ExaMEN

Doing things we wish we would not have done or wish we didn’t do can make us have a feeling of disgust in ourselves. Avoiding this pain would mean that we would have to remain pure in all avenues of our lives.

What is purity and is purity possible?

Who do we affect and what is effected when we have impurities in our lives?

We can break purities down into our ways, our words, and our wants.

Do we strive and seek to achieve purity as men?

Do we seek to stay in societal norms, which are rapidly changing, or biblical truths about purity?

Do we see the Bible as dos and don’ts or as means to the way God planned for us to have the best within boundaries?

Where do you set your boundaries and how do you keep them?

What do you do when temptation arises?

God created sexual intimacy for you to have a deep commitment with your wife. Our physical desire lends for many to cloud the purity that was intended. It does not mean that we continue in the ways we have been going, but that we repent and ask God to show us His intentional plan for purity.

Love is a service to others - it is not for yourself. The lack of training and teaching lends us to our feelings - typically physical satisfaction. We give our bodies what we feel makes us “satisfied”, but it sometimes leaves us numb to the intimacy we were created for.

Use Episode 6 to delve deeper into your desires that have been impure and see where your heart has been and where your desires should be turned in order to gain a mind and body of purity - through Christ.

We tend to define our IDENTITY by our experiences, activity, or relationships. 

Whatever gives us our highest value is the place we try to validate ourselves. For men, that typically comes from work - since most of our day's hours are spent doing that. Typically, we are introduced by name and profession.

Topics of Discussion:

Everything in this world is temporary and changing all the time.. When we try to attach to anything in this world, we try to fight and defend the to keep things that are fleeting. It’s all going to end @ some point. If our identity is there at the end then we wonder where we have been and what we have been doing and we are going to be left confused.

When you think about sports and success...

How do you define that they were successful?

Success is completing the tasks set before you and the plans set in place that make you reach your goal.

They do not just happen, you must make a plan based on where you feel God is calling you.

As men, we will always try to validate ourselves and see how we are measuring up to the standards around us. Other situations will define us, unless we choose what success looks like for ME.

When you attain success, it can lend to pride. "Look where I have been, look at how people treat me now, and see what I have done."

Success for the sake of success is not fulfilling. You start then looking for what’s next and what's better to make me bigger and better and wanting more.

Do you create your own success? If not, who is?

When have you been on a team that has put in the work, on a project you thought was in a great place, in a place you thought there is no way this will not be perfect THEN the ball didn't go your way, your project was put on hold or fell off the work flow, or perfect wasn't as perfect as you hoped?

Would you say you’re blessed? Are you obedient? Ultimately - you live life, Jesus says to live abundant and if you live life abundant, then you live life eternal.

Leaders are talked about all the time. Everyone desires to be a leader. The first place God places you to learn leadership is in your family. Then, as others are around - you begin picking up habits and traits you think are worthy of emulating.

This week's podcast is a look into what it looks like to be a leader of what you're given.

What are the qualities of a leader? a spiritual leader?

How do we use our abilities and gifts to lead our wives, kids, and those around us?

It falls under the greatest command - to Love. It binds perfect unity AND washes over a multitude of sins. Forgiveness is the key - just as you have been forgiven.

The Hardest Art - Switchfoot Link CLICK HERE Listen for the line "His Love is Surrender"

Palm Sunday is about Jesus coming into Jerusalem and the people are celebrating Him because they think He will take the rightful place as the king. It doesn't go as they had planned. He wasn't acting like the king they thought would be taking over. 

So... what does a king or leader look like? How about in a biblical perspective? How about in your house?

Jesus as king comes in as gentle and meek, humble. He had the right to do whatever he wanted. People wondered if he would show that power.

During "Stay at Home" orders from the government, it is tough for people. Our freedoms are being removed because we cannot move as freely as we would like. At times - it feels like our rights are being taken away. Rights put the concerns on yourself - They fail to give purpose… They tell you what you can do, but not on what you should do. One person’s rights are results of someone else’s responsibility to protect those rights for someone else.

Jesus gives up HIs rights to bear the sins of the World.

We take next steps due to our responsibilities - this is what it looks like. We are trying to push our country forward BY pushing our people forward. Whether that be business, home, community, church, etc... we must continue to move forward - even if that requires us to stay put for a moment.

Some important questions asked in this episode:

Think about what the world would look like if each man took responsibility for the spiritual well being of his family.

No-one sees you like your family does and we are with our families A LOT right now. Our time is critical and crucial - our families need to see our leadership.

Josh left us with a strong word in closing:

With COVID-19 making its way through our nation, community, and at times hitting close to home - how did we respond to it initially and how is that changing the more prevalent it gets?

Listen to the podcast and then ExaMEN your processes on the discussions we discussed below:

The church needs to be ready for the people that this event will bring in. It is important to understand that God is in control. When we surrender to Him and completely trust in Him, then we are able to glorify Him. Take advantage of this opportunity to develop a consistent quiet time with God - don’t just know about God, but know God. Go to God in prayer and seek his comfort.

Thank you to those who choose to listen. Know God for peace and comfort. We would love for you to respond with words and text of what stood out to you today.