I did not grow up in a small town (i.e. 200-1000 people) but I think about what it may look like. I picture the old west town. It is a community of families. Each father having a role or domain of influence, the mayor, the postmaster, the bank owner, the sheriff, etc… and each are mutually respected for their contribution.
In this community each family member is known and celebrated. There is a collective understanding between the adults. Every adult desires the children of the community to succeed. Every Father in the community is looking out not only for his own but for those youngsters in the community.
In this context, the younger are connected to more than just their families. The boys grow up to be men in a community of men/ fathers. The boy understands the context in which their own fathers contribute to the community. The young ladies are protected, honored and encouraged in this safe context. There are fathers looking out for wolves.
So that is the picture in my head of a small town, not let’s talk about how church can be structured today and what the experience of a younger person would be in that church.
In the book ‘Raising a modern day knight- Robert Lewis’, captures this need for a community of men to affirm boys becoming men. Not just the father alone. (Men by nature will seek to do everything alone, which is stupid but it is our bent.) He lays out rituals for boys at age 13, 16, and 18 within a community of men to establish their entrance into manhood. This same concept is laid out in book ‘Healing the masculine soul- Gordon Dalbey’ when he describes African custom for the men of the village along with the ‘Spirit’ to call out the ‘son of our people’ from behind the mother at their home’s door. Very cool, I recommend the book.
The point is, a community of father’s initiate’s boys into men. Then they have a broader context (men outside of their Dad) to experience this new identity. To encourage masculinity in it’s God given form by having other men send the same message A man accepts responsibility, rejects all forms of passivity, and is willing to sacrifice for the greater reward)- borrowed from Robert Lewis.
Another trend highlighting this need for church to become a community of Fathers is ‘family-centric churches’. A notable minister in this church stream is Voddie Baucham. He is a pastor in a family-centric church in Texas a regular speaker at home school conferences. They take the concept to the point of doing away with youth ministry and in favor of young people growing in faith in the context of their church and family combined.
I’m not advocating the stream of church per se but there is a lot I like in those churches. The emphasis of the teaching is given to the parents in being Godly and raising godly kids to impact nations.
So a couple of observations of churches I have been apart of through the years and churches in general. Churches typically encourage the division of youth from the Fathers. Thus you get the trend of ‘church-wise’ young men and women experiencing life much like non-Christians apart from adults and particular fathers. Their ‘substitute’ spiritual leaders are more like big brothers (youth pastors) without God given authority. Thus you get trends like ‘church-wise’ young men looking to get laid at church events or get close enough to the young women to get in their pants. The ‘substitutes’ attempt to wrangle in the youth but their attempts are in vain b/c they don’t have the God given authority given to the fathers. Now, I know God is merciful and this is not the pic of every youth group but you get the idea of ‘surrogate’ authority.
So what are men doing in these churches? Well one thing is, they are not learning about the role they have to play and the power invested in them by God. Much of them are distracted, ‘having the form of Godliness but denying its power’. God has invested in the men power to redeem them and bring redemption to younger generations. But without a vision men cast off restraint and become useless for the kingdom, just get bogged down in trying not to have affairs or in shallow hedonistic lives.
I must confess, the person who personifies this community of Fathers concept so well is Lou Engle. Every time he opens his mouth it is in the context of fathering a generation and calling others to the call to be spiritual fathers. God anoints ministries where the father’s hearts turn toward the children and in turn the children turn to the fathers.
Psalm 68:6 (NIV) 6 God sets the lonely in families.
Note the scripture does not say he puts the lonely into a family (i.e. One church with one dad) but families. A church should be made of up men empowered to adopt the lonely into families (small groups or whatever). God is in the business of empowering men and releasing them, not constraining them or reducing them. A church should reflect such a heart.
The young in the church should be known by the Fathers of the church, to bless and pray for them. How awesome would that be? Think of the young person or younger believers who would grow in this context. Why should the father blessing be limited to professionals?
You'll then move away from community and into competition or encourage passivity in the men. I don't know a man who does well with no role to play. It's OK for a season of restoration but unemployement (i.e. you have nothing to offer and are not wanted/needed) becomes less of a vacation the longer it goes on.
Now I see why Jesus prayed we would be one. There is such a power in unity. God has given men the role to lead (head of families). Unity in a community of men is a community of empowered leaders/father given room to bless and release. Less than this you limit the anointing that could be released in a church to hundreds of younger men and women that could come from a community of Fathers.
