IF YOU WERE GOING INTO BUSINESS WITH SOMEONE - WHAT WOULD YOU LOOK FOR IN A PARTNER ? THINK ABOUT THAT .... THE SECULAR WORLD TEACHES US TO LOOK FOR A PERSON OF KNOWLEDGE.. A PERSON OF ELOQUENCE.. SOMEONE WHO KNOWS HOW TO MAKE A DOLLAR. - BUT WHAT WOULD YOU LOOK FOR ? AS YOU STUDY THE SCRIPTURE - THE PEOPLE GOD USED WERE PEOPLE NOT NECESSARILY OF GREAT KNOWLEDGE, OR OF GREAT ELOQUENCE..... BUT WERE PEOPLE OF TREMENDOUS INTEGRITY.
ILLUSTRATE - Years ago at a slave market in one of the southern states, a very intelligent, active negro boy, was put up for sale. A kind master who pitied the young boy and not wanting him to have a cruel owner, went up to the boy and said...If I buy you, will you be honest ? The young boy was somewhat baffled and replied - I'm gonna be honest whether you buy me or not. * Did you hear it....I'm gonna do the right thing.
WHAT IS INTEGRITY ?
INTEGRITY : THE QUALITY OR STATE OF BEING COMPLETE OR UNDIVIDED ESPECIALLY AS IT RELATES TO A CODE OF MORAL & ETHICAL VALUES. IT MEANS : COMPLETENESS, PERFECT.
** IT'S DOING THE RIGHT THING. IT'S A PRINCIPLE CENTERED LIFE.
INTEGRITY = GEN. 6:8,9; JOB 2:3; PSALM 26:1; PROVERBS 11:3; 19:1; 20:7
OSWALD CHAMBERS SAID ... INTEGRITY IS UNIMPAIRED PURITY OF HEART.
WILLIAM BENNETT IN HIS " BOOK OF VIRTUES" STATES... TO HAVE INTEGRITY IS TO BE HONEST, REAL, GENUINE, AUTHENTIC, BONA FIDE. IT'S TO RESPECT ONESELF AS WELL AS OTHERS. IT IMPLIES.. OPENNESS, RELIABILITY...TO LIVE IN THE LIGHT WITH NOTHING HIDDEN.
THE OPPOSITE IS TO BE...FAKE, FICTITIOUS. TO LIVE IN THE DARK..TO COVER, CONCEAL, HIDE.
IT RESPECTS NO-ONE INCLUDING SELF.
ARE YOU LIVING IN THE LIGHT ? OR - ARE YOU LIVING IN THE DARK ?
-PEOPLE WITH INTEGRITY HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE AND NOTHING TO FEAR.
-INTEGRITY HAS ESTABLISHED A SYSTEM OF VALUES AGAINST WHICH ALL LIFE IS JUDGED.
-INTEGRITY RESOLVES STRUGGLES THAT DEMAND A DECISION BETWEEN WHAT I WANT TO DO -VS- WHAT I OUGHT TO DO.
-INTEGRITY DETERMINES OUR RESPONSE BEFORE THE CONFLICT.
-INTEGRITY BREEDS CONTENTMENT...IT WILL NOT ALLOW OUR LIPS TO VIOLATE OUR HEARTS.
-INTEGRITY ALLOWS THE MUSIC AND THE WORDS TO MATCH.
-IMAGE IS WHAT PEOPLE THINK WE ARE . . . INTEGRITY IS WHO WE REALLY ARE.
-INTEGRITY ALLOWS US TO PREDETERMINE WHAT WE WILL BE REGARDLESS OF CIRCUMSTANCES, PERSONS INVOLVED, OR THE PLACE OF OUR TESTING.
THE MORE CREDIBLE YOU ARE ... THE MORE CONFIDENCE PEOPLE HAVE IN YOU.
THE LESS CREDIBLE YOU ARE ... THE LESS CONFIDENCE PEOPLE HAVE IN YOU.
WE LIVE IN A DAY OF CONFUSED MASCULINITY. WE HAVE A TENDENCY TO LIVE IN THE PAST.
