Sometimes I say something that sounds cool or hits home with you. It probably wasn't me talking. Sometimes I do something right and amazing things happen. The chances are good that I can't take any credit for that. The overwhelming and matchless grace of an Almighty God is more than enough to compensate for my tremendous ability to suck at life.
At a point in life where it seems that the weight of the entire universe should be upon my shoulders, I am at peace. In the face of a host of reasons to be a giant stress ball, I'm laughing it off and pressing on. How is that possible? I don't have a career figured out, I don't have a wife or anyone who looks like she could be one, I don't have money or many "cool" things, so why am I so happy?
Mostly because I've somehow managed to obey 1 Pet. 5:7 and "cast my cares on Him." It's a beautiful thing when you can wake up on a Monday morning where you've had less than 4 hours of sleep and smile. My friends, if you would just let Him take care of the uncontrollable things in your life and stop worrying about things you can't affect...you would know joy and peace on a level you've probably only dreamed of at this point.
It's like the serenity prayer from when we were all kids "Lord grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference." How profound.
As college students, everyone trys to put so much pressure on us, trying to knock us down. The world's view of success just doesn't seem that appetizing to me. Why should I hoard "stuff" and grasp and claw for every scrap of temporal happiness, pleasure and anesthetizing of pain? Why should I pick that special someone based on what I can see? Why should I judge and put you down to bring me up? Why should I gossip and slander, tearing down my brothers and sisters...only to somehow satiate my internal struggles of insufficiency? Why should I be afraid?
The answer is...I should not. You shouldn't either.
2 Cor. 12:9 "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
Do all that you can to serve God, love people and make the world a better place. Leave to rest up to the Man that runs the show. If you mess up, fess up. Get up and get back to it. GO.
Be blessed...
18 February 2008
09 February 2008
McCain / Huckabee ticket?
With the development of the presidential primary races this week, things have come into much greater clarity. When Mitt Romney officially suspended his campaign early this week, it essentially gave the nomination to McCain. Unless a total miracle of God happens, McCain will be the republican's nominee.
I support Mike Huckabee for President. I think that he would lead America back in the right direction, back towards integrity and character, back towards Jesus. The prospect of a R.I.N.O. running the republican's ticket really scares me. McCain's stand on the sanctity of life, of embryonic stem cell research, homosexual marriage rights, immigration and tax reform really bother me. I don't think for a second that John McCain is the right man for the job.
That being said, he will likely win the nomination. With Clinton and Obama embroiled in a very tight democratic primary...McCain will have the head start on fundraising and gameplanning. If he wins the primary as he should, I can't think of a better candidate to fill the ticket as VP than Mike Huckabee. Huckabee is a strong personality, a veteran and skilled debater, a proven leader and effective instrument for economic reform. If McCain is smart, he will attract the evangelical demographic and put Huckabee as his running mate.
It's sort of a consolation prize, but putting Huckabee in the White House, even as VP, can only mean good things for America. I am nothing close to a fan of John McCain, but if I have to chose between him and the likes of Clinton or Obama...McCain wins every time.
I am very concerned for the future of America. I believe we're entering into some very dark days in the life of our country. America has rejected God for more than a generation and it's beginning to catch up with us. 9/11 was a wake up call that unfortunately, only briefly rustled us from our spiritual slumber. The old adage of "evil prevails when good men (and women) do nothing" is in full force. The church is mostly either oblivious or incapable of responding effectively to the onslaught of darkness. Our eyes are in the mirror instead of in the clouds, seeking God's face. Our focus in internal when it should be eternal.
Call me melodramatic, call me a doomsdayer if you wish. I believe that this upcoming presidency will be a defining presidency for the rest of American history. Just as FDR's presidency defined the path America has taken in the last 60 years, I believe that whoever moves into the White House in January of 2009 will change the course of America's destiny one way or another.
Fellow believers, now is the time when we must be pleading for God's mercy and grace on our country. Be in prayer for our leaders, for the voters, for the hearts and minds of our judges and elected officials.
