The David Alliance

Garth Heckman

The David Alliance

[email protected] 

#The brotherhood manifesto

#TripleCsurvivor 

Paul says to run the race… most men are not in shape to run.. and yes it will affect your walk with God. 

Here are the 5 biggest obstacles to weight loss that men commonly face, drawn from patterns in a mans life - 

While men often have physiological advantages like higher baseline muscle mass and resting metabolic rate (which can make initial fat loss faster than for women), these challenges frequently derail progress, especially with age, lifestyle, or unaddressed factors.

1. Declining Testosterone and Hormonal Imbalances

As men age (often starting in the 30s–40s), testosterone levels naturally drop, leading to reduced muscle mass, a slower metabolism, increased visceral (belly) fat, lower energy, and greater difficulty burning calories. Visceral fat is particularly stubborn and linked to insulin resistance, which promotes fat storage and cravings. This creates a cycle where lower T makes weight loss harder, and excess fat further suppresses T. Many men overlook this and treat symptoms with generic diets instead of checking levels.

How to address it: Get bloodwork for testosterone, thyroid, and insulin sensitivity. Strength training (especially heavy lifts), adequate sleep, stress management, and sometimes medical evaluation for replacement therapy can help restore the hormonal environment for fat loss.

Again I truly believe a man who is in health has a much greater advantage serving his wife, kids, employer and the church if he is in shape. Not muscle bound, not run a marathon… but healthy. 

Garth Heckman

The David Alliance

[email protected] 

THE MAN  

ABOUT 2 1/2 YEARS AGO I HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO MULTI MULTI MILLIONAIRE… HIS FIRST QUESTION TO ME RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE “IF YOU WERE TO DIE TODAY WOULD YOU GO TO HEAVEN? 

I ASKED HIM WHY HE STARTS EVERY CONVERSATION LIKE THAT?

AT THE END OF THE CONVERSATION I SAID “HAVE YOU EVER BEEN AFRAID IT MIGHT COST YOU YOUR REPUTATION, BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY OR MONEY? 

HIS REPLY: I HAVE FOUND OUT OVER THE YEARS JESUS DOESN’T CARE ABOUT WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK… HE BLESSES ME REGARDLESS! 

Some day I will own a gym again, and when I sign people up on the contract I will have a place where I explain the plan of salvation to them… I may lose customers… but its always the gospel first! 

When healing takes place, when forgiveness

takes place it is the supernatural invading

the darkness here on earth.

YOU WALK AROUND LOOKING TO MESS UP

SATANS PLANS!

YOU ARE THE SECRET WEAPON!

Stages of faith seen in the scriptures.

- You ask Jesus "if you can” Luke 5:12 Leper

- You ask Jesus “if you are willing” Matt. 8:2 Leper

- If I can only touch him Matt. 9:20

- If he touches me - He goes out and heals the

masses

- If he says the word - Matt. 8:8 The centurion

- If I hear his word - Paul hears Jesus speak to him

on Damascus

- If I read his word - We read the Word and believe

it 

-  I AM HIS WORD 2 Cor. 3:3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.

*Get people to Jesus at all cost (Mark 2:1-5 bring the paralytic man through the roof to Jesus)

  -  What are you willing to do to bring people to the Gospel?

  -  What are you willing to believe in order to get people to the

Gospel?

  -  What are you willing to risk to bring people to the gospel? 

Garth Heckman

The David Alliance

[email protected] 

Going to see G3 and not being able to get up front… but looking for a bathroom upstairs I walked in on him - “your Joe Satriani… Yes I am”. 

Mark 2

When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. 2 Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word (OUR JOB- PREACH THE WORD OF GOD - Preaching Gods word always messes up the religious and the traditional) to them, 3 four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a

mat. 4 They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, (PEOPLE ARE SELFISH EVEN WITH THE BEST INTENTIONS) so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. (SOMEBODY’S GOTTA GET DIRTY - uh…thats not how we do things here - the religious are always quick to point out the “right way”)

5 Seeing their faith ( GK-auton personal possessive pronoun all 5 had faith), Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” (CHILD, I AM YOUR FATHER, YOU ARE MY CHILD, I DISCERN YOUR BELIEF - you believe in me therefore you are now my child/I am your Father) 

6 But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, 7 “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!”  (WHY DO YOU THINK THESE MEN SAW JESUS AS THE MESSIAH BUT NOT THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS?) 8 Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? 9 Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? (RELIGIOUS LEADERS TAUGHT THAT SICKNESS WAS DUE TO SIN IN A PERSONS LIFE - so healing and forgiveness were intertwined) 10 So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, 11 “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”

12 And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!”

a series of controversy stories (Mark 2:1–3:6) that highlight growing opposition to Jesus from Jewish religious authorities

Both reveal Jesus exercising divine authority in ways that clash with first-century Jewish expectations.

