The Weight of Fatherhood

Being a father can be an overwhelming job. The amount of responsibility that God has placed on men can at times, make men feel like complete failures. Apart from the grace and strength of God, being the kind of father that brings God glory is not possible. Sure you can be a father--if you define it by just having children--and make it "OK" in life, if that's your goal. But for those who want to bring glory to God through their leadership in their homes, the status-quo just isn't good enough.

God hasn't called men to mediocrity, He hasn't called men to simply provide, or to just stay married. No, no, He has called us to so much more. He has called us to lead and provide, build and protect, in a way that is counter-cultural. The way God wants His men to lead in their homes should make the non-Christian men shake their heads in disbelief. They should wonder why we choose to love the way we do. Why we provide the way we do. Why we discipline the way we do. Why we educate the way we do, and why we protect the way we do. If they aren't noticing how you lead your home, then my friend, how are you leading your home?

Admittedly, leading a home in a counter-cultural way isn't easy. It isn't going to get you on the cover of any men's magazines--well, maybe Vision Forum's--but that's it! It isn't' going to allow you to live as others may be living. You might find yourself working when others are playing. You may find yourself at home when others are out. You may find yourself surrounded by kids when others are surrounded by "big boy toys." You may wonder if it's worth it at times, and you may be tempted to lower your standards in order to live the life you "think" you're entitled to live. So let me remind you--in case you feel weighed down by life--you're serving the Lord. The decisions you're making now, for your wife and children, will reap a harvest for the Lord in the future. So hang in there.

As God told Elijah--when he was on the run from Jezebel and feeling very alone, scared, and weary--you are not alone. God said that He had preserved thousands of others who hadn't bowed the knee to Baal. He saved a remnant for His purposes and for His battles. So it is with us as well. God has called and saved a remnant who haven't bowed the knee to cultural normativity or caved in to the demands of the prosperity whore who decides what you need. He has raised up an Army to engage in the battle for the souls of the next generation. You are not alone. He has put in the hearts of thousands of men the desire to disciple their children in such a way that brings Him glory. You are not alone. He has also put in those men's hearts the desire to preserve the Godly calling and biblical legacy of virtuous motherhood, and not sacrifice the vitality of their brides at the altar of modernity which waits like a hungry jackal in the work place for the heart and soul of our wives.

The weight of fatherhood is enormous, and on our own, we're destined to ruin it like so many before us have done. But God, the God of the bible has a different plan. He desires to see us live for His glory, and with that desire, has provided a way for this to be accomplished. Draw strength from the blood of those who have gone before you. Hear their voices calling to you from the grave. Hear the voices of Apostles and Prophets from the words of scripture, and hear the voice of the One who hung on the cross and bore it all. He stretched out His arms to die, setting an example of Godly manhood for those would call Him Lord, and now calls us to pick up our cross and follow Him!

Protecting Daughters

Let's face it, Men, there are a lot of ways our daughters can be hurt in today's society. We need to be diligent in our protection of them and not shy away from those we believe may be a predator in the lurking.

Our culture comes at our daughters fast and furious, and in ways that on the surface may seem "harmless" or even "good." One of these ways is through the attempted hijacking of our daughters hearts through "boy bands." In my era it was "New Kids on the Block." Today, it's groups like the Jonas Brothers, who, if ever wanted to come near my girls would end up on the back of a milk carton as missing. These boys aren't anything I would ever hope my girls would marry and find it appalling that many Christian's actually push these dweebs on their girls and even hint at them being "good catches." PLEASE!

Don't forget it was a Jonas boy who dated Miley Cyrus and received photos of her in her under-garments via their cell phones. Godly standard? Not even close!

Another area our daughters need protection in is from those who may find them attractive. As your daughters grow older and enter into those years when they begin changing and go from being your "little" girl to being your "young" lady, you're not the only one who will notice the changes! Men are men, and men (Christian and especially Non) are looking for easy targets. They may be especially attracted to your girls if you're raising them to be feminine and are cultivating Godly character in them. Femininity and a quiet spirit are two Male magnets, so be on the look out.

For those guys who may think I'm going too far, or doubt what I'm saying, just think back to your BC days (before Christ). You know how you were, at least I do, and it wasn't a pretty thing. So be on your guard against guys who remind you of......well..... YOU! Your daughters will be very thankful that you stood up for them in the face of adversity and protected their heart from those who had wrong motives, and just for clarity, anything other than a lifetime commitment in the covenant of marriage, is a wrong motive!

You have one shot at raising your daughters, so don't blow it. If defending your girls means losing some relationships, lose them. If defending them means looking foolish, look foolish. If defending them means you get talked about, get talked about. I think there may be another group talking about you not from the world....like the Trinity, and the Angels!

