“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." (1 Cor 10:13) As men, a lot of times we feel like the struggles we face are unique to us. We want to handle things on our own. I've golfed with hundreds of guys over the last few years, and I can promise you one thing - you're not alone in your struggle. Your "island" is bigger than you think, and you're not the only one on it. So look around and find some other people; you need them and they need you.
Author: Mark Dwyer
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A consistent message throughout Scripture is the importance of "fearing God":
Go to BibleGateway.com and type "Fear God" to the search box, and you'll see hundreds of verses pop up. As I read these, I begin to see a new definition for the word "faith". To fear God is to believe in who He is, what He has done, and what He has the power to do in your life - a belief that is so real that it impacts you every step. I believe in God. I love God. But do I really fear Him? Author: Mark Dwyer “and whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col. 3:17)
"What do you do?" Isn’t this a standard conversation starter? There is really nothing wrong with the question, but there might be something wrong with how we answer it. Usually we answer by explaining our profession (that’s what people are most likely asking), but it should be more than that. “What do you do” is an identity question for us; and I believe it’s a challenge to make sure that we are defined by more than just our profession. The words of the apostle Paul in Colossians 3:17 are an ALL-encompassing exhortation. In our profession, no matter what task we “do”, Paul encourages us to “do” it in such a way that honors the Lord and represents Him. Secondly, how would you answer this question if you didn’t talk about your profession? What else do you “do”? Let me suggest that Paul is encouraging us to connect with something that is making a difference in the world. Are you serving in a ministry at your church? Are you participating in helping the less fortunate? Are your supporting a ministry that is changing lives? This is my challenge for us – to connect ourselves with something that is changing lives. I believe God has wired us to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. It might be what we “want to do”; but let’s take the next step and make it “what we do”. It will change the way we answer the initial question! Author: Brett Hersma "Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” (Isaiah 12:2) I have found a theme that weaves its way through both my faith and my golf game. I wish I could tell you the answer is that I’m always “par for the course”; but the theme I’m referring to is trust. I need to exercise trust. In golf there are so many times where I’m holding my 7 iron for my 150 yard shot, but the wind is blowing at me and the pin is in the back. I really need my 6 iron, but I don’t trust what I know is true. So I usually find myself swinging too hard and landing in a hazard somewhere. The examples continue… I don’t trust the break on the green, or the feel of the wedge in my hand as I attempt to get out of the sand. You might be gaining some insight to my golf handicap. Trust is so necessary in my faith as well. I’ve been taught over and over again that God loves me and has a plan for me; but do I always trust that? Honestly I don’t. I find myself taking life in to my own hands, and thinking my plans can be better. God tells his people all throughout scripture to trust Him with life circumstances. What is it for you today? I think that God always has something for us to trust Him with. Is it your marriage that might not be as stable as it should? Is it your child who is getting ready to go off to college (welcome to my story)? Is it your job that isn’t totally satisfying? God wants to meet us in these places, and be the answer to our fears and doubts. It’s actually an opportunity to lean in to Him, which strengthens our relationship. Whatever it is that has already come to mind for you – trust Him with that today. Author: Brett Hersma From "Bond of Brothers" by Wes Yoder (thanks for the book, Bob!);
"At some point in life, being a man includes learning to say what you think about the things you do not want to talk about. It means being an initiator among friends and family about the things that really matter. It means being a provider, a defender, and a spiritual leader for your family and for the poor in your community who cannot do these things for themselves. It means you have the lifelong privilege of practicing kindness, of being a servant, of giving away your life in order to gain it, and of providing identity, strength, and character for your family. A man has the honor of being a keeper of wisdom and a sensible lifestyle, of nurturing a true understanding about God as a shelter from the lies of the culture." "As iron sharpens iron,
