June 21, 2015 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Calling All Dads

I have known some outstanding men during my life, but great dads—they’re few and far between. I have never known a dad that did not believe he could have done better. I consider this the #1 quality of a great father. Great men stand up to be counted; great dads are happy to just keep seated.

I do not consider myself to know what a great dad looks like, but I do know that fathers need a specific set of skills that no one else can fulfill. We know from history that once fathers begin to reject their duty of being a roll-model for their children that society is doomed to fail. I wonder how much longer America will continue in its greatness?

Here are three qualities each dad should have and promote— a story or quote to illustrate that trait:

ü Humor: A father was approached by his small son who told him
proudly, "I know what the Bible means!"
His father smiled and replied, "What do you mean, you ‘know’
what the Bible means?
The son replied, "I do know!"
"Okay," said his father. "What does the Bible mean?"
"That’s easy, Daddy…" the young boy replied excitedly," It
stands for ‘Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.’ (Unknown)

ü Hero: Down these mean streets a man must go who is not himself mean, who is neither tarnished nor afraid… He is the hero. (Raymond Chandler)

ü Honor: The measure of a man’s character is not what he gets from his ancestors, but what he leaves his descendants. (“A good father leaves a character-inheritance to his children’s children” Proverbs 13:22.)

Fathers should not be feared but honored. A Father should be judged not by his strength or stature but by the depth of his love. Fathers cannot determine their impact on the future by their finances but only through the lives of their children.

D.A.D.S. = Doing Awesome Deeds Sensibly

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Steven J. Wentland, Ed.D.O.L

661.248.4008

www.stevenwentland.com www.wwjwmtd.com

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June 16, 2015 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Expedia or Rapture

No one likes ‘bad times’. We like the easy life—we relish things going well. I suppose that is why we plan vacations, take time-off from work, and ‘get-a-ways’ from people. Who doesn’t like a life free from problems, commitments, and those frequent phone calls?

But, we all know life has its ups and downs. Sometimes the downs seem more frequent and in control. I use to look forward to the ‘in your face’ daily problems. I loved to solve those issues no one else could solve. However, now I rather not be bothered with other people’s problems. I have enough of my own to worry about and work on.

God meant for us to have problems (contrary to many theological experts). Jesus said, “We would have problems in this world, but be a good cheer, I have overcome the world.” I am glad He said that—I do not want to be defeated by problems—I like success. Many verses in Psalms express that very hope in Christ.

Nevertheless, we have problems and we always will. Who wants to give up? Who wants the easy life all the time? Money cannot give us that neither being smart. Your and mine success depends not on having problems but on overcoming them.

God said we are like trees—Olive Trees to be exact. I like olive trees, in fact my ranch is called, Olive Grove Ranch. I have been trying to grow Olive Trees for a few years now. It has not been easy and the learning curve has been longer and steeper than expected.

Olive trees require a few specific climate requirements: four distinct seasons with rain & drought, wind & stillness, heat & cold, and sunlight & darkness. You and I need those qualities affecting our lives each year we walk with Christ: times of growth & times of hardship; times of producing good fruit and works & times of no fruit; and times of ‘where are you God’ & times of spiritual renewal/revival.

A wise person understands that and accepts what God chooses for us (this is the fear of the Lord). Proverbs is very clear about wisdom and promotes the realization that to walk with God is to walk (i.e. keep walking) in good times and bad. I look up in the valley when I am on my knees praying, and I look up praising God when standing on the mountaintop. Either way, both are God’s will for my life, but do remember, that the Evil One should never win nor make decisions for me when he shows up in the valley or mountaintop. The ‘easy life’ not in this life, but heaven, I am sure will be easy. I am planning to get there and Expedia cannot make reservations for me.

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Steven J. Wentland, Ed.D.O.L

661.248.4008

www.stevenwentland.com www.wwjwmtd.com

This e-mail, including attachments, may include confidential and/or proprietary information, and may be used only by the person or entity to which it is addressed. If the reader of this e-mail is not the intended recipient or his or her authorized agent, the reader is hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender by replying to this message and delete this e-mail immediately.

