August 13, 2014

Your way versus God's way

August 13, 2014

Joseph Reassures His Brothers¹⁵When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” ¹⁶So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died:¹⁷‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.

¹⁸His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,”they said.

¹⁹But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? ²⁰You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. ²¹So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

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I am not sure about the rest of you, but I truly love the story of Joseph. When I think about God's faithfulness, I am completely amazed at how life and history have unfolded into ways that can only be explained by God. That is, to say, that left on our own accord, life would be hopeless. I have seen musicals and the movie, but each time that I read Genesis I glean more and more through the years. To give you a background in this story, for all intensive purposes Joseph:

Was spoiled
Was not liked by his brothers
Was mistreated
Was betrayed
Was falsely accused
Was put in prison (he was innocent)
Was neglected
Was a dreamer

Through all of this God's provision and sovereignty reigned through and through this true story. Through Joseph's rough life, he encountered pain and distress and anxiety and the like. He probably felt very alone a lot of times and felt depression along the way. Right up until the point that God gave him the interpretations of men's dreams. God enabled him to be the second man in command under just Pharoh. Because of this, God's promise to Abraham was sustained and His way went on to present day - Jesus is alive and sits at the right hand of the Father.

When we start to think that this world is about us and what we want and how it can best serve us - we miss the whole enchilada, that is, we miss God's plans and blessing for our lives. When we live in a secular world that becomes more hell bent on the world's form of truth versus biblical truth (we have grave problems). Life is never supposed to be easy nor should we expect that if we are professing Christ. God loves us! Jesus said that if we bear his name that we will be persecuted.

God knows the plans for us because He is the I AM!

We are not in control, God is.

If God is for us, then who can really be against us?

We need to learn the secret to life: Contentment

What are some ways that you need to give up?

Let Go and Let God!

Blessings,

Dante

August 5, 2014

Leadership, Manhood

Broken Arrow

August 5, 2014

Leadership, Manhood

One of the perks of being a Legacydad writer is a website called RightNow.org in which I can listen to books and messages by various speakers. I am currently listening to the sermon series by Pastor Tony Evans called Meaningful Manhood. Questions like why are we hear and what the men should be doing along their path of manhood. This is a very good sermon series and he begins by quoting from the movie with Mel Gibson "We Were Soldiers" based on a true story of the US Army in Vietnam.[youtube id="TqKLtp6MRv4"]

At one point, when the Colonel is overrun by enemy troops, instead of evacuating the leader from safety, which is want the brass back home wants them to do, the Colonel (played by Mel Gibson) calls for Broken Arrow. From the website www.military.com, we read this, "Before dawn, Moore orders his company commanders to meet him prior to an attack to rescue the still cut-off platoon. Before this meeting takes place, the PAVN launch a heavy attack which shatters the early morning stillness like a huge explosion. The attack is carried out by the 7th Bn, 66th Regiment and the H-15 Main Force Viet Cong Bn. C Company of the Cavalry Battalion bears the brunt of the assault and is soon involved in hand to hand combat. The right portion of D/1/7 is also struck. The code word "Broken Arrow" is sent out over the radio by the Battalion Forward Air Controller. Within minutes, all available fighter bombers in South Vietnam are headed for X-ray to render close air support to "an American unit in grave danger of being overrun". A 3 hour battle that features non-stop 105mm artillery, aerial rockets, and determined American Infantrymen, results in Charlie Company holding it's ground in a stunning display of personal courage and unit discipline. But it pays a terrible price - no officers left and only 49 men unhurt. 42 officers and men killed; 20 wounded. Scores of slain North Vietnamese and their weapons litter the bloody battleground."

When we take a look at our daily jaunts of life as husband, father, employer (employee), church member, citizen then we have to ask ourselves these questions:

Do I believe in the word of God as the whole truth and nothing but the truth?
Do I believe that God is Sovereign?
Do I believe in Good and that there is evil?
Do I believe in Spiritual Warfare?
Do I believe in the saving and redemptive power of Jesus Christ?

