Rule of Law

MAN'S LAW:

• The rule of law is the legal principle that law should govern a nation, as opposed to being governed by arbitrary decisions of individual government officials.
• Civil law, civilian law or Roman law is a legal system originating in Europe, intellectualized within the framework of late Roman law, and whose most prevalent feature is that its core principles are codified into a referable system which serves as the primary source of law.

Thomas Jefferson Quotes

• A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have. Thomas Jefferson
• When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe. Thomas Jefferson
• The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.€Thomas Jefferson
• It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.€Thomas Jefferson
• "I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." Thomas Jefferson
• "My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government." Thomas Jefferson
• "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." Thomas Jefferson
• "The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." Thomas Jefferson
• "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Thomas Jefferson
• "To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical." Thomas Jefferson
• "I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered." The Federal Reserve Bank (The FED) is a private bank." Thomas Jefferson in 1802:

GOD'S LAW:

10 Commandment List

1. You shall have no other gods before Me.
2. You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
3. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
5. Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”

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The importance of understanding citizenship

Citizenship is the status of a person recognized under the custom or law as being a member of a state. A person may have multiple citizenship's and a person who does not have citizenship of any state is said to be stateless.  As Christians, those that believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and believe the Bible as the true word of God,  we are automatically given dual citizenship.  Thereby, we are citizens from the state and country which we come from and are citizens of the King of Heaven and Earth.  That being said, we have a responsibility as both Christians and Citizens to hold to truth, liberty and justice and to rely not on man's interpretation of God's law, rather, God's interpretation of man's law.

There is no country that is above God's precepts and maxims.  There is no king or ruler that can assert themselves above God's throne.   Therefore, we have to understand the very nature of God's law and what does that mean to us, mere citizens of earth.  Whenever you have laws or interpretations of laws that either negate or contradict God's laws then you have to ask yourself what has changed?  What is different?  Why is there an inconsistency in such law?  When the founding fathers of the United States left England to forge a new land, they didn't intend for a state religion to tell them how to worship or whom to serve, rather, they chose a path that would keep them free from government control on what they could or could not do.  Government, in its rarest form, is there to prevent tyranny not to be the tyrant.  The Federal Government in the Preamble of the Constitution is to establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote general Welfare, and secure blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity.

Recently, the SCOTUS redefined the traditional definition of marriage.   Please understand that this was anything but what their inherent role was on that bench.  That is, to say, that 5 lawyers who are called to interpret the law (NOT TO WRITE THE LAW) did in fact legislate on the bench.  They usurped the Legislative Branch of the US Government and thereby legislated their minority opinion into law - this is my opinion and is open for discussion offline (and if you have more time on your hands read the entire decision and read Chief Justice Robert's dissent)

So what does that mean for 501(c)(3)'s of this land?  What does this mean for the Church in Europe and the United States of America?  Persecution.  Should we be surprised?  Of course not.  Should we be lying low and not challenging the very system?  Of course not.  As Citizens (Both of country and of God's land) we have a great responsibility to share the truth (in love).  Please do not forget the "in-love" part, which is paramount to the Christian walk and discipleship course.

Jesus tells us that we are not immune of his persecution.  If they (the world) persecuted the prophets and Jesus, then He told us that we should expect to be persecuted as well.  There is already a lawsuit from a man who claims phrases in the Bible have offended him and that he is suing the publishers of these versions of the Bible for $70 Million.  Next, we should expect to see the 501(c)(3) charitable organization challenged and sued for their stance on marriage and employment and biblical values and after this we can surely expect the church to be persecuted and tried for their stance on Jesus.  God doesn't need us to judge the world, instead he needs us to show the love of Jesus to the world.

This is where citizenship is so utterly important.  Because to the world, we are charged to go out unto the world and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in love.  We are to serve, to feed and to supply the world with God's riches and grace:  His Son, Jesus Christ.  Matthew 5:13"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. 14"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;…

As Citizen's of the Church we are to remain pure.  We are to remain true and we are to hold the church body accountable to Scripture.  This is the ultimate difference as our responsibility as dual citizens.