Jesus first declares, “Son, your sins are forgiven”—bypassing expected healing and striking at the root issue.

(forgiving sins is “easier” because invisible and unprovable; healing is verifiable), and performs the harder visible act to authenticate the invisible one. The healed man’s immediate obedience proves Jesus’ authority as the “Son of Man” who exercises divine power now, not just in a future kingdom. The crowd’s reaction (“We never saw anything like this!”) underscores the unprecedented nature of the claim.

Taxi drivers in NY - get out now. Uber is coming. It will change everything.

This incident challenges the entire religious establishment: forgiveness is no longer Temple-bound but available through Jesus’ word; institutional mediators (scribes, sacrifices, Pharisees, Rules and Temple system) are sidelined.

Garth Heckman

The David Alliance

[email protected] 

Sermon Psalm 103:5 

who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. NIV

Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. KJV

He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! NLT

Desires/mouth/Glory/years/….souls desires -  the inner most parts of a person. 

With good things

• The “good things” are both spiritual and tangible. Notice the catalog earlier in the psalm:

– Forgiveness of iniquity (v 3)

– Healing of diseases (v 3)

– Redemption from the pit (v 4)

– Crowning with loving devotion and compassion (v 4)

• God never rations goodness. “He who did not spare His own Son…how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32).

• Every blessing in the heavenly realms is already ours in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

Youth GK - Juvenality, young youthful (youth in all that you are. Energy, mindset, optimist)

Eagle

A symbol of strength and renewal in the Bible, the eagle is often used to depict God's provision and the renewal of strength for those who trust in Him.

God's Provision

God is the ultimate provider who satisfies our needs with good things. Reflect on how God has provided for you in both physical and spiritual ways.

Renewal of Strength

Just as the eagle renews its strength, God offers us renewal and rejuvenation. Consider areas in your life where you need God's renewing power.

Spiritual Satisfaction

True satisfaction comes from God alone. Evaluate what you are seeking for fulfillment and ensure it aligns with God's will.

Trust in God's Timing

Trust that God will satisfy you in His perfect timing. Be patient and faithful, knowing that His timing is always best.

Gratitude for God's Blessings

Cultivate a heart of gratitude for the good things God provides. Regularly thank Him for His blessings and provisions.

What Does Psalm 103:5 Mean

Who

David’s “who” reaches back to the LORD he blesses in verses 1-2. The focus is personal: the Creator Himself stoops to care for an individual soul. “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1). Because He is unchanging (James 1:17), His benefits listed in verses 3-4—pardon, healing, rescue, love—flow straight into verse 5.

Satisfies you

• God does more than meet needs; He fills the deepest hungers until nothing is missing (Psalm 107:9).

• Christ echoes this promise: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me will never hunger” (John 6:35).

• Satisfaction here is ongoing, not a one-time event. The verb shouts continual provision, the way manna arrived fresh every morning (Exodus 16:4).

So that your youth is renewed

God’s gifts carry a purpose: revival. The picture is inward vitality overriding outward decline.

• “Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).

• Renewal keeps us useful, hopeful, and energetic for service—never merely comfortable spectators.

• Isaiah connects waiting on the LORD with fresh strength (Isaiah 40:31), showing renewal is relational, not mechanical.

Like the eagle’s

The eagle embodies altitude, longevity, and vigor. Scripture often uses the bird as a snapshot of God-given strength.

• Eagles soar above storms, riding thermal currents instead of flapping in panic—an image of trusting rather than striving (Isaiah 40:31).

• They enjoy remarkable life spans, fitting the idea of youth being “renewed.”