1. THE ATHLETE THAT WE NEVER WERE.
2. THE HIGH SCHOOL PLAYBOY THAT NEVER DIED.
MANY ARE STRUGGLING FOR AN IDENTITY ? AND IN THE PROCESS OF SEARCHING FOR
AN IDENTITY .... INTEGRITY IS BEING FORFEITED. IT IS SAID - THAT HE WHO SELLS PRINCIPLES FOR POPULARITY WILL SOON BE BANKRUPT.
HOW BOUT YOU ? A PRINCIPLE CENTERED LIFE .... OR ... A LIFE OF POPULARITY.
** The jokes and humor that are made against man are somewhat frightening . . .
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MAN AND ... 1. E. T.? E. T. PHONED HOME.
2. GOVERNMENT BONDS? GOVERNMENT BONDS MATURE.
3. WHY IS IT A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE FEMALE ASTRONAUTS?
SO SOMEONE WILL ASK FOR DIRECTIONS IF THE CREW GETS LOST IN SPACE.
** THE ABSENCE OF MALE LEADERSHIP { EMPHASIS ON INTEGRITY } HAS BROUGHT ABOUT SERIOUS CHAOS.
THE PROMISE KEEPERS HAVE GATHERED MEN THROUGHOUT THE LAND TRYING TO ANSWER QUESTIONS RE: MAN HOOD.
A MAN OF INTEGRITY CAN NOT BE BOUGHT...
THERE IS NO PRICE-TAG ON WHAT HE WILL SELL OUT FOR.
** AMERICAN CHRISTIANITY HAS BEEN CORRUPTED DUE TO MODEL LEADERS AND LAITY WHO HAVE SOLD OUT FOR A PRICE.. Do you have a price ? ? WE DESPERATELY NEED MEN WHO WILL SELL OUT FOR THE CAUSE OF CHRIST AND WHO WILL BE RADICAL IN REGARDS TO INTEGRITY.
ARE YOU A MAN'S MAN ? OR - ARE YOU A LADIES MAN ? - OR ARE YOU A BUSINESS MAN?
- OR ARE YOU A GODLY MAN ? WE NEED GODLY MEN WHO CAN NOT BE BOUGHT.
** MAT. 1: 18-25 SEE MAX LUCADO RE: LIMB SITTER**
JOSEPH WAS A MAN OF INTEGRITY.. HE NEVER SLEPT WITH MARY..V 25
MARY WAS A YOUNG 13 - 14 YEAR OLD GIRL.
JOSEPH WAS A YOUNG WORKING MAN.. BUS. = CARPENTER
FROM A LEGAL STANDPOINT WHEN YOU WERE ENGAGED. IT WAS IF YOU WERE MARRIED...
* * * 5 CHARACTER TRAITS TO LEARN FROM JOSEPH REGARDING INTEGRITY :
1. HIS PRIVATE LIFE MATCHED HIS PUBLIC LIFE V. 18 * HE WAS A VIRGIN
HE HAD THE SAME SEX DRIVES AS YOU AND I HAVE. HE DEALT HONESTLY WITH THEM.
HE DID WHAT WAS RIGHT BEFORE GOD AND GOD ALONE.
WHAT ABOUT US? DOES YOUR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LIFE MATCH.
PETE ROSE / MICHAEL JACKSON / O.J. SIMPSON ....YOU NAME THE STAR = IN OUR SOCIETY . . .
THEY WILL BE MEASURED BY their PROFESSIONAL LIFE NOT BY THEIR PRIVATE LIFE.
PRIVATE LIFE = OUR THOUGHT LIFE..... WE MUST WATCH OUR PASSIONS.
LOOKING IN THE BLEACHERS DURING THE GAME.
WHAT WE WATCH ON PAY PER VIEW.
THE MAGAZINES WE LOOK OVER. THE JOKES AND SO CALLED ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT OTHERS SHARE WITH US.
* WATCH WHAT YOU EXPOSE YOURSELF TO. WATCH YOUR PASSIONS. WATCH YOUR INTEREST.
** INTEGRITY IS WHO WE ARE WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE OUT. IT'S WHO WE ARE WHEN NO ONE IS LOOKING.
*** PETER THE GREAT .. stated - I HAVE CONQUERED AN EMPIRE..BUT I HAVE NOT LEARNED TO CONQUER MYSELF.
I do not believe that JOSEPH AND MARY PARKED AT THE SEA OF GALILEE IN THEIR 65 CONVERTIBLE. ** He honored / respected / cherished Mary.
