Vital Men Devotions

When I was young attending some church services, one of the images that has stayed with me is the cross on the forehead from our Ash Wednesday service.  Forty six days before Easter, we typically celebrate Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the Lenten period of prayer and fasting.  Throughout scripture, the use of sackcloth and ashes was often used as an outward display of one’s deep mourning or repentance.  Sackcloth was a type of hairshirt, often made from black goat’s hair, which was a physical reminder to the person wearing it of their disposition.

Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.  When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. Jonah 3:4-6

So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. Daniel 9:3

Can you imagine what our culture would be like if we regularly practiced this?  Would it be a religious practice – just because everyone does it, or would it help bring about true repentance?  Through church history, a type of hairshirt and variations were used by those repenting to induce discomfort or pain.  I’m not sure if this always accomplished its intended purpose, but wonder if those of us today who are hesitant to put ashes on our foreheads would even consider embracing deeper forms of repentance.  Are you willing to fast from certain foods or other comforts to sharpen your awareness and ability to listen to God in your discomfort?  Fasting seems to be a spiritual discipline largely overlooked and underpracticed by the greater Christian community.  What has been your experience?  Just ask someone who has kept a fast what benefit it brought about in their life?  If anything, it will show us what creatures of habit we are and how quickly we turn to material things to comfort and numb us.  If you have never tried, or have failed, attempt to give up something that you usually turn to through this Lenten period.  Embrace a daily devotional that will help remind you why you are sacrificing as Easter approaches.  What new truths can you learn from the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord?  As Jesus started his ministry (Luke 4), he read from the following verses:

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61:1-3

What do you seek from our God who gives us beauty for ashes, creates joy from sadness and pain, brings light to darkness, and offers living water for parched lives?  From a God who can bring us from death to true life, what are you hoping for?  How God makes order and progress from this beautiful mess of our imperfect lives often astounds me.  Let’s encourage one another on toward deeper understanding and new life as we walk together with our Lord.

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:22-24

Strength and Courage in Christ,
Clark

Doing It Right – III – Loving Each Other

John 13:34
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

I wrote a majority of this  from Potomac, Maryland this past weekend. I went there to bring a load of my son’s belongings as two weeks ago he became the youth pastor at St. Francis Episcopal church. He needed his “stuff”, so I agreed to drive out and help him get situated. This is where this story begins.

Eleven days into his service, one of the youth’s father committed suicide. For a brand new youth pastor, this pushed him straight into the fire of service. How do you walk with someone who just lost a parent? How do you deal with a young person when it was suicide? He and I talked many times, and we decided all he could do was to be there, let the young person know they were loved, and help guide them as they walk down the pathway. There are no right words. Nothing any of us can say will help the pain and anger that comes with the situation. But there are things we can do.

One of the first things that Josh (my son) did was engage the Christians he knew to pray. He called home. My wife engaged her praying friends and groups. The churches in Jamaica where Josh served quickly organized and spread the word. Josh’s youth pastor mentor launched the youth group in Pella into action.  One of Josh’s friends in Denver launched their prayer friends into action. A group from Sioux Center where Josh went to college joined in. Josh called a friend who works at Vermeer and they launched it on their global message board.  And I called to arms some of the warriors of Vital Men and Vital Outdoorsmen. A prayer army was called to action.

Secondly Josh and Craig (another youth leader) engaged around their young person, giving a safe place with Christian friends and guidance of ministry personnel. They stayed with this person throughout the entire week. Every day and most of the nights. It was exhausting, but the team pulled together and stayed strong.

Josh brought up that they should provide meals for the family. They (church in Maryland)  are not in the habit of doing these things, so I got the feeling that many of the people thought the idea strange and Josh was told that it was unable to be accomplished. However, very soon some of the ladies and widows of the church engaged (happily I might add), took over and now over a month’s worth of meals are lined up for the family.

Thursday night after youth group, Josh asked the group to pray over the young person. They group did. But in all of these instances one thing was becoming apparent. These activities were not normal in this environment.