Frankly, I have been embarrassed and ashamed of some social media posts that decry anger and ignorance toward citizens of this world.  These self proclaiming "Christians?" should be embarrassed by their behavior.  Be the salt to this blind world.  Be the light.  When the world looks at you - do they see you and your selfish desires or do they see Jesus?

• 1 Peter 2:9 ESV But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
• John 17:15-18 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.
• Ephesians 2:10 ESV For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
• 1 Corinthians 6:19 ESV Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
• Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
• Galatians 2:20 ESV I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
• Romans 13:14 ESV But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Do not be afraid of this world nor of its rulers:

The Whole Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Blessings,D

Daddy Please....

LEGACY DADS

Here are to legacy dads who decide to strike a chord,

following the Bible as our just reward

When others fail to follow God's way,

Legacy dads humble themselves when we stray.

Although we may fail and lose our way,

We learn to trust in God and follow His way.

Walking with our brothers who share in our strife

we learn to be accountable in our daily life

Trusting and sharing and walking beside

We love our brothers and lean on Jesus as our guide

To be a better husband, father and friend

We trust in the Lord and we shall not bend

Loving our wives and children we will fight to the end

To hear our Lord say well done good and faithful friend

Independence Day

All throughout history we see history of men who stood for truth and justice and independence – their freedom from evil and tyranny:William Wallace, King Leonidas (the 300 Spartans), Winston Churchill, Mahatma Ghandi, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, , William Wilberforce, William Tyndale (translated the Bible into English), Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Apostles,

What about Jesus Christ – what did he do to sin, to death and for us?

• 1 Peter 2:16 - Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants[a] of God.
• Galatians 5:1 - For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
• 2 Corinthians 3:17 - Now the Lord[a] is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
• Hebrews 12:1 (ESV) Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith
• 12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrvpZxMfKaU

If you are a bible believing, Jesus Christ professing Christian and you believe in you heart that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, lived on this earth and was crucified and rose again on the 3rd day and now sits at the right hand of God, then you have been set free.

Therefore, put to death the old self and put on the new self which we are in Jesus Christ and his Spirit resides in us.

Happy Independence Day.

Lance & Dante

Post Conference - Act Like Men....now what....?

Lance and I walked away from this conference with about 75 other men from our churches and men's group along with 4,000 other men around many churches and we were not disappointed. Both he and I were affirmed in a good portion of our walk, convicted in some other parts that we have to sharpen up and work on and left wanting in some other areas.  Pastor James spoke on 1 Peter Chapter 3 (so did we a while ago - check this out on How to Build Up Your Wives).  This past weekend in my church's men's group, two of our facilitators talked about marriage and convictions and confessions of past sins that separated us from our wives and God's holiness, meaning these struggles need to be confessed and repented of, which would allow God's Spirit to work through us.

1 Peter 3 English Standard Version (ESV)

Wives and Husbands

3 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, ² when they see your respectful and pure conduct. ³ Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— ⁴ but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. ⁵ For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, ⁶ as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.

⁷ Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you^[a] of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Reasons why we need to get our house (our bodies, which are temples of God) in order"

• God calls us to be holy (Read Colossians 3, Read Romans 12)
• God wants us to read his word daily
• God wants a relationship with us (this implies a two way street)
• God wants us to lead our wives (and families)
• God calls us to testify about Him, His Son, His words and His good news
• God calls us to teach and preach to others to repent and turn away from sin (all variations of, which doesn't give us a right to be hypocritical)
• God call us to treat His daughters (our wives) with respect and as heirs to His kingdom (so that our prayers will not be hindered)
• The world is spinning out of control - this doesn't mean that we have to compromise biblical truth

What are some things that you and I need to be honest about?  Where can we go from here?  What does God require of us today?  Likely if you are reading this blog, then you have been elsewhere on the internet.  Your time is being pulled from you daily.  Is everything we do Coram Deo?  Is God over everything in our lives?  If not, why not?

What are some changes you and I can make today in our families, our work, our church and our walks?

