Commitment

In the 1991 film Hook, Peter tries to console his son, who is disappointed that his father has once again missed a baseball game. Seeking to make amends, Peter promises to attend every game from then on, assuring him, “My word is my bond.” His son, unconvinced, responds with a skeptical, “Yeah, right!”

The son’s doubt stemmed from experience—his father’s repeated failure to follow through on his promises. In today’s society, commitment seems to carry less weight with each passing year. A person’s word no longer holds value. Public declarations of commitment have become hollow. Even legally binding agreements often fail to ensure true dedication. Commitment, once a pillar of integrity, now feels as rare as the Northern White Rhino.

In the United States, 18.3 million households are without a father. Additionally, 40 to 50 percent of all marriages end in divorce. Commitment, once a deeply held value, appears to be shifting. More accurately, people are committing to unhealthy relationships and destructive habits rather than to what is right. Society excels at devotion—but often to selfish passions and desires. Many remain steadfast in their commitment to alcohol, drugs, and abusive lifestyles. Yet, when it comes to being committed to another person, self-interest too often takes priority, overshadowing the virtues of loyalty and sacrifice.  

When I was a child, I was taught that if I made a commitment to something, I will see it through. I loved playing baseball. However, there were days that I didn’t want to go to practice, because I knew that I would have to run laps, and I hated running. My parents would remind me that I made the commitment to join a team to play baseball, and that not going was not an option. I was taught that commitment was more than words, it was action, a lifestyle, a way of living. Commitment was a reflection of my character, and a person of integrity was someone who remained true to their word and dedication to others.

Consider that last statement—commitment and integrity go hand in hand. How can a person of integrity not also embrace commitment? When someone chooses to abandon their commitments, their integrity comes into question. Where there is no integrity, there can be no true commitment.

So, what does that say about society’s view on integrity? Rather than teaching it, expecting it, and holding people accountable to it, society has largely dismissed integrity as neither essential nor valuable. Perhaps this mindset explains why our country faces so many fatherless homes and broken marriages.

Why do people resist supporting and encouraging integrity and commitment? The answer is simple—it requires them to take responsibility for their actions, choices, and decisions. Without integrity and commitment, they can shift blame rather than hold themselves accountable.

Commitment isn’t just a decision; it’s a way of life, a core part of one’s character. Yet, our society no longer prioritizes or instills the importance of strong character in young people. Instead, it promotes selfishness, self-centeredness, and egocentrism. When these qualities take root, integrity and commitment are among the first values to be abandoned.

We must return to teaching, instilling, and upholding the values of commitment and integrity. It’s time to move away from selfishness and egocentrism and embrace responsibility for our choices and actions. Being people of our word and living with integrity should be the standard, not the exception.

Society must once again prioritize love, support, and encouragement over vanity and self-interest. If you’re not willing to follow through, don’t commit. If you’re not ready to honor the vow of marriage “till death do us part,” then don’t make it. If you’re not prepared to step up as a father or mother, don’t engage in actions that require that responsibility.

Life is not just about you. As Marcus Aurelius wisely stated, “Men exist for the sake of one another. Teach them then, or bear with them.”

Protect The Soul

People will go to great lengths to protect the things they love most. They buy locks for their homes, alarms and security systems, and have something in their house to defend themselves in the case of an unwelcomed intruder enters their home.

Those who live in fire danger areas build fire breaks around their home to ensure the fire goes around the home rather than through it. When they are warned of a potential fire coming through their area, they will do whatever is needed to protect their home – turn on sprinklers, wet their roof, clean up loose and dead debris, etc.

Those who live in hurricane areas purchase insurance in the case that a hurricane comes through and destroys their home and personal belongings. They even prepare their home when warned of a coming hurricane by covering doors and windows and sandbagging the area around their house. The same applies to those who live in flood zones. They will purchase specific insurance in the case of a flood coming through their area. When they are warned of a coming flood, they build sandbag walls to protect their house and belongings as best as they can.

