Click link:  Fathers and Mentors: 2021 Stephen Ministries Graduation of  Travious G.

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Fathers and Mentors Biblical Life Coaching: 2021 Stephen Ministries Graduation of Travious G.Read More »

Last week I was shocked when a Christian brother (I thought) told me that he did not believe that the Bible address injustice. This was not only surprising but what added to my disbelief was that other Brethren were present but only a couple spoke up regarding his ignorance. This made me pause to think and consider why many men are leaving the church. One reason is because many social issues of the day that pertain to them are looked over and unaddressed.

It is not enough to talk about it but action must be done also to advance the kingdom of God in the earth. We are his representatives so what are we showing a world system that is influence by the wicked one? If our gospel is no good outside of the context of the building on Sunday morning to impact people, then this is just vail religion. What do you possess? Religion or an active faith?

So if the bible is just another religious book then these verses are lies.

James 4:17–[As it is, you are full of your grandiose selves. All such vaunting self-importance is evil. In fact, if you know the right thing to do and don’t do it, that, for you, is evil. MSG]

James 1:27 [Anyone who sets himself up as “religious” by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world. MSG]

James 2:24 [It’s that weave of believing and acting that got Abraham named “God’s friend.” Is it not evident that a person is made right with God not by a barren faith but by faith fruitful in works? MSG]

There are four faces to every man

　There’s the face that he sees when he looks in the mirror. First Corinthians says nobody knows what’s inside that man except that man himself. There’s no way anybody else can know.

Second, there’s the man that his family sees because they live with him. They see him at his best, they see him at his worst, they see him elated, they see him depressed, they see him with high highs, and they see him with low lows.

Third, there’s the face that the congregation sees.

Finally, there’s a fourth Person who is seeing him, and that’s how he looks to the Lord.  It’s not always easy to balance this all out, but there is such a thing as living in a way that maintains integrity with your family, people, the Lord, and then your own self-respect and sense of self

‘Respectfully admitting to our youth, we need you, because there is no future without you and without vision.’

How?  I am so glad that you asked, you are showing me that you desire to learn more about what I am talking about today.  Let me share 3 things that will help.

1. Reading.

Did you know that reading books over television /social media benefits you greatly in life?  Reading forces, you to be in the culture, context, moment, emotions and life of the person speaking.  When we take the time to do this shutting out all distractions.  This something that I did as a father with my children in my home.  The purpose was to lead the direction of the children with me demonstrating this along with the help of my spouse (my helper) when I was not present to continue this tradition of teaching, training and impacting my children as I believed the scriptures had instructed me to do.

For example, when I read the life of Jesus and how he communicated with people I see him talking with women (which was very controversial in that day and even today in that part of the world). When I read the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) I am reading personal accounts of people who lived with him for over 3 years

Reading the Apostle Paul’s letters to the men and women who impacted his life and the work that he did for the churches he established allows me to gain instructions and principles that he gave under the direction and guidance of the Holy Spirit in his life that apply universally today.  Today God still speaks to mankind in many ways such as: via providence, scripture, authority, wisdom, nature, and through the foolishness of preaching.  We are never to worship these things above HIM who is the creator of all things.

***PROVIDENCE ALSO MEANS THAT GOD WILL REDEEM THE DECISIONS OF OTHERS THAT AFFECT YOU AND ARE BEYOND YOUR CONTROL.  HE EVEN FORESEES OUR OWN MISTAKES AND HAS A PLAN FOR THE REDEMPTION OF OUR CHOICES***

God has promised us that he will guide us…Psalms 37:23; The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; (English Standard Version translation) and to those who are in a non-stop relationship with God according to scripture …If they fall, they will not stay down, because the Lord will help them up.

I am old now; I have lived a long time, but I have never seen good people abandoned by the Lord or their children begging for food.  At all times they give freely and lend to others, and their children are a blessing [Good News Translation]

If you want to increase your communication skills read aloud from good books such as; the Bible, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley or Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong by James W. Loewen.  Avoid books that are flowery and at a childish level.  Read 3 times a week for about 30 minutes.

Read aloud to me someone (spouse, teenagers, or babies).  Your ears hearing you speak will change your life.  Just like the bible has told us over one thousand years ago…’faith comes by hearing and hearing and so on’ It also has warned us about being careful HOW we hear (consider the message over the tone, useless words or our own emotions and basis)… The ear that listens to life-giving reprimand will live among the wise. Proverbs 12:1 ESV and…. James 1:19: “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.”