How true Paul was…
1 Corinthians 4:15
Even though you have ten thousand guardians (teachers, guides) in Christ, you do not have many fathers.
Could church become a community of Fathers?
Abraham was "the Man"
This is just a head's up this is not a direct continuation of my previous post but a cool diversion.
This "the children inherent what the Father's conquer" stuff Psalm 69:35b, 36a is everywhere in the Bible if you are looking for it. So I was reading about Abraham and found something that was so freakin' great I've been waiting all week for time to write about it.
Abraham (I'll call him 'Ab' to shorten the writing) was tested. His faith was tested, major. Let's think for a moment. Do mother's test their sons? Yes, they do. Do father's test their son's? Yes, they do. Do they administer the same type of test. I would submit to you they do not.
Now, here is my take on the difference. Mother's seems to test sons to gauge sincerity of love toward the mother. I'm thinking of the "Jewish Mother", 'You neevver call, any more? why don't you call your muther?". But to past the test is to confirm to the mother her fears of lost love are not true. To past is to reassure Mom, you still love them.
So what of Father test? Keeping in mind sick Fathers can Doll out some sick test. I'm wanting just to deal with loving Father's for the moment. So what kind of test do they give their sons. Test to make them stronger. Test to show the son, the son's limits. Test to expand their abilities & limits. Instead of jumping in to rescue, Fathers let their son's taste defeat and victory. The pressure of these tests are simulations of real life pressure they will have to with stand as Adult men. Best story I've heard is, a kid with a cocoon. Watching and waiting for the butterfly to come out. The day arrives and when the kids sees the butterfly struggling and straining to get out, welling up with compassion he intervenes. He gets a razor and makes on a slight insession to make it "easier" for the butterfly only to kill the butterfly in the process. Without the stuggle to live, the butterfly will not have the strength to live. This kids compassion lead to the butterfly's death. They is one example of why Woman cannot put there son's through the tests neccessary to become men. And why Men can. What seems harsh or too tough, in the end is what makes them tough enough to stand. Having done everything to stand, stand firm then.
In my short history with God as my Father. God has tested me. I believe God tests every Man. It is one of his ways. As is holding us close and calling us Son, "beloved son" as Eldredge calls it.
God tested Ab. A severe test, kill/sacrifice the promised son I gave you and prophesied a Godly lineage would succeed from. It made no sense. It seemed to go against what God had promised. Keep in mind God called Ab 'his friend' James 2:23. I hope none of us ever have to be so sever, rips our guts out test. But Ab did.
Ab passed. He passed because he obeyed. He obeyed the Lord no matter the cost. He was 'The Man!'.God will place us in strategic situations to test our obedience. To make us "The Men!". He rarely just teaches us intellectually, he leads us right into the visceral place to forge us inside and out encouraging us to not run away from the circumcision of our hearts, the struggle that leaves of limping but forever changed for the better. Supplanter/Liar to strugger/contender with God. The latter seems more honest and masculine, It is legit and he can be proud of the outcome. The former name is shallow, immature, boyish and depending on his Mommy's schemes to get her boy something illegitamate.
The Bible even said Ab's assurance in God was so strong that he believed God could
raise Issac from the Dead. So here is the Freakin' great part.
God says- Gen 22:16. 'Because you have done this" not only will he be blessed but his kids will walk
in specific promises and destinies. Back to "the children of the righteous inherit whatFather's possess".
Before I get to the promises, know that those that walk by faith believing Jesus made us righteous through his
blood are Ab's kids. These promises are for me and you and for our kids. "I am one of them and so are you, so let's just Praise the Lord, right arm"
Gen 22:18 "your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies". Oh My God, I love a
a fight. Because, Jesus placed the victory over spiritual forces into our hands. So you have enemies.
Picture the enemies of your soul held up in a fortified city, a strong hold. A demonic
place of power. David wrote right before his death "With your help I can advance against a troop; with my
God I can scale a wall" 2Sam 22:30. You charge that stronghold, scale the wall and take possession of your enemies "safe place".
So that is good news for you as Ab's kid. But each of your kids will face their own enemies. But with strong
confidence we can pray and prophecy over our descendants they will take possession of the cites
of their enemies. Think of the power coming down upon latter generations with the Father praying and prophesying
these truths over them. God would honor that!! I'm getting excited just writing about it.