If you answered these questions, like me, then you answered yes and most definitely yes to all of them. (if you did not, please private message me to dante@legacydad.com and we can chat further). If you agree, then keep reading please. Jesus Christ calls each and every one of us to disciples - being his disciples. I do not want to mislead you, there is a cost discipleship, no doubt, how we spend our time, talent and treasure will be measured by Jesus Christ at his Judgement Seat.

What are these costs:

We no longer own everything (everything belongs to God)
We no longer have excuses (read Luke 14)
We no longer use terms such as "I" and "Me" (instead we use "May His Will be done")
We no longer are selfish
We have to consider the cost before we can truly follow
We have to not only "hear" the words of the Bible, but he wants us to do what they say!
Doing what is right (even when others do not see what we are doing)!

Sometimes, as men, we get caught into the daily struggles and routines of our lives. The pressures, the stresses, the monotony of life:

We forget to date our wives
We forget to pursue our wives
We need to spend my quantity (instead of just quality) with our kids
We need to be more involved at home and at the church (it's not just about the $$$)

What sin, what circumstance and what situation(s) is holding us back from true discipleship? How can we change this? What needs to be done?

More to follow,

D

August 3, 2014

Christianity 2-0, Leadership, Manhood

What do you struggle with?

August 3, 2014

Christianity 2-0, Leadership, Manhood

This past week my family and I go to this annual bible conference and spend it with my in-laws, my wife's sisters and their kids. I have been staying the whole week for the past 5 years as my wife told me that she truly enjoys having me there and that my kids really enjoy my company as well. My other brother-in-laws cannot attend as they have jobs that don't afford them the extra week that I can take. In either case, the past few years I have honestly connected to the missionaries, the speakers and the worship, but for some reason this year I didn't. It is not to say that they weren't engaging (they were) or that they were good (they were) or that they were walking with God (they are), but I think that it was more my spiritual condition and I had to do a heart check.So on the last day I went for a 6.2 mile run only to be taunted by a large dune that needed to be climbed - so I climbed it and went on a two-mile climb, hike, run and walk through the dune side. I prayed and confessed and asked God to reveal in me what I needed to change along this pathway (aka my journey). Oh wretched soul that I am, thank you Lord for your redeeming blood. I want to qualify that I do pray everyday and I also read Scripture everyday. I try to be humble and I work on my walk (almost daily), but as I returned home from my week up in Michigan, I realized that connecting with God is not His issue, but mine. He is faithful and he is always there, but I am weak and am lazy and have turned more "religious" in routine rather than pursuing a relationship with Him.

I turned my daily walk into a religious routine instead of a relationship. Wake up at 4:00am and check the internet (for work) read scripture for me and pray (not like I used to). Drive to work, pray periodically throughout the day (more for me instead of His will) and I am holding and walking with others and focusing more on them and how to challenge their walk instead of taking the challenges that they present me daily. Don't get me wrong, we do have brutal accountability and we have seen each other's walks improve. However, each day that I have made this more clinical instead of relational I have slid into a spiritual desert. I need to have some honest conversations with three people this week and to tell them about this heart check of mine.

What I am struggling with most this season:

Workload and industry challenges
To much focus on work and "to-do" lists instead of the correct priorities
Me instead of God's will for me
Not hearing from Him like I used to
My prayer life
My journal life
And lack of song writing (I believe this is hand in hand with the previous two on this list)
Some of my old struggles have re-surfaced

What am I going to do about this:

Prayer (more of intentional prayer) and confession

Confess to my brothers (true accountability)

More journal time

More prayer journal time

Perspective

July 27, 2014

Christianity 2-0, Leadership, Manhood

per·spec·tive

[per-spek-tiv] Show IPA

noun

1. a technique of depicting volumes and spatial relationships on a flat surface.

Compare aerial perspective, linear perspective.