2. HE IS A MAN OF HONOR AND SACRIFICE V.19
HE WAS LOOKING OUT FOR MARY'S BEST INTEREST EVEN BEFORE THE ANGEL
HAD SPOKEN TO HIM. ...
INSTEAD OF DOING WHAT WAS RIGHT FOR HIM.. HE DID WHAT WAS RIGHT.
THE QUESTION IS NOT WHAT IS RIGHT FOR ME? THE QUESTION IS WHAT IS RIGHT !!! THIS IS BOTTOM LINE !
3. HE IS A MAN WHO KEEPS HIS WORD V. 18,20 ARE YOU A MAN OF YOUR WORD ?
MARK TWAIN SAID - WHEN YOU TELL THE TRUTH, YOU DON'T HAVE TO REMEMBER ANYTHING.
BETROTHED = ENGAGED. COMMITTED TO MARRIAGE.
THE LAW SAID YOU CAN'T KEEP THIS GIRL... HIS HEART SAID IT WAS RIGHT THING TO DO.
HE HAD STAY POWER!! HE DID NOT LEAVE MARY. HE WAS WITH MARY THROUGH IT ALL..
NOT JUST WITH THE BIRTH OF CHRIST... BUT ALWAYS.
* * * HE EXCUSED HIMSELF FROM OPTIONS. HE CHOSE TO KEEP "HIS" WORD.
- 1/3 OF KIDS TODAY ARE NOT LIVING WITH THEIR NATURAL FATHER.
- 70 % OF MEN IN PRISON DID NOT HAVE A FATHER AT HOME GROWING UP.
UNTIL DEATH DO US PART..THROUGH SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH...
WHAT DO THESE WORDS MEAN TO US MEN ??????
MAKING A COMMITMENT FOR LIFE TO OUR WIFE AND KIDS.
WE LIVE IN A DAY OF JUMPING FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE..JOB TO JOB.. WOMAN TO WOMAN...
IT'S TIME WE MAKE A STAND TO STICK BY OUR COMMITMENTS. * * WHEN IT IS CONVENIENT AND WHEN IT'S NOT!!
***DAD OVER THE YEARS.. HE HAS STOOD BY HIS WOMAN.. MY MOM !!!
4. HE DOES THE RIGHT THING EVEN IF IT'S THE HARD THING. V.20
THE ANGEL SAID FEAR NOT.. HE WAS AFRAID.. BUT HE DID WHAT WAS RIGHT.
DOING RIGHT IS NOT ALWAYS EASY..
**** COACH CLEVELAND STROUD OF THE ROCKDALE COUNTY HIGH BULLDOGS {ATLANTA AREA} HAD A RECORD OF 21 - 5 ...HE FOUND OUT THAT ONE OF HIS PLAYERS HAD PLAYED INELIGIBLY FOR ONLY 45 SECONDS DURING THE LAST 5 PLAYOFF GAMES.. THE COACH TOLD THE GA. ATH. ASSOCIATION WHAT HAD HAPPENED.. EVERYONE CALLED HIM A FOOL AND TOLD HIM THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO FORFEIT THE TROPHY... LISTEN TO WHAT THE COACH SAID.. PEOPLE WILL FORGET THE SCORE OF BASKETBALL GAMES.. BUT THEY WILL NEVER FORGET WHAT YOU ARE MADE OUT OF.
BEN FRANKLIN STATED - WORDS CAN SHOW A MANS WIT, BUT ACTION SHOWS HIS MEANING. ** THE FINAL TEST OF A GREAT LEADER IS THAT HE LEAVES BEHIND IN OTHERS THE WILL AND CONVICTIONS TO CONTINUE.
WHAT ARE YOU LEAVING BEHIND ? ARE YOU A MAN OF WIT ? OR A MAN OF ACTION ?
5. HE IS MOTIVATED BY A HIGHER POWER V.24
UNLESS YOU ARE MOTIVATED BY A HIGHER POWER "GOD" = JESUS
YOU CAN NOT MAKE IT... YOU MUST BE FUELED FROM ON HIGH..
