The Four Pillars of Manhood, Chapter 3 part 1

Let's move on.
For those of us who enjoy a good laugh while possibly learning something, there is "Car Talk." An NPR radio show where two brothers are ask questions by callers and then joke their way toward the solution for whatever mechanical or social issue is happening with the callers' automobile or driving habits.
One of their favorite lines is, "The manual is just another man's opinion."
That idea could not be farther from the truth when Stu describes the Scriptures as the "Owner's Manual" for our life and the place to get direction to be a real man. It is not "an opinion," it is God's Knowledge. It is not a "trouble shooting" guide to use only when you are in a bind and need a jump start, it is the ultimate"How to" book.
The Genesis Spring, what a word picture that is for me. The origin, where it all starts. "In the beginning, God ..."
There are many good sources available to assist us in our desire to be a better husband, father, employee or any other part of our lives where improvement is desired. But if we want the best, if we want the clearest standard, we only have one place we need to look: God's Word.
We may have to dig to find what we need. But it is in there. Others can point us toward what we are looking for, but we should try to find it ourselves.
Take another look at the Four Pillars of Manhood: King, Warrior, Mentor & Friend.
These are the things that stuck in my mind"
King -- "The heart of the King is to be a provisionary."
Warrior -- "The heart of a Warrior is protective." "A warrior is not a brute, he is a protector." "A Warrior wants his sons (or someone) to be his 'apprentice Warrior' to follow on in his footsteps." Mentor -- "Men are supposed to be able to teach life." We are ask at times to provide answers that there is really no logical reason to expect us to know, like "The 'Check Engine' light came on today, why?" "How are we going to be able to do ______?" This type of expectation comes after the confidence that comes from a proven track record as provider has been established.
Friend -- "The heart of a friend is a loving heart."
Digest it for a while and then let's talk.

chapter 2, part deux

After re-reading this chapter, I have a few more thought provoking (I hope) observations to make about the provisionary man.
The author elaborates on the word "provision" and describes how a real man uses that vision to "see around the bend," and "visualize ahead of time." He lists words and phrases to describe the man who is a visionary like "anticipation," "Thinking forward," and someone who "lives at and beyond the horizon." King.
As I dwell on the word picture he is painting here, I am struck by the realization that many of these necessary qualities are what I would call, "developed skills," not really natural to all men. To some perhaps but not all. They are learned skills, taught by our own fathers to us or modeled for us by the righteous life of someone we know.
I began to realize that when we work toward this ideal of a man, confidence will build. Our confidence in God that he will continue to be faithful to us. Confidence that we are on the right path, being very careful not to become self-confident or self reliant. But we will also begin to notice that the ones we care the most about will increase the confidence that they place in us. Wives who are being loved as Christ love his church will not question the leadership her husband exhibits. Kids who have a loving role model at home won't be as apt to look elsewhere to find out what it means to be a Man. God will bless our efforts.
It also caught my attention that he mentioned the word "vulnerability" in this chapter. It seemed to be out of place at first but as I pondered for a while, I realized what God wanted me to see:
We must be aware of our weaknesses to be on guard and not fall prey to them.
The Hebrews writer call it, "besetting sins," in chapter 12, verses 1-4. I think that none of us are really worried that we will fall into the sin of murder tomorrow. We are aware of what we consider "big sins" and generally can stay out of that type of failure. It is the little things, that can weigh us down and cause the stumble and failure in our lives.
In the Song of Solomon we read: "Catch the foxes for us, The little foxes that are ruining the vineyards, While our vineyards are in blossom." This is a warning to us that it is the "small stuff" that causes destruction. The things we don't pay much attention to keep us from being the visionary leader we should be.
Another thing that we must be on guard against is the loss of focus. Losing sight of the GOAL. Allowing something to come between us and the finish line.
This can happen when, as he described their hike in the wilderness, we get overwhelmed by the circumstances we can't control. When the weather closed in on their hiking party, not one of them had the ability to clear the skies. There will be times when we get lost in the fog of what is going on around us. Our landmark disappears from our horizon. It is then that we learn what it is to walk by faith and we learn to lean on God more. When I have achieved that goal I will let you know how to do it. God is still working with me on that.
Let's become the men that God called us to be. Start now to develop the skill set of the visionary leader described here.
Okay, what is on your mind?