Continued…

February 4, 2011 • 1:15 pm 5

Why I will quit Facebook…

In short… I lied.  If you want to read more you can, but that is it.  Father God forgive me.

From the moment I hit the create account button on Facebook for my daughter, it hasn’t felt right.  Not because of the content, or the time she would spend on it.  I am very involved with her online activity, and monitor just about everything.  She is 11 after all… Oh there it is… You have to be 13 to have a Facebook account.

In all the talks of integrity and not lying I have had with my daughter… Dang it…

I have no excuses or justification for it. I have no moral high ground to stand on.   I messed up and I lied…

So now I have to do something that is going to be incredibly hard, but something that needs to be done.  I will have to tell my daughter,  Daddy messed up… Nothing she did wrong, or is doing wrong.  100% not her.  This is all on me.   We will have to deactivate her account.

It is going to crush her…Ugh…

In the spirit of fairness though, I will walk away from my Facebook account also.  Not as punishment per say, Lord knows I have had enough Anguish since I created the account,  and more so since this morning when a brother confronted me.  (For the first time I called my Father-In-Law brother today). This will be my way of saying to my daughter, Dad has to be accountable for his mistakes also.

So after we have a talk this afternoon and deactivate her Facebook, I am going to let her hit the deactivate button on my Facebook account.

So well See ya… You can find me here on the Blog… The old Voice TeleGraph works also…

P.S. the post I linked with the word Anguish may be one of the best blog posts I have ever read.  Take a look.

Filed under: Leadership, Men,

December 29, 2010 • 12:42 pm 4

I don’t want to be a leader…

The Lord Talking to Moses:

10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

12 And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”

13 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”

14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

15 God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’

“This is my name forever,
the name you shall call me
from generation to generation

For many years I wanted to be a leader.  I even stepped up to projects, and asserted my self on the sole basis of wanting to be viewed as a leader.  If you must know the truth, I had no clue what being a leader meant and I often would fake it to appease a very broken ego.  I wanted to be in the lead and it didn’t matter where or how I got there.   If you read my Storm Story about my self confidence you will understand why I covered up and pulled out this mask of leadership.

And then I think about Moses, he didn’t want to be a leader either.  He had been on top and lost it all; oh wait I have been there also when my job drastically changed.

Now Phil 4:13 plays out in a completely different way for me.  I can do all things through a God who gives me strength.  All things, like bury an ego so bruised that I allow God to provide the support, and work for Him and him alone.

Fast forward to now.  Not a day goes by now that I don’t wrestle with the question:  God why are you putting this work in front of me when you know I don’t want to be a leader?  I don’t want to be in front, on top or in charge, because I want to be sure what I am doing is for your glory and not my need to cover up my flawed ego, inability and lack of confidence.

So God:  I DON”T WANT TO BE A LEADER.  I don’t.  But that is what I… Father God I will follow you.

 

 

Filed under: Leadership, , ,

December 6, 2010 • 9:15 pm 0

Men Choose to follow this Christmas…

At church today we listened to a sermon on why God would send his Son as a baby.   Of all the ways Jesus, being God, could have come into the world… A Baby.  I have written my perspective before about this Baby that was laid in a manger, and what II Cor 5:21 really means in the reality of Jesus coming to this earth.

I think about  Mary.  A teen facing the stigma of being pregnant before marriage, and she chose to be obedient to God and accept the plan he had for her.  After the angel left her.  I wonder was there fear and uncertainty.   Sure she was obeying God, but she had stood to lose everything.

But, As God continues to move me through the process of understanding the Spiritual battle Men must step up to, I could not help but wonder about the story of Jesus’ birth in a little bit different way.  What of the man chosen to be the earthly dad to Jesus as he grew up.  Joseph.  What can we as men learn about his response to Mary, his future wife, being pregnant?

This is what we know about Joseph:

Matthew 1:

18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about[: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,because he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”(which means “God with us”).