2. a picture employing this technique, especially one in which it is prominent: an

architect's perspective of a house.

3. a visible scene, especially one extending to a distance; vista: a perspective on

the main axis of anestate.

4. the state of existing in space before the eye: The elevations look all right,

but the building's compositionis a failure in perspective.

5. the state of one's ideas, the facts known to one, etc., in having a meaningful

interrelationship: Youhave to live here a few years to see local conditions in perspective.

------

The lyrics from Mercy Me will start out this post on perspective:

"I Can Only Imagine"

I can only imagine, What it will be like, When I walk, By your side

I can only imagine, What my eyes will see, When your face, Is before me

I can only imagine, [Chorus:]

Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel, Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still

Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall, Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all,

I can only imagine

I can only imagine, When that day comes, And I find myself, Standing in the Son

I can only imagine, When all I will do, Is forever, Forever worship You, I can only imagine, [Chorus]

I can only imagine [x2]

I can only imagine, When all I will do, Is forever, forever worship you

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I want to focus on the highlighted part of this song:

Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel, Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still

Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall, Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all

Can you imagine with me just for a moment what that really will be like. Imagine, you are in judgement (for those that know Jesus Christ as Savior and our names written in His Book of Life) and for just an instant you flash back and see you whole life: The significance, the ignorance, the pettiness, the surreal, the meaningful and the useless - and then at the very moment that all that we did that did not have God's will in life - is meaningless and will be burned by the the trial of fire.

Imagine if, like me, you say things like:

I could have done better
I should have walked away from that
Why did I let that bother me
Why did I waste so much time on that
Okay, that wasn't that bad
Oh, that is what God really wanted me to focus one
I never realized how many lives were impacted by my witness
I never understood just how important my life was to God
I could have done better

I mean, just think with me for a moment, there is Heaven's Throne Room and the rainbows around throne and the stones and God's brilliant radiance and magnificence and the angels and the saints and all the praises in Heaven. And then, there He is, Jesus Christ, in all his bodily and heavenly perfect form right in front of us. For some he may be a distant reminder, for others a deep and sincere friend and for other's our master, savior, friend, and so much more. His eyes brilliant and piercing right through our soul. Will I be able to speak, will I be able to gaze upon his beauty, will I be unashamed or will I have regret or maybe a little of both.

Oh, how I crave for the words from my Savior, "well done, my good and faithful servant!" Will I hear those words? Or will I hear, did you love me? did you love me? did you really love me? Maybe deep and penetrating questions:

Did you feed my sheep

Did you use the gifts of time, talent and treasure to honor me and do my will

Did you defend the defenseless

Did I take God at his word for pure religion (providing for the widows and orphans and to avoid the ways of this world)

Did I keep my temple pure

Did I pursue righteousness

Did I renew my mind and seek God

Did I witness Jesus to the world

If not, why not? Why do we spend so much time pursuing the things of this world that mean nothing instead of seeking God with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength?

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

"Dear Lord, please reveal to me those things that I need to repent of, please renew my heart and mind to pursue you daily and open my eyes and ears to search for your will and way in my life daily. Thank you Jesus for another day to pursue your will and not mine."

Blessings,

D

July 23, 2014

Christianity 2-0, Leadership, Manhood

The Litmus Test - for every Christian

July 23, 2014

Christianity 2-0, Leadership, Manhood

In Galatians Chapter 5 we read about the fruit of the sinful nature and the fruit of the Spirit. We read about taking stock in our life and our walks and finding out where we are aligned and how we know by what fruit our lives are bearing. This is a very tough chapter, because if we are truly honest with ourselves then we all have to admit that we are all very sinful and that all of us (not most of us) sin every day. Whether in anger, embitterment, lust, or fill in your blank - we struggle. That is why Scripture tells us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.So after each of us read Galatians Chapter 5, take a piece of paper out and draw a line down the middle of the page. On one side write the title Fruit of the Sinful Nature and on the right side write down Fruit of the Spirit. Next, please scroll down each highlighted section of each kind of fruit and check which one you are more aligned with. If you are truly honest and want to be lead by the Spirit then you have to be brutally honest. Once you are done, then tally up which fruit that your life is bearing more of. If the Sinful nature - repent and read Romans 12 and Colosisans 3 and get accountability in your life. If, however, you are more aligned with the Fruit of the Spirit- Praise God and pour into other peoples lives - be the disciple that God calls us to be.

