A Tribute to Dad, by Kevin Mahoney

Who is your hero? Is it someone you’ve seen make unbelievable catches in the outfield? A guy who can score on a header from 20 yards out? A women who can sink a 30 foot putt? Sometimes we see these people as our hero’s. But sometimes it’s important to look behind their lives to see who their hero’s are. Such is the case with Chad Curtis, a man with World Series rings and a ton of memories as a fine major league player. Who is his hero? Here’s what Chad said. “My own hero is my father. I admire the example my dad set for me. He was always there when I needed him. He was consistent. He never wavered in what he believed or in how much he cared for me. His Christian faith strongly influenced me.” And I also know that Ted Curtis protected his son. One time, when Chad had been involved in a much publicized locker-room incident with a teammate, Chad’s dad called me to make sure the publisher knew the real story – not the one reported in the mainstream press.



This is real two-way royalty as it should be: the son appreciating his father’s guidance and the father still caring about his adult son. That’s what can happen when people take Proverbs 1:8 seriously. Solomon is calling for mutual respect as the father imparts wisdom to his son – wisdom for his life and guidance as he goes off on his own. Weather you’re a child who needs to heed your fathers instructions or whether you’re a father who is giving it, keep in mind that a relationship in which a child listen’s carefully to his or her dad’s instructions will lead to future success. And if you’re a dad, someday your son or daughter may even call you a hero.

This story is a perfect example when we apply the scriptures to our lives, we can see the blessings that would happen between a father and son or father and daughter, as well as a mother and son and mother and daughter. Again - Proverbs 1-8 says this – Listen my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Solomon is telling us if we listen carefully to our Father’s and Mother’s advise. It is those, that follow this wisdom, add beauty and honor to their lives. Amen…. Our lives become richer, more fulfilling. It has a real purpose, to help change our family, our church and even our community.



SEE……

I didn’t have the opportunity to grow up and look at my dad as my hero. My mom was taken from me at a very early age, and I use to ask God even before I knew him, “why have I been dealt these cards”. I searched hard and long, for the world to tell me, until 1987 when God finally got a hold of me, and began to tell me why these cards were dealt to me. See as a dad, you reflect on your past. You try to remember all the great times you shared with your own dad. I couldn’t remember one. Then it clicked – My heavenly dad spoke so softly in my ear and said, “I will be your dad”, the one who will never leave you nor forsake you. I will love you unconditionally and forever. When you are weak, I will be there to hold your arms up, when things are tough. And I will be the one that holds you when you breathe your last breath. That agape love is the same love we are to have with our own kids. The Lord has blessed us with three amazing children. Noelani, Jebb and Gunnar. As a dad, I don’t look at the grades that come home, nor how many trophies they won, or how many achievement certificates they receive. When our children look to us, in the highs and lows of their lives, they see one consistent thing – acceptance, approval, understanding and that unconditional love that I was given, back in 1987. If asked if there is anything I would do different as to being a dad, my answer would be no. I can say one thing for sure, I will never change, these words, for if I do, the ramifications are great for the future of my children – for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad times, til death due us part. My wife and I are partners for life, and the greatest reward our heavenly father has given Loriann and I, is the title of Mommy and Daddy. A title which there is no other greater feeling, when the words are spoken directly from my children’s lips. To hear daddy I love you, comes full circle to God’s promise he gave me, as he whispered in my ear 22 years ago.

To all you dads out there. every Day is Fathers Day! Amen………………

Mahalo,
Kevin Mahoney
Founder - NEHIM 1994

Real Men are Passionate

I know what you’re thinking. “Dan you have of the most stoic personality I’ve ever known, you’re not passionate. Does this mean you’re not a real man?” There are three possiblities to examine; 1) Passion is not a hallmark of a real man. 2) I am not passionate and therefore not a real man. 3) The world has confused you with a counterfeit passion and you need to be reminded of what biblical passion looks like. I’ll examine each of these in turn.

