Training4Manhood

If I had to summarize Gladiator II, it would be the line from Proverbs 22:1 which tells us that a good name is to be chosen rather than great riches! The “good name” of Marcus Aurelius and Maximus is passed on to an inspires the life and efforts of Lucius - who sees how the pursuit of money and power ends up in corruption and deceit - and in the end it is worthless. Great question from this movie...

  As I reflect on things going on in my world, I’m thankful for a God who knows when to step in…and when to step back.   And I’m thankful for my wife who balances our family and provides a wonderful counter perspective that helps me navigate better.   T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle ( info@training4man...

This is the description of David recorded in 1 Samuel 16:18:   Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, and the Lord is with him.   Part 2 examines the first three qualities:   Prudent in speech - do you use your words well, do you weigh them before you speak, do you consider how yo...

This is the description of David recorded in 1 Samuel 16:18:   Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, and the Lord is with him.   Part 1 examines the first three qualities:   Skillful in playing - David practiced, worked hard, didn’t quit when things were difficult… Man of valor -...

Guest: Gabe Boyd   This is a throwback episode looking at one of the episodes that Gabe and I recorded talking about some important elements of what it means to be a man - this is the statement that we created to summarize those elements:   Men speak truth, serve others, love deeply, endure joyfully, and humbly walk with the Lord.   The concept of serving others embodies the idea that you see othe...

Primary vs. General Election The Primary Election is your opportunity to select the best candidate within your party to represent your party in the General Election The General Election is your opportunity to select the best candidate over the other party’s candidate to put those particular principles into action   What if you don’t want to “align” with a particular party? Example - you like Shohe...

Perspective God’s at work, you can’t see everything… Stop comparing yourself to others We are too often the heroes of our own story…   Prayer Ongoing conversation with God - help me see what you want me to see…and learn…   People Have a proper perspective of others - use the word “friend” sparingly! Take the focus off yourself - be a blessing to others…and you’ll be blessed!   Here’s what I’m not...

  Jeremiah 12:5 “If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?   The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness: The Path to True Christian Joy - Tim Keller Learn to celebrate the victories of others - their victory isn’t your defeat…   T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Ma...

Everything physical is a picture of something spiritual…   Genesis 1:26-27 Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.   So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.   In the creation of physical life, there is one who initiates, gives…and one who receives…   In the creation of spiritual life, there is one who gives (grace)...and...

Guest: Parker Panetti   Daniel 1:8 - Daniel resolved not to defile himself.   What areas of your life do you need to resolve to do and NOT do to be the man that God has called you to be?   Find some godly men and ask to spend time with them, ask them what things they would recommend you do to improve your position in life.   Dietrich Bonhoeffer - The Cost of Discipleship - the way that I read Bonh...

What is the goal of the conversation - to win the argument or engage with the person?   Biggest suggestion - learn to ask more questions instead of presenting more information   Matt 10 - be as wise as serpents and innocent as doves   1 Chronicles 12:32 - “understand the times” like the men of Issachar   Psalm 119:130 - The unfolding of your words give light; it imparts understanding to the simple...

  Lessons from my own experience and God’s Word:   You don’t work for the pleasure of man, but for the will of God - Colossians 3:23 Don’t miss what God wants to do with your work - 1 Samuel 16 Hard work is a blessing when done to advance the kingdom - Joshua 14 (story of Caleb). Leadership matters - Phil. 2:3-4 (Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more sign...

Guests: Mike Thornberry, Stephen Bryan, Aaron Ulmer, and Chris Housewright   We recorded this podcast to use for our parent podcast at the school, which also has a video element, so if you’d like to watch this podcast, check out the PCA YouTube page .   The Forge is the latest movie from the incredible Christian movie producers the Kendrick Brothers (Alex, Stephen, and Shannon), who brought Facing...

