My body is a temple

1 Corinthians 6:12-20English Standard Version (ESV)Flee Sexual Immorality12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. 13 “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! 16 Or do you not know that he who is joined[a] to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” 17 But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. 18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin[b] a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. 19 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, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

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I find it funny that I meet men and women that can justify "social norms" (sexual immorality) that is contrary to God's word.  I think the hardest thing to grasp and to understand for the Christian today is that in order for one to justify any sexual immorality outside the confines of marriage is to justify sin to a Holy God.  You simply cannot be immoral and walk with God!  Sin is sin!  When you read this, though, and study the Scripture, you realize that sexual sin is against God's temple and is deemed a higher sin.

For those of us that call Christ our Savior, then you should hear that ever so quiet voice in our life that calls us to purity, to holiness and to stewardship which leads to God's discipleship.

If you are that person that is currently acting or engaging in any or every sexual sin outside the covenant of marriage (God's biblical plan for man and woman to become one flesh), then you are out of bounds in God's plan - REPENT!

Read Colossians 3 and Romans 12

Pray

As for Forgiveness

Be accountable to a men's group.

YOU CAN DO THIS (Through God's Holy Spirit)

Blessings,D

What is God's will for my life

Dear Legacy Dads,I want to apologize to all of you for being absent these past several weeks.  As life would have it, my father passed away at the end of September and we have been in all out take care of family and finalize details for his burial and add to that fall break vacation with the wife and kids.

This is a bitterly sweet moment for me in that my dad is no longer in pain, no longer suffering and with Jesus and my mom.  The bitter part is that I don't get to see him or talk to him until I see him in Heaven.

All this being said, brings me to this blog post, "What is God's will for my life?"

Many of you (us) ask questions such as these (or statements)

• I am not sure what God's will is for my life.
• What is God's will for my life?
• What job should I take?
• Who should I marry?
• Who should I date?
• Which way should I go?
• I am not sure that I am in God's will.

I believe that you (we) are asking the wrong question.  You see, when we turn to the Truth (God's Word) we find the answer very clearly:

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8English Standard Version (ESV)

A Life Pleasing to God"4 Finally, then, brothers,[a] we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification:[b] that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body[c] in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you."

Sanctification is defined as, "the act or process of acquiring sanctity, of being made or becoming holy."

I believe through Scripture (The text previously read, Colossians 3 (Rules for Holy Living) and Romans 12 (Living Sacrifices)) we find clearly in the way that God wants us to go.  His will for our lives in our sanctification.

The right question, then, becomes:  Am I in God's will?

The answer then comes from those around you (your spouse, your family, your church and especially your fruit (found in Galatians 5).

If you are looking for the will of God, you have to ask if your life is in obedience and submission to God and whether or not you feel the prompting of the Holy Spirit when you are in His will, when you are contrary to His will and especially you are opposing His will.

God gives us His Spirit to guide us and coach us on the way that we live!

I believe that when you ask the right question and seek to be in His will daily (your sanctification) and when you walk with others and pray daily and mediate on God's word and His will, THEN you will find the direction and the answers to your questions.

For so many years I tried to build my own kingdom and seek my own will until I completely surrendered to His will.  I am not saying that I always get this right, because I mess up daily.  I get selfish and I can lose my cool with my kids and other people can frustrate me (and do).  But then the Holy Spirit nudges me and God's word convicts me to repent and to seek His will and not my will.

If you are reading this, maybe you are feeling convicted by the Spirit in the ungodly things that you are practicing....

If you are reading this and are in His will - bless you!

Blessings,Dante

What is so special about men coming together studying God's Word anyway?

Galatians 6:1-2English Standard Version (ESV)Bear One Another's Burdens6 Brothers,[a] 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.

James 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.

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What is so special about men anyways?  Why are they so important in building God's Kingdom?  Why does God decide to use you and I in His plan?  Why does he make men the leader of the house?

