Our Character Can Be Measured By What We Laugh At

I don’t stay up on the world of rap music, but it was hard to ignore the recent media storm caused by an “artist” who goes by the moniker “Lil Wayne.” His recently leaked song was so over the top that even the hip-hop industry—known for its casual use of sex and violence—reacted. The song, referencing a sex act and a part of the female anatomy, contained the line, “beat that [blank] up like Emmett Till.” His recording label apologized. Apparently, although violence against women is commonplace in rap lyrics, it’s still taboo to mock the Civil Rights movement.

Many musicians, such as Stevie Wonder, took the rapper to task, as did Till’s family. Said Till’s cousin, “He wouldn’t even be out there rapping these stupid lyrics without the sacrifice Emmett made.” If you’re unaware of what she’s referring to, Till was a 14-year-old African American boy who, in 1955, was savagely beaten, tortured, and killed by two white men in Mississippi for allegedly whistling at a white woman. My wife’s grandfather was one of the prosecutors in the trial, despite the great risk to his life and livelihood as a white man prosecuting a black lynching in deep Mississippi. The jury, in a kangaroo court, acquitted those men, who later confessed. But it was the courage of Till’s mother to hold an open casket funeral that finally exposed the deep evil of racism in the south. The horrific images of Till’s body were published in Jet magazine and provided a major spark for the Civil Rights movement.

Oz the Great and Powerful: A Powerful Tale of Good and Evil

Here's an excellent review on the new move, "Oz the Great and Powerful" from a colleague and posted in my work website, BreakPoint.org. The movie is a powerful tale of good and evil and a nice film for older children. My kids might be too young for it and may find some scenes too intense to watch in the big screen. We'll just wait for it in DVD. But I like the main theme the movie presents, that goodness is better than greatness - a theme that our culture today needs to understand. It's good to know early what the film is about so I have a head start of what to discuss with my kids. I can't wait to have this discussion with them! "Oz the Great and Powerful" is produced by Disney and features James Franco, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz and Mila Kunis. Now in theaters.

Free Copy Giveaway, “American Sniper: Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S History” by Chris Kyle

I just finished Chris Kyle’s book, American Sniper: Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S History. It is an excellent read on a great American hero. Unfortunately, we lost Kyle recently when he and a companion were shot and killed last February by a fellow veteran, who Kyle had taken to a gun range in an effort to help him with post-traumatic stress disorder. Despite of his tragic and sudden death, his active service as a Navy Seal sniper and the self-sacrifice he displayed to save American lives will always be remembered. Kyle was straightforward not to take sole credit for his accomplishments but gives credence back to other military service men who also sacrificed their lives for the mission. These men got shot, lost their vision, lost their limbs and ultimately their lives to protect Americans from those who hate the country because of freedom and allegiance to Christianity.

Manila Zoo’s Lone Elephant Mali and the Rise of PETA’s Animal “Rights”

Singer actress Geneva Cruz and other female model-celebrities recently posed nude for a People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) advertisement that called for the transfer of Manila Zoo’s lone resident elephant, Mali, to a sanctuary in Thailand. PETA believes the 38-year-old female elephant had been suffering from “profound loneliness” and must be in the company of other elephants in a sanctuary. Manila Zoo officials and veterinarians opposes the transfer stating that Mali is not fit to travel and argues that being alone in the zoo does not mean she is suffering. (Photo by Danny Pata, PETA Philippines)

The Rock, Fatherhood and Milk

One commercial that stood out last Super-Bowl XLVII was the “Got Milk?” ad from action-star Dwayne Johnson, also known as The Rock. Why? Because it shows a noble character who was willing to do whatever it takes to get milk for his children. Even if it means chasing the milk delivery truck through the streets in his pajamas, while the city around him is in absolute commotion. I understand the urgency. An 8 oz. glass of milk contains 8 essential nutrients, including 8 grams of high-quality “body fuel” protein that will help tackle your day – who doesn’t want that for their family.

Protecting My Children from Sexually Explicit Media

My daughter walked into the living room just as Beyonce started her halftime performance at the Super Bowl. But instead of changing the channel, I decided to let her sit on my lap and we watched the pop star together. I had the remote control in the other hand in case Mrs. Jay-Z pulled a Janet Jackson on all of us.

I told my daughter that Beyonce was a popular singer and was part of a pop group before she (my daughter) was born. She recognized some of the songs and was pleased to discover the singer behind the songs she sometimes hears from her friends. After the performance, I asked her what she thought of the show. She said, “I like her songs and the singing but I don’t like her clothes . . . it’s showing too much.” (In my mind I did the Macauley Culkin’s “Yes!” gesture from “Home Alone”).

Some Golden Bullet-Points from #Dad2Summit

Dove Men Care

Sword training w/ @mcstuntman

It was really good to be in one place with other men who have the same passion as mine. This was the experienced I had last weekend at the Dad 2.0 Summit in Houston TX. It was my first blogging event and the trip was all worth it. I feel energized, affirmed and more inspired to take on my role as a father to my two children and a husband to my wife. The event was more than just about blogging and the business of marketing brands. It’s about fatherhood and how to navigate the challenges of modern life and be proud while doing it.