On Sunday morning after the church service, we headed to youth group. Craig had decided the youth group needed to talk about prayer. He went into the prayer acronym CHAT. When he was done, Josh covered how King David dealt with all of his emotions with God giving examples from the Psalms, as the question had arisen if it was ok to be mad at God. Then Craig asked Josh to share about all the people he had contacted to be praying for the group. He then turned to me and asked me to share about Vital Ministries and those I had called to action. The youth group was stunned. It was obvious that they had not experienced this type of love and support from fellow Christians.

The leadership there were also surprised to hear the story of Vital Ministries – Vital Men – Vital Outdoorsmen. They just kept asking questions and shaking their head in disbelief. I really came to understand how special it is to share in our groups and have what we have – it was clear that they are longing for these things and are searching for how to get them going.

We all took part in doing this right. Many of you have had a very positive impact on Josh. Thank you. Many of you have worked hard to set a good example and highlight the things we do to care for others, and this carries on as we send others out into ministry. And so many of you have prayed. Well done!

A big thank you from the family and the church out there. They are overwhelmed and very appreciative of everything that has been done and all the prayers that have been offered on their behalf. Please continue to pray for both the family and the church.

God Bless!

Semper fi,

Jeff

Real men carry the load. How do we as Vital Men carry the load for our wives? Last week we talked about honoring her physically and emotionally. This week we’ll talk about three more wife honoring concepts that I believe are Vital to a good healthy marriage.

Let’s first go back to home base in Scripture of 1Peter 3:7. In the same way you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.

The next way we can honor our wives is verbally. Most men will say, “I would never hit my wife,” but look out verbally. My tongue will cut her in half and I will make sure she knows who’s in control. This brings disrespect, it’s cutting, and demeaning to her. We as men will sometimes do such things and wonder why her heart is cold or is like stone to us.

A God’s man will choose to restrain from such action because it’s not honoring. It not only dishonors her but brings lack of respect from our children towards her which is not honoring. We can ‘t dishonor her with our tongue in front of the kid’s and think this will not impact them mentally and how they view her. Men, we must make a choice in how we verbally speak with our wives. To bring her honor, respect, and most of all how we communicate with her verbally.

Our next way of how we can honor our wives is financially. I’m not talking about going out and buying whatever there is or what might be wanted. I am talking about taking care of her financially at home. Doing our part to work and being involved with her in financial matters. It means working together on a budget. Taking time to engage in how money is spent. It means we choose to work hard in providing for our families. Maybe your wife is a stay at home mom. Honor her in that. Don’t hold it over her. She is bringing great value to your family. Maybe she is working as well. It sometimes takes two incomes to make it work. Honor her in that. Help at home and just don’t sit and expect her to do it all. A God’s man will see past himself and look for ways to bring her honor.

I also want to talk to you who have lost your jobs due to the economy. It is understandable and sometimes it’s beyond our control. I encourage you to stay in the game. Continue to look for work. Watch over your families. God will guide you and especially trust him. Prayer is huge in times of duress.

The final way of honoring our wives is with technology. How much time is spent on our cell phones? How much time do we surf the net? How much TV. time do we spend? My job seems to require a lot of phone time due to ministry or work. I’ve got to keep it in proportion or balance, if not it will control me and my time. Surfing the net can last from minutes to hours. It is easy to get caught up on e-mail, face book, or whatever tries to pull our time. And yes, TV, like any other man I enjoy the football season. It can take hours of my time and especially on Sunday, which is usually for us, family time. Technology is good unless it brings us to places we shouldn’t or pulls our time. Using all of this can bring dishonor to our wives by saying these things and time are more important than her. Like our relationship with Christ, it is all about balance.

Men, I encourage us all to be Christ honoring men to our wives like he is to his bride, the church. It demonstrates to our wives, our kids, and to our Lord that next to him, she is most important and that she is our equal partner in life. This is being a Vital Man.

