Renewal

Over the course of this year, God has been realigning, renewing and refreshing my life, and one of the ways is through the ministry of Abiding Fathers. From being daughter, to donor, to ministry assistant, I’ve been “seated at the doorstep” to witness the “glorious deeds of the Lord” with new and increased opportunities for the ministry of Abiding Fathers to reach more fathers, families and future generations. This means even more to me when you know I am daughter to Bill Dotson, founder of Abiding Fathers.

Since saying “Yes Lord”, He has led me into purposeful meetings with my Dad, current and incoming board members and supporters of Abiding Fathers. We have all sensed God’s plentiful grace, opening doors, hearts, and heaven in greater ways, always with a mindset to remain “abiding in the Vine”. This isn’t a work of man, or a marketing strategy. It is our Abiding Father working out His Plan through His people. And as God always does, His gifts are multiplied, for He was also giving me time with my earthly abiding father.

It has been a treasure to hear and witness how God continues to abide in my Dad’s life. The call is real – to see God turn the hearts of fathers to their children and children to their fathers. It is also precious to see my own father purposely living out his life verse (Matt. 6:33) “Seek first the kingdom of God”, and passing the baton “From Faith to Faith” to the next generation.

So, I say this with all assurance – “He’s doing this unto the Lord and for you, younger dads.” Not for himself or any personal pursuit or glory. He is responding to the burden God has placed on his heart to lead fathers to God’s Word so that the next generation might know and set their hope in God.  As I have spent time meditating on the Ministry Principles of Abiding Fathers this year, they are now planted on my mind, heart and tongue.  (From Psalm 78:1-8)

“…We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and His might, and the wonders that He has done…which He commanded our fathers, to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and rise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God.”

This is God’s purposeful Word, spoken from God’s plentiful heart, to see fathers abiding in Him. And it has been my Dad’s way of life for as long as I can remember. From seeking the LORD in His word and prayer early in the morning, Dad has carried God’s truths to his marriage of 60 years, to his family and grandchildren, and to fathers in churches, prisons, and homeless shelters both here and abroad. These disciplines, being passed down through time, teaching and discipleship, are visible in the multi-generational, cross-cultural connections and relationships being established and growing through the ministry of Abiding Fathers.

Encouraging and equipping

Can you think of a more purposeful endeavor than helping men know their Abiding Father in Christ and then helping encourage and equip them to become abiding fathers for their marriages, families and future generations? That’s the mission of Abiding Fathers, to “encourage, equip and engage men in developing their God-ordained leadership role as fathers in order to make disciples for the Gospel of Christ.”

As (Ret.) Lt. Col. Allen B. West so eloquently spoke at the Abiding Fathers Legacy Luncheon recently, men must understand that we are just part of a greater vine, and this happens as men know true north themselves, by abiding in the vine. West read from John 15 and then stated that then, and only then, can men be real MEN, Motivators, Educators and Navigators for their families and for the next generation.

Our Abiding Father is both purposeful and plentiful. His plans are perfect and His riches are inexhaustible. And He has given us His most generous gift, His Son, Jesus Christ, so that we might know Him and abide in Him always. The Lord is using Abiding Fathers to carry His Word to fathers in churches, schools, prisons, Father’s Forums, and in one to one discipleship, counseling, both in English and Spanish speaking countries. 

Will you now ask the LORD how He would have you steward the plentiful gifts He has entrusted to you to sow into His Kingdom? I am asking the LORD to raise one hundred new Abiding Partners to come alongside and support this ministry with time, talents and financial resources.

Your most generous gift right now to the ministry of Abiding Fathers is a multi-generational investment with eternal rewards that will help equip and transform fathers, families and future generations for the sake of His glorious Name!

Plentiful riches in Christ Jesus

I’m so grateful to God for my Dad, and for your faithful support in this purposeful work. As stated in the opening Scripture above, the ESV footnote reads “those who are generous toward God will find that he is generous toward them and will supply their every need…in Christ Jesus”. Together, may we give out of His plentiful riches in Christ Jesus to help supply many more fathers with life-giving Truth and continue passing the baton of faith that will bear much fruit for future generations.

To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

P.S. A few years ago, I was able to be near a precious woman in her final days on earth.  I was given her framed quote from Patrick Henry’s will that I keep before me as a daily reminder of what matters most.

It reads “I have now disposed of all my assets and property to my family.  There is one more thing I wish I could give them, and that is faith in Jesus Christ.  If they had that, and I had not given them one schilling, they would be rich. And if I had not given them that, and given them the whole world, they would be poor indeed.”

Thank you for sowing into the hearts of fathers, families and future generations with your most generous gift to Abiding Fathers for His glory!