Tomorrow marks the birthday of the most dedicated Christian man, magnificent father, exemplary husband, and...my HERO. His wife, three daughters, and son of course already know these things; however, because one of the most notable qualities of my father is humbleness and meekness, his wonderful Godly character isn't talked about enough. As Kristin said...when I begin thinking about my father's Godly heritage, I begin to cry in appreciation for him.I know my father would not like for me to exalt him or tell ALL of the SO many things he has done for the Lord, so I will not...too much. :)
He has faithfully served every possible way in the church...from deacon, to bus worker, to church treasurer, to Sunday school teacher, and many many other things. I remember my father taking me with him door-to-door witnessing/soul-winning and driving us kids to store parking lots on many Saturday mornings to put tracts on every car in the lot. I have never seen my father leave the house without gospel tracts in his shirt pocket. I could fill up a book with all the stories of lives my father has impacted and led to the Lord. For an example, my father recently received an email from a man he used to work with over 20 years ago. This man wrote to my father to thank him for witnessing to him so long ago and planting the seed and not giving up on him...because eventually he DID turn his life over to Jesus Christ, got saved and has been serving in his local church ever since. My father has a heart and burden for missionaries and has worked behind the scenes to help so many of them. The story of how MY father came to accept Jesus Christ as his personal Savior has been featured on a radio program called “Unshackled!”. It is a radio ministry that began in the year 1950 out of Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago. This radio ministry tells the true stories of people's lives and how they accepted Jesus Christ and got saved. In 1950, the first story featured on this radio program “Unshackled!” was Billy Sunday's.
I love you, Daddy. Thank you.
Happy Birthday!
8 comments:
I am one who can testify that the faithfulness of your dad and my husband led me to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. We were married for 14 months before I trusted Christ, and during that time daddy took me to church when ever the doors were open. The Lord put us in an apartment right around the corner from a wonderful Bible preaching church. It took a prideful person like me, hearing the Word for that long, before I finally desired salvation more then anything else. If it had not been for daddy's faithfulness to attend church, I would never have gotten under conviction. Why the Lord chose me to have the privilege of being his spouse is one question I am going go ask our Saviour when we get to heaven. Praise the Lord. When I think of God's love for me even when I was lost it brings to life the verses: Ephesians 2:4-7 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
I would like to wish this godly man, a happy birthday! God bless you for the life you have lived as an example and TESTIMONY to all those that you touch! Have a wonderful day. Thank you Candance for sharing this tribute with us.( sometime we just HAVE to do things that make them a little uncomfortable!!)
One of my favorite things about Daddy is that he doesn't have to say a word about himself...all you have to do is be around him for a few minutes and you can tell what kind of a man he is. I remember when Candace and I were little girls, we would always tell Mama that we wanted to marry someone just like Daddy when we got older. She would laugh and say, "Well, there are no other men like your Daddy." Daddy may not be a big talker, but one thing all of us kids know is that we can call him anytime and talk to him about absolutely anything. All of us kids have done stupid things or had things in our life that were bad, and Daddy was the first person we called and talked to about it. I remember so many times that if I had just listened to Daddy, I would have saved myself a whole lot of heart ache. But when you're young, you are stupid and think you know everything. Now that I am older, I realize and appreciate the value of having a father who is such a wise, Godly man. I know that the most important thing in life is having the approval and blessing of our Heavenly father, but the second best thing I can think of is having my earthly father be proud of me. I love you, Daddy!
I can also testify to the christ-likeness of Granddaddy Bentley. He has been an unmatched role model for me on the proper Bible blueprint for being the head of a household, and he has the absolute best sense of humor of anyone I have ever met. Thank you Granddaddy for being someone I could look up to and be discipled by. We hope and pray that you have a wonderful birthday, and that the Lord will keep you in good health for many years to come!!
What can I say, Daddy. There are sometimes when I am driving in the car by myself, that I just say outload, "Why? Why did You allow me to have such wonderful Godly parents? Why was I given the privaledge to have a father who gave his whole being to his wife and four kids." It was only when I got to college and started hearing other friends and roommates talk about their loser dads did I start to realize how few and far between daddys like my daddy really were. My roommates and I would get into discussions and they could not believe that I had never seen my dad flirt or look at another women. They could not believe that I had never seen my dad watch a bad movie. Their mouths dropped open when I would tell them of how he would turn the station when ANYTHING questionable would come up on the TV station. There are so many of the people I have come across that have blamed their actions on their parents' bad influences. Well, I can honestly say that I have NEVER seen my daddy do ANYTHING in my whole 26 years of being that I could use against him or say that he "messed up". But hey, there are a lot of good people out there. So is it really that big of a thing that my dad has lived a "good" life. Well, heres the thing. My dad used to be "bad". If you spend a little time with his mother you will hear about some of these things. So here is what makes me sooooooo proud and soooo thankful to Jesus that he got to be my father. I think that daddy has had to get up every single day of his life since he became a Christian, and commit and surrender every part of his body to Christ. I remember those early morning hours when I would sleepily get up and go the restroom and I would see my dad reading his bible or praying. I know what he was doing. He was not only praying for me, but he was asking God for His help and power to live the kind of life he did. So Daddy, thank you for showing me, that it can be done. Thank you for showing me that, with God in total control of your life, you can live a truly blessed life and be used by God, for an example to your family and to everyone that you come in contact with.
My testimony of Grandaddy Bentley is mostly from the Godly children that he raised, especially my wife Kristinah;and for the welcome that was given to me to be a part of his family. I also have heard through Kristinah of how a wonderful father he is and great testimony of a true Christian that I know Kristinah looks up to. Which gives me a wonderful roll model next to Christ to encourage me to daily.
Happy Birthday.
Jim, I have really enjoyed all the time we have spent together talking. I feel overwhelmed that God has blessed me with a future father-in-law that not only do I truly enjoy being around, but that as young Christian man, I have the opportunity to learn so much from. After getting to know you and reading the comments here about the testimony and impact you have made and are still making on people's lives, I feel honored and truly blessed that God has allowed me to be a part of your family. When I sit and think about how God has blessed me with Kathryn and then on top of that a father and mother like you and Anne, I feel like my cup runneth over. I am looking forward to all the years to come. Happy Birthday, Jim!
Boy what a great birthday...afraid you all have over did it a little bit...but all those nice kind words and thoughts about yours truly causes my heart to overflow with appreciation to our GREAT SHEPHARD...because if there is anything positive in this black sheep's life it is because of the LORD JESUS' great love, great mercy, amazing grace, tender compassions (that are new every morning) and HIS endless pursuit to rescue me while I was running as fast as I could away from HIM.
Then HE blesses me with such a loving family...such JOY HE showers on us!!! I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth ...IIIJohn 4
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