Is passion a hallmark of a real man? Excellent question. Hollywood occasionally tells us no, a real man is not passionate but stoic ruled by reason. The apathetic leading man, Sherlock Holmes, Batman, etc. These characters are not common and usually not successful in the theater. Who wants to go watch a movie about a boring man? Would you want to watch a movie about Eyore the donkey? More often Hollywood creates a leading man that is over the top in his passion. Think about Forest Gump, William Wallace and Maximus Decimus Meridius. These characters sell tickets. We’re drawn to these men, they’re leadership and passion are attractive to us. But are these real men? What does the ultimate authority teach us, what does the Bible say? Jesus was described as having a “zeal for your house will consume me” (Psalm 69:9, John 2:17). This was recalled by the disciples from Scripture immediately after he turned over the market tables in the temple court. This statement was followed by an even more passion laden state from Christ himself. “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days (John 2:19).” The words are dripping with passion. I can see the movie scene in my head. How much better is this scene than Forest Gump repeatedly yelling “Jenny!” Christ was passionate. Christ had a singular passion. Salvation. Nothing else mattered. He dined with the dregs of society. He alienated the powerful. He altered his friends (the disciples) schedule so that he could call a tax collector out of a tree, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today (Luke 19:5).” I’m struck by the work must. Then in verse 10, Jesus’ mission statement, his passion “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." Jesus was a man of passion. We are to be perfect as Jesus (our Father) is perfect. Real men are passionate!

So now argument two, that I (Dan) am not a real man. Perhaps you’re right. In your view, I’m not outgoing. I’m not excitable. I don’t have (many) fits of rage. I’m controlled, collected even confident (maybe). I’m not going to win any Oscars. I can see how you might mistake these traits as a lack of passion and desire. So what is the big deal if I’m not passionate? The truth is that if I am not living with passion I am not living like Christ and by definition I am living in sin. I am not going to argue that I am not living in sin. All who breathe live in sin. It’s the human condition. This is why repentance is so vital. I understand that given my personality you could argue that I don’t have great passion and therefore am not a real man. I forgive your ignorance. Let me explain by looking at the third possibility. What are desire and passion?

Desire is a funny word because it is not often used as a synonym for passion but in truth they are synonymous. Society has perverted the words because they’re desires, they’re passions are perverted. The world desires things of the world, more money, more sex, more power. Desire is not merely a want, and passion is not merely an emotion. The world offers a counterfeit to what Jesus really has for you. The world can offer fabulous wealth, if you work hard enough. Jesus offers you eternal life with him, in heaven, if only you’ll accept him as Lord. Do you see the dichotomy? The world tells you that passion (and love) is an emotion. To the world desires the pretty woman walking down the road with no regard for what is best for the woman. Selfish, in the moment, desire rules. This is not a true desire. It will never satisfy. Do you notice how unhappy the world has become? More stuff, more achievements, more luxuries to satisfy a desire they don’t understand and can’t fill. The truth is that emotions are fleeting, often controlled by external conditions. The sun is shining so I’m happy. My wife just kissed me so the world is right. These are the desires of a boy not a man.

The Bible shows that passion is a driving force that cannot be changed by wafting emotion. Desire, passion is the force that drives you to do the things that benefit the Kingdom regardless of the cost to self. Passion and desire are actions just as love is an action. Just as James warned us that faith without actions are dead, passion is in the same fold. Look at the writers of the New Testament after the crucifixion. Each of these men deeply desired, a God given desire, to preach the Good News. The desire was so strong that it did not matter what happened to them as long as their mission was moved forward. Insults, shipwrecks, arrests, beatings, stoning, boiling alive (and John survived) and murders didn’t stop these men. They considered themselves blessed when they were persecuted for name of Jesus. God given desires are bigger than individuals. These desires are selfless. Think of Christ in the Garden. “Father, take this cup from me but let your will be done.” The desire is bigger than the individual. Christ wants a biblical desire to dwell in our hearts. Jesus had biblical desire, “to seek and save the lost.” This is exactly what we, as Christians, are called to desire. It is the Great Commission. However, I believe that the Bible also tells us that each man is given a special desire on his heart as well. God has gifted some to be apostles, some teacher, some pastors, some prophets, etc. (look at Romans 12:6-8, 1Cor. 12:27-29 and Ephesians 4:11). These are just a few of the gifts that are to be used in the church body, preparing the body for service (Eph. 4:12). These desires are consistent with the Great Commission but may be a little more detailed, guiding the Christian man as to how to reach the multitudes. It’s Christ’s individual call on your life.

