Category: Brother Al (Page 36 of 68)

In Romans 8 we learn how we share in the birth pangs of a pregnant creation. “All around us we observe a pregnant creation.  The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs.  But it’s not only around us; it’s within us.  The Spirit of God is arousing us within.  We’re also feeling the birth pangs.  These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance.  That’s is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother.  We are enlarged in the waiting” (Romans 8:22-24 – Message).  We all have experienced times when we want these inner  birth pangs to cease.

As a man I can only identify with birth pain as an analogy to my spiritual journey.  Judy and I are in the 4th quarter,  getting settled in among folks at a senior living complex in Brainerd. The move has brought me into one of those  “in-between times,” when I feel the pain of birth pangs. It often happens in the major transitions on the journey.  I want it to be over.  I don’t like my feeling of abandonment  The unknown, uncertainty and being out of control is not easy.  I would like to go back to the old familiar.  But I know I can’t.  My wife and I knew this move was God’s plan for us.  But I feel insecure.

Richard Rohr calls this a liminial space. It is a process of dying to the old so that the new can come forth.  Native American Indians called it a “crazy time.”  It is a time when we seem to be losing  our spiritual bearing. We can’t find true north.  Each of us have different reactions depending on our season of life and the unique of our spiritual journey.  This is the work of the Spirit bringing forth something new.  Our part is to surrender to the process.  Above all, it is a matter of keeping our eyes on Jesus, not becoming turned in on self.

Thomas Keating has observed, “Surrender to the unknown marks the great transition of the spiritual journey.  On the brink of each new breakthrough there is a crisis of trust and love.”  Can we trust the lord in the process knowing that God is loving us through the experience of birth pangs.  It will be painful.  You are being enlarged in the waiting.

My strong encouragement is that you have a soul mate, someone who will listen to your angst of being in one of these “in-between times.”  I know for me it has been my wife. I have been helped greatly, as she listens and helps clarify for me my struggle.  My advice, don’t go through the liminial space alone.

I agree with Stephen Smith when he says, “I have grown tired of people who think and believe that they know the answers to God’s secrets and mysteries.”  Don’t let anybody try to figure out what talking place in your soul.  You are experiencing birth pains.  This is God’s hidden work.   Smith quotes Mary Oliver: “Let me keep my distance always, from those who think they have answers.  Let me keep company always with those who say, ‘Look!’ and laugh in astonishment and bow their heads.”

I am learning to trust Jesus in a deeper way during this turbulent time.   I feel like the disciples who cried out to Jesus in the storm, “Lord, save us!  We’re going to drown” (Matt. 8:25).  I hear him say to me, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid” (Matt. 8:26). It’s a moment by moment walk because only He knows the outcome.

The Pew Research Center recently reported their findings on a important question? When asked the open-ended question about what brings the greatest meaning to their live, 69% of Americans said family.  Family had no close competitor nor a replacement, not even friends and community.  When asked “What is the most important source of meaning in your life?” – family was still number one.  “Regardless of how materialistic, politically divided, and atomistic our culture gets, ” noted Glenn Stanton, “family and faith still play very substantial roles in the human heart.”

With all the changes in social values and family trends, the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan made this important discovery. “There is very little evidence that the commitment of Americans to children, marriage and family life has eroded substantially in the past two decades.”  The researchers also noted, “compared to the 1970’s young Americans in the 1990’s were more committed to the importance of a good marriage and family life”  In reviewing the material on marriage and family, Dr. Stanton concluded, “It’s why there will always be a robust job market for those working to strengthen both of relational aspects [family and marriage] in people’s lives.  They are not only what people want, but what they need.”

We read in Psalms 68:5-6, “God in his holy dwelling is a father of the fatherless and a champion of widows.  God provides homes for those who are deserted.” The Psalmist is describing a heavenly father who cares for those who are without family. The essence of our being persons is that we are relational. We are designed and defined by our relationships.  All reality is relational, having been created by a personal, relational God.  Loneliness is proof of our relational nature.

Stanton make this important observation about our relationships.  “We must not forget that one of the most important aspects of being human is that we are made for others, and we cannot live in isolation…..the most important and meaningful places where people find these are with their family and with God….All other relationships and life-aspects orbit around these, and research shows this time and time again.  Pew’s work in this report is simply the latest installment in this story.”