Some statistics cited by Man in the Mirror:

Men’s Statistics Gathered by Man in the Mirror (with sources) 113,000,000 men in America 15 years of age and older.1 69,000,000 of these men make no profession of faith in Christ.2 Only 6,000,000 men are involved in discipleship or spiritual formation—1in 18 men. Imagine putting a football team onthe field, and only one player had studied the playbook.3 As many as 70% of men seek out pornography. As many Christians will divorce as non-Christians (34% vs. 33% according to Barna). 40% to 50% of recent marriages will end in divorce according to the United States Census Bureau.4 4 out of 5 students in evangelical churches will drop out of church by their senior year in high school (HowardHendricks). We have become a fatherless nation. 33%5of the 72 million children in America will go to bed tonight without theirbiological father in the home. 73% of households with children under 18 headed by married couples (vs. 91% in 1960); 27% households headed bysingle parents.6 Nuclear families comprise less than 23.5% of households.7 40% of Busters raised by divorced or separated parents.8 More than 50% children born in 1990s spend part childhood in single parent home.9 10 Two years after a divorce only 53% of children see their non-custodial parent on a monthly basis. Ten years after thedivorce on 28% have monthly contact. 11 66% children born in America will not live with both biological parents through the age of eighteen.12

---Male Population113,00,000 men 15 and older as of 2004, 10,600,000 were 15 – 19 years of age, and 10,800,000 were 20 – 24 years of age.http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/tables/06s0011.xls , retrieved September 29, 2006. 2Estimate based on 39% indicating “born again.” 39% of Americans describe themselves as “a born again Christian.” (2001) Two-thirds of Americans (66%) say they have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important intheir life today. (2001) Half of those who attend a Christian church (49%) say that they are absolutely committed to the Christian faith, andanother 36% say that they are moderately committed. (2001) Commitment to the Christian faith changes considerably with age. Of those who attend church, only 34% of Busterssay they are absolutely committed to the Christian faith, compared to 52% of Boomers, 63% of Builders, and 70%of Seniors. (2001)Retrieved from Barna at http://www.barna.org/cgi-bin/PageCategory.asp?CategoryID=19 3Male DiscipleshipPer Barna: Of the 16% of churched adults involved in discipleship, 69% rely upon small groups for their growth.(2000) Of the 16% of churched adults involved in discipleship, one-fifth (20%) rely upon Sunday school and 11% attendother classes to grow spiritually. (2000)http://www.barna.org/cgi-bin/PageCategory.asp?CategoryID=9*The following two stats do not take into consideration how participation in discipleship may vary by gender:16% of America’s 38,880,000 men who attend church in discipleship = 6,000,00069% of 6,000,000 in small groups = 3,500,0004Garbarino, J. 1992. Children and Families in the Social Environment. New York: Aldine de Gruyter (p. 87). 5Living Arrangements of Children [Electronic version]. U. S. Census Bureau, U. S. Department of Commerce. April, 1996.6The Family Portrait (The Family Research Council), 14.7“The Changing American Family,” New York Times, May 18, 2001, retrieved from Internet June, 2003.8Dobson, 106.9Ibid., 134.10 Garbarino, J. 1992. Children and Families in the Social Environment. New York: Aldine de Gruyter (p. 87). 11 Ibid. (p. 87).12 Dobson., 54.

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When men come together and read God's word together, worship together, and share real life together:

• Things change
• The Holy Spirit will move
• Lives will be changed
• Brothers come along side one another
• Friendships are bonded for eternity (whether we like it or not)
• Marriages are saved
• Marriages are renewed
• The Church will flourish

Blessings,Dante

What is God's will in your life

Proverbs 1:1-7New International Version (NIV)

Purpose and Theme

1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

² for gaining wisdom and instruction;for understanding words of insight;³ for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,doing what is right and just and fair;⁴ for giving prudence to those who are simple,^[a]knowledge and discretion to the young—⁵ let the wise listen and add to their learning,and let the discerning get guidance—⁶ for understanding proverbs and parables,the sayings and riddles of the wise.^[b]

⁷ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,but fools^[c] despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs is known as the book of Wisdom.  Solomon is identified as the writer of most of the book.  God gave Solomon his wisdom.  Proverbs is a book of instructions on how to live a life pleasing to God and how to live a life of peace.  Proverbs is a guiding light (the word of God is a light unto my path).

Are you in God's word?

Are you under its authority?

Before you go to bed tonight understand this:

Proverbs 9:10New International Version (NIV)

¹⁰ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Who will you serve this day?  Self or God?

Blessings,D

What really matters?

