Being a man of God is more than just behaving in a good way. Anyone can do good. But being a man of God, being a true man – as we like to say at True Men Ministries – is more than just doing, it is being. To be someone is to live from the inside out. Not everybody does that. In fact, I think most people don’t live this way – which is to say they are not really living at all.
Patricia – played by Meg Ryan in Joe vs. the Volcano, says that her father says “that almost the whole world is asleep. Everybody you know. Everybody you see. Everybody you talk to. He says that only a few people are awake and they live in a state of constant total amazement.”
In my experience this is most certainly true. The people that I pass everyday driving to work, standing in line at Starbucks, walking up and down the aisles at the grocery store – they seem asleep. They certainly don’t seem happy, much less alive at all. Don’t they know that they are created in the image of the living God? That makes all the difference in the world – knowing that we are created in the image of the living God, believing that fact in our hearts and letting it seep out through our eyes, our mouths, our fingers and toes!
Genesis 1:27 tells us that we are created in the image of God, male and female. If we connect this to Philippians 2:6 which tells us the Christ is the very nature of God (is actually God) and Matthew 16 where Peter confesses that he believes Jesus to be the Son of the Living God (and Jesus confirms this confession as true), then we see that Christ is the ultimate man in the image of God.
But let’s take this one step further, and take it home to our hearts. Galatians 2:20 tells us that Christ lives in us. So we were not only originally created in the image of God, but we now have the image of God in us through Christ living in us. And Christ is alive. He died on the cross in order to forgive all our sins and defeat death and the devil. And He rose again from the dead on the third day. He now lives in us while He rules over the universe as God’s “right hand man.”
You can be alive. You can live. You do not have to be one of those who are, as Patricia’s father says, asleep. You can live in a state of constant total amazement – for this is truly living. How can you do this? Touch the hand of a small child. Look into the eyes of your wife or husband. Stroke the back of your cat or dog. Listen to the rain fall. Walk at dusk on a snowy day. Spend a half-hour watching the surf roll in. Walk down a city street and smile at each person you pass. Sing a song in the shower.
Do ordinary things that will never be ordinary again because Christ is living you. You bear the image of the living God through Jesus! Life will never be the same again.
From Man of God: Finding Purpose in an Uncertain World
©2009 True Men Ministries.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Male and Female He Created Them
Jesus Christ is key in understanding the image of God and the image of a man. That doesn’t mean He is not key to understanding the image of a woman, but this is a men’s study after all, so let’s keep our primary focus on males.
Actually, we’ll understand women a little better as a result of this study!
In Christ we have a man as he was originally intended – sinless. And understanding who Christ is will be essential in understanding who we are meant to be.
The age-old conflict of “the battle of the sexes” should be addressed. Some would have us believe that since women have been handed the short end of the stick that it is only fair that the tables be turned now. But the logical conclusion is that there must come a time when the tables are re-turned again. This is not how God intended things to be.
Are women better than men? Our society seems to indicate that when it ridicules men more than women.
God created humans to be male and female. God created humans in His image. Therefore, male and female are equal yet separate parts of the overall image of God.
From Man of God: Finding Purpose in an Uncertain World
©2009 True Men Ministries.
Actually, we’ll understand women a little better as a result of this study!
In Christ we have a man as he was originally intended – sinless. And understanding who Christ is will be essential in understanding who we are meant to be.
The age-old conflict of “the battle of the sexes” should be addressed. Some would have us believe that since women have been handed the short end of the stick that it is only fair that the tables be turned now. But the logical conclusion is that there must come a time when the tables are re-turned again. This is not how God intended things to be.
Are women better than men? Our society seems to indicate that when it ridicules men more than women.
God created humans to be male and female. God created humans in His image. Therefore, male and female are equal yet separate parts of the overall image of God.
From Man of God: Finding Purpose in an Uncertain World
©2009 True Men Ministries.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
The Image of God
We are made in the image of God. Theologians call this the imago dei. The idea is that we are like God in substance. This means that we don’t look like God in the normal sense. God doesn’t have a look because He is spirit. Of course, Jesus did have a look, because He was a man. But when God says that He will make man in His image he means something other than just looks.
