False Teachers

1 Timothy 6:5English Standard Version (ESV)

and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain

2 Timothy 4:3-4English Standard Version (ESV)

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound[a] teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

 

Acts 20:28-30English Standard Version (ESV)

28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God,[a]which he obtained with his own blood.[b] 29 I know that

after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.

1 John 4:1-6English Standard Version (ESV)

Test the Spirits

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

"Today’s church cannot remain faithful if it tolerates false teachers and leaves their teachings uncorrected and unconfronted."  -Albert Mohler

 

 

VIDEO:  FALSE TEACHERS BY SHAI LINNE (TEST THE SCRIPTURE IN THIS)[youtube id="KJmcEAwazD0" height="353" width="574" marginbottom="15"]

Note:  Legacy Dad posts this video for you to test the Scriptures in order to see if you agree with Shai Linne about who and what is False Teaching).  In all that you do, test the Scriptures.  Test and pray and ask God to use His word to guide you to the truth.

Blessings,Legacydad

Happy Memorial Day

John 15:13 (ESV) "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." 

On behalf of Legacy dad we would like to thank you to all the brave military who have sacrificed for this great country.  For those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty with integrity, perseverance, bravery and valor and have won and lost loved ones through and through - thank you for all that you have done, do and will continue to do.  Thank you to the families who have sacrificed and who still risk this day for our freedoms.

Blessings,

www.legacydad.com

What's my Hill?

As I was perusing Facebook this morning and catching up with some work emails, I noticed this commencement speech from Matthew McConaughey and liked what he was saying to the graduating class at the University of Houston and say that "life should not be a popularity contest.  Be brave, take the Hill, but first ask 'What's my Hill?  So me, how do I define success?  For me it is a measurement of 5 things: 1) Fatherhood, 2) Being a good husband, 3) Health (mind, body and spirit), 4) Career and 5) Friendships.  These are what is important in my life right now."Everything in culture talks about self and what is best for me and how I express myself and my identity in such a narcissistic society that the world is spinning further and further away from biblical truth:

  • 1 John 2:15-17 ESV Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
  • Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
  • Ephesians 5:11 ESV / Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
  • James 4:4 ESV / You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
  • Titus 2:11-12 ESV / For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

So let's test what Matthew said to Scripture:

Being a good father:

  • Psalm 127:5 How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed When they speak with their enemies in the gate.
  • Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
  • Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.
  • Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.
  • Psalm 103:13 Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
  • Psalm 127:3-5 Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed When they speak with their enemies in the gate.

Being a good husband:

  • Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,
  • 1 Peter 3:7 You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
  • 1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
  • Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.
  • Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.
  • Ephesians 5:21-32 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. read more.

Having good Health (body, mind and spirit)

  • Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT)
  • And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind he will find acceptable. Romans 12:1-2 (NLT)
  • Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important for it promises a reward in both this life and the next. This is true and everyone should accept it.” 1 Timothy 4:7-9 (NLT)
  • A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones. Proverbs 14:30 (NLT)
  • Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. Proverbs 3: 7-8 (NLT)
  • Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29 (NLT)
  • You satisfy me more than the richest of foods. Psalms 63:5 (NLT)
  • He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers yeah strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will fall give up. But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:29-31 (NLT)
  • Don’t be impressed with your all wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn your back on evil. Then you’ll gain renewed health and vitality. Proverbs 3:7-8 (NLT)
  • Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink-even if you have no money! Take your choice of wine or milk-it’s all free! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen and I will tell you where to get food that is good for the soul! Isaiah 55: 1-2 (NLT)
  • The Lord will guide you continually, watering your life when you are dry and keeping you healthy, too. You will be like a well watered garden like an ever-flowing spring.Isaiah 58:11 (NLT)
  • You must serve only the Lord your God. If you do, I will bless you with food and water, and I will protect you from illness. Exodus 23:25 (NLT)
  • A cheerful heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit makes one sick. Proverbs 17:22 (TLB)
  • As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands. Psalms 119:143 (NLT)
  • Anxiety in the heart of a man weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad. Proverbs 12:25 (NAS)
  • Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NAS)
  • But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NAS)
  • So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)

