What a touching song this is. The love of a good father is a precious gift to children.

The British band Badfinger recorded this song in 1974 but it's still relevant today.

Listen to this song here.

I feel sad for folks who had cruel or absentee fathers. Because of this lack in their lives, they figure God must be like that too. Consequently, they reject him and his beloved son. What joy and bliss these folks miss when they do that.

Scripture has much to say about God being a father to his people. For example, Psalms 68:5 (BBE) calls him, "A father to those who have no father, a judge of the widows, is God in his holy place."

Another verse which tells of God's fatherly love is Psalms 103:13 (BBE) which reads, "As a father has pity on his children, so the Lord has pity on his worshippers."

And because our heavenly Father doesn't want us to turn into spoiled brats, he punishes us when we rebel. Proverbs 3:12 (BBE) reminds us, "For to those who are dear to him the Lord says sharp words, and makes the son in whom he has delight undergo pain."

Though the Lord punishes his adopted children, he isn't a sadist as some atheists think. Luke 11:11-13 (BBE) is Christ's parable about us praying for material needs. "And which of you, being a father, will give a stone to his son, who makes request for bread? or for a fish, will give him a snake? Or for an egg, will give him a scorpion?" If, then, you who are evil are able to give good things to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who make request to him?"

Certain people think God is a child abuser but they forget John 3:16 (BBE) which is Christ's mission statement. "For God had such love for the world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever has faith in him may not come to destruction but have eternal life."

If our Lord doesn't come by Monday, I hope to post about Christians who hate folks who say that tongues and miracles ended in the first century.

Saturday Song: Badfinger, "It's Over"

I'm certain that any child would say that summer holidays are the best. For two whole months, there's no getting up early and going to school. Families usually plan their vacations for July or August since their children are out of school. And judging from all of the folks I know, the summer is when great family memories are made.

The British band, Badfinger, recorded a song about returning home. It resonates with me since I was sent to a residential school for blind and deaf children for six lonely years. Leaving that sterile institution for the freedom of summer vacation each June meant so much to me.

Hear Badfinger's song here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mezhl2erFbc

A day will come when our enforced stay on this planet will be over. For many of us, our exit will be through the door of death. And unlike the folks who aren't believers in Christ, we don't fear it. Paul wrote in Philippians 1:21 (BBE) that, "For to me life is Christ and death is profit."

Neither was Peter afraid of death. He wrote in 2 Peter 1:14 (BBE), regarding his decease, "For I am conscious that in a short time I will have to put off this tent of flesh, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me." He referred to what Christ told him after he rose from the dead.

But there are some of us who will be privileged to see Christ return in our own lifetime. Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17  (BBE), "For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are still living at the coming of the Lord, will not go before those who are sleeping. Because the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a word of authority, with the voice of the chief angel, with the sound of a horn: and the dead in Christ will come to life first; Then we who are still living will be taken up together with them into the clouds to see the Lord in the air: and so will we be for ever with the Lord."

Either way, we are assured of paradise. As Jesus told his disciples in John 14:2 (BBE), "In my Father's house are rooms enough; if it was not so, would I have said that I am going to make ready a place for you?
"

How wonderful then that we are headed for such a blissful rest. Life can be hard but we will receive our reward when we go to our eternal home.

On Monday, I'll tackle the subject of a startling fact I learned from an American preacher currently living in Zambia.

Saturday Song: Badfinger, "Dennis"

Parental love is so special. No matter how bratty a child can get, parents still put up with them and correct them. I remember when I pulled stunts like walking all the way to my dad's workplace, he assured me that he still loved me as my behind ached from the spanking.

Badfinger recorded a charming and touching song about a boy named Dennis and his parent's reassurances to him. I think it's one of their finest compositions.

Listen to the song here.

Sometimes our heavenly Father has to spank us when we stray. Proverbs 3:11 (KJV) reads, "My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:"

But God doesn't chastise us because he's mean. Look at what Hebrews 12:11 (KJV) says. "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."

And as Jesus said in Revelation 3:19 (KJV), "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."

Furthermore, God is like the ultimate father who provides what his children need. Luke 12:30 (KJV) says, "For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things."

So, what do you think of this song and the wonderful things our Father in heaven does for us? Let me know in the space below.

By the way, I'll be posting on Monday about Muhammad and if he was or wasn't a genuine messenger from God.

Saturday Song: Badfinger, "Cary On to Tomorrow", movie version

I'll admit up front that The Magic Christian movie isn't edifying. Even so, it does make some good points. The chief concept is that people will do practically anything for money.

The film begins with billionaire, Guy Grand, (played by Peter Sellers) adopting a homeless teenager (played by Ringo Starr) off the street to be his sun since his wife is barren. They then set out to see how far folks will go to earn some cash.

Hear the start of the movie and the song here.

In a way, Guy Grand's adoption of the homeless man to be his son is like how Christ adopts those who give their lives over to him and follow after him. We're unable to save ourselves from eternal damnation so we need a saviour. As the scripture  in Isaiah 64:6 (KJV) says, "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."

And as Christ declared in John 14:6 (KJV), "Jesus saith unto him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.'"

Better still, we become family members when we yield our wills to his. Look at what Romans 8:15 (KJV) promises. "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."

And this song has special meaning to me since we really need to "Cary On To Tomorrow" as we await our Lord's return. May that day come soon.

So, what do you think of this post and song? Please leave your comments below.