This is sometimes called the “substantive view” of the imago dei. We are created in the image of God and that manifests itself in certain characteristics that God has given us that are also found in Himself. Characteristics such as holiness, immortality, and love.
Now, you may be thinking to yourself that if God has these same characteristics of holiness, immortality and love that I have, then God isn’t much of a god. After all, holiness in man is a rare trait – as 9/11, Columbine, and the aftermath of Katrina testify. Immortality? No one lives forever – we all die. And love? See “holiness” above!
Yet, I contend that these are the very things that God has given us when He created us in His image, as recorded in Genesis 1. But remember, that Genesis 1 is not the end of the story. There was an event in Genesis 3 that sheds light on why the imago dei is so lacking in man today.
The image of God in us was marred almost beyond recognition when the human race fell into sin. Vestiges are still there – there is still a capacity to holiness and love, and we will still live forever, even though our bodies will deteriorate and die eventually.
While the image of God was virtually lost in the Fall, in God’s mercy it is restored in us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This happens to us through the working of the Holy Spirit through the means of Grace – God’s Word and Sacraments. In Holy Baptism, God recreates us. We are “born again,” as Jesus tells Nicodemus in John 3. It is an ongoing, daily, process and will be complete when we enter into the new heaven and new earth that Jesus is preparing for us.
We can live in this new image daily through repentance of our sin and receiving the forgiveness of our sins through God’s Word. This has the effect of transforming our lives every day.
From Man of God: Finding Purpose in an Uncertain World.
©2009 True Men Ministries.
This is sometimes called the “substantive view” of the imago dei. We are created in the image of God and that manifests itself in certain characteristics that God has given us that are also found in Himself. Characteristics such as holiness, immortality, and love.
Now, you may be thinking to yourself that if God has these same characteristics of holiness, immortality and love that I have, then God isn’t much of a god. After all, holiness in man is a rare trait – as 9/11, Columbine, and the aftermath of Katrina testify. Immortality? No one lives forever – we all die. And love? See “holiness” above!
Yet, I contend that these are the very things that God has given us when He created us in His image, as recorded in Genesis 1. But remember, that Genesis 1 is not the end of the story. There was an event in Genesis 3 that sheds light on why the imago dei is so lacking in man today.
The image of God in us was marred almost beyond recognition when the human race fell into sin. Vestiges are still there – there is still a capacity to holiness and love, and we will still live forever, even though our bodies will deteriorate and die eventually.
While the image of God was virtually lost in the Fall, in God’s mercy it is restored in us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This happens to us through the working of the Holy Spirit through the means of Grace – God’s Word and Sacraments. In Holy Baptism, God recreates us. We are “born again,” as Jesus tells Nicodemus in John 3. It is an ongoing, daily, process and will be complete when we enter into the new heaven and new earth that Jesus is preparing for us.
We can live in this new image daily through repentance of our sin and receiving the forgiveness of our sins through God’s Word. This has the effect of transforming our lives every day.
From Man of God: Finding Purpose in an Uncertain World.
©2009 True Men Ministries.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
God's Discussion About Us
“Let us make man in our image….” – Genesis 1:26
God doesn’t take counsel to make anything else in creation. The first place we see God have a discussion – a planning committee – about creating is with man. That tells us that we are indeed special. Creation is pretty amazing. Take the complexity of a daisy, the diversity of coral, the genius of the sun – all of that is amazing.
But God didn’t have a discussion about those things – He just spoke them into being.
But with man, he gathers the Son and the Holy Spirit and has a discussion about us.
Humans are sometimes called “the crown of creation.” We were the last thing created, he planned our creation, and we were specially created (God didn’t speak man into being, he used the ground). That makes us very special. That gives us some insight into why God would go to such great lengths to save us – sacrificing his Son to save us from sin, death, and the power of the devil.
Because God has a discussion about our creation, a planning session, he has several other discussions about various things with us. He talks about Sodom and Gomorrah with Abraham (Genesis 18), he banters about the exodus with Moses (Exodus 3). He guides David in a key battle (1 Samuel 23). He asks Solomon what kind of king he would like to be (1 Kings 3).
Taken from a new Bible study called “Man of God: Finding purpose in an uncertain world.”
