Therefore confess your sins to one another

Lance and I were talking about raw, authentic and uplifting men's group and we shared how we see that in my men's group (Men of Faith) and his men's group (Fight Club) and the relationships that are not only being formed, but are growing both spiritually and physically.  For Lance and I, our men's groups have never been about numbers.  Rather, they are about guys getting together in raw, honest and transparent ministry.  The thing about Lance that drove me to this website back in 2007, was his willingness to abase himself and be real with who he is and where he came from.  He is brutally honest (in a loving way) and tells me how it is.  We often say that we wish that each of us lived closer, but we do not!1^st John 3: 11 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 24 Whoever keeps His commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.  Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (His love).  9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.  James 5: 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working..  19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Legacy Dads (and men)  if you are looking for a men's group in your church like this (and you don't have one) don't wait on someone else to affirm it.  Grab a few other guys (who you see are willing to be faithful in the word and prayer and an admitted sinner - saved by grace) and start worshiping together.  Start praying together.  Start reading the Bible together and talk about real life issues.

Remember the Cardinal Rule #1 - what is said in that group stays in that group.

Remember the Cardinal Rule #2- if a brother confesses and shares that you are now on holy ground.  Don't trample over that with your words and thoughts of how to fix that brother- BECAUSE YOUR SHOULDN'T.  If the Spirit is moving you to talk or walk with that brother - then grab him after the small group of sharing and ask if you can meet for coffee or lunch or a meal or to talk and tell him that you were truly moved by him.  If you build trust and a relationship that brother will likely give you the permission to speak into his life (then that is the time, not anytime before) to speak into him.

Remember the Cardinal Rule #3- Be relational.  Be transparent.  Share from your heart, share your sin, your failures and what God is doing in your life right now.

In all that you do, lean and trust on the Lord.

Blessings,

Dante

Lessons from Titus

Titus 2 The Message (MSG) 

A God-Filled Life

2 1-6 Your job is to speak out on the things that make for solid doctrine. Guide older men into lives of temperance, dignity, and wisdom, into healthy faith, love, and endurance. Guide older women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness. By looking at them, the younger women will know how to love their husbands and children, be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be good wives. We don’t want anyone looking down on God’s Message because of their behavior. Also, guide the young men to live disciplined lives.

7-8 But mostly, show them all this by doing it yourself, incorruptible in your teaching, your words solid and sane. Then anyone who is dead set against us, when he finds nothing weird or misguided, might eventually come around.

9-10 Guide slaves into being loyal workers, a bonus to their masters—no back talk, no petty thievery. Then their good character will shine through their actions, adding luster to the teaching of our Savior God.

11-14 God’s readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation’s available for everyone! We’re being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.

15 Tell them all this. Build up their courage, and discipline them if they get out of line. You’re in charge. Don’t let anyone put you down.

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Where to begin?

1. Always start with Jesus
2. He is the Author of our Salvation
3. He gave us His Spirit
4. Verses 11-15 says it all -  ¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.¹² It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, ¹³ while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. ¹⁵ These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.
5. Remember that it always begins and ends with Jesus

Once you have this down, then you can instruct the others!Blessings,

Dante

The Habit Poem

The Habit Poem I am your constant companion.I am your greatest helper or your heaviest burden.I will push you onward or drag you down to failure.I am completely at your command.Half the things you do, you might just as well turn over to me,and I will be able to do them quickly and correctly.I am easily managed; you must merely be firm with me.Show me exactly how you want something done, and after a few lessons I will do it automatically.

I am the servant of all great men.And, alas, of all failures as well.Those who are great, I have made great.Those who are failures, I have made failures.I am not a machine, though I work with all the precision of a machine.Plus, the intelligence of a man.You may run me for profit, or run me for ruin; it makes no difference to me.Take me, train me, be firm with me and I will put the world at your feet.Be easy with me, and I will destroy you.

Who am I?

I am a HABIT!

