Meanwhile back in 1973....
Fire reminded Dan of the 8 questions:
1. What does it really mean to be a Christian?
2. What part of the Bible should I read to start off?
3. How do I pray?
4. What if I sin?
5. Why do Christian people die of cancer or other stuff?
6. How can I be a better father?
7. How can I be a better husband?
8. Can I go to y'all's church?
Dan reviews the list...again. It was such an honest list of questions.
"Well, let's see which questions we have answered."
"Let's check it out, Danny Boy!"
"How do you feel about #1?"
"Yea, I feel good, but I am still learning."
"Fire, the learning of being what I call: The Me God Wants Me To Be continues as long as we breath!"
"OK. Cool."
"On # 2...You read John. Have you read any other books?'
"Yes, I went back to the beginning. I am on Genesis chapter 37. Joseph has just walked on to the scene."
"Great---that will help us with question # 5, but we will come back to that."
"Dan, I am really learning about # 3."
"Tell me about it."
"Sometimes if I just sit still and focus on God, it is the best prayer I can have! Other times, I feel like my prayers are not reaching too high."
"Fire, the being still is absolutely one of the best forms of prayer! Secondly, we all have trouble at times with the feeling our prayers are NOT going anywhere."
"So, what's up with that?"
"It is one of the mysteries of God! Just keep on keeping on until you get a breakthrough."
"Will do."
"How is # 4 going?"
"Good and bad. When I confess my sins, I KNOW I am forgiven! But, sometimes...I kinda want to cover them up. I want to hide them from God. After a while, I realize I am dumb cause God knows it ALL. So, I confess and I am forgiven."
"That is a sign of spiritual maturity to already realize that. You amaze me--Fire!"
"Really, Danny Boy?"
"Absolutely, Fire! OK, # 8....I am thankful our families are going to church together!"
"Man, I am, too. I do have one question."
"Shoot."
"Bang! Couldn't resist, Ole Buddy. How can I get in the Church Band. You know I play the drums."
"I sure do, Fire, and you can tear them up. Let me check on that one."
"Sounds good, Pal."
"Now, that leaves us with Questions # 7 & 8."
"Yea, I wanna be the best Daddy and husband I can be!"
"I think that is admirable, Fire. Let's look at some scripture I picked out for the answers."
"Good thinking."
"Here are some verses for being a good husband."
Proverbs 18:22 let's us know it is a blessing to have a wife. The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord.
Ephesians 5:25-30 really tells us the importance of the husband-wife relationship.
For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washing by the cleansing of God's word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. And we are members of his body.
1 Peter 3:7 continues to instruct us on the manner in which we should treat our wives.
In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God's gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.
"As you can see, Fire, that scripture came with a verse concerning God answering our prayers."
"This is heavy stuff, Danny. I mean it's good---real good, but can we stop there for today? Let me take this in and we'll talk about being a good father later."
"Sure Fire. I think that's a good idea."
"Well, I sure appreciate this!"
"You are welcome, but honestly it's helping me, too. Plus, I enjoy our fellowship."
With a wide grin, Fire exclaimed, "Me too Ole Buddy!"
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