Father’s Love Letter

The Cry of a Father’s Heart from Genesis to Revelation

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad.

Almighty God
Father Heart Communications Copyright 1999 www.FathersLoveLetter.com

My Dad - Part 1

How to begin?

I really wanted to write something of a tribute to my Dad. I have written many tributes to him in one form or another over the years. Sometimes in speeches, but generally on birthday, Fathers Day or Christmas cards.

My Dad is a fascinating person. He was raised as the fifth child in a family that would eventually be home for seven children. His father Dr Harold Whitmore Dart was a Baptist Minister, who I think eventually became the general superintendent of the Baptist Union -- kind of like the Archbishop for Baptist's living in New South Wales. His mother (my grandmother) was Elsie Janet Dart. I don't have that many memories of my grandmother, but from all accounts, she was a strong and determined woman who loved her husband and children very much.

I would imagine that it would have been easy to have 'slipped under the radar' during his formative years. He had strict parents, who clearly loved him, but as number 5 it would have been quite tough to stand out from the crowd. From what I understand Dad wasn't particularly talented at sport -- although he loved cricket. I believe that he was an average student, who didn't really stand out in any particular subject. Also, from what I have learned, he didn't have that much of an aptitude for mechanical or practical things.

Despite these apparent 'shortcomings' Dad had quite a few things in his favour. He was really good with people, he was an excellent communicator in written and oral form, and people naturally trusted him with their secrets. He also had a tremendous personal faith in God; having been baptised during his teen years and being very involved in leadership of the Christian Endeavour movement.

He started out learning chemistry at Sydney University and working in a local pharmacy. He never finished his university education, but his studies and work experience led to a travelling sales career at Geigy Pharmaceuticals that lasted a few years. This role eventually took him to Perth where he met my mum.

What he noticed along the way was that his co-workers readily trusted him with their secrets, often marriage and family related issues. Dad was a good listener, and I am sure that his counsel would have been a help to many.

This natural talent eventually took him into the field of marriage and family counselling. First as a volunteer, then as a full time vocation. Mum played a significant part Dad's decision to change careers, her intuition and faith proving to be a great encouragement to Dad. He has assisted countless people in this capacity over the years.

to be continued...

Funeral Reflections

How good it is to go to a funeral filled with hope and joy. Jean Olive Miller was a woman of considerable substance who lived a fairly quiet and 'ordinary' life; but she made a lasting impression on so many people along the way.

I was thinking about the lessons that her life taught us. She saw so much change over her time at Bridgeway Community Church. From it's beginnings in the 1950's through to the present day.

Her life has taught me:

1) It is good to remember the past, but it is always important to live in the present with an eye to the future. Jean was not a sentimental person.

2) Avoid the arrogance of thinking that our own contribution is somehow more 'special' or 'valuable' than someone else's. Over the years Jean saw so many changes in church leadership -- and a couple of splits. She never seemed to become jaded -- in fact her response to change was to lament why others couldn't find a way to reconcile, but she was always ready to move on. Her hope remained firmly in Jesus -- I'm sure that's why there was always a twinkle in her eye.

Self-deprecation

I listened to a recent talk by CJ Mahaney entitled 'Don't Waste Your Humor' and found it to be quite challenging. Particularly in relation to healthy self-deprecating humour.

The main point for me was that there is a direct correlation between the level of humility in our lives and the ability we have to laugh at ourselves.

It was also interesting to note that where our humour is largely directed at identifying the shortcomings of others, then it may indicate a significant area of pride in our own lives.

On reflection, I wonder whether it could also be indicative of a person who feels so worthless that the only way they can feel good about themselves is to try to bring others 'lower'. I think my Dad used to say something like this to me.

Another Funeral

Scheduled for 2pm tomorrow, this is the second funeral I have been to in as many weeks. This time for an elderly lady in our church whose life was a great blessing to many. Jean Miller will be very much missed. Some comments from our pastor appear below.

Jean passed away peacefully on Monday and is now with the Lord. She served the church wonderfully over the years and in the early days of the Baptist Church was a 'key player'. Jean was a wonderful member of Bridgeway and certainly was thrilled to see the church growing again and filling again with children and youth. Many of us enjoyed regular times with Jean and her keen mind was always a provocation.

Interest Rates

I am getting a bit fed up with rising interest rates, although news reports today suggest that the next move is likely to be downward, and possibly before December.