JOSEPH WAS THE EARTHLY FATHER OF THE HEAVENLY KING...
JESUS LIVED A LIFE OF INTEGRITY. JESUS DIED A LIFE OF INTEGRITY.
JESUS ROSE AGAIN TO PROVE HIS INTEGRITY...THAT HE MIGHT GIVE UNTO US A REAL LIFE OF INTEGRITY..
** WE REMEMBER PEOPLE OF INTEGRITY...
INTEGRITY IS CRUCIAL ... LET ME SHARE WITH YOU "4" CLOSING THOUGHTS : Integrity
1. BUILDS TRUST . . . CAVETT ROBERTS STATED - IF MY PEOPLE UNDERSTAND ME, I'LL GET THEIR ATTENTION. BUT, IF MY PEOPLE TRUST ME, I'LL GET THEIR ACTION.
IT IS SAID THAT - LEARNING IS - 89% ... SEEING / VISUAL. 10% IS BY HEARING.
THE OTHER 1% IS BY OTHER SENSES.
2. BRINGS VALUE . . . WILL ROGERS SAID - PEOPLE'S MINDS ARE CHANGED THRU OBSERVATION, NOT THRU ARGUMENT. Principle - PEOPLE DO WHAT PEOPLE SEE.
R.C. SPROUL RE: KARL MARX
3. DEVELOPS HIGH STANDARDS . . . JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER JR. STATED - EVERY RIGHT IMPLIES A RESPONSIBILITY, EVERY OPPORTUNITY - AN OBLIGATION, EVERY POSSESSION - A DUTY.
4. STRENGTHENS YOUR REPUTATION . . . CHINA WALL
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF ? ? ?
1. CONSISTENCY .. ARE YOU THE SAME PERSON NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE WITH ?
2. CHOICES .. DO YOU MAKE DECISIONS THAT ARE BEST FOR THE TEAM ? OR BEST FOR YOU ?
3. CREDIT .. ARE YOU APT TO APPLAUD OTHERS FOR THEIR SUCCESS OR DO YOU WANT THE GLORY ?
* * * LIVE YOUR CONVICTIONS, BEFORE YOU TEACH YOUR CONVICTIONS.
BE CREDIBLE - NOT JUST CLEVER.
ITS BEEN SAID THAT WHAT YOU ARE DOING SPEAKS SO LOUD...
I CAN'T HEAR WHAT YOU ARE SAYING.
JOHN MAXWELL SHARED - TO LEAD OTHERS TO DO RIGHT IS WONDERFUL... BUT TO DO RIGHT AND THEN LEAD OTHERS IS MUCH MORE WONDERFUL.
LIVING OUT INTEGRITY ... YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE GOOD TO START- BUT YOU HAVE TO START TO BE GOOD.
YOU CAN NOT GO BACK AND MAKE A BRAND NEW START - BUT YOU CAN START RIGHT NOW AND MAKE A BRAND NEW END.
MAKE A COMMITMENT TO BE A MAN OF INTEGRITY.
Genesis 6:8-9 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God.
Job 2:3 And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away from evil. And he still holds fast his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to ruin him without cause."
Psalm 26: 1 Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity; I have trusted YOU without wavering.
Pro. 11:3 The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the falseness of the treacherous will destroy them.
Prov. 19:1 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity Than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool.
Prov. 20:7 A righteous man who walks in his integrity--How blessed are his sons after him.
Matthew 1:18-25 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows. When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her, desired to put her away secretly. But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for that which has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. "And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins." Now all this took place that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, "BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD, AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL," which translated means, "GOD WITH US." And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took her as his wife, and kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A MAN # 2
COURAGE
HEBREW = BE ALERT, ESTABLISHED, BE STRONG, STEADFASTLY MINDED
TEACHING TO RESTORE MANHOOD IN AMERICA.
COURAGE = THE MENTAL OR MORAL STRENGTH TO VENTURE OR PERSEVERE AND WITHSTAND DANGER, FEAR, OPPOSITION AND HARDSHIP.
IT'S THE FIRMNESS OF MIND AND WILL IN THE FACE OF EXTREME DIFFICULTY.
THE ABILITY TO DO THAT WHICH IS GOOD NO MATTER WHAT THE DIFFICULTY MIGHT BE.