Guests: Gabe Boyd and Mike Thornberry   Chapter 7 Stand Up to the Bullies   If you want to change the world…don’t back down from the sharks.   Chapter 8 Rise to the Occasion   If you want to change the world…be your very best in the darkest moments.   No matter how dark it gets, you must complete the mission. Mission above the man - Jim Eliot - he is no fool to give up that which he cannot keep to...

Guests: Gabe Boyd and Mike Thornberry   Chapter 4 Life’s Not Fair - Drive On!   If you want to change the world…get over being a sugar cookie and keep moving forward…   Dan - we live in a fallen world, sin has corrupted everything, we should expect unfairness… Jesus was the only perfect person - and look how the world treated him - unfairly…we should expect the same…   Those that strived to be the...

Guests: Gabe Boyd and Mike Thornberry   Chapter 1 Start Your Day with a Task Completed Make your bed - physical Time with the Lord - spiritual   Gabe - we live in a chaotic and undisciplined world…this is one thing I can control.   Making my bed correctly was not going to be an opportunity for praise. It was expected of me. Don’t look for the praise of men…Col. 3:23   Chapter 2 You Can’t Go It Alo...

Looking at the story of David, Nabal, and Abigail in 1 Samuel 25   This is the question I want each of us to wrestle with - why are we doing what we’re doing? What is our true motivation behind our decisions?   Good friends - a community of individuals who can challenge you to think about your decisions - is such a blessing - build that community!!!   The Chosen - if you’re looking to learn more a...

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart; wait, I say, on the Lord. Psalm 27:14   Feel stuck in a place, job, relationship? In a difficult situation? What’s the plan? Wait on the Lord.   “On the Lord” is the most important part of that encouragement - not your plan, but His. Wait - trust, obey, listen, learn. Wait doesn’t mean “do nothing” You can work while you wa...

Things I know now that I wish I had known then…   1. Importance of godly mentors   2. Importance of reading - you will draw from the books that you’ve read years later…   3. You learn more from failing than succeeding - so try new things…   4. Understand the power of commitment   5. People matter   T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can mak...

Best part of a new project - demo day   Bible calls this sanctification - to set apart, make holy - consecrate (with force to make sacred)   Tear up the carpeting NO going back! You see all the EXTRA work that you didn’t know you had before… It’s Worth it!   I want to be a better man, a better husband, a better dad, a better employer/ee, a better friend, a better…   Biblical principles of change…...

Guest: Michael Lee Stallard   I was first introduced to Mike Stallard as the author of Fired Up or Burned Out: How to Reignite Your Team’s Passion, Creativity, and Productivity . He then turned his passion and research to the power of connectivity and wrote Connection Culture: The Competitive Advantage of Shared Identity, Empathy, and Understanding at Work where he shared the importance of vision,...

  Abide in Christ - Andrew Murray Vine - plant that is only for the fruit How can you tell the vine that has the most fruit? It hangs the lowest - humility is the key…   Self-assessment Be quick to listen Not listen quickly…then move on… If you want a different song, stop playing the same notes Change is hard, but there are times when it’s necessary…   Take the next right step Don’t complicate thi...

Guests: Harrison Leak and Parker Panetti   How do you decide what to do, where to go…what’s that process look like for a young man who is trying to honor the Lord?   Great resource: Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God’s Will by Kevin DeYoung   Money shouldn’t be the primary motivator for what position you take - there are other things that are more important. A great resource i...

Guests: Dr. Jason Snyder and Dr. Jonathan Teague   Excerpts from the conversation:   Lie #4: Transgenderism is normal. Scripture does not support transgender ideology/belief/actions as normal, healthy, or to be supported or endorsed. In today’s culture, “love” has been redefined as acceptance and endorsement as I am and you are not allowed to say anything in opposition to my beliefs. And since God...

Happy Memorial Day!   The word graduation comes from the concept of “steps” - taking the next step. What is the next step in your life - college, work, marriage, family? What are you doing now to prepare yourself for those next steps?   Some good questions to ask yourself on your journey: What has God been teaching you recently? How are you feeding the spiritual man? Word of God Words of wisdom -...