Today I am heading out to spend an evening alone with my bride as we celebrate our 14th anniversary.

Anne, I love you more than ever. Through you, God has dealt me overflowing grace, none of which I’ve deserved. I am honored and humbled to have grown together with you in our love of God. I have learned to love God more because you have taught me about God’s love, His faithfulness His kindness and mercy when through you He exhibited these traits and continues to do so. I look forward to the years ahead in anticipation. As in the past, we will experience tears and laughter, sadness and joy, heartbreak and heartleap, but always moving toward that indescribable place of Christ-likeness.

Anne, these are not just things that husbands have to say on their anniversary. You live what you believe. I remember once when I bought you some expensive jewelry. You did not respond with the jubilation that husbands are promised in commercials. You accepted graciously, but I knew that you were disappointed. This was not because the gift wasn’t good enough, but because to be lavished with extravagance is not your way. The jewels you wear are the trust and honor of your husband, the work of your hands, the product of your effort, your modest beauty, the comfort of the needy, the dignity of your family, the wisdom of your counsel, the kindness of your heart, the blessing of your children, the praise of your husband, the fear of your LORD and His delightful smile upon you.

Anne, many women have done excellently but you, my love, surpass them all!

I love you – Happy Anniversary.

Anne & Xavier Pacheco – Married July 20, 1996

1. Men who fail to be spiritual leaders in their home.

2. Men who ogle women other than their wives and do not feel shame for having done so.

3. Men who delegate the raising of their children to their wives or youth pastors. 

4. Men who sacrifice their family for financial prosperity or prestige.

5. Men who are biblically illiterate.

6. Men who degrade, minimize or criticize their wives, and particularly in public, in any shape or form whatsoever, jokingly or not.

7. Men who speak badly about their children jokingly or not.

8. Men who compromise honor, integrity and justice for personal gain, or for any reason whatsoever.

9. Men who lack self-discipline and refuse to improve where they are weak.

10. Men who are not sold out for Christ.

Stay tuned, I will elaborate on each point in further posts.

Two years ago, I volunteered to lead my son's Cub Scout Den. The experience has been wonderful for both of us. We are particularly blessed with the program's commitment to teaching religious values. Since our pack is charted by a Christian church/school, we openly and deliberately uphold and stress our Christ-centered values and the principals of our Christian faith.

Our daughter, who is now five-years old has waited longingly for her own scouting program. In fact, on several occasions she expressed this through tears, not being able to put on a uniform and go to her own meetings and events. So, my wife and I started researching Girl Scouts. Now, my purpose is not to blast Girl Scouts; it is a good and well organized program. Sadly, GS is not as diligent in upholding values of faith as Boy Scouts, at least it is not core to their purpose. In fact, they have compromised in areas where Boy Scouts have not. We were disappointed.

As we researched further, we stumbled upon American Heritage Girls (AHG). If there is any doubt as to whether AHG is a faith-based program, I need only quote their statement of faith:

American Heritage Girls is a Christ-centered scouting ministry. The following Statement of Faith applies to all American Heritage Girls Charter Organizations, Adult Members and Adult Leaders.

    We believe that there is One Triune God – Father, Jesus Christ His one and only Son, and the Holy Spirit – Creator of the universe and eternally existent. We believe the Holy Scriptures (Old/New Testament) to be the inspired and authoritative Word of God. We believe each person is created in His image for the purpose of communing with and worshipping God. We believe in the ministry of the Holy Spirit who enables us to live a Godly life. We believe that each individual is called to love the Lord their God with all their heart, mind, soul and strength; and to love their neighbors as themselves. We believe that each individual is called to live a life of purity, service, stewardship and integrity.

    Clarity is further provided to the following terms:

    Purity – An AHG member is called to live a life of holiness, being pure of heart, mind, word and deed, reserving sexual activity for the sanctity of marriage; marriage being a lifelong commitment before God between a man and a woman.

    Service – An AHG member is called to become a responsible member of their community and the world through selfless acts, which contribute to the welfare of others.

    Stewardship – An AHG member is called to use their God given time, talents and money wisely.

    Integrity – An AHG member is called to live a moral life, demonstrating the inward motivation to do what is right, regardless of the cost 

AHG has received some excellent testimonials from noteworthy people. I will provide two of them:

"American Heritage Girls provides great opportunities for girls to enjoy outdoor adventures, patriotic and religious programs, skills and leadership training, community service, and a great sense of belonging. I commend the adult leaders who are committed to the mission of ‘building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country.’ And I commend the girls who strengthen their own lives and the lives of their friends through their enthusiastic and loyal participation."
        ~Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States of America

" My staff and I here at Focus on the Family applaud your dedicated efforts to instill integrity in the next generation of women - a mission that’s sorely needed in this day and age. Today’s young women are literally barraged with messages that run contrary to the Judeo-Christian principles so many of us hold dear, so it’s tremendously encouraging to know your organization is standing in the gap to counter those influences. I have no doubt many parents owe you a debt of gratitude for all you’re doing to champion the values they are attempting to teach their daughters."
        ~Dr. James C. Dobson, Founder and Chairman of Focus on the Family

This year Village Seven Presbyterian Church and Evangelical Christian Academy are in the process of chartering an AHG Troop. We are very excited, but nowhere near as excited as our daughter. I hope you will look into AHG and if you live in Colorado Springs you might consider attending the informational meeting about this troop scheduled for May 5, 2009.  You can download the flyer here (Download AHG Flyer).

If you are not in Colorado Springs, I encourage you to look into AHG and if there is not a troop in your area - start one.

"No matter what you come up against, you can stand up for what you believe in and you can make a difference."
Katy, AHG Alumna, 23.

AHG Promotional Video

“Farthest from your mind is the thought of falling back.
In fact, it isn’t there at all.
And so you dig your hole carefully and deep, and wait”

"Currahee” Scrapbook of the 506 Parachute Infantry Regiment

She loves Spurgeon more than me!

With a struggling economy, many out of work and many others feeling the precariousness of their circumstances, it is understandable that some may be asking what they should be thankful for.  There are of course the typical things: our health, spouses and children, a home, our freedoms and so on. These are all worthy of our thanksgiving, for those of us fortunate enough to have them.  I anticipate that as we gather around our table and give thanks, in the back of my mind I will be thinking of the many who just lost their job or those who are ill or are undergoing  some level of hardship. There will be those who may have just lost a loved one. Then as I extend my thoughts beyond the boundaries of the U.S. I won't be able to ignore the magnitude of the pain and suffering in our world. I must also ask what we (Americans and humanity in general) should be thankful for?  Is there anything we can truly take grasp of that will never fade? 

Happily there is, and the author of Hebrews speaks to this when he says:

Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe. (Hebrews 12:28, ESV)

Imagine, to be a citizen of an eternal unshakable kingdom where all needs are met and where the One true King can be worshipped. For many, this is merely mythical religiosity. For many others, it is a certainty that transforms every thought, word and deed into the likeness of their King; to be called "children of God"  and "heirs of grace."  Even more so, to become a child of God requires nothing more than the gracious act of God received in faith.

Yes, this Thanksgiving we have so very much to be thankful for!

I'm so thankful that I'm incapable
Of doing any good on my own

'Cause by grace I have been saved
Through faith that's not my own
It is a gift of God and not by works
Lest anyone should boast'

-- Caedmon's Call, Thankful

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!