Manly Minute - December 1st

NO SELF-LOATHING ALLOWED

by Sean Griffith

One of my most cherished Christmas memories could have been my worst.  I was a young adult living in North Carolina and spending Christmas ALONE.  This was a perfect opportunity for self-loathing.  It didn’t seem fair that everyone else was home with families, singing Christmas carols in front of an elaborately decorated Christmas tree, being warmed by the roaring fire as their taste buds danced with glee to the flavor of mom’s special eggnog (that’s how it played in my mind anyway).  

Rather than spend the day staring at a scarcely decorated Charlie Brown Christmas tree, I decided to buy gifts for the families at my current employment.   Many of them were barely making it financially and I knew the gifts would be most welcomed.  I had an absolute blast visiting the families and sharing the love of Christ through simple gifts, and sharing the significance of Christmas.  I will most likely forget many of the great gifts I have received through the years, but I’ll never forget that memory!  

No matter where you find yourselves financially or relationally this year, keep your eyes out for opportunities to bless others and as you do so, you might be surprised how much you are blessed in return!  

Phil 2:1-4

¹ Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Manly Minute - November 24th

HOLIDAYS OR HOSTILE-DAYS

by Sean Griffith

My favorite time of year is upon us as we gives thanks during Thanksgiving, and celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas morning.  And as if that were not enough holiday celebration, we follow it up with New Year’s Eve!  With all this fun and cheer comes extended time with family and friends.  For some, this can be a challenge depending on the family dynamics.  Along these lines I bring a Godly reminder and encouragements from Hebrews.  

“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord”.  Heb. 12:14

In order for us to live in peace with “all” men (women and children included), we must “make every effort”.  As you come together, let us be the peacemakers and an example of how we ought to love one another, especially those who need extra grace!  Decide now, and again the morning of, and again the moment before people arrive at your door or you at theirs, that you will make every effort to live in peace because it honors the Lord!  Below are a few reminder verses that we would all be wise to take a moment to ponder. 

Prov 15:1

A gentle answer turns away wrath ,

but a harsh word stirs up anger. 

Prov 15:18

18 A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension,

but a patient man calms a quarrel. 

James 1:26

26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue , he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.

James 3:9-11

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.   10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 

And finally, Jesus says in Matt 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers , for they will be called sons of God.”   As sons of God, let us live up to the name we have been given and love as the Lord has abundantly loved us!  Happy Thanksgiving Godly Manly Men! 

Corporate Maturity

CORPORATE MATURITY
By: Sean Griffith
Corporate Maturity is the idea of everyone in the church growing in their spiritual journey.  Everyone may grow at a different pace, but by the grace of God, we ought to all (corporately) be moving forward in faith!

MATURITY MARKERS

Financial: Celebration
For the month of October, we can celebrate as we met our budget for the first time!  Sure, it helped to have 5 Sundays in a month; however, it was only possible to meet this budget through everyone giving!  Why this excites me?  It isn’t about the money, but about people's spiritual growth.  One of the last things to let go of as we follow Jesus is our finances!  In order for us to be established and rooted in this community permanently, we need a community financially committed to supporting this work.  Last month was a positive marker that we are growing.  NOTE: Giving finances doesn't necessarilly make us more spiritual; however, it usually accompanies spiritual growth.

Serving: Our first sign of growth
We knew we were heading toward corporate maturity when we saw 80% or more of the people serving in some area at least once a month (versus 20% serving too many areas)!  Our desire is to NOT overburden any individual or family in hopes that they have time to minister outside of the church to family, friends, and neighbors.  Keep up the great work!

Sharing: The next step toward corporate maturity
As much as it is wonderful to see people giving of time and money, it is essential that sharing your life and sharing Jesus with others is also an integral part of your journey.  The primary way people come to know Jesus is through someone they know, not the pastors.  A sure sign of a healthy and vibrant church is seeing people coming to Christ primarily through the corporate body!  We look forward to hearing the testimonies of how God is using EVERYONE in the body!  Did you hear that...EVERYONE!  If you have air in your lungs you qualify as person called to share with others what Jesus did for you!

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden." Matt 5:14

Manly Minute - October 27th

I WALKED ON WATER!

by Sean Griffith

²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” ²⁹ “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

Peter eventually begins to sink when he takes his eyes off Jesus, but remember, HE WALKED ON WATER! No one else besides Jesus ever walked on water. Now talk about bragging rights.  