Here are the two categories for your paper:

Fruit of the Sinful Nature:

Sexual Immorality– that is sexually activity or intercourse outside the marriage union. The word pornography comes from the root porneia; thus, sexual immorality comprehensively may include taking pleasure in pornographic pictures, films or writings – Ex. 20:14; Mt. 5:31-32; 19:9; Acts 15:20, 29; 21:25; 1 Cor. 5:1.
Impurity – this is sexual sins, evil deeds and vices, including thoughts and desires of the hearts – Eph. 5:3; Col. 3:5.
Debauchery – that is sexuality; following one’s passions and desires to be point of having no shame or public decency – 2 Cor. 12:21.
Idolatry – this is worship of spirits, persons or graven images; trust in any person, institution or thing as having equal or greater authority than God and His Word – Col. 3:5.
Witchcraft – sorcery, spiritism, black magic, worship of demons and use of drugs to produce “spiritual” experiences – Ex. 7:11, 22, 8:18; Rev. 9:21; 18:23.
Hatred – intense, hostile intentions and acts; extreme dislike or enmity;
Discord – quarreling, antagonism; a struggle for superiority – Rom. 1:29; 1 Cor. 1:11; 3:3.
Jealousy – resentfulness, envy of another’s success – Rom. 13:13; 1 Cor. 3:3.
Fits of Rage – explosive anger that flames into violent words or deeds – Col. 3:8
Self-Ambition– that is seeking power or position – 2 Cor. 12:20; Phil. 1:16-17.
Dissensions – introducing decisive teachings not supported by God’s Word – Rom. 16:17.
Factions – division within the congregation into exclusive groups or cliques that destroy the unity of the church – 1 Cor. 11:19.
Envy– resentful dislike of another person who has something that one desires.
Drunkenness – impairing one’s mental of physical control by alcoholic drink.
Orgies – excessive feasting and revelry; a party spirit involving alcohol, drugs, sex, and the like (having multiple partners, either physically or mentally – both lust and physical)

Here is the Fruit of the Spirit:

