A quick word...well maybe not "quick".

I think this is a good project and I think it has potential for much success. I believe one thing that might be helpful is to have a facilitator take the lead and make a posting, say twice a week or even once a week. Depending on each other to post comments is going to last for only a little while without guidance and direction. Clent, start a series on a subject that you think can be of some interest. The contributors will come back regularly to see what you have to say, but it has to be appealing. There has to be a draw. Keep us updated on relevant news illustrating where we brothers in Christ can either be informed of relevant issues or even entertained. This can be mixed in with what you start a series on. You can start with Proverbs 1. I think thats a good beginning. You post a short message on the chapter which will allow the rest of us to have something specific to comment on.

But seeing as how others are chiming in on what's most important, I'd like to offer my two cents. Very simply put....Know Your Bible. That is the best way a man can be a man, which is to be a man of God. Know your Bible and make sure your kids know it. Specifically, I have been a student of eschcatology, which is the study of bliblical prophesy dealing with end times, since my early youth. Its amazing to read the paper on world events and match it with what the Bible says. But it is also amazing for me to talk to other Christians who still don't know what is in that book because they limit themselves to a few frequently quoted scriptures and Bible stories. God inspired the Book of Nahum for a reason. Micah was not just filler material. Habakkuk is actually meant to be read, studied and meditated on. Do you really know about Noah...have you read that part since you have been grown? I submit to you that chances are, most people have never read the whole Bible, but almost any kid you see under 15 has read every Harry Potter book from cover to cover and each one is as thick as Bible. People.....Know Your Bible!

Just a few thoughts...

This sounds like a very promising blog. If I can share just a few thoughts.

In an effort to become successful, reach and realize our potential and the goals we have set for ourselves we must remember the parable in Luke 18:22. This man had done everything he was commanded and expected to do. But God told him he lacketh one thing. This one thing was his ability to shed is his material things and essentially serve God through giving. So in our quest to become and acquire we don't want to lacketh the one thing which is true, authentic salvation and submission to God. Sometime he will ask us to give, serve, share, speak, follow, obey, stand and so on. So lets be mindful to what he would have for us to do.

A good read is No More Excuses: Be the Man God Made You to Be, by Dr. Tony Evans. I am currently teaching my brotherhood class out of this text. Great read. It helps us examine issues that stand between us and God. Those issues that weigh heavily on us even those we don't realize at times.

Suggestions

We're open for suggestions! I'd like to try and get a feel for what issues are most prevalent for Christian men today. So if you would, make a comment about which issues you'd like to see discussed and let's see if we can't hit a few of these topics. Just below each post, there's a link that allows you to make comments. Please do so

ISI - Let's go...lol

Richest Man: Diligence

Food for thought. What is it that can cause you to skyrocket to sucess that a LACK thereof can destroy you completely? Diligence. This one key factor can get a whiny child a candy bar, a beggar a meal and an intern a job. Diligence, however, is much more than simple persistence. Diligence requires work. Not necessarily HARD work, but work nevertheless... Working in a truly diligent manner is working SMART. Delegation, cooperation and simplification are all invention of diligence. Proverbs 20:11 states "Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure and whether it be right. "

Pure - absense of flaws and impurities. Remove all impurities from your WORK. Make your work be 100% productive by eliminating rework and doing things right the first time, thinking through your every action and ensuring that no energy is wasted. This can be applied to your life in remaining sexually pure, or even becoming a STAR at work. Diligence in your endeavors is required of a Christian man.

Right - expeditious, efficient, and effective. Maintain high standards in every area of your life. Don't allow one mistake to pass you by and simply make statements that you will do better... created remedies to your downfalls, don't allow yourself a slipup. Slip ups are counterproductive and counterproductive behavior creates bad patterns in behaviors that you are attempting to attain.

Think about these things this week brothers... not just in your job or in your "work" but in your press towards the mark.

God Bless,
Phillip C. Ashley

Scripture: Proverbs 22:29 "See a man diligent is ALL his ways? He shall stand before kings."

Proverbs Daily: Keys to success

I've recently been given a book called The Richest Man Who Ever Lived by Stephen K. Scott, and I would recommend it as sort of a motivational book as well as bible study. I have been attempting to read a proverb each day and as I've been doing it, I have been much more conscious of my actions and my words. It may cause you to reflect as well. Thanks Clent.