Is spanking a crime? The media seems to be using high profile child abuse charges levied against a dad as fuel to give that argument credence. There has been a new flurry of articles written by “experts” on the subject. But be alert to phrases like, “And while the modern scientific consensus is clear …” when they are not backed up with objective scientific evidence. Biblical writings are absolutely clear that discipline is foundational in raising a godly generation – young people that respect authority, the rule of law and honor their father and mother. There is a good argument that the present trend of lawlessness and disrespect for authority that percolates in parts of our government and society is the result of a generation raising children with more concern about hurting self-esteem than building self-esteem through sound disciplinary practices in the home.

“Do not withhold discipline from a child; read on...

Are you ready for some football? It doesn’t appear that the NFL was ready for what it got the first couple of weeks of the season. I confess, I am old school and still embrace the rule of law that guarantees us due process when charged with a crime. The way the media and society obsess over YouTube videos and other picture postings, innocence until proven guilty is being turned on its head! We as consumers should not tolerate this, but I digress.

What I find fascinating is the level of physical discipline that professional athletes must practice in order to compete at the level they do. Many of them are able to apply similar levels of discipline to the emotional and spiritual aspects of their lives as well but those athletes do not typically make the paper.

You do not have to be a professional athlete to struggle with inconsistent physical, emotional or spiritual disciplines in life. We see pastors fall from grace and CEOs mismanage the company’s pension funds. We see men struggling with alcohol and dads losing their temper.

Paul provides an example for us in 2 Corinthians, ...read on

My daughter and I were backpacking with other dads and daughters in the Weminuche Valley of the San Juan Mountains back in June. It was our overnight on the trail so after a great day, we enjoyed dinner and good discussion around the campfire. Then the moon rose over the ridge. It was a full moon in full glory illuminating the whole valley in grand fashion. It was so bright that we cast giant shadows as we walked in its light! It provided a brilliant reflection of the sun that night and was certainly the brightest moon we had ever experienced.

I was struck by the analogy of that experience to my walk as a Christian. I am to be a reflection of the Son in order to illumine the valleys of life that family or friends may be walking through. While the moon waxes and wanes through its phases, I as a Christian am waxed to the full by the Holy Spirit. The only waning that goes on is by choice. read on...

It was October 4^th, 1997, on The Mall in Washington D.C. – I was one of over a million men attending Promise Keepers’ Stand in the Gap event. We listened to some of the nation’s top preachers & teachers challenge us on the many fronts of manhood; we heard of Jesus’ example of loving selflessly and sacrificially and were challenged to love our wives in the same way; we sang in force, “A Mighty Fortress is our God”, “As for Me and My House” and other hymns; we were on our knees with billfolds open to pictures of our family, praying for them; and we were encouraged and equipped in the word of God to Stand in the Gap for marriage and family, and for the Church. That was the first time I had heard with such clarity what it meant to be a man.

To put an exclamation point on the experience, the Lord worked through a stewardess on the flight returning a plane load of men to Houston early on October 5^th, almost all of whom had been on The Mall the day before. After the safety briefing, the stewardess said, “Men, I know y’all received a lot of negative press for the gathering on The Mall yesterday. But I want you to know that we women love you, we love what you are doing and pray that you will keep on doing it!” Applause and Amens erupted. read on ...