• The LORD carried Israel “as an eagle stirs up its nest…spreading its wings” (Deuteronomy 32:11); He does the same for every believer, lifting us above circumstances into His higher purposes.

summary

Psalm 103:5 promises that the LORD Himself continually fills His people with every good gift, bringing deep, satisfying refreshment that restores inner vitality. Like eagles catching fresh currents, we are lifted by His grace to live energetically and purposefully, confident that His goodness will never run dry.

Some pharisees even argued that it was illegal to pray for someone on the sabbath. 

When is the sabbath?

The determination of the "actual" day of the Sabbath depends on the religious and historical context, as different traditions observe it on different days of the week.

Judaism: Saturday

In the Jewish tradition, the Sabbath (Shabbat) is the seventh day of the week. It commemorates the biblical narrative of the seventh day of creation when God rested.

Christianity: Sunday (The Lord's Day)

Most Christian denominations observe the Sabbath on Sunday, the first day of the week.

THE ORIGINAL COMMANDMENT

Exodus 20:8-11 THE COMMAND

8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested (ABANDONED) on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

The sabbath was given for man to rest and reconnect with God.

Jesus said it was a day for Good… not evil. It was to Meet the deepest needs of man spiritual and physical renewal.

THE SABBATH: PRE-VIEW

FOCUS ON GOD

FOCUS ON WHAT HE IS ABOUT

FOCUS ON WHAT ONLY HE CAN DO

FOCUS ON HOW HE HAS USED YOU AS YOU SEEK TO HONOR HIM IN ALL YOU DO… Thats the secret!

The pharisees were mad that Jesus did not keep the rules… they were powerless, so rules are all they had to feel powerful! 

Remember - rebellion is a false sense of power… but even if fake it sure can feel real… and taste good. 

What rules do you hang on to when you feel powerless? We all do it. 

DO YOU FIND IT EASY TO POINT OUT OTHERS WHO BREAK THE RULES? THAT STEMS FROM A PLACE OF POWERLESSNESS. 

Have you ever said or thought “well at least im not as bad as them”. That is just simply your flesh acting out like the Pharisees… I have more power because I act better.

At least five things in these verses need special comment.

1. Remembering

First, Israel is to remember the rest day. Sabbath means rest. "Remember the sabbath day," means, "Don't forget to take a day off.”

Remember: Make it a pattern. not just day off, NOT JUST A DAY YOU GO TO CHURCH…but a pattern of keeping it holy, focused on God and his works. 

We live in a world where we revel brag and posture on how busy we are.... think about that for a minute... we are proud that we do not take time to focus on God, celebrate his holiness and goodness.

DON’T FORGET TO ABANDON!

It’s God showing us a discipline we all need more of. learning to say NO…

No to people

No to pressures and expectations

No to purchases we think we need

No to things we are not good at

No to time that is spent on meaningless events

Abandon!

Garth Heckman

The David Alliance

[email protected] 

Mark 2 

23 One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields, his disciples began breaking off heads of grain to eat. 24 But the Pharisees said to Jesus, “Look, why are they breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?”

25 Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you ever read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 26 He went into the house of God (during the days when Abiathar was high priest) and broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. He also gave some to his companions.”

27 Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!” 

The Pharisees lived in cities… don’t miss the point. If they were following 

Jesus they were a long way from home. They were simply there to find something wrong with him. ooohhhh people who spend all their time pointing out what others do wrong… powerless and religious!

The people were required to meet the requirements of the Sabbath… this is the law.

JESUS NOW COMES TO FULFILL THE LAW

Lord even over the Sabbath.  

The Pharisees tried to make the Sabbath Holy by following the rules…

Jesus is Lord over the Sabbath. Its not about Rules it’s about Jesus being Lord of your life.

3 Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand. 2 Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus’ enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man’s hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath.

3 Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” 4 Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him.

5 He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored! 6 At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus.

A great example of what happened to the sabbath could be wrapped up in what happened to healthcare.

In the USA Churches started hospitals… care for the lost and poor

If it was a country - It’s the 5th largest economy in the world 

A paper pill cup on amazon is .2 cents, in a hospital it can be as much as $15

*what was once meant to be serving and healing is now consolidation, ownership for the sake of monopolizing profit! 

Some pharisees even argued that it was illegal to pray for someone on the sabbath. 

