04/22/2023
A Birthday Tribute to James C. Dobson, Ph.D.
Founder and Chairman of The James Dobson Family Institute
Based on Abraham Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address,”
Adapted by, Jackie M. Johnson, April 2023
Four score and seven years ago,
our founder chairman was brought forth into this world
by Myrtle and James Dobson, Sr. on April 21st in Shreveport, Louisiana.
As a young boy of age 3, “Jimmie” gave his life to Christ.
And he grew in the wisdom, knowledge, and grace of God.
Henceforth, he matriculated at Pasadena College,
and later, the University of Southern California.
With the Lord’s hand on his life, Dr. James Dobson has
touched the lives of millions of people across the globe—
• with his legendary film series
• with more than 70 books,
• as an advisor to the White House for five U.S. Presidents,
• with the founding of Focus on the Family,
• with the Family Talk radio program and
• the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute,
and so much more.
And though Dr. Dobson has earned many awards over the course of his lifetime,
his greatest prize is his family:
his marriage to the wonderful Mrs. Shirley Dobson,
his children—Danae and Ryan, his daughter-in-law Laura,
and his grandchildren—Lincoln and Luci.
Dr. Dobson is dedicated to the proposition
that all men and women are loved by God.
And encourages everyone to come to know the Lord Jesus Christ
as their personal Savior and to “Be There” one day in Heaven.
Now, in America, we are engaged in a great spiritual warfare.
Daily, we are met on a battlefield of culture wars that seek to divide us.
Yet, Dr. James Dobson stands firm to battle these culture wars
with the Truth of our Almighty God.
So, we have come here today to celebrate a man who has dedicated his life
to serving God, to loving our country, and to standing for righteousness.
And we pray that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom –
and that government of the people, by the people, and for the people,
shall not perish from the earth.
We gather today to celebrate the birthday of Dr. James C. Dobson.
It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
The world may little note, nor long remember what we say here,
but it can never forget what our GREAT GOD has done through this man
who has been yielded to his Lord and Savior for so many years.
And so, we march on—with vision and action toward the unfinished work ahead—
dedicated to the Great Commission, for God’s good purposes and for His glory!
