You may be surprised to hear this, but for the first time in my life, I have read through the entire Bible in a year. I imagine you are surprised because, as you know, I am a Pastor. As a breed of humans we are supernatural and do all things well. We never sin, always have the right answers to every problem, and are available whenever you need us. Of course, none of this is true, except me finishing the Bible this last year.
I am really excited about being able to do this. In the past I tried and tried and would always lose ground, get behind and give up. Well, this last year I started again and it seemed much easier. I don't think it was due to me being more spiritual this year than years past or related to the promise I made to God to get r done. The big thing for me was the format of the Bible reading. Ya, that simple. Let me explain.
In years past, I would read several chapters each day starting in Genesis and just keep reading. The problem was when you got to Leviticus and the books that follow. Man, all that Law and chronology was harder to stomach than back to back episodes of Dancing with the Stars. It just wore on me day after day until I couldn't read anymore. I admit it, I am weak. Then I came across www.bible-reading.com. This handy-dandy website has a bible reading program that was great! Yah, you still have to read first and second chronicles, but only for one day. The next day you are in an entirely different portion and genre of scripture, reading about a battle, healing or teaching. Props to Jessica Sliter for connecting me to this great website and bible reading plan.
Do you have a plan? I change mine up every year so I don't get bored. Last year it was thru the Bible in a year. Next year, I am going to pour through the Book of Romans. Each day I want to pick apart a few verses in the original language and try to really understand this book for reasons I will mention later in another blog. I also have this book, A Passion for God, that has thoughts, meditations and prayers on Romans. Next year, it will probably be something different.
I would argue that one of the biggest reason we as men are so ineffective at home, on the job, in the church, is because we do not know the God we claim to serve. And how can we know Him apart from His word? If we do not know Him, how can we know ourselves? He is our Creator and knows best how we are designed to function. And He has written it all down for us to know as well. Not reading His word and hoping to make it in this life is like you trying to put together that indoor trampoline for your kids that you got them this Christmas with no instruction manual. Good luck! It will be a mess, with frustration, heart ache and pain. You will let your family down, feel like a failure and just end up chucking the thing ( can you tell what my kids got for Christmas?). Of course, I am not talking about the trampoline. These things are true of the Christian life lived apart from the Word.
I hope you get a plan. One that really challenges you, doesn't just keep you in the status quo of life. Get a plan that changes your mind, enforces discipline, and helps you understand and appreciate The Master's Plan for your life. Don't just get frustrated and chuck the manual and life you could live with a little hard work and trust in the Master Designer. If you need help let me know...
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas...grinch style
Well, it's that time of year again...Christmas. I'll come right out with it, this is not one of my favorite times of year. Don't get me wrong, I love being with family, focusing on Jesus, stuffing myself full and getting/giving gifts. But the holiday itself ranks right around Arbor Day for me. For years I have railed against the consumer mentality of the season, and I am not going to take much time in the blog to do that now. You know the complaints: we spend too much money that we don't have for stuff we will not like, or use 6 months from now, only to be replaced next year by more stuff. Somebody let me off the hamster wheel!
My family has started, slowly but surely, to intentionally downsize our Christmas. There are less presents under the tree, more intentionality in the gift giving, and an attempt to lift up Christ as the "reason for the season". This year we decided to drop gifts for extended family and instead take the money we would normally spend and give it to a charity of choice. I like that. For our family, some guy in Burkina Faso and his wife will be getting a brand new bicycle that they can use to get back and forth to work so they can make a living. Now that's Christmas. Kind of puts little Johnny screaking for an Xbox 360 in persepctive. That's something that could even cause a heart like mine to grow 3 sizes this day.
I hope you and your family take time to give thanks to Jesus and reconsider what you do on this holiday. You don't have to eliminate presents all together, but maybe there is something you could genuinely do for others that would roc their world. Touch their hearts. Make baby Jesus smile.
Merry Christmas all you readers. I hope the love of Christ is real to you and the giving of the Son of God to a hostile earth prompts you to give of you and your family to others that may need it, but may not deserve it. Just like you. Just like me.
My family has started, slowly but surely, to intentionally downsize our Christmas. There are less presents under the tree, more intentionality in the gift giving, and an attempt to lift up Christ as the "reason for the season". This year we decided to drop gifts for extended family and instead take the money we would normally spend and give it to a charity of choice. I like that. For our family, some guy in Burkina Faso and his wife will be getting a brand new bicycle that they can use to get back and forth to work so they can make a living. Now that's Christmas. Kind of puts little Johnny screaking for an Xbox 360 in persepctive. That's something that could even cause a heart like mine to grow 3 sizes this day.