Garth Heckman

The David Alliance

[email protected] 

Did you know that yesterday EASTER was the exact anniversary of our Lord and Saviors death. Exactly 1,993 years ago on that exact day Christ rose from the grave. 

Walking through the cemetery as a kid at night…

We fear death..

Not birth

Not life

But death… we can’t relate.

I could claim to be born as a God

I could claim to live as a God

I could claim to die as a God

But am I willing to CLAIM to resurrect 3 days later to prove it…

But because he did resurrect we now no longer need to fear death. He conquered it, he made a fool of it, he said where is your sting oh death. Thats all you got? And why wait 3 days until you come back to life? 

 1. Ancient Medical Understanding: When is someone truly dead?

In the ancient world (including Jewish and Greco-Roman thought), people didn’t have modern tools to confirm death (no EEG, no heart monitors). So they relied on observable signs:

What they looked for:

* No breathing

* No pulse (very hard to detect accurately)

* Body cooling

* **Onset of decomposition**

The key issue:

People could appear dead and revive (coma, shock, hypothermia)

So there was always a lingering fear:

“What if they weren’t really dead?”

2. Why “Three Days” Became a Cultural Threshold**

In Jewish thought, there was a widespread belief (not formal doctrine, but common teaching) that:

The soul hovered near the body for about 3 days**

After that:

* The body began to visibly decay

* The soul was considered fully departed

* Death was **final and irreversible**

You see this hinted at in the story of Lazarus:

“Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” (John 11:39)

That’s not just a detail—it’s a theological statement:

“This is beyond recovery. This is real death.”

3. Modern Medical Insight: Decomposition Timeline

Even today, decomposition supports why 3 days is significant:

Within ~72 hours after death:

Rigor mortis comes and goes

Autolysis** (cells breaking down) accelerates

Putrefaction begins (bacteria causing decay)

Odor becomes noticeable

By day 3, the body is unmistakably dead.

So even by modern standards:

Three days removes doubt.

4. The Power of the Resurrection Timing

Jesus didn’t rise immediately. That’s critical.

If He rose:

* After a few hours → skeptics say “He fainted”

* After one day → “Maybe He wasn’t fully dead”

But after three days:

It destroys every natural explanation.

This is why the resurrection isn’t just miraculous—it’s strategically undeniable.

5. Biblical Pattern: “Third Day” = Divine Intervention

The “third day” shows up all over Scripture as the moment God acts decisively:

* Hosea 6:2 — “On the third day He will raise us up”

* Jonah 1:17 — Jonah in the fish 3 days

* Genesis 22 — Abraham receives Isaac back (figuratively) on the third day

The pattern:

Day 1 = loss

Day 2 = silence

Day 3 = God moves

Jesus steps into that pattern and fulfills it.

6. Roman Execution Certainty

From a historical standpoint:

* Roman crucifixion was brutally efficient

* Executioners ensured death (piercing, blood loss, asphyxiation)

* Bodies weren’t casually misdiagnosed

So combine:

* Roman certainty of death

* 3 days in the tomb

* Sealed grave

The resurrection claim becomes *maximally bold*.

Bottom Line (Teaching Power Statement)

Three days wasn’t random. It was intentional.

It ensured that:

* No one could argue Jesus merely fainted

* Death had fully taken its course

* Resurrection could only be explained as supernatural

“Jesus didn’t come back early—He waited until death had fully won… and then He crushed it.”

Garth Heckman

The David Alliance

[email protected] 

Bearer of Measured Brutality.

Do You YOU, feel like I do! Peter Frampton comes alive…

Be the BOMB… 

The man who would go off. Is it seen in your walk, talk, dress, your command of your kids, your eye contact, your voice, your mental involvement in your kids, your social setting awareness.

**Yes, I know exactly what you're referring to.** This comes from a 2017 interview with Jack Reynolds, a convicted child molester from Indiana who served over 12 years in prison for offenses in the 1980s (he claimed more than 300 victims). In the interview—conducted after his release and shared widely in child safety circles—he openly described his victim selection process.

One of the first things he assessed was the child's father. His exact words (from the interview footage and transcripts that have circulated): “If I thought the father was a threat, I would not approach the child.” He targeted boys who appeared isolated, from split or unstable families, or who lacked a strong, present father figure. If the dad seemed attentive, involved, capable of confrontation, or simply “in the picture” in a protective way, Reynolds moved on to easier targets. He wanted zero risk of exposure, confrontation, or interference—predators like him operate in secrecy and silence, and a vigilant father raises the stakes dramatically.

