Finding Godly Mentors
What are girls to do if their mothers are divorced or if the father is out of the picture for some other reason? (and there are no other positive male role modles). Had my mother stayed with my father, I would have grown up on welfare or in a worse situation (I'm not kidding) as he drove our family into the ground. How are we supposed to look at them as head's of the household when they were so destructive? I would have loved to have a positive male role model, but that's not possible for everyone
Psalm 68:5 says, "A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is Elohim in His holy habitation." The fatherless and the widow are mentioned so many times in Scripture that it is simply overwhelming. Yahweh knows that earthly fathers often abandon their wives and children and treat them with abuse or contempt. And Yahweh promises to take up their cause and defend them. He also commands His Messianic Assembly/Church to protect and defend the widow, the orphan, and the "stranger." Sadly, the Church is sorely neglecting its role as protector of those whose earthly fathers or husbands have abandoned or abused them. And Yahweh will judge the Church for this neglect. If you just click over to www.gospelcom.net/bible , you can run a search on the words "fatherless," "widow," and "stranger," and I think you will comforted by Yahweh's incredible care for those whose earthly providers have failed them.
Women who do not have godly men to look up to in their own families need to seek out the shelter and guidance of a godly church body/messianic assembly that upholds biblical roles and believes in supporting the fatherless and the widow. And there are churches that do this! St. Peter Presbyterian in Bristol, Tennessee, for example, has put a roof over the head of a mother and four children who were abandoned. They provide for her needs so that she can stay at home with her children and not have to get out and fend for herself. This is "true religion," just as it says in the book of James. Douglas Phillips of www.visionforum.com also has a CD out with a message about providing for the fatherless and the widow, and his church practices what he preaches.
If you cannot find godly, fatherly mentors immediately in your area, seek them out by reading books written by men who honor women and desire to serve them in a Christlike manner. I'd recommend reading "Her Hand in Marriage" by Douglas Wilson and listening to the aforementioned Doug Phillips CD. Checking into those resources will lead you to others.
Most of all, know that Yahweh cares for you and has you in His eye. It is His promise! If there is a way we can direct you to further help, please do not hesitate to let us know. It is our desire at LAF to see the Church fulfill its calling to protect those whose earthly fathers or husbands have abandoned them or treated them shamefully. May Yahweh bless you as you seek godly earthly guidance.
Courtesy of http://pub32.bravenet.com/faq/show.php?usernum=2692425141&catid...
