Lance had shared with me that our readers wanted to hear our thoughts on various topics. This subject fascinates me because there is a wealth of knowledge given to us by our God through his Son in His Word.There are so many things in life that fascinate me. Sometimes I feel like a kid in a candy store just for living on this earth. I love movies, books, nature, hiking, running, riding, sports and so on. I love to read, to write, to compose songs and to love my family and friends. There are things in this life that can take up all of my time - if I let them. And then there are situations, like the Boston Marathon, that bring me yet a step closer to realizing nothing else matters except my relationship with God's Son - Jesus and my family (who calls me husband and daddy).
Unfortunately, there is a father who lost his 8 year old son and the rest of his family is injured badly due to the ignorance of two very young and dumb and misguided individuals. Woe to you leaders who teach violence and destruction and things that our contrary to our Father's will (this will be another topic for discussion - later). This breaks my heart and I have to be completely honest and tell you that I spent even more time kissing and hugging and playing with my kids this past week. And praying, a lot of prayer.
Recently I had a young man email me a word file about marriage and fatherhood. (Note: He is not married, but is single). We have been having a dialogue back and forth about the roles of husbands and of fathers. I gave him a book by Derek Prince, Husbands and Fathers. I highly recommend this book. Derek highlights the importance of a covenant. Marriage is key to a man becoming a husband and then he can become a father. Before he becomes a father, there has to be a covenant. Marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman! (period!) No lasting relationship can begin without a covenant. Proverbs 2:17. Malachi 2:13-14. 1 Peter 3:7. The theory here is that God confides in those who fear him (Psalms 25:14), that is, he makes his covenant known to them.
There are 5 things that a husband is commanded to do:1) Love our wives 2) Be the Head of the household 3) Provide for your wife and your family 4) Wash his wife and family by teaching the Bible to is family and 5) Nourish and Cherish his wife and family.
Jesus Christ completely and utterly impacts fatherhood by what we read in Ephesians 5. Just as Jesus died for the Church, we (Husbands and Fathers) need to die to our wives (family). Repeat after me, "Less of me, more of God." Again, repeat, "Less of me, more of God.". That being said, what can we glean from Ephesians 5 & 6, Deuteronomy 6 and so much more in Proverbs and Job and Mathew and so on. Simply said, as for you and your house - who will you serve this day? As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
If we die to ourselves and decide to follow God's ways and not our ways, then we completely find the abundant life that he promises to those who love and fear him.
Contrary to culture of today, God has a plan. God has a way (through His Son only) and God calls us to be His. You see, Jesus obeyed his father's will. Jesus suffered and died on the cross because that was his Father's will. That all of our sins can and will be forgiven forever. Because Jesus has integrity, has character, compassion, love and so much more, we can be saved from our sinful pasts. There is no great friend than the one who lays down his life for others (for family). We are adopted sons and daughters into God's family because of His Son.
When we embrace these truths. When we listen to the Holy Spirit in our lives. When we don't just hear the words of God, but do what they say, then we are transformed and are able to work the good that God the Father has in store for us through Jesus in us. Through His Spirit guiding us.
When the Pharisees tried to trap and trick Jesus, they asked him, "Rabbi, what is the greatest commandment." Jesus replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength...and the second is to love your neighbor as yourself." All the other commandments hang on this.
Is there a better example for us, as Legacy Dads, then to die to self. To radically change the way we live and let God live through us. If we decide to love our wives and our children as we love ourselves (or better if need be)...then imagine what God has in store for you...
"If you believe what you like in the Gospel, and reject what you don't like, it is not the Gospel you believe, but yourself." - St. Augustine of Hippo
Thoughts,
Dante