Fathers’ Day Edition: A New Book And A Classic Poem, Both About Dear Ol’ Dad

I can’t think of a better time than Father’s Day to tell you all that my first book is nearing release — a children’s book co-written with Lindsey Blair, a great writer and one who loves and understands children, being a mother.  The book also has really cool illustrations by Tessa Janes, under the guidance and encouragement of Sojourn Church’s Director of Sojourn Kids, Jared Kennedy. 

“Abraham had in his tent a house of God and a church, just as today any godly and pious head of a household instructs his children… in godliness. Therefore such a house is actually a school and church and the head of the household is a bishop and priest in his house.”-Martin Luther

This quote pretty much sums up the book, written for toddlers.  Our intent is to teach that Christianity is not just something we partake in during Sunday worship services, under a pastor, but that it encompasses all of life.  And at home, the father is like a pastor, demonstrating servant-leadership over his family.

We took the idea and title from a sermon by Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill, an Acts 29 sister-church in Seattle.  I hope to be able to give you further details after publication.  But now, in honor of Father’s Day, here is a short poem:
The Child Is Father To The Man

     by Gerard Manley Hopkins (1918)

“The child is father to the man.”
How can he be? The words are wild.
Suck any sense from that who can:
“The child is father to the man.”
No; what the poet did write ran,
“The man is father to the child.”
“The child is father to the man!”
How can he be? The words are wild.

Great poem.  As the father of three boys, I can attest to “the child is father to the man.”  Kids teach us so many things.  Raising children has caused me to see my own weaknesses and sin as a dad, to realize how irritating I must have often been to my own dad, to be grateful to God for the gifts of a Christian dad and healthy young sons, and to look more closely to the cross of Christ and to seek a greater relationship with my heavenly Father, the only perfect Dad.

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God
Romans 8:14-16