I wrote down in bullet-points some of the many golden nuggets I learned from the event and posting it here so I won’t forget. Here are some:

•    Never give up on my children. It’s not about the milestones; it’s about making plenty of little moments where my children can hear us and they get it.
•    Stay calm. Be prepared for bra shopping with my daughter in the near future.
•    Act in accordance to my words. Spend time with my children rather than just writing about it.
•    I don’t have to be a trained writer to write or publish a book. All I need is passion, an idea, persistence to make my idea happen and lots of business card.
•    It’s OK to self-promote.
•    My writing reveals my worldview. Be proud and write loud.
•    People are drawn to authenticity. It’s OK to be vulnerable and write about things that exposes you. If a man grabs your testicles, write about it.
•    Improve in my story telling. Practice, practice and proofread.
•    Not all men are slobs. Men from different backgrounds also love their families and want to make their wives life easier.
•    Real men love their children. Real men love their wives. Real men talks about recipes and household chores. Real men talks to their children on the phone using childish-baby voices.
•    I am not alone. In fact, there’s too much competition in the karaoke bar and getting free stuff from brand sponsors.
•    I look good in cowboy boots. I look good sword fighting.
•    I’m not in college anymore. My tolerance for alcohol has drastically dropped.
•    Lose weight easily. Get a shave and facial treatment from Dove Men Care. You’ll be surprised how much pounds you carry with all the hair, dirt and grease on your face.

And there was more that I tweeted that weekend and notes on my notebook that I will review from time to time. Dad 2.0 Summit was quite an experience. I made instant friendships with some and acquaintances with many. I don’t mind visiting it again next time.

Appreciate all the sponsors of the event:

Dove Men Care
Honda
ConAgra Foods
Kraft Cheese
Milk
Sears Auto Center
Turtle Wax
Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co.
Ella's Kitchen
Jamba Juice
Kidde Safety
DadLabs
National At-Home Dad Network
ParentsPost.com
Single Jingles

Christians are the Worst! When Our Words Doesn't Match Our Actions.

A restaurant food server once said, Sundays are the worst…That's when the church crowd goes out to eat…. They're usually the most demanding, and they're always the worst tippers. I guarantee you, if you see your table praying before the meal, you can mentally subtract a third from your tip.

Ouch! What a harsh dose of reality on how people view Christians on Sundays... of all days.

I’m proud of my Christian faith but I’m not proud of my fellows Christians. Christians have a poor record of showing good character and mercy to others. Instead of being “a light” to their neighbors, they are “dark clouds” that rain on their parade. It’s infuriating.

The other day, a restaurant server posted this picture in Reddit.

Religion Isn't Masculine?

Focus on the Family's Boundless Line blog had an interesting post on why men dislike attending church. The post featured an except of an interview with author David Murrow, author of the book How Women Help Men Find God.

To appeal to men, Murrow suggested the church should make preaching short, make services more God- and mission-focused, and avoid "Jesus is my boyfriend" type music.

Although Murrow may be right in some ways, I think there's a deeper reason why fewer men go to church. Could it be that there's an underlying myth that many believe that real men don't need religion? That religion is only for women, children, elderly and for the weak? If so, the myth only exists in the modern Western culture, because the last time I traveled around the world (via Discovery and National Geographic Channel), I noticed that men are naturally and deeply religious, and that men are actually the dominant gender in other religions in the world. Who could ignore the throngs of Buddhist monks in Tibet, or the crowd of Jewish men praying at the Western Wall, or the sea of Hindu and Muslim men making their annual pilgrimages in India and Mecca respectively?

The problem is modern culture does little to remind men in the West of their spiritual nature and their need for a relationship with someone greater and more powerful than them. Stephen Arterburn once said in his podcast that all men were created by God to worship God for the glory of God. When men do so, they are expressing their true humanity and their true masculinity. So who says religion isn't masculine?

What do you think dads? Do you teach or model religiosity or faith to a higher god to your children?

(Image by Stephen Sawyer)

My "Political Illusion" is Officially Over. Congratulations, President Obama!

President Barrack Obama was inaugurated this week and for me it’s still a hard pill to swallow that he will be leading the United States for another four years. I campaigned for Mitt Romney and it was the first time I put in a lot of time, energy and high hopes to a candidate. Losing the election was hard to take but it’s a reality I learned to accept that most Americans still believe in the policies of the Obama administration.

The experience made me reflect on my perspective on politics. It taught me a few things on how I should view government and what I should teach my kids about America- because it’s up to us dads to educate our children about politics:

Lesson 1: Elections in the United States is generally peaceful compared other parts of the world. Watch the international news and you’ll see a culture of corruption in many political elections in developing countries. I still remember the National election in the Philippines back in the 80’s where armed men attacked polling places and snatch ballot boxes from election volunteers. Or, the murder of the more than 50 journalists and civilians in 2009 during a gubernatorial election.  I’m thankful that we’re free to vote and don’t live in a violent society.

Lesson 2: Don’t put all your hopes in politics. “Political illusion” is a new term I learned from the Colson Center; it is thinking that politics is the answer to every problem.  As Christians, we should know better. The Kingdom of God is bigger and more secure than any Western civilization, not because a particular leader but because of Jesus Christ.

Lesson 3:  Now is the right time to do what is right. This is not the time to sit back in sorrow because my candidate didn’t win. I like what my colleague said, “the cultural work that needs to be done to restore human dignity, to restore moral foundations to our society are much bigger than the political process. We need to work in all areas of society to reflect and show that Christ is Lord over all."

(Photo credit: @toniasanders, Instagram)