On to the next promise for Ab's kids. "Through your offspring, all nations on earth will be blessed BECAUSE YOU HAVE OBEYED ME" Gen 22:18
One of God's key strategy to reach nations for Jesus is through obedient men and the kids that come from those homes. All nations will be blessed
through the offspring extending the kingdom of God across the 7 mountains of culture (arts & entertainment, Business, Government, Family, Education, Media
and Religion) to transform every nation.
Why will his offspring bless the nations? Why will your offspring bless the nations? Because Ab's obeyed! If we Father's obey, the kids will bless the nations.
It is God's way.
Feeling like I'm cutting it short but I'm done for now. "BECAUSE YOU HAVE OBEYED ME". Obey Men. What powerful plans God has in store out of your obedience
to him. Cut off all the crap. Get with other men to pray and walk with you.
More to say, not enough time to say it. I'll write later.
Why is Blog called 'repairing the breach in the wall'?
Hey guys, thanks for all the feedback and encouragement from the last blog. I wanted to explain the name of my blog and why it is named “repairing the breach in the wall”.
Men are like a wall to those whom God has entrusted to them (wives, children, congregations, companies, states, countries, etc….). God has given Men the role of protector and provider.
“I myself will be a wall of fire around it, declares the Lord” Zec 2:5 speaking of his heart for Jerusalem. King David encouraging his subjects “His (God’s) faithfulness will be your shield and rampart” Ps 91:4b. FYI a rampart is a military term meaning “an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes.”
Men reflect the fierceness and strength of God in order to fulfill our role to protect and provide. You got to love CS Lewis’ portrait of Aslan “Is he safe? Oh No He isn’t’ safe but He is good”.
Men provide an atmosphere of safety within the confines of their provision. As a wall around a city creates an atmosphere of freedom and peace, so Men who fully walk in their God given role provide that for those entrusted to them.
As a wall, Men protect from satanic invaders and barbarians. I’ll refer to barbarians as George Gilder did in his excellent book “Men and Marriage”. In a nutshell, barbarians are men who are not tied to any families thus they have nothing to personally lose and only booty to gain. They use their God given strength to rape and pillage. They have nothing to protect so they only destroy. Married men with something to protect are to defend what is theirs from barbarians. I could write a lot here but I’ll refrain. In a modern context think of media producers, musical seducers, pretty boys on parade, drug dealing/ gun slinging barbarians, etc… you get the idea.
Now I get to the meat. The breach in the wall is sin, usually secret sin in a man’s life. It could be obvious sin like masturbating to pornography, sleeping around, using physical strength to intimidate the weak, etc... Look at Gal 5:19 if you need a list of obvious sins.
Or more subtle sins like being acquiescent and surrendering the role God has given you to woman because of fear of women. Why has “no more Christian nice guy” book been flying off the book selves (hmmmmm)?
Now the breach could have been caused by your father’s sin, like a shoe through drywall or bat through a window. Either way, the affect of a breach is the same.
A breach is an opportunity for the enemy to gain access to you and to those behind the wall. Can you say “generational sins”? Generational sins are nothing more than men in your ancestry who never repaired the breach in their own walls. Who never faced the ugly truth and sought repair no matter the cost, yes even to their “reputation” or “I can do this on my own” mentality.
Do you think those entrusted to a man with a broken wall, feel protected and provided for? I expect they learn pretty quick to not depend on this broken wall and start defending them selves. So how well did Eve do defending her self against satanic lies? How well did you defend your self against the peer pressure when you had no one to lean for strength but yourself? Hmmm. I know I did not fair too well at all. But there is hope!!
Through this small way, (i.e. blog) I want to start to help men recognize that because of the role God has given them, their sins and/or their wounds will impact others. It creates or created the breach. My desire is to help men repair the breach, regain their strength and start to kick the devil in the teeth, literally.
Isaiah 58:12b You will raise up the age-old foundations; (Godly Masculinity)
And you will be called the repairer of the breach, (Protection)
The restorer of the streets in which to dwell. (Provision)
The age-old foundations are He created them male and female. Godly masculinity need to be raised up. Repairer is fixing the broken down protection. The restorer is fixing the atmosphere within the walls.
