1. The Generational Perception of the American Dream

• The Work Ethic of Baby-Boomers and Gen-Xers
  What exactly is the American Dream? To look back at the men of the Baby Boomer and Gen-X generations, one could surmise that the American Dream is to work no matter what. Grind yourself to the bone so that your family can eat. Are you miserable? Suck it up, your family needs to eat.
• Sacrifice and the Absence of Spiritual Leadership
  In an earthly sense, this seems noble and admirable. But if you were to look to that generation, how many of those men were/are actual strong leaders in Christ? I don’t mean how many were “good men” by character and work ethic. I mean how many were actual, legitimate leaders in Christ for their families?

2. Worldly Standards vs. Christ-centered Living

• The Downfall of Measuring Worth by Income
  Maybe your view on it is different, but when I look at most men from those generations, they often are men who find their principles and morals in “hard work” and “sacrifice”. Only, the sacrifice they reference is not related to the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made, but rather a sacrifice of family time, time to pour into wives and children, family vacations, etc. No doubt many of these men were in fact, good men by worldly standards. Unfortunately, striving to be a good man by worldly standards leads people to hell.

3. Life Scenarios: Lessons from a Father to His Son

As I struggle with my own career choices, wanting to leave the security and comfort of the Fire Service as I am feeling led to be more present at home so that I can biblically lead my family, a Pastor friend of mine posed this thought to me…

• Scenario 1: Success Through Worldly Eyes
  He said, “Imagine your oldest son. He is ten years old. You have 6 or 7 summers, baseball seasons, football seasons, Christmas, and birthdays before he is likely out of the house…Your son grows up, and in scenario 1, he has a good job and a fancy home, and by worldly standards, he is successful.
• Scenario 2: Success Through Christ’s Eyes
  Now imagine scenario 2… Your son grows up, lives in a modest suburban home, has a decent job, but works only the hours required as overtime and late nights are not his priority. His priority is at home and leading his wife and children in Christ.

Those two scenarios laid out really punched me in the gut. At what point did we get so lost to thinking that income determined our value and our success? When we die, that money cannot save us from the pits of hell. Not us, our wives, or our children.

4. The Ultimate Sacrifice: Reflecting on Christ’s Journey

I have 6 years until I can retire. That just about matches up with the number of years I have left with my oldest son under my roof. So, I take the two scenarios into account. But then I think about Christ… imagine if he was on His way to the cross to be crucified. To die for our sins so that we may live. Truly live, that is.

Imagine Christ said, “no, I think I will wait another six years. Think of all the people I could reach in those six years.”
Thank God He did not. In God’s time, Christ went to the cross and died for our sins. Christ saved countless lives by that single action.

5. True Toughness in Christ

Men today want to be tough. Well, some do. Many want a handout, but that is for another entry. But true toughness is found in Christ. Not in worldly matters. Toughness is the true surrendering to God. Understanding that sacrifice is not missing out on life so that your family can have material things. Bravery is not standing on a mountain top and screaming your political beliefs.

6. Leading by Example: Lessons from the Holy Bible

All of these truths are found between the covers of the Holy Bible. Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the light. No one comes to the Father except through me” John 14:6.

As men, we need to make sure the centerpiece of our life, the foundation on which we lead and serve is not found in man or earthly expectations. We MUST teach, show and provide the example that these things are done through Christ and for Chris