©2009 True Men Ministries.
God doesn’t take counsel to make anything else in creation. The first place we see God have a discussion – a planning committee – about creating is with man. That tells us that we are indeed special. Creation is pretty amazing. Take the complexity of a daisy, the diversity of coral, the genius of the sun – all of that is amazing.
But God didn’t have a discussion about those things – He just spoke them into being.
But with man, he gathers the Son and the Holy Spirit and has a discussion about us.
Humans are sometimes called “the crown of creation.” We were the last thing created, he planned our creation, and we were specially created (God didn’t speak man into being, he used the ground). That makes us very special. That gives us some insight into why God would go to such great lengths to save us – sacrificing his Son to save us from sin, death, and the power of the devil.
Because God has a discussion about our creation, a planning session, he has several other discussions about various things with us. He talks about Sodom and Gomorrah with Abraham (Genesis 18), he banters about the exodus with Moses (Exodus 3). He guides David in a key battle (1 Samuel 23). He asks Solomon what kind of king he would like to be (1 Kings 3).
Taken from a new Bible study called “Man of God: Finding purpose in an uncertain world.”
©2009 True Men Ministries.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Relax
At about noon on Christmas Day, I was thinking that it had finally arrived. The time I could spend relaxing. I could relax with my family, not have to worry about work, writing, or leading worship at church – at least for a couple of days.
But then, my middle son Kurt was sick. We thought it was just the flu or a cold. But when the fever started to get worse, the sense of relaxation started to go away. When he had a full-blown, knock-down seizure, it was gone for good.
But the good news was the doctor at the ER said it was the fever that caused the seizure and that breaking the fever with over-the-counter children’s medicine would take care of it. It did. About 24 hours later, he was eating again and feeling fine, albeit a little frustrated whenever we asked him how he was feeling – which was about every 10 minutes!
About 3:00 Sunday afternoon, I was thinking again that it finally arrived again. The time I could spend relaxing. This time I had almost a week without having to worry about work, writing or leading worship at church. All the boys were healthy and there was nothing on the horizon that was looming to try to take away from my time of relaxation. It ended up being a great week!
I need to learn how to relax, to find the Sabbath rest that God created me (and all of us) to enjoy. He created us so that we need one day out of every seven to rest from everyday stuff. A chance to unwind, pray, meditate on His Word, worship, and relax.
But relaxation for me is more than just a Sabbath rest. It is a way that I really need to learn how to live everyday. Sometimes I get excited – about a new project, a new toy, a new book. Then I put all my time and effort into that new whatever to the point where I get myself into a frenzy.
For example, I’m a Facebook fan. I don’t’ think I’m an addict just yet, but can understand how people can become addicted to it! I enjoy interacting with the different people on Facebook. But I need to relax about Facebook. I spend some time going through some pages, but then I put it away or walk away, staying online in case a friend wants to talk, but doing something else. I also like Twitter – a way to mini-blog, in 140 words or less, what I’m doing or thinking at the moment.
I think this is all part of my personality that wants to have companions to adventure with. I don’t like to be alone, even when I am seeking a little solitude. I think the idea that there’s someone else here, someone else who I can talk to, share feelings with; ask a question that’s on my mind.
Christ does that for usl. He said to His disciples that He was going away but would send the Holy Spirit, His Holy Spirit, to be with them forever. Christ is here with me right now. I can instant message Jesus any time – He’s always online (kind of like me!).
©2009 True Men Ministries.
But then, my middle son Kurt was sick. We thought it was just the flu or a cold. But when the fever started to get worse, the sense of relaxation started to go away. When he had a full-blown, knock-down seizure, it was gone for good.
But the good news was the doctor at the ER said it was the fever that caused the seizure and that breaking the fever with over-the-counter children’s medicine would take care of it. It did. About 24 hours later, he was eating again and feeling fine, albeit a little frustrated whenever we asked him how he was feeling – which was about every 10 minutes!
About 3:00 Sunday afternoon, I was thinking again that it finally arrived again. The time I could spend relaxing. This time I had almost a week without having to worry about work, writing or leading worship at church. All the boys were healthy and there was nothing on the horizon that was looming to try to take away from my time of relaxation. It ended up being a great week!
