A few men gathered in my basement last night for the 24th time since September of last year. Our motivations included fellowship, but also growth-- to learn and be better at being husbands, fathers, men of God.
Many of the difficulties we lament in society are actually a man problem: men who lack understanding of what it means to be a man, to have good priorities and to live as God intended.
I am reminded of that this morning as there is another breaking news story on performance-enhancing drug use in major league baseball. Over the coming days we will learn the names of cheaters who sought to get ahead by breaking the rules.
There is much in life that compels people to do things in the fast, easy, cheap and cheating way.
But the things that matter most, such as character, quality and authenticity are not accomplished that way.
God calls us to other methods. For example:
"The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out."
(Proverbs 10:9)
"If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."
(Mark 9:35)
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."
(Ephesians 5:25)
These men that I have been honored to spend 24 evenings with over these past months are men in whom God is accomplishing a good work. Men who have their eyes on priorities that matter and have the courage and commitment to do the right thing.
I praise God for them and for what God is doing through them! They indeed know how to be strong, God's way!
God is honored by such men!