So what are your gifts? You need to find out. Examine your desires and put them into action. This act alone will lead to tremendous growth in your spiritual walk with God. What are you waiting for? Where are you driven? For example, I've been given the desire to teach and disciple new believers, especially men and couples. Leading through example, through relationship, through work of God in my life to help develop strong Christians who can in turn pour their gifts out. This desire is what drives me to meet with men one on one, to write these devotions, to seek out men that I know God is prompting me to connect with. It’s not in my natural personality. Given my natural self I would rather fade into the background, refuse to lead and go and do my own thing. But like Peter, Paul, James and Jude before me, I am happy to be a slave to Christ and a servant to the church. One owned by Christ not the world. A royal priest and joint heir with Christ. Given the passions of the King rather than my own selfish and shortsighted wants. Christ has made me a real man.

In His Service,
Dan

Misery or Greatness

My misery confirms my greatness.

I’m paraphrasing Pascal, but it is nonetheless true. Despite my accomplishments. Despite all that I have and that which the world craves and idolizes, I am not satisfied. Success is bitter and failure is unbearable. Why is this so? Where have we gone wrong? We went wrong from the very beginning. We know that Adam (and Eve) was created in the image of God and commanded to rule the world. Rule the world as the image of God. Be fruitful as the image of God. My misery is a direct result of not fulfilling my role. God called all men to be an authority (to rule) and be creative and productive (fruitful). Where is the place we can accomplish the goals that God has set for us? How can we operate with authority in a world that hates, or ought to hate us? How can we be creative and productive when the world demands so much from us?

Authority is permission and freedom from doubt. If I give you the authority to write check against my bank account I’ve given you permission. This is what God gave Adam when he told him to rule over the world. He gave Adam permission to make decisions. Authority is given. Authority is also a freedom of doubt. An expert in a subject is so well versed in the subject matter that he is free from doubt in that subject. Adam was told to subdue the world, to name the things of the world. Authority is earned through works. Only when authority is both given and earned does it produce fruit. There are many examples in the Bible. Think of Paul prior to his conversion. He had done the work and earned authority. People respected his authority out of fear. No one challenge him, including the chief priest, when he asked for warrants to arrest Christians in distant towns. Where was his fruit? On the road to Damascus authority was given to him and “immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues” (Acts 9:20, NKJ). The most powerful evangelist the world has ever known is born. You and I are part of Paul’s fruit! Contrast that with Solomon. Solomon was given authority but did not earn it, God made him king, gave him wisdom and treasure beyond anyone else in the world. Solomon squandered it all. His works were sinful and ultimately his pedigree was removed from Israel. His son ruled Judah after the split of Solomon’s kingdom, not Israel who was God’s chosen nation. Where is Solomon’s fruit? Authority must be given and earned (authority not salvation which is only given) under God’s direction to produce fruit.

How do we find the area that God has called us to? I can do many things well but I also know there is something that God desires me to acomplish. I know there is a job that only I can do, only I in all of creation, past, present and future. Only Mozart could have composed Requiem. I can barely write a measure, it’s not my gifting. So the question I must answer is where is my gifting, where is my passion? Passion and misery are incompatible. Work in God given authority, in God given passion and your fruit will be uncountable. So where is your passion? Where is my passion? What is it that I can do all night, every free moment, and not feel drained? What am I good at, what do I enjoy. That’s a good start to find what God has chosen for me.

Imagine what Mozart would have been if he were only a farmer. I imagine the passion to compose would have torn him apart. It would have been destructive because it would have been sin. God’s will for him was to compose music. Mozart was writing full symphonies by age 5. Mozart earned authority through countless hours practicing and God gave him authority. Mozart heard and understood composition like few others. God gave him something else to go with this authority. God gave Mozart passion in this authority. During his life Mozart wrote over 600 compositions. Mozart died at the ripe old age of 35! That is an average of 3 weeks per masterpiece.

You were made to be great. You are miserable only because you have not found your greatness. Find your passion. Earn your portion of authority. Receive your gifting. Banish your misery.