He scoped out potential victims in everyday places like school grounds, Little League fields, or neighborhoods, and he explicitly looked for vulnerability: no close friends the child would confide in, mothers who might welcome “help” from a friendly outsider (he’d position himself as a “superhero” offering to take the kid for outings), boys with little sexual experience, and families lacking strong values or structure.

### Other insights from this and similar predator accounts

This isn’t unique to Reynolds—multiple law enforcement interviews with convicted offenders (and research on grooming patterns) show predators treat “father presence” as a high-risk filter. Here are related patterns that consistently come up:

- **They prioritize low-resistance targets overall.** Beyond the father, they avoid kids who seem confident, assertive, or likely to speak up immediately. They test boundaries gradually (grooming) and bail if the child resists early or has a tight support network (close friends, involved siblings, or other adults who pay attention). Reynolds himself said he skipped kids “that he would tell” because the risk of the child disclosing was too high.

- **Absence or perceived weakness is the real opportunity.** Predators don’t necessarily need a completely absent dad—they exploit dads who appear distracted, disengaged, overly trusting, or unwilling/unable to act. The “threat” Reynolds described wasn’t just physical size or aggression; it was *perceived capability and willingness* to protect (being present, setting boundaries, staying alert). This is why child-safety experts emphasize that involved, visible fatherhood itself is a deterrent.

- **Grooming is calculated, not impulsive.** Reynolds stressed it wasn’t random or overnight—it involved scouting, building trust with the family, and exploiting cracks (e.g., a stressed single mom or a lonely kid). Modern versions often use social media for the same low-risk access, which he himself warned about in the interview as giving predators even more tools.

- **Broader deterrence themes from other interviews.** Similar accounts (from prison interviews and prevention programs) repeatedly highlight that predators scan for *opportunity + low consequence*. Strong parental involvement (dad *and* mom), clear family rules about strangers/adults, kids who are taught to recognize uncomfortable situations and report them, and communities where adults watch out for each other all shrink the “easy target” pool. Physical fitness or “intimidating” appearance can play a role, but consistent presence and boundaries matter more.

The core takeaway from Reynolds’ own words (and why clips of this interview keep resurfacing on parenting and men’s accounts) is simple: predators are opportunistic and risk-averse. They don’t want a fight or attention—they want silence and compliance. A father who is actively engaged, physically and mentally prepared to protect, and visibly part of his kids’ lives sends a clear signal: “Not this one.” It’s a powerful, evidence-based reason for dads to stay sharp, involved, and unapologetically protective. This interview was shared precisely because Reynolds hoped it would help parents close those windows of vulnerability he once exploited.

The Bible portrays fatherhood as a sacred responsibility that includes providing, guiding, disciplining, and actively protecting children—both physically and spiritually. While it does not contain a single verse that says "fathers must be aggressive defenders against predators," it repeatedly emphasizes a father's duty to guard his family from harm, sin, and vulnerability through presence, wisdom, instruction, and spiritual leadership. God Himself is often pictured as the ultimate protective Father, serving as the model.

Key Direct Instructions to Fathers

Ephesians 6:4 (ESV): "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

This verse gives fathers primary responsibility for raising children. "Bring them up" implies nourishing and protecting their growth, while "discipline and instruction" involves training them in God's ways to equip them against moral and spiritual dangers. The warning against provoking anger highlights balanced, non-abusive leadership that builds rather than breaks.

Proverbs 22:6: "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not turn from it."

This calls fathers (and parents) to proactively guide children onto a righteous path, which serves as long-term protection from poor choices or harmful influences.

Proverbs 13:24: "Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him."

Loving discipline is framed as protective care—guiding children away from folly and self-destruction. (This is balanced by calls for compassionate, non-exasperating leadership elsewhere.)

God's Example as Protective Father

The Bible often compares human fatherhood to God's character:

Psalm 103:13: "As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him."

A good father shows tender yet strong care, knowing his children's weaknesses and shielding them.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (instructions to Israel, applied to fathers): "These words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

Constant, everyday spiritual instruction acts as a hedge of protection.