Although there are multiple aspects we could discuss on this event, I want to focus on what happened just before he stepped out of the boat.  Once Peter recognized it was Jesus, he said, “tell me to come on the water.”  Before acting, he was asking!  

How often we do “act”, and then “ask”, expecting the Lord’s approval and blessing?  I don’t believe it’s necessary to ask for heavenly guidance when picking out your socks or choosing your toothpaste, but it is wise to habitually seek the Lord for many decisions, BEFORE acting.  Does the Lord want you to accept that job that takes you away from the church body?  Is the timing right on that new purchase?  How should I respond to the offense I encountered yesterday?  Should I go out with this cutie without knowing where she stands spiritually?  Should I go on that spiritual retreat or spend time with my family this weekend?

There are many decisions we make everyday with no clear answers; however, the more we get into the rhythm of asking the Lord, the more we recognize His voice, and thereby know how to act appropriately.  I’m thankful when God gives a clear “yes”, “no” or “wait”, yet when He seems silent, I’m at peace making the best possible decision with the information I have because I sincerely sought out His wisdom.  

Manly Minute - October 20th

ROD AND STAFF

by Sean Griffith

This week I was strongly encouraged as I attended a prayer conference in the Poconos for our district churches (NY & NJ).    As I was reading Psalm 23 while overlooking the beautiful fall leaves that grace the tops of the of the Pocono mountains, I read these familiar words in verse 4, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me: Your rod and your staff , they comfort me. " 

It  is easy to believe these words while sipping a cup of hot coffee overlooking the tops of the mountains, but it is a whole different story when we find ourselves in the dark valley below.  There are times the Lord may call us to walk through a valley, but we are unwilling to follow.  Only when we walk closely with Jesus we willingly follow Him into the valley of the shadow of death.  Did you catch that?  We are “following” Him into this place and therefore He is with us!  Are there places the Lord is calling you to follow, but fear, anxiety or selfishness (a big one for me) keep you from following?  As the men of Sojourn, it is imperative that we be men who willingly follow Jesus wherever He may lead, even the valleys at times.  Our job is simply to stay close to Him and as we do this we are able to say the words of Psalm 23:4 with confidence, "I fear no evil, for you are with me; Your Rod and your staff, they comfort me."                                                                                                                                                                   

There are many valleys in our culture that need Godly men to follow Jesus into them.  Let us have ears to hear and eyes to see where Jesus is leading and without hesitation follow!   Remember, we are walking "through" the valley, not camping and will therefore come out on the other side!  

Manly Minute - October 13th

ATTITUDE

by Sean Griffith

People are more likely to follow your example than your words.   Our attitude and actions towards something has far reaching effects, and if we are not careful they can be negative ones that infect others.   Of course on the flip side we have the wonderful opportunity to infect others positively.  Although this principle can be applied to all areas of life, I feel it is especially important when it comes to our attitude and actions toward the church.  Ask yourself this, “what do I want my family's attitudes and actions to be towards church?”  Then consider, do your attitude and actions reflect your answer?  

Here is my answer in short:   I want them to love, pray and care for the imperfect people (yes, even the difficult ones) God has placed in our lives.  I want them to be excited about Sunday mornings and meeting with God and their spiritual family. Because the church is such a high priority to Jesus, I want it to be for our family. I want them to see it as a life-giving place where we get energized and built up.  Most of all, I want them to love the church!

The really cool part is that as we live out this example, it infects us as well!  

Ephesians 5:25-26

 ²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her ²⁶ to make her holy, cleansing^[a^] her by the washing with water through the word,

Manly Minute - October 6th

INSIGHT

by Sean Griffith

Where am I getting my knowledge and depth of insight?  Is it from Jerry Seinfeld or David Letterman?  Does it come from reality T.V. or the news channel?  Although I admit that those Care Bears have some good insight (remember I have three young girls), none of the above are adequate. My primary source ought to be the Word of God and experience lived out.

Paul prays that Philippians church’s love would, “abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you my be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ...”(1:9).

Word of God

Don’t read, don’t grow.  Don’t know how to make that any clearer or simpler.  We must know what Godly wisdom is before we can live it out, and God has given us an amazing tool to gain such wisdom.   Our family and churches need men of Godly depth, insight and discernment.  You don’t have to be a scholar to appreciate the practical wisdom we read about in the Proverbs, or the clear sayings of Jesus in the gospels, or the many instructions Paul gives in his letters to the churches.  Combine the reading of the Word with prayer and you are sure to gain Godly discernment and insight.  

