I Apologize

Forgive me for taking so much time off from this blog, I really needed to refocus after going through some pretty intense training for my "job."  However, I am back and we will start off with answering some of the questions I have had from many readers, mainly the "How do I do this" "What are the steps." 

I am also working on something called "The Finance Book" for some of my colleagues at work and I will also publish it here.  It will cover everything you need financially from building a Values Based Financial Plan to discovering what is really important versus the junk we buy to try to impress others and ultimately the right investments for your plan. 
Stay tuned, it will be an exciting year in 2008. 

A Day and A Life

After my last post on stress, my friend Dante from Point Men sent me the following post.  Thanks Dante for the inspiration and encouragement. 

When did life become so busy.  How do we slow down.  What do weprioritize.  Where does my faith fall into my busy schedule.  How do Ifind quiet time to spend an hour or two in prayer and meditation.  Howcan I share my faith more in a hostile environment.  What does God wantfrom my marriage.

How should I raise my kids.  What does my wife wantfrom me.  Should I serve more or less at church.  How much should Itithe.  How much sleep should I get a night.  How can I exercise when Ihave to spend time with my wife and children.  How much money should Isave.  When should I go on vacation.  What does God want from me.Where does God want me to serve.  Will my life make a difference toanyone.

What does the Bible say about worry? 

Mathew 6: 25-33:"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eator drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life moreimportant than food, and the body more important than clothes?  Look atthe birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns,and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much morevaluable than they? 

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour tohis life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies ofthe field grow. They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that noteven Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like of these.  If that ishow God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today andtomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, Oyou of little faith?  So do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat? orWhat shall we drink? or What shall we wear?"

For the pagans run afterall these things and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.But seek first His Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these thingswill be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble ofits own."

Stress: In The Trenches

I haven't posted in awhile and I apologize, it has been very hectic with me finishing up a very demanding and time consuming course, the holidays and our family being stretched thin with activities, shopping and the usual. 

ToplevelforeclosureI've been snappy at the family and when I come home most nights I just want to sit down and watch some football.  Hardly a Legacy Dad?

Yet, I'm trying to draw myself out of this rut and focus more again on my family.  I'm hoping in the next week, with some vacation time, I will be able to refocus and rejuvenate. 

I guess there's times when there is just nothing much to write about and rather than try to force some inspiration it's just better to let things work themselves out.

We'll talk again soon....

Our Pagan Friends

Let me paint a picture for you...

A nice family, married 9 years. 3 Children.  Perfect attendance at church.  Wife is in the womens bible study, husband participates in the worship band.  Kids can recite versus from memory. 

Now, who are their friends? 

I run into a lot of Christians, Christian Couples and Christian families the problem is they only associate with other Christians.  Many say they are "protecting their family" or "why would we want to associate with non-Christians?" Typeonegative07_2

I believe we need to associate with Christians and non-Christians alike. 

I run into a lot of well meaning Godly people but they cannot associate with non-Christians or they simply can't relate with some of the struggles of non-Christians.

I believe in being "the light of the world" which means you have to live and associate "in" the world but not necessarily "of" the world.

As I have talked about before with parenting, I believe many Christians today try to create a Christian Cocoon in which they try to protect their children and family from any "outside, non-Christian elements."

We have many Christian friends but we also have many non-Christian friends and co-workers and the funny thing is, we don't minister to many of our Christian friends but we do a whole lot of ministering to our non-Christian friends.

Many of these people were raised in a Christian church but for one reason or another stop attending or left. 

Now please understand their is a subtle way to do this as well.  You don't want to be the Christian that constantly brow beats others and makes people run when they see you coming. We don't ram Christianity down their throats but we also don't hide our own beliefs and we often speak of our faith and how it has changed our lives.

I truly believe that only associating with Christians is selling ourselves short of many ministry opportunities.   

Case in Point: 

A co-worker was having problems with his marriage, he always heard me speak highly of my wife and of our marriage and heard others say I had a great marriage.  One day he asks me to go out for a drink at a bar after work.  (Many Christians would object simply for the fact of having a drink at a bar.)

I could see he wanted someone to talk to so I said yes.  He laid it all out for me over a couple of beers and then asked how I did it.  I then gave him a summarized version of my testimony and told him that I often struggle in many areas of my life including marriage but my faith has helped me through and given me further guidance in all areas of my life. 

Why did he come to the Christian for advice when he was an atheist?
Why did he feel comfortable coming to me instead of some of our atheist co-workers?

I'd like to think it was my "light" that attracted him but I really believe it was God's plan. 

Did he come to Christ there and the angels in heaven rejoiced?  No.

But the seed was planted. 

As far as hanging out with non-Christians, drinking in a bar giving marital advice, I'll let the bible speak and teach the final lesson on this. 

The Pharisees said of Jesus:  "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, 'Here is aglutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners."
                                                                                                        --Luke 7:34

Jesus taught and associated with sinners and tax collectors.  He drank wine and ate at the houses of some of the most notorious characters of his day. 

I let him be my example.

 

A Week Of Thanks

ThanksJust wanted to tell everyone that I am taking this week off to spend time with my family and to give thanks for all the blessings we have received in the past year.

2007 has been a very hectic year for us and I really want to take some time to talk to God, get refocused and thank God for all the wonderful blessings he has given us this year. 

I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and we'll be back in a week with some further studies into finances and marriage as well as looking at modeling faith to our children without being overbearing or pushy. 

Happy Thanksgiving From The Legacy Dad Family To Yours!

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