Comments on: A Father Is Born

By: Steve Kamerick

Steve Kamerick — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 01:08:46 +0000

I am not an avid reader, I’m sure that is a discomforting opening statement. I do however read non fiction Christian writers that show little pride or ego but rather clear and accurate personal experiences of faith and true followers of Jesus, you Philip are, in my estimation, one of those with character and integrity while addressing everyday spiritual growth matters. The Father is Born is very every-day for any of us. I am fortunate to have 3 children who are mature and honorable not especially deep thinkers regarding God or spiritual matters. I, on the other hand, am finding the personal relationship with God’s gift of His Holy Spirit to be the center of my thoughts and everyday companion. I Like Margaret’s comments about how God feels when we ignore Him or dishonor Him. It has to be much like the New Father you wrote about. To read the words of God in Jeremiah or any of the minor prophets, it leaves no guess work to see how God can be saddened and even angered to a point of wrath that I can hardly get through without crying out for those who have been the recipients of His emotions. I don’t fear what I can avoid and my life and thought process brings me to a thankful mindset. Abba Father said we are friends and I think I will try to make the best of that position. I love Him too much to do otherwise.

By: carrol grady

carrol grady — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 03:39:48 +0000

_Soul Survivor_ is one of my favorites of your books. If I were to compose such a list of spiritual advisors, you would be on it!
Carrol

By: David Such

David Such — Sun, 17 Jun 2018 23:48:21 +0000

Buechner writes with supreme craft, and I can tell from your writing that he has indeed influenced you. Thank you for this well-written encouragement, especially knowing that all of us dads are also sons.

By: Margaret

Margaret — Sun, 17 Jun 2018 18:24:01 +0000

“And every hard knock they ever get knocks the father even harder still, if that’s possible, and if and when they come through more or less in one piece at the end, there’s maybe no rejoicing greater than his in all creation.” So true! And certainly nothing like being parents helps us have a taste of what it has been like for God the Father. Beginning with the children of Israel when He provided miraculously for them, delivered them from enemies and pled with them to simply obey His laws and He would bless them even more, only to have them use their freedom to disobey and turn to stupid idols again and again and again – right on through the ages to us – what hard knocks His children have given Him! And so He gives the “privilege” to some of us, mothers as well as fathers, with the children He gave us to love and teach about Him, to get just a taste of His heartache and longing for us. Our hearts cry out with what Paul said, “My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you!” Oh, the joy and pain of being a lovesick father, or mother!
We pray sincerely that we may know Christ more…yes, certainly, “the power of His resurrection, but do we really want to know the fellowship of His sufferings?” I say yes, but with both dread and hope for what may yet be ahead in our journey until we finally get to the greatest joy set before us – eternity with Him.

By: Dean

Dean — Sun, 17 Jun 2018 18:21:09 +0000

Hi Philip. I’m on the verge of tears reading this. Thanks for being a voice, and for helping me find other voices, that do not clang and oppress. Grace and the quiet power of a loving god touches the things you write about. 2Because of a very rough ride I’m apart from my children today, who I love dearly. Im so thankful they still love me and I live with hope that a father God like the one you write about exists. You’ve become one of the only voices I’ll listen to these days from the church. If love like the one you and Frederick write about is out there, it is the most beautiful thing imaginable

By: Martin Duerr

Martin Duerr — Sun, 17 Jun 2018 18:06:13 +0000

Dear Philip Yancey, this seems to be a great opportunity to thank YOU – at last- for quoting Buechner in your books. I first read “Von Gott enttäuscht” (Disappointment with God) in the early nineties because I was drawn to the title, trying to live as a Christian among others who never seemed to have doubts like I did. Your books helped me a lot through difficult times. Many of the people you quoted were familiar to me, but I had never before heard of Fred Buechner. It took some time until I was able to get books written by him (that was before the Internet), but eventually I even met him several times in my hometown Basel, Switzerland. But this is a story for another day. Today I just want to thank you for your writing and your refreshing look on the world and on theology. Something which is more important than ever in these times. Please do continue to broaden our horizon and our hearts. Best regards, Martin

By: Bradley

Bradley — Sun, 17 Jun 2018 15:19:01 +0000

I woke today from a dream where I was very sad and very angry. I was asking this question in the dream, “why are you so mean?”. The alarm had awakened me just after I’d asked that question to someone whom I’d just given $1,000,000. too. I was alone in my bed; my wife was away working in another town as a paramedic (she does this every 4-5 days on a work rotation); our 3 kids are hundreds of kilometers away living their lives (one of them and his wife has just evolved into satanism). My own father was a mean and angry man, especially when it came to me. He died without us reconciling, (although there was a couple of clues left behind he wanted to happen). I feel very alone and sad.
I will re-read your posting today and I will go out to the church 75 kilometers away and look to encourage someone.
Thanks for your post, me thinks there is a clue in there.
Brad