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?

Men, Military, and Masculinity: When these are lost, women die!

The recent attack on soldiers at Ft. Hood has been a sober reminder to me of the perils that our nation places her daughters in by allowing them to serve in the military. I know my position may be unpopular, but as a US Navy veteran myself, I feel that someone has to stand up and say what the word declares; that women were not created for combat, period!

Genesis 2 declares God's design for women, namely, to be a helper, mother, nurturer, home-maker, daughter of God, educator, feminine counter-part, a sort of domestic queen if you will, with unique and invaluable attributes given to her by the LORD. She was to complete the image of God that is best represented by a man and women in covenant, under the authority of Almighty God.

Man was to be the Provider, the one who set his hands to the plow, working the ground to bring forth sustenance for this family. Man was also to be the Priest, hearing from the LORD, and leading his family in a way that brought honor and glory to the God who created him. He was also to be the Prophet, discerning the culture around him, and pointing out anything that could affect his family, then taking steps to ensure it didn't infiltrate his home. And finally, he was to be the Protector, the one who, when faced with an enemy who could bring harm to his family, would draw his sword and fight for the lives of his loved ones.

Man was to be these things because the word declares that man is the glory of God (1 Cor. 11:7). Man and woman together are the image of God (Gen. 1:27), and the God we serve is all these things to us, and much more. The LORD is our Priest, our Prophet, our Provider and our Protector, and as men, we need to be things as well.

One of the 13 soldiers killed this past week at Ft. Hood was a young girl from the Humboldt Park neighborhood in Chicago, and attended Kelvyn Park High School. This hits home for me because I too, am from Humboldt Park and attended Kelvyn Park High School in Chicago. Her name was Francheska Velez, she was 21 yrs old, and she was 3 months pregnant.

Should women wear the gear of a warrior and go forth into battle? Should they be the ones, along with the men, losing limbs and lives to defend the borders of our nation? Should they lay dying in their own blood, while their precious child lays dying inside their wombs? You know, and I know, the answer is a resounding NO. This defies everything we know of our God in scripture. If you disagree, I'd love to know why!

Deuteronomy 22:5, says,

"The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God."

A careful word study of this passage shows the phrase "pertaineth unto a man" refers to "the gear of a warrior."

Then we have a passage like Nehemiah 4:14, which says,

"And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, "Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes."

Who fights for their wives? Men do!

Sadly, because of the ravages of radical feminism on the church of our LORD, some will disagree with me regarding this, and to those I say, reconsider. Think logically about the effects of a movement that begins firmly grounded in mid-air, leaves God out, only to invoke Him at the funerals of those they helped to slay.

We need men everywhere to stand up for women and children, stand up for their manhood, and stand up for their God! Reclaim what was lost, engage in the battle, and put your manhood to good use....

Adolescence: Why Don't Men Grow Up?

Our culture is filled with men who refuse to grow up, with women who accept men who won't grow up, and parents who raise their sons to become these men. This is sad but true.

As Christians, we have no excuse for this. The word clearly calls men to be the priests, prophets, providers, and protectors of their homes. Too often, I see men laying these responsibilities on the backs of their wives, and this is truly shameful behavior.

Give a listen to Mark Driscoll as he, in his usual funny, yet convicting manner, calls men to be men!

The Battle for Faith and Future

Wow, what a weekend it was!
After work Friday my family headed to Morton, IL., for Providence Church's Reformation Day Faire 2009. We arrived around 8:30pm and caught Charlie Zahm just as he was beginning his concert at the church, and what a treat that was for my family after traveling for three hours.

This Faire was birthed from the heart of Pastor James McDonald, (pictured with wife Stacy), and his love for theology. The theme this year was the ministry of John Calvin. Speakers included Douglas Bond, Marcus Serven, and James McDonald.

The Faire covered two days, Friday and Saturday, and many families, like my own, stayed and worshiped with the good folks at Providence Church on Sunday as well. Pastor James' message Sunday was about the prayer life of John Calvin, and his challenge to all in attendance was to pray fervently, expectantly, and passionately, like John Calvin did some 500 years ago, and see what the LORD does through those prayers.

It was refreshing to see such passion, and an earnest desire for holiness exude from Pastor McDonald as he moved around the stage pleading with the those in attendance, and especially the men, to take serious, their walks with the LORD, and their prayer life with the LORD.

Providence Church is a church that takes serious the biblical mandate for men to be strong spiritual leaders in their homes. They call men to lead their families in a way that honors the LORD and reflects Him well. Providence is seeking to raise up Men who will disciple their children to the glory of the LORD, and send them out as fiery arrows in the battle that has been waging since the fall of man and beyond. This, I truly appreciate about Providence, and churches elsewhere, that are moving back to the Bible in their expectations of men.

I went away from Providence with a renewed sense of my Divine calling as a man. It's always refreshing to be reminded and encouraged about the responsibilities that the good LORD has laid upon me toward my children; discipling, educating, protecting, providing for, etc: as well as those responsibilities toward my wife of loving, protecting, providing for, and cherishing her as a divine gift!

"O' LORD, may you bless the work of Providence, and ALL Gospel preaching, Bible believing, Christ exalting assemblies through-out the vast globe that you created. And may these churches continue to call Men to bear their swords as they fight for the heart of their King, King Jesus. Amen!"