Definition of Manhood

This week was good. I got through the first 4 chapters of "The resolution for men". After working 40 hours this week and taking care of things at home I'd say that is close to a miracle. The last chapter I read talked about not only stepping up to manhood but really getting into detail about what the bible says about being a man.
There are several attributes of God that He wants us to strive for to become men of God. Some are pretty self explanatory but I was surprised by others. Like the first one is the definition of manhood which is explained in Leviticus 27:3, God recognizes an adult male as any man 20 years of age or older. I never knew what made you a man, other than being able to financially take care of yourself and family. I assumed it was mostly dependant on that. I found out that men are held to a higher standard than what society tells us. We have to accept our masculinity, (a problem of mine for a LONG time) speak and act with maturity(something I still struggle with) By holding on to childish things, and fooling around when I need to "man up" and let go of silly behavior. A man should also embrace responsibility, God put Adam in the garden to "dress and keep it" keeping him responsible over what He saw was good. Gen 2:15. A man should of course function independently of his parents and have the courage and strength to lead a family faithfully. Another point I was surprised at, the bible does not say that every man should have a family, but that he should be ready to lead. 1 cor 7:7. Recognizing our accountability as an image bearer of God is important as well. It is supported in that God created man in his image (for a reason) and we need to uphold that image (inwardly and outwardly) always. We must always strive for righteousness, and even when we fall, (which I do) we will have the courage and wisdom to confess this to God and ask him for help. I'm really loving this book and everything I'm learning from it, it is a challenge to realize that you have fallen short, but it is a blessing knowing that God loves me and wants me to succeed and will forgive and help me through anything.

Men Of Courage

On Saturday some friends and I saw Courageous, its a great movie that talks about having Christian values at home and the need for men at home to step up and become men of God for their families sake. The movie is from the creators of Fireproof, another great movie (more focused on marriage specifically). After watching the movie I started thinking about my own childhood, the love and counsel I never received from my own father did scar me. I realized just how much I needed to have him in my life. There is a book that was released before the movie called the Resolution for Men. With an understanding that God is our father and instructs and instills in us, the Holy laws and shows us how to best live our life so we may come into his kingdom, the book shows that by God's design fathers here on earth were meant to do the same for their wives and children. I'm on the third chapter now and every time I read the book something new is opened for me, I truly feel that I am learning and growing in the knowledge of God and my person as a man of God. This is a POWERFUL eye opening book, I wish every man could read it, if you can't read it go see the movie, it may just change the way you see yourself and your own family. I thank God everyday for giving me the tools to become a better faithful servant. He is King and I will always Exalt His name!