In closing, don’t forget about our Man’s Day March 3 @ the Vermeer Pavilion. It is only $20 bucks for a day of great music, speakers, all the toys, and most of all to be wired God’s men. I promise you’ll have a good time as we look to Christ.  We’ll see you there!

Strength and courage,

Mike

We do not go at this life alone and I’m not meaning navigating the trials and tribulations with each other, though this is good, it is not enough.  No, what I’m referring to is the Comforter or as other translations state, our Advocate.  Back when Jesus lived on this earth in human form, he knew he was to die a brutal death and he gave his disciples heads up that this was coming.  It obviously disturbed them because they questioned him and he informed them they did not have to worry as the Comforter would be sent to them by way of the Holy Spirit.

‘I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever…’ (John 14:16 KJV)

Jesus said he wasn’t going away to abandon them but to prepare a place for them and in the mean time, I give you my peace that as the difficulties in life come, you will be assured that it does not end this way.

‘…the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’ (John 14:26-27)

The cool thing is as disciples of Jesus Christ, we too have access to the Comforter.  What difficulties are you experiencing right now? It is easy to get caught up in the pain of our circumstances and be focused on the here and now. But rather than staying there and allowing these circumstances to control you, give them up to Jesus and allow him to give you His peace in place of your worries.

Heavenly Father, you are wonderful – always.  We love you and thank you that you care for us as your sons.  As your sons, you want the best for us and we believe that – thank you.  I pray Father for those men who are reading this that are hurting today, the ones that are not sure how it is all going to end.  Lift the heads of these Vital Men and speak into their hearts that they would know you are there. Be an encouragement to them, reminding them that you have not and never will abandon them.  Bless Your Holy Name.  It is in the name of Jesus we pray.  Amen.

Be encouraged,

Steve

In the wake of loss in life lies the opportunity to honor the Creator and honor the one who was created and taken from us.  I believe that in how we handle the gift of each day going forward reveals our love – reveals God’s love.  I had the opportunity to watch the film Courageous that contains a scene in which a father passes on an opportunity to dance with his daughter and the events of life that followed removed that opportunity and it was then too late.  We should celebrate relationships and dance.  Dance every chance we get.  Embrace and love and dance.  Today as we wake may we turn towards the son and cast the shadows behind us that would hinder the dance and learn some new steps.  That is what they would want us to do. 

To honor relationships is to get better at relating to others.  Communication is the thread that will bind or break the bond between two.  I think we need to play back a recording of something every parent has told their children and should continue telling their children; “Tell the truth”.     Followed by the follow up statement, “The truth is easy to remember”.  That is by design, because truth in relationships builds them up, strengthens them; truth told consistently transforms into trust.  You have to be able to trust your partner if you are going to REALLY dance.  I am talking about dips, twists, twirls, lifts, throws, and flipping head over heels.  Women want a man of great character and one way the character of a great man is revealed, is when truth is told even when it hurts.  When we dare to go deep it is there that you will achieve depth in the relationship.  Authenticity is the relationship God desires with us, and when we become confessors in our relationships they become more authentic and in truth we grow closer.

I have a referral for each Vital Man for a great dance instructor and He is the author of Proverbs.  We need wisdom that comes from learning truth.  Proverbs to me is the common sense that my father referred to growing up, it is respect, it is practical, it is bold, it is a guiding light, it is good advice based on experience, it is factual, it is truth, it is the man I want to be and the legacy I want to leave for generations to follow.  Next time someone asks me what I do for a living, I am going to tell them that I live to be a Paremiologist… it is one who studies Proverbs.  The truth is Paremiology is the study of proverbs and I made up ‘Paremiologist’…  Based on what it means to me – I am one.

Do you have a mission statement?  Here is one from a young Christian blogger who posted the following; Pray – Learn – Grow – Build – Inspire…  Now that is what I call living and pretty good dance steps.

