God | Heartstone Journey

Hey Dads, Get Your Head Out Of Your @$$ And Listen Up! [Series]

Planning and providing is part of a man’s leadership role in his home. Sadly many men often misplace their vision and focus on things such as; a house, car, boat, money, rising up the corporate ladder, guy stuff, fill in the blank ________.

Sound familiar?

One of the passions I have is reaching people who have lost themselves to prosperity, power, and position. Whether we know it or not guys, we all ask the basic question “do I have what it takes?” We want to know from our fathers that we have what it takes and when they’re not around or emotionally unavailable, this question often goes unanswered. So, what do we do? We pursue everything else for that validation. We don’t even look for it from God!

Because this question eluded me and I didn’t lean into God, I ended up pulling a Maverick — I crashed and burned! After a devastating “life shaking”, God got me off my “pity potty” and taught me how to man up — and He is coming for you!

As Christ comes out of the water, His Father speaks validation. His voice ripped away the religious drapery and the Father said, ‘Jesus, you are the real deal. You have what it takes.’ And this is right at the moment Christ is about to launch into his mission. When we show that image to men, they see that God will speak to them the same way. We are sons of God and He will validate us.

—John Eldredge

So for all the dads (or soon to be dads) out there here are 7 tips to get you thinking before it’s too late, so listen up.

Why Waldo And Bigfoot Are Better At Hide-N-Seek Than God

Ever notice this pattern? People do bad stuff to us -> we retreat from life -> God where are you? -> we project our pain onto God!

Life sucks. I’m being bullied. I lost my job, my house, my car, fill in the blank______. He/she divorced me. I was abused physically and sexually. I could go on-and-on listing life’s hurts and pain.

When we feel the pain of life and the hurts of others, we blame God. God how could you let this happen? God, why did you do do this to me? God, where the @#!$$!! are you?

People continue to hurt us, the blame-God-game continues, we retreat and build walls of hate around us thinking that somehow they will protect us. How do we get to the place where we have so much hatred for God?

Are You A Cultural Christian Or A Biblical Christian?

At our church we are walking through Jesus’s messages to the seven churches in the book of Revelation. Had to hit the pause button on the church of Pergamum — the compromising church.

This message really hit home, because today the church is losing its biblical fidelity. A quick click of the remote or browse of the Internet, the headlines are revealing a disturbing trend of the church bending towards cultural norms rather than standing in the truth of the Word of God. More and more people, who call themselves “Christians”, are compromising core biblical values to avoid being stigmatized or persecuted.

With the attacks on religious liberty increasing we are seeing a large percentage of pastors, churches and “so-called” Christians bowing to pressure and allowing the norms of today’s culture to become the new “truth” for Christianity.

Ok, so whats the big deal?

Why Following The Yellow Brick Road Is Bad Advice

The words home-home tell us a little of what Jesus was meaning when He said, “…apart from Me…nothing.” He wants to be our home-home. Not our summer place, not our vacation retreat, not somewhere we go from time to time, but the place we are when we want to be home-home. He is saying that we will never be at home until we are at home in Him. For there is no life apart from the source of life and He is the source. When He says “apart from Me,” He is not just talking about what we do. He is asking us where we live.ⁱ

Wanting to come home is a desire in each and every one of us, but how we get there is another matter. There are so many small voice telling us to follow the yellow brick road. You know how the story ends. You come to a place that appears to look good just to find failed expectations hiding behind a curtain.

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

—Matthew 7:13-14

Why is following the yellow brick road bad advice?

How To Hit The Target — All The Time!

As our church men’s group worked through week nine of our Stepping Up series, we learned the metaphor of the arrow in reference to having a clear vision for our family and specifically our children.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

—Psalm 127:4-5

Have you ever shot an arrow? You take an arrow out of your quiver, you place it into position on the bow, you pull back looking down the length of the arrow…waiting for the target to come into focus before you launch it. It’s awesome! Hitting your target with an arrow requires skill, strength, patience and a calming focus. The destiny of the arrow is completely dependent on many factors.

Ok, so what does this have to do with vision or children for that matter?

Hey Dads, Get Your Head Out Of Your @$$ And Listen Up! [Series]

Why Waldo And Bigfoot Are Better At Hide-N-Seek Than God

Are You A Cultural Christian Or A Biblical Christian?

Why Following The Yellow Brick Road Is Bad Advice

How To Hit The Target — All The Time!

Favorite Quotes

Cool Scripture

Never Out Of The Fight!

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