On last week’s episode, I promised that I would bring my wife on the show.

And so, I did!

We had a lot of fun discussing the three levels of marriage and how we viewed each of them!

It’s alway fun bringing Loretta on the show…why don’t you listen to this episode with your wife?

There are an incredible number of books that can help your marriage, regardless of how long you’ve been married, or what the issue is.

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But one of the problems I’ve had it taking every piece of advice and putting it into action. Actually, I often feel like a failure because I’m unable to implement everything they suggest.

But that’s not really a problem from the book…that’s my own problem, from my own insecurities.

instead of diving into the nitty gritty that many marriage books offer, I came up with a bird’s eye view that gives my wife and I an opportunity to discuss how we really feel about the state of our marriage.

There are three levels in the Marriage Triangle, and each is dependent on the previous level:

It’s simple enough, but I’ve got a challenge for you at the end of this episode, so be sure to listen.

I don’t just mean a few verses a few times a week.

Do you enjoy reading your Bible? Do you understand what you read?

I used to read the Bible and immediately get tired.

I used to read the Bible and enjoy the footnotes more than the text.

I used to read the Bible and get lost in my thoughts two minutes in.

But that has all changed.

I share three keys to reading the Bible that will leave you excited to spend large chunks of time reading it.

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Jesus gave us the great commission.

They’re considered to be his last words, and incredible missions programs have been created because of them.

Photo courtesy of Margot Pandone

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But I wonder if we’re missing a large piece of what he was getting at.

Especially in light of what he says in Matthew 7:13-14:

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

There are two paths: one is narrow and leads to life; the other is wide and leads to death.

Misguided because it isn’t “sexy” to tell the gospel to our literal neighbor or coworker.

Misguided because we get a less-than-stellar response when we invite people to Christ at our church service or Christian conference.

I think a more realistic method of evangelism isn’t actually called evangelism, it’s called getting to know your neighbors.

It’s showing them the unconditional love that Christ showed us by his death upon a cross.

After all, that’s what it’s all about.

Well…yea, seriously. Chances are, what we have in mind to “do through Christ’s strength” and what was originally being referenced are two different things.

Photo courtesy of Chris Sardenga

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If Michael Jordan or Warren Buffet wrote those words, they would mean something different, based on what we know about each person.

Jordan? His would probably apply to basketball.

Buffett? Something about investing.

So what does this verse mean?

Instead of reading one of the most commonly used inspiration verses from the Bible for yourself, let’s see what it meant to the guy who wrote it (Paul).

His meaning may surpise you.

whether it’s in the news, a conversation between you and your wife, or something in the Bible.

Photo courtesy of Aurélien bellanger

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Jesus’ words have almost become cliche…”Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over…”

But what can we give that will be given back to that extent?

It turns out that what we can give has already been given to us. And the extent to which we give it to others will determine how much we receive.

One small word. One major impact. We forgive, because we have been forgiven.

The busy holiday season is almost behind us, hopefully you’ve spent plenty of time relaxing with family and overeating delicious food (I have)!

But before you look ahead to 2015, have you looked back at 2014?

Photo courtesy of Rula Sibai

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I’ll be focusing more on faith, and how it shapes our response to everyday life and world events.

Talking about marriage is fun, but my passion lies in working out my faith everyday, and helping you do the same. After all, our faith should inform how we interact with our wives.

I share more changes in this episode, including a few series coming up and a potential gathering for couples passionate about their marriage.

But it’s harder to encourage them when they are doing right. I take a Marine Corps approach to raising my kids – lots of discipline, loyalty, perseverance.

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Obviously, my kids are going into combat. But I still have trouble with a false dichotomy:

Discipline vs. Delight

I share three ways that I have found I can delight my kids, without spoiling them. In fact, I just finished one of them before I sat down to record this podcast!

After you listen, let me know how you delight your kids. Nothing beats seeing their faces light up when they feel your love for them!

Understand that what I’m going to share with you is not about partisan politics.

Understand that what I’m going to share with you is not about the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of enhanced interrogation techniques.

This is about my faith, and the conflict within.

Why does this report cause such internal conflict for me?

My flesh says one thing

My spirit says something different

This episode will challenge you, and I welcome your feedback.

What is a real man?

There are lots of definitions out there, but not all of them are right.  

Because society says it's okay for us to do the bare minimum as men, husbands, and fathers, I felt the need to come up with a starting point for us, a new standard of sorts.  It's not all inclusive, but it covers most areas of life:

1.A real man understands that his job is the means to an end, not an end in and of itself.

2.A real man is intentional about his values, and seeks to live them every day.

3.A real man puts his family first: sometimes that means more time at the office, but sometimes it means less time at the office.

4.A real man protects his family by being intentional about the people he spends time with.

5.A real man knows the difference between the “urgent” and the “important,” especially at home.

6.A real man invests in himself personally and professionally.

7.A real man takes ownership of the spiritual direction of his home.

8.A real man has a select group of individuals who keep him on the straight narrow.

9.A real man shows respect, even when it doesn’t seem warranted.

10.A real man leans on Christ to love his family, and not on his own abilities.

I go into more detail in the podcast, but let this serve as a reminder of what a real man does, and what a real man is.

What do you think makes a real man?