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Imagine Joseph’s reaction when he found out Mary was pregnant?  The questions he asked Mary, and maybe the questions unasked.  The confusion and maybe some anger.  But Joseph was  a good Jewish Man so he did what the law allowed, but showed his compassion toward Mary by not calling her out publicly.   God had other plans, and Joseph chose to follow…

Men it is pretty simple God has a plan for us when it comes to the women in our lives.  No matter the situation, no matter how angry or frustrated we get.  Even though we may want to walk away… God has other plans, it is up to us to cho0se to follow…

Filed under: Christ, Leadership, Men, , , ,

November 19, 2010 • 8:00 am 3

Prayer for Life…Day 4

Friday morning edit…. What has this come to? http://www.birthornot.com/ I am utterly shocked, no I did not vote for either, I can only hope it is a hoax, but guessing not… Father God, how is this even a question.  Father God oh how you love them…

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This post is my journaling from day two, and reflection about a week after. To read the introduction post click here: Prayer for Life Mission
To read Day 1 click here: Day 1
To read Day 2 click here: Day 2

To read Day 3 click here: Day 3

Reflections 4

Men whether you like it or not you are leading.  Whether you are married or not you are leading.  Whether you have children or not you are leading.  The eyes of the world are on the men.  The failings of this world are on men.

Here is where I am going with this.  The other day I was asked some questions. (Warning these are tough questions turn back now if you want):

Can anything break your faith?  Tied to a chair, Gun to your wife’s/child’s head, you are asked to deny Christ, what do you do?

Yeah that’s right put up or shut up time huh.  Every natural instinct in me in that situation would want to wrestle from the bonds and throw myself at the person with the gun.  Every natural instinct would be to yell “I deny him I deny him”

But then I reflected for a second after I heard the question.  How am I leading?  How am helping my family be equipped for the spiritual battle? Have my wife and children seen enough of Christ in me to follow Him, to be assured of their salvation, to know that they are justified by Christ, and in the process of being sanctified by God’s spirit, and lead to the Glorification with God in heaven.   Leading my family and not failing means, I am confident I have shown them enough of Christ in me. I have been their example.  That if the trigger is pulled, yes my heart would be crushed and the pain unimaginable, I would be assured to see them again in heaven with my God.  Have I lead/done enough that they are living in eternity now, where death (no matter how it happens) is just a step in the path of eternity.

Men you may never be put in the literal situation denying Christ, but everyday we are facing the barrel of a fully cocked and loaded world. The world is embroiled in a spiritual battle that many men apathetically watch go on.  It is a world that will via for the attention of our children.  A world that will tear them away from the life of eternity Christ promises us.  Materialism, greed, sex, drugs… bullies in the school yard, magazines and tv shows telling them how to look or what their self worth should be.   All of it lies that lead to “Do what ever feels good”  “It is all in what YOU can do” “You control you”….  All of this is waiting to take their life.  Satan wants the children for his own and he is ready to pull the trigger.

This is where the spiritual battle over abortion must be fought.  Men must stand up and put themselves in the path of this world before it affects the lives that lead to steps towards a clinic door.

What do you do men?

Only because Jesus Christ stood the gap for us can we claim the righteousness that God created us for.   Christ died for the gap that we allowed to happen between man and God. It is time to trust in the Righteousness of Christ in you, to trust Him and stand the gap in this world for who ever is following you.

It is time to lead as God intended, it is time to lead for Eternity.

Day 4 – But not the last Day

SHE DANCED…Like she had just scored a touchdown in the Super Bowl.  SHE DANCED What was her victory?  She had just successfully escorted a girl into the clinic.  They say anger can get the best of you if you let it.  And I admit I was angry.  Father God you dance over us as we stand up for your Son, she danced in the face of your Son.  How are they so unaware?

OK.. now that I have that off my chest.

Parents brought their Children with them today, three teenage boys and a teenage girl.  Thank you to those parents for having the strength through Christ to bring them out.  This is where the battle has to start, but not end.

Here is the thing.   We pray that God will lead us to his will, and take us to places he needs us to work.  When in reality if you stay connected to Him, and you recognize He is there all the time.  If you realize every moment is for Him…He already has you where he needs you at that moment.  You are filling a purpose for His kingdom in every moment.

The debate about the issue will go on, but I don’t want to be part of the debate.  The debate will get us no where fast.  To think we can change the minds of others leaves each side looking foolish as they attempt.  We no better understand their story, than they understand ours.   Do we take the time to ask? No, we just allow the debate to rage on, without doing anything that would affect the debate.

This past four days can not be wasted.  I am humbled by the people who joined me this week, and grateful for a God who has looked past my imperfection to see the work I can do for His perfect will.

The debate over the issue will go on which we can not control.  However, the battle lines are drawn in the dirt, the same dirt that Jesus wrote in before he addressed the Pharisees.  I can not stand by idle as they did any longer.  In the name of Christ Jesus I can not.

