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It's Prayer Stupid

Carville's famous quote defined the 1992 presidential campaign, "It's the economy Stupid!"

It might sound a little uncouth to most Christians, but perhaps it's time Christendom adopt a similar campaign slogan.  "It's prayer, Stupid!"

Most of us Christians act as if it's . . .
  • new strategies
  • more excellent programs
  • creative communication
  • harder work
  • bigger and more appealing venues
  • more relevant music
  • exciting youth environments
  • more money

How stupid!  Have we not yet believed what Jesus, the apostles and the history of the Church have modeled, taught and proven?  When God's people take prayer seriously as job one, God hears and moves in and through His people with His power! 

Look, it is easy for many of us to weigh in with our opinions on politically ignorant positions.  For example, it should be overwhelmingly obvious to any honest and sincere observer of history that a "big government"-type of solution to society's needs never works well.  It only ends up serving the few governmental leaders dictating the proposed solutions.  Society suffers under, never thrives under, big governments.  How stupid to ignore the clear historical factual data.

Yet, many of the same Christians who can put the pieces together in their political thinking, plunge into the same sea of ignorance when it comes to their attempts to change the world spiritually (i.e. fulfill the great commission).  The revolution of souls and society never has, nor ever will happen as a result of any of the above bulletted items.  And, yet, those are the types of ideas and efforts most of us give our primary focus, thinking and energy.  How stupid! 

A mighty revolutionary who got it, Andrew Murray said, "The supreme question of foreign missions is how to multiply the number of Christians who will individually and collectively pray for the conversion and transformation of people.  Every other consideration and plan is secondary to that of wielding the forces of prayer."

Yep!  Wow!  Amen!  "every other consideration and plan is secondary to that of wielding the forces of prayer."  I think Andrew Murray was saying, "It's prayer, Stupid!"

Would you today, men, make praying your primary commitment and activity as it relates to your marriage and your role in your home?  Will you make prayer primary as it relates to everything concerned with your work life?  Will you make prayer your primary focus as it relates to your recreational pursuits?  And, will you make prayer your primary commitment as it relates to this world, your neighbors, our country etc...?

It's prayer, Stupid!  (I mean that in a brotherly love kind of way :-))

Men Seeking _____?

Blaise Pascal in "Pensees" said, "all men seek happiness.  This is without exception.  Whatever different means they employ, they all tend to this end.  The cause of some going to war, and of others avoiding it, is the same desire in both, attended with different views.  The will never takes the least step but to this object.  This is the motive of every action of every man, even of those who hang themselves."

The greatest secret of the universe is that the only place our souls can find ultimate happiness, satisfaction, peace and rest is in Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29)

As you pursue happiness today, are you seeking it in a source that can never truly provide it?  Seek and pursue Jesus today, men!

Knowing Dates

Men

I hope you enjoy this short Man Blog Video

You can watch it here:
http://vimeo.com/14459383

Hola'

For your consideration:  please click on the link below, thank you!

You can watch it here:
http://vimeo.com/14268104

Moving Toward Manhood

Men - I want to pass on to you a quote from Charles Spurgeon which I trust will challenge and strengthen you as you consider it today.  He preached these words on April 18, 1875 during a sermon on Joshua 24:15.

"The great guide of the world is fashion and it’s god is respectability–two phantoms at which brave men laugh! How many of you look around on society to know what to do? You watch the general current and then float upon it! You study the popular breeze and shift your sails to suit it. True men do not so! You ask, “Is it fashionable? If it is fashionable, it must be done.” Fashion is the law of multitudes, but it is nothing more than the common consent of fools."

At its core manhood is powerful because it doesn't float on the whimsical currents of fashion or cultural trends.  Manhood is anchored to timeless truth.  Timeless truth out-lasts and over-powers the currents of culture.  When a man knows who he is, why he's here, and where his marching orders come from, he stands secure, confident and at peace.  Those qualities in and of themselves set him apart and move him from being a dinghy to being a lighthouse.

