Brain Cancer Tests A Young Pastor's Faith

For those not familiar with Matt Chandler, he's the Pastor of The Village Church, in Dallas, TX., and sits on the board of Acts 29.

This past Thanksgiving he had a seizure that eventually led the to the discovery of a mass on his brain and current fight against brain cancer.

The story in this article talks about his faith during this trial and his optimism toward an unknown future.

Click here for the story!

(Below is a short video of Matt from Desiring God Conference last year.)

"Mamas...Don't let your babies grow up to be Cry-Boys..."

Few things are worse in this world than "Cry-Boys." The older they are, the worse it gets too! These are older boys/young men who cry over things that they shouldn't be shedding tears for.

There are definitely things that men should and could cry over. If we use Jesus as our example, I believe we'll see that he cried over things that men should cry for, and as Christ-followers, we could too.

Jesus shed tears over loved ones dying. He cried over the state of Jerusalem, and the fact that He wanted to save them, but they continually rejected his offer of salvation. I believe Jesus is very saddened over sinners who are unwilling to repent of their sin and come into a loving relationship with Him, because rejecting Him will ultimately lead to their destruction and eternal damnation. So we see, Jesus cried, and as men, we can too, but not over anything!

When we allow our boys to cry over everything, we're teaching them to be manipulative and abusive. When someone cries, the natural response of those around them is to feel sorry for them, or a sense of burden for what they're going through. But if what they're going through is nothing more than not getting their way, then they've manipulated the masses. We see politicians do this often. They'll go out, commit a crime or sin of some nature, get caught, then make an "emotional" appeal to their constituents for forgiveness. Then, when the cameras are off, they dry their eyes, and go back to work! (Manipulation!)

So, what shouldn't boys be allowed to cry over? Here's just a few things I've seen them cry over in my 17 years of parenting:

• Losing at a board game. (If you can't take losing, don't play baby.)
• Losing at video games. (Ditto)
  
• Being given chores. (If a man doesn't work, he shouldn't eat. God made men to work.)
• When he doesn't get his way. (This is life, get use to it.)
• When someone calls him a name. (Your identity is in Christ, be secure in that.)
• When work is too hard. (If you need help, ask, don't cry.)
• Because they think someone doesn't like them. (If mom and dad do, that's enough.)
• When his feelings are hurt. (Think about Jesus.)
• When his brothers use "his" stuff, that mom and dad bought. (It's good to share.)
• When he thinks others are being treated better. (They might be, parents are sinners.)

So, these are just some things that I've seen boys cry about, and yes, perhaps even in my own home. Hey, with five boys, it's bound to happen; doesn't mean we condone it though!

I regularly remind my boys that mendon't just cry over anything. They weren't created for such behavior. They're men; they were created to protect, to conquer, to fight, to worship, to provide, and yes, on occasion, to even shed a tear. When friends or loved ones die or are sick, shed a tear. When something very valuable to them is lost or broken, and can't be replaced-- I say, go ahead, shed a tear. When the unrepentant harden their hearts to the gospel, and vanish for all eternity, shed a tear. When we fix our gaze upon the LORD and see the suffering He endured, yes, as men we should be saddened, and shed tears of remorse over our sin that did it to Him.

So you see, it's ok for your boys and young men to cry, but not over anything. Raise them up to control their emotions, to harness their strength, and to use their passion for kingdom building. Boys are truly a gift from the LORD; let's not let the gift be wasted!

For help raising your boys, I recommend:

 

10 Motives for Fathers from a Faithful Pastor

Great insights on Fatherhood from Puritan Pastor, Richard Baxter. The following is taken from his book, A Christian Directory.

The 10 motives (edited slightly to contemporize the language):

1. The holy government of families (by fathers) is a considerable part of God’s own government of the world, and the contrary is a great part of the devil’s government.
2. An ungoverned, ungodly family is a powerful means to the damnation of all the members of it.
3. A holy, well-governed family tends not only to the safety of the members, but also to the ease and pleasure of their lives.
4. A holy and well-governed family doth tend to make a holy posterity, and so to propagate the fear of God from generation to generation.
5. A holy, well-governed family is the preparative to a holy and well-governed church.
6. Well-governed families tend to make a happy state and commonwealth. A good education is the first and greatest work to make good magistrates and good subjects, because it tends to make good men.
7. If the governors of families did faithfully perform their duties, it would be a great supply as to any defects in the pastor’s part, and a singular means to propagate and preserve religion in times of public negligence or persecution.
8. The duties of your families are such as you may perform with greatest peace, and lease exception or opposition from others.
9. Well-governed families are honorable and exemplary to others.
10. Holy, well-governed families are blessed with the special presence and favor of God.

