Making A Post

It has come to my attention that many reading this blog could be “blogging” for the first time.  So…for some of you first timers, here is how you comment to a blog.  First, read the post most current (or perhaps even a previous one).  If you feel like making a comment – Complaints, Comments, Gripes, or Encouragement – click on the title of the post.  It will take you to that post’s page.  At the bottom of the page you can fill out info – name email, or even make up anonymous info and then fill out your comment, then click submit. 

Now – no excuses for zero discussion!

On another note, watch the blog – sometime Saturday will be posted all info on the upcoming men’s event.

Around The Corner

 Men Of Courage – Men’s ministry is getting closer and closer to launch.  This coming Sunday Various men who will be in leadership positions will be coming together to discuss and prepare for our first event.  Since no one has yet ventured out there and posted a comment, I thought I would try to encourage some comments now.  As you think about what could be around the corner for our men’s ministry – what are you looking for, what are you needing?  Step up and post!

As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man. Proverbs 27:19

I had a very interesting experience today, at least as an irrigator.  Crews were working rapidly to install a system in Leander.  I had designed the irrigation system to perfect dimensions.  I had taken all the right measurements, I had tested the water PSI at the house.  I calculated all water hydraulics and then laid it out on CAD for the crews to have a plan to follow.  They really did a great job following everything on the plan to a “T.”  When the last pipe was glued, the last head covered, and the wiring all tied into the controller, we turned on the water.  Guess what……..an irrigation nightmare, only a little water was getting to each head.  Not even enough to make them “pop up” and spray.  I was so disappointed, this was a custom design that needed to be perfect for one of our custom home builders.  We began to check everything, valves, heads, backflow preventer – it was all installed correctly, maybe I had missed something big on my calculations.  Our only option at this point was to tear everything apart, and re-install with smaller zones to maximize the low water pressure.  I couldn’t believe it, this was going to cost big.  Now for those of you have have no clue about any of this…hang in there, I’m coming to a point.  At 5:15 PM, past time to load up and head home I finally figured it out.  There wasn’t anything wrong with the design of the system, or the parts installed.  It was really a simple fix.  Some how – some way a large rock had become lodged in the PRV (Pressure Regulating Valve).  Perhaps the “heart” of the system.  It was clogged.  We simply removed the rock and everything was operating perfectly.  Here’s where it all comes together -

Some men live perfect lives (at least it seems that way).  Great jobs, wonderful family.  Beautiful wife, home, truck, and even a dog that obeys their every command.  Yet in all this perfection, life just seems not to be operating to manufactured specs, or to the “Great Design.”  I submit to you that it could possibly be a heart problem.  David cries out to the Lord in Psalm 51:10 saying “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”  David had come to a low point in life, he had everything any man could want or desire, yet his heart was not pure.  It was blocked!  Psalm 51 is a chapter in scripture detailing David’s repentance and desire to clean his heart.

Perhaps you have some heart “blockage.”  Read Psalm 51, listen to David’s prayer for a clean heart.  Perhaps life will find you at a time when your heart needs a little purifying.

Eyes

What are you eyeing these days?  A new job, a promotion, a new shotgun, a new game for the PS2?  We fix our eyes on many things throughout the day – some good, some not so good.  I think one of the most dominating struggles for men today is pornographic material.  Whether it be an old fashioned magazine, or on the home computer – it’s deadly.  This struggle will bind you in chains quicker than anything I’ve ever experienced.  It starts with just a quick look, maybe a magazine in the grocery store isle cathches your eye….maybe a glance at a web site.  Then it catches you and it becomes deadly and habitual.  What are you doing to protect your eyes.  Did you know that in the average church, out of 10 men, 5 will struggle with pornography?  Men of Courage gaurd their eyes.  They protect themselves from the lustful images that Satan throws our way.  Hebrews 12:2 says “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.”  Job says in Job 31:1 “I have made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl.”  You must guard your eyes.  There is a passage way that runs from the heart to the eyes, why fill your heart with such lust and filth.  It’s not an easy battle, but it can be won and conquered.  You’ll notice that from this blog you can connect directly to “Covenant Eyes.”  This website is designed for men to guard themselves from the sites that will destroy them.  I encourage you to check it out, find an accountability partner who will be honest and in your face, join together and make a covenant to God with your eyes.  I did, and it’s perhaps one of the greatest things I have ever done to guard against the arrows of the evil one.