(Author unknown)

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My son has a very fast brain and also has central processing disorder and ADHD in that he has a hard time following through.  My wife and I have been working on giving him tools, by which he can survive later in life, to help him through daily routines.  My wife sent this to me last night via Facebook and we both had to sadly laugh as our son has all 9 (as even some of these things apply to us): DSM-IV-TR Criteria for ADHD, Inattentive Type A child must display six of nine of the behaviors listed below: 1.often fails to give close attention to details, or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities; 2.often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities; 3.often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly; 4.often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions); 5.often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities; 6.often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework); 7.often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools); 8.is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli; and, 9.is often forgetful in daily activities. - our son has all 9 of these by the way.

Even with some of his disorders he is a straight A student.  The problem, though, is that he can become disheartened or frustrated in his daily jaunts because he lacks the central ability to process. His brain is amazing.  His memory is photographic.  His heart and compassion and understanding of God's scripture blows me away.

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This got me thinking on our daily walks.  Without a healthy habit, without a good routine, how can we, as Legacy Dads, succeed in our mission  - we simply cannot.

Some good habits that we can learn from Jesus:

• Put good habits to practice in your daily life (get into the word, pray, walk with other brothers and be honest and accountable - Galatians 6:7-10 and James 1:22-25)
• As disciples of Christ, we simply cannot lack discipline (1 Timothy 4:7)
• Avoid these 3 things (don't let them influence your daily healthy habits:  1) The World 2) The flesh and 3) The Devil)
• Do not grieve the Holy Spirit - repent, confess, pray and listen
• Worship and Quiet time need to be healthy habits in your life
• Start fasting - it does the body good
• Serve others and use the gifts to glorify God
• Fellowship with other brothers
• Give
• Share the Gospel

Blessings,

Dante

Speak Words...

This past Saturday, in men's group, we talked about our words and deeds in life. We never know who is watching and/or listening to our testimony.  The Book of James has a lot to say on this matter and really puts it out there for those of us who profess the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior.   All of this, being said, relies solely on the fact that without Jesus nothing is possible for life.  Words also happens to be a sermon series in our church and has been very powerful on how it is speaking to the body of Christ.After the men's group, one of my fellow elder brothers texted 3 other brothers and myself, "Gents I have loved this song for a long time for many reasons and play it/bump it  often in the car with my kids.  This morning's discussion immediately made me think about this song and about how often, because of selfishness, I collapse into the evil one's trap (the snare of the fowler), and choose death talk. May we listen.  May we plead.  Holy Spirit come and convict me/us to do what is not natural for us (unselfishness) and choose to speak life.  Love you guys.  Pass along"

The song that he is referencing is from Toby Mac called Speak LIfe

[youtube id="ZeBv9r92VQ0"]

Some of the lyrics states:

Some days, life feels perfect.

Other days it just ain't workin.

The good, the bad, the right, the wrong

And everything in between.

Though it's crazy, amazing

We can turn a heart with the words we say.

Mountains crumble with every syllable.

Hope can live or die

So speak Life, speak Life.

To the deadest darkest night.

Speak life, speak Life.

When the sun won't shine and you don't know why.

Look into the eyes of the brokenhearted;

Watch them come alive as soon as you speak hope,

You speak love, you speak...

You speak Life, (oh oh oh oh oh oh) You speak Life. (oh oh oh oh oh oh)

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The book of James puts it this way:

James 1:19-27 (NIV)

Listening and Doing

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. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

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As I have share one of my favorite poems called Watch Your Words, by Frank Outlaw:

“Watch your thoughts, they become words;

watch your words, they become actions;

watch your actions, they become habits;

watch your habits, they become character;

watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

The next time you engage life and speak into it:

• With your spouse
• With your children
• With your work
• With your church
• With your community
• With your neighbor
• Especially with God

Guard your tongue:

James 3 (NIV)

Taming the Tongue

3:  1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

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This past Saturday morning's bible steady convicted me and encouraged me in the following ways with my wife, my kids and my Christian walk:

• Guard my heart, my mind, my soul, my spirit and my tongue
• Guard my thoughts
• Speak words of hope to those that I can influence
• Speak about Christ more often
• When the Holy Spirit puts a word, a thought, a person in my heart and mind - then call that person, text that person, love that person (you never know how much they may need it)
• Speak truth in love to my wife and kids and those in my influence
• Watch my character around those that come across my daily path
• Share the gospel always

As you read through this, think on the things written here and reflect on those things that you have to do, confess, give-up and grow.

Blessings,

Dante

Borderland, by John Mark McMillan

In case you didn't know, I am a music man.  I love most kinds of music barring a few notable genres.  All that being said, I have become a songwriter over time.  I love raw and honest songwriters who really put it out there.  That being said, there is this one song that I cannot get enough of.  It is called, Borderland, by John Mark McMillan.  There is one part of the song that the lyrics go like this:Help me holy Jesus won't you show me how to liveI've got monsters at my table I've got Bibles bent like shivsHelp me holy Lord I see the light of Heaven's porchbut so many of us are born here outside your chain link fence

These lyrics are raw and to the point.  If you listen to the entire song you can reflect on The law of Moses compared to the finishing work of Jesus Christ on the cross for you and me.  It is a deep song and it puts things in perspective.  Whether we want to believe it or not we have two things working against us as Disciples:  1) Our old self nature and 2) Spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:12 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).

I think the things that we have to realize (to discern) is when temptation comes our way that we have to ask ourselves is if this is warfare or old self coming at us.  We have to equip ourselves with other brothers to carry us through these times and troubles.  We have to be raw and open and honest with these brothers in order for them to help us carry these burdens in life.  Above all, we have to yield to the Holy Spirit who convicts us at times, encourages us and leads us in the way that we should go.

In these times of trials and tribulations, we should pray, "help me holy Jesus and won't you show me how to live" because we do have monsters at our tables and we need to have our bibles bent like shivs (to know the word and to live it gives us a might weapon to defend ourselves).

The song also states this:

Living in a borderlandI don't feel like a boy I don't feel like a manAnd the things I don't understandThings like love. Like the law, the law of the jungle

None of us are perfect nor can we earn our way into Heaven.  The law was given to condemn the sinner.  Jesus Christ came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it!  Before Jesus came we were called to obey the law and if we were guilty of one of the laws then we were guilty of all of them.  Jesus overcame that for us and become our new covenant.  His life was perfect and he fulfilled every prophecy about the Messiah - because He is the Messiah!

Because he died, we can live.  Because he lives we can die to our old selves and be a new creation in Christ.

Trust and obey, for there is no other way!

Blessings,

Dante

PS - John also wrote, How He loves me (also performed by David Crowder Band)

Legacy Dad

1Thessalonians 2:11-12 For you know how, like a father with his children,  we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and gloryThis week was an insanely busy week for me both at work, home, and in the Church.  I wake up notably early and often leave the house while others are drooling on their pillows.  A few of my colleagues were traveling this week.  Secondly, I had an Elders meeting on Tuesday, and LTR class on Wednesday and my wife and I had a business date on Thursday.  I also like to go to bed no later than 10:30pm on work nights and this week I was not off to bed anytime before 11:30pm.

I prayed a lot. I talked with God a lot. I thanked Him a lot.  All this to say to you that for some strange reason, I wasn't fatigued or grumbling, rather, I was excited for what God is doing in men's lives around me.  The picture to the right was sent by another fellow Elder of mine who took this picture of another really good friend of mine.  This friend told him that he could only take this picture if it were in relation to Legacy Dad - The Elder obliged!  Both of these men are legacy dads (the one posing for the picture and the other taking the picture).

This is not to say that they do not get everything right, because like Lance and I - they don't.  It's not to say that they are always on their "A" game at home with their wives, at work with their colleagues or in the community with society, because they don't.  However, the one thing that they do have is the full attention of the kids.  The love and adoration of their kids and wives who like the walk that they are taking in their faith.

The legacy dad in this picture has 3 beautiful young ladies.   Yes, I said three little girls, which means college three times and three weddings (yes I said three weddings).  Look at the picture of his little girl.  She is so excited that dad has the time to meet her in her world.  It doesn't matter if it is a book, playing dolls, going on  a date or the like; what matters is that she has his full attention.  She has his time and he is in her world.

I have watched this legacy dad in his walk (along with some other dads in my mini-church) and it is amazing how much talent and gifting each of these men.  What is more amazing is that they want to make a difference in their kids lives (and they are).

