Category: Wildman Journey (Page 48 of 87)

Judy and I belong to an Evangelical Free Church (The Lighthouse) in our small town that provides us with a great fellowship of believers who are committed to extending the kingdom of Jesus in the midst of the coming darkness.  We feel blessed to be a part of what God is doing in our community.  We recently welcomed our new pastor, Andrew Johnson and his wonderful wife, Angela, and their daughter, Rebekah.  As one of the elders, I am committed to supporting our young pastor as he begins his ministry in our midst.

I take to heart the exhortation of Hebrews 13: 17 – Message,  “Be responsive to your pastoral leaders.  Listen to their counsel.  They are alert to the condition of your lives and work under the strict supervision of God.  Contribute to the joy of their leadership, not its drudgery.  Why would you want to make things harder for them?”  Being responsive could  also mean follow, place confidence in or be persuaded by.  Phillips translation says, “Try to make their work a pleasure and not a painful burden – that would be no advantage to you.”  Having been a pastor for 40 years I know a thing or two about being a spiritual leader and working with elders.  I have told my new pastor and the church as well, that I intend to honor my pastor and do all I can to support his ministry.

I say this, because I assume that most of the readers of this blog are active members of a church.  In my humble opinion, one of the greatest needs in the evangelical church is the “rightly ordering” of relationships.  In a day of increasing anger against any kind of authority, godly men are desperately needed to model confidence in proper spiritual authority.  When  men set the example, a sense of peace and rest prevails among the people of God.  This is the result of keeping vigilance in relationships and being involved in spiritual warfare.

Here is what I wrote in my report to the congregation as we welcomed our new pastor.  Regarding the elders (Bob and myself): “Our intentions in relationship to pastor could be summarized as follows: 1) wholehearted support, 2) fervent prayer for pastor and his family, 3) encouragement. 4) standing in unity with pastor, 5) honoring his leadership as our shepherd and leader, 6) continuing to be the ‘eyes and ears’ of the congregation, while keeping pastor informed, and 7) sharing our best discernment regarding the spiritual life of the Lighthouse.”

To the members of the Lighthouse: “The following suggestions are for all the members of the Lighthouse as we begin our new journey with Pastor Johnson.  1) Be welcoming of pastor and his family, 2) pray for pastor and his family, 3) be an encouragement to pastor, 4) honor pastor as our leader, 5) ask what our part is in the church, without demanding, 6) give to the whole, while giving up our personal expectations, 7) live in prayerful expectation of what God desires to do, and 8) live in forgiveness and acceptance of your brothers and sisters.”

Brother Bob and I as elders of the Lighthouse, sincerely believe that God has a unique calling for our church in rescuing people from the impending darkness, while helping to establish them in the fellowship of our church, bringing them into the light and providing them with spiritual refuge. Many will need to be rescued from the confusing darkness, giving them hope as they learn to reign with Jesus in the kingdom of light.  “”For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord.  So live as people of light!  For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true” (Eph. 5:8 NLT).

Madeleine L’Engle’s poem, “After Annunciation” speaks of Mary’s vulnerability.  “This is the irrational season/When love blooms bright and wild/Had Mary been filled with reason/ There ‘d have been no room for the child.”  The virgin birth of Jesus – when God became a man, being conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of a virgin teenager – is beyond our rational comprehension.  “The earth was void and without form when the Spirit appeared; just so Mary’s womb was a void until the Spirit of God filled it with a child who was His Son” (Raymond Brown).   Mary’s response was simply, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38).  Like Mary, men need to learn to respond willingly from their hearts, rather than from their minds.

Mary is a prime example of the feminine response to the voice of God. I agree with Leanne Payne that “the essence of masculinity is initiation, and the essence of femininity is response.” For men to have a healthy expression of the masculine, they need to cultivate the feminine complement.  In the creation story we read, “Let us make man in our image, after our own likeness” (Gen 1:26).  “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Gen. 1:27). When God created human beings in his image, he created them male and female.  This was before the separation of Eve out of Adam’s body.  The implication of creation is man (as a human being) is androgynous (male-female) in his origin.  When these are in balance, there is the healthy expression of the masculine. So what can men glean from Mary’s example?  Don’t neglect your feminine side.   