I need to learn how to relax, to find the Sabbath rest that God created me (and all of us) to enjoy. He created us so that we need one day out of every seven to rest from everyday stuff. A chance to unwind, pray, meditate on His Word, worship, and relax.
But relaxation for me is more than just a Sabbath rest. It is a way that I really need to learn how to live everyday. Sometimes I get excited – about a new project, a new toy, a new book. Then I put all my time and effort into that new whatever to the point where I get myself into a frenzy.
For example, I’m a Facebook fan. I don’t’ think I’m an addict just yet, but can understand how people can become addicted to it! I enjoy interacting with the different people on Facebook. But I need to relax about Facebook. I spend some time going through some pages, but then I put it away or walk away, staying online in case a friend wants to talk, but doing something else. I also like Twitter – a way to mini-blog, in 140 words or less, what I’m doing or thinking at the moment.
I think this is all part of my personality that wants to have companions to adventure with. I don’t like to be alone, even when I am seeking a little solitude. I think the idea that there’s someone else here, someone else who I can talk to, share feelings with; ask a question that’s on my mind.
Christ does that for usl. He said to His disciples that He was going away but would send the Holy Spirit, His Holy Spirit, to be with them forever. Christ is here with me right now. I can instant message Jesus any time – He’s always online (kind of like me!).
©2009 True Men Ministries.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Life Is An Adventure
Every once in a while, my wife and I go on a “quest.” We’ll be out shopping for something – a new bedroom set, a certain brand of bread yeast, a movie that we would like to have in our DVD collection. It doesn’t matter what it is that we’re looking for, it is just that we decide we’re going to make the purchase but we can’t find it in the first one or two stores we look. So we declare a “quest” to find the item.
I know it sounds kind of silly, but it makes life a little more adventurous and has the effect of bringing the two of us closer together.
I think life was meant to be an adventure. After all, look at the way every day life is usually describe – the rat race, the grind, working in the coal mine – all the opposite of adventure. We long for adventure and excitement.
But we’ve lost sight of how that comes about, so we try to create that adventure for ourselves.
So we have amusement parks, “adventure” clubs that participate in rock climbing, hang gliding, or off-road racing. Then there are those who decide that they are going to have an affair with a co-worker because life at home has become so routine, so boring.
The truth is that all the great adventures were never sought or created – they always came to those who were looking the other way or doing something else.
The shepherd who was the youngest in the family was content to spend his life watching sheep, but he was chosen as king. Later he was just a delivery boy – bringing lunch to his older brothers – and ending up fighting and defeating a giant.
The fisherman who was fine with how his life turned out – spending his days on the lake bringing fish in and selling it. Spending time on the water in the warm sun. But then He came along, said a handful of words and the fisherman’s world turned upside – and then he later turned the rest of the world upside down with his words of good news.
Even our favorite adventure stories are like this. Frodo is just minding his own business and is content spending his days and his life in the Shire. But the Ring comes to him and the adventure that saves Middle Earth captures him. Luke is not so content with is life as a farmer, but doesn’t really have the courage to break away from his uncle’s farm. Then the two droids come into his life quite unexpectedly and he’s caught up in the adventure that will save the galaxy from the evil Empire. Benjamin is quite happy being a farmer, raising his family and occasionally building furniture. But then the Red Coats come, take the life of his son, and he is caught up in an adventure that will found a nation. (These are brief synopsis of the following movies: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring; Star Wars: A New Hope; The Patriot).
If we look for adventure, we might find some kind of adventure, but it won’t be the adventure God intends for us. It won’t be a true adventure, for that only comes from God. Therefore, we need to seek God and not seek adventure.
Solomon, son of King David, was admonished to do this.
"And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.” 1 Chronicles 28:9
Solomon didn’t go looking for adventure, he sought the Lord and wound up in a great adventure.
In his later years, Solomon strayed from this and it cost him dearly, but the lesson was passed on to descendents, so that generations later, Asa was king and was given the same exact advice.
The Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded. He went out to meet Asa and said to him, "Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.” 2 Chronicles 15:1-2
Asa also had a great adventure as King of Judah, not seeking his own way, but God’s way and was blessed greatly.