What are you waiting for?

Blessings,

D

Some takeaways from ActLikeMen2015

Lance and I will be posting our takes and viewpoints on all the material covered at Act Like Men 2015 this past weekend over the next few weeks.Once again, the theme verse was:  1 Corinthians 16:13-  (ESV) 13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love.

Legacy Dad sponsored the event and we got to talk to a lot of men and churches that wanted to know what Legacy Dad can do for them.  At one point, I had a pastor come up and ask me for the two-minute elevator speech of what we are about.   Instead of responding to that question, I kindly asked this kind pastor what were some of the most important things to teach children and his men.  This led to a very good talk and he was very interested in what Legacy Dad could do for his church and men (we look forward to the opportunity).

Pastor Eric Mason opened the conference up on the preview of what this conference would bring and did he bring it.  He shared from his heart and talked about some shakeable faith moments in his life that would rock any of our faith foundations to its core and have us ask whom do we serve and whom do we believe after this moments.  He didn't fail us in his delivery and his heart in sharing the gospel.

Pastor James Macdonald, in our opinion, always does a stellar job and is consistent in message and in his heartfelt desire for men, women and children to grow in their Faith.  We love to hear this man of God preach and to teach - it was our joy to hear his compassion shine for men this past weekend and for the weeks and months and years to come.  Pastor James opened the conference up on the first theme of Being Watchful and he also shared the Gospel and we witnessed hundreds of men committing (and re-committing their lives) to Jesus.  Pastor James really brought his gifts to the pulpit and delivered a heart-felt piercing message for men to examine themselves and to see where they are at in their faith.  Pastor James also talked on Saturday on the them of Being Strong and what that looks like in a disciples life.  This message came in the Saturday part of the conference and, once again, Pastor James nailed it.

Saturday morning continued right up the proverbial flagpole with Pastor Matt Chandler preaching on the them of Standing Firm and not backing down from our faith (I will post on these themes later).  He shared his past and his genealogy with us and where he came from.  He shared his struggles in parenting and the difficulties of life that come in the way of discipleship.  Pastor Matt has endured a lot of faith shaking moments in his life (as have I) and he really was honest to the core in his delivery.  He really challenged the men to own up to their faith and to make the stand in their faith.  We were truly blessed by these three men.

Pastor Eric Mason closed the conference on the theme of Let all that you do be done in love.  This was definitely some interesting twists and turns on this that were very applicable for me in my walk.  I really appreciated Pastor Eric this year.  Lance was telling me that he used some of his Video series with his men at his church.

One of my most special moments of the entire conference was the lunch time on Saturday Morning.  Lance and I brought 3 churches of men together and catered lunch for them all.  We all ate and socialized and chatted for the first half our of our hour and a half lunch break.  The next hour was when the Spirit moved in all of our lives.  Lance and I had everyone get into a big circle facing each other and we started with some ground rules:  1) when you wanted to talk, state your name and share with the group being watchful with your time so other guys could share 2) before you began sharing the entire group would welcome you to our forum by saying Hi ______) 3) Once you were finished thanking the guys for sharing or saying that's all 4) the rest of the guys saying thank you to the person sharing and stating their name.

What surprised me most, was that this was not a small group by any means, as there were almost 50 in attendance, was the fact that just about everyone in the room did share and opened up about what the conference (What God, the Holy Spirit and Jesus) were saying to them. This was sacred ground because men were sharing, men were accountable and men were opening up to other men about real life issues, challenges and struggles.  It was so special that I had to remind that men that this was sacred and that anything that was said in that room stays in that room unless the person sharing gave permission to share.

It was at this point, that I am reminded to those of you that would ask what Legacydad.com can do for you and what our men's ministry can do for you - it's this.  It is setting up an environment for you to read God's word, worship together, share together and do life together.  It is a place to where we share with you insights that work for us and that are constantly evolving as men, culture and struggles in life change daily.  It is being real and relational with other men.