Belinda suggested I lock our mortgage rates in a year ago, and now I am beginning to wish that I had.  Our budget would not have been quite so tight as it is now.

Uncle John is turning 70

I'm not sure how many nephews will be writing in this rather impressive folio, but here goes nothing – well I hope not nothing – but I do hope that my little something brings back a few old memories of a life in the Forest so many years ago.

Congratulations on reaching biblical maturity. The Bible says in Proverbs 16:31 that "Gray hair is a crown of splendour; it is attained by a righteous life" … I rather suspect this to be largely true of you.

I always felt a great affinity with the Brew Crew while growing up. Angophora Crescent was a bit like a second home. We used to ride our bikes around to visit your home on weekends and during school holidays. I developed friendships with all your children, but most notably with Stephen and Robert at different times. I remember that we could hear Robert from two streets away when he rode his bike to our place. He would come hurtling down Rabbett Street making the sound of a car horn.

You may recall that I have always had a bit of a fascination with words in general, but also with public speaking. You have always seemed to me to be such a 'natural' in this role – often speaking without notes. I remember popping around to your home in Forestville while you were in the middle of a media training course for your role at State Transit. You were explaining how you were trained not to answer specific questions. This was an amazing concept to me at the time; but to this day I still think of you when I watch those frustrating political interviews. Our politicians seem to be the masters of this curious craft.

Fireworks nights at the Brew's house were always a highlight of our annual calendar. This was despite Robert (?) almost taking Grandma's eye out with a 'ball shooter'! I remember being so disappointed when the government of the day decided that we were no longer mature enough to enjoy fireworks responsibly. Looking back, I suspect that my own children's antics with burning sticks and campfires are probably pretty mild compared to what we got up to on firecracker nights in the seventies.

I remember a camping trip to Hill End that you and my Mum organised with us cousins. I can't remember why my own Dad was busy for that weekend, but I recall having a great time. Poor Robert was very anxious about camping; I think it may have been one of his first times away like that. Not sure if it was this trip, but I remember that he desperately needed to go to the toilet during the night, but was afraid to stray too far from the tent. The next morning we found a mysterious brown pile in close proximity to the rear of the tent.

I wasn't there to witness it, but I have it on good authority that during a meal at your place you were 'playing footsies' with Auntie Sylvia under the table. At some point during the course of the 'footsies' session, Auntie Syl got up from the table; in that moment you realised that the legs you were interacting with belonged to someone else. Apparently there was an awkward silence, and the matter was never raised again!!!

Sunday was the day you tried to find some rest in the midst of your busy schedule. We would often pop around after church to find you listening to classical and other styles of music on your big wooden record player. Some days I would watch you paint. I can still hear your tenor voice in my head, particularly during the old hymns we sang at church; from memory you sat in the row behind us.

You were always a very practical man – no wonder you found such an affinity with engineering. I could never quite work out what kept you and Dad friends for so many years. It wasn't just the family ties and the shared history. And I don't think it was the innumerable church meetings you both attended together either. I hope you will forgive the observation, but I wonder if Dad saw something he admired in your practicality; that he knew he would never attain to –- and I wonder if you saw something of Dad's ability with people and relationships that never seemed to come as naturally for you. Whatever the case, it is clear to me that you have both placed considerable value on your friendship over the years.

I remember watching you help Dad with a retaining wall project (the wall still stands to this day) at our home in French's Forest. We used concrete core samples; I think obtained somehow via your connections with State Rail. It was a real treat to ride in the mighty Chrysler Valiant. I think Stephen used to refer to it as 'The Val'. I remember observing your veiled frustration, but seeing that you were also trying so hard to be patient with Dad, as you helped him (he helped you?) begin to build the wall.

I recall that I asked you to make a speech when Belinda and I were married. I think you and Auntie Sylvia also share a wedding anniversary on the 20^th of January? I can't remember the detail of your speech that day, but the key message was that I should seek to 'woo' Belinda every day of our married life.

It was good advice that I have sought hard to follow.

Thank you.

You have run a good race Uncle John. You are set to finish strong! May the next twelve months find you even stronger in your faith, hope and love of God.

With much love, Wes Dart

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you

before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—

to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority,

through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages,

now and forevermore! Amen.

Jude 1: 24-25