While we were serving at Fort

Wainwright, in Fairbanks, Alaska, we conducted a program at the post chapel

entitled "Dad The Family Shepherd."

I have written about this before

but I just wanted to draw a parallel of how the influence of our fathers

affects our lives in so many ways.

In this program we learned

of how a father affects a minimum of six generations. In other words,

if a father has a good habit it is passed on or a bad habit is also passed

to the next six generations. His personality and how he lived affects

us even from the grave.

Ask yourself, are you becoming

like your parents? There was a book written that sold more copies than

many best sellers years ago.I apologize for not having the correct title

here but it went something like, "Oh No, I have become just like

her." It was all about how a daughter had a very strong mother and

they clashed often, but as she grew older, she became just like her.

I realize society has become

more and more diverse and even crazy at times, but we still emulate, and

are affected by, our parents. God intended for us to have Godly parents

to mentor us and lead us toward goodness and to motivate us to serve Him

and to live in harmony with our fellow man.

With the "fall of man"

this plan has been perverted and consequently we have reaped what we have

sown." What an interesting idea, sowing and reaping. I wonder where

that idea came from?

If I could have become just

like my father, it would have been the joy of my life. I certainly realize

that God made all of us different and has made us in His image and we

must do our own thing, so to speak, in life and all of that, but Dad was

tops in my books.

He had the ability to bring

joy to most every situation. Neither my father nor my mother were, as

they say in the South, "crepe hangers." Have you ever known

people who were "crepe hangers"? These were people who loved

to be down and out and loved funerals where they could be sad and morbid.

Funerals were a place that fit their personalities.

In fact they would look over

the newspaper and go to as many funerals as possible. Often they would

not even know the deceased in the casket at the funeral home. In one church

I pastored, it was in a rural setting and it was interesting the responses

you would get if you would greet them with a simple "How are you?"

They would respond with, "I'm no count."

It even appeared that these

people all had one thing in common their mouths eventurned down on the

ends when they talked. I believe they grew that way from frowning so much

over the years.

Dad also came from a rural

setting but whereever he went, God's joy was there with him.

As I read Scripture, I don't

perceive Jesus to be a "crepe hanger." In fact he broke up every

funeral he attended.

It was very interesting how

Dad's influence affected my life. He and I both were ministers and both

became Army chaplains. We ended up serving in the 3rd Battalion of the

325th Airborne Infantry. When Dad was there it was 3rd of the 325thGIR

(Glider Infantry Regiment), and when I was there it was 3rd of the 325th

PIR (Parachute Infantry Regiment). Mother said we never had a normal family

because Dad crashed planes for a living in the gliders and her son jumped

out of planes in a parachute.

We both married strong Christian

women and believed in getting an education. We both started churches in

different locations and preached the gospel message most of our adult

lives. His philosophy became my philosophy.

Dad still speaks to me and

our family even from the grave. His influence and faith and the joy of

the Lord was such a part of his life that it continues on.

The beauty of the Christian

life dedicated to God is that even if one's background wasnot of Christian

roots, we can startwith a clean slate again and again. Praise the Lord

it is so!

The Rev. Dr. Knox Herndon is

the pastor of His House Community Church (SBC), and a former Army chaplain.

The church has moved to its new location just below Senoia on Ga. Highway

85. Going south on Hwy. 85 you cross Ga. Highway 16; the church is a mile

on the right just below the fire station. If you are not in a church,

visit His House. Church office and prayer line 770-719-2365; e-mail [email protected].