Having a good career:

  • Colossians 3:23 ESV / Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
  • Proverbs 13:4 ESV / The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
  • 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 ESV / For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
  • Philippians 4:13 ESV / I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
  • Proverbs 14:23 ESV / In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.
  • Philippians 2:14-15 ESV / Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
  • Proverbs 16:3 ESV / Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

Having good friends:

  • John 15:12-15 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
  • James 4:8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
  • Proverbs 12:26 One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
  • Proverbs 13:20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
  • Proverbs 14:6-7 A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding. Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.
  • Proverbs 22:24-25 Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
  • Luke 6:31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
  • Romans 12:10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Out do one another in showing honor.
  • Ephesians 4:29-32 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
  • Colossians 3:12-14 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
  • Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
  • Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
  • Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Being a legacy dad and the process therein is never about being and living a perfect life because we could not and that would be really worldly instead of godly.  Being a legacy dad means that you are not walking this walk alone by just talking about it to others, it means that you are choosing the pathway that God calls you to take.  A legacy dad yields and subjects himself to the authority of scripture at all times (even when we blow it).  A legacy doesn't just remorse his sin and moves in, that is, feels bad about his sin and/or mistakes and keeps on doing it.  Rather, a legacy dad finds true repentance, that is, he feels the conviction of the Holy Spirit (your words, actions and/or deeds are contrary to scripture - acknowledge them before God) and make amends with those who you have wronged.  True repentance is acknowledging and confessing your sin to God and going the opposite way of that sin.  By having others who walk with us in community we put that sin in the light and the darkness can not exist in the light.  Being a legacy dad is setting a course for your family to follow and to show them Christ everyday in your actions, words and deeds.  When you screw up (sin) and when you do not show legacy dad traits, this doesn't disqualify you from being that legacy dad, rather, by acknowledging your wrongdoing or wrong path, it provides a true biblical guide in showing your kids true repentance, the act of reconciliation and restoration.  These are good things to model for your wife and kids and grandkids and to others within your everyday influences.

Let us take inventory of our lives.  If we could go back to our boyhood self and speak to that boy what words would you give him?  What pitfalls would you tell him to avoid?  What friendships would you tell him to run from?  What would you tell him about faith, church, wisdom, biblical application for him to follow?  What does that look like?  Maybe we need to write that to our boy hood self.  In doing so, take inventory as to where you are as a man.  Confess what needs confessing.  Change what needs changing.  Give to God what belongs to God.  In all that you do, acknowledge God and He will make your paths straight.

You and I can do this!  We can do this because we are not alone.  God gave each of us that profess and bear the name of Jesus as our Lord and Savior His Spirit.  Even when we don't know what to say or do, Pray!  Pray for God and His Son and His Spirit to guide us and instruct us in the way that would should go!  This means that if you are not reading the bible daily how can you find the true path of biblical leadership in your home, church, work and community?  You cannot!

Blessings,D

 

 

Happy Mother's Day!!!

To all the wonderful mother's out there, Legacy Dads want to wish you a wonderful Mother's Day!

Proverbs 31:

The Woman Who Fears the Lord10 [d] An excellent wife who can find?She is far more precious than jewels.11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,and he will have no lack of gain.12 She does him good, and not harm,all the days of her life.13 She seeks wool and flax,and works with willing hands.14 She is like the ships of the merchant;she brings her food from afar.15 She rises while it is yet nightand provides food for her householdand portions for her maidens.16 She considers a field and buys it;with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.17 She dresses herself[e] with strengthand makes her arms strong.18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.Her lamp does not go out at night.19 She puts her hands to the distaff,and her hands hold the spindle.20 She opens her hand to the poorand reaches out her hands to the needy.21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,for all her household are clothed in scarlet.[f]22 She makes bed coverings for herself;her clothing is fine linen and purple.23 Her husband is known in the gateswhen he sits among the elders of the land.24 She makes linen garments and sells them;she delivers sashes to the merchant.25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,and she laughs at the time to come.26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.27 She looks well to the ways of her householdand does not eat the bread of idleness.28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;her husband also, and he praises her:29 “Many women have done excellently,but you surpass them all.”30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,and let her works praise her in the gates.