Men God is asking?   “Where are you?

Filed under: God's View, Leadership, Men, Prayer, , , , ,

November 18, 2010 • 8:00 am 0

Prayer for Life…Day 3

This post is my journaling from day two, and reflection about a week after. To read the introduction post click here: Prayer for Life Mission
To read Day 1 click here: Day 1
To read Day 2 click here: Day 2

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Reflection 3

Men want to end the attack of the spiritual forces on this world, on our families? It is time to step up and lead the way God intended us to lead.

Eph 5:25-33 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— 30for we are members of his body. 31“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”32This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Eph 6:4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

So men how are you doing? How have you lead your wife to Christ today?  Have you served her needs today?  Does she know Christ better today than she did yesterday?  How have you done leading the kids today?  Did you ignore there calls of Daddy… Daddy…. Daddy… Only to watch them sulk away?

Husbands are responsible to lead their family’s growing faith, and there relationship with God will become stronger based on his example of following Christ. Take the wife as the basic example.   I look at Adam and his inaction as Eve is talking to the serpent, and think if Adam had just taken responsibility, would Eve have bit the apple? And it is clear that God called Adam into account first  Gen 3:9 But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?”  … So our wives are put under our responsibility.  That does not mean however, that women can’t find Christ without husbands, just that once the marriage covenant under Christ is made the men become the spiritual leader of the home.

Journal Day 3

Small Victory – 7 women went in today, and 2 of those came out asking for help.  Doesn’t mean they won’t still abort, but at least now the will be fully presented with another way.

A girl walking down the street to catch a bus to school had never walked down as far as the clinic today.  She did today, and one of the women from A Woman’s Choice was able to talk with her.  This girl’s sister was post abortion, and needed help.  She herself wanted information on pregnancy prevention…. Now both of them will be introduced to Christ through the work at A Woman’s Choice.

They are not our enemy.   The pregnant women, the father of the child, the mothers taking in daughters, the friends, the escorts who volunteer their time, the workers at the clinic, and the Dr.  They are not the enemy.  They are as worthy of the Grace of God as I am.   The enemy is the spiritual forces at work, leading people astray by lying to them.  Lying to them about their worth and value.

They are intimidated.  The women walking down the street see the huge group standing in front of the clinic.  These girls and women are already nervous about even walking in those doors, and facing the procedure.  They are scared and the sight of the people standing outside the clinic can be intimidating.   They see us as condemning; they see us as judging… Are we? No we are on the downhill side pushing up against forces that have gravity on their side.  We are not angry with the woman. The last thing we want is for her to not experience the love of Christ.  We are angry that we even have to stand there and fight this battle from the bottom pushing up.  But why are they really scared and intimidated?  In the bigger story, if men were doing what they are suppose to be doing, these girls and women would never be put in position to make this decision.

Jesus during his ministry moved to the bottom of the hill, and only pushed back when he saw those that know better not doing anything.  When he entered the temple, and saw the money changers.  He took action, and he pushed, but his push had a point.  As I said on day one, these people were taught by the religious leaders standing there passively knowing better and doing nothing.   Jesus knocking over the tables was not for the money changers, it was for those who stood by knowing better doing nothing.  My table is being knocked over.

Where is the common ground here?  If both sides of an issue don’t want to fight on the crisis side of the issue, where is the common ground?   They may never believe what we do, they may never come to know the loving God that we know… But they do not want to be there any more than we do.  They don’t want to be needed and frankly I don’t either.

There is a common ground…  The common ground comes at the intent of the heart.  Two conversations with two different escorts, one female and one male… In 5 minutes with each, by asking the right question about the issue…we found the common ground that would, if done, could eradicate the issue.  Change the intent of people’s actions long before they even get close to the doors of the clinic.

From my view, the plan for life is 100% God’s and His plan is 100% truth.  The answer is 100% focus on him and his plan.   This answer is 100% sure to end the issue.  We can only do what God tasks us with, and pray that his perfect plan and will, will be linked together through Christ to fight this spiritual battle.

Filed under: God's View, Leadership, Men, Prayer, , , , ,

November 17, 2010 • 8:00 am 1

Prayer for Life… Day 2

This post is my journaling from day two, and reflection about a week after. To read the introduction post click here: Prayer for Life Mission
To read Day 1 click here: Day 1

Reflection 2

The response from the men was more than I expected.  Slowly men started to commit to being present downtown and praying and facing this spiritual battle head on.  What is the role of men in this Spiritual battle?  To stand to the side and watch those not equipped fight for their lives?  No, it is to protect serve and even die for God’s Kingdom.