WE HAVE MISTAKEN COURAGE FOR TOUGHNESS / MACHOISM.. THEY ARE RADICALLY DIFFERENT.
WE OFTEN TIMES TRY TO DO THAT WHICH WE CAN HIDE BEHIND.
EX. = WEIGHT LIFTERS.
EX. = ATHLETICS
EVEN IF YOU DO NOT HAVE COURAGE, YOU'VE GOT TO FIND IT.
COURAGE = THE FOUNDATION OF ALL OTHER VALUES.
COURAGE IS THE HEART OF OUR ACTIONS.
DANIEL 3 = SHADRACH, MESHACH, ABEDNEGO....
THEY WOULD NOT BEND V. 8-12
THEY WOULD NOT BOW V. 16-23
THEY WOULD NOT BURN V. 19-27
PRINCIPLES FROM THE LIFE OF THESE MEN
1. YOU'VE GOT TO FIND A CAUSE WORTH DYING FOR.
YOU MUST BELIEVE IN YOUR FAITH SO POWERFULLY THAT YOU WILL DIE FOR IT. WE LIVE IN A DAY THAT PEOPLE DIE FOR THE WRONG CAUSES.
WHAT WILL IT PROFIT A MAN IF HE GAIN THE WORLD YET LOSE HIS SOUL.
READERS DIGEST A FEW YEARS BACK RAN AN ISSUE WITH THESE 5
TOPICS BEING THE MEAT OF THE MAGAZINE:
1. HOW TO STAY SLIM 4-EVER.
2. 5 WAYS TO STOP FEELING TIRED.
3. HOW TO GET YOUR WAY.
4. HOW SAFE ARE THE NEW CONTRACEPTIVES?
5. WHAT IT TAKES TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
THE EDITORS HAVE CONCLUDED THAT MOST AMERICANS ARE: FAT, FRUSTRATED, EXHAUSTED AND DIS-SATISFIED WITH THE CURRENT STYLE OF LIFE. THE MAJORITY OF OUR SPENDING IS ON THAT WHICH WILL PERISH.
CARS, CLOTHING,CASTLES ETC.
IT SEEMS THAT WE WILL DIE FOR OUR SPORTS, JOBS, HIGHER WAGES.
????? WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO DIE FOR?????
** FEW SUGGESTIONS:
GOD.. WORD.. WIFE.. KIDS.. BRETHREN..
RESPONSIBILITY IS.. [A] PROVISION [B] PROTECTION
PROVIDING = FOOD, SHELTER, SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT, WISDOM..
PROTECTION = ENVIRONMENT, DATING, DARKNESS -VS- LIGHT
FIND SOMETHING TO DIE FOR...
OUR INSTITUTIONS DO NOT TEACH CLASSES ON CHARACTER, COURAGE AND INTEGRITY.. WE ARE TAUGHT HOW TO CLIMB THE MONEY LADDER.
ITS TIME TO PUT OUR AGENDAS ASIDE AND INVEST IN THE NEXT GENERATION.. THAT BEING OUR KIDS AND THEIR FRIENDS!!
2. BELIEVE IN SOMEONE OUTSIDE OF YOURSELF.
THE CAUSE ALONE WAS NOT ENOUGH FOR THESE MEN TO DIE.
THEY HAD A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS. G O D!!
WHAT MANNER OF LOVE THE FATHER HAS BESTOWED UPON US..
GOD HAS GIVEN US MORE MUSCLE TISSUE FOR A REASON.
THE GREATEST DEEDS ARE DONE OUT OF LOYALTY TO GOD.
ROBERT E. LEE WAS ASKED WHAT HE WAS RELYING ON TO GET HIM THROUGH THE BATTLES AT HAND?? WAS IT GREATER WEAPONS, MORE SKILLED MEN?.......NO--- IT WAS GOD AND GOD ALONE.
SELF IS NOT SUFFICIENT. I NEED SOMEONE OTHER THAN MYSELF!!
3. FACE OUR FEARS
IT'S BEEN SAID THAT COURAGE IS DOING THAT WHICH YOU ARE AFRAID TO DO.
WHAT CAUSES FEAR???