Lance and I are humbled by those of you that have reached out to us this past weekend and shared what our blog has done for you, what it will continue to do for you and how we can continue to meet your needs through the days, months and years to come.  For those of you that want us to engage your church and your men, your marriages and your family ministries we say, "To God be the Glory forever and ever amen."

Thank you for taking the time that you spend with us via website, in person or in ministry.

Blessings to you all,

Dante & Lance

Esse quam videriCorum Deo

Circumstances beyond our control...

Recently, I have been playing catch up with our church in our four-year Bible reading plan.  I like to try to read it once a year, but this year I wanted to slow my pace and read it with other brothers who are going on this journey as well.  It has given me some great insight and personal reflection.  This month we are reading through Genesis and I have been captivated by Genesis 45 which tells us about Joseph and his journey through life and circumstances that were beyond his control.Genesis 45 English Standard Version (ESV)

Joseph Provides for His Brothers and Family

45 Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him. He cried, “Make everyone go out from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept aloud, so that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. 3 And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence. 4 So Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” And they came near. And he said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6 For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. 7 And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. 8 So it was not you who sent me here, but God.

I am pretty sure that you are familiar with this story.  There is a great musical on this story and if you ever get the chance to see it or rent the musical on DVD, then do.  Often, we think that we can control our daily lives and our circumstances, but some of us who are reading this and are writing this will definitely disagree with this on a broad basis.  Sometimes life throws us circumstances that are beyond our control.  For some that could be loss of a love one, cancer, tragedy, job loss and so on.  Sometimes life throws us trials and tribulations that we cannot understand or that we may dismiss as spiritual attack.  Sometimes it may be spiritual attack and sometimes it just may be from the consequences of our actions.

But we have to ask this question:  Is God over everything?  Is He in control of everything?  Why does He permits such things from happening?

Look at Joseph:

• His brothers despised him
• They were going to kill him
• He was sold into slavery
• He was falsely imprisoned
• He was left in jail after he interpreted dreams for the cupbearer and baker
• He was left alone without his dad and homeland for a large part of his life

After all of this, many of us would have thrown in the proverbial towel and said, “Enough, I cannot take anymore!  I quit”  Or maybe we would just be angry and blame everyone else for our circumstances.  Joseph had every reason to blame his life circumstance on his brothers and could have wallowed in that misery, anger and depression for the rest of his life.  Instead he chose to trust God and lean on God’s understanding instead of his own understanding.

After all of this, he realizes through life’s trials and tribulations that God had a much bigger plan for his life than Joseph did.  It didn’t matter what Joseph wanted or how he wanted to spend his life, because God sent him on a different trajectory.  This was a path to save many lives and to keep a people from extinction.  So it was not Joseph and his brothers, instead it was God who put him in these circumstances – was it fair?  In the world’s terminology, probably not.  In God’s plan – absolutely.  It is amazing to read how God ordained this for Joseph and Israel and his eleven brothers and their people.

Instead of getting mad at our circumstances or upset or depressed or left alone, maybe we should turn our attention to God.  Read His word.  Study His word and reflect on it.  Maybe we should pray and ask God for His insight and His guidance.  Maybe we should get over ourselves and our circumstance and realize it was not you who sent me here, but God.

Blessings,

Dante

Lessons learned from Timothy

FOCUS ON:1 TIMOTHY

1:15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. (IT IS ALL ABOUT JESUS)

6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and[c] we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. (BE CONTENT)

ACTION STEPS:

1 TIMOTHY2: 2 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people (PRAY ALWAYS)

2:8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control,

4:7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;

4:15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them,[c] so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. (PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH)

5:1 Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.  3 Honor widows who are truly widows. (RESPECT OTHERS REGARDLESS OF POSITION OR TITLE)

5:22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. (DISCERN)

6:11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

6:17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

FOCUS ON:

2 Timothy

2:11 The saying is trustworthy, for:  If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself. (IT'S ALL ABOUT JESUS)

3:3 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

ACTION STEPS:2 Timothy

2:1 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men[a] who will be able to teach others also.

22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And the Lord's servant[e] must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

4:2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

Blessings,

Dante