Evil spiritual forces are spreading the lies that men are not needed in this battle for life.  That man has no part in protecting life.  In God’s plan this is not the case.  From the beginning God put man in place to protect His creation.

Gen 2:15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.

T hen in Ephesians we learn how men are to stand and protect the Church from the lies.

Eph 3:13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

The book of Ephesians is a metaphor for Christ’s Church, and if my understanding is correct Men are to be the leaders and Sheppard’s of the church.  Would that not put us into position to be the armor bearers for Christ’s Church?  So I called men to start standing firm in protecting the Church from the attacks of the spiritual battle, and to stand up and fight by protecting the life of the unborn.

As one of the female counselors from AWC, who is involved everyday in this battle, said Tuesday “I felt more protected having this many men around”

Day Journal 2

There is a bigger story.

Today I spoke with a lady who faces this battle every day.  She is Catholic, I am not (although I was raised Catholic).   My questions as we talked: What are we doing this for? Why are we sitting/standing here?  Our conclusions as we discussed. Because of the Grace of God poured out through His son on us.  Everyone involved is worthy of that Grace.   Everyone is worthy of God’s love.   Every one of them is worthy to be called God’s child.   And then there was this: We are so busy bickering about whom does what among the churches we forget what we have in common.  Christ.

Today I saw and recognized the face of this story that is a face we don’t often see.  White, Black, Asian. 15 years old and up.  Mothers  and daughters.  Friends.  Parents with children.  And if the cars that pulled up to drop off were any indication, income level is not a dividing factor either.  In this story there is no social divide and bickering when they walk in those doors. (My heart breaks)  It is happening in every facet of our culture, covers the demographics from top to bottom.

The story is clearly written on the faces of the escorts who volunteer to walk these people in the door.  The story is clearly written on the faces of the people who pray and support the unborn life.  Even the divide in this part of the story is one that is maddening

I am sitting in my chair last night talking with my Mother In-law (Dawn’s Mom) who was staying the night with us, and we are talking about what time we wake up.  I jokingly said,  “I can get you up at 4:25am when I get up.”  “Why do you get up that earlier?”  Without hesitation my daughter (10 Years old) pipes up  “He reads his bible every morning.”   In that instant I knew where the battle has to start to end this crisis.   We are not guarding the hearts of the children that are born to us, and we are allowing them to fall to the forces of this world.

The face of this story is my 10 year old girl, and my 3 year old son.  Right now they face a spiritual battle that can not be won without someone to hold back the forces.  Without someone to bridge that will bridge the gap.  God put men, through Christ, in place to stand that gap.

As I type I want to scream…  Satan so does not want us to get to the root of the issue, because if we do he will know we are no longer sitting idle.   He wants us to become apathetic to the cause of the issue, and not address it.  He does not want us to put a face on the issue, and sure as heck doesn’t want the men involved.  Then he can continue to play his game with the minds of the children here in the world.  Satan wants us to ignore these faces.  He knows that to affect the outcome he must affect the heart, and he uses the desires of the world to draw them in.  We know that we can’t affect the heart, but we also know that through Christ in us, we can plant the truth for Christ to water.  When Christ waters the truth with his blood, Satan is defeated.

Filed under: Leadership, Men, Prayer, , , ,

July 18, 2010 • 6:10 am 0

Off to Camp…

Today, my daughter and I leave for Church Camp.  I may be more excited about it than she is.  For her camp is old hat, she loves it every time.  This will be my 2nd year, but like last year I am sure I will love it just as much.

So I will post my experiences when I get back, and depending on time maybe some quick updates( posted from by Blackberry) while at camp.    For now here is what I wrote the night I got back from camp last year.

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Sure, I am a husband who pours his love out on his wife.   Sure, I am a Dad who pours his love out on his kids.  My wife and kids are the most important things to me in this world, and loving them by leading them to Christ, is what I am tasked with doing.

At the core of my soul I am a man who looks to find new ways to lead by loving others.

So,

Ask me how I spent the past four days.  Go ahead ask.

I spent 4 days with 3-5 graders at Church camp learning about the fruits of the Spirit.