A. CHANGE = UNKNOWN B. SHOWING OUR FEELINGS = BEING REAL
C. ABANDONING SECURITY = LIVING IN A SMALLER HOUSE. TAKING A DIFFERENT JOB.
1 COR. 16:9.. AN OPEN DOOR AWAITS ME WITH MANY ADVERSARIES / OPPOSITION. PAUL A MAN ACQUAINTED WITH MUCH FEAR / TROUBLE.
COURAGE TO CONTINUE ACTS 4:13
REFUSE TO QUIT.. NEVER QUIT.. NEVER QUIT.. QUIT IS NOT A WORD..
1- VIEW OBSTACLES AS OPPORTUNITIES V. 1-4
DIFFERENCE IS IN THE ATTITUDE A] BARRIER -OR- BLESSING
B] BITTER -OR- BETTER
2- SECURITY MUST BE FOUND IN THE SAVIOUR V. 7-12
NOT IN [1] POSITION [2] POSSESSION [3] POWER [4] PEOPLE
[5] PLEASURE [6] POPULARITY PHIL.1:21
?? WHAT DO YOU HAVE THAT CAN'T BE TAKEN AWAY FROM YOU.
3- YOU MUST BE CONTROLLED BY CONVICTIONS V. 18-20
** MUST KNOW THE NON-NEGOTIABLES IN YOUR LIFE.
CONVENIENCE -VS- CONVICTIONS
KNOW WHAT YOU BELIEVE. KNOW WHY YOU BELIEVE WHAT YOU BELIEVE. KNOW HOW TO LIVE IT OUT YOUR BELIEFS.
4- BOND WITH OTHER BELIEVERS V.23 HEBREWS 10:23-25
IF YOU HANG AROUND DOGS YOU WILL GET FLEAS ON YOU.
ITS BEEN SAID THAT YOU ARE WHO YOU ASSOCIATE WITH.
5- FIND YOUR POWER IN PRAYER V.31
PRAY.... [1] PERSONAL [2] PRACTICAL [3] POWERFUL
[4] PERSISTENT
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A MAN # 3
EPH. 4:31,32 TENDER-HEARTED / COMPASSIONATE
TO REVEAL TENDERNESS IS TO BE LABELED A WIMP IN OUR SOCIETY.
WE HAVE BEEN LIED TO FOR TOO MANY YEARS RE: TENDERNESS.
A MAN IS NOT APT TO SHOW ANY INSECURITIES OR AREA'S OF FEAR BECAUSE OF WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TAUGHT GROWING UP AND THROUGH THE WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE.
TENDER MAN = BEING ABLE TO EXPRESS AND TO RESPOND TO THE SOFTER EMOTIONS. TO SHOW CARE. TO BE SYMPATHETIC.
HITLER / STALIN = MEN WITHOUT TENDERNESS.
RACHEL WATCHING CHARLOTTES WEB.
FATHERS WHO SPENT TIME WITH THEIR FAMILIES AT LEAST TWO DAYS A WEEK RAISE THE MOST STABLE, SECURE, COMPETENT FAMILIES.
IF WE ARE TO WIN THE WORLD WE MUST MELT IT, NOT HAMMER IT.
TENDER-HEARTEDNESS IS NOT AN OPTION. IT'S A COMMAND.
A TENDER-HEARTED MAN :
1. HE IS SENSITIVE TO THE NEEDS AND FEELINGS OF OTHERS.
A] FRIENDS 4:32 B] WIFE 5:22- C] KIDS 6:4
1 JOHN 3:17
A. HE SEE'S THE NEED OR OBSERVES THE FEELING OF ANOTHER.
AT HOME.. AT WORK.. AT PLAY..
HE DOES NOT LOOK AT BEHAVIOR ONLY. HE LISTENS TO THE HEART.
WOMAN = RELATIONSHIP, FRIENDSHIP, ** SEE HIS NEEDS HER NEEDS
MEN = STATS, NUMBERS
B. HE FEELS THE NEED. THIS IS NOT ONLY A VISUAL THING ONLY.
** RACHEL GETTING SICK IN FLA. / BARB WAS GONE AWAY. I WAS HURTING FOR HER SO MUCH. SHE WAS HELPLESS.
YOUR KID BEING REJECTED BY THEIR PEERS.