Happy Mothers Day to all of you wonderful mothers out there (you know who you are): Caretaker, Nurse, Coach, Taxi Driver, Calm in the Storm, Super Mom, Voice of Reason, Voice of Wisdom, Entertainer, Chef, Short-Order Cook, Cuddler, Chicken Hawk, Listener, Comforter, Maid, Sleep Deprived, Prayer Warrior and Kindhearted Mother!!!

 

 

The Gospel Offends

Maybe I am a skeptic and maybe I suffer from critical thinking, but I have to say that I have come to a point in my life when I have to take the words of Popeye when he eloquently says, "that's all I can stands, cause I can't stands no more!".   Everywhere we turn, everything we read and listen to has been moderately changing from being able to be different and to have a difference of opinion and to even argue and debate on those opinions to an era where we are told that we cannot offend, we cannot insult, we cannot be different because that would not be acceptable to cultural terms.  If we look different and act different and do not like the way others carry themselves and have an opinion as such you will no longer be posed as a dissenter, rather, you will be classified as insensitive, a hater, someone who is prejudice and if you turn on the media something much worse.Do not misunderstand where I am going with this, because you will not read what you are expecting to read.

Here are some questions for you:

  • Does the Gospel offend?
  • If you call someone a sinner are you a hater?
  • If you try to live by biblical standards to your everyday life, will culture deem you as someone who is intolerant?
  • If you are preaching the gospel, are you prepared to offend?

Ephesians 6:12English Standard Version (ESV)

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.

Why would society want everyone to view and think the same way?  Why would culture want everyone to think and reason the same way instead of to celebrate the cultural differences that we have been given?  Why would the world want us to believe that everyone has their own way to self actualization and salvation?  Seriously, you think that this may not be the case? Then word the word of God in a public place and on topics that will call people out in their sin (not you, but the word of God) and see if you don't get a reaction.

Tell the world that Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to Heaven and that without the knowledge of the Son then there is no way to the Father.  See if that offends!

I don't want you to take this as a green light to be a hypocrite nor do I give my blessing to thumb your nose at those who do not know the Lord.  Rather, in love, reach out to those who are lost (do not know the Lord) and are in a proverbial burning building and on their way to Hell if you do not share God's love with them.

The Gospel does offend.  It is ridiculous to tell the World that Jesus is the only way and not to offend.

Let's stop with the all inclusive, one religion (of self) and be true to God's word.

Let's do this in love and not being spiteful in how we serve the Lost.

Instead of trying to be right, let the Word of God rule in your life and let it lead you in how God wants us to serve those who do not know Him as Savior.

Colossians 3:15-17English Standard Version (ESV)

15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

How would you share the gospel if you could no longer offend by just merely speaking the words of God?  Do you think that we are not that far away from this from happening?

Thoughts?

 

Blessings,D

 

 

 

Top 10 Ways to build a healthy marriage

We live in a world that is defiled with consumerism.  We live in a culture that says you deserve and you need to be served and you, you, you are the focus.  When we put this toward God's word and test society by the truth in the power of the word - we see truth and honor and integrity and the ways in which we should go.  Maybe you find yourself reading this to say what am I missing, or just maybe you are in a small minority of men and you are thinking what is this guy missing?Let's be real!

