Author: Wick

This past weekend I attended “Wild At Heart”, a 24-hour retreat designed to help men re-capture their God-given masculinity…and have fun while doing it.  I have to admit, I’m not the first to raise their hand when it comes to “Who wants to come to this manly man of a man thing, where we’ll do manly stuff, and discover how God made men different from women?”  So when this opportunity presented itself, I didn’t exactly race to the table.

I was raised by my mom for a good portion of the “growin’ up” years.  As captured pretty good in Donald Miller’s book “To Own A Dragon”, he talks about growing up without a father as always feeling like the rest of the world knew something you didn’t.  Now, my mom did a pretty spectacular job raising 5 kids by herself for a while.  And if I would’ve allowed my dad now, to be my dad when he married my mom….well, I wish I would have. 🙂

I realize by now, there’s nothing actually missing.  In fact, through life’s difficulties I’ve probably grown a lot more, and added to the characteristics I would have otherwise naturally acquired.  I’m thankful for what God can use, even if it wasn’t what He desired for our lives.

But even with all that, when it comes to “typical” man categories (women, sit down…don’t get offended….I realize there are plenty of you who are “into” this stuff…much more than me.) like fixin’ cars, shooting animals, and knowing every sports statistic that is currently and historically relevant….I’m generally uninterested/inexperienced.  But I still love the guys in my life, who do naturally enjoy these things for some reason.

That was my main reason for going, and the same reason I’ve been attending “Mens’ Fraternity” here in Decatur every Thursday morning.  There is a HUGE group of men out there who relate really well to sport and hunting analogies.  And in the midst of analogies I’m not a big fan of (Emphasizing over and over again how much we need to utilize humility as some type of tool/weapon in order to “win”, etc.) there are definitely things worth hearing/talking about.

Guys being vulnerable, and pursuing the heart of God.  Recognizing it’s not about dominating the home or workplace, but serving it as Christ.  Discovering what risks/adventure God is calling in your life specifically, and having faith to step forward.   Surrounding yourself with a “band of brothers” who can support each other in these things.

Not sure these are specifically “manly” callings….but it sure helps for men to be honest about them when they’re separated by gender for a bit.  Good relationships being built, and God is receiving glory. 🙂 

This week’s Old Testament reading comes from the book of Daniel.  I’d confess that beyond the popular story of the Lions’ Den, and short passages here & there in my studies of Revelation and other apocalyptic writings, I’ve not spent much time with Daniel.

The readings are short (7:1-3, 15-18), and just enough to get a dream and its’ interpretation.  Daniel sees four great winds “churning up the great sea”, and four great unique beasts coming from that sea.  In the 2nd section we get the interpretation: “The four great beasts are the four (kings) that will rise from the earth.”

Before we get caught up in wondering which current or future governments will rise from the earth, we recognize there were four primary oppressive governing bodies over the Jews.  This isn’t news, as we can find this interpretation in several commentaries, and it definitely fits with the message of Daniel/scripture.

1. Chaldeans
2. Persian Monarchy
3. Grecian Monarchy
4. Rome? Turkish Empire? Syria?  (the jury seems out, but sure seems like Rome)

But the primary focus, even beyond these debates, seems to be found in verses 13-14, and verse 18:

“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven.  He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.  He was given authority, glory, and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him.  His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed….But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever – yes, for ever and ever.”

A good reminder, for sure. 🙂

Recently I was given a copy of “The Seven Minute Difference“, along with a soon-to-be-released companion daily planner.  I smiled, automatically relegating these things into the “won’t really impact me, but I’m forced to write something about ’em so I’ll give it a go” category.  I was somewhat wrong.

Turns out, the “7 Minute Difference” is simply using a few short moments a day to make sure what you’re doing with your day is connected to what you ultimately hope to do in life…both short and long term.  The planner itself is organized in such a way as to remind you to be taking those small steps on a daily basis, and staying on task with them on your mind.  Being honest, the planner was too much for my ADD.  Anytime you need 11 pages to explain HOW to use a planner, you’re over my head.  Turns out, it’s easy to use…if you use planners.   Maybe there will be an app for it someday…I might try that.  For more information, I encourage you to check out the Seven Minute Life System yourself.

One of the things that frustrated my wife over the past several years, is my lack of “dreaming” when it comes to our home.  Sure, I would agree when she asked me, I want a house where our girls can have closets.  I would like a house with sidewalks so we can teach them how to ride a bicycle.  I’d love a street with less traffic…etc.

But none of my actions/words ever conveyed that I intended to do anything other than live where we were for the rest of our lives.

This book pointed out to me, I may be doing the exact same thing in other areas of my life.  Allyson Lewis points out the importance of putting our “Life Purpose” into words, and then making lists of Goals and Micro-goals that move toward that purpose.  Although I will confess, I had a hard time coming up with a “Life Purpose”.  Mainly I think I was trying to see through her lens, which seemed optimistically too much about the vague notions of “success”, “security”, and “growth”…all business-oriented phrases that I’m not really motivated much by.

My “Life Purpose” would probably sound something like “My purpose in life is New Creation.  To experience being made new by God, & to be involved in His making all things new in Christ.  Desiring the same for my wife, our marriage, my children, my family, my relationships with those I love, and those I need to be reminded to love.  I pray the ministry God allows me to be a part of to be actively growing New disciples of Christ, and connecting believers in relationship across families and generations…toward the coming of God’s Kingdom.”

Now…that’s always been there in the background.  But not really in words.  And even now that it’s in words, I find myself critiquing and wanting to reword it.  Yet, there is a solid beginning.  A purpose that my daily actions, large and small, should be united by and part of.

I love the ministry God allows me to be a part of.   But I’ll be honest – I would probably be just fine if it looked very similar 10 years down the road.  Just as I’d be just fine if I lived in the same house.  But “just fine” doesn’t imply that’s what I want.  I want stronger relationships with my volunteers.  I want to be more connected with the families, and see teenagers deeper connected to the discipleship happening at home.

I think that often because I fight the mentality seen throughout this book of professional “success”, “growth”, and “security”, I forget that “content” doesn’t necessarily mean things have to remain the same.  I am thoroughly content, and thankful for where I am in so many areas of my life.  But I desire what can be…