I hope you and your family take time to give thanks to Jesus and reconsider what you do on this holiday. You don't have to eliminate presents all together, but maybe there is something you could genuinely do for others that would roc their world. Touch their hearts. Make baby Jesus smile.
Merry Christmas all you readers. I hope the love of Christ is real to you and the giving of the Son of God to a hostile earth prompts you to give of you and your family to others that may need it, but may not deserve it. Just like you. Just like me.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Powerless and impotent
Well, my daughter is sick again. Many of you brothers have stood in the gap with me in prayer over the years and know all too well the struggles my daughter has with asthma. Every time she gets a cold or virus, 3-4 days later it triggers her asthma, bad. This looks like sleepless nights, constant coughing and, for me at least, great frustration, fear and anxiety. Let me explain why.
From the age of 2 until now, my daughter has struggled with her asthma. Early on, she was even hospitalized because we could not control it. Control. That's the issue. I have never really struggled with sickness in my life or the life of my family. In spite of not eating well or paying much attention to washing my hands or exercising, health has always, well, just been there. So when my daughter started having these uncontrollable coughing fits, I was out of my element. There is nothing more emasculating than watching your daughter being hurt by some unseen enemy and not be able to lift a finger to help. If it was an assailant at the door, I would rip his head off! But this enemy, this sickness was out of the norm and I was out of my mind. Out of control.
I like control. I like knowing where I am going, what my day looks like, what chapter I am on, how much I need to do and getting it done in the time allowed. I like to follow the rules. I like to color in the lines. I tuck my undershirt into my underwear so it doesn't ride up during the day (probably more information than you like, but it is my blog). I like my hair cuts high and tight. I like my kids healthy. My life in order. And doesn't life always go the way you planned? Ya, right.
Early on during Madison's sickness, I just got depressed, cried, lost alot of weight. I wrestled with God and felt cheated by Him. I gave my life to Him as a pastor, full time ministry. He owed me for that. How could He give me this burden? How could I do the work he called me to with less sleep and divided attention? What had I done wrong? Was there some sin in my life? I really had to wrestle with my understanding of who God was. Was He just a cosmic santa claus, come to bless me if I was nice, punish me if I was naughty? Was He a gumball machine...I put in a quarter (my career or calling) and He gives me the gumball (perfect life). Or was He something more? Something greater? Something beyond my simple, selfish understanding? Obviously you know the answer.
As I wrestled with God, man did I wrestle, He began confronting me with my idolatry. I had spent 4 years in seminary learning who God was. 2 years of Greek, 2 years of Hebrew. And after all that learning, I still thought God was what I needed or wanted Him to be, a creature of MY own making. I always prided myself on not putting God into a box (I'm a Calvinist so I strongly believe in the all encompassing sovereignty of God for His glory). But, what I came to realize was that my box was just open at the top, but still a box. He still had to fit into my air conditioned, climate controlled, stress and sickness free environment. If not, then there was something wrong with Him, certainly not the box. God was screaming for me to let Him be God. Sounds funny, huh? LET Him be God? He is God! But I was not allowing Him to live out in my life verses like Psalm 115:
1. Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.
2. Why do the nations say, "Where is their God?"
3. Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.
4. But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.
5. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see;
6. they have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but they cannot smell;
7. they have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but they cannot walk; nor can they utter a sound with their throats.
8. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.
9. O house of Israel, trust in the Lord-- he is their help and shield.
10. O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord-- he is their help and shield.
11. You who fear him, trust in the Lord-- he is their help and shield.
I was weak and falling apart because the God I created, the God I worshipped was weak, made of something that easily fell apart under pressure. Either I had to accept these verses as true, God does what He pleases, or worship a different God. He is as He reveals himself, like it or not. I love these verses because not only do they scream of His total control over all things, but they also proclaim just as loudly His goodness:
12. The LORD remembers us and will bless us: He will bless the house of Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron,
13. he will bless those who fear the Lord-- small and great alike.
14. May the LORD make you increase, both you and your children.
15. May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
16. The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to man.
17. It is not the dead who praise the Lord, those who go down to silence;
18. it is we who extol the Lord, both now and forevermore. Praise the Lord.