Experience

As much as reading the Word is helpful, experiencing it is even more effective!  Experience comes from living out the truth we are learning.  When we see the effects of living this way, we gain the type of valuable experience that is not forgotten.  Our culture is desperate for answers, do we have the insight they need?  

Let’s begin today and watch how the Lord uses what we are learning through His word and our experiences of living them out!  

Manly Minute - September 22

ALL KINDS

by Sean Griffith

Judges 5:3

"Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers! I will sing to the LORD, I will sing; I will make music to the LORD, the God of Israel."

Sports crowds bring all kinds of unique fans.  Some people are reserved and just enjoy sitting back, while others go all out in expressing their excitement!  

When we gather to worship the Lord, everyone expresses themselves differently.  Some express themselves freely with open arms and clapping, while others might prefer a more subtle and inward approach.  Neither is right or wrong, but more of an expression of personalities.  What is important is not the outward expression, but the inward connection.  

In Scripture we see great expression and excitement over the Lord.  Think of how they cheered, sang, and danced when the Ark of the Covenant was brought into Jerusalem, or how they laid palm branches on the road and yelled, “Hosanna in the Highest” when Jesus entered the same city hundreds of years later.  Sometimes I can’t help but stand up and cheer, but at other times I prefer to not sing at all and find myself praying inwardly.  So, as we gather, let us not concern ourselves with others around us, but in our own way of worshipping the Lord.

NOTE: Please do not shave the word “Jesus” on your chest and come to church shirtless as we do not want to emotionally scar the women and children. 

Manly Minute - September 15th

Watching Dad

by Sean Griffith

I didn’t grow up with my dad being around; however, I have memories as a young boy watching him work and me trying to copy him.  I specifically remember a time when I wanted to swing the sledge hammer just like dad.  I know all the guys had a good laugh as they saw this determined little boy lift that sledge hammer and drop it.  In my mind, a drop was as good as a swing, mission accomplished.  

There is something natural about a boy wanting to be like and act like his dad.  Jesus also wanted to be just like His dad.  He says in John 5:19, “...whatever the Father does the Son also does.”  Likewise, as I read about the work of Jesus in Scripture, I want to copy Him.  I want to live like He did and love like He did.   I want to treat others the way He treated others, I want His confidence, His humility, His wisdom, and His obedience.  I believe the desire to do this comes from spending meaningful time with Him.  No agenda, just hanging out with Him in prayer, listening for him in reflection, and reading about Him in the Scriptures.  I’ve never been disappointed for having my first cup of coffee with my Heavenly Father, neither will you.  Although we may not swing the sledge hammer as well as Dad, He looks at our drops as swings, mission accomplished.  

Manly Minute - September 8th

What does your leadership look like? 

by Sean Griffith

As I was reading about David today, I came across his last words in 2 Samuel 23.  I always pay special attention to last words in Scripture because they are often filled with wisdom learned from a life of walking with God.  David says in verses 3 & 4,  “The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: 'When one rules over people in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God,  he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth.”   

This verse caused me to pause and ask, does my leadership produce beautiful sunrises?  Do I lead in righteousness and in the fear of the Lord?  Admittedly, there are days that I wonder if the sun ever appeared due to my lack of righteousness or fear of God, but fortunately, like new sunrises, we have new days and new opportunities to rise  to the challenge.  Wherever we find ourselves leading, whether in our home, work, or ministry, it is of the utmost importance to do so with righteousness and fear of God.  When we do this, not only will we experience the warmth of the rising sun, but so shall those we lead.  Whenever I look at a rising sun, I can’t help but to have peace in my heart and a moment of awe before our amazing God.  Let’s begin each day with a glorious sunrise!

Manly Minute - Aug 25th

LOADS

by Sean Griffith

As I continue in some manly projects, I am looking to build an electric attic lift using a winch and a custom built platform.  (I know, I know, sounds very manly doesn’t it.)   This way, heavy or awkward shaped loads are easier to transport to the attic.  Ever have heavy loads or ones not meant to be carried alone?  Often we don’t want to ask for help, so we try and carry it ourselves.  Sometimes through much effort we make it, other times, we damage the load and even worse, we damage ourselves!  

