Memorial Day - 2009

This Memorial Day, fly the flag, and fly it proud!

Thank a Veteran for serving to protect your freedom from those who seek to perpetuate evil, and cause harm.

God calls Men to protect their homes, their children, and their wives, with the use of the sword. If you're a pacifist who doesn't believe in violence, it's ok, just stay behind me and I'll protect you!

Above: My Navy Grad photo
Below: Me aboard the USS Midway
in front of an FA-18 Hornet)

Below: Graduation day in Orlando, FL
with my parents.

(Below are some photos taken at a WWII tribute
that my family attended in May)

This is Mr. Bill Sweeney. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge during WWII.
It was an honor to meet him!

Below are my two boys, Stephen and Ravi with two
young soldiers!

Below is my wife, June, and our eight children!

Manhood...Defined!

Who defines Manhood?

Bible...or...Culture?

Answer: The Bible!

Check this verse out;

1 Corinthians 16:13

13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. (English Standard Version)

Here it is in the Amplified Bible;

13Be alert and on your guard; stand firm in your faith (your conviction respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, keeping the trust and holy fervor born of faith and a part of it). Act like men and be courageous; grow in strength!

Isn't it great to know that as Men, we don't have to be effeminate to follow Christ. We can, and are called to be, masculine. Spurgeon once said: "There has gone abroad the notion that in order for a Man to follow Christ he must sink his manliness."

What strikes me about the above verse is the gender specific command that Paul places on the Men at Corinth. How I wish we heard more of this type of language on Sunday mornings. We need Pastors to lay it on thick when it comes to being Men in the biblical form that Paul describes in the text. Perhaps if they did call us out more, we might see an uprising of spiritually strong, firmly devoted, family loving, Christ glorifying, masculine men!

I wonder what you all think about the Men in church today. Are they masculine? Courageous? Firm in their faith? Alert? Responsible? Strong? Chivalrous? Godly?

Let me know what you see!

Contemplative Quote...

"Tolerance is the virtue
of a Man
with no conviction"
- G K Chesterton

Some Pics from The Gospel Coalition Conference

Here's few photos I snapped at the GCN conference I attended with my Dad, and brother, Israel. We had a great time listening to some dynamic speakers. All the messages can be viewed, or listened to, at the GCN website!

Voddie Baucham from 'Desiring God' '06