Love (NIV) –[agape] - Means “Affection and benevolence – Paul’s three elements of agape love are esteem, devotion and mutuality. Love can’t be commanded. The identical harvest by which plants, animal, and spiritual being reproduces “after its kind”, Love Produces Love.
Joy (NIV) – Inseparable from love and impossible without it. “The joy that was the fruit of the Spirit sprang from a life that was gracious and kind, full of good will, gracious to impart itself to others, glad when they accepted and rejoiced with it, but forgiving, and still singing, when man rejected and persecuted it. To rejoice amid the worse circumstances. (Phil 4:11)
Peace (NIV) – Greek (“harmony”), Hebrew (“shalom”) . The Hebrew word expresses “total well-being,” “soundness,” “prosperity,” “success” that renders a person “well off” spiritually and materially, and made life good and the world safe for goodness (The Interpreters’ Bible, vol. 10, page 567). See Phil 4:7 – Not exempt from storms or shipwreck but by faith knowing you will arrive in port. (Acts 27:21-25).
Patience (NIV), long-suffering (KJV), patience (RSV) – This is a condition for the fruit of the Spirit to be produced. (2 Cor. 6:3-10) Suffering without retaliation, imitating the kindness of God.
Kindness (NIV), gentleness (KJV), kindness (RSV) – I Cor. 13: “Love is patient and kind” Applied to persons signifies “goodness,” ”honesty,” ”kindness,” “excellence of character.” God was rich in kindness, while which he manifested throughout the ages by leading sinners to repentance (Romans 2:4) and Christ kindness of removing the yoke of sin and the law (Matt. 11:29-30).
Goodness (NIV) – The Hebrew word translates to “Goodness,” “righteousness’” prosperity’” and “kindness.” (Romans 15:14) The Christian must not only be good, but be good for something: to let his light shine, to be worthy of his call and his calling, to teach men the knowledge of God, and to bring the ideals of the Spirit into fruition in everyday life. The Interpreter’s Bible, 1953, Vol. 10, Vol. 10, page 568.)
Faithfulness (NIV) , faith (KJV), faithfulness (RSV) – See Gal 3:11 (Hab. 2:4)(You can’t have one without the other – believing and doing) Believing without doing God’s will is as impossible as fruit bearing when branches are separated from the vine. The Interpreter’s Bible, 1935, Vol. 10,Vol. 10, page 569.)
Gentleness (NIV), meekness (KJV), gentleness (RSV) – “Modesty,” “gentleness,” and “courtesy are flavors of the fruit. Christians must estimate himself soberly, count others better than himself and treat them graciously as Christ has treated him (Rom. 12:3; Col. 3:13)
Self-Control (NIV), temperance (KJV), self-control (RSV) – Guarding for temperance and self-control. Guarding against drunkenness, reveling, all flesh-works, not giving free rein to one’s impulses and desires, lawful or not lawful. Everything to Paul is subject to three teat: Is it constructive? Is it helpful? Is it to the Glory of God (Cor. 10:23, 31)

Now that you have surveyed your fruit - here is the time to be honest.

What did you come up with? Where do you have to go? What do you want God to do for you (ask him).

Thoughts?

Dante

Please note that I borrowed the Fruit from these two places from www.google.com: Fruit of the Sinful Nature and Fruit of the Spirit.

July 21, 2014

Christianity 2-0, Leadership, Manhood, Parenting

Rock Climbing and Discipleship

July 21, 2014

Christianity 2-0, Leadership, Manhood, Parenting

This past Friday when I arrived home from work, my wife was packed and car was loaded up and she and her girlfriends were on their way to a weekend trip with just themselves (no kids nor husbands in tow). She was excited and I was excited for her. She was curious to what I had planned all weekend for my three kids and I, but I would not budge in telling her and relying on pure social media for her to figure out as the time progressed through this weekend. For each of my kids I had planned on giving them a date, event or time to plan the event and they all performed beautifully in their assignments. I had each of them pinky swear that they would not tell their mother or each other.So after Mom left, we changed and drove the movie theater for surprise #1: The Movie: Planes. Afterwards, surprise #2 was dinner at the choice of my son. We had a great time of fellowship and talking about their life issues and dad even got a chance to talk to both of my girls about when they date what they should expect from their dates and how the male should be expected to treat them while dating. It was a good conversation and a great dinner choice by my son.

The next morning was surprise #3 by my youngest who chose a different breakfast then the kids were used to (and all 3 loved it). I have to be honest in saying that I was remiss for missing my weekly men's bible study, but soon quickly enjoyed the moment and how much fun my kids were having during this wonderful weekend. Afterwards, we drove to the nearest Ace Hardware as dad had a few items to repair around the house and had to cross off some of my own "to-do" lists - they were completed (oh yeah!). We then drove to our previous hometown as I had to pick up a clock for my dad (Antique). We then got some coffee and then I surprised them with my #4 event for the weekend - Rock Climbing.

The best part about this was that it had been a very long while since all of them climbed and after the first climb (they reached the top every time they climbed), but I was reminding them to make sure that at all times that they had 3 points of contact (unless they were taking a break and relying on the spotter for rest). I told them also to use their legs more then their arm strength and told them to think about each of their next moves up the wall. The following climbs, thereafter, became more and more difficult but each of them found their own niche on not only completing the task, but also learned that even when doubt creeps in that they could still do it as God had provided them with the mental and physical talent to complete each climb.

