Manspeak

by Mike Plewniak

Summer has begun.  You are trying to guard it.  The pool is calling.  Lemonade is waiting.  American Idol is down to the last few and Lost is getting more confusing then ever.  That small voice in your head keeps saying, “don’t waste it”, “don’t waste your summer”, “carpe diem”….no, that’s from a movie…  different voice…okay there it is, “don’t waste it”.

There’s plenty of time to read some great books.  We started with some fun ones, you’ve picked out one book on the cross to read, now let’s stir our souls in our call to evangelize…to preach the good news of Christ to all nations.  Luckily, all the nations are coming to us in the fall, so let’s prepare to reach them by reading one of these great books on evangelism.

The Gospel and Personal Evangelism by Mark Dever

This book just recently came out and it is a great place to start to understand evangelism.  From why to how, Dever answers most of the questions and gives us great insight into our own hearts and why evangelism can be so hard at times.  Two thumbs up!

Questioning Evangelism by Randy Newman

When you don’t have the right answer, your not sure what to say or what to do, “ask a question”.  That what Newman says Jesus did, and I tell you it works.  Just asking questions and leading a conversation to the gospel is amazing in how much you learn about the person, what they believe, and how to relate the gospel to where they are.  Great book.

The Soul Winner by Charles Spurgeon 

Spurgeon won souls, thousands of them.  He writes, “The Gospel will be found equal to every emergency — an arrow which can pierce the hardest heart.  Preach it, and preach nothing else.  Rely implicitly upon the old, old Gospel.  You need no other nets when you fish for men.”  Enough said, buy it.

The Way of the Master by Comfort and Cameron

This book was a great help to me personally in how I share the gospel.  You can also learn most of the what the book teaches from their show about evangelism.  Check it out here.

by Caleb Hancock

No, I’m not talking about the Four Seasons hit song from the 60’s “Walk Like a Man”. Rather, I am using this title to refer to Jesus as we read about Him leading his disciples on the road toward Jerusalem. Let’s take a look together at the account in Mark 10:32-34.

32 And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, 33 saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. 34 And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.”

This passage is profound in many ways. But, I submit that what we need to remember most about Christ in this passage is twofold. This week we’ll examine how Jesus walked. Next week, in part 2 of this devotion (which I propose is far more important of the two points of application found in this text) we’ll take a look at why he was headed towards the capital of Israel.

First, let’s look at how Jesus walked. In verse 32, we see that He lead his disciples, walking ahead of them. Now, when you are in a group of people, usually people walk side-by-side in small groups as they make their way down the road. Jesus here, however, is out in front of the others, leading them literally and figuratively. Why was he in the front alone? The verse informs us that the disciples were amazed by him and afraid for him and themselves. Why? They were headed towards Jerusalem, the capital city of their own country. What would they have to fear there?

It’s helpful here to pause and remember to view the Bible as a congruent whole, not in isolated verses and texts. For if you review the previous chapters in Mark’s gospel here, you see that Jesus has performed many miracles, signs and wonders that testify to his deity. In the process, out of jealousy and fear, many of Israel’s political and religious leaders had grown to hate Jesus, to the point of repeatedly seeking to destroy him.

These facts help to set the backdrop to this passage in Mark 10, and inform us as to why it would be so amazing to be following Jesus into the “lion’s den”, the seat and home-turf of his staunchest enemies. He did so voluntarily, boldly, resolute in his purposes.

Let’s remember this as men. Let’s follow our Lord’s example as Joshua 1:9 reminds us of the Lord’s command to us (not merely a suggestion for our benefit, but a command to be obeyed) “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed…”

How can we possibly follow this command and Christ’s subsequent example found here in Mark 10??? When we are faced with trials and obstacles (often not even remotely as serious as the ones that Jesus walked towards), how do we take courage? Are we to place it in our own material resources or perceived abilities? Is that what Christ did?

Nope. And to see how we can truly walk like men, walking like Jesus in the face of hardship, not folding up in despair or cringing in fear, let’s read the rest of Joshua 1:9… “for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” This is as true today for us in our trials as it was for Joshua facing the enemy entrenched in the promised land and for God’s own Son headed towards Jerusalem.

How comforting to know that the lord over all creation is with us!

As you face the trials of this week, know that God knows the road you walk. He gives you the strength for each step and ordains the destination to which you are headed.

And to further drive this post into your brain, helping you to remember this message all week long, I have linked the infamous song below as a tool to remember this text and to keep you thinking about it until part two next Monday.

by Mike Plewniak

Guard your summer.  Guard your time with God and with your friends.  And Guard the gospel.  In my second part of summer reading recommendations, let me recommend you read one good book on the cross this summer.  

