. Being a new father to a 4-month-old little girl, I can't help but recall memories of my own dad. Father's Day really hasn't meant that much to me since dad passed away in 1986. Since that time, I really haven't given it much thought. But now, I find myself reflecting on the many lessons he taught me during my childhood and most of my teen years. He wasn't perfect, but a few constant themes pop into my mind as I think back. Number one, love.

Father’s Day is a day to celebrate dads for who they are and all of the wonderful things they do. It is also a great time for dads to remember the important role they play in influencing the choices their kids make regarding tobacco use. For many kids, Father’s Day means taking Dad out to breakfast, giving him a gift, or just saying thanks. But hundreds of thousands of kids throughout the country have fathers who smoke and who need to be reminded that smoking is America’s number one preventable cause of death.

Early on Father's Day morning, Miss Aggie Cat Brody left this world on her travels to the Rainbow Bridge. She was our constant and be-loved friend for 17 years and the void she leaves in our hearts and lives is enormous. I know she had many friends all over the country who would want to know of her passing and when I am more together I will write a proper eulogy.

Once again I have found out that my father was way smarter than I ever imagined. It's impossible for me not to think about him every Father's Day because it really doesn't seem possible that he has been gone since 1996. However, today his absence is even more meaningful because this is my first Father's Day as a grandfather. My grandson, Cooper Vaught, was born Oct. 29. My granddaughter, Savana Grace Hudson, was born June 2. I know how proud my father would have been to have seen and hold them both.

The attendance at the Green River Pentecostal Church Sunday morning was 340. Bro. Bill Walls was the speaker. The mission team returned home safely last Sunday morning after a week in Guatamala. Following Sunday morning service, a dinner was held at the fellowship hall for all fathers in honor of Father's Day. There will be a household shower for Bradley Hart and Brooke Chapman on Sunday, June 22 at 2 p.m. at the church fellowship hall. Our annual 4th of July picnic is set for Saturday, June 28. Youth Camp is set for the week of July 7-11.

Our Sunday service was opened with praise and worship. The singing by the praise team was very good as usual. The graduates were recognized and given a card and a gift card to honor them. The middle school group just returned from camp and really enjoyed it. High school camp will start in a week and the kids camp will be sometime soon. The softball team is playing doubleheaders each night. Last week they lost one, won one. Lori and Bob Mounce are in charge of the team.

Attendance for Sunday, June 15, Father's Day, at Fairview Baptist Church was 112 for Sunday School and 176 for worship service. We thank the Lord for all of the guests at church Sunday and for all of the fathers in attendance. We were thankful to have all of those within our flock that went to Kentucky Changers last week in Monticello back home safely. They were all tired, but thankful for the experience and the opportunity to grow closer to the Lord as they served Him by building handicap ramps, painting, along with many other projects.