I am going to ask you to do something that will be worth the effort and not be easy, thus making it worth it.  The message for today is found in Proverbs and it affects our relationship with God, with people, and how we feel about ourselves.  The following verses need to be read by you, and it is best to read them out loud with the ones you love.  It is awesome the power that the living Word of God will have on you and the impact it will have on those who hear you speak the Word.  The following verses will take you on a journey; one of significance and the reward of being a ‘Truth Teller’ and the benefits of being under control as a ‘Highroad Taker’!

Proverbs:  2:5, 3:3, 10:19, 15:4, 15:28, 16:32, 18:17, 20:19, 22:22, 22:24, 29:11,  This should get you  started on the road to becoming a Paremiologist.

Proverbs 17:3 speaks in reference to God as a tester of hearts.  My hope and prayer for you is that you pass the test and it allows you the freedom to take risks and fully enjoy the dance.

Coach Chris

Here is a father dancin' the father - daughter dance with moxy!

Coaches Favorite Dance:

My favorite dance was on my wedding day.  It started with my mom and then she released me to walk over to where I was allowed to cut-in and receive my beautiful bride who I had watched with tears of joy as she whirled around the dance floor barely touching the floor.  Never had she looked more beautiful than during that dance of the “brown-eyed girl” dancing with her father.  Thank you John for allowing me to have the dance of a lifetime, I will do my best to continue to dance.  I promise to Dance with Mia, Noah, Jackson, Max and Ty every chance I get.  I love you.

I debated a while on how to do this, but I’m going to brag on a friend of mine.  For the past two years, I’ve had the privilege of leading a small group of high school students at Third Church.  I have enjoyed getting to know these guys and appreciate each one for the unique way that God make them and gifted them.  I feel I fall short at times on sharing how much I care about them, but desire for them to know this.  In some ways, I feel like a parent – wanting the best for them, and wanting to protect them from dangers and temptation they will surely face.  At times I feel like a friend, sharing my own personal experiences in life and wanting to hear theirs, however hesitant they are to share.  At times I feel like a Christian brother, sharing my faith with them and feeling excited when I see them grow and live out their faith in practical ways.  In all these things, it is hard not to grow close to these guys and care about them significantly.  When I heard the news Monday night that a member of our group, Blake Van Vark, had passed away in an accident, it was equivalent to a bomb going off in my world.  Though I have experienced a mix of emotions these past two days, I know his family and friends have to be hurting even worse.

Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4

When someone you care about is with you one day and gone the next, you look at your life a lot differently.  Priorities are suddenly changed and things that once seemed to be big issues are really not that important anymore.  It’s strange how quickly things can change.  After several failed attempts to coordinate schedules, this Sunday all six of us rode up together to Des Moines to explore the world of Barbecue and attacked a plate of wings along with a five pound monster burger, which we decided was best to share.  Afterward we worked off some of those calories downtown with laser tag, rock climbing challenges, and just enjoyed the afternoon together.  Little did we know the very next day, our lives would be forever changed.  Blake played a key part in initiating this outing, and though we had a chance a few weeks earlier to make the trip without him, we all thought it best to include him at a later time.  I could take up several paragraphs bragging on Blake, but just ask his family or friends and they will share many stories with you.  One or two weeks after becoming their group leader, I remember saying to his father,  ‘Blake is a very passionate young man’.  As this photo we took on Sunday indicates, when Blake stepped up to a challenge, he was in it 100%.  He was passionate about sports, especially following and playing baseball and basketball as well as football and golf.  He always brought energy to the group and if you got into a discussion with him, you could be in for a long ride.  Blake had a love for a wide range of music and to be honest, I’ve not had a talk with any other student under age 20 who knew so much about 70s-90s music.  That is just a snapshot in the life of this great guy who seems to have been taken away far too soon.