The Pew report  is a  reminder to men that we are relational beings.   First, the assurance of our relationship to our heavenly Father.  Our sense well being is found in knowing that God is our “abba” Father.  “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.  And by him we cry ‘abba,’ Father.”  The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children” (Rom. 5:15-26).  Knowing our relationship to “abba” equips us to be relational.

Second, our commitment to family.  Men, our true character is found within our families.  God has placed you in an immediate and extended family.  Accept this as his design for your spiritual journey.  Remember God has not made a mistake in placing you in a unique family dynamic.  Here you will find your calling as a man of God.

Third, you will be tested in your family relationships.  Nothing keeps me more humble then family relationships.  There will be individuals who are like “sandpaper,” whom God uses to get rid of wrong edges in your character.

Fourth, don’t forget that God has also placed you in a church family. There you will be pruned relationally.  ‘Those who love their dream of a Christian community more than the Christian community itself become destroyers of that Christian community” (Bonhoeffer).  When you join, you are not able to choose who are our brother and sisters.

Three time Grammy-nominated Christian Artist David Crowder in releasing his new album “I Know a Ghost” said he decided to use the word “ghost” instead of “spirit’ as a means of startling people into spiritual reality.  The new record is a modern blend of bluegrass, country, electronic-synth, gospel and Southern hip-hop.  I’m a bluegrass, country guy, so I don’t naturally gravitate to all his  songs. But I appreciate how Crowder’s style reaches a wide audience. Personally I consider David Crowder a a modern day artist, who has a prophetic edge to his music.

His music forces me to a deeper, more reflective place in my journey through the spiritual wastelands, as I relate to lost pilgrims.  Substituting “ghost” for “Spirit” is an attempt to reach a skeptical  audience.  “There’s something about the word ‘ghost’ that makes your everyday person feel more comfortable than ‘spirit,'” notes Crowder,  “because there’s less church language attached to it.”  As humans we are, “continually scratching at something.”  Crowder rightly observes, “there is something innate in us that is searching for the beyond.” I personally attempt to use very little “church” language.  I attempt to “scratch” for the soul, where the echoes of transcendence are found.

In his music Crowder  “shift our perceptions and realigning our awareness of what is real.” It is an attempt “to recolonize our imaginations.”  In his lyrics there is a strong belief that no one is so far gone that redemption cannot reach them.  “We come from God and we are going back to God, and it is His Breath, His Spirit that’s in us that causes us  to vibrate in wonder when we recognize the beauty of his Creation and the relentlessness of His redemptive pursuit.”  I try gently, to make reference to what is beyond and listen for sounding from the soul of another person.  Done in love and gentleness, it often gets a person thinking about their life with God.

A song on the record is entitled “Ghost.” “This ghost is a fire.” The phrase “get ready” is repeated.  To me, it has a prophetic tone in both the lyrics and sound.  It is a reminder that the Spirit of God is going to fulfill the purposes of the Father, through His Son, by the work of the Holy Spirit.  John said of Jesus, “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Matt. 3:11).  When the Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost, Luke tells us, “They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separate and came to rest on each of them” (Acts 2:4).  The presence of God can be with fire (Ex. 3:2).  Revelation 1:14 describes Jesus with eyes “like blazing fire.”

In “ghost” the following phrases are found in progression.   “This ghost is a fire”  – “His ghost is inside you”  –  “Get ready, there’s a ghost in the room”  – and finally “We’re ready for you to set things right.”  This sequence reminds me of the early church in prayer as they face opposition.  They prayed, “Now, Lord consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus” (Acts 4:30).  The results of the prayer are found in the next verse (31).  “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.  And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”

Men – the Holy Spirit (Ghost) is like fire within you.  He’s asking us to get ready.  Our prayer should be, “Come Holy Spirit, we’re ready.”

John C. Richards, the managing director of the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College,  speaking to believers, caught my eye with this statement. “Unfortunately, we’ve spent way more time discussing each gender’s role than we have each gender’s soul.”  He was writing  about a summit at Wheaton on sexual violence: calling men to listen well.

He pointed out how women in the West have been the backbone in the churches.  I sure can testify to this observation in my years of parish ministry.  The involvement of women was always greater than that of men. Every church I served had an active and well-organized women’s group.  None had a similar group for the men.  I worked hard at getting men’s ministries started. But over the past 30 years there has been shift.  A 2016 Pew Survey highlighted the narrowing gender gap in religious service attendance between 1982 and 2002.