**BARB FEELING SO LONELY AFTER MOVING TO ATLANTA.
C. HE DOES SOMETHING ABOUT THE NEED AT HAND.
BARB OFTEN TIMES JUST NEEDS A HUG. RACHEL JUST WANTS TO
CUDDLE.
MY MOM ON CHRISTMAS EVE.. WE HUGGED AFTER LEAVING A STORE.
ASK YOUR WIFE / KID...FOR AN ILLUSTRATION ON WHAT IT MEANS FOR A HUSBAND TO SHOW AFFECTION / LOVE.
CARD'S / FLOWER'S GIVEN TO YOUR WIFE ETC.
2. HE IS APPROPRIATELY OPEN WITH HIS OWN FEELINGS. 1 THES. 2:7,8
A. HE SHARES HIS FEELINGS TRANSPARENTLY
IF YOU CAN SHARE BATTING AVG'S, STAT'S, AWARDS, GOLF STORIES. SEX STORIES, TALK OF THE GOOD OLD DAYS ETC., BUT YOU CAN'T SHARE HOW YOU FEEL.. HOW SUCCESSFUL ARE YOU?
MAN HOOD IS LEARNING TO SHARE WITH OTHERS YOUR HOPE'S, DREAMS AND OTHER AREA'S AND EVEN THAT WHICH FRIGHTENS YOU.
PERSONAL FRIENDS = TOM, KEITH, LARRY..
CRYING WHEN I LEFT INDIANA BECAUSE OF MY FRIENDS THAT I WOULD NOT GET TO SEE THAT OFTEN.
TELL YOUR WIFE, KIDS, PARENTS, BROTHERS, SISTERS, FRIENDS HOW MUCH YOU LOVE THEM. * BE REAL AND HONEST.
MY WIFE DOES NOT ONLY NEED TO SHARE HER FEELINGS..SHE NEEDS TO HEAR WHAT I'M FEELING AS WELL.
AFTER A GREAT PLAY = YOU WANT TO TOUCH SOMEONE. HIGH 5, BASH BROTHERS, THE SLAP ON THE HELMET OR BOTTOM.
WE WANT TO EXPRESS EXCITEMENT WHEN WE ARE PUMPED.
WE WANT TO BE TOUCHED WHEN THINGS ARE GOING GOOD OR BAD.
B. HE IS NOT HARSH IN HIS MANNER EPH. 4:31
NAME CALLING, BACK BITING, VERBALLY ABUSING OTHER'S IS NOT HEALTHY.
A REAL MAN KNOWS HOW TO WALK AWAY.
PUSHING THE WIFE AWAY. VERBALLY SLAMMING MY WIFE.
STRENGTH = TOOLS THAT ARE USED TO PROTECT YOUR WIFE SHOULD NEVER BE USED AS A TOOL TO DOMINATE OR HURT YOUR WIFE.
HOW TO BECOME A TENDER-HEARTED MAN:
A. GOD HAS A TENDER HEART
B. GOD DESIRES TO GIVE YOU A TENDER HEART
JESUS ON THE CROSS IS A PORTRAIT OF COMPASSION / TENDERNESS
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A MAN # 4
A REAL MAN HAS NOTHING TO PROVE
VINCENT FOSTER: CLINTONS FRIEND, TOP OFFICIAL WITH THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION.
HE WAS AN ATHLETE, # 1 IN HIS CLASS IN LAW SCHOOL
* 1993 HE CAME TO A PLACE IN HIS LIFE WITH A COLT 45 AND BLEW HIMSELF AWAY.
AWARDS, APPLAUSE, ETC. YET TOTALLY UNSATISFIED..
THE INNER DRIVENESS THAT WE ALL HAVE..CAN ONLY BE FULFILLED BY ONE THING. JESUS!!!
** MEN THIS IS WHERE WE ALL ARE LIVING :
A. MOST MEN FEEL THAT THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO PROVE.
* SEE I DID IT ... MIND SET. = COMES FROM INSECURITY
WHY MEN WANT ASK FOR INFORMATION??