I love it when God is God. Just when I think have Him figured out, He reminds me of why He alone is worthy of my worship. I mean, if I could figure Him out, with my feeble mind, limited education and inadequate life experience, is He really a God worth worshipping?
I'm still struggling: with myself, with the asthma and with God. I hate this sickness. I plead for God's healing and we use medical knowledge to the full. But God is different now. He has changed. Or maybe I have...and I am glad. Glad to have a God who loves me, really loves me. Glad to have a God I can run to in times of trouble (Psalm 91). Glad that He is not the wimpy, capricious, santa claus God I had invented Him to be. I won't say I am glad for the sickness, but I am glad for Jesus. He is so wonderful. So God. I am powerless and impotent in the face of this sickness, but He is not. He can and has used this to change my heart, my worship, my life. Thank you Lord for showing me the end of myself, and revealing the edges of who You are. Amen.
From the age of 2 until now, my daughter has struggled with her asthma. Early on, she was even hospitalized because we could not control it. Control. That's the issue. I have never really struggled with sickness in my life or the life of my family. In spite of not eating well or paying much attention to washing my hands or exercising, health has always, well, just been there. So when my daughter started having these uncontrollable coughing fits, I was out of my element. There is nothing more emasculating than watching your daughter being hurt by some unseen enemy and not be able to lift a finger to help. If it was an assailant at the door, I would rip his head off! But this enemy, this sickness was out of the norm and I was out of my mind. Out of control.
I like control. I like knowing where I am going, what my day looks like, what chapter I am on, how much I need to do and getting it done in the time allowed. I like to follow the rules. I like to color in the lines. I tuck my undershirt into my underwear so it doesn't ride up during the day (probably more information than you like, but it is my blog). I like my hair cuts high and tight. I like my kids healthy. My life in order. And doesn't life always go the way you planned? Ya, right.
Early on during Madison's sickness, I just got depressed, cried, lost alot of weight. I wrestled with God and felt cheated by Him. I gave my life to Him as a pastor, full time ministry. He owed me for that. How could He give me this burden? How could I do the work he called me to with less sleep and divided attention? What had I done wrong? Was there some sin in my life? I really had to wrestle with my understanding of who God was. Was He just a cosmic santa claus, come to bless me if I was nice, punish me if I was naughty? Was He a gumball machine...I put in a quarter (my career or calling) and He gives me the gumball (perfect life). Or was He something more? Something greater? Something beyond my simple, selfish understanding? Obviously you know the answer.
As I wrestled with God, man did I wrestle, He began confronting me with my idolatry. I had spent 4 years in seminary learning who God was. 2 years of Greek, 2 years of Hebrew. And after all that learning, I still thought God was what I needed or wanted Him to be, a creature of MY own making. I always prided myself on not putting God into a box (I'm a Calvinist so I strongly believe in the all encompassing sovereignty of God for His glory). But, what I came to realize was that my box was just open at the top, but still a box. He still had to fit into my air conditioned, climate controlled, stress and sickness free environment. If not, then there was something wrong with Him, certainly not the box. God was screaming for me to let Him be God. Sounds funny, huh? LET Him be God? He is God! But I was not allowing Him to live out in my life verses like Psalm 115:
1. Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.
because of your love and faithfulness.2. Why do the nations say, "Where is their God?"
3. Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.
4. But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.
5. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see;
6. they have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but they cannot smell;
7. they have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but they cannot walk; nor can they utter a sound with their throats.
8. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.
9. O house of Israel, trust in the Lord-- he is their help and shield.
10. O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord-- he is their help and shield.
11. You who fear him, trust in the Lord-- he is their help and shield.
I was weak and falling apart because the God I created, the God I worshipped was weak, made of something that easily fell apart under pressure. Either I had to accept these verses as true, God does what He pleases, or worship a different God. He is as He reveals himself, like it or not. I love these verses because not only do they scream of His total control over all things, but they also proclaim just as loudly His goodness:
12. The LORD remembers us and will bless us: He will bless the house of Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron,
13. he will bless those who fear the Lord-- small and great alike.
14. May the LORD make you increase, both you and your children.
15. May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
16. The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to man.
17. It is not the dead who praise the Lord, those who go down to silence;
18. it is we who extol the Lord, both now and forevermore. Praise the Lord.
I love it when God is God. Just when I think have Him figured out, He reminds me of why He alone is worthy of my worship. I mean, if I could figure Him out, with my feeble mind, limited education and inadequate life experience, is He really a God worth worshipping?