A story of two men.  One man who lacked nothing and another man who had to work for everything.  The Rich Man for all intents and purposes was all that the world would define as successful.  His retirement account was fully funded  at the age of 30 had 8 zeroes attached to it and his kids and grand kids (future children) and wife were fully funded as well.  He drove an Audi, a Porsche and a Range Rover along with an Indian Motor-cycle.  He had a condo in Vail, Colorado, a summer home in the Hampton's and a Penthouse in Chicago.  Everything that he touched whether good or bad seemed to always work out in his favor.  There was even one year where he had a bad year in investing in the stock market and bought property instead only to find out that he bought the bottom of the real estate market and doubled his investment in less than one year.  His parents were divorced as their parents were divorced as well.  He was a trust fund kid and never really appreciated anything that he earned or was given.  This man was very agnostic.  He knew that there was some superior being, because to say that there wasn't would be foolish.  But he lacked any positive legacy in faith and or mentoring in the way that God would call us to do so.The other man had a decent job by worldly standards.  He wasn't rich, by US standards, but he wasn't poor either.  If you were to mark him down based on income tax he would fall in the upper middle-class.  He had a wife and three kids and a family that he looked forward to getting home to every day.  He was by far not the smartest nor was he the dumbest.  He was average to above average in all that he did.  The difference is that he had to work hard for everything.  His dad instilled in him a work ethic that could be rivaled by few.  His mom gave him the importance of relationships and to treat the least of these with the utmost respect whether they deserved it or not.  His mom had a faith that was unending and yet realistic to know that she was a sinner that was in constant need of God's grace and forgiveness.  This man's relationship with God was the knowledge of Jesus Christ as his Savior, but to say that he was truly a friend of Jesus would be a stretch. That is, until a men's conference that challenged the very core of his being.  One speaker in particular asked him what legacy would his life leave?  That question haunted him and the other 40 men that went to this conference.  Ten of the men (including this man) pledged to take this further, to be real with each other and to confess their sins together.  They were not going to do fluff or pat each other on the back, but they were going to get real and get accountability and to start a regular men's group at their church.  So that very night six months before his big work trip came about these ten men confessed to each other.

All of these 10 men did not hold back nor hide anything.  One shared some infidelity, six shared pornography, one shared anger and two shared addictions.  All shared that they loved Jesus and they no longer wanted to just follow him, they all wanted to befriend Him and be His disciples.  So the journey began.

Six months later these two men, unbeknownst to them, met on their way to South America.  As God would have it, their paths crossed on first class.  The Rich man always flew first-class, but the other man was traveling for work and both of these men were going to somewhere in South America.  Both flew 11 hours to their destinations and both coincidentally sat next to each other on the flight down.  Out came the nuts, and the drinks and the dinner and dessert.  They both sat next to each other and both started a conversation about life and what really matters.  The man (who was in his 40's) respected the Rich young man because he was both astute and very well-educated.  Even though he exuded money and privilege, he didn't flaunt it in public, which was contradictory to what was written earlier about him.

The Rich young man envied this other man because something was different from any other man that he met or chatted with on long flights.  This man had contentment in a way that surprised this Rich young man.  He loved his family and he could tell there was something different so he asked.  And Faith was the topic of the remaining few hours and couple of glasses of red wine.  They talked about faith, about religion, and about this man's faith in God and His Son Jesus Christ.  At one point, the Rich Young Man asked if the other man was trying to convert him.  Of which, nothing was said either way, just what this men's group and God's word was doing in his life.  The conversation was riveting and neither man slept through this flight as both were intrigued by the other's lifestyle.

As they landed, both were shocked to find that they were staying at the same South American hotel.  The Rich Young Man offered the other man a ride in his arranged car to the hotel, of which the other man willingly said yes.  As they grabbed their luggage and found their driver they both were given water from the driver.  Only something was desperately wrong.  There was a woman in the front seat (the driver said it was his niece and he was going to give her a ride to the city after these men were dropped off.)  The Rich Young man said that would not be a problem and to bill his card for both of the men.  As there was long conversation on the flight and more than two glasses of wine, both men willingly drank the water and both did not realize that the water was drugged.  Hours later they both woke up somewhere in the rain forest and both were in shock as they were locked in separate rooms next to each other.  Drugged and tied and being held for ransom.  These men were the victim of kidnapping and the other man was at the wrong place at the wrong time given the Rich Young Man's status.

