A view about manhood

       I've been looking at how a man relates to his work and also how he relates at home. One question that is asked of men (usually), when meeting another man is " What do you do?"      I usually ask this question but the greater question could be why do you do what you do. The following verses focus on the reason for working. It doesn't matter if you're a CEO of a large corporation surrounded by many people, a cook in a restaurant working with other cooks, a truck driver spending much of your time on the road, or a person out looking for a job.      What we "do" also is what we do in our spare time. I've found that hobbies can be hard work as well. I really enjoy camping. There is much preparation and work that go into camping. If you don't plan a camping trip well, it can take away from the ultimate enjoyment latter.       Another thing we do is "live" with our family and sometimes that is work as well. Whether it...

       Conflict is something that every relationship will experience. How we respond to this difference of opinion can have an effect on our future. We all have natural instincts that govern how we react to certain situations.       For one it might be to avoid, or run away from conflict. Another may be inclined to fight- and fight to win at any expense. Both reactions can lead to further problems. First instead of fleeing, face the conflict. Next instead of fighting to win, use the conflict to come to a resolution- fight for what is right. Talk through the situation to solve the problem. Working toward a resolution will require compromise, forgiveness, and an understanding from the other parties viewpoint.       Going into a conflict situation with our natural tendencies will only cause a wider divide between both sides. My wife and I are alike in some ways we handle conflict and totally different in other ways. We are in agre...

        We have been looking at how much different men and women are. One vast difference is how we look at things and process information. When my wife and I were first married (and my years prior to that) I assumed women saw life as the same way I did. In careful observation and research I quickly found that this wasn't the case. She can be running around with her mind on a thousand different things at once. I on the other hand focus on one thing, get it done, and move on to the next thing. As we, as men mature, understand this difference it can make our marriages stronger. As we embrace our strengths and roles in a marriage, our marriages grow stronger and we grow as individuals. To say things like “ He doesn't understand me” or “She doesn't see things my way” are natural statements. It takes work and effort to not only see these differences but to also appreciate them.      God has made us to compliment each other. My wife and I see things dif...

     There are many different ways that a man can be a servant leader. The following all involve these concepts- rejecting passivity, accepting responsibility, leading courageously, and expecting a greater reward. The different ways of being a servant leader uses the following action words: includes, accepts, is willing, discusses, seeks, anticipates, provides, deals with, initiates, plans, manages, keeps, honors, explains, encourages, and joins.           A servant leader takes notice of the present and considers the future of his family or loved ones. He considers the physical future on this earth and the future beyond death. It is never too late to start leading your family from a servants perspective. It takes planning and a humble spirit. It can be accomplished one step at a time, one point at a time.       Looking at all the things to do as a servant leader as a list can be overwhelming, Servant leadership can be sta...

 An authentic man focuses on things differently than a conventional man. He focuses on what a man is as opposed to what a an does. This includes focusing on the community of men- not a competition with other men. Focusing on a power and purpose outside of any worldly personal rewards that we may obtain before our death from this world.   An authentic man has his focus on the eternal rewards which are received by building others up not focused on self. A focus on significance and not on success. A conventional man can suffer from burn out because of the lack of significance in his life.   An authentic man avoids burn-out because he focuses on the significance for what he is living his life for- something beyond his short years on this earth.  An authentic man rejects passivity, accepts the responsibility for his life and others around him, leads those placed under him courageously ( and serves them with the same courage), and in turn expects God's greater re...

  We all have a common wound. It's not a wound inflicted by anything in our environment. It's a wound we are born with. We are born depraved. We are born selfish, prideful human beings. This depravity wound is a sickness that effects all areas of our lives. "The heart is more deceitful than all else and desperately sick. Who can understand it?"  Depravity doesn't mean we are as bad as we can be, it means we are as bad off as we can be. The only solution to this wound is through God. I can testify through my own life that only God has the power to fix this problem. The first step to the solution was admitting I had a problem. I knew I had a problem because I knew what I was capable of doing. This sickness was with me throughout my life, but before I admitted the problem I did many things to try to alleviate it. I played the blame game by blaming others. I didn't take responsibility for things I had control over. This pattern doomed me to a mediocre life and I w...

  Genesis 1:27   God created man  in His own image, in the image of God He created him;  male and female This verse speaks of many different things about manhood. It signifies human value both male and female- Both male and female in the likeness of God. It is a personal statement- given uniqueness and a special bond between God and human beings. In verse 28 we are called to fill the earth, subdue and rule over the earth.  Continuing we see that man is given an occupation and a responsibility over the earth. Man is designed to work and to be a leader. We are to take this leadership responsibly and act according to God's word. When we deviate from God's instruction we suffer the consequences. Male domination is not taught in God's word and is a personal moral failure. Some insights from Genesis chapter 3 include: Adam is held accountable for the first sin. God asks him about and he doesn't stand and take responsibility for his failure. It's a direct question with...