.

Celebrating Great Dads

Michael T. Dudley Father Husband Apostle Business Consultant

A Word from the Editor and Publisher....

Thank you for viewing Habakkuk Publishing’s “Happy Father’s Day” online magazine. In it you will find pictures of our “Featured Fathers”. Being a great dad takes dedication, commitment and hard work. We salute you and your efforts to elevate the position of fathers everywhere.

In our magazine you will find all kinds of fathers, from all walks of life. Dustin Felders is an acting coach who works with Hollywood actors, Dr. Lewis Walker is an educator and has taught at Western Michigan University for many years and Pastor Wade Hooks became a first-time published authors just a few years ago. The common thread that flows between each of them is the love that they have for their child(ren).

You may be aware of President Obama’s Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative program. Their office was soliciting articles from wives on the subject of what having a husband and father in the home meant to them. I submitted an article. To my surprise I received a call from the White House, expressing their appreciation for what I had written. While I did not speak to President Obama (I am going to meet he and first lady Michelle soon) I was pleased, nevertheless, to receive such a wonderful call. You will find the article further along in the magazine.

I am committed to helping fathers to realize the tremendous need that this world has of them. That being said, Enjoy! Happy Father’s Day.

Andrea L. Dudley

Melvin Robinson

Pastor Tony Weatherly

Pastor Wade Hooks

Pastor Chris Jones

Honor Less Beard Lessley Beard Ralph Dudley

I talk and talk and talk, and I haven't taught people in 50 years what my father taught by example in one week.

Mario Cuomo

Apostle Richard Brown III

Japan

Pastor Warren Curry Jr & Family Bishop H. Eugene Bellinger

The greatest gift I ever had came from God, and I call him Dad! Anonymous

I wanted to say Happy Father’s Day to Wil-

lie M. Jones. He is my second brother out of

four siblings. Willie has been a part in the

success of each one of his children. In a time

when fathers’ being home is applauded,

Willie has been home and involved. He sets

a standard of godly principles, high expecta-

tions, and love for his kids. In doing so, 3 of

his kids have degrees, one working on it,

and another pursuing a music career. I want-

ed to let him know that his brother is just as

proud as his children!

I wanted to take the opportunity to say Happy

Father’s Day to my friend, Kenyon Hall. Ken

has shown a true love for his son since I’ve

known him. Ken has made the transition from

Detroit to Charlotte, NC and has managed to

deal with the adjustment of a new life while

consistently keeping his son at the top of his

list. Ken takes his son to school on a regular

and finds many activities for both to enjoy. I

wanted to let him know that it does not go

unnoticed!

Daddy will be celebrating 80 years of life this

December, but you would never know it to see

him. You know how people say that they have

a 12 year old going on 30 years old; my Daddy

is a 79 year old going on 35 years old. He has

always had a foreword thinking mind and phi-

losophy regarding life, which shows in his phy-

sique and attitude. Despite all that has happened

in his life, he has a resilience that is admired by

all who come into contact with him. I Thank

and Praise My Heavenly Father for my Daddy,

and I pray continued life, health and strength!

Happy Father’s Day Daddy! I Love You, Cal

Tommie Lee Bedford Sr. Kenyon Hall

Willie M. Jones

The Cooks Men

Jessie Cooks, Lil David, David Cooks, Wil Cooks

Tyrone Bedford

What can I say about my brother

Tyrone? I remember when we were young growing up (high school

years), and his having to go with

me places (where he didn’t want to go, but Mama made him!:-), and

being thankful that although I was

older (by 1 year), he was bigger and taller and could look out for us!

Just like he was there for me, he is

there for many others, and has grown up to be a “fine man!” As a

husband, father and son, he has ex-

hibited stability and dedication. May God continue to shape and

mold him, as he continues to set an

example. Happy Father’s Day Ty, and I Love you! Your Sister Cal

When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had

learned in seven years. Mark Twain

Pastor Robb Stancer and Family

Dr. Jerry Williams Pastor Thad W. Jones &

Timothy

Marvin Ballinger

"My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother; for they will be a graceful ornament on your head, and chains about your neck" (Proverbs 1:8-9).

I want to appreciate Solo

Kgasoe as my husband, my

pastor, my best friend ,the father

of my children and the father of

congregation. Happy Father's

Day! I thank the Lord for your

leadership and example. You

provide for others, insuring they

have the resources they need.

You keep us from harm's way

and make sure we are safe and

secure and you are always

praying for us to reach our

potential and become all God

intends us to be.

Pastor Aggy Kgasoe

Dustin Felder

Dr. Lewis Walker

Dr. Larry MackDr. Larry MackDr. Larry MackDr. Larry Mack

America’s First Father

President Barack Obama

Isaiah Johnson Jr. & Isaiah Johnson Jr. & Isaiah Johnson Jr. & Isaiah Johnson Jr. & Daughter IkaleanDaughter IkaleanDaughter IkaleanDaughter Ikalean

Pastor Solo KgasoeSouth Africa

Jimmie BarnettIn a world of hero worship, my dad has

been my only hero. As a young man estab-

lishing my own family I realized that the

person I wanted to be like most was my

dad. The way he related to family, his

laugh, his depth of discernment, and his love for all people showed me what man-

hood was all about. If I could be half the

man...you know the rest! Kwameh Barnett

Pastor Gerald Overall

Elisha Ben Yitzhak

"A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society."-- Billy Graham, Christian Evangelist

Dr. Jeffrey Chapman

Michael, Solomon and Princeton Dudley

My thoughts on President Obama’s Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative

Taylor

Hegan

Eddie

Metcalf

Elder Roger

E. Moore Sr. Your loving wife Terri

Roger E.

Moore Jr. You mom Terri

Robert

McClelland

Derwin

McKinney

Bob

Gross

Byron K.

Odem-Shabazz

Kwameh A.

Barnett

Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts about our

President's fatherhood and mentoring initiative. I am thoroughly convinced of the necessity of this program.

According to two national surveys by the National Fatherhood

Initiative, nine out of ten parents believe that there is a “father absence crises” here in America. In order to combat this crises

we must proactively re image the role of fathers in the home

and in the lives of their children. We must lift up the image of fathers in our world and help fathers to understand the value,

stability and well-being that they bring to the family.

I cannot imagine life without my husband, the father of our 3

children. He is our protector, our strength and leads of our

family with me closely by his side. We can always count on him to do what's best for us and to provide support, comfort

and encouragement. He is always there to cheer us on,

speaking words of life. No child should have to grow up without the sense of security that a loving, kind and caring

father provides. My heart weeps for the child who has never

experienced such love.

Children need the blessing of their fathers. Fathers bless their children through touch, words, affirmations, and by spending

time with them. Everyday when my husband walks in the door,

after getting home from work, he greets our children with a strong manly hug and tells them that he loves them. The words

that a father speaks to a child will produce either life or death.

“Baby Girl, I'm proud of you” he'd say to our daughter who is

now married and a parent herself. My husband also loves spending time with our children. He actively participants in

school activities such as field trips, band concerts and dances.

Finally, my children receive daily “life lessons from their father.” He gives them instruction, correction and guidance and

teaches them right from wrong. His life is a living epistle and

speaks loudly. He's a praying man. Often our children hear their father praying as he walks on the treadmill. They see the

need for having a relationship with Jesus Christ. He takes good

care of his body. They watch how careful he is about what he puts in it. He models for them positive behavior of which he

hopes will influence them.

The President's fatherhood and mentoring initiative is of dire

necessity and I support it wholeheartedly. If we are to see

father back in their rightful places in our homes we must support this initiative.

© 2011 Andrea L. Dudley

Pastor Marvin Miles

The Word To Live By!

Malachi 4:6He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse. (NIV)

Psalm 103:13As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; (NIV)

Proverbs 3:11-12My son, do not despise the LORD's disciplineand do not resent his rebuke,because the LORD disciplines those he loves,as a father the son he delights in. (NIV)

Proverbs 3:32For the LORD detests a perverse manbut takes the upright into his confidence. (NIV)

Proverbs 10:9The man of integrity walks securely,but he who takes crooked paths will be found out. (NIV)

Proverbs 17:24A discerning man keeps wisdom in view,but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth. (NIV)

Dr. Clavon Byrd

Rennie Kaufmann

A fathers shoes are hard to fill -Andrea L. Dudley

Order a copy of

Game On; Becoming a Man

Who Pleases God on our

web site.

Watch our television show

online at

www.globalempact.org. It

may be viewed on demand

24 hours a day.

A Father's Blessing www.torahbytes.org

All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is

what their father said to them when he blessed

them, giving each the blessing appropriate to him.

(Bereshit / Genesis 49:28)

Shortly before Jacob, who was also called Israel,

passed away he took the time to formally bless

his twelve sons. The giving of a father's blessing

is not something that most people are familiar

with in our own day. I am aware that this has

become more popular in some circles, but my

guess is that most people wouldn't understand

why something like this is important.

There are some people who think that our lack of

receiving blessing from our fathers is the cause of

many problems in our lives. Concepts like "the

father wound" attest that there is a great need in

our hearts for good relationships with our fathers.

The movie "Field of Dreams" has had a profound

effect on many people, especially men. "Field of

Dreams" is the fanciful story of a middle-aged

man who, having never reconciled with his father

while his father was still alive, is given an

opportunity to do so. The popularity of such a film

reveals how many people there are who never

received their father's blessing.

Our fathers have a special role to play in our

discovery of who we are in life. That is why a

father telling his child statements like "You'll

never amount to anything" has such a

devastating effect. On the other hand, a father

who lovingly affirms his child is giving him a solid

foundation towards developping into a healthy,

well-adjusted adult.

But if current trends continue, more and more

people will grow up without a father's blessing.

Not only that, many will grow up with no

relationship to a father at all. Some will not even

have a biological father as science paves the way

to make fatherhood obsolete. The result will be a

level of lost-ness in the hearts of people that has

never before seen in history.

You might be someone who fully understands all

this. You long for your father's blessing, but have

no hope of ever receiving it. Maybe your father is

no longer alive. You know that stories like "Field

of Dreams" are only for books and movies.

Maybe your father is alive, but the nature of your

relationship is such that you believe he will never

bless you. Maybe so.

Thankfully whatever your relationship is to your

biological father, there is another Father, who

longs to bless you. God, the Heavenly Father,

has the ability to heal the father wound in you.

What was only fantasy in "Field of Dreams" can

become reality – not that you will be able to

satisfactory address every unresolved issue you

have with your earthly father, but the greater

Father can mend every broken part of your heart.

This is not to say that we should not hope for

resolution with our early fathers. In fact allowing

the Heavenly Father to heal us will most likely be

the beginning of healing with our natural dads.

God's desire is for us to have good, healthy

relationships with our natural parents. It is true

that due to our broken state, we will not see every

relationship flourish the way they were meant to.

Still, if we would receive God's blessing, we will

begin to see even our broken relationships in a

new light.

P.O. Box 871074 • Canton, Michigan 48187

734.772.2079 •

habakkukstories@yahoo.com

www.globalempact.org/habakkuk_publishingAndrea L. DudleyCEO/Habakkuk Publishing