Since speaking at our recent men’s IGNITE weekend on “the four faces of a man” (Eagle, Ox, Lion, Man), I’ve been giving a lot of thought to what it really takes to be a “whole man”. I’ve also just finished reading John Eldridge’s book “The way of the wild heart,” in which he charts the journey of a boy becoming a man, noting the stages as “beloved son”, “cowboy”, “warrior”, “lover”, “king”, and finally the “sage.” Really worth a read and very revealing about some of the reasons why we men struggle so much, and often cant be the “kings”who rule “sacrificially for the benefit of others” in our marriages, families, businesses, churches, etc. A mans great Question is “do I have what it takes?” and our greatest fear is the fear of failure, often resulting in passivity, which is mutually exclusive to true manhood.
Here are a few thoughts for your meditation for your journey to manhood:
“There comes a time in every well constructed son’s life when he has a raging desire to go somewhere and dig for treasure.” – Mark Twain (so build your life intentionally from the foundations up)
“If you are the son of God, then… – the devil (Are you sure whose son you are?)
“You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” – God the Father (The Father wants to say these words to you too)
”Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Jesus, Matthew 28:18-20 (You were born for a mission, and he is with you all the way, answering your Big Question saying: I am with you my beloved son, and you can do it My son!)
“If you are a son, then you are also a hier…” – Paul the Apostle
I’m looking forward to our new preaching series here in London over the next four weeks . Its called “The Other side of Jesus.” Basically Jesus like He needs to be known, rather than like He is often stereotyped.
Jesus, like you need to know Him
There’ll be four messages, titled:
“Jesus Partied” – Sun 19th April (This is not about Jesus being “cool”!)
“Jesus Cursed” – Sun 26th April (This is not about Jesus swearing”)
“Jesus Slept” – Sun 3rd May (This is about when Jesus doesn’t seem to care)
“Jesus Whipped” – Sun 10th May
Its about Jesus – like you (and all your friends) need to know Him…
My eldest daughter Amy has just got back from our first ever London church youth mission – as part of our LoveUkraine compassion ministry to some of Europe’s poorest high in the Carpathian mountains. They delivered food parcels, did activities with the kids, cleaned up around the base, visited an orphanage, and generally had a great adventure in the safe hands of our awesome team of London mission & youth leaders. (Thanks Carol, Donna, Ovo, Jon & Bernice!)
For the trip Amy needed to take a back-pack, and I mentioned that “I had a two special backpacks in the loft you could try.” Now generally, dad’s stuff in the loft is simply not cool enough to be of any use to a teenager, but this time there was a cautious “OK lets have a look at them” and I quickly got them down: A red one and a pink one.
I told Amy that that these were very special, dating back to when Ali & I arrived in London in 1993 with “our two backpacks and a vision” – Surprisingly Amy quickly decided that the red one (mine, just in case you thought mine was the pink one!) was acceptable, and spent a few days packing it up for her first mission trip - how proud was I!
Amy & Rebekka ready for action...how cool is that red backpack!
I’m so proud of Amy, and so amazed at this incredible journey that started so small with “two backpacks and a vision” all those years ago – Lord help me never to forget not to despise the days of small beginnings – and to be careful what I throw away out of the attic… you never know when it might come in useful (actually, that’s not the point of this story at all is it!?)
Over the past few months I’ve been investing in building relationships with a group of local church leaders in our area from a wide variety of denominations and streams. Its been great to be reminded that we are not alone, and that there are many others passionately sharing Jesus and seeking to live for Him and advance His Kingdom.
Today we had an “Easter Witness” in central Hammersmith (where our west congregation meets), with many different churches coming together for a “silent witness march” down “Kings Street” (!) in Hammersmith – led by mounted police – and then into the “Kings Mall” (!) for a short public Easter service. There’s definitely something special about “going public” for Jesus… here’s a pic:
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”- 1 Corinthians 1:18
My Easter message this Sunday is titled “The Cross changes Everything” -including the way we relate to God, to each other, the way we live, and our hope in this life and for eternity. This is radical, reminding us that our Christianity MUST centre around a true “CrossCulture” which dies with Christ, and lives with Him. There is no other way to be His disciples than to “take up your cross and follow Him.”
This past Sunday we completed our “Letter to London” preaching series – which took us 5 months (!)preaching through the rich truth from whole Letter to the Ephesians.
We ended the series with a couple of sessions on “STANDING STRONGER” from chapter 6 verse 10 onwards…”Finally, be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wicked schemes of the devil.”
Here are a few thoughts I’m becoming very convinced about:
Why do we/you need to stand strong?Because you’re in a spiritual war zone. The devil is your enemy. The Darwinian debate doesnt just get rid of God, but gets rid of the devil too, and thats deception, because he’s after you to kill, steal & destroy.
Whats at stake? All that you believe in and stand for. All the “spiritual blessings in heavenly places”. Your salvation. destiny. health. peace. prosperity. calling. Your testimony. Your relationships. Marriage. Whatever you stand for is at stake.
How can you stand? God has provided you with His armour, and putting in on and using it guarantees you to be standing at the end when all the dust has settled. Some of it is for your defence, and the sword of the Spirit is for kingdom ADVANCE in and through your life. So put on truth, righteousness, readiness. TAKE UP the shield of faith, salvation, and the Word of God as a sword. get rid of all passivity, and become alert and watchful to your enemy’s strategies and schemes, and know Gods great promise that “having done all, you will stand”!
For one action scene of last weeks message, check out my “sword fight” bit on this clip – The sound quality is poor, and the finale where I “destroy the enemy” with a spectacular lunge is unfortunately missing… but hey, read the Bible and you’ll know how the Great Story ends!
Posted by weckleben 
Posted by weckleben 
Posted by weckleben 
This past Sunday we completed our “Letter to London” preaching series – which took us 5 months (!)preaching through the rich truth from whole Letter to the Ephesians. 