When looking to buy a car, people are concerned with the safety features and durability of the car. They seek to purchase a vehicle that will not crumple under severe impacts, but rather protect the individual side. They want a strong, durable, long lasting car so that they and their riders are safe no matter where they go or what might happen.

People will go to great lengths to ensure their property and the things or people they love will be protected and safe. Even if nothing happens, they will still prepare for the “just in case.” However, when it comes to the one thing that we all posses and will continue for eternity, many refuse to do anything to protect it. I am of course talking about our soul.

People want to protect the things they can see – their home, belongings, family, etc. When it comes to the things they can’t see, they either deny it’s existance or convince themselves that it doesn’t matter or has no significant meaning. What’s fascinating is that people will go to great lengths to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their belongings from hypothetical situations that may or may not happen, but will do nothing to protect themselves from what is guaranteed – death.

Death is guaranteed. The physical will end one day for us all. What we fought so hard to protect will remain here while we cease to exist. But what have we done to protect ourselves from what comes after death?

This is where my atheist friends will come out and say that nothing happens after death, so why bother? To which I will reply, then why did you purchase all the insurance and security if there was never a guarantee that something might happen? Many are so sure of what they don’t see, but protect them selves from hypotheticals in a life they can see. Isn’t death  something that is real and can be seen? Isn’t what happens after death a hypothetical of what we can’t see? Why then are there so many in this world that are so sure of the unknown, but are unsure of the hypotheticals in this life and are willing to protect themselves from them?

People tend to hold on tightly to the physical and perishable, but hold on loosely, or not at all, to the one thing that is imperishable. People are willing to be careless with their soul, but will go to great lengths to protect their life and the objects in it from physical harm or destruction that may or may not happen. Why then, is the soul less important than the inanimate objects and and loved ones we have in life?

Death is guaranteed, a fire isn’t. Death is guaranteed, a hurricane isn’t. Death is guaranteed, a robbery isn’t. Death is guaranteed, a severe car accident isn’t. Why not protect yourself from what is guaranteed just as much as you do from those things that are not guaranteed?

This is not a fear tactic. This is a, “consider the what ifs.” We have all been warned of what happens after death. Some have denied its truth, some have disregarded it as fairy tales, and some have taken it to heart.

If you were told that in the coming days and great fire would sweep through the area in which you live, would you take precautions or ignore the warning? If you were told that a flood will be coming through your area, would you take precautions or ignore the warning? If you were told that dangerous individual with ill intent is in your neighborhood, and your family is at risk, would you take precautions or ignore the warning? Mind you, all of these are hypothetical and are not guaranteed. You have just been warned of what might happen. Do you take precautions out of fear, or do you take precautions to protect what you love?

Return Home

Having just watched The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever, I can’t help but be reminded of the true meaning of Christmas. In the movie, there was a line that went, “Christmas is for everyone.” How often I forget that Jesus came so that ALL may have life and have it abundantly. I also believe that much of the Christian church has forgotten this sentiment.

We tend to get caught up in the idea that Christ is only for those who do right and live righteously. However, Christ told us, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17). It is important that we remember that we who know Christ were once sick and in need of a physician. We were wretched and lost, but by the grace of God, we were found and redeemed by the blood of Jesus. We were once the ones who Jesus came for. Now that we are part of the family, it is our job to find more people who are in need of a physician and saving and invite them to be part of the family.

Christ didn’t come for those who are righteous, He came for those who don’t know Him and are in need of Him. Ultimately, He came for all, but once we are part of the family, the focus should no longer be on ourselves and there should be a major shift on others in need of redemption.

Consider the leaving of the 99 to find the lost one, or perhaps the parable of the prodigal son. Jesus rejoices in finding those who are lost and will go to every extreme to seek them out. He rejoices at the return of a prodigal who left and has returned. Jesus Christ loves His children, but His heart wants all to come to Him and be part of the family. He doesn’t care where they have been or what they have done. He wants all to repent and return back home.