Fathers, hear and heed the wise pastor Baxter.

The Irony of Christmas in America

Most Americans would say that Christmas really cant' be enjoyed without money. After all, don't we feel obligated to buy things for people with money we don't have? Truth be told, 90% of the gifts you give this year won't be used by the people you give them to, because you're not giving them what they want, you're giving them what you think they want.

What really gets me though, is the fact that the people we think really can't enjoy Christmas because they don't have money, the poor and down-trodden, are the exact people Jesus said He came for. He said He didn't come for those were well, and rich, but rather, He came for those who had nothing. He came for those who are sick and need a Physician.

He even said it's so much easier for the poor to make it into Heaven than it is for the wealthy. In fact, He said it's impossible, for those unwilling to admit to their spiritual destitution, to make it into Heaven at all. Isn't it ironic that the have nots according this world have a greater chance of having it all in the next life, and those who "have it all" in this life will probably have nothing in the next!

I'm not against the giving of gifts, but if our giving isn't based upon the fact of what God has given us, then who's receiving the glory? If our giving isn't a response to what God has given us, then what are seeking from others? Because God has given so much to us, let us then, give to others for the purpose of reflecting the image and glory of Almighty God!

So this Christmas, remember that it isn't about what you give your children or neighbors, your co-workers or spouse, but it's ONLY about what the LORD has given us, a Savior who is Christ the LORD, and a chance to believe in His life, death and resurrection, which will allow us to spend eternity with Him!

Merry Christmas to all from the Fuentes family, and may the LORD shine brightly in your hearts and homes this wonderful Christmas season!

16 Daddy Christmas Tips

(I found this recent post by Mark Driscoll insightful and thought
the men (and women) of the Male Domain might enjoy reading it!)

16 Daddy Christmas Tips -by Mark Driscoll

’Tis the season for Dad to drop the holiday ball, stress out as the money is being spent for presents, and miss yet another providential opportunity to lovingly lead his family. So, this blog is intended to help dads not fall into the same old rut of holiday humdrum, sitting on the couch watching football and eating carbs, but rather intentionally plan out the upcoming holiday season. Our children grow quickly and if we miss the sacred moments God opens up for us to connect with and bless our families, everyone suffers and we set in motion generations of missed opportunity.

#1 – Dad needs a plan for the holidays to ensure his family is loved and memories are made. Dad, what’s your plan?

#2 – Dad needs to check the local guides for what’s going on to make fun holiday plans for the family. In Seattle it’s here.

#3 – Dad needs to carve out time for sacred events and experiences to build family traditions that are fun and point to Jesus. Dad, is your calendar ready for December?

#4 – Dad needs to not let the stress of the holidays, including money, cause him to be grumpy with Mom or the kids. Dad, how’s your joy?

#5 – Dad needs to give experiences and not just gifts. Dad, what special memories can you make this holiday season?

#6 – Dad needs to manage the extended family and friends during the holidays. Dad, who or what do you need to say “no” to?

#7 – Dad needs to ensure his family is giving generously during the holidays. Dad, who in need is your family going to adopt and bless?

#8 – Dad needs to schedule a big Christmas daddy date with his daughter. Dad, what’s your big plan for the fancy daddy date?

#9 – Dad needs to schedule guy time with his son. Dad, what are you and your son going to do that is active, outdoors, and fun?

#10 – Dad needs to help Mom get the house decorated. Dad, are you really a big help to Mom with getting things ready?

#11 – Dad needs to ensure some holiday smells and sounds. Dad, is Christmas music on the iPod, is the tree up, and can you smell cookies and cider in your house?

#12 – Dad needs to snuggle up and watch some fun shows with the kids, especially the little ones. Dad, is the DVR set?

#13 – Dad needs to take the family on a drive to see Christmas lights while listening to music and sipping cider. Dad, is it mapped out?

#14 – Dad needs to help Mom get the kids’ rooms decorated. Dad, do the little kids get lights or a small tree in their room?

#15 – Dad needs to read about Jesus and pray over his kids. Dad, how’s your pastoral work going with each of your kids?

#16 – Dad needs to repent of being lazy, selfish, grumpy, or just dumping the holidays on Mom. Dad, are you a servant like Jesus to your family?