Some things to remember about raising your kids:

• Be consistent - moms and dads need to be in unity and bear fruit of the Spirit with their kids
• Be loving - shepherd your child's heart and do not be a helicopter parent or a let everyone else raise my child parent
• Be Available - Yes kids want your quality time, that is, they want you to be focused on them and not on your phone.  They need more than your quality -  they need your quantity of time
• Be the leader - (Ladies- if you are reading, this is for the men) - love your wife.  Be kind to her and serve her.  Love your children by treating your wife the way that you preach to your kids.  Guide them in spiritual matters (take the lead - don't let your wife bear the brunt) and be honest about who you are ( a sinner saved by grace)
• Be Merciful - forgive them as God has forgiven you
• Be confident - Lance and I were talking about our kids last night (mine younger and his a lot older) and there has to be a time where you let them go and be their own people.  This is where you 1) trust God and 2) have confidence that no matter their choices, that God has them in His sights and He is in control - So PRAY OFTEN!

In all that you do, trust and acknowledge God.

Oh and by the way, the guy in this picture prayed for God's leading in a big request and the coolest thing to watch happen since that prayer with his wife - is watch the Lord move and answer!

Blessings,Dante

Praise the Lord, I saw the Light

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 ESVJames 5:19-20English Standard Version (ESV) 19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

[video width="640" height="360" mp4="http://www.legacydad.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/My-Movie.mp4"][/video]

The man singing to the right of me went home to be with the Lord.  He was a sinful man who was saved by Grace.  His life touched many of men and he started a group that called themselves the band of brothers.  As we began to visit him in hospice I had a chance to talk heart to heart with this man and to tell him that he was a different man then when he and I first met - he was God's man!  I saw these brothers and their wives and friends not only taking care of this man, who was in hospice, but I saw a man that impacted many lives who provided for him, his home and his son (to find legacy parents after his death).  These band of brothers showed me that what legacy dads is trying to instill in all of our blog readers that this journey we are on - is real.

TERRENCE A. PIERCE GRIFFITH, INTerrence A. Pierce, 55, of Griffith, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday March 31, 2015. Terrence was born on October 13, 1959 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is survived by a son, Elijah, of Griffith, a brother, James Pierce of Illinois, a sister, Valerie (James) Dawson of New York, an uncle, Richard Pierce of Fort Wayne, a cousin, Stephanie Pierce of Indianapolis and numerous brothers and sisters in the Lord. He was preceded in death by his parents: James and Velma Lee Pierce, and a brother, Grant Pierce. Terrence was a graduate of Horace Mann High School and Ivy Tech College, a career veteran of the United States Air Force, and was employed in the Human Resources department at Community Hospital, Munster. Terrence was a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ, and a devoted and loving father to his son Elijah. He was active in mens' ministry, praise and worship music, and prayer ministry. He was a brother and mentor to all who knew him, and everyone was blessed by his joyous, confident, and steadfast faith. A memorial service for Terrence Pierce will be held Friday April 17, 2015 at Faith Church 100 West 81st Ave. Dyer, IN; 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Brett Dood officiating. A gathering of friends at the church will be on Friday from 9:00 till 10:30 a.m. time of service. Interment at a later date will be at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL.

When it is all said and done, what will people say about you?  Are you a man of Faith?  Are you God's man?  Will you leave a legacy dad?

Blessings,

Dante

For more songs from our church click here

Frank Gifford - testimony of his wife in the end

When it is all said and done legacy dads, would our wives leave this testimony for us and our relationship with Jesus Christ?[youtube id="4tlCKgb3LvU"]

Deuteronomy 6 (ESV)

The Greatest Commandment

6 “Now this is the commandment—the statutes and the rules[a]—that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it, 2 that you may fear the Lord your God, you and your son and your son's son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long.

2 Corinthians 13:5  (ESV) 5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

Proverbs 3:5-7 (ESV)

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

Philippians 4:11-14English Standard Version (ESV)

11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Kathie Lee Gifford, “If you ever leave a legacy for your children, let it be that you taught them friendship with God and you taught them to find their stone and show it, show it, throw it hard and well and transform this world that needs God so much…”

What is your stone to throw into this world?  What difference can you do?  Who do you appreciate?  Are you making a difference in your life?

Blessings,

Dante