Frederick Leahy writes this, “As the cross is central in God’s eternal decrees, and in the actual redemption of his people, so it should be central in the thinking and experience of the individual Christian.  It is my conviction, and at times my sad experience, that as the cross goes out of focus in the Christian’s life, coldness and backsliding set in.”  Let me start my recommendations with the book this quote is from.

The Cross He Bore by Frederich Leahy

I am currently reading through this book as part of my devotions.  It is “meditations on the sufferings of the redeemer.”  The chapters are short and well-written.  The content is focused on the last day of Christ’s life. The implications in my heart and life are astounding.  This is probably one of those books I will re-read frequently.

The Cross of Christ by John Stott

A classic on the cross.  This book is more exhaustive then any other book on this list, and may take you the whole summer to read.  But I promise you that you will never forget this summer if you take the time to read it.  Chapter 7 is worth the price of the book.

Living the Cross Centered Life by CJ Mahaney

Probably the most practical book on the cross.  What is the effect on your soul?  What did the cross accomplish?  How can we live each day centered on the cross?  How does the cross help us fight legalism and condemnation?  CJ answers all of these questions and much more.  A must read for Manspeakers.

The Message of the Cross by Derek Tidball

This book is broken down into 4 sections:  the cross anticipated, the cross experienced, the cross explained, and the cross applied.  Each chapter walks thru a different biblical text on the cross.  It’s straight scripture and will help you see the cross from Genesis thru Revelation.  The texts he walks thru would be a great thing to do for devotions through the summer also.

CJ Mahaney:  ”Never be content with your current grasp of the gospel.  The gospel is life-permeating, world-altering, universe-changing truth.  It has more facets than any diamond.  We will never exhaust its depths.”

A man needs to own ties and know how to tie them. (Clip-ons don’t count!) Check out these resources from Ben Silver that walk through several knots and include helpful videos.

Ascot
Bow Tie
Cross Knot
Four-in-Hand
Half-Windsor
Windsor
Prince Albert
Small Knot

by Caleb Hancock

Did you know that God’s word tells us that we smell? Now, let’s get real men, we already knew that. But, in the context of 2 Corinthians, it’s probably not what you would expect. Let’s take a look here at 2 Corinthians 2:14-17:

14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

Alright, now read it again.

Ok, let’s think about this. What does this passage say about God and the gospel, and what does it have to do with us?

Everything.

As Christian men, there are some priceless points here in Paul’s words that we can easily miss or mistake. So let’s look at it again. Verse 14 makes it clear that God spreads the aroma of Christ through us by giving people around us knowledge about Him. The next 2 verses make it clear that this aroma is of life to those who are being saved, and like death to those who are perishing.

What is this talking about? The last verse makes it clear; having been commissioned by God, we SPEAK! These verses have direct application to evangelism: the discipline, privilege and command of God to us to tell others about His law and grace in the gospel! (Matthew 28:19)

Do you smell to those around you? (Do your words and attitude reflect God’s grace shown to you, a sinner deserving only wrath and yet given righteousness) If not, do you take comfort in the fact that you don’t? (because you are afraid or lazy, or indifferent?) Let these verses correct you. Allow the Holy Spirit to convict you, not to lead you to condemnation, but, by grace as God conforms you to the image of His Son, to change!

May we be “men of sincerity”, through our lives and words proclaiming to the perishing world around us that God has mercy on those who turn to him in repentance and faith in Christ alone!

And as we live out these days of grace that God has given us, take comfort in the fact that God leads us in triumphal procession (verse 14), as only HE saves, for HIS glory alone.

By Walt Alexander

Last week I asked the question “If I say goodbye to courtship (for now), what do I say hello to?” I mentioned three things: say hello to the Lord, say hello to more friends, and say hello to serving. But how do we relate to girls – to the people we are trained to dream about all our lives?

Treat them like sisters. In 1 Timothy 5:2, Paul commands Timothy to treat “younger women as sisters, in all purity.” This is God’s word for young, single men. Treat all young women like sisters.

This means, treat them like a sister! Encourage them, point them to godliness, guard their hearts, serve them, enjoy worshipping the Savior with them, correct them (as needed). And (for the girls’ benefit), guys, be creative with this! Refuse the temptation to sulk through singlehood. Enjoy this season and draw in groups of girls and guys to enjoy it with you. Plan trips. Plan events. Brainstorm encouraging things to do for and with the girls.