They were held for ransom and the ransom was huge.  The older man's company was working with the Rich Young Man's corporation on trying to negotiate for these men's lives.  Months had passed and the camps that held them were moved every 3 weeks.  A trust and friendship began between these men and the only thing they were allowed to have with them were the Bible that the older man had.  As his men's group was working on Scripture memory he gave the Rich Young Man his copy of the Bible.

And so they read - through the entire Bible.  Focusing on Romans, on James and on John.  Not really sure of the date, as either men weren't sure of how much time that had passed, these men both discovered God in a whole new way - one had a new Savior (Jesus Christ) and the other had two new best friends (Jesus and the Rich Young Man).  Through this conversation and conversion there was a guard in the camp that took a liking to these two men and took more of a liking to what was being shared between them - the Word of God.  This guard also came to know the Lord and just one week before these men were going to be either negotiated for ransom or killed for lack of payment, the guard freed them late at night and drove them across the border to the US Embassy.  These men were able to call their work and families before a ransom was paid out and the Rich Young Man chartered a plane to take them both back to Chicago.

They made the local newspapers and then the national news papers and then the talk shows and then more and more kept coming.  They both had their "10 minutes of fame" but neither used this for their own kingdom - instead they used it for God's kingdom.

Both were asked what really mattered when they were being held prisoner and both said the same - their faith in God, in His Word and their relationship with Jesus Christ.  They both left the US wanting and both came back completely content.  Their lives were forever changed and from that moment of conversion for the Rich Young Man and the other man was life-changing.  Their wishes and desires were no longer what they wanted, but instead was replaced by what God wanted from their lives.

"When it is all said and done", they said in their last television interview, "and we are kneeling at the judgement seat of Christ, we only want to hear two things:  1) Our names read in the Book of Life and 2) Well done my good and faithful servants".

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What really matters to you?

The world's view:

• Riches
• Wealth
• Retirement
• Popularity
• Fame

God's view:

• His Word
• A relationship with His Son Jesus Christ
• To be his disciples
• To love the Lord God with all of our hearts, minds, souls and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves
• To finish well

Blessings,

Dante

Unforgiveness

Part of being a legacy dad means not only talking the talk, but also walking the walk.  As both Lance and I have shared in the past and will continue to share into the future, both of our wives read this blog and our children are watching us.  That being said, more than just our wives would call us out!  Does that mean that we are perfect?  Absolutely not!  Our wives and close friends know that we are sinners who are saved by grace.  What it does mean by being a legacy dad is realizing and committing to the fact that there is a greater authority in our lives other than ourselves.  That the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord.  The beginning of being a legacy dad is putting God in our lives where He should always be:  On the throne room of our lives.  God should be overall.  God is in control of my life, my family, my work, my personal life and I am subject to His will!  This doesn't always mean that I get this in the correct order.  This also means, if I am being honest, that I sometimes try to put my old self back on top and on my throne room of my heart.  God has given me emotions and the ability to think and to have free will.  He is Sovereign and He is in control of all things.  He knows what I will do.One of the hardest things for men to overcome is forgiveness.  On our own, we are incapable of it.  To be honest, even when we are walking the walk, forgiveness can be a very difficult thing to do.  When someone wrongs us (or we feel wronged) or someone wrongs ones that we love, it is next to near impossible to forgive even when God calls us to forgive.

1 John 1:5-10 English Standard Version (ESV)

Walking in the Light5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

1 John 2 English Standard Version (ESV)

Christ Our Advocate2 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

The New Commandment7 Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. 8 At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because[a] the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 9 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. 10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him[b] there is no cause for stumbling. 11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Ephesians 4:32English Standard Version (ESV)

32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

When we subject ourselves to God's truth (The Bible) then we have a really hard time trying to justify the wrongs in our lives:

• A bad marriage
• A difficult work situation
• An event
• Difficult living situation
• Addictions
• Being wronged

No matter how we try to defend our positions, it is impossible to justify the wrongs that we have done against God.  We are sinners in need of  a Savior.  Left on our own devices we have no hope, no salvation and no chance of salvation.  But with God's plan, there is a hope.  There is His Son.  There is salvation and redemption and forgiveness through His Son, Jesus Christ.