I'm still struggling: with myself, with the asthma and with God. I hate this sickness. I plead for God's healing and we use medical knowledge to the full. But God is different now. He has changed. Or maybe I have...and I am glad. Glad to have a God who loves me, really loves me. Glad to have a God I can run to in times of trouble (Psalm 91). Glad that He is not the wimpy, capricious, santa claus God I had invented Him to be. I won't say I am glad for the sickness, but I am glad for Jesus. He is so wonderful. So God. I am powerless and impotent in the face of this sickness, but He is not. He can and has used this to change my heart, my worship, my life. Thank you Lord for showing me the end of myself, and revealing the edges of who You are. Amen.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
The Masculine Trinity
I am studying the Trinity with a group of men this evening and have been spending alot of time thinking about and focusing on God as Trinity. Here is a good video to watch on the Trinity if interested: http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/doctrine/trinity-god-is
This is a fascinating topic for me and has been a topic of discussion for 2000 years. I like what Augustine said, "Deny the Trinity and lose your soul, try to figure out the Trinity and lose your mind." Mine is mostly gone anyway, so why not lose the rest...
One of the things I love studying about the Trinity is learning how God represents himself to us so we, as fallen man with limited minds, can understand Him better. As I look more and more into the concept of the Trinity, I am more and more impressed that God presents himself to us as...well...man, male, masculine. God is our heavenly Father (Psalm 89:26, 103:13; Isaiah 63:16) and Jesus came to earth as His son, our brother (Matthew 3:17) and the Holy Spirit is a masculine noun (Acts 5). Christianity is a distinctly masculine religion, with a God who is fully masculine, riding on a white war horse with a sword coming from His mouth, prepared to slay the nations (Revelation 19). That is not say that women can't or shouldn't relate to God or that it is a faith only for men. God is not bound by gender, but he reveals himself in that way to us so we will think of him as that. If He did not reveal himself that way, we might be tempted to worship Him as a twig, tree or dolphin... and some do.
But the Trinity has reminded me that God loves men. Women too, but definitely men. So why is the church so female heavy? Why are their more women than men in churches? Well, that is another blog for another day...
Side note - The book, The Shack, has become very popular in the past year in the Christian Community, even endorsed by the likes of Michael W. Smith. How unfortunate. This book, while not the source of all evil some make it out to be, does very little to advance our understanding of the Trinity,and quite frankly does alot to harm it. Within the video above, Mark gives some thoughts on the dangers of the book.
This is a fascinating topic for me and has been a topic of discussion for 2000 years. I like what Augustine said, "Deny the Trinity and lose your soul, try to figure out the Trinity and lose your mind." Mine is mostly gone anyway, so why not lose the rest...
One of the things I love studying about the Trinity is learning how God represents himself to us so we, as fallen man with limited minds, can understand Him better. As I look more and more into the concept of the Trinity, I am more and more impressed that God presents himself to us as...well...man, male, masculine. God is our heavenly Father (Psalm 89:26, 103:13; Isaiah 63:16) and Jesus came to earth as His son, our brother (Matthew 3:17) and the Holy Spirit is a masculine noun (Acts 5). Christianity is a distinctly masculine religion, with a God who is fully masculine, riding on a white war horse with a sword coming from His mouth, prepared to slay the nations (Revelation 19). That is not say that women can't or shouldn't relate to God or that it is a faith only for men. God is not bound by gender, but he reveals himself in that way to us so we will think of him as that. If He did not reveal himself that way, we might be tempted to worship Him as a twig, tree or dolphin... and some do.
But the Trinity has reminded me that God loves men. Women too, but definitely men. So why is the church so female heavy? Why are their more women than men in churches? Well, that is another blog for another day...
Side note - The book, The Shack, has become very popular in the past year in the Christian Community, even endorsed by the likes of Michael W. Smith. How unfortunate. This book, while not the source of all evil some make it out to be, does very little to advance our understanding of the Trinity,and quite frankly does alot to harm it. Within the video above, Mark gives some thoughts on the dangers of the book.
Monday, December 15, 2008
The why behind the what
So this is why I have a manblog...
We are sitting at the lunch table and I am minding my own business finishing off the Sunchips when out of no where, Kylie crushes the remaining chips! For no good reason! I appeal to my 2 daughters for support, taking a teaching moment for them to understand how wrong it is to do that and implant in their forming minds the evil of crushing another person's chips. Instead of loving support and outrage, the girls support their mother. No sympathy, no tears, no righteous indignation. (The "facts" of this story are open to interpretation)
That is why I manblog.
