Dad, Protect Your Family Against Human Traffickers

The threat of human trafficking here in the Philippines is real but we can take precautionary measures to protect our loved ones. Here are things that we should be aware of:

1. Too good to be true promises. A human trafficker often victimizes people who are desperate to get out of poverty. If someone is offering you or a family member an easy way to get a job overseas with a big salary, better make a background check first and see if it comes from a reputable agency and if it is registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs.

2. Be mindful of strangers. Instruct your children never to take food from strangers. Better yet, instruct them never to talk to strangers at all. Teach them to get the attention of a known adult immediately when a stranger talks to them.

"Oh Sweet Lorraine" - A Touching Story About the Beauty of Life-Long Married Love

Fred Stobaugh recently lost his wife, Lorraine after 75 years of marriage. After he saw an ad for a small music studio’s songwriting contest, Fred (who is not a musician or songwriter) submitted a musical tribute to his wife, entitled “Oh Sweet Lorraine.”

Instead of rejecting Fred's entry because it doesn't comply to the contest's guidelines, they decided to professionally record it for him.

Filipino Babies are Not Blessings?

“Babies are not blessings!” This is one of the lines that I can’t forget or even seem to digest from an article written by Ana Santos in Rappler.com. I’m aware of the problem of teen pregnancies in the Philippines but I never considered Santos’ perspective to discourage teenagers from getting pregnant.

It’s true that more teenagers are having unplanned pregnancies in the Philippines. It’s a problem to teenagers if they aren’t physically, financially and emotionally ready for it.

But I prefer a good education on healthy relationships and abstinence in schools and especially in churches to decrease it than preaching babies as an economic inconvenience.

A Father’s Love and the Wrath of God

Raising children is not easy but the joy that it brings is immeasurable. As children grow, they learn by their own, practices their free will in the decisions they makes. As a parent, as a father, we only want what is best for our children. In their path, they are bound to make wrong choices and of course we, as parents who love them will get angry for we do not want them to destroy their lives. Even if we get so angry and disappointed, it would never mean that we no longer love our children. This is the same with our Lord God.

Martin Luther King, Jr., on the role of the church

Words even more relevant now than they were then:

There was a time when the church was very powerful--in the time when the early Christians rejoiced at being deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed. In those days the church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society. Whenever the early Christians entered a town, the people in power became disturbed and immediately sought to convict the Christians for being "disturbers of the peace" and "outside agitators." But the Christians pressed on, in the conviction that they were "a colony of heaven," called to obey God rather than man. Small in number, they were big in commitment. They were too God-intoxicated to be "astronomically intimidated." By their effort and example they brought an end to such ancient evils as infanticide and gladiatorial contests. Things are different now. So often the contemporary church is a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. So often it is an archdefender of the status quo. Far from being disturbed by the presence of the church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the church's silent--and often even vocal--sanction of things as they are. But the judgment of God is upon the church as never before. If today's church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century. Martin Luther King, Jr., "Letter from a Birmingham Jail," April 16, 1963

Baseball Celebs Open Up About Their Most Important Roles Off-The-Field—Being A Dad

I'm giving away one free product gift set courtesy of Dove Men+Care. It includes products from their body wash, face wash, hair care and deodorant/antiperspirant lines. To enter, simply comment below this article or tweet this line: "RT to win free @dovemencare products from @JasonBruce: What fatherhood means to some MLB #BigLeagueDads http://ht.ly/oPCKL"

My Advice to Other Dads: Save Yourself from Porn Addiction

By the end of the 2013, porn will be blocked automatically through your internet service provider. That’s in the United Kingdom. But if you live in the United States or in other part of the world, the battle rages on to keep yourself and your home porn-free.

One time, I was browsing the Internet and I saw this post from a man seeking help. He was addicted, but not with alcohol or drugs. This man was addicted to pornography. He was asking for help because his family is now affected by his addiction. This addiction has been a common problem with most men, and even women too. But it’s not one of the topics that are often discussed because many believe that it’s not that big of a deal or it doesn’t affect them or their families. As a former porn addict, this statement is NOT true!

A Christian Dad's Guide to the Zoo

If you're taking your kids to the zoo this summer, remember some advice from David Mathis of DesiringGod.org. In his article, "A Christian Guide to the Zoo," Mathis said, "The zoo is a wonderful opportunity for the Christian — both for personal worship and worldview formation." He shares some ideas and conversation suggestions to make your trip to the zoo fun, educational and most of all, Biblical. I'm posting it below verbatim: (Source: DesiringGod.org)

1) Prepare ahead of time. The day before, or morning of, you may want to re-read Genesis 1–2, Psalm 8, or other biblical texts that address animals (like Isaiah 11:6–9, James 3:7, or Job 38–41 below). Pray that God would make the zoo a rich, spiritual experience as you have a chance to observe up close some of his creatures you typically don’t see. Parents may want to consider rallying the troops for a short Bible reading and explanation and prayer time before hitting the road. Set the tone early that the zoo can be a profound spiritual experience of learning and worship for the children of the Father who made the animals. Perhaps check the website of the zoo the week before. Most will have some feature to help plan your day and a zoo map to give you the lay of the land.

A Military Dad Reunites with His Family. Thank you Dove Men + Care

You've probably seen military family reunions on YouTube all the time, but let's be honest: They never get old. This new campaign video from Dove Men + Care is exactly one reason why I use their products. Thank you Dove Men for such a beautiful tribute that properly honors the sacrifices our military families make. They deserve it! See John's family reunite just outside of his U.S. military base. John is one of 300 service men to travel home for Father's Day, thanks to the "Mission: Care" campaign. (Click video below).

Faith and Fatherhood: What Are Fathers For?

Interesting debate over at The New York Times: What Are Fathers For? In almost half the American households with children, mothers are the sole or primary breadwinners. This victory for working women shows evolving family economics — or maybe, two very different types of families. So what is the purpose of men in modern families? We’re approaching the holiday that celebrates dads, but do fathers bring anything unique to the table?

My answer... yes they do! Fathers, whether primary bread winner or not still matters. Their presences and involvement are always valuable. In study after study, the absence of fathers is linked to a host of what social scientists call “adverse outcomes” in the lives of children. These adverse outcomes affect all of society—increased crime, substance abuse, and dropping out of school, to name but a few. The “adverse outcomes” can also be more “personal,” although just as devastating: increased incidents of mental illness, sexual promiscuity, and an inability to form stable and lasting relationships.