Defined: hearing has more to do with the physiological act of hearing sounds than it does with making sense and connecting with the person who’s talking to you. Listening, on the other hand, means “to pay attention to sound; to hear something with thoughtful attention; and to give consideration.” …In the Bible TRUE hearing is mixed with corresponding action to god’s kingdom principles to his children (disciples)

** Avoid the lure of binge watching.

TV is a waste of time.  It kills your imagination.  When you read a book you are exercising your imagination muscle.  Every time you focus on the TV or anything on your cell phone/computer you are weakening the brain muscles, you don’t have to imagine anything at all.  It is hard to notice at first but it will happen.  People need to learn how to create to become more financially prosperous.

2.  Optimism

To increase your financial options as a communicator you must possess optimism.  Companies will measure for this trait because it is one of the most valuable attributes.  How can one do this?  With an expression of gratitude as the key.  Intentionally take 10 minutes of quiet private time daily and write down 5 things that you are deeply grateful for.  This will help shape your health, mood, and effectiveness.  WRITE IT DOWN!  Repeat this action daily…don’t use a social media tool for this but only use a pen and paper.  Do this over a 65 day period.  There’s magic in putting things down on paper:

Here’s an example from my journal(s):
Today I am thankful for those who comforted me when I called you the next day after my mother’s burial and said, ‘my mother is gone’ and I began to cry.

2. Thank you and I am grateful that you demonstrated love to me as a little boy when I was not related to you by blood and my own blood relatives did not express love to me
3. Thank and I am grateful that you allowed Hassan and I to stay with you and Roman, Bobby, Niya and Racheal in 1980 at your home in Detroit
4. Thank and I am grateful that you have encouraged me in my writing and sharing my knowledge, wisdom and understanding with all who will hear and practice it
5. Thank you for being just a phone call away for me at the age of 54 years old today

3.  Learn how to Communicate

Learn how to communicate your ideas that are conceived in your mind.  You must learn to give people a picture of your idea and partner with others to help you bring out your thoughts and words that you share with them.  Learn how to use words intelligently so that you will have an ‘agreement’ of the definition of terms.  Words come out of culture and the meaning of those words and concepts come from the culture and definition that we have been conditioned in.  For example, the word success means different things to different people.  In order to proceed in the same direction and not have a misunderstanding in the future we must first agree where we are going, how we will know when we get there and if we are off course during the journey or before we begin

Remember, commit yourself to pursue knowledge as a man.  Read books READ…. history, the bible, leadership, learn about finance, business etc.

There cannot be mothers without fathers.  Shout out to all of the upstanding men in the world today.  You are the foundation of the home.  A good man will keep the family together as best he can with the help of God.  You are designed by God to develop the gifts of children and start generational impact beyond you.

References:

Women who ministered with Jesus; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus%27_interactions_with_women#Women_who_ministered_with_Jesus]

Creativity and Making Money; [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZIo5BeCB2M]

Hearing vs. listening: https://www.healthline.com/health/hearing-vs-listening

The Key To Successful Communication:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNr-IULt-jU

The Fatherhood Principle: God’s Design and Destiny for Every Man: Munroe, Myles, Maxwell, John C.: 9781603740432: Amazon.com: Books

Below are some thoughts and quotes that made me pause, reflect and apply to my life.  Although the year was tough, that does not mean that it was bad!

• Be careful of people who make you feel like their mistreatment of you isn’t the issue but rather that your response to their mistreatment is the problem.  This is a sign of gas lighting and narcissism

•   Know yourself well enough to avoid the people, places, and things that take you back to the habits you worked so hard to break

•  You can’t save someone who isn’t willing to participate in their own healing

•  any situation in which some men prevent others from engaging in the process of inquiry is one of violence..to alienate humans from their own decision making is to change them into objects–Paulo Freire

• Dr. Leaf: It’s ok if your heart needs more time to accept what your mind already knows. Give yourself time, grace, and compassion. Healing is not linear.
• Just a reminder: you are not obligated to have relationships with family members who are not good for your mental health.

      Here we share laughs that have been shared with us ….

Part 2:

5. READ ATTENTIVELY

Shut off all the world, especially radio, TV, social media, cell phones, and give the King your undivided attention.

Visualize the historical narratives, meditate on the poetry, and apply the counsels.  For example: Micah 6:8 MSG—[But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women.  It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,  And don’t take yourself too seriously take God seriously.]

6. READ EXPECTANTLY

As you search for wisdom to live for each and every area of your life, continue your reading for that day until you find it. God will speak through His Word to you!