1. HE FEEL'S LIKE A FOOL IF HE DOES NOT KNOW EVERYTHING.
GLAMOUR MAGAZINE HAD AN ARTICLE ENTITLED:
5 WAYS THAT WOMEN ARE WRONG ABOUT MEN..
5. WOMEN ASSUME THAT MOST MEN ARE SECURE AND COMPETENT.
TRUTH = OUR IMAGE OF MANHOOD IS POWER AND CONTROL..
BUT UNDERNEATH IS INSECURITY AND FEARS.
B. MOST MEN HAVE A DRIVENESS TO DO MORE AND TO BE MORE.
WHY = IT'S BECAUSE OF A FEELING OF BEING INADEQUATE OR INSUFFICIENT
WHAT CAUSES THE DRIVENESS: MINETH MIERER SAY'S:
1. WE TRY TO SUSPEND TIME.. GET MORE OUT OF TIME
2. WE ACT AS IF WE CAN COME INVINCIBLE. =SUPER MAN, SUPER HUMAN
3. WE BELIEVE WE CAN BECOME TRANSCENDENT = ABOVE OTHERS, ABOVE LIFE
4. WE BELIEVE WE CAN BECOME IMMORTAL = TO BE REMEMBERED
5. WE BELIEVE WE CAN HAVE A PERFECT RELATIONSHIP / UNION WITH SOMEONE ELSE. = DIVORCE, JOB CHANGE, DAMAGED FRIENDSHIPS
*** DRIVEN MEN ARE ALWAYS SEARCHING FOR THE RIGHT BINKIES, BLANKETS, THAT WHICH WILL BRING ABOUT COMFORT.
C. MOST MEN ARE IN BONDAGE AND ENSLAVED AND ARE REALLY LOST
1. WE WANT TO SPEND TIME WITH OUR FAMILIES BUT BECAUSE WE ARE SO DRIVEN WE GO FROM ONE PROJECT TO THE NEXT.
2. WE JEOPARDIZE FRIENDSHIPS BECAUSE OF DRIVENESS. NOT ENOUGH TIME TO INVEST IN THOSE THAT CARE ABOUT US.
3. WE LOOSE THINGS, POSSESSIONS.
4. WE LOOSE OURSELVES.
BECAUSE OF NOT DEALING WITH THE MAN INSIDE WE FALL IN TO A DO MIND SET AND KILL ALL LIFE AROUND US.
LOOK AT PHIL. 4:11 = CONTENTMENT!!! WE WANT TO BE CONTENT. = TO HAVE ENOUGH, SATISFIED. TO BE OK WITH WHO WE ARE.
ONCE YOU FIND OUT WHO YOU REALLY ARE..YOU HAVE NOTHING TO PROVE.
SIGNS OF CONTENTMENT:
1. HUMILITY = HUMBLENESS = NOT BLOWING YOUR OWN HORN.
ABLE TO APOLOGIZE. ABLE TO SAY I WAS WRONG. HE NOT CRITICAL OF OTHERS.
2. HE IS A BEING MAN NOT A DOING MAN. SIT AND CHILL. LET LIFE HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU BEING INVOLVED.
3. HE IS ABLE TO LET GO AND OVERCOME FAILURE.. HE IS ABLE TO LET SOMEONE ELSE WIN AN ARGUMENT.
4. HE WILL SHARE INTIMATELY WITHOUT FEAR. SHOW YOUR CARDS.
5. HE IS FREE TO EXPLORE SPIRITUAL TRUTHS BECAUSE IT DOES NOT SHAKE HIM... HE DESIRES TO KNOW AND LIVE TRUTH.
HOW TO BECOME CONTENT:
1 .WE NEED TO GET HONEST ABOUT WHO WE ARE.
2. WE NEED TO GET HONEST ABOUT WHO WE AREN'T.
3. WE NEED TO GET HONEST ABOUT HOW MUCH WE NEED GOD TO MAKE US WHO HE DESIRES US TO BE.
* BEING CONFRONTED WITH THE TRUTH CAUSES A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF BROKENNESS TO OUR INNER MAN. WE FIND OURSELVES UTTERLY BROKEN AND CONFRONTED WITH OUR WORTHLINESS AND HOW MUCH WE NEED JESUS IN A ONE ON ONE RELATIONSHIP.
EPH. 1:22,23; 1 COR. 2:1-5