Steven J. Wentland, Ed.D.O.L

661.248.4008

www.stevenwentland.com www.wwjwmtd.com

This e-mail, including attachments, may include confidential and/or proprietary information, and may be used only by the person or entity to which it is addressed. If the reader of this e-mail is not the intended recipient or his or her authorized agent, the reader is hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender by replying to this message and delete this e-mail immediately.

June 14, 2015 Grandpa’s Wisdom by Steve the son of John

All Hands on Doing

I did not have a lot of store bought toys as a kid growing up. I had a train set, bike(s), sports equipment but that was about it. I had no TV or phone in my room, but I did have a pet hamster and of course we had tools in our garage that found there way into my bedroom in Fresno, CA.

My parents were not poor by any means but they ‘believed in doing not buying’. My dad made things in our backyard and garage. I spent many an evening in that two car garage watching and working with my dad making pleasure boats, a couple of house boats, and kids’ toys. I made, with the help of my dad, airplanes that I flew around house while holding them above my head. I still to this day remember what I made and what I did with my accomplishments.

There is something magical and useful about homemade items. Today, The Home Depot prides itself on doing projects together with the typical homeowner. I am a believer in building things with my hands more than buying things with my wallet.

If there is anyone thing I would like my grandkids to learn is to make things with raw earthy materials. Not technology driven but project driven. Making things using wood, metal, hand-held tools—things that take time and skill. I want my grandkids to learn ‘how and what’ makes things work, not just using things that work for them.

What makes children successful adults are those who learn to go without and were led or allowed to be creative and resourceful—to ‘make-it’ not ‘buy-it’. When we make things we use for fun, work, or necessity, we learn how things work and how to fix things that break. But more important, we define creativity for ourselves and use kinesthetic and mental skills, thereby become thinkers & entrepreneurs.

If I were a parent again with small children I would buy only those toys that forces my kids to build, make, and create. Painting is good but not graphic computer art. Lincoln logs are great but not prefab plastic model houses. Piecing together boats or airplanes that float or fly from kits with 200 pieces, not molded items that all you have to do is push a button to make them go.

Want to know why America’s educational system is struggling to be as great as it once was—we have made it too easy for our kids. We thought we were helping them, making it easier for them, giving them what we did not have rather than to build it yourself or go without.

‘Let’s start doing’ not ‘continue in buying’. Dads & moms start helping your kids with creating projects using only your hands, especially while your kids are moldable and teachable—let them see you do it. And remember Grandpa’s rule #12, always buy a few Christmas gifts that motivate a child to make & learn rather than to receive and play.

Check out my blog, wwjwmtd.com

Steven J. Wentland, Ed.D.O.L

661.248.4008

www.stevenwentland.com www.wwjwmtd.com

This e-mail, including attachments, may include confidential and/or proprietary information, and may be used only by the person or entity to which it is addressed. If the reader of this e-mail is not the intended recipient or his or her authorized agent, the reader is hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender by replying to this message and delete this e-mail immediately.

June 1, 2015 Monthly Character Series by Steve the son of John

One’s Character & God’s Will

I am always looking for ways to do ‘good deeds’. It’s rewarding and fulfilling to make something or someone better. It will not always be so easy to do nor doable in the near future. While we have time to do well we should take advantage of any opportunity to do God’s will.

It’s important not to just make plans for what I want but what God wants. Jesus said He only does what God wills for Him to do. How do you do this? Can God really show me this each day—I like to know the details ‘to do God’s will’. Proverbs says, ‘the fear of God is to hate evil’, or simply said in layman’s terms, ‘to fear God is to desire God’s will to be done (not evil)’.

I am persuaded that one cannot know God’s will without some important character traits—like true humility, constantly praying throughout the day, wanting to be a better person today than you were yesterday, looking for God in everything one does, and confidence in the hand/arm of God (that is the wisdom of the Holy Spirit).

We will never please God, we will never experience His presence constantly, and we will never change the world around us (that is bringing the Kingdom of Heaven to earth) without knowing and doing God’s will. I think about this often, I pray for this each day, and then look for opportunities to do God’s will.

Sometimes doing God’s will has little significance to others around me while other times it changes everything and impacts everyone around me. I do not look to or take pride in the numerical impact of God’s will—I just look too doing it.