We read in Galatians 6:2 , “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”   Hmmm...asking others to help carry our load seems counter intuitive; however, when we do it we are blessed and so are the ones helping.  Don’t get me wrong, each of us is responsible for carrying the normal loads of life and being responsible for ourselves. Galatians 6:5 says, “for each one should carry their own load.”  However, when you have an oversized load, it’s time to ask for help.  Help may come in the form of praying for one another, asking for insight from those you trust, or often, just unloading some of what you are carrying inside.  Let us continue to carry each other's loads, brothers, as we serve one another and the Sojourn church body.  

  

DISCLAIMER: All above references are meant for spiritual purposes only and not a reference to helping someone move (smile).

Got a Manly Minute thought?  Email Sean.

Manly Minute - Aug 17th

WANTED: Maturing Righteous Men

by Sean Griffith

This week I was taken aback by some of the posts I witnessed on Facebook, not by my unbelieving friends, but by Christians.  Not only was the content highly inappropriate, but it mocked Christian values and God Himself.  I don’t think the post comes from pure evil intent, but rather the absence of spiritual maturity and the lack of pursuing God’s righteousness.  

Our culture is in desperate need of Godly men who continually mature and pursue His righteousness.  The author of Hebrews challenges his readers to grow and to move on from milk to solid food, “Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.”(Hebrews 5:13).  

If men are not growing and maturing, they will not be able to discern good from evil.  The author is warning those who are caught in the spin cycle and going nowhere in their faith to wake up or they will be, “...blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming (Eph 4:14).  The lack of this kind of discernment leads men to be shaped by the ungodly culture, rather than them being the much needed spiritual leaders and influencers. 

But listen to these uplifting words in Proverbs 2:7-12

7 He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, 8 for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. 9 Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. 10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. 11 Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. 12 Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse...

This is the life we are called to live!  This is our blessed inheritance as followers of Christ.  Let us feast then on solid food which is, “...for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. (Heb 5:14)

Manly Minute -Aug 11th

BUILT TO LAST by Sean Griffith                                                                                                                        

I’ve been doing some real manly stuff the past couple of days, building manly shelves.  I notice some similarities to building shelves and building our faith.

First, I had to take time to study how to build shelves and then make a plan for building them.  What resources would I need?   What tools would I need?  Have you ever thought about “how” to build your faith?  What resources and tools would you need?  What plan is going to make your faith grow? If we fail to plan, we plan to fail and that goes for our spiritual lives as well. So take some time to make a plan (or dust off the old one and put it back into action if needed).

Secondly, I notice that it is much more difficult by myself and getting the project done takes longer.  The reality is, we grow better when we are around other believers.  I learn lessons much quicker when I have good Godly men in my life. Men who are willing to help me finish the “project” and who want help with theirs as well. 

Lastly, do it right and do it well. As I finished my first 8ft x 6ft section, I grabbed hold of it and attempted to shake it.  It did not budge, it was built to last.  It felt great to walk on the shelves and not fall through!    When we plan, and do it right and well, we will have a faith that lasts and is solid.  So, the next time you're doing a manly project, consider how it correlates with your faith. 

Have a manly minute thought?  Email Pastor Sean and be a Manly Minute contributor.  

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thess 5:11 

Manly Minute - Aug 4th

A PATIENT THIRST

by Sean Griffith

Following this week's sermon about being “Satisfied” in Christ, I thought about how when we thirst, water is so precious and satisfying to our body.  It is the same spiritually. When we thirst for Jesus (a.k.a - Living Water), He quenches our spiritual thirst with precious and satisfying fellowship.  Below is an excerpt that I received from someone at Sojourn and I thought it was a perfect piece to pass on.  Within it is a key aspect to getting a good spiritual drink!

--------------------------------

From "Finding Rest - When the Work is Never Done" by Patrick Klingaman

Notice how the promises of Christ contrast with what the world offers.  Christ promises rest, while the world offers endless pursuits and diversions.  Christ teaches us to replace our burdens with His lighter yoke; the world tells us that it is all up to us.  When we follow Christ, we fall in step with a gentle and humble Leader who, during His walk on earth, never appeared to be in a hurry.  When we hop on the world's bandwagon, we find life to be hurried and harsh. 