Men need a place where they can go and be men for a short time. In no way am I advocating men escaping their responsibilities or fleeing their God given role as provider and lover to their family. Instead, I want to suggest that the private world of a man (not things he does in secret, but a place and space that is his own with his thoughts) prepares him to reenter the world of wives, kids, and potato chips a better man, stronger husband, attentive dad.
But guys, don't take this for granted. Don't leave your family thinking you don't want to be with them. Don't give them an abandonment psychosis. When you leave, remind them how much you can't wait to come back, and then come back when you say. Find a place to be a man: garage, barn, tree stand, gun range, bookstore, coffee shop, den, cabin, sports arena or cab of your truck. See that as sacred space. A place to reconnect with God and for Him to reconnect you to your manhood. Ask Him what it means to be a man. Ask Him for help as you reenter the "family world". And thank your family for letting you go. You don't deserve it for all the hard work you do, it is a grace gift from the most important people in your life.
I love my girls. I love pink, barbies, stuffed animals and doll houses. At least I am growing to love them...but sometimes I like to just go down stairs and stare at my gun. I don't pick it up or touch it. I don't clean it or load it. I just stare. I imagine shooting through cans, hitting the target. I mediate on all things men, smile, and head upstairs. I love my life...but I am a little hungry. I wonder if there are any Sunchips left?
We are sitting at the lunch table and I am minding my own business finishing off the Sunchips when out of no where, Kylie crushes the remaining chips! For no good reason! I appeal to my 2 daughters for support, taking a teaching moment for them to understand how wrong it is to do that and implant in their forming minds the evil of crushing another person's chips. Instead of loving support and outrage, the girls support their mother. No sympathy, no tears, no righteous indignation. (The "facts" of this story are open to interpretation)
That is why I manblog.
Men need a place where they can go and be men for a short time. In no way am I advocating men escaping their responsibilities or fleeing their God given role as provider and lover to their family. Instead, I want to suggest that the private world of a man (not things he does in secret, but a place and space that is his own with his thoughts) prepares him to reenter the world of wives, kids, and potato chips a better man, stronger husband, attentive dad.
But guys, don't take this for granted. Don't leave your family thinking you don't want to be with them. Don't give them an abandonment psychosis. When you leave, remind them how much you can't wait to come back, and then come back when you say. Find a place to be a man: garage, barn, tree stand, gun range, bookstore, coffee shop, den, cabin, sports arena or cab of your truck. See that as sacred space. A place to reconnect with God and for Him to reconnect you to your manhood. Ask Him what it means to be a man. Ask Him for help as you reenter the "family world". And thank your family for letting you go. You don't deserve it for all the hard work you do, it is a grace gift from the most important people in your life.
I love my girls. I love pink, barbies, stuffed animals and doll houses. At least I am growing to love them...but sometimes I like to just go down stairs and stare at my gun. I don't pick it up or touch it. I don't clean it or load it. I just stare. I imagine shooting through cans, hitting the target. I mediate on all things men, smile, and head upstairs. I love my life...but I am a little hungry. I wonder if there are any Sunchips left?
Friday, December 12, 2008
Some and some not...
This is my first blog. First written, first read really. I am not a fan of blogs. In my opinion they tend to be a mass collection of combined ignorance. It's the chance for every Tom, Dick and Harry to tell their story, opinions and thoughts related to a variety of topics ranging from toe fungus to nuclear proliferation and everything in between. So, I thought I would start one. Does that sound like a contradiction of thought? Well, that fits. I think most men are walking contradictions. You'll get that if you keep reading these blogs. But that's up to you. I wouldn't blame you if you stopped. They are a waste of time...
First, some of what this blog is about. It's about men, for men, to men, by a man. Not exclusively, but my target audience is men. Women, feel free to read, post, reply, respond and interact, but it isn't really targeted to you. Sorry. It's for your men. It's meant to educate, encourage and challenge.
Men need encouragement. We live in world that has emasculated men. We tell them to explore their feminine side, be sensitive, bring home the bacon AND fry it in a pan. Then we are surprised when they abandon their post as defenders and protectors in the home and leave children uncared for and alone. Women abandoned. Men need to be lifted up. Lifted to heights that enable them to see what GOD has desgned them for. I hope I can do that.