In 1982, over twice the number of women than men attended religious services at least once a week.  Over the 30 -year period, however, the gender gap has decreased from a 13-point gap to a 6-point gap.  Similar trends occur among religiously-affiliated women.  The Pew Research found that the rise of Religious Nones and behavior changes among women who say they are religious contributed significantly to that decline.

Richards wonders, “If 81% of women and 43% of men have experienced some form of sexual harassment at some point in their lifetime, then the church needs to be equipped to confront all forms of harassment and abuse.”  It  very well could be the result of the frustration, disillusionment and disappointment women have experienced in churches because of harassment and/or emotional abuse.  Could it be that men in the church need to be more affirming of women and the deep-healing needed around gender issues.

Richards challenges men to “think through ways in which some have unknowingly created cultures conducive to the forms of abuse that Scripture condemns….we need to hear the pain others have felt, often suffering in silence before now.”  I agree with his observation of “soul care.”  “Soul care is much more important than role care.  When our sisters hurt, we should hurt too.”

If soul care is more important than a focus on roles, I realize I cannot remain silent. This will mean moving beyond my comfort zone.  I desire to be a man who is “safe,” enabling women to share their pain regarding men. I am willing to accept blame for the way men have treated women in the past. “Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed.  Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law.  If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived” ( Gal 6:2-3 – Message).  I will need to keep the following priorities in mind.

First, I need to continually examine my heart for any distorted view of the feminine that has been lodged in my soul from experiences with women, starting most importantly with my mother.

Second,  I need to be ever vigilant in my relationship with my wife treating her as my equal on our spiritual journey.

Third, I need to commit to practicing the presence of Jesus with all the women in my life.

Fourth, I need to be keenly aware of the wounds women have regarding men.  As a man I will face rebuke, anger and prejudice.  In lovingly absorbing this, I may serve as an instrument of healing in the hearts of women.

Fifth,  I understand that my priorities, based on a biblical worldview will clash with the culture.  I accept this reality, and ask the Lord to help me to walk humbly and respectfully among all the women who are in my circle of influence.

Gillette has decided to put a new spin on its 30-year tagline, “The Best A Man Can Get,” by asking in a new ad, “Is this the best a man can get?”  The company ran an online commercial that implies the history of American masculinity as being filled with sexual harassment, bullying and cruelty – and suggests that a new masculinity is needed to overcome all the male transgressions of the past.

A Gillette spokesperson explained, “We are taking a realistic look at what’s happening today, and aiming to inspire change by acknowledging that the old saying ‘Boys Will Be Boys’ is not an excuse.  We want to hold ourselves to a higher standard, and hope all the men we serve will come along on that journey to find our ‘best’ together.”  Rather than finding our best, many men with be intimidated by the ad.  To take offense at the message is to be labeled as part of the problem.

David French observed, “the masculinity wars are about more than unquestionably bad acts.  They veer into the very nature of masculinity itself.”  While condemning toxic masculinity the ad has no idea of what healthy masculinity might be.  What must be rejected is the “woke” version of masculinity, which puts all men in the same box.  A  “good” masculinity can be found in our identity with  Christ.  This means dying to the elements of “bad” masculine that are part of our fallen nature, so that we might raised to live  in the “good” masculine.  Paul says, “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3).  The true masculine is hidden in every man.  In Christ it can come forth, through death and resurrection.

When actress Jessica Chastain thanked Gillette, “for the reminder of the beauty of men,” saying further, “I’m so moved by your call to action,” she has no idea of what a good man is like nor what action he needs to take. Could it be that the call for action is politically and economically motivated. In my opinion it will take godly men modeling a healthy masculinity to make a difference in the gender debate of our day.

Thankfully there was a rather strong backlash to the ad, evidenced in an online debate that followed.  In responding to the controversy, Pankaj Bhalla (Gillette Brand Director for North America at the time),  noted Gillette’s intention is a redefining of  Gillette’s longtime tagline, “The Best A Man Can Get.”  “Our ultimate aim,” he states, “is to groom the next generation of men, and if any of this helps even in a little way we’ll consider that a success.”

The Gillette ad will do little in helping groom the next generation of men, especially for men who are desiring to be led by the Spirit of God.  There will be more ads in the future.  They are driven by  hidden agenda of wanting to please the politically correct crowd and with an eye on the profit margin. It will breed more confusion, anger, and resignation in many men.

My advice – listen again to the words of Jesus: “Haven’t you read that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female’ and said  ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'” Matt. 19:4-6).  Come to the Lord and allow him to bring forth your “good” masculine self.  Paul encourages us, “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose” (Phil. 2:12-13).

