Author: Ron Baker

Every once in a while (almost in a fairy tale type of way), there is a sermon I preach that is just a bit above my other sermons. 

Today I talked about my two earthly fathers, Calvin Baker and Al Cooper (my wife’s father).  Both greatly affected my life and their biblical principles of stewardship have initiated good in my life.

I listened to the sermon again after service (28 minutes long), and couldn’t turn it off.  I did notice that perhaps some of my historical facts could be wrong – maybe Dad was custom combining in the 1940’s and maybe Dad Cooper’s prayers weren’t quite as long as I might have suggested.  Nevertheless, this sermon is from my perspective, and I emphasize things about my fathers that others may not have seen. 

You might find a challenge in the sermon!  I’ve included my notes for the sermon as well, so  you can download them in WORD Doc format.  Check it out at http://www.sermoncloud.com/kindersley-alliance/my-earthly-fathers/.

I was not stunned.  Maybe I should have been.  Maybe I sensed this.

After decades of knowing my friend, I finally heard the story of his abuse as a child.  This was draining.  When he relives his life stories, he re-lives them.

I was privileged to be there.  With each slight pause or heightened inflection, I could tell this was not easy.

The part I loved?  As the story continues, over a few decades time my friend finally confronts his abuser.  The abuser admits his fault.  My friend forgives. 

In he midst of repentance and forgiveness there is new life.

How did my friend come to that point?  He talked to God.  Whether literally or in his mind – he talked.  God heard him talk of his abuse – how he was mistreated.  And then God talked to him about the abuse his Son, Jesus, also endured.  His Son forgave – could my friend forgive?

What a turning point.  My friend could not see any other alternative than to forgive.  And so he did!

I want that attitude to be in me as well.

I was cleaning out and inventorying a food pantry today.

Tucked to the side were two orange juice boxes.  Both were dated best before 2009.  I imagine they had been there since that time.

In 2008 I had knee surgery.  Coming out of that I have been afflicted with GERD (which may have been catalyzed by the ibuprofen I took).  Various foods have been off limit since then, one of them being oranges.

My wife loved oranges.  But for my sake she did not buy a lot of them (maybe a few for herself, but not like we used to).  The juice boxes appear to have been tucked away in the era when we were experimenting with what foods I could have.

I’m thankful for restrictions that we place upon ourselves in order to live in harmony together.

Sometimes our desires are not necessary.  What we need is love for each other and then just suck it up!!

So, four of us guys sat around the table Thursday night.  We had determined to potluck.

The room was not decorated.  Nor was the food put out in fantastic array.  The house was even a bit in disarray (at least according to my standards!).

As the microwave finished the warm up of food, we headed to the banquet.  Cal had prepared a salad and a cake.  John brought a salad as well.  I warmed up chili and put out some buns.  Al was the visitor for the night – he just showed up.

We talked.  Then cleared the table. 

Talked some more.  Then put out some cake (without ice cream – since we were too busy to go down and get some). 

Then talked some more.  Then the guests went home.

Not bad for a bunch of guys.

And the food was even good!!