One compelling example of this is how Kevin Shipp used his singlehood. As you know, he was married last weekend after spending some twenty odd years single. Kevin constantly planned things for groups of girls and guys to do. He took groups to DC and NYC. He took groups to punk rock shows. And much much much more!

However, this also means, do not treat them in any other way than you would your own sister. Do not flirt with them, do not lead them on, do not (with your words or actions) allow them to assume you will pursue them at any point in the future, carefully subdue unruly affections. In all your words and actions, guard their hearts. Be wise and think these things through carefully.

Specifically, guys, I want to encourage you to carefully choose how to communicate with girls. There are several methods of communication, like facebook, txt messaging, gchat, and iChat, which seem to allow unguarded and unintentional conversation and interaction. Oftentimes, we can chat with someone intentionally on the Internet and yet gradually (as sin usually works) slide into more flirtatious, unhelpful dialogue. The danger with these conversations is that they often leave girls wondering why you said that or how you said that, because you were not there to clarify. They, in effect, provide a longer leash for romantic imagination and, in so doing, can disrupt a girl’s undistracted devotion to the Lord.

Finally, we are to treat all girls like sisters; meaning, we are to be impartial. We are not to single out some girls to receive our attention, while neglecting other girls. This is implicit of Paul’s use of “all” in 1 Tim 5:2. But this doesn’t mean you must have equal relationships with every girl you know, as if you must run from girl to girl updating them with more attention. The thought alone is just exhausting! But it does mean that you should carefully interact with girls, allowing no one to perceive that you relate to one girl and several girls too much and in an exclusive manner.

P.S. Fellas, if you want a real idea of how you interact with girls, ask one of the intern girls or other mature girls in VFC! The answer may be shocking.

by Mike Plewniak

For the guys who regularly read this blog (shout-out to both of you), I frequently get asked questions about calling. What should I do with my life? What career should I choose? Can I be a pastor and read theology books and my bible all day (which isn’t what we do, though that would be nice)? What does the bible say about work?

To be honest, i’ve never been excited about my answer I give to guys. I fumble my way through some scriptures, give them some big principles, and then pray that God teaches them from his Word.

So, you can imagine my excitement when I stumbled upon these two articles by Justin Taylor.

- Thank God For Work, Pt 1

- Thank God for Work, Pt 2

In Part 1 Taylor writes: “We need to recover the reformational understanding of vocation: all of life—in every sphere and in every calling—should be lived to the glory of God and in obedience to his Word. Abraham Kuyper wrote, “there is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, ‘Mine!’” If that’s true (and it is!), isn’t it worth our time and effort to think through how to glorify God in the area of work to which he has called you?”

In Part 2 he has a whole section on “how to determine your calling”, which is the part that you might benefit from the most. He has very helpful questions and points to think through.

He finishes wisely with this clarification:

“Your “vocation” (or calling) is not necessarily for life. As we get older we sometimes add and sometimes change vocations. The most important thing to remember is that no matter your age, and no matter your vocation, the biblical command remains the same: ‘Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ’.” (Col. 3:23–24) “

By Caleb Hancock

Have you ever thought that you knew a lot of things? Did you ever think that you were pretty clever? When facts, undeniable truths are presented in front of you, do you have a hard time dealing with them? Was there ever a time when you just didn’t get something, but now see how you were mistaken or wrong?

With those questions in mind, let’s take a look at Mark 8.

Here we have Jesus traveling in a boat with his disciples while, via parable, warning them about the Pharisees and Herodians, who denied Jesus’ authority and deity.

You can read about it here: Mark 8:14-21

I love the way that Jesus deals with his ignorant disciples. Did you catch it? He makes them say, out loud, what they had witnessed Him do, namely feeding 5,000 and 4,000 people with only 5 and 7 loaves of bread respectively. They knew the facts of the situation, that they themselves had collected the leftovers in 12 and 7 baskets. They had seen what Jesus had done. And yet, they still did not understand. They obviously had, eyes, ears, mouths and hearts, but they remained darkened in their understanding. Their “hearts were hardened”.

But what didn’t they understand? (v. 21) What were they missing in this instance?

Take a look down at verses 29, and 31-32a.

By the miracles that these disciples had witnessed, Jesus was revealing that He is the Christ, the Messiah. That He had come to bear the sins of those who put their faith in Him alone, that He would exhaust God the Father’s wrath against these sins in His own body, and that He would raise from the grave, victorious over sin and death, revealing the acceptance of His sacrifice.

Have you heard these truths before? And are you living today as if they are true???

So often, when I come to God’s Word in scripture, I am aware that my heart’s attitude is not in line with the awesome revelations therein. Namely, that I am a child of God, bought by Christ’s sacrifice, and now declared “NOT GUILTY!” in the throne-room of God! How amazing!