We live in an impatient world that wants instant satisfaction, yet we serve a patient, enduring, eternal God.  This dramatic contrast makes it easier for us to determine which has the greatest influence on our lives.  According to Tim Kimmel in Little House on the Freeway, hurry and impatience come from the influence of sin:

     Our hurried lifestyle is a result of taking shortcuts in life.  Since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, sin has refused to let us rest.  Stripped to its core, sin is "the desire to have it now."  Sin is the enemy of time.  It takes time to be organized.  It takes time to meaningfully communicate.  It takes time to develop intimate friendships.  It takes time to build character in a child.  Warped by sin, our egos look for cheap shortcuts.  Instead, we end up restless and dissatisfied with life.

Restlessness and hurry are by-products of sin, but their real danger is that they preempt reflection and meaningful time with God.  "Be still and know that I am God."  I think the wisdom of that verse is lost on our culture..... 

END QUOTE

------------------------------

Let’s not let this verse, “Be still and know that I am God”, be lost on us men!  Let us not be men of cheap shortcuts; rather, let us be those who reflect and meditate on the Word of God and drink deeply from Him, that we might be filled and ready to be poured out for His sake.   

Manly Minute -July 28th

Reset Button

Ever feel like you need a reset button?  It is usually when I am wishing for the reset button that I am most thankful for God’s grace!  Reset buttons can really be an asset if we practice using them. Sometimes we push the reset button when we honestly repent before the Lord and He graciously forgives our offense.  Reset buttons can be used in everyday life as well.  If you ever find yourself in a disagreement and things begin to become heated, this would be a good time to hit the reset button!  Whenever my wife and I find ourselves at odds there is a tendency for it to get off track because we become emotionally involved. Frustration has a way of getting us off track doesn’t it!  We are no longer discussing our differences of opinion, but rather trying to win a fight.  This is when we need to hit the reset button and get things on track again. When I do this I see amazing results because my wife sees my humility and willingness to work towards a solution. I simply say, “forgive me, I’ve gotten off track.  I really do want to resolve this, can we start over and try again?”.  This has paid major dividends in my marriage and I encourage you to give it a try. 

James 3:17

¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

Yearning for God

By Amy Joan Culleny

As I was listening to worship music last night, there was a song in particular that really struck me. One of the lyrics was, "Lord, I wanna yearn for You. I wanna burn with passion over You and only You."


I started thinking about what it means to have a yearning (strong desire, longing) for God, and to me that meant not only desiring Him, but it also included a longing to pursue the desires He has for me.

I am always encouraged by our church's goal and prayer for Sojourn Productions which essentially is that we would be able to reach the lost and share our faith through the arts; however, as one who is heavily involved with Sojourn Productions, it is very easy for me in the flesh to forget this goal when things get difficult, or stressful, or crazy, or even when things are okay and I am simply veering off track of yearning for Him.


As the Lord convicted me with 1 Corinthians 10:31, "So whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." I felt a strong prompting from the Holy Spirit to have a special night dedicated to prayer on Tuesday, August 9 at 7pm at the Griffith home for those who will either simply come to audition, or for those who will be with us through the entire rehearsal process. I know that we will have the opportunity to witness to many people who do not yet have that yearning for the Lord and it is my prayer that God will use the body of Sojourn to do miraculous moves in the hearts of those people we meet.

"...The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." -James 5:16

You're Not Who You Think You Are - Somebody's Watching Me

You’re Not Who You Think You Are - Somebody’s Watching Me. 

Pt 3 by Sean Griffith

Proverbs 22:6 says, Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. 

Most of us know that young people, especially our children for you dads, look up to us and watch us like hawks.  Don’t let them fool you, they may not be looking at you, or seem to even be listening, but they are watching.  This constantly challenges me to be a good example to my children and younger people and not let them see my shortcomings.  I don’t want them to see me lose my temper, I don’t want them to hear me speak poorly about someone else, I don’t want them to ask me why I was staring at that nice lady (this is purely hypothetical of course).  Some of us do a pretty good job at being good examples of what not to do; however, how are we at showing them what to do!  

Young people need to see and hear what to do by the way we live our lives.  Do they see us reading our Bibles?  Do they ever hear us pray? Even the most simple and sincere prayer can go a long way in impacting our children.  Do they see us make church a priority in our lives?  Do they see how we help others and give to others?  Do they see us flirt with our wives?  Do they see us being encouraging to others?  Do they see a real love for Jesus?  The list goes on and on.  One of the best ways we can train up our children -- or for you non-dads be an example to young people -- is to not only show them what not to do, but what to do!  

