What kind of Father are you?

What kind of a father are you?
Do you deserve the best Dad’s award?
Let me ask you a few simple questions,
To see how you have scored.

Are you selfish or sacrificial?
Do you have a loving heart?
Do you treat your child as special?
What wisdom do you impart?

Are you gentle and giving?
Have you nurtured them well?
Do your children feel encouraged?
Or do they shrink when you yell?

Do you discipline with firmness?
Are you always fair and lenient?
Have you taught them right from wrong,
To make them morally obedient?

Have you been reliable to trust?
Protective and dependable?
Does your child feel your support?
Are you always there, accessible?

Have you been a present Father,
Been there when you were needed?
Or were you absent and reserved,
With their wishes left unheeded?

Are you friendly and forgiving?
Or are you critical and cruel?
Do you parent them with kindness,
That will grow them to be successful?

Are you compassionate and caring?
Do you make your children proud?
Is your relationship strong and open?
Are you always fun to be around?

If you have failed some of these questions,
Take heart, for it is never too late.
Let the love of your Heavenly Father,
Make you a Dad your child will celebrate!

Life is like Rugby

 

I first wrote this poem after watching South Africa win against Scotland in Edinburgh in 2012, but I was inspired to edit it after hearing Mark van Pletsen include some Rugby phrases in his sermon 'Mine' on Sunday at Life Changers Church - Milnerton.

 

Life is like a Rugby game,
You need to play it as a team.
Keep your eyes on the ball,
And play it with self-esteem.

Claim the ball when it’s yours,
Hold it tight so you won’t drop it.
Rejoice when someone scores, 

Celebrate with praise and Spirit.

You can't control the ball's bounce,
Or where the ball will chose to land. 

But play it using God's rule Book,
Even when you don't understand.

 

When you’ve claimed the ball,
Look for an opportunity gap.
But if there’s none, just pass it on,
Don’t let selfishness be your trap.

Don’t let distractions block your view,  

Keep playing strong until the end.
Watch for your every blind-side,
Stand tall when you need to defend.

We all have our special talents,
Some score a try, and can convert.
Some are skilled for drop-kicks,
Whilst others can heal the hurt.

Don’t get weary or lose hope,
Keep sight of your game’s ball,
Be there for support as props,
And play your best in every maul.

God is our Head Referee,
But He never makes mistakes.
He alerts us of our penalties,
And redeems us with retakes.

Our Church leaders at our sides,
Help us to see all of our faults.
All our fouls we hide and mask,
And the opponents that we insult.

Let Jesus be your medic,
To help heal you when you're hurt.
He can teach you the right way to play,
And give you water when you thirst.

So engage your scrums and tackles,
With praise and worship prayers.

For that is how you win the victory,

When caught in the opponents snares.

There’s no such thing as luck,
For the game’s been set in stone,
You decide with which team to play,
For you don’t play the game alone.