Good Day everyone! Today is my birthday, and my sweet husband will be filling in for me. Don’t worry, I’ll be back Saturday!! Hope you all have a great weekend! May the Lord bless and keep you!!

-Tree

I AM

In a modern world where masculinity is challenged and mocked openly, TV shows have dumb witted fathers who back down to their children and wives, femininity is common place for men, and pornography attacks the very concept of what men are supposed to desire, it is hard to know what authentic masculinity is supposed to resemble. Many males in the past few generations grow up not knowing what a father is supposed to be and how a real man should act, and this causes a vicious cycle that repeats until knowledge is introduced to it, not to mention the women who don’t know how a man should treat them. Thank The Lord that I had not only a great father to teach me but a grandfather and a couple of uncles who took the time to invest in me, and in some cases make me tougher. But I am one of the lucky ones not every guy gets that chance.

Here is the secrete no matter if you had a dad, a step dad, an absent dad, or two dads, G-d is the ultimate example of Authentic Manhood, and womanhood but that is a different blog.

When Moses asked G-d who he is He said, “I AM.” Plain and simple. I AM. What does that mean? Well it means He is – what ever you need Him to be. It means that He is always there, He is your wisdom, He is your strength, He is your answer to what ever question or need you have. G-d gave us a perfect example to follow I AM = Authentic Manhood. Now just like every other man that has ever breathed before you, you are not perfect and never will be until you are in Heaven.

Several months ago I read a book entitled 5 Star Man by Neil Kennedy, great book I highly recommend it. However after reading this book I realized how far I was from authentic manhood. See I have had some issues to flare up in our marriage that have nearly destroyed it, and I needed to take a real hard look at who I am. At that time in my life my I AM statement would have consisted of I am selfish, I am angry, I am lazy, I am addicted to porn. There was little redemptive quality to my manhood. But somewhere into our second year of marriage I started to realize that I needed to change or I was going to lose my wife. I’m not going to say that it was an over night change or that I don’t still have to daily climb on my cross die to myself and let G-d define me, but I really started to make changes.

Through this and other books devoted to the topic of manhood I have come to know that it is more than throwing a football, killing a trophy buck, landing the corner office, or some fancy degree its about having the attributes of G-d, the fruits of the spirit, and living a humble life (I’m not saying you have to become a monk or give up your hobbies but you have to learn how to incorporate them into G-d’s design for you).

Shortly after reading 5 Star Man I developed an I AM statement:

I AM loving and kind to my wife

I AM in control of my anger and addiction

I AM a tither

I AM an example to those around me for Christ

I AM a provider for my family

I Am Authentic Manhood

This is not the full statement but it is an example for you. Remember that G-d is your full example for A.M.

I would like to think my wife for giving me this opportunity to share my heart on her blog and wish her the very best on her Birthday. Love you Babe.

Prayer

Dear Lord,

Thank you for being the Father to the fatherless, for being our example, and being gracious to forgive us short comings. Help us to learn how to become more like you and better men. Thank you for loving us. In Jesus holy name I pray. Amen

Scriptures references

Exodus 3:14 “G-d said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Thought builder

Take some time to sit and talk to G-d and write an I AM statement.

If you haven’t in a while take some time to talk to and think the men who have shaped who you are.

LOVE Life (Love Is ForEver)

Rethink your relationship with your wife and children and using your I AM statement to rebuild your relationships. Remember the only thing left of you after you are gone is your legacy so make it a good one.