Hi,
This
past Sunday was Father’s Day and I delivered two speeches that day.
I
was honored to be the Father’s Day guest speaker at the historic Shiloh Baptist
Church in Washington. D.C. After speaking at Shiloh, I was blessed to be the
guest speaker for the Iota Phi Theta Fraternity’s Annual Father’s Day
Scholarship event.
In
both messages, I shared powerful research that was sent to me by my friend Jane
Herlong. Jane and I both spoke recently in Charlotte, NC for the National
Speakers Association. When she asked what I was doing for Father’s Day, I shared
my speaking schedule. She volunteered to provide research she had come across on
the impact a father can have on people yet unborn.
She
sent it to me, and I was blown away. It’s called the “5 Generation Rule” and
states the impact, and in this case a father, can have not only on their
children, but also their great, great grandchildren.
The
research was conducted by a gentleman named A.E. Winship. He followed the
lineage of Jonathan Edwards, the great Puritan preacher of the 1700’s. Jonathan
Edwards and his wife Sera had 11 children. Every night, Mr. Edwards would pour
into his children as a group. Then he would spend time with each child
encouraging them and praying with them.
Mr.
Winship’s research found that from Jonathan Edwards lineage came one United
States Vice President, one dean of a law school, one dean of a medical school,
three U.S. Senators, three governors, three mayors,13 college presidents, 30
judges, 60 doctors, 65 professors, 75 military officers, 100 clergymen, and
almost 300 college graduates.
Mr.
Winship also looked at a person who lived around the same time as Jonathan
Edwards, and also had a number of children. But he did not pour into his
children and did not pray with them. His name was Max Jukes and from his lineage
came seven murders, 60 thieves, 190 prostitutes, 150 people who ended up in
prison, 310 who died penniless, and 440 who were alcoholics or drug addicts.
These
two contrasting legacies show how a parent, and in this case a dad, can raise
and nurture his children, to have an impact for many generations to come. I
shared this information at both events, reminding dads how valuable they are and
how important it is to love and pray for their children.
As
we continue to move forward into this year, I hope that Fathers will make every
day a day when they love, nurture, empower and pray for their children.
Plus,
this week we focus on my One Man Show – "Turn Your Setbacks into Incredible
Comebacks!," which has an extended run for three more Saturdays (June 24th, July
1st and July 8th).
Here
are some of the responses from folks who’ve seen the
show: