On this day in 1910 Father’s Day was celebrated for the first time—in Spokane, Washington.

What comes to mind when you hear the word, “Father”? Some kids have great relationships with their dads. For others, the relationship isn’t very strong. And some don’t even know who their father is.

The Bible says lots about fathers and children. You’ve probably heard, “Children, obey your parents” (Ephesians 6:1). That’s clear but not always easy to do. As long as we are underage and live under their authority, however, we’re supposed to do what our parents tell us to.

Another verse takes a little different slant. Jesus says, “Honor your father and mother” (Mark 7:10). “Honoring” is different than obeying. To honor someone means to respect that person. And honoring doesn’t stop when we grow up and leave home. Adults don’t have to “obey” their parents, but they still need to “honor” them.

The way people see their earthly fathers can determine how they see the heavenly Father. That can be good or bad. A child with a wonderful, loving father will tend to see God as wonderful and loving. On the other hand, a child with an abusive father will have a much more difficult time drawing close to a heavenly Father.

It’s better to think of it the other way around. That is, we should know that God is a Father in the perfect sense—he’s what every father should try to be like. He loves; he disciplines; he cares; he guides; he’s with us and for us. Isn’t that great! That’s why Paul could write, “So you should not be like cowering, fearful slaves. You should behave instead like God’s very own children, adopted into his family—calling him ‘Father, dear Father’” (Romans 8:15).

No matter what your earthly father is like, you can run to your Father in heaven.

Thanks God for both dads.

He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers. (Malachi 4:6, NIV)

To Do

Write two Father’s Day notes, one for your earthly father and one for your heavenly Father. Say thank-you for all that each Daddy has meant to you—be specific. Give the one note to your earthly father, and put the other note in your Bible as a reminder of what God means to you.

Also on this day . . .

This is Juneteenth, the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States.

1964—After a 83-day filibuster, the Civil Rights Act was approved in Congress.

1978—The “Garfield” comic strip appeared in newspapers around the U.S. for the first time.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005).

This is National Picnic Day.

The sun shines bright as a gentle breeze rustles the leaves overhead. You spread the blanket on the soft grass and place the basket in the middle. Moments later, with paper plate in hand and seated on the blanket’s edge, you reach for Mom’s famous fried chicken. But suddenly your leg begins to tickle, so you stop and glance down. There they are—two ants crawling up your calf. Yuck!

Picnics and ants seem to go together. They come with the territory, literally. If we want to enjoy being outside, in nature, then we have to expect nature’s visitors and pests.

Some folks might remind us that the ants were there first and that they have a right to a picnic, too (even on your leg). But crawling and buzzing (and biting) creatures usually don’t fit into our picture of an ideal event.

Actually, in this world nothing’s perfect. Stuff breaks, mosquitoes bite, clothes wear out, hurricanes hit, people let us down, sickness comes, and ants interrupt picnics. And all that imperfection can be frustrating. But that’s a reality we have to live with.

At the beginning, the world was perfect—God created it that way. But when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, sin entered the world, and everything changed. So everyone since then entered a “fallen” world. Today’s verse tells about the terrible effects of sin. It’s not a pretty picture.

Eventually, the Bible tells us, God will remake the world, and it will be perfect again (2 Peter 3:13). Won’t that be great!

Until then, we’ll have to deal with sin and faults and mistakes in ourselves and others and with splinters, blisters, insect bites, weeds, spoiled milk, broken toys, . . . .

But the future is bright! And every day can be “picnic day.”

When Adam sinned, sin entered the entire human race. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. (Romans 5:12)

To Do

Take some time off and go on a picnic with a friend. When you see an ant, thank God for his beautiful creation and for his promise of a new heavens and new earth with no sin or decay.

Also on this day . . .

1873—Susan B. Anthony was fined $100 for attempting to vote for a U.S. President.

1942—Paul McCartney of the Beatles was born.

1983—Dr. Sally Ride became the first American woman in space as she traveled aboard the space shuttle Challenger.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005).

On this day in 1215 King John of England signed the Magna Carta.

The Magna Carta (“great charter or contract”) is thought to be foundation of liberty for England because it sets out principles of freedom for all the citizens. This official document established for the first time that the power of the king could be limited.

A few hundred years later, the leaders of the American colonies wrote their own charters of liberty: the Declaration of Independence (1776) and the Constitution (1787). These documents helped us gain and then keep our freedom.

But many Americans take their freedoms for granted. They love living in a country where we elect our leaders, instead of living under a dictator, yet they don’t vote. They enjoy all the services that the government provides but complain about taxes and may even cheat on them. They appreciate being able to say whatever they like but may try to keep others from speaking different opinions. And they know that freedom of religion is important yet sleep in on Sunday.

All these freedoms are key, but more important is being free on the inside. When Jesus lived on earth, Palestine was far from free. The powerful and cruel Roman Emperor ruled the land. Yet Jesus spoke to his followers and the crowds about being “truly free.” He wasn’t talking about throwing off the Romans or any other earthly ruler. He meant being free from the slavery of sin and death. And he promised that all who believed in him would be released from the worst kind of oppression.

Today, in our country as we enjoy all the freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution’s Bill of Rights, we can still be enslaved and oppressed. We need the freedom that only comes through Christ—forgiveness, eternal life, and the ability to live God’s way.

Celebrate freedom—your “Magna Carta” in Christ.

“So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free.” (John 8:36)

To Do

Take out a sheet of paper. On one side, list the freedoms you enjoy because you live in this country. On the other side, list the freedoms you enjoy as one of God’s people. Then spend time thanking God for all your freedoms, one by one.

Also on this day . . .

This is Independence Day in Iceland.

1703—John Wesley was born.

1885—Speaking of “liberty,” the Statue of Liberty arrived in New York.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005).

On this day in 1858 Abraham Lincoln said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”

More than 1,000 Republican delegates met at the statehouse in Springfield, Illinois for their state convention. At 5 PM they chose Abraham Lincoln to run against Democrat Stephen A. Douglas. Three hours later, he delivered his acceptance speech, highlighting the terrible problem of slavery.

He said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved—I do not expect the house to fall—but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other.”

Some have called this “the speech that changed the world” because it pushed the movement against slavery, leading, eventually, to the Civil War.

The phrase, “A house divided against itself cannot stand,” quotes the Bible, paraphrasing Matthew 12:25 where Jesus was talking to the Pharisees. Politicians, especially presidential candidates, often quote Scripture. Sometimes the phrase is a correct interpretation and application. At times, however, the person is just trying to sound religious, trying to get support from Bible-believing people.

The real test of whether someone believes what the Bible teaches is how that person lives, not just that he or she mentions a verse or two. That certainly was the case with Lincoln. Because of his deep commitment to God and to God’s Word, Lincoln fought to put an end to slavery, for the equality of all human beings.

You probably know many Bible verses, and, hopefully you read your Bible often. But make sure that the verses are more than sound bytes or mottoes. Do what the Bible says—live it!

And don’t assume someone knows God just because he or she quotes him. Watch the person’s life. Then you’ll know how he or she really believes.

And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand. (Matthew 12:25 KJV)

To Do

Look up the “House Divided Against Itself” speech on the Internet and read the whole thing. It won’t take long.

Also on this day . . .

This is National Fudge Day.

1963—Valentina Tereshkova of the Soviet Union became the first woman in space.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005).

This is Smile Power Day.

OK, let’s say you’re heading for school, and you’re running late. The weather’s gloomy, matching your mood. You almost trip near the door and splatter yourself and your books on the sidewalk. Out of breath, you rush into class and plop into your seat. Expecting the worst, you look up and see your teacher . . . smiling! Now how do you feel?

Smiles say a bunch. They welcome and invite us, letting us in on the fun. They brighten a room. We love seeing smiles from a coach, the principal, our parents, and a friend.

Frowns seem to come more easily, especially when we hear bad news or think about our problems and troubles.

Smiles only come when we’re having fun or focusing on what’s good in our lives. Here’s a short list.

• God created you in his image, loves you, and wants nothing but the best for you.
• God sent Jesus to die on the cross for your sins, so you could live with him forever.
• God has given you life and surrounded you with family, friends, teachers, and others who care about you.
• You can think, talk, see, walk, eat, smell, hear, taste, cry, and laugh (or, at least, most of those).
• You have a great sense of humor.

Think about whose day you can brighten. Be a positive person. Lighten up! Smile! Pass the joy!

Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. (Colossians 3:16)

To Do

For a couple of hours today, try smiling at each person you see, even total strangers. Watch their reactions. Most will probably smile back!

Also on this day . . .

1775—George Washington was appointed head of the Continental Army by the Second Continental Congress.

1836—Arkansas became the 25^th U.S. state.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005).