GospelFlava.com - Articles - Father's Day Feature 2003

Father's Day

Father’s Day reminds us of our own dads and is an opportunity to honor them and reflect on our memories of them.

Especially important to us, as Christians, is that God can use our experiences with our earthly fathers a reminder of His own unchanging characteristics, of His mercy, His love and care for us and his desire to shape us into the way that He is.

In honor of our fathers, we at Gospelflava.com thought about putting together some words on the topic.

Then along came this beautiful instrumental album from award-winning producer, arranger and musician Steven Ford (see album review). The album is a tribute to his own father, Bishop Andrew Ford Sr., and contains a flowing written tribute that is perfect fitting for the occasion. See Steven Ford’s tribute.

Other Father's Day tributes from Gospel artists are presented below. Stay tuned to this page as more artists weigh in.

HARVEY WATKINS JR.

"When I think of a father, naturally I think of my Father the late Mr. Harvey Watkins, Sr., who was the strong point of our family. The love and positive advise he instilled in me as a child through adulthood has been an example for me to refer to when challenges come upon me in today's society."

"A father is the head of the household, but Christ is the head of the father. To be a good father you must first seek God's face."

"To the children, a father might make mistakes in life but, don't focus on the mistakes. Pull out and hold onto the positive character of your father which will make a better parent out of you."

"HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!"

LIL' IROCC
Lil Irocc

"My dad and namesake Big ROCC is my hero and inspiration. Most of the time as a parent you kinda have to love your kids, because they are born to you, but then every so often God brings them to you in another way, like through marriage or mentoring and then you get to choose whether or not you "love" them. So my biggest blessing has been that once God brought us together; my dad chooses to love me and I choose to love him. At this point in my life, I can't remember not ever loving him."

"My dad is big —Shaq size— which makes people think that maybe he isn't easy to be around or to come up to. But he really is a gentle giant,but like a true "papa bear"n he will also protect and defend if necessary. Me and my dad have a kind of Shaggy and Scooby type relationship —best buds til the end."

"Basically, I just love him. Big ups —Pops —"say, who's your best friend in the whole wide world?"

"Happy Father's Day".

BEVERLY CRAWFORD
"Being able to have my father record on two of my albums, means so much to me. It means that we have something together that we can always share with each other, and it gives me the chance to show him how much I love him."

SEAN SLAUGHTER

"I truly thank God for my pops, Alvin Slaughter. I can honestly say there is not a man like him on earth. He genuinely loves people, has a heart the size of Texas, and will do anything for his family. He’s bought us out of absolutely nothing, living in poverty, to being an awesome provider for his family.

And as for me being the only son, there is no other role model that could even compare with my pops. To have my father also be a man of God and a successful minister, I am blessed just to be called his son. I love him very much and he means the world to me. I don’t always show it, but to be like him when I’m older would make my life complete."

VICKIE WINANS

"At first thought, Father's Day brings me thoughts of loneliness and emptiness. My father passed away not too long ago, and this will be my second Father's Day without him here."

"However, I am so blessed to have had over 45 years on this Earth with a father who made me feel like I was the most special little girl in the whole wide wide world, and having 11 brothers and sisters who were all made to feel the same way, that is no small feat!"

"...And with the presence of God, my Heavenly Father, I am still constantly comforted and equipped with THE genuine source of endless, unconditional and pure love that my dad emulated."