This got me thinking about this post and how rock climbing can relate to being a disciple of Jesus Christ.

So here it goes: How Rock Climbing relates to being an effective disciple

Rock Climbing (relating to being a disciple of Jesus):

You need the proper gears (shoes, harness, rope, helmet, Caribiners, Belay device): <you need your Bible, Prayer, the Body of Christ, and to rely on the Holy Spirit to lead you>

You need someone to Belay you <you need to do ministry with someone else - at least two by two and in community you need the entire body of Christ>

You need faith to trust the equipment that you have been given -without Faith and trust in what you have, it would be an effective Climber <you need faith to be an effective disciple of Jesus Christ

You need to look up to see where you are going and what is the best course of life <you need to look to God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit for guidance>

Some Safety Tips along the way:

Saftety Tips <related to discipleship>

Be careful and alert. <be careful and alert>
Use the right kind of equipment. <read the Bible, learn it, memorize it and pray with it>
Seek professional instruction. <seek the Lord's instruction>
Take a class, hire a guide or go with an experienced climber. <get involved in a mini-church, men's group and accountability>
Don't overexert yourself. Stay within your limits. <learn to rest, God taught us to rest on the Sabbath - we need margin in our lives>
If you're injured, wait until you're healed before climbing again. <if injured, give yourself time to heal>
Avoid areas where there is a lot of loose rock. <avoid areas where sin is prevalent>
If you displace a rock or drop a piece of equipment, yell "Rock!" to warn others. <if you encounter sin or temptation, yell for help, sing praise and worship and call a friend>
If someone else yells "rock," don't look up. You don't want to get smacked in the face. <if someone else yells at you to avoid sin, don't keep going don't go that way>
Test foot and handholds before using them. <test everything and examine yourself along the way>
Don't climb in bad weather. <don't climb and reach in story seasons - know your limits>
Watch out for birds, snakes or other critters residing in handholds. <watch out for old sin habits, demons and spiritual warfare>
Always safety-check your harness, rope, belay device and knots before climbing. <always safety check your disciple equipment: The Word, Prayer, Accountability and so on>
Wear a helmet when climbing outdoors. <wear the helmet of Salvation in daily spiritual warfare>
Know and trust your belayer. <know and trust your Savior>

What are some of your life lessons?

Be Blessed,

D

July 18, 2014

Christianity 2-0, General, Leadership, Manhood, Parenting

Sons & Daughters

July 18, 2014

Christianity 2-0, General, Leadership, Manhood, Parenting

Romans 8:14 (NIV) 14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.2 Corinthians 6:18 (ESV) 18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

When you really think about the two verses listed above, it is really hard to grasp. Think about it. If you are like me, then you have kids and no matter how much they screw up, cause rifts and just like to whine - they are still my children and I will love them no matter what. I would die for each one of them (including my wife) if I had to. I love them, they are my family.

I think Christians sometimes have a really hard time grasping exactly what God did for us through His Son, Jesus Christ. He sent His Son to die for us and to be the perfect sin-offering for our trespasses. He loves us and did, in fact, die for us! That being said, there is no more that is needed to be said - through His death and resurrection, we are made new and are righteous and counted as sons and daughters because we have been engrafted into God's family - AWESOME!

There is nothing we can do to earn this - God chooses us!

There is nothing that we can do to lose this - Once Saved - Always Saved!

Scripture tells us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling - this is for our pathway to sanctification through humility.

For some of us, the word family (or for that matter, Sons and Daughters) can be very painful. Divorce, death, singleness, fill-in your blank, some of our definitions for family and or God may be painful memories. I cannot fix this now do I challenge that this blog can do that - it can't. What I can do for you is turn you to the source that can (God's word - the Bible and Prayer and His Son - Jesus Christ) - Get to know them - they will never let you down.