When I first started this blog over nine years ago, I began using  the word “masculine” in a very intentional manner.  I have been influenced greatly by Leanne Payne and her cry for the healing of the masculine soul.  Back in 1985 she wrote a book, entitled “Crisis in Masculinity.” It brought healing and peace to my masculine soul. I came to rest in who I was as a man created uniquely by my heavenly Father.  In my opinion, she was prophetic in her insights about the condition of the masculine soul and the future of our society.

“The major crisis today,” she wrote “is with men.  When men are healed, the healing of women will naturally follow.  There is an important reason for this. It is the father who affirms sons and daughters in their sexual identity and therefore – because gender identity is a vital part of personhood itself – as persons.  Masculinity… is finally not a thing to be learned, but rather a quality to be tasted or experienced.  The masculine within is called forth and blessed by the masculine without.”  The “calling forth” of the masculine is at the heart of what the Wildman journey is all about.

Leanne further observed, “A crisis in masculinity is always a crisis in truth.  It is a crisis in powerlessness of the feminine virtues: the good, the beautiful and the just, in a culture and in an individual.  A culture will never become decadent in the face of a healthy, balanced masculinity.  When a nation or an entire Western culture backslides, it is the masculine which is first to decline.”  This is a prophetic insight that we see unfolding before our very eyes.

The recent report from the American Psychological Association should be awake up call for the need of Christian men to be affirmed in their masculinity.  In the APA’s new guidelines called “Psychological Practice with Boys and Men,” the guidelines claim “traditional masculinity” is psychologically harmful to boys and men.  Traditional masculinity is defined as “anti-femininity, achievement, eschewal of the appearance of weakness, and adventure, risk and violence.”  It is marked by “stoicism, competitiveness, dominance and aggression.”

Traditional masculinity is to be considered a social construct.  Real gender is “non-binary.”  Even trying to identify male sex with masculine gender reveals “heteronormative assumptions.”  In other words masculinity has no objective existence.  It is whatever we want to make it to be.  The report actually says, “Psychologists should help boys and men create their own concepts of what it means to be male.”

In these guidelines the real plight of boys and men coincides with our culture’s rejection of traditional masculinity.  The intent is to deconstruct masculinity.  The solution is not to reject masculinity as a disorder.  Rather we need to re-discover and embrace the true masculine, which God declared to be “very good.”  As John Stonestreet observed, “the trait and roles of real masculinity aren’t socially constructed.  They’re innate – created by God as an expression of His image complemented by and working in concert with femininity.”

Again, my cry is that men will turn their hearts toward home.  This means coming in our confusion, insecurity and brokenness into our heavenly Father’s presence and hearing in the depths of our heart, “You are my beloved.”  Only the compassionate and loving embrace of our heavenly Father can heal our wounds as men.  To this I am committed.  I pray God will give me the wisdom and compassion to write these blogs to this end.  I ask for your prayers, that together we might bring men back home to the Father.

Many  cultural observers have been calling attention to the loneliness being experienced in the West.  In Britain, for example, the government has now established a “minister of loneliness” in order to deal with loneliness as a serious and growing health problem.  It seems that even though we are more “connected” we have never felt as lonely.  According to a nationwide study of 20,000 people by the Cigna health insurance company, nearly half of respondents say they feel alone or left out always or some of the time.  56% reported they sometimes or always felt as if the people around then ‘are not necessarily with them.'”  40% said, “they lack companionship” and their “relationships aren’t meaningful,” resulting in feelings of isolation.

Writing in the opinion page of the New York Times, Arthur C. Brooks of the American Enterprise Institute wrote, “America is suffering an epidemic of loneliness.” Brooks wonders if lonely people increasingly fill the hole of belonging in their lives with angry politics.  He argues, “In the ‘siloed’ or isolated, world of cable television, ideological punditry, campus politics and social media, people find a sense of community in the polarized tribes forming on the left and the right in America.”

Brooks, reflecting on Senator Ben Sasse’s new book, “Them: Why We Hate Each Other” asks if the pervasive feeling of homelessness is not a big part of the problem.  Many Americans don’t have a place that is home – “a ‘thick’ community in which people know and look out for one another, while investing in relationships that are not transient.  We lack, Brooks maintains that “hometown gym on a Friday night feeling.” Brooks encourages us, “to intentionally invest in the places where we actually live,”  with a commitment to be a neighbor in the community that is home.  Brooks give this challenge, “Each of us can be happier, and America will start to heal, when we become the kind of neighbors and generous friends we wish we had.”

