The Power of a Father
Yesterday my dad, Neal Hiatt and I went out to eat and check on the harvest at his farm. What is so cool is that he is 93 and still has an active mind. My father was a strong Christian and a great example of the way a “man should live.” He loved my mother so much and devoted his life to her and his children. But that is not the reason for this blog.
Billy Joe Daugherty, my pastor, during the time in the early and mid 80′s, died early Sunday morning and entered Heaven. He and Sharon dedicated our building in Winamac when it was built. He has spoken here in Plymouth at our conference. Billy Joe is well known through his television programs. But again that is not the reason for this blog.
HE WAS A SPIRITUAL FATHER TO ME. It has been surreal this last two days. My wife and I have been greiving as though we lost someone in our family. Not in a bawling way but anytime I take time to ponder or reflect, I weep on the inside. This has been strange because we haven’t seen each other that much the last few years.
I believe it is because of such life he awoke inside me. I owe my very life and existence to him. Just thinking of him has convicted of my personal discipline in the word and prayer. That is the power of a spiritual Father.
The words “My father who art in heaven” has dual meaning to me. My heavenly father and my spiritual father who are both in heaven.
See you soon, Father Billy Joe.
November 26, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Pastor Herb: I read your blog and it blessed me. As you know, I lost my dad(best friend) to cancer several years ago. What a blessing to still have your dad prospering at 93! Wow! I feel your grief in losing your spiritual father. Losing any father, spiritual or natural, leaves such an incredible void in our lives! Especially when they are taken from us way, way to early. But your right, it ultimately pushes us to look inside of ourselves, and push to be the men that they always encouraged us to become. Thank God for that powerful heritage in our lives. The last 9 months I have dedicated my ministry to breathing every once of life I have into my spiritual (sons)and natural son. Why? On January 31st of this year, I fell off a latter at my house. I fell face first, hitting my head on the concrete sidewalk. Bleeding severely from my mouth, nose and ears, I thought my time to go be with the Lord was happening. As I went unconscious several times on the way to the emergency room, I remember my 10 year old son David praying in the Spirit with his hand on my shoulder. I believe it was his faith that kept me semi-conscious! In the middle of all that mess, the Holy Spirit spoke to me and declared that the transfer to the sons (Jehu, Isaac, Solomon, Timothy), for the completion of the building process, was taking place. He said that my time was not finished, and that the enemy was serious about attacking the fathers with his full might! At that moment, He commissioned me, in the middle of my extreme pain, to dedicate my thoughts, actions, and life to my natural son first, and then to the spiritual sons & daughters He had entrusted me with. I’m not really sure why I am sharing this with you, but your blog, and Pastor Billy Joe’s passing stir the fathering calling up on the inside of me like never before. The Solomons are getting ready to build what the David’s could not. There is great warfare over this, but it happening, and its happening now!
November 27, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Fatherhood seems to be my major call now and has been for the last 6-7 years. This John may be our highest call. It is humbling to me because I have under God’s direction handed over Grace International Ministries and the Heartland Churches to Heath’s oversight. This has left me searching for my place. I’m finding that my ministry effectiveness has increased but mostly to sons and daughters. My leadership now is to those who permit me to lead them rather than to those just under me.
Great and wild times ahead. Thanks for such understanding and confirmation on the future. Somehow we have to connect again.
Herb