Are you looking for a little adventure in your life? Seek the Lord and you will find the adventure of your life and life will never be the same – it will be better!
©2009 True Men Ministries.
I know it sounds kind of silly, but it makes life a little more adventurous and has the effect of bringing the two of us closer together.
I think life was meant to be an adventure. After all, look at the way every day life is usually describe – the rat race, the grind, working in the coal mine – all the opposite of adventure. We long for adventure and excitement.
But we’ve lost sight of how that comes about, so we try to create that adventure for ourselves.
So we have amusement parks, “adventure” clubs that participate in rock climbing, hang gliding, or off-road racing. Then there are those who decide that they are going to have an affair with a co-worker because life at home has become so routine, so boring.
The truth is that all the great adventures were never sought or created – they always came to those who were looking the other way or doing something else.
The shepherd who was the youngest in the family was content to spend his life watching sheep, but he was chosen as king. Later he was just a delivery boy – bringing lunch to his older brothers – and ending up fighting and defeating a giant.
The fisherman who was fine with how his life turned out – spending his days on the lake bringing fish in and selling it. Spending time on the water in the warm sun. But then He came along, said a handful of words and the fisherman’s world turned upside – and then he later turned the rest of the world upside down with his words of good news.
Even our favorite adventure stories are like this. Frodo is just minding his own business and is content spending his days and his life in the Shire. But the Ring comes to him and the adventure that saves Middle Earth captures him. Luke is not so content with is life as a farmer, but doesn’t really have the courage to break away from his uncle’s farm. Then the two droids come into his life quite unexpectedly and he’s caught up in the adventure that will save the galaxy from the evil Empire. Benjamin is quite happy being a farmer, raising his family and occasionally building furniture. But then the Red Coats come, take the life of his son, and he is caught up in an adventure that will found a nation. (These are brief synopsis of the following movies: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring; Star Wars: A New Hope; The Patriot).
If we look for adventure, we might find some kind of adventure, but it won’t be the adventure God intends for us. It won’t be a true adventure, for that only comes from God. Therefore, we need to seek God and not seek adventure.
Solomon, son of King David, was admonished to do this.
"And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.” 1 Chronicles 28:9
Solomon didn’t go looking for adventure, he sought the Lord and wound up in a great adventure.
In his later years, Solomon strayed from this and it cost him dearly, but the lesson was passed on to descendents, so that generations later, Asa was king and was given the same exact advice.
The Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded. He went out to meet Asa and said to him, "Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.” 2 Chronicles 15:1-2
Asa also had a great adventure as King of Judah, not seeking his own way, but God’s way and was blessed greatly.
Are you looking for a little adventure in your life? Seek the Lord and you will find the adventure of your life and life will never be the same – it will be better!
©2009 True Men Ministries.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
A Charlie Brown Christmas - Part 4
Charlie Brown is depressed at Christmastime. He knows it is supposed to be a season of joy and that he’s supposed to be happy. But he isn’t. He tells this to his best friend Linus. Linus, as a good friend does, listens to Charlie Brown and doesn’t offer advice (although he does offer an assessment of Charlie Brown as the “Charlie Browniest”).Charlie Brown heads over to Lucy for “psychiatric help” (5¢ please). It is here that we get to the heart of the matter. Charlie Brown just doesn’t understand Christmas.
Lucy suggests involvement will help Charlie Brown. He is named the director of the Christmas play. But that doesn’t work.
Charlie Brown tries to set the mood with music, thinking that might work. It doesn’t (but most likely because it isn’t the right “Christmas” music – music might work and often does in many situations).
Charlie Brown then turns to the enduring symbol of the season – a Christmas tree. But when he is not wishy-washy for once, he’s berated by everyone – even his dog – when he brings back a real Christmas tree (albeit pretty shabby).
In anguish, Charlie Brown cries out, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”
And that is our cry as well. Do we really understand what Christmas is all about? At Christmastime we fill our lives with cards, gifts, dinner parties, trees, travel, music, and worship. But strip all that away and what is left?
Linus speaks to all of us, “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
It isn’t about what we do. It isn’t about the proper mood. It is about God loving us so much that He sent Jesus to be our savior.
“That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”
©2008 True Men Ministries.
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