Also, I think it goes without saying, but: GET OUT AND VOTE. If you don't vote, you are letting people who hate what you stand for determine who runs this country. I, for one, am going to exercise every ounce of influence, power and constitutional authority I can grasp in the coming months. If you stand for the truth, you should to.
If you stand for the darkness, for murder and debauchery, for "tolerance"...be afraid. The sleeping giant that is the American church is stirring. Morning is almost here.
I support Mike Huckabee for President. I think that he would lead America back in the right direction, back towards integrity and character, back towards Jesus. The prospect of a R.I.N.O. running the republican's ticket really scares me. McCain's stand on the sanctity of life, of embryonic stem cell research, homosexual marriage rights, immigration and tax reform really bother me. I don't think for a second that John McCain is the right man for the job.
That being said, he will likely win the nomination. With Clinton and Obama embroiled in a very tight democratic primary...McCain will have the head start on fundraising and gameplanning. If he wins the primary as he should, I can't think of a better candidate to fill the ticket as VP than Mike Huckabee. Huckabee is a strong personality, a veteran and skilled debater, a proven leader and effective instrument for economic reform. If McCain is smart, he will attract the evangelical demographic and put Huckabee as his running mate.
It's sort of a consolation prize, but putting Huckabee in the White House, even as VP, can only mean good things for America. I am nothing close to a fan of John McCain, but if I have to chose between him and the likes of Clinton or Obama...McCain wins every time.
I am very concerned for the future of America. I believe we're entering into some very dark days in the life of our country. America has rejected God for more than a generation and it's beginning to catch up with us. 9/11 was a wake up call that unfortunately, only briefly rustled us from our spiritual slumber. The old adage of "evil prevails when good men (and women) do nothing" is in full force. The church is mostly either oblivious or incapable of responding effectively to the onslaught of darkness. Our eyes are in the mirror instead of in the clouds, seeking God's face. Our focus in internal when it should be eternal.
Call me melodramatic, call me a doomsdayer if you wish. I believe that this upcoming presidency will be a defining presidency for the rest of American history. Just as FDR's presidency defined the path America has taken in the last 60 years, I believe that whoever moves into the White House in January of 2009 will change the course of America's destiny one way or another.
Fellow believers, now is the time when we must be pleading for God's mercy and grace on our country. Be in prayer for our leaders, for the voters, for the hearts and minds of our judges and elected officials.
Also, I think it goes without saying, but: GET OUT AND VOTE. If you don't vote, you are letting people who hate what you stand for determine who runs this country. I, for one, am going to exercise every ounce of influence, power and constitutional authority I can grasp in the coming months. If you stand for the truth, you should to.
If you stand for the darkness, for murder and debauchery, for "tolerance"...be afraid. The sleeping giant that is the American church is stirring. Morning is almost here.
15 January 2008
funny how that happens...
So I was checking out at Walmart tonight...
It's been a long day with classes getting started and transitioning into management at work. I was putting me stuff on the counter at Walmart and for some reason I looked over what I was buying again. Toilet paper, surface cleaner, paper towels and laundry detergent. Talk about the most boring trip to Walmart ever. It hit me super hard all of a sudden. I'm an adult now.
I don't know exactly when it happened. In my head I'm still about 17, figuring out the world and wondering what the future holds. Then I look at the mirror and realize all that's going on in life...graduating soon, thinking about career opportunities, talking to God about my future wife, thinking about how awesome fatherhood is going to be, etc.
My friends, whether you're a freshman or a victory lap senior like me...you're officially an adult. Congratulations.
Whether Mom and Dad still pay the bills, or you're busy slaving away at your college job to make ends meet. We have left the confines of the roof we were born under. It's just you, God and life. How awesome!
Take advantage of the freedom you've been given. Put your minutes and hours to work for something significant. Don't waste your adulthood like many of us, myself included, mostly wasted our childhood.
Life...it's a beautiful thing.
Be blessed!
It's been a long day with classes getting started and transitioning into management at work. I was putting me stuff on the counter at Walmart and for some reason I looked over what I was buying again. Toilet paper, surface cleaner, paper towels and laundry detergent. Talk about the most boring trip to Walmart ever. It hit me super hard all of a sudden. I'm an adult now.