7. READ JOYFULLY

Find a translation of the Bible that you will READ.  Everyone does not understand KING JAMES language NOR do they speak it today.  I encourage you to not only read but also obtain tools that help you understand the deeper meaning of the original language so that you may understand the content, context, culture, and the intention of the write.  Also understand whom they were speaking to and why.  This will help you NOT apply something that was meant for someone else to your life.  [For example, God is no longer commanding us to sacrifice a lamb for sin nor is he telling men that they must be circumcised to be apart of his covenant people]

References:

I Dare You Not to Bore Me with The Bible: Heiser, Michael S.: 9781577995395: Amazon.com: Books

Why Johnny Can’t Preach: The Media Have Shaped the Messengers: T. David Gordon: 0884932042631: Amazon.com: Books

Did you Know that Believers are Commanded To Learn How To Read The Bible So They Will Grow in Godliness?

I sat in a church one day and a man came down to the front to dedicate his life public to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  I was immediately dismayed when the pastor held up a Bible and told the man.  “Now I want you to go home and get into this book.”  Why was I dismayed to hear this?  Because the man was not given any instruction of HOW to properly get into the book.

Many times, this leads to confusion, a person returning to a life of sin, or even doubting that their salvation experience was really real.  This moment reminded of a story that I was told about another man who tried to get into the Bible without someone to help guide him.  [Read the necessity of doing this by every believer in Acts 8:26-40]

I similar story I recall is about a man whose devotional reading consisted of opening up his Bible at random and reading the first verse his finger touched. One morning this was his verse for the day: “And Judas went out and hanged himself.”  That can’t be it, he thought. So he tried again. “Go thou and do likewise” was his second hit.  Annoyed, he thought, The third time is a charm! It wasn’t. It read: “What thou doest, do quickly!”  

Now to avoid this happening to you I suggest doing the following things daily:

1. READ!

The most obvious advice is: “Just do it!” Millions of Christians don’t, and it shows in their attitudes and life-styles. A Charles Schulz cartoon from the book Young Pillars shows a gangling teenager on the phone with his girlfriend. The caption reads: “I’m beginning to unravel the mystery of the Old Testament; I’m reading it!”

2. READ PRAYERFULLY

You’re not reading a secular book or even a great Christian one; you’re reading God’s inspired message to you. Ask His blessing and the Spirit’s enlightenment every time you read.

3. READ SYSTEMATICALLY

Read entire books of the Bible, not just your favorite verses. And remember to keep a record of what you’ve read.

4. READ GRACIOUSLY

Don’t make Bible-reading a legalistic fetish: “I missed this morning, so everything will go wrong today” or “No Bible, no breakfast.” When you’re ill, under special pressure, or rushed to leave home, a short passage read with care is worth three chapters rushed through to satisfy your conscience!

Your Bible is God’s love letter to His people and when cynics read it to ridicule or find fault they’re reading someone else’s mail! (If you’re one of those, dear reader, do keep reading, but look for God’s grace in Christ, not faults!)

References:

I Dare You Not to Bore Me with The Bible: Heiser, Michael S.: 9781577995395: Amazon.com: Books

Why Johnny Can’t Preach: The Media Have Shaped the Messengers: T. David Gordon: 0884932042631: Amazon.com: Books

MARRIAGE, Men, Unhappiness in:

A man was bitterly crying over the grave site at the cemetery.  He was wailing bitterly, and the only thing others could hear were the words, “Why did you have to die, why did have to die, what did I ever do to you?”  Another man was visiting another lost relative and said to him, “Sir, I am so sorry.  “Is that your brother?”  The man said, No.  “Is that your mother?”  The man said, “No, it’s my wife’s first husband.”

At the conclusion of the men’s conference the Pastor’s wife was asked the question by deacon John.  “If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? “Yes, she replied.”  The man said, “well if a man goes into the forest and speaks his mind and no one is around to hear him, is he still wrong”?

Unwholesome Words:

A husband and wife were driving on their way to church one morning arguing about being late and getting a parking spot far away from the building.  They noticed a farmer as they drove trying to get a mule to move forward but it refused.

The husband looked at his wife and said, “There goes one of your relatives.”  She replied, “Yeah, I know…by marriage.”

I gave a little party this afternoon and it was just the three, it was very small three guest in all, I, Myself, and Me.  Myself enjoyed all the sandwiches while I drank and enjoyed my eggnog and tea, And you already know I had to eat some pie later as I enjoyed being alone with just Me.  The next day I continued my party as I passed the cake to Me

Remember:

Self interest is good, but only being concerned about yourself is wrong.  If I want to be blessed, but never a blessing to someone else, then this is selfish.  Kindness is niceness in action; NOT once a year and with a motive for something in return. E.g. I give you…..You give me:

• sex
• money
• what I think you should

Eph. 2:10..I was created for good works.  For both kindness and good works that glorifies God, brings people to God, helps them improve for the kingdom of God in his name and it changes their destiny as one of my former mentors named John Ennis (if he was alive today he would be 104 years old) did for me and my family.

Does your theology match up with what you practice and live everyday in your life?