March 5, 2013 Quotes About Men, Faith and Biblical Manhood

Soon, I get to meet with our group of young men who are meeting in the church building once a week. I love to see these folks, who assemble to study, help each other, and to improve the socialization for students who are mostly homeschooled by loving and caring parents. Every week, I lead them in three pledges, because they allow me to! I also pray with them, and try to share a devotional thought from the previous sunday's sermon. I love to be with them! 

They have invited me to lead a part of a class, especially for the boys and young men, to raise questions about maleness and ways we can improve as caring and responsible men, as they grow in maturity and as Christian men and leaders. When I first heard about this request, I immediately said, "Yes." Next I started compiling quotes and accountability questions and scriptures. Here are a few to consider. If you have any thoughts, questions, or concerns, I would appreciate hearing from you. 

"A coward dies a thousand deaths but a brave man dies but one." Who said this familiar quote? Earnest Hemingway! His full quote, from "A Farewell to Arms" goes like this: “The coward dies a thousand deaths, the brave but one.' (The man who first said that) was probably a coward. He knew a great deal about cowards but nothing about the brave. The brave dies perhaps two thousand deaths if he's intelligent. He simply doesn't mention them.” Why do we equate braveness with maleness?  Bravery isn't a trait related to gender but to Christ-likeness. 

One of the verses I will share comes from Proverbs 28: 1  It reads like this: "The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion." Again, courage is a trait that should be gender neutral, but one I have seen developed in folks who choose to be like Jesus. 

One last set of scriptures can be found in the words of an older, bolder man named Paul. He was writing to a younger, more timid man name Timothy. You can feel the love and grace in his words. I hope you catch the desire that Paul has to help young Tim to grow. My goal is to always surround myself with people like Paul, and to pursue folks to love and encourage like Timothy. Listen to his words in a few verses from 2 Timothy   "Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.  But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The LORD knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the LORD must turn away from evil.” In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts."

What a great place to start a discussion on maleness, and purity, and holiness. My questions will include some observations about these scriptures and quotes. God willing, tomorrow I will be more specific on the questions to ask and be answered by those who want to live lives of worth and value and accountability! GOD Bless you, my dear ones.. big marv