leadership | Heartstone Journey

Men, It’s Time To Take A Stand Against Pornography!

I have a question for you. If I told you, as a Christian man, that I had used pornography for its intended purpose, would you be more shocked that I had used it, or that I had admitted to it? I think we all know the answer to that one.

Pornography in America is big business. It’s everywhere. In fact, it’s invading, to the point of actually becoming part of, the very core of American culture, and it’s tearing this country apart. Many have come to think of it as so out of control, it’s beyond the realm of possibility to even think about reining it in. I disagree.

For years the teachings we’ve heard on pornography, what few sermons we’ve heard, and scientific studies that have come out on the subject, have focused on the harmful effect of it on the body, the marriage, the family, and the general degradation of morality in our society. While all these things may be true, the best efforts of the most well-meaning people out there have had very little, if no effect at all on the spread of it. The reason for this, in my humble opinion is two-fold.

First, it hasn’t been seen for what it truly is, and therefore, hasn’t been taken as seriously as it should have been. Secondly, good people have very simply remained silent; A lot of this having to do with our own shame in using it ourselves.

Answering The Question, “Where Have All The Men Gone?” [Series]

“Man up!”, “Be a man!”, “Grow some balls!”, “He’s a real man.”, “Authentic manhood.”

These phrases (and more like them) echo in today’s culture and hidden behind those phrases is a question seems to haunt men in society today — “What does it mean to be a man? An authentic man?”

In today’s post modern culture the meaning and image of true masculinity is seriously getting diluted, tainted, watered-down and completely lost. Unfortunately the narrative that’s being played out today is ‘boys in men’s bodies’ with only a few wanting to be men…but not exactly knowing how, while others remain nonchalant.

Houston…we have a deficit of authentic manhood in today’s society! Seriously, where have all the men gone?

Lets answer that question.

Why Planning And Providing Are So Important

At week eight of our Stepping Up series with our church men’s group we dug into the importance of planning and providing. Something that not too many men think about or do.

We are told that a man is to provide for his family, right? The challenge facing most men today is that they don’t even know what authentic manhood looks like because their fathers didn’t model it out for them. I know because I was lost in this area. My father was not that compass for me growing up and a boy without a “compass” is like an explorer without a map!

Do you know what it means to provide for your family? Do you have a plan for your family?

Some do, but many don’t. Let’s dive into planning and providing — and why it’s so important.

What We Know About Leadership Is All Wrong…And Here’s Why

We are in week seven of our ten week Stepping Up series with our church men’s group. This weeks topic was about men ‘engaging with wisdom and grace’ or simply put — leadership. Why is leadership so important? Because most of us men (an women) have no clue what it really is.

When I say the word “leadership”, what does that mean to you?

At work it typically means this…

Being he boss. The perks. Money. Position. Power. Prestige. The applaud. That corner office. No one can tell me what to do. Those diplomas on the wall. Fill in the blank ________.

In the home it typically means this…

My wife must submit. My way or the highway. I’m the king! Going to “that” game is more important than being with your kids. Chasing things that we can give up. Working late. Working harder for that bigger house. My kids need to do what I say, not what I do. Fill in the blank ________.

That’s what the narrative of this world culture would have us believe, isn’t it?

What if I told you that leadership had nothing to do with you and was completely focused on others? What if I told you that it meant that the buck stops with you? What if I told you it meant being out in front leading people in the right direction with wisdom and grace?

Have you ever thought of leadership in that context? In the context of servant leadership?

If you have thought about leadership in that context, great — if not, than that’s ok too because we are going to take it a bit further…buckle up!

Defining good leadership is not an easy thing to do. Yes, there are untold number of books and many self-proclaimed leadership gurus out there that make this attempt, but not many build a foundation on “this” type of true leadership. Do you know what it is?

3 Feelings That Hold Men Back From Taking Initiative

Passing the half way mark, we are in our sixth week of our ten week Stepping Up series with our church men’s group. This weeks topic was about men ‘taking initiative’ and wow was it eye opening and inspiring.

The basic definition of initiate is to cause or facilitate the beginning of.

Pause and think of the men, both young and old, around you. In your family, at church, in your neighborhood, at work or fill in the blank ________. Does the word initiative come to mind? Does there seem to be a lack of initiative in men today?

Hold onto that thought as we dig deeper into some great examples of men taking initiative. The list of great men who took initiative is long, but this session focused the three stories in particular.

Men, It’s Time To Take A Stand Against Pornography!

Answering The Question, “Where Have All The Men Gone?” [Series]

Why Planning And Providing Are So Important

What We Know About Leadership Is All Wrong…And Here’s Why

3 Feelings That Hold Men Back From Taking Initiative

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Never Out Of The Fight!

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