"Dadisms" - Changing from the Inside Out

I grew up without a dad, but I had plenty of surrogate dads - as well as my mom - who showered me with "Dadisms", those words of wisdom that just keep on giving! I'll admit, some are more useful than others. Phrases like “Can't' never did nuthin" littered my childhood.

In the past few days, I've ran into some Dadisms that have really caught my attention.

. . . "Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking."

. . . "Fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out."

. . . "If you preach, just preach God’s Message, nothing else."

. . . "If you help, just help, don’t take over."

. . . "If you teach, stick to your teaching"

. . . "If you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don’t get bossy.

. . . "if you’re put in charge, don’t manipulate."

. . . "If you’re called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond."

. . . "f you work with the disadvantaged, don’t let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face."

and a few more . . .

. . . "bless your enemies, no cursing under your breath."

. . . "laugh with your friends when they are happy, share tears when they are down"

. . . "get along with each other, don't be stuck up"

. . . "make friends with nobodies, don't be the great "somebody"

. . . "don't hit back"

. . . "discover the beauty in everyone"

. . . "don't insist on getting even, God will take care of the judging."

. . . "if your enemy is hungry, buy him lunch. If he's thirsty, give him a drink. You'll surprise him with your goodness."

The best thing about these "Dadisms" are that they came from my actual father - the one who made me in His own image. The Dad who always has my best interest at heart. The Dad who is always there for me when others fail.

Who said the Bible is an old book without any practical use today. From where I stand, it has never been more relevant.

Check it out, Romans 12, The Message.