I have begun preparations for our Men's Conference we will conduct as a part of our Mexico Mission Trip, September 22-26.  This trip is for all men.  Men can also bring their Middle-school aged sons.  You must register for this trip right away.  The cost is minimal, the blessing to you and others will be maximum.  Please click on the link below to register.  Thank you men!

http://www.johnsonferry.org/registration/register.aspx?etUID=1330&InviteCode=

I Can Almost Smell It

Please click and watch:
http://vimeo.com/13824194

and then click on the link below to register for Man Church this Thursday night

http://www.johnsonferry.org/registration/register.aspx?etUID=1426&InviteCode=

Freedom and Glory

We took our children for a day outing in the mountains of north Georgia.  I pulled into a small country gas station somewhere up there in the middle of nowhere.  I got out with my credit card in hand ready to stick it into the slot on the gas pump, but was momentarily bewildered as I couldn't find the credit card slot.  After looking all over the pump for a few seconds, a flashback from my long-term memory banks registered in my mind.  I had seen this kind of gas pump before.  In fact, all gas pumps used to be this way.  I wondered, like in days gone by, would this pump actually dispense gasoline to me, trusting me to come inside and pay for it after I pumped it?  It did!!!  Wow!!!  As ridiculous as this might sound, and as small of a thing as it might seem to be, I have to tell you, it felt glorious!!!  Wonderful!  It was a crumb of freedom, and it tasted great!

The experience hammered home two realities to me.

1.  Freedom is glorious!  Moral decay produces reductions in freedom, and subsequent reductions in glory, beauty and joy. 

Because so many of our fellow citizens have stolen gasoline by filling up and driving off without paying, all of us have lost a little freedom, and glory.

2.  I love freedom!  The little feelings I felt reignited the flame of passion for freedom in me that I believe lies deep in the heart of every person.  It re-inspired me to live for the day of ultimate freedom that is coming and to be an agent of promoting justice, freedom, truth and love in this dead and decaying world.

There is a day coming when everything wrong, oppressive, unjust, painful and broken will be made right.  We ought to take great comfort in that truth.  These mortal lives we're living are a battle.  Truly, God gives us joy and peace even in the midst of the struggle, but there is no way to avoid the reality of the struggle.  We carry the burden of the battle against all that is wrong every day of this mortal journey.  What is it going to feel like when we step over into the place He has prepared for us?  How amazing will "glorious freedom" feel?  How exhilarating will it be to be "liberated from (our) bondage to decay"?

Romans 8:18-23   I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

May you long for and live for Freedom and Glory!

Time to Get Going

Men - it's here!  Our new season of ministry is upon us.  Please watch the video below!

You can watch it here:
http://vimeo.com/13702162


Dad's Life

Well, I want this blog to mostly provide inspiration and insight for godly manhood.  Today's link has neither of those elements.  I simply thought this video was hilarious, especially for the younger dads in the heat of the battle.  I don't know anything about the church that produced it - I send this web address on purely for its comic value.  Enjoy!  Laughter is good medicine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOKuSQIJlog

Consider Your Ways

Here is the video I did for my sermon two weeks ago.  Some of you have seen it already, but I just wanted to link to it through my blog. The best time to do something about a no-win situation is before you get yourself in that no-win situation.

http://vimeo.com/12881117

You may have to copy and paste this url address in your browser window to go to the video


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Recent Entries

  1. It's Prayer Stupid
    Friday, September 03, 2010
  2. Men Seeking _____?
    Monday, August 30, 2010
  3. Knowing Dates
    Thursday, August 26, 2010
  4. Hola'
    Thursday, August 19, 2010
  5. Moving Toward Manhood
    Monday, August 09, 2010
  6. I Can Almost Smell It
    Monday, August 02, 2010
  7. Freedom and Glory
    Thursday, July 29, 2010
  8. Time to Get Going
    Wednesday, July 28, 2010
  9. Dad's Life
    Friday, July 16, 2010
  10. Consider Your Ways
    Monday, July 12, 2010