You may ask, OK I get it but ‘How’? Stay tuned.
God works through dynasties or seeks to start Godly lineages
Just wanted to share some thoughts about what I see to be God’s strategy to reach our world through Godly homes and the children that come out of those homes.
There is something to anointing, influence, power, prosperity and authority that gains speed from generation to generation. Look at Joseph; his was the 4th generation after Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Standing on his fathers shoulders God entrusted to him not only the welfare of his extended family but of the whole nation and region.
Think about the Triune God. Jesus said of the Father, “The Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it” Jn 12:49. “The Son can do only what he sees his Father doing, because what ever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does” Jn 5:19b-20.
Jesus speaking to us of the coming Holy Spirit “I will not leave you as orphans” John 14:18. “He (the Holy Spirit) will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears…He will bring glory to me (Jesus) by taking from what is mine and making it know to you” John 16:13-14.
So who did Jesus leave for us, the Holy Spirit? In the God head the Father gives to Jesus, Jesus gives to the Holy Spirit, and we are what in the chain? The 4th generation, if you will. I know this is overly simplistic but there is something to the passing on to the next in line that God does. Why is God represented as Father- Son? The Son is being responsive to his Father’s heart. What is the relationship of the Holy Spirit to Jesus? The Holy Spirit seeks to bring glory to Jesus, which pleases the Father’s heart. “Listen to him!” the Father said to the disciples of Jesus in Luke 9:35
So each 1st generation Christian has a great heritage to build from, even if their family growing up was un-Godly. Look at D.L. Moody, son of an alcoholic, father of a pastor and college president. Not to mention the souls that gained eternal life through his life. Gideon was the son of a scared half-hearted follower of God to become the deliverer of a nation. Allowing God to Father him and define him. Winston Churchill was the son of shallow socialites only to become of man of character and bravery for England in the face of Hitler’s evil. Josh McDowell was the son of an alcoholic to be a voice of truth and a spiritual father to many. The list could go on. God’s pattern remains the same as he rescues people from broken past and says “I will be a father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty” 2Cor 6:18. “Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me” Ps 27:9b.
So what of the Godly dynasties he is seeking. There are many examples. David Wilkerson hearing his Father groaning and crying out to God on behalf of his sons “Don’t take your hands off my boys, don’t let go of my sons”. Loren Cunningham was born into a family that ate the Great Commission for breakfast. His parents were so captured by the call, Loren as a boy dreamed of putting John 3:16 on the Moon so the world could know. His parent had traveled to 100 different countries. Then as a young man, God placed a call on Loren that started with his parents to reach the nations and YWAM was born. You can’t go into Focus on the Family with out passing a statue of James Dobson’s dad. You don’t listen to James Dobson for too long before you hear another story about his dad. James made family his priority because his Dad made his family a priority over the ministry when James was going astray. Lou Engle is another hero of mine. He is a living breathing example of Malachi 4:5-6 “See, I will send you the prophet Elijah…He will turn the heart of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers”. He comes from a very long line of ministries. And on their shoulders, with “the Call” he is seeking to link the older generation with the younger to one divine movement to take nations for God. This is really an out-growth of God getting the Fathers in order in the decade of Promise Keepers. Now there is a track of older men with anointing as fathers that have turned their hearts toward the younger generation. And “the Call” is the massive response of the younger generation to the older saying we will fight the good fight if you will come along side us.
Who build the temple David designed under God’s divine plan? His son, Solomon.
So if this is God’s strategy, you have got to understand the Devils strategy is to destroy lineages. In 1 Kings 20:1b, Ben-Hadad an archetype of Satan says to King Ahab, "This is what Ben-Hadad says: 3 'Your silver and gold are mine, and the best of your wives and children are mine.” King Ahab was in sin; he surrendered his family to this evil and did not resist it. God wants us men to not be in sin so we can be as “bold as a lion” when the enemy come prowling around our domain.
I’ve written before and I’ll write again. God is looking for a man to start a legacy with.
Or continue a legacy; he started with your father or your father’s father.
He found that man in Abraham, the father of the 1st generation Christian. “He (Abraham) was called God’s friend” James 2:23b. With the Holy Spirit within us, Jesus says to us “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15. Again he makes it known to us via the Holy Spirit.
Again, God is always working through succession.
There is hope for you and yours my brothers. There is more to write than time. I’ll write more then.
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