What are some of the things that you have taken from this? What would you add?

Let me hear from you (what do you want to read about),

Blessings,

D

July 13, 2014

Christianity 2-0, General, Leadership, Manhood

The Disciples Code (borrowing from the Navy SEALs code)

July 13, 2014

Christianity 2-0, General, Leadership, Manhood

I continually am impressed and deeply moved when I look at the soldiers who put their needs behind the needs of others and give selflessly toward others (toward country) believing in freedom and what their mission is. After watching Lone Survivor (for the second time) I am completely speechless at the sacrifice that these men put out everyday that they serve from this shore or to foreign shores to serve our God and country. I can only hope (and find it my civic duty) to make sure that the politicians who put them at risk deeply consider their decisions and that they MAKE SURE that wherever and whenever they put our troops at risk that they make sure that they have the full support and wrath of our support troops, equipment, armor and air support to protect these mighty warriors, regardless of image or what other countries may think. When we are at war, may public image be damned in order to support these soldiers who die for our needs and way of life (FREEDOMS given to us by our forefathers who put God and Country in the same sentence).That being said, I re-worked the SEAL's code to write a proposed Disciples Code (thoughts?):

The Disciple’s Code

Loyalty to God, Jesus and Holy Spirit
Serve with Honor and Integrity On and Off the Spiritual Battlefield
Ready to Lead, Ready to Follow, Never Quit
Take responsibility for your actions and the actions of your teammates
Excel as Spiritual Warriors through Discipline and Innovation
Train for Spiritual Warfare, Fight to Win, Defeat our Savior’s Enemies
Earn your crown of life everyday

Disciple of Jesus Christ

In times of spiritual warfare or uncertainty there is a special breed of disciple ready to answer our Savior’s call. A common Christian with uncommon desire to succeed.

Forged by adversity, he stands alongside our Savior’s finest special brothers and sisters to serve God, His church, and protect our way of life.

I am that man.

My Bible is a symbol of honor and heritage. Bestowed upon me by the heroes that have gone before, it embodies the trust of those I have sworn to protect. By reading the Bible I accept the responsibility of my chosen profession and way of life. It is a privilege that I must earn every day.

My loyalty to God and family is beyond reproach. I humbly serve as a guardian to my fellow Christians always ready to defend those who are unable to defend themselves. I do not advertise the nature of my work, nor seek recognition for my actions. I voluntarily accept the inherent hazards of my profession, placing the welfare and security of others before my own.

I serve with honor on and off the spiritual battlefield. The ability to control my emotions and my actions, regardless of circumstance, sets me apart from other men.

Uncompromising integrity is my standard. My character and honor are steadfast. My word is my bond.

We expect to lead and be led. In the absence of senior leaders I will take charge, lead other disciples and accomplish the mission. I lead by example in all situations.

I will never quit. I persevere and thrive on adversity. My Savior expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger than my enemies. If knocked down, I will get back up, every time. I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my disciples and to accomplish our mission. I am never out of the fight.

We demand discipline. We expect innovation. The lives of my disciples and the success of our mission depend on me – my spiritual skill, biblical proficiency, and attention to detail. My training is never complete.

We train for spiritual warfare and fight to win. I stand ready to bring the full spectrum of God’s Spirit power to bear in order to achieve my mission and the goals established by my Savior. The execution of my duties will be swift and violent when required yet guided by the very principles that I serve to defend.

Brave disciples have fought and died building the proud tradition and feared reputation that I am bound to uphold. In the worst of conditions, the legacy of God’s Disciples steadies my resolve and silently guides my every deed. I will not fail.

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When it is all said and done questions to ask ourselves:

Why are we here?
Who put us here?
What does God want from me?
What does God require from me (of my time, talent and treasure)?
If I am saved (freed from sin and death) then how can I thank Him by best leading my life here forward?

What do you think?

Blessings,D