Father’s Day was a sweet eye opener for me – I have reached a new stage as a father. What am I talking about? My daughter got me just what I wanted; a push broom for the garage. My wife also bought me what I needed; new windshield wipers for my car. My new stage in life is where I receive very practical gifts for things currently needed.

The reason I am bringing up Father’s Day is because it is something I share in common with many of the men at Knox. Recently in my Sunday Hebrews class, we were studying about consequences that we pay when our behavior is not paying honor to God. As fellow Christians, we sometimes act as if our Lord doesn’t care about sinful and repeated behavior. Oh, YES, He does! The church is responsible for being ambassadors of what a Christ-like life really is about. Scripture guides us into the knowledge of holiness and how each of us can make a Kingdom difference in the hearts of lost people.

On the fourth of July we focus on the freedom that Americans enjoy. As I seek to be a good father to my two kids (Noah and Chloe), I remind them often that they can freely choose each day to spend time with Jesus in scripture and prayer. They are now old enough to make those decisions on their own. But it does not mean that parents should give up spiritual encouragement to our kids and grandchildren. Let’s make it a priority to ask them what they are learning about God and His Son, Jesus.

—Fred Daniels, Director of Evangelism & Discipleship