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

What else can we say?  While I know from his life and witness that Blake is surely experiencing things in heaven that are far beyond what he did or imagined here, there is a selfish part of me that wishes he was still with us.  I know that this will heal with time, but the heaviness on my heart right now reminds me that the road will be difficult.  I am thankful for being able to hear the stories and shared memories as we celebrate Blake’s life.  While young people dying among us is evidence of injustice and the fallen world we live in, don’t let it leave you in despair.  Our hope lies in our resurrected Lord, who’s love brought us out of the darkness of this world into His wonderful light.  He brings us from death to life in so many ways.  Allow your spirit, your hope, and your life to be led by Him.  Continue to pray for the family and friends of everyone involved in this and other tragic events in our lives.  Even though he was with us for a short time, Blake sought to shine the light and love he received from Christ into a dark world.  That light lives on in the lives of those he touched while he was with us, and hopefully will inspire us to do the same with so many around us.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

Strength, Courage, and Comfort in Christ,
Clark

Doing It Right – Part II

Uncle Bill

In this portion of Doing It Right, I once again have been led to something to write about that was quite unintended. I was going to try to do something on integrity, but have felt led throughout the day to tell a story.  This story has puzzled me for many years, and only very recently did I even remotely understand it.  It is the story of my Uncle Bill.

Uncle Bill was a patriarch in our family. He was a very good businessman, no matter what he did. He excelled in farming. He did well in his own business. And he always excelled at dirt work. He had a beautiful house in the woods. Three great kids. And as we were growing up, he always had dirt bikes, dune buggies and dune racers. He was my favorite Uncle.

Uncle Bill always saw the good in people vs. the bad. He always trusted. Always had faith. Always thought the better of people. This total trust eventually led to his business demise. One of his partners sold everything they had while my uncle and his family were on vacation. Even their house. I don’t know what kind of a deal they had, or if there was just nothing put on paper. But they lost everything.  They fought if for years in court, but in the end there was nothing left.

I still thought a lot of my uncle. Although this bad thing had happened to him, I still looked up to him. And then several years later my dad called with the shocking news that my uncle was divorcing my aunt. After 3o+ of marriage my uncle was walking away. I talked to him the next time I saw him, and all he could really tell me was that he couldn’t take it anymore. And so they divorced.

His life seemed to spiral out of control after that. He remarried, and his second wife committed suicide.  He gave most of what he made or had away. I heard less and less from him or about him. He did send some money one time when we were strapped and needed a new stove. Other than that I did not hear from him. I am not even sure how he knew.

He became somewhat of an enigma with the family. We would hear about him from time to time. He stayed with one of my Aunts and Uncles during the summer. He would drive south in the winter so he could keep doing dirt work. I saw him once in a great while, and while I still loved him, we drifted apart. I did not understand.

We did talk about his $500 cars (he went through many of them). We talked about the run down places he lived. I always wondered where his money went. He always worked, but never had anything. His health started to decline a few years ago. Skin cancer. Esophageal cancer. Emphysema. Then on Christmas Eve he was in a car accident. They took him to the hospital. 24 hours before I was heading out to visit him, he passed away.

My brother and sister traveled to the funeral.  At the time I said I couldn’t make it. I think I just wanted to remember him the way I used to. At the visitation my brother and sister heard about a restaurant that he always used to go to. They decided to check it out.

When they arrived at the restaurant, they mentioned to the waitress that they were relatives of my uncle. The waitress softened and brought them to his favorite table. She seated them and told them how wonderful my uncle was and how much she missed him. She showed them that they had named a meal after him (his favorite meal), as that how much the establishment thought of him. They were amazed.

Person after person stopped by the table that night. Each had a story or two of my uncle. How he had helped them. How he had encouraged them. How he had given them money. How he cared. One person stated that they had never known anyone like him. One who cared so much for others.

How wrong we had all been! We all missed it! While his life was not what we thought of as a Christian life, he went on living it, the best he could. He touched many more lives than we will probably ever know. He did it right!

The day of the funeral my dad sent me the following text. “It is a bitter\sweet time. Many memories are shared. We were inspired by the testimonies of encouragement and joy that he initiated. He died declaring that God had always been and that He would continue to be with him.” In the end we all found out that he had done it right.

Matthew 25:23
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

I hope that when I die I can hear these words from our Lord as I am sure my Uncle Bill did.

Semper Fi my brothers. Let’s commit to Do It Right!

Jeff