stepup | Heartstone Journey

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?

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.

What Can The Guards At Tomb Of The Unknowns Teach Us?

We are half way through our ten week Stepping Up series with our church men’s group and the finish line is slowly coming into focus. This weeks topic was about men ‘stranding firm’ and it really hit home for me. The video that kick started the session led with a byopic of the the guards that have chosen to take on the duty of guarding the Tomb Of The Unknowns.

The Tomb of the Unknowns is a monument dedicated to American service members who have died without their remains being identified. It is also known as the Tomb Of The Unknowns, but it has never been officially named. It is located in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, United States of America. The World War I “Unknown” is a recipient of the Medal of Honor, the Victoria Cross, and several other foreign nations’ highest service awards. The U.S. Unknowns who were interred are also recipients of the Medal of Honor, presented by U.S. Presidents who presided over their funerals.ⁱ

Even if you already know this, its worth repeating — these soldiers have NEVER left the tomb unguarded for any reason. Pause and take that in for a minute!

Why the example of the Tomb Of The Unknowns? And, why is this so important in God calling a man to step up?

Lets unpack it a bit.

How To Hit The Target — All The Time!

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

What Can The Guards At Tomb Of The Unknowns Teach Us?

Favorite Quotes

Cool Scripture

Never Out Of The Fight!

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