As Judy and I begin our new adventure, we are looking for that “hometown gym on a Friday night feeling.”  There is a sense of loneliness as we go about meeting new people both in our senior apartment and at church. Philippians 2:3-4 helps express our motivation as we go about creating a “thick” community for ourselves in Brainerd, Mn.  “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others.  Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.  Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too” (NLT).

How are we trying to live this out?  We are both intentional about connecting.  We share our impressions of the folks we are meeting.  We are taking the time and energy to be with people both in the apartment complex and at church.  The people we are meeting already have relationships.  We are willing to take the lowest place.  Jesus said, “But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’  Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests.  For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:10-11).

The following flows out of taking the lowest place. First, listen to the story of others. Ask questions and show a genuine interest in their story, making the effort to remember what they shared.  Secondly, take the posture of a servant. Put their interest ahead our own.  “Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10).  Thirdly, above all be authentic. Don’t pretend to be anyone other then yourself. Keep the focus on the other.  “Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it” (Rom 12:9 – Message).

Spiritual writer Louis Evely makes this observation about the spiritual life. “Genuine sincerity consists, not in concluding that we’re bad, but in affirming that we’re a blend of good and bad and aren’t happy about it.” Earlier in my walk with the Lord, I would not have understood this statement.  Now it feels liberating.  What brought about the change?

I slowly learned my spiritual life consisted of what John Sandford called “performance orientation.”  It is defined as, “The constant tendency of the born anew is to fall back into striving by human effort.  Our minds and spirits know the free gift of salvation, but our hearts retain their habit to earn love by performing.  We live unaware that motives other than God’s love have begun to corrupt our serving through striving, tension and fear.” I was striving with the “ingrained habits of sin” in my life.  My mind know the right theology, but it had not reached my heart.

Jesus observation of the Pharisees spiritual condition could have been applied to me. “You’re like whitewashed graves, which look very fine on the outside, but inside they are full of the bones of the dead and uncleanness of every kind.”  I sure didn’t want to expose this condition to anyone.  I first of all had to come to terms and admit to myself that I was like a whitewashed grave.  Heini Arnold described my condition, observing, “As long as we think we can save ourselves by our own will power, we will only make the evil in us stronger than ever.”

At this stage of the journey I can honestly  acknowledge that I am “a beloved sinner.” I don’t necessarily agree with spiritual guides who encourage us to disavow being of sinner. I rejoice that I am a new man in Christ, affirmed in knowing the love of the Father. I identify with Paul when he declares, “I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made.  But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously, reached out for me.  (Phil 3:12 – Message).

Here are some principles that have brought me some “genuine sincerity” about my spiritual journey.

1) Lordship of Jesus – First and foremost, I have always wanted Jesus to be Lord in my life.  In my early days the image from the Campus Crusade tract with the two thrones was helpful for me.  While there were times when I crawled down off  the throne, my heart’s desire was for Jesus to be on the throne.  That meant a life of continual  confession, repentance and surrender

2) Light of the Word – The authority of Scripture in all matters of faith and practice was fundamental to my worldview.  This meant that exposure to the God’s word through study and mediation was not optional.

3) The work of the Holy Spirit –  In the early 60’s Judy and I got involved in the Charismatic movement.  We welcomed the Holy Spirit into our lives.

4) The indwelling presence of God – In the 80’s I finally coming to the awareness that God’s presence was within me. It was life changing

5)  The double knowledge –  I learned this from Dr. James Houston.  Augustine summed it up – “Let me know thee, O God and let me know myself.  That is all.”

6)  Finally, being God’s beloved.  I learned to rejoice in having a Father in heaven who delights in me.  This has become my passion – to help men know that they are loved by God in the midst of all their shame, guilt and vulnerability.  I was liberated to be myself.  I want to share this truth with men.

The  Advent season has prepared us for Jesus’ arrival at Christmas.  We need the reminder of Advent to prepare our hearts to receive Jesus anew, since  so much of  the meaning of Christmas has been erased from our national consciousness.  Fleming Rutledge reminds us, however, that we are not awaiting a helpless baby Jesus, but a powerful and righteous judge.  John the Baptist,  one of the central figures of the advent season, uses apocalyptic language in the call to repent and fleeing from “the wrath to come.”

