Accountability

ACCOUNTABILITY

A member of a certain church, whopreviously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a fewweeks, the preacher decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening. The preacherfound the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reasonfor his preachers visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chairnear the fireplace and waited. The preacher made himself at home but saidnothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames aroundthe burning logs. After some minutes, the preacher took the fire tongs,carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of thehearth all alone then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watchedall this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered anddiminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon itwas cold and dead.

Not a word had been spoken since the initialgreeting. The preacher glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave.He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in themiddle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow,once more with the light andwarmth of the burning coals around it. As the preacher reached the door toleave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, 'Thank you so much foryour visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday.'

We live in a world today, which tries to say toomuch with too little. Consequently, few listen.

Sometimes the best sermons are the ones leftunspoken.

The Lord is my Shepherd -----that's aRelationship!
I shall not want -----that's Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures----that's Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters -----that'sRefreshment!
He restoreth my soul ----- that's Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness--that's Guidance!
For His name sake ----- that's Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of theshadow of death--that's Testing!
I will fear no evil ----- that's Protection!
For Thou art with me ----- that's Faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me -----that'sDiscipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presenceof mine enemies------that's Hope!
Thou annointest my head with oil ----- that'sConsecration!
My cup runneth over ----- that's Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all thedays of my life----that's Blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord-----that's Security!
Forever ----- that's Eternity!

Crazy Love

CrazyloveI am reading a book that was given to me for Christmas, Crazy Love, by Frances Chan. I will have to caution you when you read this book, be prepared to change your perspective.  Be prepared to ask yourself if what you are doing is what God wants you to do- or does he want more from us.  What should our relationship look like with God?

Do we want to have "God in a box?" or do we want to change our perspective and realize what we are here for on this earth?  

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ya12I036lg&hl=en&fs=1&w=425&h=344]

Are we our brother's keepers?

Acts 10

Cornelius Calls for Peter

 1At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, "Cornelius!"

 4Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked.

   The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea."

 7When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. 8He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.

Peter's Vision

 9About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. 13Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat."

 14"Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean."

 15The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean."

 16This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

 17While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon's house was and stopped at the gate. 18They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.

 19While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Simon, three[a] men are looking for you. 20So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them."

 21Peter went down and said to the men, "I'm the one you're looking for. Why have you come?"

 22The men replied, "We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say."23Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.

Peter at Cornelius' House

    The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along. 24The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26But Peter made him get up. "Stand up," he said, "I am only a man myself."

 27Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28He said to them: "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. 29So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?"

 30Cornelius answered: "Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31and said, 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor.32Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.' 33So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us."

 34Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.36You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

 39"We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, 40but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

 44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46For they heard them speaking in tongues[b] and praising God.

   Then Peter said, 47"Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." 48So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

Matthew 22:37-40 (NewInternational Version)

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEMXaTktUfA&hl=en&fs=1&w=425&h=344]

37Jesusreplied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all yoursoul and with all your mind.'[a] 38This isthe first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[b] 40All theLaw and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Images  As I am walking out my faith and realizing that others are walking their faith out too, I was brought to some realizations about life, faith, and each and everyone of our journeys. As I had breakfast with a friend of mine, a brother in Christ this past week, we were talking about the difference between "sin" and what some of us deems as acceptable and others deem as completely reprehensible.

For instance, is it okay for us to look at pornography, to take our thoughts to areas of fantasy with another women who we may know or only see on the computer or in a movie or in a magazine? Is it okay to take that thought a little further? Do we think about that while we are with our wives? Do some of us just say to that brother who has a problem with the sins of the flesh, "that's okay, don't worry about it, we understand..." Or do we say, "STOP....FLEE.....RUN FROM THIS." In Mathew 5:27-28 we read what Jesus has to say about pornography: 27"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'[a] 28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

What about the guy who steals supplies from work, or cheats on his taxes, or has major credit debt, or yells at his wife, or has haughty (prideful) eyes? Proverbs 6:16-19 There are six things the LORD HATES, seven that are DETESTABLE to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers." Put this into today's terms: 1) Pride & Arrogance 2) a lying tongue 3) gossip, ill will toward others 4) deceit and malice 5) fill in your weakness here 6) a liar 7) an angry man... Have any of these items stirred you up, or made you think or brought some discomfort into your life...well? If you can HONESTLY answer no to those seven things which God hates, then stop reading, however, if you have answered yes to any one of those things then please read on.

SO WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT THIS? For starters read the Word. Find time to pray (pray all the time), find some quiet time to meditate and still yourself (Psalms 23). Find brothers who will hold you accountable- not brothers who will continue to enable you. Read the following 2 Chapters: Romans 12: (Living Sacrifices) 1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his[b]faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Love 9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited. 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"[d]says the Lord. 20On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."[e] 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Colossians 3 (New International Version) Rules for Holy Living 1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.[b] 7You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

So after I left breakfast with this brother I had said to him that as long as him and I are accountable to each other that he should continue to expect me to call him out on things that cause him to stumble. Yes, I will try and lift him up gently, but when there is no mercy in that sin which he has done, then, he should expect me to hold him accountable and not to enable him to do it again and again and again. Likewise, if my brothers, who hold me accountable, see some things not adding up, then they should call me out on the carpet as well.

Life is hard enough for us to try and do this on our own. Imagine what God could do with our lives if we took our faith to the next step: Letting go of our needs and our selfishness and letting Him move within us. Imagine what our families would see, imagine what church would look like, imagine what our work place would look like, imagine what our community would look like. Can you Imagine?