The word of God says in the Song of Songs not to "awaken love before it's time," and how I see it, it isn't time until she's ready for marriage. So I leave you with this verse, and hope to God you have no regrets on your daughter's wedding day, which is possible with the grace and power of God:

"Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong."
-1 Corinthians 16:13

A Faithful Generation...

This Friday night, June 5th, I have the honor of speaking to the 2009 Homeschool Graduates of Northwest Indiana, in Schererville, IN..

The Lord has put on my heart to speak to them about remaining faithful as His children, even when their leaders aren't around. My text is Exodus 32, the story of the Golden Calf.

Even after all that God did in the midst of Egypt for the nation of Israel, they still worshiped false idols when they perceived their leader, Moses, to be taking too long to return from Mount Sinai.

Might we do the same to the Lord? How quickly we demand something tangible to fulfill us. We are idolaters at heart, and it needs to be addressed, both in my heart and yours. Thank God for the gospel!

So if you remember, keep me in your prayers. Pray that the Lord would speak to me and through me this Friday night. May God be glorified!

Obama's Supreme Court Nominee: Bitter Sweet for Latino Christians

As a Mexican-American, part of me wants to rejoice in the fact that soon, the highest court in the land will better reflect the diversity of the American people. Sonia Sotomayor, President Obama's Supreme Court Nominee, is a girl who has come up through the ranks and I'm sure has made her family proud.

Now, she stands only a few weeks away from becoming the first Hispanic ever to serve as a Supreme Court Justice, and oh how I wish I could rejoice in this, but I can't...

As a Latino Christian, I know that Sonia Sotomayor embraces an ideology that my Bible speaks against. She stands side by side with the radical far Left ideology that President Obama himself embraces, and because of this, I can't say this is a good day for the Hispanic community.

Some in my community, or might I say, most, will see this as a great moment to celebrate. Just as most in the African-American community saw the election of Mr. Obama as a great moment to celebrate. They see our country advancing past ethnic divides and moving toward a more inclusive future that will open doors to our children and will hopefully put to rest the bigotry and racism that has besmirched our Nation for far too long. And to this, I rejoice with you. No one wants to see these sins carry on into to the future, No One!

To see our Nation move forward in the area of racial diversity and racial inclusiveness is a very worthy goal that I desperately want to see occur as well. But at what cost? The price we pay as Americans to move forward an agenda of "inclusiveness" and "diversity" should never come at the expense of righteousness. It shouldn't come at the expense of Godliness, or morality either.

There are things more important than having our first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice, at least in my eyes, and one of those would be wisdom. Another, holiness. And yet another, integrity. These traits come through the fear of the Lord. The word of God declares that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." The kind of people we should hope to have leading our land are God fearing people who evidence their faith through good works and and a biblical worldview.

When one doesn't fear the Lord, there isn't anything that's sacred. Whether it be an unborn child created in the image of God, or the sanctity of marriage between a Man and a Woman. If God isn't feared, everything is subjective. If God's moral law isn't held as holy, all laws become subjective and arbitrary. This is where I believe we're headed as a Nation.

If I sound pessimistic, I am. In an earthly sense. If it weren't for the gospel of Jesus Christ, I'd have no reason for hope at all. All would be doom and gloom. Perhaps I'd have my own conservative talk show to lament for the next 8 years!

Yet, I am hopeful, because the gospel cannot be legislated out of our Nation. It cannot be voted on by the American people. It cannot be removed from power by the President. Nor can it be made powerless by Godless human beings.

So, let us renew our hope, and strengthen our witness. If God could change Judea and Samaria with twelve Spirit filled Men, surely He can change America with several million who call Christ Lord!

2008 CTA Bus Rodeo Competition

I know it's a bit late, but just thought I'd post it anyway.

Last year I was fortunate to make it to the "Winning Circle" portion of the CTA's Bus Rodeo. The Winning Circle are the top 40 operators in the system, 5 from each of our 8 garages, who made the cut from round 1 competition. It was fun, and I hope to return again this year.

The CTA gave us all some very nice prizes, and fed us well too. I seen old friends there, and made some new ones, like Jairo Naranjo. He has won it all four years in a row.

The competition consisted of driving an obstacle course in a set time. The course tested your abilities in a number of manouvers, such as: Y backs, driving through diminishing barrels at 40mph, going through tennis balls that weren't visible, making perfect L/R turns, and much more!

Below are some pics I snapped on my cell phone...

Above: Me in front my bus before driving the course!
Below: The Champ, Jairo Naranjo! (Bald one)

Above: Jairo and Joe walking through the diminsighing barrels!
Below: New Flyer bus used in competition!

This year's competition will begin this spring...we'll see how it goes!