Jesus strongly warns against harming or causing children to stumble:

Matthew 18:6: "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea."

This underscores God's fierce concern for children's safety and innocence, implying fathers (as protectors) must guard against those who would exploit or lead them astray.

Biblical Examples of Protective Fatherhood

Job: He rose early to offer sacrifices for his children, acting as a spiritual "hedge" around them out of awareness of their vulnerability to sin or attack (Job 1:5). This models proactive vigilance.

Noah: He obeyed God to build the ark, saving his entire family from destruction (Genesis 6-9).

Joseph (earthly father of Jesus): He protected the child Jesus by fleeing to Egypt to escape Herod's threat (Matthew 2:13-15).

Broader theme: Fathers in Scripture are called to be providers, leaders, and defenders of the household (e.g., 1 Timothy 5:8 on providing for one's family, or the general principle of headship in Ephesians 5:23).

Broader Insights on Protection

The Bible ties a father's protective role to:

Spiritual warfare and awareness: Being alert to dangers (physical, moral, or demonic) and trusting God while taking action (echoed in passages like Psalm 127 on the Lord watching over the house, or fathers as "watchmen").

Teaching and presence: Deuteronomy 6 and Proverbs emphasize daily involvement—being there, teaching truth, and building character so children are not easy targets for evil.

Compassion with strength: Protection is not harsh control but loving guidance that prepares children to stand firm (Proverbs 14:26 links fear of the Lord with confidence and refuge for children).

In short, Scripture presents the protective father as one who is present, spiritually vigilant, disciplining with love, instructing in God's ways, and willing to stand against threats to his family's well-being—modeling God's own fatherly care. This aligns with the idea that involved, attentive fatherhood raises the "cost" for anyone seeking to harm or exploit a child. Many Christian teachings on family draw from these principles to encourage dads to be both tender shepherds and strong guardians.

If you'd like specific translations, more context on any verse, or examples from Old vs. New Testament, let me know!881msFast

Garth Heckman

The David Alliance

[email protected] 

One of my favorite lines from Chuck Norris movie was - If you come back in here Im going to hit you with so many rights you're going to beg for a left.

It is a scene where a man shows up to threaten Chuck and ends up getting his chest kicked in and everyone running away. 

Matthew 8:28 from screaming and threatening to begging and pleading. 

Why doesn’t Jesus run scared? I know it sounds simple - uh… he’s God? Hello? But what is behind this moment really? He was man who laid down his deity in order to live completely through the power of the Holy Spirit. So what is going on here?

First he went across the lake and storm on purpose… because after the demons get cast out he goes back… yes the city begs him not to come to their city… but he knew that already. He came for one demonic crazy man.

No every day that you are heading into at least ONE ordained moment where its going to feel more natural to run than to stand in faith. Now you may not actually run.. but you may shut up, shrink back from speaking the truth, sharing Christ, praying for the sick, inviting the person to church or to accept Christ. Its easy to run from those situations. But stand your ground… and watch satan get angry and threaten you… but stand your ground. What does Ephesians say after standing your ground, stand firm and stand your ground. 

He then calls them out and says what’s your name? Why would he do that? For those around him. He wanted the disciples to see that even when its on against 6000 you still have the victory. I can see Jesus asking the man and when the demons say “legion for we are many”… Jesus kind of smacks his lips, smiles and cackles… still not enough. YOU ARE OUTNUMBERED BY ONE AND ONLY ONE! 

Then he casts them into the pigs… You have the right to cast out demons… notice Jesus did not ask the man if he wanted to be delivered. He just did it. I am not asking someone if they want to be delivered… I am just going to pray that the demon leaves them…then I will ask them if they want to accept Jesus as their lord and savior. If not I will warn them that this demon will be back with even more demons and they will be in far greater danger… 

Finally, the man begs to come with Jesus, but he says no. Why? I think he would make an incredible disciple… right? Think of the stories and banter with the other disciples… well at least I never ran around naked and bloody…. Oh bob your killing me. Seriously… why not take him on the road? He needs to be the light to those he knows best. Your testimony is greatest to those who used to know you… don’t ever hesitate telling them - don’t be ashamed  - that is the power you have been given - that is the word of your testimony. 