 

 

 

 

Top 12 ways to build a healthy marriage

  1. Get right with God - don't just have remorse for sin in your life - be repentant of it - that is turn and go the opposite way.  If you are in unappropraite relationships whether physical or mental (pornography) - flee from this sin - put it to death daily.
  2. Study His word daily - His Word never return empty
  3. Pray continuously - Pray for your spouse, your marriage, your future wife (if you are single hoping to get married)
  4. Serve your spouse tirelessly - don't make your marriage about what you can get out of it or what your spouse can do for you - make it about serving your wife and family
  5. Give 100% instead of 50% - don't keep score - give all of yourself to that marriage
  6. Don't keep record of right and wrong - Read 1 Corinthians 13
  7. When you forgive the wrong, don't keep bringing it up to them - this is not biblical to keep bringing up past sins if they have been repented of
  8. Invest your time, talent and treasure in them - God tells us to
  9. Die to self - The Word of God tells us to
  10. Be honest - need I say more?
  11. Be true - do I really need to say more?
  12. Be faithful - this goes without saying

Give these steps some time to let the Holy Spirit move each other.

Blessings,

Dante

 

 

 

Good Friday is Good because Sunday is coming!!!

Isaiah 53English Standard Version (ESV) 53 Who has believed what he has heard from us?[a] And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected[b] by men, a man of sorrows[c] and acquainted with[d] grief;[e] and as one from whom men hide their faces[f] he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? 9 And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief;[g] when his soul makes[h] an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. 11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see[i] and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many,[j] and he shall divide the spoil with the strong,[k] because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors. 

Jesus, the King and Messiah left glory for our sake (those who He has called by name and trust in His saving and finishing work on the Cross) to be born of a virgin, to live on this earth for 33 short years and to fulfill EVERY prophecy ever written in Scripture about Him and then to be turned over to sinners in the darkest hour and be crucified for our sake.  He endured loneliness, beatings, sneering, excruciating crucifixion and conquered death for our sake.  He prophesied about his death and resurrection and conquered death for our sin - to be the perfect atonement for our wrongdoing.

Tomorrow, Easter Sunday, we celebrate not only the death but the resurrection of the Living Son, who reigns, Jesus Christ!!!

Matthew 20:17-19English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time 17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”

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John 12:23-25English Standard Version (ESV)

23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

Luke 24:6-7English Standard Version (ESV)

6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”

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Luke 24:1-12English Standard Version (ESV)

The Resurrection24 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” 8 And they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.

When a boy turns thirteen....

This past February, my oldest son turned 13.  I only really have 5 more critical years to pass the torch of boyhood to manhood.  When Lance and I and Gary first met face to face many years ago we had in depth conversations about this very thing.  Going back there, in my mind, recently reminded me at that time how ill-equipped that I was for this journey with my son and my wife and I with our daughters.Don't get me wrong, my wife and I are equally yoked and we are doing a lot of things that are good and godly and teaching accountability and responsibility, but I think that I was out of my league when I listened to Gary and Lance talk about this plan and path that they had for their grandsons and son, respectively.  Needless to say, I did a lot of soul searching and planning for this with my son during that trip and the time since.

Anyway, my son and I had the first, of what I pray is many, a conversation about this journey from boyhood to manhood and what are some things that are to come.  From reading some books, to watching some movies, to taking some trips and facing some fears along the way, I cannot wait to see how he responds and for what God has planned for him.

I am so thankful that I do not have to do this alone.  I am thankful for Lance and Gary and for men of faith that I can walk with and talk to and lean on God and not my own understanding in all this.  If you scour this website you can see stages and even find Lance's plan with his son along the way.

Dennis Rainey, of Famly Life, posted this picture on Facebook and just hit such a positive emotion in me.  It is scary, as a parent, to realize that age 13 that you only have 5 years left before they are off on their own for college, manhood and the rest of their life.  Don't get me wrong, my wife and I will always be a part of our kids life.

Proverbs 22:6English Standard Version (ESV)

6 Train up a child in the way he should go;even when he is old he will not depart from it.

This Scripture does not mean that your child will not face trial and tribulation, because if they are a follower of Jesus, then they will face trial and they will face tribulation.

I am excited to take this journey with my boy.  I am excited for the journey that my wife will have with our daughters.

God is good, all the time, God is good.

Blessings,

Dante