As James says faith without works is dead, then what other choice do we have. We need to take our old self out of the mix and put on the new self. Put on the ultimate gift of salvation and the spirit which he gave us to edify us and to nourish us and to intercede for us. Count on these things brothers and come along with us on this walk of faith.

And to my brother who raised that question to me about "sin" that is acceptable and sin that is reprehensible, THANK YOU! Thank you for showing me that there is no acceptable sin to God. He is a Holy God and he is not capable of sin. Therefore, if we do not know his son as Savior, then we are lost. BUT if we have accepted this gift, then it is up to us to become living sacrifices and to move to Holy Living.

So what are we waiting for? Let's take that walk in faith! Will any of you walk with me? Walk with other brothers?

What is God's Will for me in 2009

WHAT IS GOD'S WILL FOR MY LIFE?
Hebrews 13: 1-6 (Amplified Version)

1LET LOVE for your fellow believers continue and be a fixed practice with you [never let it fail]. 2Do not forget or neglect or refuse to extend hospitality to strangers [in the brotherhood-being friendly, cordial, and gracious, sharing the comforts of your home and doing your part generously], for through it some have entertained angels without knowing it.3Remember those who are in prison as if you were their fellow prisoner, and those who are ill-treated, since you also are liable to bodily sufferings. 4Let marriage be held in honor (esteemed worthy, precious, of great price, and especially dear) in all things. And thus let the marriage bed be undefiled; for God will judge and punish the unchaste [all guilty of sexual vice] and adulterous. 5Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let you down (relax My hold on you)!
6So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?


There are many themes through this text in scripture:  Brotherly Love, Serving Others, Godly Marriages and Godly Character.  In a men's bible study this morning we talked about all these different aspects of our Christian walks and what does God require of us now that we are believers.  It is funny how the Holy Spirit works at times, because at tonight's service, one of our pastors preached on Holy Living (Colossians 3) and what it means to try and step toward an Abundant Life with Christ in 2009.

Before we try and change the world or the world's perspective on us, let's try and take a look at our own character and our character traits.  We will be measured, and without Christ, we will find that we are lacking in the end.  God gave us his Son Jesus, who in turn, gave us his Holy Spirit who lives within each one of us who know Him by Name.  The only name that is worthy- Jesus Christ.   If we work on the last thing that was mentioned first, which is Godly Character, you will notice how the rest of those themes:  Serving Others, Brotherly love and Godly marriage envelopes into the rest of our lives.  

New Year Resolutions

 New yearsHAPPY NEW YEAR!  TO GOD BE THE GLORY FOREVER AND EVER - AMEN 

New Year's Eve is just around the corner and we are all another year older.  Some of us may have made resolutions last year and others have said that they don't believe in resolutions.  Some of us said that we were going to lose weight and others said that they were going to live healthier.  Whatever your lot in life, the New Year does have a tendency to have us reflect on what was and what will be.  Unfortunately, the last few months have brought a tremendous amount of financial crisis into the world markets.  Economists and scientists are predicting global recessions, others are predicting deflation for the US and still others are looking for end of the world type of philosophies.  Let's take this discussion to a more positve light.  As we open our Bible's to Philippians 4:12, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength." 

As Lance has pointed out in the beginning of this website is that "the ultimate goal of Legacy Dad is to create this in our children: Security in their Hearts, Significance in their lives, Strength for the future, The "Real" Essential Life Skills, Spiritual Morals as A Compass." 

We can do this through Philippians 4:12-13.  We can start by leaving a legacy for our children to follow.  This starts with fathers being responsible with the gifts that God has given each and everyone of us.  We have to learn to be faithful in our walks and with our stewarship toward serving. This includes financial, emotional, physical and mental security for our children to see in us in order for them to achieve these same attributes.  What Paul is saying here is the doctrine of contentment.  It shouldn't matter what anyone else has or what we want, it should matter with us being content with what God has given us.  Being thankful and content when we are either hungry and suffering or full and blessed.

We have had the experts tell us that spending trillions of dollars to bailout Wall Street and Banks is the answer for our greed and uncontrollable debt.  We, unfortunately, have become a Nation of debt and greed.  The faster the technology, the more our desire is for more.  It is not our fault, or is it.  Can we control that desire for more in each one of us. The answer, of course, is not more debt and not leaving a legacy of unpayable debt to our children's children.  We need to be responsible for what God has given us to be steward over.

This brings me to the end of 2008 and looking forward to 2009.  After several discussions with a really good pastor friend of mine, we have decided that this could not be a better time for the church to reach out to those in need.  Pure religion in the eyes of our Father God is that which takes care of widows and orphans and avoids the ways of this World.  Now is the time for us to plan ahead on how we can help our church communities and our local communities.  What better time to follow Jesus's example of the two greatest commands.  

As we prepare to be better stewards, let's think about what we are going to teach our kids in 2009.  We can choose to show them to worry about the unknown (read Mathew 6 on "worry") or we can choose to live more responsibly and to be content with our gifts and our lots in life.  We can choose to serve our neighbor and open up our homes for those in need.  Remember, a friend in need is a friend indeed.

When I think about my 401K and my mortgage and my life savings and my dreams and aspirations, I can truly say that this is a year when I have real peace about the unknown.  First and foremost I plan on showing my wife and kids what it means to acknowledge God in all my ways and to put Him first.  Next, I plan on showing them how their daddy will pray and read his Bible and finally, I plan on being a better neighbor and friend to those in need.

What about you?  What do you plan on doing in 2009?  What "Kingdom" difference are you going to make in leaving a legacy for your wife and kids? For their wives (husbands) and kids? 

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