So one man sharpens another." (Proverbs 17:27) On the radio the other week I heard about a VFW program who's mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. Their purpose is trifold: 1) To raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members; 2) To help injured service members aid and assist each other; 3) To provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured service members. I started this golf program 3 years ago because I saw another group of "Wounded Warriors" in my church, in my neighborhood, and in my family - men. We all have scars from unrealized goals, broken or unhealthy relationships, unfulfilling or monopolizing careers, addictions, physical ailments, and more. Some of these scars have debilitated us; other scars have only made us stronger. But we need to "aid and assist each other" to be the men God wants us to be. Why? Because we are in a battle, and we are the warriors. Our strength is vital to not only each other, but to our families and friends. Let's band together, as wounded warriors, and keep fighting the good fight! Author: Mark Dwyer "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith." (Hebrews 13:7)
Charlie Sheen might say he's "winning" right now, but it doesn't take a doctor to see that he's got some issues. Tiger Woods hasn't won a golf tournament since the "debacle". Look around you and you'll see the same thing - people that make poor decisions usually end up in a bad place. Now look at people who are in a good place - usually you can trace it back to good decisions based upon proven habits or truths. Of course, there are always exceptions - bad things happen to good people, good things happen despite bad decisions - but the truth remains: live by good principles and your life will be better for it (read Proverbs). Dave Ramsey ("Financial Peace University") advises to find winners and then do what they do. Don't learn how to use a power saw from the shop teacher who has lost all of his fingers; don't take a golf lesson from a "bogie" golfer (uh, like me); don't get marriage counseling from someone who has been married 12 times. The above verse tells us to emulate people who's life has turned out the way we would want ours to turn out. And do you notice what it says at the end - "imitate their faith". Here's what that tells me - the key to a good life is not about what we have the power to control, but in submitting ourselves to a higher power. My kids will have a good life if they obey their mother and me - because we love them and we know what's good for them. Likewise, we will have a good life if we faithfully submit to God's blueprint for life - whether we understand it or not (that's where faith comes in). Here's the challenge to us all: find out what God wants us to do and do it - we'll be glad we did! Author: Mark Dwyer What has shaped you into the man you are? What is shaping you into the man you want to become? There's a pretty wide range of answers, but the challenge remains to all of us to look inside at what needs "sharpening" and look outside for tools to sharpen us (ie: other men, personal devotion time, our wives, even our kids). Unless I missed something, none of us has "arrived" yet. We're all being molded by our surroundings whether we like it or not. Let's not conform to the pattern set by this world - instead, let's allow ourselves to be transformed by God's power. How? Find the answer in Romans 12:2.
Author: Mark Dwyer Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?
(2 Corinthians 13:5) What a powerful truth - God is inside of us if we have faith in Him! In fact, the apostle Paul referred to Christ's presence inside of believers as the "mystery of the gospel" (Col 1:27). Think about it - the same being who created the vast universe lives inside you and me, if we have faith in Him. But this great truth also comes with great responsibility. If He is inside of us, then WE have a power even greater than ourselves. So why doesn't it always show? Because there is a battle going on between our sinful nature and the Spirit of God (read Romans 7). What's the answer? Submission. Submit to God's plan, God's truth, God's Spirit inside of us that wants to show us a better way. James 4:7 says "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." My "better men" challenge to you (and me) is that we submit ourselves to God. We'll be glad we did. Author: Mark Dwyer "So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me." (Romans 7:21)
You know what is right, but don't always do it (see Romans 7:10-25). It's right to let the car merge in front of you, but it's easier to act like you don't see them (or flip them the bird). It's right to handle your finances with integrity, but it's easier to run up your credit card bill. It's right to spend time with your kids, but it's easier to turn on the TV. It's right to love your wife, but it's easier to hold a grudge. Here's a practical piece of advice for all of us men - develop the habit of doing the right things, and they'll become a lot easier to do. If you want to be a kind person, look for opportunities to be kind (ie, let the car in). If you want to have a better handle on finances, set a budget and keep it. If you want to be a better father and husband, carve out time in your schedule to spend with your wife and kids. It might not be easy at first, but it will become more natural as you make it a habit. What you feed will grow (Tiger Woods gave us a negative example of this); we need to feed what we want to grow. Author: Mark Dwyer |
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ContributorsBrett Lilly - Campus Pastor at Compass Church (95th campus), husband, father Archives
January 2017
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