I don't know exactly when it happened. In my head I'm still about 17, figuring out the world and wondering what the future holds. Then I look at the mirror and realize all that's going on in life...graduating soon, thinking about career opportunities, talking to God about my future wife, thinking about how awesome fatherhood is going to be, etc.
My friends, whether you're a freshman or a victory lap senior like me...you're officially an adult. Congratulations.
Whether Mom and Dad still pay the bills, or you're busy slaving away at your college job to make ends meet. We have left the confines of the roof we were born under. It's just you, God and life. How awesome!
Take advantage of the freedom you've been given. Put your minutes and hours to work for something significant. Don't waste your adulthood like many of us, myself included, mostly wasted our childhood.
Life...it's a beautiful thing.
Be blessed!
11 January 2008
Judge not...
This post isn't any more fun to read than it is to write, but it desperately needs to been said...
Negative, cutting, derogatory remarks have no rightful place in a healthy community of people. Whether those people claim the name of Christ or not, that statement is still true. However, it's even more true when the people involved are supposed to be emulating Jesus Christ himself.
This whole post hinges on one verse I read in my JAM time (Jesus And Me).
Romans 14:4, "Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand."
So many times we just truck right along in our humanness and take pot shots at whoever gets in our way. It's so easy to be negative about things or people. It's in our nature.
My friends, answer some good prayer and meditation over this particular verse, the only message I get from God is this: "let me handle them, they are my children just like you are."
It's very cut and dried. Unless the person you have beef with is engaging in open sin, keep your comments to yourself. Even if they are sinning, DO NOT GOSSIP. Take your concerns to that person and deal with them biblically and personally.
I have no right to pass judgment or make slanderous comments about you or anyone else. It really fries my bacon when believers attack each other, especially when the world can see it. There is no faster way to lose your witness with most people than to cut someone down, talk behind their back or gossip about them.
Here's the bottom line. If you verbally attack someone, you are sinning. If you gossip about them, you are sinning. The way you judge someone else is the way you'll be judged when your number is up. If you call someone a fool, you are the fool. The next time you point your finger, look at your hand. There are 3 fingers pointing right back at you!
Let's build each other up, not trying to elevate ourselves by tearing everyone else down. Live to see the best in the people around you. Look for their best, encourage them to be and become all that God has for them. Kindness given fosters more kindness to be received.
Compliment, encourage and bless the people who cross your path. Don't be a poison. No one likes negative people. Leaving the judging to the Judge.
-----
Romans 14:4, "Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand."
Negative, cutting, derogatory remarks have no rightful place in a healthy community of people. Whether those people claim the name of Christ or not, that statement is still true. However, it's even more true when the people involved are supposed to be emulating Jesus Christ himself.
This whole post hinges on one verse I read in my JAM time (Jesus And Me).
Romans 14:4, "Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand."
So many times we just truck right along in our humanness and take pot shots at whoever gets in our way. It's so easy to be negative about things or people. It's in our nature.
My friends, answer some good prayer and meditation over this particular verse, the only message I get from God is this: "let me handle them, they are my children just like you are."
It's very cut and dried. Unless the person you have beef with is engaging in open sin, keep your comments to yourself. Even if they are sinning, DO NOT GOSSIP. Take your concerns to that person and deal with them biblically and personally.
I have no right to pass judgment or make slanderous comments about you or anyone else. It really fries my bacon when believers attack each other, especially when the world can see it. There is no faster way to lose your witness with most people than to cut someone down, talk behind their back or gossip about them.
Here's the bottom line. If you verbally attack someone, you are sinning. If you gossip about them, you are sinning. The way you judge someone else is the way you'll be judged when your number is up. If you call someone a fool, you are the fool. The next time you point your finger, look at your hand. There are 3 fingers pointing right back at you!
Let's build each other up, not trying to elevate ourselves by tearing everyone else down. Live to see the best in the people around you. Look for their best, encourage them to be and become all that God has for them. Kindness given fosters more kindness to be received.
Compliment, encourage and bless the people who cross your path. Don't be a poison. No one likes negative people. Leaving the judging to the Judge.
-----
Romans 14:4, "Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand."
08 January 2008
heart attack
Ok, so the topic of relationship has been heavy on my mind for a long time, but particularly these last several weeks (the CHRISTmas season is the only time of year that I genuinely wish I wasn't single). God has been working me over the coals for some time now and I haven't really been getting what He was sending.
There's a worship song, "Lord I give you my heart", you've probably heard it if you've been in a contemporary service in the last 5 years. I have been pondering over the words of that song for a long time (it's one of my favorite to play). See, the thing is that I had no idea how to "give Him my heart". I spent most of 2007 trying to keep my heart focused on God, in the midst of some terribly strong distractions. It was, and has always been, a struggle. I have a friend who I know has successfully given her romantic heart to God; she doesn't even possess it anymore. Until today, that has frustrated me to no end, because I can't seem to do the same.
Directing your affections is almost impossible to do. For most of the fall semester, it was an almost constant struggle to keep my affection and attention focused on my Savior. My heart has a tendency to wander back to worldly things if it's not corralled properly. I had a bit of an epiphany today when I was driving to work on my bike. I love the solitude driving the bike provides; plenty of thinking time alone inside my helmet...
Anyways, I realized that I have been trying to direct my affections. Away from certain people, towards Jesus, etc. That approach has failed miserably. The word I received from God today is that we are to release our heart, let go of it completely. We are to entrust it to God and let him take ownership of our heart. This is great for several reasons...
First, it allows us to relax and give God total control over the romantic affections that are present in our lives. It makes it easier to "guard your heart" because your heart is in God's hands.
Secondly, it makes finding the right person easier. It's not your job anymore. I came to that realization when I was having one of those ultra-significant conversations with a special person in my life. I told her, "It's not my job to win you...it's my job to be that Psalm 112 man and practice to be that Ephesians 5 and 1 Peter 3 kind of husband. It's God's job to bring our heart's together. He does the winning." I can't put words to how much relief that brings me. Stop worrying about "the one" God has for you. Release your heart and place your focus on being the one He's called you to be. Let those in your life see His light in your life and His joy in your eyes. Do what we've been called to do, leave the results up to Him.
Finally, it brings a safety to this life that I've never experienced before. I fight fear and worry on a daily basis. One of the areas I'm really bad about is the future. When it comes to relationships, especially those of the romantic variety, all my confidence goes out the window. To be perfectly transparent, every single person I've ever truly cared for has either wounded me deeply or been deeply wounded by me. I bring to Christ a heart that is weary and apprehensive when it comes to relationships in general. That is why simply releasing your heart to Him, to let Him assuage your grief, relief your worry or doubt and keep you on His path for you. Every bit of confidence I lack in myself is more than replaced by my faith in an omnipotent Creator who has my best interests at heart.
Stop trying to push your heart around like it's a shopping cart in the parking lot of love. Put your heart in God's vehicle (providence and grace) and let Him take your heart where He wants it to go.
----
Hopefully some of that made sense. It's 4:30am and I'm writing this now because I try to never put off what needs to be said. There was far too much scripture to choose from for this passage. I'd suggest checking out Song of Songs, Haggai, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians and 1 Peter.
Be blessed...
There's a worship song, "Lord I give you my heart", you've probably heard it if you've been in a contemporary service in the last 5 years. I have been pondering over the words of that song for a long time (it's one of my favorite to play). See, the thing is that I had no idea how to "give Him my heart". I spent most of 2007 trying to keep my heart focused on God, in the midst of some terribly strong distractions. It was, and has always been, a struggle. I have a friend who I know has successfully given her romantic heart to God; she doesn't even possess it anymore. Until today, that has frustrated me to no end, because I can't seem to do the same.
Directing your affections is almost impossible to do. For most of the fall semester, it was an almost constant struggle to keep my affection and attention focused on my Savior. My heart has a tendency to wander back to worldly things if it's not corralled properly. I had a bit of an epiphany today when I was driving to work on my bike. I love the solitude driving the bike provides; plenty of thinking time alone inside my helmet...
Anyways, I realized that I have been trying to direct my affections. Away from certain people, towards Jesus, etc. That approach has failed miserably. The word I received from God today is that we are to release our heart, let go of it completely. We are to entrust it to God and let him take ownership of our heart. This is great for several reasons...
First, it allows us to relax and give God total control over the romantic affections that are present in our lives. It makes it easier to "guard your heart" because your heart is in God's hands.
Secondly, it makes finding the right person easier. It's not your job anymore. I came to that realization when I was having one of those ultra-significant conversations with a special person in my life. I told her, "It's not my job to win you...it's my job to be that Psalm 112 man and practice to be that Ephesians 5 and 1 Peter 3 kind of husband. It's God's job to bring our heart's together. He does the winning." I can't put words to how much relief that brings me. Stop worrying about "the one" God has for you. Release your heart and place your focus on being the one He's called you to be. Let those in your life see His light in your life and His joy in your eyes. Do what we've been called to do, leave the results up to Him.
Finally, it brings a safety to this life that I've never experienced before. I fight fear and worry on a daily basis. One of the areas I'm really bad about is the future. When it comes to relationships, especially those of the romantic variety, all my confidence goes out the window. To be perfectly transparent, every single person I've ever truly cared for has either wounded me deeply or been deeply wounded by me. I bring to Christ a heart that is weary and apprehensive when it comes to relationships in general. That is why simply releasing your heart to Him, to let Him assuage your grief, relief your worry or doubt and keep you on His path for you. Every bit of confidence I lack in myself is more than replaced by my faith in an omnipotent Creator who has my best interests at heart.
Stop trying to push your heart around like it's a shopping cart in the parking lot of love. Put your heart in God's vehicle (providence and grace) and let Him take your heart where He wants it to go.
----
Hopefully some of that made sense. It's 4:30am and I'm writing this now because I try to never put off what needs to be said. There was far too much scripture to choose from for this passage. I'd suggest checking out Song of Songs, Haggai, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians and 1 Peter.
Be blessed...
27 December 2007
Who are you?
It's been a long day / week / month / year / life. I've been stuck in a philosophical and introspective mood for a few days now, and I had some alone time on the drive home tonight. Naturally, me and God had a good conversation (it's a great way to spend "alone" time). Maybe this post will hit the spot for you.
The topic is identity. The question is: Who are you? The answer says a lot about everything about you. I'm not talking about the world's answer, or even God's answer right now. I'm talking about your answer. Pretend I've never met you before...if you only had about 30 seconds to attempt to give me the essence of "you", what would you say?
Where you draw your identity from and who you draw it from means everything. It's the difference between satisfaction and dissatisfaction in life. It's the difference between trust and stress. It's the difference between significance and insignificance.
Are you a college student? A son? A daughter? An employee at _______ ? Are you a baseball player? Are you a lover...a fighter?
The point I'm trying to make is that the way you see yourself is likely the way you'll live your life. Are you waking up in the morning just trying to make the best of the time or is your life lived for something bigger?
For all my growing up years, I was desperate to do, say, think and be so many things. My identity came, as I imagine many of yours do as well, solely from what other people thought of me. However, this year I've finally come to grips with the big picture. Here it is...
As long as you spend your life trying to do _____ , or accomplish _____ for whatever reason you set out for yourself, you won't be satisfied. Your identity will be tied up in the success or failure of whatever you're putting all your hope into. So many people's self-image is directly tied to their trophy case. Their identity is locked up in temporal, unreliable pieces of life.
You want real freedom? Not the freedom you see in beer commercials...I'm talking about that deep breath, open arms, "God is good" kind of freedom. Find your identity in something solid, something dependable, something eternal. Comes to grips with the person in the mirror and realize that the eyes staring back at you are not your own. They are God's eyes. The hands you see are not your hands. They are God's hands. The feet you're staring down at are not your feet. They are God's feet and they are meant to walk a specific path. The life you live is not your own. It's God's life, meant to be lived for His purposes.
You can either spend your days running from that truth and chase your own rabbits, or you can cling to the One who gave you your fingerprints. You can either waste precious hours and days trying to carve out an identity for yourself, or you can embrace the one sitting there waiting for you. Each one of us has a different purpose, but our identity is the same. Each face is different, but we are all members of one body. Each skill and ability is different, but we are all soldiers in the same army. (Rom. 12:4-8)
----
My name is James. I'm a child and servant of Almighty God. I'm a tool in His hands. I'm an imperfect, weak and broken shadow of the man I'm supposed to be. However, I exist solely for the purpose of bringing Him glory, making Him known and blessing as many lives as possible in the process. I have no idea what the future holds, but I'm submitted to the will of a sovereign and mighty Creator who has all the answers.
That's the essence of James Ballenger Jenkins in one paragraph. That's my identity.
----
Who are you?
The topic is identity. The question is: Who are you? The answer says a lot about everything about you. I'm not talking about the world's answer, or even God's answer right now. I'm talking about your answer. Pretend I've never met you before...if you only had about 30 seconds to attempt to give me the essence of "you", what would you say?
Where you draw your identity from and who you draw it from means everything. It's the difference between satisfaction and dissatisfaction in life. It's the difference between trust and stress. It's the difference between significance and insignificance.
Are you a college student? A son? A daughter? An employee at _______ ? Are you a baseball player? Are you a lover...a fighter?
The point I'm trying to make is that the way you see yourself is likely the way you'll live your life. Are you waking up in the morning just trying to make the best of the time or is your life lived for something bigger?
For all my growing up years, I was desperate to do, say, think and be so many things. My identity came, as I imagine many of yours do as well, solely from what other people thought of me. However, this year I've finally come to grips with the big picture. Here it is...
As long as you spend your life trying to do _____ , or accomplish _____ for whatever reason you set out for yourself, you won't be satisfied. Your identity will be tied up in the success or failure of whatever you're putting all your hope into. So many people's self-image is directly tied to their trophy case. Their identity is locked up in temporal, unreliable pieces of life.
You want real freedom? Not the freedom you see in beer commercials...I'm talking about that deep breath, open arms, "God is good" kind of freedom. Find your identity in something solid, something dependable, something eternal. Comes to grips with the person in the mirror and realize that the eyes staring back at you are not your own. They are God's eyes. The hands you see are not your hands. They are God's hands. The feet you're staring down at are not your feet. They are God's feet and they are meant to walk a specific path. The life you live is not your own. It's God's life, meant to be lived for His purposes.
You can either spend your days running from that truth and chase your own rabbits, or you can cling to the One who gave you your fingerprints. You can either waste precious hours and days trying to carve out an identity for yourself, or you can embrace the one sitting there waiting for you. Each one of us has a different purpose, but our identity is the same. Each face is different, but we are all members of one body. Each skill and ability is different, but we are all soldiers in the same army. (Rom. 12:4-8)
----
My name is James. I'm a child and servant of Almighty God. I'm a tool in His hands. I'm an imperfect, weak and broken shadow of the man I'm supposed to be. However, I exist solely for the purpose of bringing Him glory, making Him known and blessing as many lives as possible in the process. I have no idea what the future holds, but I'm submitted to the will of a sovereign and mighty Creator who has all the answers.
That's the essence of James Ballenger Jenkins in one paragraph. That's my identity.
----
Who are you?
23 December 2007
Girly men?
"Where have all the cowboys gone?"
Ok, it's a terrible song, but it makes a good point. Good men are hard to find these days. Let's clarify what I mean by "good man". I'm talking about a Psalm 112 sort of man. A "gracious, compassionate and righteous man" - Ps. 112:4b. Our society today has such a grossly twisted view of what a real man is, it really makes me sick and frustrated that we as a gender have let it slip this far. It's no surprise to me that there's such a pressing shortage of men worth looking up to. We as a society stopped developing them at least a generation ago.
I'll admit that my perspective of what a real man should be is influenced by our culture and media just the same as yours has been. "Wild at Heart" by Eldridge, along with several other solid offerings by theologically and philosophically sound authors, has profoundly shaped my view of manhood.
Now that 2007 is on its deathbed, its only natural to reflect on the events of the year. My mind is drawn to the areas of personal growth and development that have occurred this year. 2007 has seen me finally step up and solidify some shaky standards and philosophies I've carried around for my young adult life. I'm not by any means saying that I have achieved any semblance of completion on this journey towards biblical manhood (death is the only finish line, by the way...the race never stops). I just know that at least now my perspective is beginning to move where it needs to be. I feel like I understand what it is to be a Psalm 112 and 1 Corinthians 9 kind of man. In the future, I will learn how to practically live out 1 Peter 3 and Ephesians 5 as a husband and father, but that's another tale for another time. Let's get back to the point, sorry...
Where did all the real men go? If you live in America today and buy into what culture and media tell you, the real man looks something like this: A grisly, muscled up man with bear paws for hands, stepping out of a jacked up duelly truck with a chain saw in one hand and a beer in the other. He walks in to his house, kicks off his workboots and sits down to watch football on his big screen. His harem of supermodels appear and surround him, before the game reaches half time he's had sex with all of them.................are we on the same page?
I will never be that guy, you likely won't be either. Does it make me less of a man because I'm a wirey tall guy who drives an SUV and works in telecom sales? Does it make me less of a man because being "manly" or "cool" hasn't been on my to-do list since I was 17? Does it makes me less of a man because I'm not the least bit interested in "pickin' up chicks" or "getting laid" and that I unashamedly tout my devotion (emotional, physical, etc.) to the wife I don't yet have?
NO! It doesn't. Absolutely, totally, completely, 100% NO.
But that is the message that my generation is receiving. That is the pressure that is on them. To add to that problem, the traditional family unit is disappearing as the norm in our society. Good fathers are even harder to come by than good men. No wonder our boys are finding it so difficult to turn out right, no one is showing them how its supposed to be done. No wonder so many women I know complain long and loud that there aren't any guys worth dating. No one is reaching our young men.
What's the point? The point is that we as God's men need to be actively reaching out to those who need us. We need to be shining examples of godly character and integrity. We need to live above reproach so that the world is made to wonder "WHY?" We need to lift each other up and bring our brothers along. If you read the gospels, the disciples didn't cut each other down...sarcastic jabs weren't the norm. The 12 were the original fraternity. I look at their example for how a community of godly men should be interacting. I can think of 2 great references for how we, as men, should be acting towards one another and our sisters in Christ:
Heb. 10:24 : And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
Prov. 27:17 : As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
I have been the chief of sinners in this area. A lot of thought and prayer has gone into what changes need to be made for 2008. I am far too sarcastic and negative. Most times I don't listen enough. I tend to unintentionally belittle people and be too forceful with my opinions. This has caused a lot of people to dislike me, with just cause. I can easily come across as an arrogant jerk to people who don't know me well...that is just not right. Friendly banter is one thing, but there's a fine line between funny and hurtful. Too many times I cross that line.
Let's strive to become God's definition of a real man: A man who humbly pursues righteousness and excellence in all aspects of his life, while giving his Creator the glory for any and all accomplishments that come his way. Let's be mentally, emotionally and spiritually strong...able to take control but also relinquish it. Let's be firm and decisive, while being attentive to the needs and desires of those around us.
Ask any woman worth pursuing what she wants in her man...I guarantee you'll hear these things (and many others) on her list.
Above all, listen to the One who made you when you're trying to "be a man". This world is broken, listening to its commands is foolhardy at best. Open the Book and read Psalms, Proverbs, Romans, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, 1 Timothy, James and 1 Peter. Every one of those books has great stuff to say about godly manhood.
For the sake of your brothers, the women in your life and the rest of the world...be a man. A real man. God's man. Do it.
Be blessed...
Ok, it's a terrible song, but it makes a good point. Good men are hard to find these days. Let's clarify what I mean by "good man". I'm talking about a Psalm 112 sort of man. A "gracious, compassionate and righteous man" - Ps. 112:4b. Our society today has such a grossly twisted view of what a real man is, it really makes me sick and frustrated that we as a gender have let it slip this far. It's no surprise to me that there's such a pressing shortage of men worth looking up to. We as a society stopped developing them at least a generation ago.
I'll admit that my perspective of what a real man should be is influenced by our culture and media just the same as yours has been. "Wild at Heart" by Eldridge, along with several other solid offerings by theologically and philosophically sound authors, has profoundly shaped my view of manhood.
Now that 2007 is on its deathbed, its only natural to reflect on the events of the year. My mind is drawn to the areas of personal growth and development that have occurred this year. 2007 has seen me finally step up and solidify some shaky standards and philosophies I've carried around for my young adult life. I'm not by any means saying that I have achieved any semblance of completion on this journey towards biblical manhood (death is the only finish line, by the way...the race never stops). I just know that at least now my perspective is beginning to move where it needs to be. I feel like I understand what it is to be a Psalm 112 and 1 Corinthians 9 kind of man. In the future, I will learn how to practically live out 1 Peter 3 and Ephesians 5 as a husband and father, but that's another tale for another time. Let's get back to the point, sorry...
Where did all the real men go? If you live in America today and buy into what culture and media tell you, the real man looks something like this: A grisly, muscled up man with bear paws for hands, stepping out of a jacked up duelly truck with a chain saw in one hand and a beer in the other. He walks in to his house, kicks off his workboots and sits down to watch football on his big screen. His harem of supermodels appear and surround him, before the game reaches half time he's had sex with all of them.................are we on the same page?
I will never be that guy, you likely won't be either. Does it make me less of a man because I'm a wirey tall guy who drives an SUV and works in telecom sales? Does it make me less of a man because being "manly" or "cool" hasn't been on my to-do list since I was 17? Does it makes me less of a man because I'm not the least bit interested in "pickin' up chicks" or "getting laid" and that I unashamedly tout my devotion (emotional, physical, etc.) to the wife I don't yet have?
NO! It doesn't. Absolutely, totally, completely, 100% NO.
But that is the message that my generation is receiving. That is the pressure that is on them. To add to that problem, the traditional family unit is disappearing as the norm in our society. Good fathers are even harder to come by than good men. No wonder our boys are finding it so difficult to turn out right, no one is showing them how its supposed to be done. No wonder so many women I know complain long and loud that there aren't any guys worth dating. No one is reaching our young men.
What's the point? The point is that we as God's men need to be actively reaching out to those who need us. We need to be shining examples of godly character and integrity. We need to live above reproach so that the world is made to wonder "WHY?" We need to lift each other up and bring our brothers along. If you read the gospels, the disciples didn't cut each other down...sarcastic jabs weren't the norm. The 12 were the original fraternity. I look at their example for how a community of godly men should be interacting. I can think of 2 great references for how we, as men, should be acting towards one another and our sisters in Christ:
Heb. 10:24 : And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
Prov. 27:17 : As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
I have been the chief of sinners in this area. A lot of thought and prayer has gone into what changes need to be made for 2008. I am far too sarcastic and negative. Most times I don't listen enough. I tend to unintentionally belittle people and be too forceful with my opinions. This has caused a lot of people to dislike me, with just cause. I can easily come across as an arrogant jerk to people who don't know me well...that is just not right. Friendly banter is one thing, but there's a fine line between funny and hurtful. Too many times I cross that line.
Let's strive to become God's definition of a real man: A man who humbly pursues righteousness and excellence in all aspects of his life, while giving his Creator the glory for any and all accomplishments that come his way. Let's be mentally, emotionally and spiritually strong...able to take control but also relinquish it. Let's be firm and decisive, while being attentive to the needs and desires of those around us.
Ask any woman worth pursuing what she wants in her man...I guarantee you'll hear these things (and many others) on her list.
Above all, listen to the One who made you when you're trying to "be a man". This world is broken, listening to its commands is foolhardy at best. Open the Book and read Psalms, Proverbs, Romans, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, 1 Timothy, James and 1 Peter. Every one of those books has great stuff to say about godly manhood.
For the sake of your brothers, the women in your life and the rest of the world...be a man. A real man. God's man. Do it.
Be blessed...
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