An article in People Magazine told of Jodie Foster having a baby without a Father to raise the child. She declined to name the Father.
That may sound cute or the Modern method of having a family but it is not God's way to raise children.
Why would anyone want to raise a child willfully without a Father?
The word Father is referenced many times in the New testament, mostly The Heavenly Father. He gave us His Blessing when we didn't deserve it. Now it's our turn to give a Blessing to our children. But if the Father is not there or non-supportive or a drunk, the child suffers tremendously. According to Bill Glass (see footnote) all men on death row had one thing in common. they either hated or never knew their fathers. That is the result of neglect, rejection, abuse, violence concerning a child. Now that we know the symptom, what will we do for the cure?

The prodigal son returns:

his father saw him and had compassion. . Luke 15:20

This is the story of a son who had clearly done wrong! But the Father blessed him. By that I mean giving unconditional love, giving many gifts and bringing him back into the family with joy.

At times Sons (and daughters) can be very trying, even demanding. It is their nature to do wrong, not because they are kids but because they are human. My three kids used to hear me raise my voice quite a lot. I thought they were deaf. I found out they had their own agenda. They didn't want to hurt me, they wanted to have fun or be themselves, whatever. I didn't give The Blessing. I witheld what they needed most, or I kept it just out of reach, not knowing what I was doing. It wasn't intentional, It was being a strict Dad, but not very smart about true love.

I have learned that kids are truely a blessing to us and we should in turn bless them whenever we can. We have a certain time to raise our kids and then its done. But we can at any time in their life start giving. . . .

The Blessing is unconditional love, telling your sons and daughters they are the best, giving them a hug, often! Let them know that you will never for any reason stop loving them. That gives a child security to move on in life. A child does not want to fail. But if you can get a child to risk failure, it is more likely they will succeed. The only way they will risk failure is if they know they will never loose your approval and love. It's not just your kids that need "The Blessing", we all need it. As Bill Glass puts it, we all need a Father figure in our life, no matter how old we become. And it's never too late to start giving "The Blessing". Start today by telling your children you love them.

You say that you just don't do that in your family? You are not the hugging and touching type of person. Well, get ready to visit your children in jail, or an institution, or feel the rejection from them some day. It must be spoken, not assumed. If you don't or can't SAY IT it is not a blessing. It is your personal feelings. Children are not mind readers. Some parents are proud when they say,'I can just look at him and he knows what I'm going to say" That look of disapproval may carry a lot of weight but how do you convey a look of love and approval and belonging without saying the words.

The most powerful man on earth spoke words of love to us when He said,"I am the Way the Truth and the Life. ."John 14:6 and also "Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden. . ."Matt 11:28.

He was giving us a Blessing by saying even though you have sinned I still love you, you are valuable to me and you belong in the kingdom of God. I don't see how anyone would not want the Blessing.

What words do you use? Tell your children your mine and I'm glad and it's a blessing to have you as my child. If your in jail or prison you may thnk it's no use to bless my son. Baloney! Bless 'em even more so they won't repeat your errors and go to jail. Tell them that you are proud of them, even if they have not done much with their life, let them know they have value and you all are family.

Read Matthew Ch. 5 and you will see how Jesus, The Savior, Blessed many and told them how they could be Blessed by The Heavenly Father.

You must realize also that YOU are Blessed by God. He loves us unconditionally. We are the most valuable creation He has ever made. And we belong in His kingdom.

We are the kid of a king!

Once God has forgiven you your sins, realize that you have value, then forgive yourself and give "The Blessing" to your loved ones. The results are awesome!

Our Father, You Bless us daily with your word and your Holy Spirit. It is truely incredible to be able to receive a blessing from you. To know that you sent your Son to give us life, that you have a place prepared for us, to know that we can call on you at anytime when we are tempted and you will respond. You will never cast us out, you have called us out of this world, and that we are joint heirs with Christ. I pray for the many lost souls in this world that they would seek you and your goodness. I pray they would be blessed by you and that they would bless their entire family. I hope that Fathers would find their estranged sons and daughters, to make amends, for children to talk to their parents and say lets be friends. Bless us this day Dear Father. In Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

(Information gathered from "Crime:Our Second Vietnam" by Bill Glass & Terry Pluto-Published by Bill Glass Ministries.)

If you would care to help my ministry, please click the "Contact" link for my address or my email below. Thank you and may the love of Jesus Christ bloom in your life.

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