Coffin Corner

TITLES

End in mind:  Stir the heart of dads and people toward their dads.  Get moms and dads to spread this around for encouragement and to get facing the blitz for fathers day gift

1.  FATHERS, START THE HEALING

Most all of us have a father wound of some sort or another, especially in our society with so many missing dads and fragmented families.  Admitting that pain is the first step to moving past it.   As soon as we do that, we can do something about it.  I learned a lot about this from my former team mate on the Seattle Seahawks, Steve Largent.  Steve's dad divorced his mom and left the family when Steve was little.  For years Steve buried the pain of the wound and channeled it into his heroic work ethic and football success.  Bitterness was natural...and it only increased when his dad, who had been painfully absent for decades, finally reached out to Steve one year when the Seahawks made the playoffs.  His dad wanted tickets.  Steve was hurt and bitter.  But, Steve's faith in Jesus compelled him to keep growing as a person, and that meant healing relationships.  Finally, a couple years later Steve initiated the healing.  He approached his dad and took the road less travelled.  He actually apologized to his dad for his own shortcomings and lack of respect as a son.  His dad apologized as well and a father son relationship started healing from the wounds of the past.  Don't wait for your dad or son to apologize.  Lead the way with an apology for anything on your end.  Choose to forgive and start anew today.   Face your blitz.    HONOR YOUR FATHER TODAY      HonorYourFatherToday.com               FacingTheBlitz.com

2.  DAD IN THE OVERHEAD COMPARTMENT

We never went to the Super Bowl when I was on the Seattle Seahawks.  Years after I retired they made their first trip to the Super Bowl.  And I made it a special father-son trip for my 3rd son Kolby and me.  We jumped on a United flight to Detroit and pretty soon were fascinated by two fanatical Seahawk fans.  These two young men were brothers in their late 20s.  They were so hyper excited I asked them why they loved the Seahawks so much.  They told me it was their dad.  He'd taken them to every home game when they were little, and they'd watched all the away games on TV.  It was obvious they were gung ho about their dad and crazy about the Seahawks. They gushed that they couldn't be more excited to be going to the Super Bowl, and bringing their dad.  "Cool...where is he?", I asked.  "Oh, He's in the overhead compartment.  We have his ashes in a blue and green urn up there."        Dad's you only have a few years to build a passionate bond with your kids.  You'll probably find a different way than their dad in the blue and green urn did...but you gotta do it.  Be intentional.  Be energetic.  Be enthusiastic.  Find out what they love and build traditions and memories together!    HONOR YOUR FATHER TODAY     HonorYourFatherToday.com                  FacingTheBlitz.com

3.  NO REGRETS...JUST HONESTY

Dads, I want to thank and encourage you.  Don't beat yourself up over the past.  Decide to do your best from this day forward.  Try this game plan.  First, realize that your imperfect dad probably did the best he could with what he had.  Set yourself free and forgive Him.  Next, remember you have a perfect heavenly father, who's love for you is so radical and unconditional that He sacrificed His perfect Son to pay the death penalty that you and I deserve.  Accept that love.  Now, start the healing with your dad if he's alive.  Ignore your dad's faults and initiate an apology to him.  Don't expect any apology in return.  Next, apologize to your kids for where you have fallen short, or missed the mark as a their dad.  Maybe you have not been present, you've not been engaged, you've not been transparent or honest with them.  Maybe you haven't hugged and said "I love you" much.  Get started.  Maybe you haven't given the boundaries and training and protection they needed.  Tell them your faults.  Tell them your love.  Start to do your best, today.  You are the best dad in the world to your child...from this day forward.    GET TOGETHER WITH SOME GUYS, YOUR TEEN or OLDER SON and GO THROUGH STEPPING UP, THE CALL TO COURAGEOUS MANHOOD      MenSteppingUp.com              FacingTheBlitz.com

4.  WILL DADDY BE AT MY WHOLE BIRTHDAY PARTY

My wife and I organized a cool backyard birthday party for our 5 year old son Kolby.  I ran all the outdoor games and relay races.  I had them crawling under army camoflage netting, flopping over hammocks and running around obstacles.  It was serious boy fun.

About half way thru the party though, I had to hug Kolby goodbye, rush in the house, grab my pre packed suitcase and head off to the airport for a speech.    Half a year later, with no prompting and out of the blue, Kolby posed a question he had been pondering to my wife Stacy.

"Mommy, when I have my birthday party this year, will daddy be there for the whole party?"        Dads... We don't have to be there all the time, or at everything event.  But we do need to know how much it matters to them!  We need to keep our word and make the special efforts.

You are the only dad they have and you are a champion to them.  Be honest, Be real, be present, be intentional.  Dads, I honor you and the huge impact you make.    TEAM UP WITH SOME OTHER DADS AND GO THROUGH STEPPING UP, OR CONTACT US SO WE CAN HELP YOU BE THE GREAT DAD GOD DESIGNED     MenSteppingUp.com            FacingTheBlitz.com

5.  HONOR YOUR DAD, ALWAYS IMPROVE

good and not so good about Jeff's dad.  and not so good in Jeff.  Keep learning.   Honor Your Father and Keep investing in your kids.

MenSteppingUp.com                   FacingTheBlitz.com

Jeff Kemp  

FACING THE BLITZ  launched March 24  www.FacingTheBlitz.com - 1 min promo

Vice President and Catalyst for Helping Others

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