Building on Foundations of a Legacy

To continue on Gary's theme of leaving a legacy for our children or for children who have no dad's (and/or mom's) to leave a legacy, I would like to talk about themes that have been going on in my life as of late.  

As a Men's Ministry Leader, for whatever that is worth, I have the privilege and honor to talk with men and to really get down to the "nitty and gritty" in their lives with them.  I want to be specific and tell you that I am talking about Christian men here and not unsaved and lost men.  That being said, there has been some things that have hit me hard as of late and I am struggling with them as I persevere through trial and tribulations.  Themes like:  Men cheating on wives and Men failing to lead their families and Men not being serious about their faith.  How about, men not being happy with the preaching - saying things like, "their Pastor does not preach expository preaching or they say that their church leaders are more 'Christian-Lite' then really preaching the truth.

The hard part that I have about this is that, to be honest, all circumstances are different and therefore some details may be different.  However, in fairness to leadership (Pastors, Elders and Deacons), wherever these individuals go, it is my belief that they will find fault in the institution that they go to.  You have probably heard the saying, the problem that I have with church is all the people.  Simpy said, but more to the point, it should be said that I have problems with all the sin.  We so often forget to love the sinner, but not to love the sin.  In Galatians 6 we read that God is not mocked and He is a holy God.  We also read in Mathew 18 and other portions of Scripture that if a brother (or sister) is caught in sin that we should rebuke them gently and go and talk to them.  To encourage them to repent and to lift them up.  If they refuse, then we should bring another witness or two and if that doesn't work to bring them into the congregation- if that doesn't work then we are to turn them over to the devil in hopes that they will be broken to the point of repentance.  Upon their repentance, then we are encourage to restore them back to fellowship.

As for those that complain and or are bitter about the lack of preaching and or the lack of expository preaching then I would encourage them to read and memorize Hebrews 13:17 and to read and memorize the entire book of James.  That is, to say, that these leaders (teachers and pastors) that mislead or do not lead in the way that they should be are called to a higher level of judgement and will have to give an account for their actions.  I would encourage them to talk with leadership and to stand on Scripture the way that John Calvin and Martin Luther did against tyranny and unbiblical truths.  

Here is the thing, at the Judgement Seat of Christ, I cannot say to God that Lance, or Gary or anyone else was the reason why I was a bad steward with my gifts and talents.  

There is a whole lot more to say, but with this, what do you have to say?

Let me know,

Dante

Where do you get your daily news fix today – and where did you get it 10 years ago?

PROVERBS, TUFF LOVE, MODELLING, PRAYING

I just have to toss something out to you Legacy Dads from early morning reflections. It’s simple and has been prodding me all day. Caught an email reply from Don who I had saluted in an email for the powerful interview I had with his son, now 21 and a front line missionary in his second year of Arabic language learning.

His father is a poster dad for creating intentional legacy. He is one of today’s most effective business-as-missions leaders. Son, Pete, says that dad was there lots in the young years (they all lived overseas), less in dad's more vigorous world-changing years and as the father-shaping need grew less. But, he said, around age 17 just before he left for college in the States, the sit-down chat included a reference to The File. It was finished. Pete never saw The File but knew it existed. It was his mom and dad’s organized plan for principles, activities, and truths of living they wanted covered before releasing the two sons. The File had transformed the hearts and the flesh of two young lives. But now it was finished.

Here’s what’s for us dads and grand dads who recognize the legacy we hope for is not alone in sound doctrine or proper church manners, but in holy lives imparted intentionally with care, caution, love, and prayer.

Here is Don’s response back to my question about the secrets to his successful fathering. This was nearly his entire email reply, in true laconic form:

"Not sure what to write on fathering. I spent a lot of time in Proverbs with the boys, was tough on them, but always explained my actions. The rest was just modeling. And praying."

Gary
(site) www.generationalfathering.com , (blog) www.newseason.us

Simply Said

Mathew 5:5: "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."  Psalms 37:11: "But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace."  

Why is it easy for us, as men, to get caught up in all the details of worldly desires?  How do we let ourselves get angry with our brothers and eventually cause ourselves to slip?  

If we are walking in the light of God's ways and decrees then truly the ways of this world will grow strangely dim and our life's purpose will be to serve and grow in Him.  

This past Saturday, I had the privilege to attend a men's bible study at our church and one of our facilitators is apprenticing another gentlemen.  He empowered this gentleman to lead this particular Saturday and we did a study on meekness.  As a matter of fact, there was a wealth of information from men all around the room.  As we finished up the hour (from 630am to 730am) he concluded that through Servanthood and obedience that we would bear the fruit of the Spirit and we would grow spiritually.

