My Story
My father asked me to update his story, so here it goes. My father met his two “first loves” before I was on the scene, but I’ve heard the stories. He met Jan and Jesus in High School - both encounters changed his life forever.
Growing up I saw my father successfully find time and balance a marriage, 4 boys, work, and staying in shape, while still serving his community and God. I think my Dad would say his secret was to get up early (4:30) and start the day right. Every morning, without fail, my father started the day in the word and in prayer. Followed by his morning workout, he was ready to face every day. Seeing the consistency of faith and the results in his life formed the foundation for my own faith:
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Hebrews 13:7
I learned much about God from my father, in both word and deed. Anyone that’s met Dan has seen the love of Christ dancing in his eyes. Whether he was making balloon animals for kids, coaching at the boys club, helping middleschoolers with tech challenges, teaching teens about the how biblical truth applies to the real world, beating college kids at B-ball, or mentoring men at work or in life - Dan always had time and love for those around him. My father is quick to point out that this is not from any greatness in him, but God’s love and joy flowing through him:
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
The fruit Jesus speaks of is spiritual fruit:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
My father has told me that he hopes that regardless of the outcome of this fight, that God will shine through the circumstances to those around him.
For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 2 Corinthians 4:5
I also thought that I would share a few of the verses giving him strength to fight the good fight:
Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-
who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalms 103:1-5
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Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:18-20
I will probably update this again once as I think about it further, but this at least gives you a glimpse of my Dad.
- Scott