Volunteering as at church camp was something I have wanted to do since I first took my daughter to church camp.  I however kept making excuses why I couldn’t or the deadline would pass for me to sign up.

When I first signed up this summer to volunteer I will admit to being a bit apprehensive, and wondering what the heck did I just get myself into?  What did I have to offer in the aspect of Church camp?

As I prayed about camp I came to realize I was hungry for a new way to express love.  Not that I don’t enjoy pouring love into my family.  I was ready to step out of my comfort zone and stretch beyond the limits of what I thought was in my heart.

From the moment I stepped foot out of the car at camp, I made a deal with myself to just let go.  To allow myself to love no matter the situation.

I loved on the 90 boys in the cabin where I was one of the dorm Dad’s.  They tested my patience from the moment they moved in through the first late night, to the moment we packed up and left.  But, I enjoyed every moment of just watching them be boys.  Sure we had some discipline issues, sure we had some homesickness. I will tell you though there is nothing like 90 spirited boys in close quarters for 4 days.  The stories I have from the things I saw, and the conversations I had with this boys would make you laugh and cry.  What we really had were 90 boys who wanted to learn about Jesus, 90 boys who wanted to learn to love like He did.

I loved on the kids in my family Group:  My daughter Emilie, Lucy, Lauren, Lindsey, McKenzie, Savanah, Maddie.   William, Dawson, John, Cody, Sam, Nathen, and Tanner.   Through worship and devotionals I poured out my love on them in hopes they learned about the love of Christ.   We had fun together and we learned together.  All of them have tremendous hearts, and God is taking hold of each and everyone by the power of His Son.  I listen to their stories during devotionals as they talked about the situations in there life where it is hard to express the fruits of the spirit.  I watched as they were all concerned for each other, even the boys made sure the girls were ok if they were hurt or not feeling well.  I watched them express love and concern when Lauren had to go home Tuesday evening because of a high fever; the whole group asked where she was or how she was doing.  I watched  as a this group of boys and girls who would not sit next to each other the first day, ended the last devotional time with a group hug.  Just goes to show the power of the family of when Christ’s love is at work.

It was Monday night during worship.  I was exhausted from the first late night and didn’t feel much like dancing and whooping it up.  I thought what would it matter if I took this one worship service off?  What would it matter if I didn’t give my all?  I looked and standing just in front of me was Dawson, and he was looking right at me.  I immediately started dancing with the music.  I could not fake it with these kids, I could not take a night off they would see right through me.  I also realized God was watching for my reaction and my action.

God watched as I instructed and lead.  God watched as I corrected and disciplined.  God listened as I talked about his Son to the Kids…God watched as I loved.

I heard more times than I can count that volunteering at Church Camp is addicting and it gets into your soul.  Well on Wednesday as the 180 kids and adults watched 7 children be baptized in the lake.  Tears of filled my eyes as I remembered my Daughters baptism almost a year ago after she went to camp, and watched Dad’s, Mom’s and GrandDad’s baptize their children.  I watched as 7 children turned over their hearts to Christ, and accepted his love.   Watching I knew I would be back.

The past four days I found myself leaning on the example of Jesus in every situation at camp. Jesus always found the way to love… He found the Joy in the hard times…He lived in the Peace among chaos… He practiced patience when he was tired and needed rest…His demeanor was of Kindness and Goodness to those in need…His was faithful to the will of His Father even to the Cross…He was Gentle to the sinner, and the sick…He never fell to temptation and relied on God for self control.    “Against such things there is no law” Christ overcame that law by his death and resurrection…

I trusted God as he watched…I trusted God as I loved…

Mark 9:37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

It is obvious that Jesus loved the children that were around him during his ministry. I have to believe that he laughed with them as they played, and comforted them when they cried. How cool would it have been to be a kid back then and to run to Jesus with a scrapped knee, only to have him cradle you in his arms, cup your knee in his hand….And yep you guessed it Boo Boo gone.  Jesus knew that is was only through their innocence that trust can be built, and through that trust faith can be rooted deep in the heart.

Filed under: Christ, Leadership, ,

July 1, 2010 • 6:42 pm 0

Watch me….

Watch me daddy do you see what I can do.

Listen to me daddy do hear what I say

Watch me daddy do you see what I see

Listen to me daddy do you hear what I hear

Watch me daddy I can see what you do.

Listen to me daddy I can hear what you say

Watch me daddy what I see is what I will be.