She reminds us that Advent, “in spite of its reputation as a season of preparation for Christmas, is that its emphasis really does not fall on the coming of Jesus as a baby in Bethlehem, but rather on the coming Jesus as the Judge of all things at the end of time.” The watchword of Advent is “Maranatha” which means “come, Lord Jesus.”  Rutledge astutely points out, “It is certainly not a prayer for Jesus to come again as a helpless baby; it is the longing cry of God’s people for him to return in power and glory.”

John the Baptist prophetic message creates a clash  between the world’s resistance to kingdom of God in our midst, and the irresistible force of the One who is  about to come.  John’s voice is being heard today through the witness of Scripture. “You brood of vipers!  Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?…Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees.  Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matt. 3:7,10).

John doesn’t seem to fit into the softer, more gentle image of the baby Jesus in a manger.  John the Baptist was in the grip of what Rutledge called an “apocalyptic transvision,” – “that vision given to the church that sees through the appearances of this world to the blazing power and holiness of the coming of the Lord.” Jesus warned us of what will happen. “This is war, and there is no neutral ground.  If you’re not on my side, you’re the enemy; if you’re not helping, you’re making things worse” (Matt. 12:30 – Message).

The voice of John echoes in today’s spiritual wilderness, challenges us to be open to the movement of His Spirit in our lives.  “I’m baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life.  The real action comes next: The main character is this drama – compared to him I’m a mere stagehand – will ignite the kingdom life within you, a fire within you, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He’s going to clean house – make a clean sweep of your lives.  He’ll place everything true in its proper place before God, everything false he’ll put out with the trash to be burned” (Matt. 3:11-12 – Message).

Many years ago, I remember singing a praise song based on Ps 108:13.  “With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.”  When the Israelites were trapped at the Red Sea, fearful of being over taken by the Egyptians, God said to them through Moses. “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today…The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Ex. 14:13).  Men, God will fight for us.  Jeremiah was reassured of God presence when he said, ‘But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail” (Jer. 20:11).  During Advent welcome Jesus as a warrior who will fight for us.

During this Advent season I have been reminded of an older Michael Card song (1991) entitled “Joseph’s Song.”  The chorus goes like this: “Father show me where I fit into this plan of yours/How can a man be father to the Son of God/Lord for all my life I’ve been a simple carpenter/How can I raise a king, How can I raise a King/He looks so small, His face and hands so fair/And when He cries the sun just seems to disappear/But when he laughs it shines again/How could it be”

I often cry when I listen to Michael sing this song.  I am not quite sure why.  I think it has to do with the humble obedience of a simple carpenter. Joseph was the most unlikely man to be the earthly father of Jesus.  He could have been overwhelmed by the prospects of being the human father of our Lord.  Instead, he accepted the responsibility.  He willingly provided a “spiritual covering” for his very young family.  Imagine what lay ahead for Joseph as he cared for  Mary and the baby she was now carrying.

Men, how willing are we to take spiritual responsibility for our families. Your wife and children need you to provide them protection. They are vulnerable to spiritual attack.  Joseph was young and inexperienced in family life, yet he was obedient. God spoke to Joseph in dreams. Joseph’s  heart was open to the leading of the Spirit of God. In three of the four accounts “an angel of the Lord” appearing to him in a dream.

The first reassured Joseph to go ahead with his wedding plans.  Imagine hearing these words from an angel, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 1:20).  Joseph needed to hear “do not be afraid.” He could still get married.  Remarkably, Joseph obeyed.  “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife” (Matt. 1:24). God will give you the strength to follow through.

The second dream came when there was real danger.  The angel said, “Get up take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him” (Matt 2:13).  Men, I want to both warn and reassure as you provide covering for our family.  Satan will attack your family.  God will provide the way of escape as you are obedient to the Spirit.  Don’t lose the covering.

The third dream 0ccured after wicked Herod died, freeing his young family from danger.  “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead” (Matt 2:20). Like Joseph, God asks us to act – “Get up.” It was hard traveling with a baby.  Joseph, “took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel'” (Matt. 2:21).  Ask yourself – “What is God asking me to do in order to protect my family.”

The fourth dream came when Joseph was fearful about going back to Judea because of Archelaus, who had succeeded Herod as king.  “Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth” (Matt. 2:22).   Don’t be surprised if God asks you to do something you would not otherwise do to protect your family.

Remember no one came take your place as the head of your family!!!  God will hear as you cry out to him for mercy.