So if God can forgive us...

• We can forgive our spouse - some of us, if we are honest, have let our marriages die.  We have stopped pursuing our spouse because we feel hurt, we feel betrayed, we feel broken and disappointed by some things in our past.  The marriage that we thought we would have - we don't.  The spouse that we thought would meet every expectation - doesn't.  The relationship that we thought we would have until we get old - isn't.  Because of these shortcomings or acts or events some of us have grown weary, hopeless, and embittered.  There is unforgiveness and anger and in some relationships even dangerous anger.
• We can forgive our children - some of us have wayward children or children that did not meet our expectations or what we thought we would see them grow up to be.  We have been callous with them and even neglected our parenting and call to disciple them because they continue to disappoint.  They have wandered or committed some unforgiveable sins that we can never get over.  How could they embarrass us like that?  How could they shame their mother and father the way that they have?  How can they sin and continue to have unrepentant sin in their lives?
• We can forgive those who persecute us - whether some of us have been a victim or have a situation where we have been wronged or have been persecuted or have even ben maligned in ways that were not justified we feel that we have righteous anger, that is, we think we are justified in being unforgiving toward those persons or situations in our lives that persecute us.
• We can forgive those who have wronged us - some of us have been a victim of drugs and alcohol or of loved ones who have hurt us not only physically, but emotionally and have destroyed our spirit and will to live.  As a result, we find our lives in a sense of rebellion and for some even with destructive habits that are reckless and in some cases malign others around us because we feel that if we have been victims then why should the rest of the world get away with this (this lifestyle leaves a wake of destruction and bitterness in its path).
• We can get over ourselves (and for some of us our horrible pasts and let God move in our lives) - some of us try to say that our pasts (and present) is so horrible that we can not forgive ourselves, that we were really bad and that there is nothing or no one that can forgive the sins and atrocities that I have committed.

To all of what was just said above, I have one thing to say to all of us:  Forgive as the Lord has forgiven you.  Do not withhold love when it is in our power to act.  Love and forgive as God loves and has forgiven us through His Son Jesus Christ.

How about this, Legacy dads:

• Instead of blaming our circumstances on our wives (our children) our work, our outcomes, we let go and let God have control over it all.
• Instead of withholding love, we love unashamed
• Instead of judging with a measuring stick that puts us in pure hypocrisy, we judge ourselves by the measure we judge others.  Quickly realizing that this cannot be, then we let the only One judge others.  Instead we can love and live the lives that Jesus calls us to live (Read Romans 12:1-2 and Colossians 3).
• Instead of living in the past (past mistakes, past transgressions, past wrongs instead of rights) we turn that over to God.  We surrender the pain, the unforgiveness, the un-love in our lives and let God through His Holy Spirit fill that up with His love allowing us to show others God's love and what God is doing through our lives by forgiving others (by letting His will be done).
• Instead of saying that we cannot forgive ourselves of the sin and atrocities that we have committed, we finally come to understand that biblically speaking we cannot forgive our sins because only God can forgive us through His Son.

What is holding you back from receiving God's best design for our lives?

What is holding you back from letting go of all it and giving it to God?

What is holding you back from letting God move in your life and filling the void that you thought others should fill?

What if, just what if, we did all of this and realize that when we completely surrender that under God's will and plans and timing - we will have the abundant life that He promises?

Do you believe this?  Can it be true?  Do we serve a God who raises once what was dead into life?

Forgive as the Lord has forgiven you!

Blessings,

Dante

The Father Wound...

As an Elder and men's ministry leader I can tell you up close and personal that the Father wound is a very serious problem in our culture.  For some in can result in addictions, for others it could be a plethora of symptoms from isolation to violence and complete psychological issues even including abandonment.For some, the mere mention of the word father can trigger a multitude of mixed emotions.  Raw emotions and even pain and regret.  For some of the men that pass my path, they are still waiting to hear the words from their fathers that they were proud of them and glad that they have become the men that they are today.

There is a deep crevice and wound that can never be filled on this earth without God's intervention.  I remember talking to one gentleman who was in a lot of pain and anguish because his dad opted for violence instead of love.  For abuse instead of healthy emotion.

