A boy was asked what his dad was good for. He had a number of answers:

"A dad is good for putting worms on a hook. He is good for telling your great-aunt you don't want her to kiss you in public; for helping you with your homework for about two years after your mom gives up; for explaining to your mom why it's not such a huge crime to tear your pants sliding into second base; for showing you how to tie a tie—when your mom makes you wear one; for letting you run the power mower while your mom is sitting on the porch praying; for telling you the meaning of words you're too embarrassed to ask your mom about; for carrying you when you are tired and your mom won't stop shopping; for driving you where you want to go, especially if you can teach him not to talk much after you're thirteen and your friends are in the car."

Apparently dads are good for many things. That's why our nation celebrates Father's Day every year, and why our church does as well. And we should.

Fathers have the enormous privilege and responsibility of modeling God to our children. A father is the pastor of his family, their spiritual shepherd and leader. I want to help us fulfill this calling well.

But I also want to talk with those whose fathers were not spiritual leaders in their home. If this is your experience, I want to help you. Jesus was the only child to choose his father physically. But you can choose your father spiritually.

So let's learn how to be godly fathers, and how to choose them.