Men are meant to be heroes. Even when life's disappointments leave you feeling unfulfilled, you still have a heroic spark inside you, waiting to be set aflame. That's because you've been made in the image of the Great Hero - God - and called to live a heroic life.
Here's how you can become a hero:
http://www.crosswalk.com/spirituallife/men/11616586/
Question: Doug, I'm married and know that 1 Timothy 5:1-2 says, "Treat … older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity" (NIV). But I struggle with impure thoughts when I'm around women. What is the best way to keep my mind sexually pure?
Answer: I recommend a few strategies. One, wear a rubber band on your wrist and every time you lust at a woman, snap it. This will stop reinforcing this behavior. Two, memorize some Scriptures on purity so you can access them when in need. Three, do what 1 Timothy 5:1-2 suggests—view all women in the context of a relationship.
Every woman is somebody's mother, daughter, sister or friend. Paul was suggesting that we see women as the people they are and not as sexual objects. Remember too that every woman is God's daughter. Imagine how God might be feeling when you're lusting after His daughter. Exodus 20:17 commands us not to lust after our neighbor's wife.
So look up, down or in another direction if you must—just don't lust. Through God's Spirit you can love women as people. You just can't love and lust at the same time.
Also, try finding an accountability partner whom you can call daily. Make an agreement with your partner that the one who lusts the least during the week wins and the loser buys breakfast. You will be amazed to discover that free food and compensation can inspire you to change your behavior.
Doug Weiss, Ph.D., is a nationally known author and therapist and the founder of Heart to Heart Counseling Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.Surrender is both the essence and the greatest difficulty of the Christian life. In many ways, it defines the Christian life. The best description of it is given by Jesus in Lk. 9:23: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."
Read the full article by Gary Thomas
http://www.navpress.com/magazines/archives/article.aspx?id=11978
For those of you on the 9-5 grind, here's some encouragement: Your work matters. It may not seem noble to you when you're hammering out next year's budget—or hammering two-by-fours into place on a job site.
But step back for a minute and look at the big picture. Life is about more than just earning a paycheck. It's also about making an eternal impact. Ask yourself, "How can I make this matter for eternity?" Here are a few ways:
Be diligent. We live in a culture in which people do only what they have to do. But if you want to stand out, be the guy who goes the extra mile. Stay a few more hours. Put in the extra calls. The Bible tells us in Ephesians 3:20 that God does "exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us" (NKJV). If we're created in His image, we need to have that same mind-set.
Be inventive. Use your head for something besides a hat rack! Figure out how to "figure things out" on your own. Be an independent thinker. Don't wait for someone to draw you a map—stretch your creative ability. Visualize the problem and ask yourself, "What does the right solution for this situation look like?"
Be determined. A problem can sometimes seem like an unclimbable peak. Make it your mission to find alternative ways around the mountain. Find ways to increase your value to the team by solving problems. Don't wait to be told what to do or how to do it. Identify problems and attack them head-on with creative solutions.
Be humble. It's amazing what you can accomplish when you are willing to give the credit to somebody else. Too often, we're fighting to be recognized. Philippians 2:3-4 says: "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." Hold a realistic opinion of yourself. Don't be sheepish about your weaknesses—or your strengths. (The mark of humility isn't denial.) Don't take the glory for yourself, but share your success with others. Recognize your dependence on God.
Be teachable. To be teachable means to be a risk-taker because it means doing things in a new way. You have to risk being found wanting when you admit that the other guy's idea is better than yours. Relying on the experience of others can help you to keep out of ruts. Stay open to new ways of doing things. Don't rely only on past experience alone. Your way may not always be the best way. There's more virtue in admitting when you're wrong than in trying to justify you're right.
Be gracious. When you get cut off in the car, do you let it ruin your entire day? We like to sulk and hold onto something because, hey, it makes us feel good. But Jesus demands more of us. In Luke 17:4, He says that if someone "sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him." Resentment acts as a poison, eating away at you. It causes you to be ineffective at work and miserable to be around. Don't let others' attitudes or actions derail you. Ask God to give you His perspective on the matter.
Be energized. Find ways to stay charged up. Set goals and move toward them. The Bible tells us to "run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" (Heb. 12:1-2). Find inspiration in God's Word first thing every morning. Take time to work out to combat stress and keep your edge. Remember, it isn't the company's job to keep you motivated; it's yours.
Be dependable. Real leaders are people you can trust: They keep confidences, they're trustworthy, they handle good news and bad news equally the same. There's a consistency that causes people to be comfortable around them. They also keep their word. If you say you're going to come to a meeting at 9 a.m. and you show up five minutes late, you show that you can't be trusted. Also, you're saying that your time is more important than everyone else's. Need a pin to pop that inflated ego? James 5:12 says, "Let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.'" Be a man of your word.
Be optimistic. Often, we rush to judgment about people and situations. We immediately assume the worst. But when we snap to a judgment it's usually the wrong judgment. The Bible reminds us that we are to "believe the best" about people (see 1 Cor. 13), believing in what God can do through somebody else. When it comes to situations, remember that He is in control of everything. Why should you worry if God's got your back?
Be submitted. God can do far more through you than you can ever do on your own. Success is about being under God's authority and following God's game plan for your life rather than relying on your own experience or gifts or education. Don't ignore your talents, but submit them to the Lord. Proverbs 16:9 tells us that a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. God gave you a brain and He expects you to use it, but subjugate your ideas to the wisdom and direction of the Lord.