Men need challenge. We HAVE become comfortable. Aren't we supposed to be the warriors? Leaders? The tough ones? But challenge needs to come from one of our own. A man. I hope to be that man for some of you men.
This blog is also about my life. I love men. Not in a proposition 8, Castro district, civil union kind of way. But in a ultimate fighting, huddle up, knuckle knocking, meat eating, home building kind of way. As a pastor to men, I love seeing them embrace who they are in Christ. I love being a part of the revolution of the heart that changes the world's men into God's men. I love it when they learn to hug their daughters, die for their wives, battle their culture, support their churches, stand arm to arm with other men and serve their Jesus. It is my life's heartbeat, my greatest desire, the thing God has made me for.
Some of what this blog is not.
It's not the answer for every problem. It's not authoritative, not completely at least. When God's Word appears, and it will alot, THAT is authoritative. You may be able to argue with me, but don't try to argue with God. He is one "guy" who won't be argued with (Job 38:1-3).
This blog is not politically correct. I am calling men to be different than the society around us calls us to be. You will not hear me tell you to explore your feminine side. I don't have one, neither do you. I will not tell you that women are better communicators. They aren't. Maybe with words, definitely with words. But men communicate on a much more primal level...more on that later.
This blog is not all I have to say. You will see a snapshot of my thoughts on a topic or subject. If something I say doesn't sound right, ask me about it. Never assume you got me figured out. Men aren't that simple. Against conventional wisdom, men are not simpletons enamored only with the thoughts of food, sex, work and sports. We are deep wells that have much to say about everything. If you want me to clarify, ask. I'll be glad to when I can. Or maybe I won't...it is MY blog.
Hope you enjoy my musings on various topics. I look forward to interacting with some of you soon...man to man.
Scott
PS - Don't know how often I will write. I do have a life filled with work, 3 beautiful women and growing myself to be more like Jesus. Write when I can...
First, some of what this blog is about. It's about men, for men, to men, by a man. Not exclusively, but my target audience is men. Women, feel free to read, post, reply, respond and interact, but it isn't really targeted to you. Sorry. It's for your men. It's meant to educate, encourage and challenge.
Men need encouragement. We live in world that has emasculated men. We tell them to explore their feminine side, be sensitive, bring home the bacon AND fry it in a pan. Then we are surprised when they abandon their post as defenders and protectors in the home and leave children uncared for and alone. Women abandoned. Men need to be lifted up. Lifted to heights that enable them to see what GOD has desgned them for. I hope I can do that.
Men need challenge. We HAVE become comfortable. Aren't we supposed to be the warriors? Leaders? The tough ones? But challenge needs to come from one of our own. A man. I hope to be that man for some of you men.
This blog is also about my life. I love men. Not in a proposition 8, Castro district, civil union kind of way. But in a ultimate fighting, huddle up, knuckle knocking, meat eating, home building kind of way. As a pastor to men, I love seeing them embrace who they are in Christ. I love being a part of the revolution of the heart that changes the world's men into God's men. I love it when they learn to hug their daughters, die for their wives, battle their culture, support their churches, stand arm to arm with other men and serve their Jesus. It is my life's heartbeat, my greatest desire, the thing God has made me for.
Some of what this blog is not.
It's not the answer for every problem. It's not authoritative, not completely at least. When God's Word appears, and it will alot, THAT is authoritative. You may be able to argue with me, but don't try to argue with God. He is one "guy" who won't be argued with (Job 38:1-3).
This blog is not politically correct. I am calling men to be different than the society around us calls us to be. You will not hear me tell you to explore your feminine side. I don't have one, neither do you. I will not tell you that women are better communicators. They aren't. Maybe with words, definitely with words. But men communicate on a much more primal level...more on that later.
This blog is not all I have to say. You will see a snapshot of my thoughts on a topic or subject. If something I say doesn't sound right, ask me about it. Never assume you got me figured out. Men aren't that simple. Against conventional wisdom, men are not simpletons enamored only with the thoughts of food, sex, work and sports. We are deep wells that have much to say about everything. If you want me to clarify, ask. I'll be glad to when I can. Or maybe I won't...it is MY blog.
Hope you enjoy my musings on various topics. I look forward to interacting with some of you soon...man to man.
Scott
PS - Don't know how often I will write. I do have a life filled with work, 3 beautiful women and growing myself to be more like Jesus. Write when I can...
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