Listen to me daddy I will say what I hear

Daddy are you watching because I am

Daddy are you listening because I am

Watch me God do you see what I can do

Listen to me God do you hear what I say

Watch me God do you see what I see

Listen to me God do hear what I hear

Watch me God I can see what you do

Listen to me God I hear what you say

Watch me God what I see is what I will be

Listen to me God I will say what I hear

God are you watching because I am

God are you listening because I am

Filed under: Leadership, ,

June 30, 2010 • 8:02 pm 0

Leading not Manipulating…

Two articles I read this week that I thought I would share.

The first is  About leading and not manipulating your children

Discipline is the process by which one transforms the terrible toddler into a prosocial human being who will look up to his parents (and other adults whom they identify as legitimate authority figures), follow their lead, and subscribe to their values. In other words, the child will respect, obey, and be loyal. That is not accomplished by manipulating reward and punishment. It is accomplished by providing two essential L-words: Love and Leadership.

http://www.rosemond.com/82509.html

The second article although written about the iPhone, could be written about any consumer product that markets in a way that to manipulate people into purchase.

Bloomingdale’s, I think, first pulled off this trick. For a while, in the ’70s, they had people scrambling to carry their Big Brown shopping bags. Amazingly, shoppers actually did the store’s advertising for them, while acting lucky to have such a hot item.

iPod crazies need awake up call.

Filed under: Leadership,

June 20, 2010 • 6:03 am 0

Men are you leading?

Read the following. You have heard it or read it before I am sure:

Eph 5:25-33 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— 30for we are members of his body. 31″For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”[c] 32This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Eph 6:4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

So men how are you doing?

How have you lead your wife to Christ today? Have you served her needs today? Does she know Christ better today than she did yesterday?

How have you done leading the kids today? Did you ignore there calls of Daddy… Daddy…. Daddy… Only to watch them sulk away?

Men whether you like it or not you are leading. Whether your married or not you are leading. The eyes of the world are on the men. The failings of this world are on men.

Gen 3 8-9 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?”

You see that men… Right there in the garden it all hinged on us. Yes Eve took the apple and ate it first, but where were you to take the apple from her hand and tell her no? God wants to know why you are passive and why you won’t step up to the plate. God is looking to men to step up and lead.

Here is where I am going with this. The other day I was asked a questions. (Warning these are tough quesions turn back now if you want):

Can anything break your faith? Tied to a chair, Gun to your wife’s/daughter’s head, you are asked to deny Christ, what do you do?

Yeah that’s right put up or shut up time huh. Every natural instinct in me in that situation would want to wrestle from the bonds and throw myself at the person with the gun. Every natural instinct would be to yell “I deny him I deny him”

But then I reflected for a second. How am I leading? Has my wife and daughter seen enough of Christ in me to follow him, to be assured of their salvation, to know that they are justified by Christ, and in the process of being sanctified by God’s spirit, and lead to the Glorification with God in heaven. Leading my family and not failing means, I am confident I have shown them enough of Christ in me. That if the trigger is pulled, yes my heart would be crushed and the pain unimaginable, I would be assured to see them again in heaven with my God. Have I lead/done enough that they are living in eternity now, where death (no matter how it happens) is just a step in the path of eternity.

Men you may never be put in the literal situation of a gun to your wife or child’s head, BUT: Every day your family must face the barrel of a fully cocked and loaded world. A world that will via for their every attention. A world that will tear them away from the life of eternity. Materialism, greed, sex, drugs… bullies in the school yard, magazines and tv shows telling them how to look or what their self worth should be. Al of it lies that lead to “Do what ever feels good” “It is all in what YOU can do” “You control you”…. All of this waiting to take their life. Satan wants them for his one, he is ready to pull the trigger.

What do you do men?

Only because Jesus Christ stood the gap for us can we claim the righteousness that God created us for. Christ died for the gap that we allowed to happen between man and God. It is time to trust in the Righteousness of Christ in you, to trust Him and stand the gap for your family and anyone who is following you.

It is time to lead as God intended, it is time to lead for Eternity.

Again I ask you to read Ephesians. Not in condemnation but instruction.

Eph 5:25-33 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— 30for we are members of his body. 31″For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”[c] 32This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Eph 6:4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Filed under: Leadership, ,

View’s of God

1 Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:

2 “Who is this that obscures my plans
with words without knowledge?
3 Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.

Job 38: 1-3

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The True Story

A Woman's Choice
Until She Comes Home

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