creator

The Perfect Papa

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , , , ,


And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”   Galatians 4:6

______

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”   Romans 8:15

If you were blessed with the ideal father in your life, consider yourself especially blessed. Most of the rest of us had to deal with the dysfunctional results from the relationship.

Yes, our dads may have been a good provider, but a lousy listener. They may have protected us from outside harm, but abused us within the four walls of our home. They gave us opportunities to play sports, but never attended a game. They gave us room to grow and experiment, but never provided us with boundaries to keep us safe.

As kids growing up we saw our dad from our little viewpoint. But now as mature adults, we recognize they did their best. They also may have grown up in a messed-up environment. And like most of us, they didn’t want to repeat the same mistakes their dads did with them. So, they swung the pendulum to the other extreme.  

The fact is there is no perfect earthly dad. We are all a work in process. We all carry spiritual holes and have psychological strongholds buried deep within us. So, we do the best we can with who we are at the time.

In my youth, I was ashamed of my old-fashion, immigrant dad. He didn’t speak the native language. As kids, he rarely played with us. He was always working. He never was interested in my world. The result was built up anger that carried into a greater need of receiving outside approval in life.

Enter Jesus.

HE introduced me to HIS Father. Papa God. (Abba is the Aramaic word for our English word papa or daddy). The perfect father that every child needs. As our relationship grew, Papa God introduced me to various other men in my life. Men who reflected Papa God’s character. Men who took personal time to mentor me in business, relationships, and masculinity.

Over time, Papa God opened my eyes to see my earthly dad as the real man he is. A man who reflected the character of God in more ways than I recognized at the time. A man who trusted Papa God before I did. Yes a man with weaknesses. But a child of God with strengths. A man who trusted HIS God. A man who took the opportunities presented before HIM and built a successful life for his family. All without the worldly fanfare and noise. But now known by the personal lives he touched.

Papa God is more involved in our personal lives than we may ever know. As we lean on him in prayer, we develop a more meaningful relationship with the one who has adopted us. As we support HIM with our actions and resources, HE finds time to encourage us. Equip us. Engage us. He is always available to take our calls. Listen to our concerns. He will even give us advice when we ask. HE is the perfect father.

I hope you take time to know HIM. HE is the perfect Papa every man and woman needs.      

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

Aspirations and Writings Neatly Bound in Book Formats: (* indicates audio version now available
at Apple Books)

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Who Done It?

Dr. Mike 2024 , , ,

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”  James 4:8

How can you prove someone is alive if you can’t see them?

Children make up imaginary friends; so why can’t adults? Could God just be a delusional fantasy to explain away questions we can’t truly answer?

My wife and I enjoy watching “who-done-it” detective shows. The good ones keep you engaged by throwing out small clues throughout the film. After the culprit is caught, you look back at all the loose ends which led to their capture. You never see the act being committed, but all the clues eventually point to the person.

In the beginning for many, discovering God uses the same “who-done-it” approach. 

We have a vast material universe. Matter dies. According to science, what dies also must have a beginning. How did the universe begin? What caused it to appear? Who done it?

In studying how the universe operates, science acknowledges the fine tuning of all its functions. How gravity, light, oxygen, movement, placement, and a long list of specific laws keep the universe operating so well-tuned. For example, the planet earth is so specifically tuned to allow life to exist. What are the probable stats that all this fine turning is the result of chance? Who done it?

When you study the DNA code in the human body. A specific language which programs the body to function as it does. For such a program to exist requires a programmer. Language code doesn’t just appear so finely tuned. It requires a coder. Who done it?

How does the human heart determine what is right from wrong? How is it people from different continents who never met have similar standards of human interaction? Where does objective moral truth come from? Who wrote the moral code for humanity?  Who done it?

Death is undeniable. People are born into this world and people die. But when someone is brutally killed, buried for three days, and arises from a grave, how does someone explain it? The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a historical documented fact. As strong, if not stronger, than any other known historical fact. So, who done it?

You can deny the facts. Or you can collect the evidence and look for the one who done it.

As you seek HIM, you will find HIM. The Bible reassures us. As we draw closer to HIM, HE draws closer to us. He is closer to you than you realize!

The evidence points to HIM. Now is your turn to make the move toward HIM!   

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

Books By Dr. Mike:

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Why Have You Made Me Like This?

Dr. Mike Bible Life Questions , ,

 

But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Romans 9:20 ESV.

potter 2

You are one of a kind. There has not been nor will be another you. You are distinctly designed, gifted, and empowered for the work God has prepared beforehand specifically for you (Eph. 2:10).

When you compare yourself to others without the light of God, you may be easily led a strayed. Humans like to compare themselves with each other to make themselves feel more important. It is the outcome of insecurity and immaturity. Generally, the importance they place on themselves is measured by the value system of this world’s gods. This value system may have truth blended within it. However, the system is broken because the center-base is not the Creator and Sustainer of Life.

Most often this question is asked by people outside of Christ. For when a person begins to understand who Jesus is and that our identity is found IN him, than that person longs to discover how he may best serve His King. He doesn’t focus on his human condition, resources, or position in life. Instead, he learns to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit.

Through the Spirit’s leadership, one learns to walk in harmony with the God who made and sustains all things. She begins to witness miracles in their life. They watch as hearts are changed and blessings are poured upon them not because of how they fit into the world’s way of doing things, but because God abundantly cares for them.

Instead of focusing on what one doesn’t have, one’s health, one’s financial challenges, or one’s family situation, we begin to focus on the Triune God’s work. We pray and seek His will, His purpose, and His season. We discover a life of adventure and bliss. Not as the world pursues it, but as God designed it to be.

You were created for more than what your dreams, desires, and ambitions will eventually realize.  You were born to be reborn into the inner house of the Family of God. Today we learn through our daily routines how and what that means. Tomorrow we will take our training and expand our role into the universe. Yes, God knows why He made you, you. Are you ready to find out what that is?  I dare you.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Does a Friend need some Encouragement…Share Today’s Message!