Birds Of The Air

 

 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.  Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”  Genesis 1:28

FEAR

 False Evidence that Appears to be Reality.  What are you afraid of?  I’m not talking about spiders under your bed or a rattlesnake under that mesquite your standing next to.  I’m talking about real fear.  What are you most afraid of?  Are you afraid to take a step of faith in some direction that you know you need to go?  Are you afraid to be bold in a situation that has gotten out of control?  Maybe your afraid of the truth.  For me, in my life, my greatest fear has been for people to really know who I am.  I mean knowing deep down everything about me stuff.  I was afraid that they wouldn’t like it and more than likely would reject me because of it.  I was more afraid of the truth than anything on earth.  How ironic is it that it was the TRUTH that set me free.  Jesus says as much in John 8:32.  When I was able to step away from fear and move toward the truth, real freedom set in.  I cannot tell you how wonderful that feels.  I also found that the way I thought people would react to my untruthfulness was completely wrong.  In love they disciplined, in love they prayed and cried, and in love they walked me through restoration.  So what is it that you fear?  When your completely honest with yourself you will begin taking a step toward freedom.  Go ahead…be free!

A Man of Instructions

 Well I’m back from the duck hunt.  I forgot my camera so I will have to wait until my buddy emails me his pictures.  I’ll try to get some up this week.  I hope your week and weekend was good.  Are you looking forward to this week?  I want to challenge you to take time this week and pray and ask God what he wants to teach you.  Have you been open to the instruction of God?  I know alot of guys hate instructions, they throw out the list of instructions and assemble their project based on the picture.  The problem is that in life, there is only one picture perfect man – and his portrait is found in his teachings.  So as we prepare to launch a men’s ministry, and as we prepare to be men of courage……  What is it that God wants to teach you, and are you going to be willing to listen, and to learn?

What Kind Of Man Are You?

Tonite I spent most of my time building an impossible Star Wars ship with my son out of legos.  It was an increddible task and everytime we thought we had it just right, it would shatter to pieces.  Matt was very concerned that we got the men situated on the ship just right.  “Darth Vader isn’t supposed to be the pilot daddy, he’s not that kind of man.”  How insightful.  Darth Vader has a very specific purpose on the ship and it is not to be the pilot, or so I was sternly instructed. 

So what kind of man are you?  A ladies man?  A man’s man?  Perhaps an outdoorsman, a family man, a tired man, a confused man.  Maybe you like the question because your trying to figure that very question out yourself.  I’m reminded of an ancient scripture in 1 Samuel 13:14 when Samuel tells King Saul that his reign is over.  Samuel gets right to the point and tells Saul that “the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart.”  I wonder how that burned in Saul’s ears.  How does it burn in yours?  The Lord has not changed, he is still seeking men after his own heart.  Believe it or not I have spent much time NOT being a man after God’s heart.  My stomach turns even mentioning it, it’s a dark past with scars still healing.  When I found myself at the very lowest place I could have imagined I only had one place to turn, the Lord.  I know that sounds cliche, easy, churchy and all those other things but it’s true.  I turned to God’s word and began to search for the Lord.  He showed up.  Start with Psalm 1.  Read it and decide what kind of man your going to be.

One last whack…or quack

 

Well it’s official, your looking at this blog for perhaps the second time.  So…I need to begin the updates.  I thought I would add this picture, it’s of a good friend of mine Ricky at one of our hunts, it really puts me in the mood for this weekend.  I have the opportunity to head to East Texas and hunt a Ducks Unlimited ranch.  One last whack at a few ducks.  I’ll try and post a few pictures of the hunt, maybe one or two of Katy making a retrieve (my black lab.)

I am pumped about the upcoming launch of our men’s ministry.  I know that many of you are also.  I am very encouraged and pleased by the desire of other men to gather and learn more about each other, and more importantly more about following Christ.  The hunger for knowing and following Christ is a good sign.  I believe it is a sign of life.  My prayer is that as we begin to live as men, as a brotherhood, we would live life to it’s fullest  – Ephesians 2:4-5. 

Men of Courage

Courage – : mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty

 It has been a long time coming in my life – to finally be in a place to say that I am actually striving to be a man of courage.  Many people say they have courage, they talk in big courageous talk and from the outside look like they might actually be “rough and tough.”  To me courage is more than being “rough and tough”.  1 Corinthians 16:13 says “Be on your gaurd; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” 

Life happens fast, it’s full of turns, ups and downs, and sometimes seems to be filled with only downs.  It’s in these down times that life takes control of you and holds you captive away from the freedom brought in Christ.  Being courageous in these times becomes difficult.  The down times take over and slavery comes to rest in your life.  It takes a courageous man to take on these times, to stand firm in the faith and take them head on.  it has been these times in life that seem to mold and shape who I am.  Maybe not the down – but the way that I faced it and overcame it.  This blog is dedicated to men striving to face life head on, striving to stand firm in the faith, striving to be courageous.  It’s a journey, it’s tough, and most the time it really is rough.  Join me on this journey to true courageous living!