It is better for men to be given a little and be counted as righteous, then to have more of this world and be in the company of ungodly men.  When we find meekness, this is a character trait that is not weak, we find inner peace.  We find the peace God within us.  The morning bible verse that I get emailed to me said this:

Today's chapter: Psam 140

 

"Keep me, O LORD, fromthe hands of the wicked; protect me from men of violence who plan to trip myfeet."  Psalm 140:4
 
There are people out therewho desire to trip us up and make us fall; and, there are evil spiritual beingsout there whose sole plan is to trip us up and make us fall.  As a childof God's we know that we can turn to God, as the Psalmist did, and ask Him toprotect us from those evil plans.  Is there anything going on in your liferight now that is evident of the enemy's attempt to trip your feet?  Haveyou asked God to protect you from the evil plans?


The point is:  Would you rather have God's favor or the favor of evil men?  The profits of evil men if it where to cost you your soul?

To me, even when I stumble, the answer will always be:  To choose God!

. They have that which is better than wealth, peace of mind, peace with God, and then peace in God; that peace which the world cannot give, and which the world cannot have. God knows the believer's days. Not one day's work shall go unrewarded. Their time on earth is reckoned by days, which will soon be numbered; but heavenly happiness shall be for ever. This will be a real support to believers in evil times. Those that rest on the Rock of ages, have no reason to envy the wicked the support of their broken reeds.

GMC and Dude Perfect both say, “Never say never.” What seemingly impossible goal would you like to achieve in your lifetime?

RIDE ALONG WITH US ON THIS GRAND JOURNEY

The journey started today. It's the one whereby grandfather Taylor, "Popi," joins Taylor, age 12, and his dad on the rough and wonderful trail to the manhood ceremony of age 13. It's called various things around the world, "Rite of passage" is a popular one and it is a ceremony embraced by cultures anchored in ancient roots and, yet, even if primitive, is compelled by grand hopes of leaving a good legacy.
The event today was Taylor's first Journey Letter from Popi. These are short life sermons delivered sometime on Thursday for a Friday read-and-think. Taylor has the weekend to chat with Dad and Mom and, maybe, younger brothers about the content and the application.
I'll post the first one in the next couple of days. Let's see how he responds. I'll guide him to this blog for his response which is about to take on a new, wild, full, exciting generational whoopila. Father, Father, son, three generations to bring to focus the lessons God had provided us through His World and through the lives we can gratefully say He's guided.
The first title? “The Story.” All the lessons to follow come under The Story, His Story, the one He/They wrote in the Counsel of the Godhead just for Taylor before time began...for such a time as this.

[Post note: Taylor had the flu this week. He managed a horseback ride--he's quite the natural horseman--but not a dialog with his grandfather. No surprise there. I'm sending him installment two, nevertheless. You'll see the first two before my bride and I take off to the naval station beach for a week (taking our home on wheels we live in full time). Then, we'll head up to the family.
Don't want to bore you with our "little" personal stories. But, if they are as stimulating to Legacy Dads, let me know and I'll post them now and then.]
Gary (my revived blog: www.newseason.us )

Are you 'Po (Poor)? Or are you Rich in Spirit?

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxSKEsNzamE&hl=en_US&fs=1&&w=640&h=385]

 I am not one normally to put a 7 minute you tube video on this blog unless it really warrants pure religion (James 1:27) or if it truly brings home a point.  This morning in church, our main message was the full presentation of Pastor Carey who turned down double his Salary to follow God's call and move to Detroit, Michigan in order to be obedient to God's call.  When God calls you, are you going to stay in the "huddle' or are you going to get out of the huddle and go and make disciple of all nations?

Tell us what you think!

Dante

What are we here for?

Seriously?  What are we here for?

What is my purpose in life?

What is God's will for me?

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Do you ever find yourself asking these questions?  Do you ever find yourself doubting yourself?  If you are a child of Christ you can count on a few things:  1) Your life no longer belongs to you, but to God.  What you do with that gift of mercy and grace is up to you.  2) Once you have aloud the Lord to Lord over your entire life, then you can rest assure that nothing or no one can ever take you away from Him.  3) Your life, as a Child of God, will bear fruit of the Spirit.  3) At some point in your life, if you are walking with God, you will face trials and you will face tribulation.  How you come through it is up to you and your attitude.  4) You will never be tempted with more than you can handle.  5) God is always faithful 6) Repeat number 5 out loud.  7) At some point people we love will die (including ourselves).  8) This life, that is but a vapor) will only lasts for a little while.  In case you haven't figured it out - we are in a race (not a sprint, but a marathon).  How we choose to finish this race (called life) is completely up to us.  You can walk in obedience to God, by reading his word, praying and submitting to Church Authority without making their life a burden (Hebrews 13:17).  

If you find yourself serving two masters (this World and the ways of this world, which are not of God OR serving the Lord Jesus Christ) then you are divided and your heart is not completely on Christ because our God is a Holy God and in Galatians 6 it talks about how God IS NOT MOCKED.  

In all that you do, is God their first.  That is, when we live, are we living for Him or for ourselves?  

Think about it - any questions? Comments?  Objections?  If so let me know,

Dante

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