Join my 2 friends as they describe to us how to delete from our mind’s data banks all the garbage of the world: stress, anxiety, worry over finances, relationships, health etc. by uploading the path to REAL Life.
Tag Archives: christian growth
You are a minister EVERYWHERE you go
This is a ‘homerun’ sermon from Pathways Church. Bucky shares how to make work more than just work, more than just a job. Work can be an adventure, a walk of faith, and a ministry.
Please share your thoughts as always.
Men’s Group: Calvary Road, Highway to Holiness, Chapter 4
The road to Holiness:
- As a Christian, you will always remain on the road to holiness
- The journey is called: sanctification
- ways to not stumble on the road:
- physical exercises–kneeling at your bedside every morning to remind you to bend a knee to His will every day, fasting, etc.
- spiritual exercises–prayer, authentic community: take off your mask with a close friend daily/weekly (confess and share the intimate details of your life), time in God’s word, or as Francisco has said: “When I wake up every morning, Jesus is waiting for me.” (a focus on Jesus throughout the day, and looking for God moments even in the tough times of your day)
PLEASE read Dave’s wonderful comment below (just click on the ‘1 comment’ in yellow in the right hand corner of this post or click on this post title and you will be sent to a page with his comment below).
Men’s Group: Abide in Him, March 4, 2009
Thanks to Dave for this brief summary:
When Jesus said, “remain in me and I will remain in you,” He was saying, continue/stay with me and I will continue/stay with you. Jesus is there waiting for us, but we must first remain in Him. One of our questions last Wednesday asked how Jesus provides a way for us to stay with Him in true love. Can you think of any ways He does this? Our table came up with prayer/alone time with Him as the number one answer. It’s been said before, the ONLY way to stay in relationship with someone is to talk to them; spend time with them. That goes for our relationship with God, too. He already knows us; in order for us to get to know Him, we must talk with and LISTEN to Him on a daily basis. The only way we can truly love like Jesus is by pursuing Him. Bucky opened last Wednesday with a great story; it was about him practicing basketball and falling on the court. His Dad saw Bucky fall, went out and picked him up, and said to his crying son, “Bucky, you have been trying really hard. If you keep training like that you will be an All American one day.” Bucky told us those tears vanished instantly because Bucky knew his Dad believed in him. And, this story serves as a reminder that God believes in us. Bucky made it a point to reinforce what Bill Gaultiere used to always tell us in Guide Group. That is it isn’t about trying, it is about training. Abiding in Christ trains our hearts to become more like Him. We can never be Jesus, but we can train with Him.
LIVING LIFE to the FULLEST
A friend just sent me this slide show. It is well worth watching, and it is filled with simple truths. ENJOY! And please share your thoughts/comments below with us.
Brennan Manning #2: Relentless Tenderness of God
This is part 2 of 4 in the Brennan Manning speaking series from Mariners Church in 1996. If you haven’t heard him speak or read any of his books please start NOW. It is AMAZING! I have been sharing these lectures with men from my men’s group for years, and they ALL have been AMAZED and changed by his beautiful insights, humor, and stories. If you haven’t heard him speak or read any of his books please start NOW.
Some of my favorites:
Why do I date other men?
Laughter is often the first response when I share with others that I “date” other men, but they soon realize that I am serious. I have developed deep, intimate, tell all relationships with several men in my life, and it has transformed my marriage, my parenting, and my life. It is a fundamental piece of being fully alive.
How do you do this?
1. First: Finding the right man for you. What does this future confidant look like?
a. CHEMISTRY: We all know that there are certain people that we have ‘chemistry’ with. There are some guys that you know that you really enjoy their company, and their personalities mesh with yours. How do you find them? You have to get involved! Go to men’s group!
b. VOLUNTERABILITY: It takes stepping out–moving beyond your comfort zone and removing your mask. This is the toughest step. It will take time to break down the walls that we as men construct to keep everyone away. You have to start with small forays into sharing a little carve out of your struggles and pains to see how it goes. If you find the right guy, he will respond in kind, and you both will continue to grow deeper in your friendship.
c. TRUST: You have to set up a wall around your relationship with this guy. Once you establish that this may be the right guy, and you have started the process of volunterability. You will need at some point to establish boundaries to protect your ‘secrets’. This is a verbal agreement to keep what you each share confidential.
2. Second: What do you do with the right guy?
a. TIME: You have to carve out the time to meet. It is essential that you have an agreement to meet weekly or biweekly. I have also developed a habit of calling (yes often daily) to check in and catch up when I can’t meet that week or so.
b. TALK: What usually happens when you have the time to meet or talk on the phone? Men talk about…..NOTHING! The weather, sports, etc. STOP! I need to intentially STOP, and get on subject. This is key because I STILL do this with my confidants! I find that we have burned through the time we have together by talking about nothing substantial. Don’t get me wrong, these topics are fun and important commaradirie…BUT it is just what they say it is: SMALL talk. The BIG talk must be done, and it can be hard work. Ask and Listen. How is your marriage going? What was the last fight about with your bride? How are each of your kids? How are you doing with your struggles? etc.
3. Third: Why?
Deep, intimate fellowship with a brother WILL transform your life! It will make you a better husband, father, friend, co-worker, and ‘little’ Christ.
A friend sent me a link to an entry on his blog that describes the importance and power of joining a group of men: “Some Honest Men”
Try it! And let us know your thoughts.
Men’s Topic #2: Are you enough?
Topic #2 is based on the story of the prodigal son from Luke 15. This brief audio is about a LIFE CHANGING concept that will improve your marriage and relationships. We are all walking around with the ‘I am not enough’ wound that society and our parents have given us. This wound can only truly be healed by God, but our wives/s.o./friends can help heal this wound. Please add your thoughts, questions, and comments below this post!