Discipleship 201

If you have read any of my posts and/or seen any of my references about Men of Faith (our men's group at my church) then you would know how passionate I am about seeing spiritual growth in peoples lives.Our men's group, since my co-leader and I have taken the leadership role about 5 years ago, has seen spiritual growth in positive ways.  We have witnessed men getting connected:  To their families, friends, church and daily walk with the Lord.  It is humbling and exciting to watch this process and to be a witness to the Holy Spirit in men's lives - Wow!  

We are moving to the next step in men's ministry and that is to grow more disciples (grow those that are connected).  We are calling it MOF 201 (the Road to Emmaus).  In Luke 24:13-33, we read about two of Jesus' disciples walking on the Road to Emmaus when they encounter Jesus.  They are prevented from recognizing him in the beginning, but later, when the Scriptures are revealed to them, their hearts our burning and they see Jesus as who he was and is and forever will be.  This same passion, a passion for the life of a disciple, is what we hope to have ignited in men's lives as they partake this journey with us in the future.

I have been doing a lot of reading (both in the Word and through others who came before and left a great road map to discipleship) and continue to find that we each have to take our own journey because our lives have a different story (some with similar backgrounds), but we each have our life story that needs to be told. That is, we have a part in God's plan as his disciples - so what are we going to do about it?

When it comes to God's Holiness (Our Purity), the things God owns (our Stewardship) and what God calls us to do (his disciples)...what does Scripture have to say about this!

Do any of our legacy readers have anything to say about this?  Please send me a note if you do.  This blog is about our journey together?  Accountability?  Burdens (Carrying each others)....please chime in...

Dante

8 Years

Tomorrow marks my first born's eighth birthday and my wife and I are throwing him an "around the World" birthday part.  Rooms have been transformed into China, Russia, Italy, The USA , Mexico, The Caribbean Islands, Ireland and Australia.  Games will be played through each Country except for Italy (they will be making their own Pizza's) and the USA (they will be eating a cake designed as a flag).  When they enter the house they will be required to go through Customs and have their passports stamped and processed before entering the "Around the World" experience.  Their suitcases will be bags designed to hold their spoils of travel. As exciting as the imagination can make this sound, I have to tell you that I am more excited and humbled that eight years ago (tomorrow) my wife and I had our first child together.In these past eight years, this boy named Trey, has impacted our lives so much.  As a matter of fact, it was not until I had a son that I could even resonate the message of Salvation to my father.  You see, he didn't want a "know-it-all" son telling him what to do or how he should do it.  However, when I told him how I felt about my son and how, if the world had needed him to be sacrificed (in order to "Save" the world) that I (his daddy) would tell the world to go take a hike.  That resonated deeply with my dad and looking at me through the eyes of a father to a father, he said to me, "That is exactly how I feel about you." As I am typing this post, my son walked up to me and said, "Dad, before my guests arrive tomorrow, can we read Scripture together."  I truly thank God for his mercy and love in my life.  For his redeeming love and power to make my life new.  Because of his love, I am able to give love to my son and to my two daughters and to my wife.  Even when I make mistakes and fail, I know that I have a Redeemer who makes things new.

I like what 1 Thessalonians has to say about the role of a Father, to Comfort, Encourage and Urge your child to live a life worthy of Jesus Christ.  Not by our works, but by his mercy we are saved.  I love that God has given me a road map to parenting:  The Bible.  I am grateful that his Spirit works in me to give me the right heart attitude in raising my children, loving my wife (and our family) and to wake up each day with a new set of hours to minister to my family.

Trey, I wish you the happiest of days tomorrow.  I want you to know that your dad and mom love you very very much.  I want you to know that we will always love you and be there for you.  You are a very very special boy.  Thanks for being so special.

Love Daddy (Dante)

Anger

The Bible gives us a lot of warnings about anger and how we should guard against such things.  James 1:¹⁹ My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰ because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires."Here are just a few verses on anger (and our attitudes):  Psalms 37:8, Proverbs 12:16, Proverbs 12:18, Proverbs 14:16-17, Proverbs 14:29, Proverbs 15 -20, and just a few more Proverbs, and some New Testament.

I guess the necessary question to ask is if we have had someone hurt us, betray us or lose confidence in us, and they have been hurtful, can we disconnect ourselves socially and emotionally?  There are necessary steps that have to be put in place to protect us from evil and wrongdoing (say in the case of abuse or or physical and even mental abuse).  However, if we don't forgive and give it to God, then what do you think happens to us and our walk with God?

Can we bear the fruit of the Spirit that is promised to us in the Bible if we walk according to the Spirit?  Can we serve two masters?  What do you think happens to us if we cannot forgive?  If we give into anger because we have been hurt or marginalized?

Personally, the older I get (soon to be 44 -ugh) the more that I realize that when I give in to anger or bitterness, those traits do not mean a thing to the people who I have these feelings toward.  That is to say, that even if I am the victim or the cause of the anger that is directed toward me, when I do not forgive them for it or let God have that, then I risk being separated from God's will in my life.  Does this make sense?  I can become prisoner to the anger/bitterness and I can let that engulf my whole world.  So when I try to bear the fruit of the Spirit - how can I do that when my life is yielding nothing but fruit of the sinful nature...?

Any questions - read Galatians chapter 5 and send me your comments.

Looking forward to hearing all sides to this,

Dante

Some Accountability in our life....how serious do you want to answer...?

Do you have to say “NO”  to any of the questions below?  If so, share what you are dealing with in your life and how we can pray for you and keep you accountable:

• Are you walking intimately with God and spending time consistently with Jesus?
• Are you loving and serving your wife/family/friends/community church in a way that honors the Lord and brings joy to their heart?  Would they agree with you?
• Are you making time to love and raise each of your children in a way that blesses the unique way God made them and helps them grow to be more like Jesus?
• Are you guarding your heart by avoiding books, magazines, TV shows, videos, web sites, phone lines or anything else that contains explicit sexual images or content?
• Are you honoring your relationships (marriage vows and covenant( by upholding clear and responsible boundaries in your relationships with women other than your wife?
• Are you handling your personal and church finances in a way that honors God?
• Are you making time to care for your own health and body through regular exercise, good eating and appropriate sleep?
• Are you connecting with non-believing and non-church people in a way that allows you to engage in personal evangelism and model it for your congregation?
• Are you living a life that models a healthy balance in marriage, family, ministry, recreation, and spiritual growth?

So what do you want to do in 2012?

What kind of man do you want to be?  Father?  Spiritual Leader?

Let us know,

Dante