Remember, you are a righteous, holy man of God!  You can and will be an example of how to follow Jesus so that our young people will also know how and not depart from the Lord. 

Manly Minute - July 7th

YOU'RE NOT WHO YOU THINK YOU ARE - SOLAR FLARES

PT 2 - By Sean Griffith

Solar flares are large bursts of energy that release up to 6 × 1025  joules of energy (that’s 1/6th of the total sun's energy output in a second). In other words, it is a massive amount of explosive energy in a split second. Men are known to have solar flares in their lives. It is when your wordly flesh overwhelms your spirit at a high level in a split second - much like your emotional response when someone cuts you off while driving. Each man’s response will look different.  Some will show it outwardly, others hold it in inwardly, but both feel it strongly.  

Solar flares can quickly become one of the shortcomings that we have been discussing.  Solar flares may happen in such areas as lust (when a steamy commercial comes across your screen unexpectedly), jealousy (when your co-worker gets a really cool new car or truck) and the ever so popular anger (someone offends you).  Realize that emotional solar flares are not sin, they are the initial reactions to temptation.  However, we know how quickly these temptations become sins if we don’t quench them quickly.

RESPONDING TO SOLAR FLARES

So how do we deal with these ever present solar flares in our lives?  

First,  RECOGNIZE you are experiencing one when your emotional state has a sudden burst of negative energy.  One moment you’re relaxed, the next you're ready to explode. That is a solar flare!  

Second, PRAY immediately.  Although you’re feeling something strongly, don’t let temptation become sin by responding poorly to your intense feelings.  Pray for the Holy Spirit’s help.

Lastly, OBEY what the Spirit is telling you even if your emotions are still high. I find that when I obey and do what is right before God, the Holy Spirit calms my heart and on many occasions fills it in abundant measure.  Don’t let your emotions lead you, lead your emotions by the Spirit of God. 

RECAP

1) Recognize 2) Pray for help from the Holy Spirit 3) Obey the Holy Spirit

Romans 6:16 Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey--whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?

Manly Minute - June 30th

YOU'RE NOT WHO YOU THINK YOU ARE

Pt 1 by Sean Griffith

As men we can all relate at some level to having a few shortcomings - only a few mind  you (wink).  Some of these shortcomings have plagued us for many years.  The temptation is to say, “That’s just who I am”.  I would argue that this is not who you are!  Paul says in Romans 7:22, “Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.”  Hear that. It is not you, but the sin living in you.  Those who have been rescued by Jesus (Rom 7:25) are no longer slaves to sin that leads to death, but slaves to righteousness which leads to life and holiness.  

Say this out loud right now: “I am a righteous, holy man of God”!  You may not feel like it often, but through Jesus Christ, this is who we are!  The enemy wants us to dwell in our guilt and shame; God wants us to sincerely repent and move on, striving towards the man of God He knows us to be.  The next time that shortcoming pays a visit, you remind yourself that “this is not who I am” and speak out, “I am a righteous, holy man of God.”  The more you recognize and speak out who you are (slave to righteousness) and who you are not (slave to sin), the more you will live the way God calls us to live.  

Over the next weeks we will take a closer look at some of the more common shortcomings men face, and speak God’s truth into these areas of our lives.  Be encouraged righteous, holy men of God!

Manly Minute - June 23

MEAL BLESSINGS
By Sean Griffith
It only takes a few minutes to bless your family in the morning or at the dinner table. Here is how it works: simply read a chapter of Proverbs and pick one verse that jumps out at you.  Take a moment to meditate on its truth and consider what nugget of wisdom the Lord would have you gleam from it.   Later, with the family, ask one of them to read the verse and ask what everyone thinks it means.  In order to make it personal and practical, ask everyone how they think it could be applied to your family. Close with a simple prayer thanking the Lord for His wisdom and ask Him for His help applying this truth.  You don’t have to be a Bible scholar to lead your family in the way of the Lord. So, I encourage you men to take five minutes with the family daily to bless and lead them. 

Recap

1. Choose a proverb that speaks to you.
2. Ask someone to read it at a set time (breakfast, dinner, before bed, etc.)
3. Ask what everyone thinks it means.
4. Ask how you could apply it.
5. Prayerfully thank God for His wisdom and ask for His help applying it. 

God Bless,

Pastor Sean