Happy Birthday, Dad!

In my senior English class, we were studying the concept of altruism (I do not remember for what reason). We were given an assignment to write about someone we believed to be truly altruistic. The way I remember is that there was a pyramid whereby someone was found to be truly altruistic at the top. We were to give supporting arguments along each step of the gradation as to why we believed this person had achieved the highest honor of being considered truly altruistic. I'm sure many of the students picked presidents, civil rights leaders, athletes and others. I chose my father. The teacher tried to convince me that you have to be "great" to be truly altruistic and no mere man could fit all the criteria to reach the top of the pyramid. However, I was able to write a convincing argument to the contrary. Websters defines altruism as the unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others. Anyone who knows my father, knows that he is certainly altruistic. And he is no "mere man." But more than his unselfish regard to his fellow man, is his supreme devotion to his God and his King!


Spurgeon's Morning and Evening for today describes Dad's devotion pretty well.

"'Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp' Hebrews 13:13
Jesus, bearing His cross, went forth to suffer without the gate. The Christian's reason for leaving the camp of the world's sin and religion is not because he loves to be singular, but because Jesus did so, and the disciple must follow his Master. Christ was 'not of the world:' His life and His testimony were a constant protest against conformity with the world. Never was such overflowing affection for men as you find in Him; but still He was separate from sinners. In like manner Christ's people must 'go forth unto Him.' They must take their position 'without the camp,' as witness-bearers for the truth. They must be prepared to tread the straight and narrow path. They must have bold, unflinching, lion-like hearts, loving Christ first, and His truth next, and Christ and His truth beyond all the world. Jesus would have His people 'go forth without the camp' for the own sanctification. You cannot grow in grace to any high degree while you are conformed to the world. The life of separation may be a path of sorrow, but it is the highway of safety; and though the separated life may cost you many pangs, and make every day a battle, yet it is a happy life after all. No joy can excel that of the soldier of Christ: Jesus reveals Himself so graciously, and gives such sweet refreshment, that the warrior feels more calm and peace in his daily strife than others in their hours of rest. The highway of holiness is the highway of communion. It is thus we shall hope to win the crown if we are enabled by divine grace faithfully to follow Christ 'without the camp.' The crown of glory will follow the cross of separation. A moment's shame will be well recompensed by eternal honour; a little while of witness-bearing will seem nothing when we are 'forever with the Lord.'"

Thanks, Dad, for teaching me so many things. I recall one Sunday morning in church that you were putting your offering into the offering plate before services started and I looked at the amount on the check. Astonished, I asked you why in the world would you give so much money to the church (I think it was only about $50)!! You proclaimed, "The Lord has blessed me with this money. It is my honor and my duty to return it to Him for the work to be done on this earth for His eternal kingdom."

I can only say that you're the best! I consider it to be one of the greatest blessings that the good Lord has bestowed upon me to have a man like you as my first teacher, my lifelong supporter, my daily joy and my eternal brother! I pray for the Lord's richest blessings on you today and for many days to come! Happy Birthday! I love you!