The birth of Christ was the ultimate love letter to humanity, an invitation to return home. It marked the moment when heaven came to earth, offering salvation and eternal life to all who believe. It was the open door that we all needed so that we might be able to go home.

Jesus Christ will pursue everyone with wild abandon. His heart’s desire is for all of humanity to return to Him and be made whole. Once He captures the heart of an individual, He asks that we help in the pursuit of others who are in need of Him.

Let us never forget that Jesus Christ came for everyone. He came for the drug addicts, the prostitute, the cheaters, the liars, the back stabbers, the murderers, the conceited, the selfish, the godless, the child molesters, the abusers, the sexually confused, and many more. And if you got uncomfortable when I mentioned child molesters and abusers, you may want to reflect on who Jesus is and the purpose of the cross.

Let us never forget that we all deserve death, but the free gift of salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ and the sacrifice He made on the cross, is for everyone. So who are we to think that we deserve it and others don’t. None of us deserve it. We are all in need of saving, and because of the birth of Jesus Christ, we ALL have the opportunity to return home and be made whole.

MAN UP!

What has happened to the men in this world? Nearly every day, I hear stories of men abandoning their families, treating their wives and children with disdain and disrespect. I’ve witnessed mothers and wives weep as the men they once trusted choose selfish desires over the commitment to love and care for the woman they vowed to cherish for a lifetime. I’ve seen children in tears as they watch their fathers walk away, shattering their sense of normalcy. I’ve listened to heartbreaking accounts of men telling women that their child is a burden, saying, “You should have aborted them when I told you to.” Men who behave this way are not real men.

Anger fills every fiber of my being when I hear stories like these. This is not the life God intended for men. Yet, the more we remove God from our society and daily lives, the further we stray from His design. I wrestle deeply with this, because on one hand, I feel intense rage towards men who choose to live this way. But I also recognize that our godless society has contributed to this problem, and my anger burns against the godlessness that permeates it. There is a battle raging within me, a longing for justice. I believe this is the closest I can come to describing righteous anger. 

I understand that men who do not know Christ or have not submitted their lives to His authority cannot grasp the way God intended for us to live. This is where my intense rage against the godlessness in our society burns the strongest. The Devil has done an effective job of corrupting men and distorting the very essence of who we were called to be, amplifying selfishness, narcissism, self-absorption, self-indulgence, and egocentricity. Each of these qualities serves a single purpose—to undermine the very essence of how God created us.

The purpose of manhood is to protect, serve, and love. Man was never meant to be alone. In the book of Genesis, it says: “Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.’ So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. The Lord God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man” (Genesis 2:18, 21-22). We were created for relationship—especially with a wife for whom we are called to love and serve. Yet, the Devil has done a masterful job of convincing humanity that we are better off alone.. 

God is the perfect example of pure relationship—three distinct persons in perfect unity, sharing the same authority. If we are made in the image of God, then we are designed for relationships. The Book of Genesis states that woman was created as a helper to man, not to be dominated, controlled, or made less than. She was made to complement and support man. It is a man’s responsibility to serve, protect, and keep women and children safe. This does not imply that women are inferior; rather, it emphasizes that by design, man is called to care for the women and children in his life. 

A real man actively pursues a strong relationship with his wife, making her a priority in his life. He strives to see her succeed, feel valued, and most importantly, loved. He invests in her well-being, ensuring her needs are met before his own. He sets aside pride and selfish ambition, serving his family selflessly and making sure her cup is filled first.

A real man respects his wife deeply, providing a positive, humble, and strong role model for his children. He demonstrates the kind of partnership they should seek in their own future relationships. He leads his family with confidence, humility, strength, and love, always putting their needs above his own desires.

A real man understands the value of hard work, knowing he works not for himself but for the benefit and support of his family. He embraces his responsibilities rather than dreading them, recognizing that his efforts contribute to his family’s stability and happiness.

A real man holds himself accountable, taking ownership of his actions without making excuses. He controls his anger and ensures it is never directed at his loved ones. He never feels the need to escape his family; instead, he leans into them, investing time and energy in his wife and children.

Most importantly, a real man honors his commitments and remains true to his word. If he promised “’til death do us part,” it will take death to separate him from the vow he made. He never abandons his family and remains steadfast, fulfilling his duties as a husband and father with unwavering dedication.

Here’s the key: these qualities and characteristics will only flourish when a man humbles himself and submits everything he has to the authority of Jesus Christ. Without this submission, a man becomes enslaved to the lies and deceit of the Devil, often causing harm to those closest to him. An unsubmitted man tends to be selfish, conceited, disrespectful, and lacking integrity. While the world may celebrate or excuse these traits, they fall far short of the true standard of manhood.

I urge all men to examine their hearts and reflect deeply. Return to the true identity for which you were created. Turn back to Christ and embrace His standard. Shed the old self and put on the true identity of manhood: humility, selflessness, service, protection, honor, commitment, and strength found in Jesus Christ. These are the genuine qualities of manhood. It’s time to reject the false identity promoted by society and instead become men of God, not followers of the Devil’s deception.

No One Is Good…

The other day, as I was driving home with my son, he turned to me and said, “Dad, you’re a good dad!” I felt a rush of mixed emotions. At first, I felt honored, but soon shame settled in, realizing how far I fall short of being a good father. I began to think of all the ways I have failed him—being harsh instead of loving, not spending enough time with him, not listening attentively when he shares his heart and excitement. In my son’s innocent eyes, I may seem like a good dad, but I see my own shortcomings more clearly.

Recently, Jesus’s words about goodness have deeply impacted me. He said, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone” (Mark 10:18; Luke 18:19). Our society often judges goodness based on the severity of our actions. We may consider ourselves good if we tell a few lies or have minor flaws, while we view those who commit serious crimes as evil. Yet, in God’s view, there is no such distinction—no one is truly good. Whether it’s telling a lie or causing harm, both fall short of true goodness.

People often claim to live a good life, but what does it really mean to be “good”? Is a good life enough? Jesus made it clear that no one is inherently good. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), He outlined what it means to be good:

  • Anyone who is angry with a brother will be judged.
  • Calling someone “worthless” or “stupid” makes one guilty.
  • Looking at a woman with lust is committing adultery in the heart.
  • Divorcing for reasons other than unchastity causes adultery.
  • Marrying a divorced woman also constitutes adultery.
  • Make no oaths at all.
  • Love your enemies and do not resist an evil person.
  • Do good in secret, without seeking praise.
  • Forgive those who wrong you.
  • Avoid greed and do not store up treasures on Earth.
  • Do not worry.
  • Judge not to avoid being judged.
  • Treat others as you want to be treated.

This list is daunting, and I find myself guilty of many offenses. If these are the standards for being good, then I fall short. The perfect adherence to these principles seems impossible. Is there hope for us?

Romans 8:1 offers reassurance: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” We are all sinners, inherently flawed. True goodness existed once when God created the world and deemed it “good.” But sin entered the world through Adam and Eve’s disobedience, corrupting that goodness. We are now broken reflections of what goodness once was. Only God is truly good.

Without Jesus, we are lost. We cannot stand before a good God with our inherent imperfections. Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate act of taking on our sins and imperfections so that we might be reconciled with God. Through His sacrifice, we are made righteous, and it is only through Him that we find hope and redemption.

No one is good except God alone. Despite our best efforts to live good lives, we fall short of good. Living a “good” life is a lie that our society has bought into. Being a “good” person is not enough, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Our only path to being reconciled to God is through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. In Him, and only through Him, can we be truly good.

Have We Forgotten?

It was just before seven o’clock in the morning. I was preparing for school during my second week of senior year, gathering books and papers into my backpack when my father burst through the front door. This was unusual, as he never came home that early. He rushed into the family room, and I heard the TV turn on. Curiosity got the better of me, so I went to see what was happening. As I rounded the corner, I saw an airplane crashing into the South Tower. My father and I stood speechless. I asked if it was real, and he confirmed that it was. After a moment of silence, he told me to head to school.

I jumped into my car and drove to school. Upon entering the classroom, I saw that the TV was on, and everyone was gathered, watching the news. By then, the Pentagon had been struck. I quietly took my seat and joined my classmates in watching the unfolding events. We watched in horror as the South Tower collapsed, followed by the North Tower twenty minutes later. The TV showed the dust, smoke, debris, and anguished screams. I watched people running in terror and wondered why this was happening, sitting in shock as it all unfolded.

September 11th will mark the 24th anniversary of 9/11. I must admit that it wasn’t until 12 years later, in 2013, when I became a firefighter with the Mountain Home Fire Department, that I truly understood the significance of that day. Through my work, I learned about the brotherhood of emergency services and the meaning behind the number 343. I saw what bravery, courage, and dedication truly looked like and witnessed the extraordinary capabilities of the human spirit.

As a firefighter and a teacher, I had the opportunity to explore and teach students about 9/11. Through this research, my respect for those involved on that tragic day deepened. Nearly 3,000 lives were lost in just 14 hours. Firefighters and police officers, without hesitation, rushed into the buildings, climbing over 100 stories to save strangers from fire and entrapment, unaware that the buildings would soon collapse upon them. Strangers helped each other find safety, comforted one another, and cried together. September 11th, while a day of unimaginable horror, also revealed a side of humanity that seemed forgotten and, sadly, seems to have faded once again.

Twenty-three years later, we are more divided than ever. Whether we blame politics, media, or other factors, the truth is we all have a choice. On September 11th, 2001, there were no divisions—no black or white, male or female, Christian or atheist—just humanity. In that time of tragedy and loss, nothing mattered except our fellow neighbor. It seems we have forgotten what it means to love and support each other. We have lost sight of the importance of selflessness and sacrifice. If we’re not careful, we risk destroying ourselves.

We annually proclaim, “We Will Never Forget!”, but I fear that we already have. We’ve forgotten how to look out for one another, how to help selflessly, and how to make sacrifices for those around us. We’ve lost sight of our equality and the fact that our neighbors are not our enemies. Most of all, we’ve forgotten how to love each other.

On this 23rd anniversary of 9/11, I hope we begin to remember what it means to be unified, to stand together, and to love our neighbors. I urge you to break down walls of pride and embrace humility. Let go of selfishness and embrace selflessness. See your neighbor not as an enemy but as a brother, sister, and friend. Let us remember that we are all in this together and that, when it comes time to run into a “burning building” for our neighbors, we should do so without hesitation, hoping to save lives inside.

As always, stay humble and serve well.

The Distance Between Heaven and Hell

The other day, I watched a video of a pastor discussing the distance between Heaven and Hell. He started by pulling out a tape measure and asking the congregation to estimate the furthest distance in the auditorium—wall to wall, floor to ceiling. Then he posed the question: How far is the distance between Heaven and Hell? He extended the tape measure to around 14 inches and said, “I believe the distance between Heaven and Hell is 12 to 14 inches.” He held the tape measure up to measure the space between his head and his heart, explaining that Heaven and Hell are separated by whether we merely believe in God (head knowledge) or truly obey Him (heart knowledge).

Twelve to fourteen inches—it’s not a great distance. Most people take steps of 30 to 36 inches. We often imagine the distance between Heaven and Hell as vast and unmeasurable, picturing Heaven as above and Hell below. But in reality, the distance between Heaven and Hell is the space between our head and our heart.

Believing in God involves more than just words. As the apostle James says, “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe—and shudder.” Consider that: the demons believe and shudder. Humanity often claims to know God without truly understanding His nature. The demons, having witnessed the fall of man and the events of creation, recognize the true power of Jesus Christ, which makes them shudder. The crucial difference between those who claim to believe in God and are truly saved and the demons who also believe in God is repentance.

What sets us apart from demons is our ability and willingness to repent. In the article “What Did Jesus Mean by Repent? The Hebrew Meaning of Teshuva” by Estra Wieja, she explains that the Hebrew word translated as ‘repentance’ is teshuva (תשובה, pronounced “teh-shoo-vah”). Teshuva means much more than a feeling of guilt or regret; it derives from the verb ‘to return.’ To repent is to fundamentally change our thinking, feeling, and being to forsake what is wrong. Repentance is necessary to escape Hell and enter Heaven. It is a heart action, requiring us to forsake our sinful ways, change our mindset, and submit ourselves to the authority of Jesus Christ.

If we live in sin, act contrary to God’s commandments, and lack repentance, we are like the demons who also believe in God. Repentance is the defining act that moves us from Hell to Heaven with Jesus Christ. Choosing not to repent makes us enemies of God. This is why it’s vital to immerse ourselves in the Word of God and listen to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit. Ignoring the Spirit’s promptings distances us further from God. Truly believing in God means recognizing our absolute need for Him and understanding what it means to be apart from Him.

For those of us who wonder if we are doing it right, I am reminded of a story in Mark’s Gospel about a father whose son was possessed by a demon. The disciples were unable to cast it out, so the boy was brought to Jesus. The father said, “He has been this way since childhood. The demon often throws him into the fire or water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” Jesus replied, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” The boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:14-29).

This is my daily prayer: “Lord Jesus, help my unbelief!” Our sinful nature tends to doubt Jesus Christ’s words and commandments. This has been a human weakness since the dawn of creation, and the devil knows it well. This is why we are no longer in the Garden of Eden. It is crucial to engage with God’s Word daily. As the author of Hebrews writes, “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

Don’t let twelve to fourteen inches keep you from being in the House of the Lord and enjoying His presence forever. Separation from God is a profound and painful despondency that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Set aside your pride, seek to truly KNOW Jesus Christ, and understand that it is through Him that you will have everlasting life. Face your sins, repent, and submit your life to God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Don’t be like the demons who believe but lack salvation or hope.

What Did Jesus Mean by Repent? The Hebrew Meaning of Teshuva

Sons Need Their Father

This blog is dedicated to my father who has been an amazing source of love and strength and has provided me a strong foundation in which to build my own character. He loved me at my lowest times and never gave up on me. He spoke truth and life into me even when I didn’t want to hear it. I am the man I am today because of the selfless love my father showed me.

I am a father to four incredible children: three girls and one boy. There’s a special bond between dads and their daughters—one that drives me to protect them fiercely. This commitment to protection extends equally to my son, though the expectations I have for him differ from those I have for my daughters. The father-son relationship often differs from the father-daughter dynamic, yet it’s crucial that a father remains just as present and protective of his son as he is of his daughters.

A father’s role is to raise his son to be strong, courageous, and brave. Equally important is teaching him to love selflessly, show respect, and embrace humility. The best example a son has is his father. Without this guidance, he might turn to social media, movies, video games, and other questionable influences for role models. This underscores the need for fathers to model these values themselves—showing love, respect, and humility in their own lives. Contrary to some beliefs, these qualities do not signify weakness but are essential to true strength.

For most men, being strong and brave comes naturally, but loving selflessly, showing respect, and practicing humility can be challenging. To love selflessly means to prioritize the well-being of one’s family over personal desires, often requiring a dismantling of pride and embracing of humility.

If a father fails to model these virtues, he risks failing his son and perpetuating negative cycles. Sons look to their fathers for understanding and guidance, especially in a world full of misleading ideologies. Fathers must walk alongside their sons, guiding them to live in truth and avoiding the detrimental messages about women, respect, and arrogance prevalent in media and culture.

Beyond instilling moral and ethical values, sons need the assurance of their father’s love and presence. They need to feel wanted, welcomed, and supported. Regular one-on-one time with your son—whether it’s mowing the lawn, playing video games, or cooking dinner—can strengthen this bond. Even if he declines your invitation initially, keep inviting him. Over time, he’ll come to appreciate and seek out this connection.

A father’s influence is profound. His responses to his son’s actions, especially in frustrating times, shape the son’s view of their relationship. A constant focus on criticism can erode a son’s self-confidence and distance him from his father. While it’s important to address mistakes and encourage improvement, how a father communicates—through kindness and constructive feedback—matters immensely.

Fathers, remember that you are pivotal in your son’s life. You have the power to build him up or tear him down. Strive to cultivate qualities of bravery, love, respect, and humility. There are no excuses for not doing what is right for our sons. We are accountable for the responsibility of fatherhood.

To those who lacked a positive father figure or whose fathers were absent, know that you can still provide a strong role model for your own son. There is a Father who has never abandoned you and who offers a perfect example of love, sacrifice, and humility. Seek a relationship with Him, and you will find guidance, forgiveness, and healing. If you want to learn more, please contact me.

The Selfish Pride of Life

We live in a world where the only thing that matters is “Me.” Following up on my last blog post about Harrison Butker, I have read many posts that have demonized his words toward women about finding value in being a mother and homemaker. Both men and women are calling his words chauvinistic, arrogant, and toxic. Why? What is wrong with encouraging women to find value in being a mother and homemaker? To put it bluntly, it goes against the very current of society: living for self. “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world” (1 John 2:16).

This has been the sin that has been destroying the world since the dawn of time. “If it doesn’t support me or get me further along, then it’s not worth my time or energy.” How selfish is that? My favorite part about all the people throwing a fit about Butker’s words is that they were all children at one point who had nothing and needed nurturing. If it were not for a mother or father or both, who sacrificed their time and energy to raise and nurture them, they wouldn’t be able to throw a fit and complain today. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of “parents” who suck at their job. They are absent-minded, never around, stuck in their phones rather than investing in their children’s lives, but again, that goes back to selfishness and a lack of character and discipline. 

Selfishness breeds nothing but destruction and evil. “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice” (James 3:16). A perfect example of this is the ideology of abortion. If it is inconvenient for me, then I’ll get rid of it” – disorder and evil practice. To those of you who want to argue that it’s just a clump of cells, all you are doing is trying to justify your evil and selfish actions. After all, the word “fetus” is Latin for “little one.” Moreover, if you want to argue that a fetus begins after the eighth week after fertilization, the heart begins beating five weeks after conception. That is just over a month after conception. Furthermore, with nine out of 10 abortions happening before week 12, it is still the murder of a “little one.”

As a husband and a father, my job is to provide for my family. It is to make sure that my wife and children are taken care of, have what they need, and are safe. That is my job. If my family were in danger, I would step in front of anything to shield them from the danger. It is the job of a man to lead and live selflessly. To watch over and protect those closest to him. This is what real men do. We invest, sacrifice, and work hard for those we love. I don’t care about making millions of dollars. I care about leaving a legacy within my family of honor, integrity, discipline, and Godliness. Nothing else is more important than that. 

I believe that it is my responsibility as a man to provide for my family first. I believe that there is nothing more important than my wife being home with my children to invest in them and raise them up with Godly principles. When I am home, it is my job to be present with my wife and children, to invest in them, and teach them Godly principles through word and deeds. This has nothing to do with chauvinism or toxic masculinity. It has everything to do with living selflessly and sacrificing for the good of my wife and children. That is what we are called to do.

Selfishness breeds evil. It is the original sin that severed our relationship with YHWH. When we think and believe that our way is better than God’s, we begin to live further and further away from the Light, and the farther away we get, the darker our world becomes. We then justify our actions, choices, and decisions to make ourselves feel good about what we do and who we are. In reality, there is a feeling inside, a whole, that never gets filled. This missing piece was destroyed the moment we started caring about our selfish desires rather than listening and following the voice of God. 

A candle flicker can be seen from 1.6 miles away. This means there is always a tiny amount of light amid darkness. However, the farther we get from the light, the darker it gets. We were all made in the image of God. This means that there is light inside of us, but for that light to shine, we must stay near the Light. We create the darkness in our lives. The more selfish and prideful we become, the darker our lives become.

It is sad how selfish and prideful this world has become. Instead of celebrating and encouraging selflessness, we have a world pushing for self-seeking, self-serving, egocentric living. “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). When we care more about ourselves and not our neighbors, we build a society of hatred, dissension, arrogance, and pride. Moreover, as the Proverb states, pride comes before the fall. 

It breaks my heart to see our society push to live a self-obsessed, greedy, and uncaring lifestyle. However, that is what you get when you have a Godless society. When you remove God and make yourself god, the only thing that is left is death, destruction, and chaos. I pray that God would reveal Himself to this generation and turn the heart of humanity back to Him!

I Stand With Harrison Butker

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker. Cooper Neill / Getty Images file

This week, my social media has been flooded with Chief’s kicker, Harrison Butker, and the commencement speech he gave at Benedictine College. His speech went viral due to his remarks about encouraging women to be homemakers and mothers. He also called out false religion and religious leaders who do not live a life of sanctification. Butker stood up and said everything that is contrary to modern culture, and he is getting raked over the coals for it.

Butker, who is 28, spoke to a graduating class at Benedictine College, which is a Catholic College. Butker, himself, is a devout Catholic and took the opportunity to share his heart. As a 28-year-old young man, he spoke about ideologies and principles contrary to those of the current culture. He stood his ground and called out immorality and unethical behavior in the church and society. He spoke about his own life and his relationship with his wife. He talked about the importance of women in the home and the undeniable value they have in being homemakers. Overall, Butker gave a speech that called out the destructive ways in today’s society and culture and is getting hated for it. 

Jesus Christ said, “They hate you because they first hated Me.” Butker is getting canceled over his unpopular opinions.  What’s ironic is that the people who want to cancel him are the ones who preach inclusion and acceptance. He took a stand on his principles and faith. He called out the sin within society. He challenged the young people in the audience to consider what truly matters. Nothing that he said, I feel, is wrong, out of line, or unjustifiable. He spoke the truth, and the current society, which hates the truth, wants to see him destroyed for it. 

If you haven’t heard or read Butker’s commencement speech, I have a copy of it linked HERE. I encourage you to read the entire thing. Too many people are only showing snippets of what he said to fit their agenda. Like most things in today’s society, what people say will be taken out of context. This is exactly what has been happening with Butker. Sadly, the current society doesn’t know how to think for themselves and will only read headlines without seeking out the whole story.

When a young man stands in front of a graduating class and shares his faith and beliefs and encourages morality, ethics, and right living, then there is nothing left for me to do than to stand with him and give him my full support. Butker shared opinions contrary to today’s society and culture, which is exactly what is needed. It is refreshing to see a young man stand for morality, ethics, faith, and Christian values. I believe we must support and encourage these young adults who take a stand for what is right and true, and that is exactly what I will do. 

Our current society is running hard toward humiliation, debauchery, corruption, and ultimately, destruction. There are no longer moral or ethical values in our society. When truth is whatever you want it to be, then truth is nothing more than a falsehood. There is only one Truth, and that Truth was rejected and despised by humanity over 2000 years ago. He hung on a cross, cursed, and died for those who hated him. He laid down his life so that we might live. Sadly, the Devil has been hard at work pushing humanity to deny and reject the Truth. However, there are still those who will boldly speak the Truth amid a society that hates, abhors, and denies the very essence of it. 

I applaud Harrison Butker. He stood among giants, spoke the truth, and did the right thing. This society will do everything in its power to cancel him, but it will lead to God’s glory. Cancel Culture will push their agenda to cancel Butker, but they will never be able to cancel Jesus Christ and His Truth. With that said, I stand with Harrison Butker, and I applaud him for doing what is right in a culture that praises evil. 

What do you think? Do you stand with Harrison Butker or do you side with today’s culture and society? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.