Let’s live our lives not as men with eyes, ears, hearts, and mouths that work, but that are unable to respond to these great truths. Rather, let us be men who, perceiving these marvelous truths, have a profound impact in our world by enjoying, demonstrating and proclaiming them!

ps. One of my favorite skits about facts being presented, repeated, but not understood is the classic Abbott and Costello Act, “Who’s on First” presented here:

By Walt Alexander

Now, I recently finished writing many posts on courtship. But I realize that teaching doesn’t always end problems. In fact, it often creates more problems – more questions to ask, more things to think through, more stuff to do.

If we say goodbye to dating, what do we say hello to right now? How do guys and girls relate?

Here are just a few things we say hello to:
1. Say hello to the Lord.
The primary reason –as stated in earlier posts– I love courtship (or biblical dating) because I long to see single people more in love with God than with the carousel of continuous dating. Singleness can be a unique season of life where we can secure “undivided devotion to the Lord” (1 Cor 7:35). This season was a gift in my own life, as it served me to cultivate this undivided devotion, this contentment in God.

So, do hard things in your relationship with the Lord while you are single. Set goals for your spiritual disciplines. Consume Christian books. Go on reading retreats. Say hello to the Lord.

2. Say hello to more friends.
Oftentimes, the dating carousel –with its tendency to isolation and inclusion– is filled with partiality and slim relationships. Partiality is elevating one person over another in your own mind, attitude and actions because of superficial qualities, like personality, dress, physique, intellectual rigor, and other characteristics. It is sin against God and is infinitely dangerous. However, it often permeates our relationships.

So, as you say goodbye to dating, expend your energies getting to know more friends. Repent of partiality and cultivate relationships! This season in your life is a unique (and excellent) one to invest in relationships.

3. Say hello to serving.
As you say goodbye to dating, you will notice that your planner is immediately loosened. So, I would encourage you to follow Christ’s example (Mk 10:45) and utilize this unique season to serve in your church, in your care group, in your house/apartment. “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Cor 15:58). Your labor – your serving – is not in vain. The risen Savior sees it and is glorified through it.

But, this takes work – believe it or not. A servant heart is difficult to maintain. You will have to consistently direct your heart to what is supremely valuable – treasuring and glorifying Jesus Christ. You will also have to continually manage your schedule to look for pockets of time you can redeem.

Also, serve everyone. Serving is a God-given opportunity to put partiality to death. Run from partiality and serve everyone. Don’t just ask the girl you know (and like) to dance. Ask the girl you don’t know and don’t (yet) like to dance!

What do you guys think? What would you add?

by Mike Plewniak

Last night at VFC, I had the privilege to finish up our “From Blah, Blah, Blah to La, La, La” series by talking about guarding our summers. My main two things to guard were 1) time with God and 2) our friendships. In following up my encouragement to read good books, I thought I would give some recommendations of my favorite books, and I’d love to hear some of yours (I’m always looking for good books).

With that said, I wanted to start by recommending some fun books. I try to read a couple of different books at a time to keep my appetite for reading strong. Boring books don’t encourage me to read. Usually, if I keep a fun book (like the following) going, I read more across the board. So, here are a few fun books for the summer:

Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing

From start to finish, this book had me. I stayed up until 1 a.m. reading the conclusion. And after I read it, I had to wake-up my wife to read it to her. A great true story of perseverance, leadership, and exploration. A manspeak must read!

John Adams by David McCullough

The book that started the movement for Adams to get a major memorial in DC. An incredible man in the history of the USA, and someone who you will love learning about. Again, the ending is wonderful and true. His relationship (and differences) with Thomas Jefferson kept me reading other books about the two of them. HBO just did a series based on this book that is coming to DVD on June 10th. Your goal: read the book before you watch the series.

Spurgeon: A New Biography by Arnold Dallimore

My historical hero. This is the first biography that I read on Spurgeon. From this, I started reading his books, sermons, sermon notes, autobiography, etc…. I love CJ’s encouragement to find great Christian men of history and to master their works. After 8 years of reading spurgeon, I’ve realized that I cannot master him or read all of his works. But what a great man to learn from and this is a great introduction to him.

April 1865 by Jan Winik

Subtitle: The Month that Saved America. Another book that shows how the decisions of leaders have massive implications. Lincoln and Lee are both highlighted as men who had to make decisions that would be highly unpopular, but ultimately necessary for the good of others. This book keeps you moving too. It’s hard to stop one chapter without starting the next.