June 19, 2026, 6:00 PM
Greetings in Christ! I pray you are enjoying a good week so far.
Father's Day is coming up this Sunday (06.21.26). With that in mind, I can't help but think about the importance of fatherhood.
In fact, one of the biggest problems facing our country today is the growing number of "absentee fathers." It's been reported that, today, roughly one in four children in the United States lives without a biological, step, or adoptive father in the home. It seems as if we've moved from a “Father Knows Best” mindset to one where the Father is always the "butt of the joke," to now asking, "Where is the Father?"
What is the fallout from so many of our men failing as fathers? Father absence has been associated with increased risks of poverty, behavioral problems, lower educational achievement, and emotional struggles.
I am extremely grateful that my father, Jim Herriford, was present in my life. He had a pretty stressful job as an engineer at IBM in Lexington, but he never seemed to bring work issues home. I fondly remembered doing many things with him, especially on the weekends! I believe he turned down some promotions at work because he didn't want to be away from home more than he already was.
For the past 11-plus years, I've been his primary caregiver and overseer. I've tried my best to "be there for him," as he was always there for me as a child! It's interesting how life can come "full circle."
Speaking for my Dad, it's been a rough week, health-wise, for my 85-year-old father. He's spent some time in the hospital. This past Tuesday, however, Dad went back to Pine Meadows Post Acute (his nursing home).
We're now utilizing hospice care. It's not an easy decision, but I feel this is the best option for Dad.
Most likely, we are in Dad's last stretch of life. It could be weeks or months.
Facing death can be really scary. It's an intimidating opponent for sure. With those who have taken Jesus as Lord and Savior, there is HOPE!
Listen to what David said in 2 Samuel 22:17-20 as he faced the final days of his life: "He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me."
I thank God for His rescue plan of salvation and that, one day, we will enjoy a "spacious place" with our Lord and loved ones forever in heaven!
Starting next week and over the following two weeks, I am taking some time off from the ministry at First Christian Church.
I desperately need a time of rest and "recharging."
I have been working this week and plan on working up to next Tuesday. During this time, I'll be going down to Florida with my family. I won't go if my Dad is not doing well. However, it looks like he's pretty stable.
This coming Sunday (06.21.26), I will wrap up our messages from the Old Testament book of Proverbs with a Father's Day message on FAITHFUL FATHERS. The Sunday I will be away from FCC, we'll have Wally Rendel preaching for us on Sunday, June 28th.
Lord willing, I will be back to preach at FCC on Sunday, July 5th.
I hope and pray we'll see you again soon. May God bless!
In Him,
Greg Herriford