Without the positive influence of a godly man who fears the Lord and is under the authority of Scripture, it is hard for children and wives to thrive.  This is not God's plan.  His plan is for us to love and accept his Son, Jesus Christ.  To share His Gospel.  To love our neighbor as ourselves and to seek holiness and put our old sin nature to death daily.

Men strive for healthy relationships and to be affirmed by those that they love and care for.  These men are looking and yearning for the words "I approve", "I am proud of you" and "I love you, son".  For some of these men they may never hear this from their earthly dads.

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Then you sometimes meet men who have unbelievable legacies of generational faith and I am humbled and thankful that these men had the chance to grow up in this legacy.

This is not to say that these dads, granddad and great granddad always get it right, because they don't.  They are sinners like you and me.  The difference is that they know whose authority that they are under - God!  They are humble to the word of God and they are accountable.

These men are fortunate and thankful for the childhood that they have and for the relationships that God has brought them and continues to bring them.

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Then there may be some of you like me.  Our grew up with a really good dad with good intentions, sometimes a bit too authoritarian and over aggressive on the discipline, BUT a man who gave me the work ethic that I have today and a man who worked a lot, but didn't necessarily know how to tell his kids that he loved them.

Don't get me wrong, there were a lot of things that my dad did right (He provided, cared for, educated and coached us through life.  He taught me the importance of not being in debt (not that I always listened) and how to be a man.

The one thing was that he did not know the Lord growing up and he was prone to anger.  He was socially inept in the fatherhood parameters as he lost his mom when he was 11 years old and his dad spoke broken English and didn't always understand what it meant to be dad.  My dad lost his mom and his dad lost his wife - they did what they could.  So he worked a lot more than most to provide because that was important to him.

Also, my dad grew up in the Great Depression.  He doesn't understand these generations that applaud debt and immorality.

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Some Scripture for leaving a legacy:

Psalm English Standard Version (ESV)

Unless the Lord Builds the HouseA Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.

127 Unless the Lord builds the house,those who build it labor in vain.Unless the Lord watches over the city,the watchman stays awake in vain.2 It is in vain that you rise up earlyand go late to rest,eating the bread of anxious toil;for he gives to his beloved sleep.3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,the fruit of the womb a reward.4 Like arrows in the hand of a warriorare the children[a] of one's youth.5 Blessed is the manwho fills his quiver with them!He shall not be put to shamewhen he speaks with his enemies in the gate.[b]

Deuteronomy 6:6-9English Standard Version (ESV)

6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” –John 14:1-2

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. — Romans 8:15-16

“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” — Matthew 7:9-11

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! –1 John 3:1

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If you have a father wound or someone you know has this wound, don't try to fix them, instead lead them to a group of godly men and walk with them.  Share with them and pray with them.   Read the word with them and worship with them.

Let them see that there God is the only one who can truly fill this Father Wound!

To God Be the Glory,

Dante

Is your church building disciples...

1 Timothy 3:1-7English Standard Version (ESV)Qualifications for Overseers3 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer[a] must be above reproach, the husband of one wife,[b] sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

Titus 1:5-9English Standard Version (ESV)

Qualifications for Elders5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife,[a] and his children are believers[b] and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer,[c] as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound[d] doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

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If your church does not have a discipleship plan to build Elders who are to care and shepherd the flock, then I am going to say that your church is not growing (disciples).  In case we haven't realized it yet, the Church is a Family.  That is, because we died to self and were born again in Christ, we are now sons and daughters of the living King.  We should no longer have an identity crisis in life - we are heirs to God's Kingdom.

Jesus commands the disciples before his death (and resurrection) in Matthew 28:

Matthew 28:16-20English Standard Version (ESV)

The Great Commission16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The Great Shepherd (Jesus) gave us the command to go and make disciples.  Note that he didn't just say go and make baby Christians who never grow in their faith.  The Creator himself tells us to be fruitful and multiply.  If it is alive, then it multiplies, that is the laws of nature.

If your church is alive in Christ, then it is building its disciples and they are growing in Christ and the church will bear the fruit of the Spirit and it will multiply.

So tell me, is your church building up Elders to oversee and shepherd its church (the Family of God)?

Blessings,

Dante