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Viewpoint from Derek Mill 28/02/2020
 Derek Mill
Worship Leader, All Saints Church, Belton
as published in the Great Yarmouth Mercury
While it may be true that some people do not or did not have a good relationship with their dad I was very fortunate in that my dad was kind and caring, and did so much to help me in my life. His simple advice and financial support as I went into higher education have stayed with me long after his passing, now almost 25 years. I still miss him
It was at a New Wine conference I heard someone begin a seminar with words which deeply affected me: “What good father wouldn't want to speak to his children?” The words, about an earthly father were also speaking of a Heavenly Father, a God who loves us and wants to communicate with us, be in relationship with us. There are many broken relationships in the world, married couples, parents and children, siblings, are all too often at loggerheads and end up no longer speaking to one another, sometimes for years, sometimes until death takes one or other of the parties and then reconciliation is too late
 We lost contact with our Father in heaven when sin entered the world but God had a plan for reconciliation. A rescue mission was launched to restore the broken relationship; God himself would visit the earth and pay the price for all sin, for all time. In dying on the cross, Jesus accomplished this and then did as He said He would and sent His Holy Spirit into the world so we could reconnect with our Heavenly Father
Matthew writes in his gospel: “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:11 NIV)
Luke records in his account of Jesus’ life: “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" (Luke 11:11-13 NIV)
 I like the way the Bible says similar things, but not exactly the same thing; it shows there was no collusion! The writers wrote what they remembered
Christians believe we are created, not only for relationships with one another, but also with our Father in Heaven. God wants to speak to us today. He is a good Father, who loves us enough to send Jesus, His own Son, to die so we could have our relationship repaired
If we listen, pray, He will speak to us
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13 NIV)
Worth a try? It seems to work for me
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