Recorded at Sky Ranch - incredible student and family camps in Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado!

This is a conversation with two good friends - Jared Wood and Chase Hilbert. Jared is the lead man in the band playing at Sky Ranch - he's a professional musician leading worship across the country - check out his music at JaredWoodMusic.com. Jared's music is the intro/outro for T4M.

How to get an honest and helpful life assessment if all you have around you are peers at the same life stage that you’re in?

Raise the bar. Compare yourself to God’s Word as the ultimate standard for your life. Also, start to walk with some older men who can speak truth into your life.

94% of men will never read another book from cover to cover after finishing their formal education. That is a ridiculous statistic - and one that we are going to change - guys, here are some reading suggestions - you need to set a goal to read at least one book each month - that’s 12 books a year. Start with one of these - email me at [email protected] for more recommendations!

Thoughts for Young Men by JC Ryle

The Godly Man’s Picture by Thomas Watson

A Mind for God by James Emery White

Serious Times by James Emery White

In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson

Play the Man by Mark Batterson

If you want to get better at anything, you have to start somewhere...and work to improve, put into practice a set of principles that work toward your improvement. Remember, I often say, “The only thing that grows without work is weeds.” Improving as a man takes effort - deliberate and intentional effort.

My Life Verse is Jeremiah 12:5 - if you’ve raced with men and they’ve tired you out, how can you compete with the horses - if you’ve stumbled in the safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?

Do you have a Life Verse? How can you find a verse in Scripture that speaks to you? First, you need to be a Christian - the Word of God is written to those who are surrendered and open to God’s direction. Second, you need to spend time in Scripture - and as you read the Word, the Word reads you! Look for a verse that really speaks to you - not just a verse that you want to speak to you (for example, Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” - for many, that’s more of a verse about what YOU can do, not what God is looking to do in you and through you) - so keep reading until you find something that really speaks to your heart.

Jared - I used to think, “Therapy is weakness.” That was pride. You need community to do life well. You need to surrender the idea that you know everything and don’t need help - we ALL need help, guidance, and challenge from others! A man needs other men to call him UP to a higher standard!

Chase - know thyself! You need to be honest with yourself. When you isolate yourself from others, it’s usually because you don’t want honest community around you!

TAKE-AWAY - buy a book, read a book (finish it) - look, you’re already making an improvement and an investment into a better you!!!