Garth Heckman

The David Alliance

[email protected] 

The 13 Rules for Radicals

In 1971, community organizer Saul Alinsky published Rules for Radicals, a manual intended for "have-nots" to take power back from the "haves." His tactics focus on pragmatism, psychological warfare, and using an opponent's own rules against them.

Here are the 13 tactical rules Alinsky outlined:

The 13 Tactics

 * "Power is not only what you have, but what the enemy thinks you have." If your organization is small, hide your numbers in the dark; if it's large, flaunt it in the light.

 * "Never go outside the expertise of your people." If your activists aren't comfortable with a tactic, they will fail or lose morale.

 * "Whenever possible, go outside the expertise of the enemy." Look for ways to cause confusion and fear by forcing the opposition to deal with something they haven't practiced for.

 * "Make the enemy live up to their own book of rules." If their rule is "every letter must be answered," send 30,000 letters. You can kill them with their own red tape.

 * "Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon." It is almost impossible to counter-attack ridicule. It also infuriates the opposition, who then react to your advantage.

 * "A good tactic is one your people enjoy." If people are having fun, they will keep doing it and come up with better ideas.

 * "A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag." Don't let your movement become boring. Commitment has a shelf life.

 * "Keep the pressure on." Never let the opposition rest or regroup. Use different tactics to keep the pressure constant.

 * "The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself." Imagination and anticipation of what might happen often cause more damage than the actual action.

 * "If you push a negative hard enough, it will push through and become a positive." Every move by the opposition can be flipped into a rallying cry for your side.

 * "The price of a successful attack is a constructive alternative." Never let the enemy score a point by asking, "Okay, what would you do?" Have a plan ready.

 * "Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it." Don't attack "the system." Attack a specific person (a CEO, a politician). It’s harder for people to ignore or defend a single individual than a nameless institution.

 * "The most important requirement for the tactic is the development of operations that will maintain a constant pressure upon the opposition." Action is a series of hits; you must keep the momentum going.

The Philosophy

Alinsky’s core argument was that in a fight for power, the ends often justify the means. He believed that the only way to effect change was through direct, often uncomfortable, confrontation.

> Note: These rules have been used across the entire political spectrum, from labor unions to modern grassroots tea party movements and digital activists.

Comparing the principles in Saul Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals with Biblical teachings reveals a fundamental tension between tactical pragmatism and moral absolutes. While both share a concern for the "have-nots" and the pursuit of justice, they differ sharply on the methods used to achieve those ends.

Here is how a Biblical perspective might respond to the core themes of Alinsky’s work:

1. The Ethics of Means and Ends

Alinsky famously argued that "the ethics of means and ends" are relative to the necessity of the situation—essentially, that the end can justify the means if the cause is just.

2. Ridicule and Polarization (Rules 5 & 13)

Alinsky’s Rule 5 states, "Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon," and Rule 13 advises, "Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it." These tactics are designed to dehumanize an opponent to make them easier to attack.

3. Truth vs. Perception

Alinsky viewed communication as a tool for power; he suggested that organizers must work within the "experience of the audience," sometimes using exaggeration or strategic deception to maintain momentum.

4. Points of Convergence: Justice for the Oppressed

Where the Bible and Alinsky find common ground is in the diagnosis of social ills. Both recognize that power is often concentrated in the hands of the few at the expense of the many.

Comparison Table

Alinsky’s Rule / Concept

Biblical Counter-Perspective

Tactical Ridicule

"Let your speech always be gracious" (Colossians 4:6).

Polarization

"Blessed are the peacemakers" (Matthew 5:9).

Power-Centric

"Whoever would be great among you must be your servant" (Matthew 20:26).

Social Justice

"He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty" (Luke 1:53).

In summary, the Bible would likely support Alinsky’s objective of empowering the marginalized but would reject his methodology of using ridicule, deception, and the polarization of individuals as tools for change.

Would you like to explore a specific Biblical case study where a leader successfully challenged an existing power structure?

Summary: Power vs. Transformation

Ultimately, Alinsky’s response to injustice is a struggle for external power. He wants to shift power from the "Haves" to the "Have-Nots."

The Bible’s response to injustice is a transformation of the human heart, which then works its way outward to change society. It suggests that if you use hatred, ridicule, and polarization to win power, you will simply become the new oppressor once you are at the top.