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I like purpose—in fact, I rarely do anything that does not have some purpose to my life and my liberty in Christ. To have purpose is to have life. However, without the liberty Christ has given me there is no God given purpose I can attain too.

One cannot find purpose without finding liberty. Without ‘perfect liberty’ there is only destruction and death. Many people never find who they were meant to be; they never find the purpose they were created for because they never found the liberty Christ offers. Patrick Henry said it so well, “Give me liberty or give me death”. His words were found in Christ (Providence) and the Scriptures (Bible) he believed in.

Notwithstanding, there is another side to this principal—one’s destiny. Many people will find purpose for living their lives but never acquire their destiny. There is a destiny, all of us have in Christ. Destinies are much greater than purpose and greater than who we are. Will I live up to the new name God has for me? Will I find and fulfill my destiny? Do I ask God for it; do I search for it as a “pearl of great price”?

There are examples in Scriptures of individuals that never attained to their destiny God wanted for them and set in place for them before the foundations of the earth. Sadly, they never will receive their ‘full reward’ in heaven. You and I have a destiny—you and I must find what that is and strive for its fulfillment while there is time.

The completion of your purpose and destiny will be found in judgment. God asks us to judge with Him, His judgment. We are to be light in darkness, salt of the earth, and to carry His words via the Sword of the Spirit.

What are your purpose and your path to your destiny—it is always found in executing truth, righteous, and faith found in Christ. Be strong, be bold, be in Christ alone while on this earth. You and I are not to fight against our fellowman but against everything that exalts itself against Christ and all evil found in Satan on earth or in heaven. What good are we if we are not salt—if we do not confront the world around us? Purpose yes, destiny I have found but there fulfillment is only attained in the battle God has placed before me. Be a Noah, be a David, be a Martin Luther, be…”Blessed are you when men say all kinds of evil against you and persecute you for my sake, for great is your reward in heaven…rejoice and be exceeding glad!”

My liberty, my purpose, my destiny, my judgment … my rejoicing!

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I like to drive, always have and always will. I trust in my driving ability, however, my wife wishes at times that she had a couple of pedals on her ‘shot-gun’ side of the car. Nevertheless, some people I trust driving my grandkids around town, while others I trust only if they are driving a tank behind enemy lines.

We have to put our trust in drivers or we would never ride in a car, truck or any public mode of transportation. Flying has become one of those ‘iffy’ modes of transportation for me.

My pastor, Jared, I trust in his driving. He answers for me to God and I trust him for that. I am willing to ride in the ‘church’s seats’ while he is in charge of my spiritual well being. He makes me comfortable and I am willing to ‘leave the driving to him’.

God also likes to drive. Of course, the One who made all things knows what’s ahead and can react quicker than I ever could. However, He will never take the steering wheel from me if I do not give him the option to drive. God does not over-step our will. If we choose to do whatever, He watches and waits. He does not worry, He does not react, and He knows the outcomes and the reasons for our behavior. I want Him next to me when I am driving but it is by far and always better when He is behind the wheel.

A good example of this is the story of Cain and Able. Both men were farmers/ranchers; both were in charge of their lives, both chose what to do and what to bring to God. But, Abel’s choice of outcomes and what he decided to bring to God was accepted and Cain’s was not. Why, God has rules for being in charge of your own life. There are rules for driving and some accept God’s driving rules while others say, “God, why don’t you accept my sacrifice—what I am bringing to you?”

God is not going to accept all of our efforts contrary to many biblical teachers. God is not going to give you a second chance some day. He is flatly going to tell you/us, “Well done” or “Be removed from my presence”. He is not going to accept my ‘in-charge’ attitude if my life does not follow His will and His spiritual guidance.

The Holy Spirit should be such a great friend that you are willing for Him to drive you around—a chauffeur of sorts—just like Jesus and Scriptures say. Without the Holy Spirit in the driver’s seat the church would have never got going—we would be in a ditch by the side of the road in an upside down vehicle. You can trust in the Holy Spirit; besides He is part of the Trinity, the third part of God, Jesus wants us to have.

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