First and foremost, we need to remember and continually be aware of the need to cultivate the complimentary feminine response in ourselves.  For each man it will be different, because of personality type, gifting, and background. However, appreciation of the feminine is especially vital in a day when the feminist impulse has so maligned the masculine.  As followers of Jesus, men need to set the standard in our embrace of feminine vitality in our culture.  For too long the feminine has been overshadowed by the masculine. But with the rise of the strong feminine voice, many men have lost the true sense of their masculinity, having retreated into a kind of sickly, weak state, caught in the throes of passive suffering. Many don’t know how to act as men.  And many are afraid of the distorted feminine response in radical feminism.

Second, be assured of your God-given masculine nature, and allow your heavenly Father to bestow upon you a recognition and affirmation of your masculine self.  Christ himself will help you find the proper balance of the masculine and feminine in your life.  This will only come about when you open your heart to the Spirit of Christ, allowing God’s healing word to call you forth as a man.

Third, celebrate and do all you can to enhance the true feminine in the lives of the women you influence, especially in your wife and daughters.  When men are secure in their masculine and embrace the feminine complement in their own lives – and the godly strength of the true feminine in women, there is no need to be defensive, insecure, or silent in our witness.  “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” (Leanne Payne).

My wife and I recently went to see the new movie, Hacksaw Ridge.  This is a man’s movie. It’s about conviction, courage, and bravery; qualities needed among Christian men in our day.  Mel Gibson’s new movie tells the story of Desmond Doss, a Seventh Day Adventist, who enlisted in the Army during World War II with the understanding he could serve as a medic, so he would not have to violate his firm belief in “thou shalt not kill.”  He faced stiff opposition for being a conscientious objector.  He was sent to Okinawa and during the battle at Hacksaw Ridge saved some 75 solders from certain death.  For his actions, he was award the Congressional Metal of Honor, becoming the only conscientious objector in U. S. history to win the nation’s highest award.

While depicting the horror of war, freedom of conscience is the central theme played out in the story of  young Doss. When He says, “I feel my values are under attack.” he is echoing the sentiments of millions of Christians in America today.  In a time when attacks upon conscience and religious liberty are increasing, we are challenged by the example of the young soldier to examine the strength and resolve of our deepest convictions, which impinge on our freedom of conscience in a post-Christian culture.  Commentator, Steven D. Greudamus, considers Doss, “a hero for our troubled times.”

Eric Metaxas, over at breakpoint, writes, “Times in which florists and bakers are being hauled before civil rights commissions, being fined, losing their businesses; times in which pharmacists in Washington State can lose their licenses for refusing to dispense abortion pills; times in which churches in Massachusetts can run afoul of ‘public accommodation’ laws requiring gender neutral bathrooms – we do indeed have a model in Desmond Doss.”  The movie is not anti-war but rather a “pro-bravery tale” of one man who was mocked and ridiculed for his values.  I know, I was moved to tears several times.  I left the Bear Pause Theater, committed to love the Lord with all my heart and with all my soul and will all my mind and to love my neighbor as myself. (Matt 22:37).  What would this mean?

First, I need to be settled on what are the nonnegotiable convictions of my Christian worldview.  A Trinitarian relationship with Father, Son and Holy Spirit as revealed in Scripture is the bedrock of my faith.  I know a loving Father in heaven, who has given his own Son.  I follow and worship Jesus as Lord.  I can depend on the Holy Spirit to guide me as I submit my lifestyle and belief to the authority of Scripture.  I consider this to be my rock, not the sinking sand of modern, secular thought (Matt 7:24-27).

Secondly, how deeply held are my convictions?  The story of Desmond Doss was very challenging to me.  Am I willing, as a matter of conscience, to pay a price for my deepest held values?  While wanting to be a humble, loving follower of Jesus, how integrated are these convictions in my inner life, so when I am accused of being a hateful bigot or angry sexist man, I can respond with love and understanding?

Thirdly, how well do I live by my  convictions in a hostile culture?  Hacksaw Ridge tells the story of how one man went from being despised and dismissed by his fellow soldiers as a coward to being honored and accept by them as a hero.  While respectful of the opinions of other, and with no anger or resentment for how he was treated, Desmond Doss won the right to be a witness to a group of hard core soldiers.  How winsome and yet uncompromising is my witness for Christ?

Like so many other NFL football fans, I have been wondering what will Tony Romo have to say if he is permanently replaced by Dak Prescott as the starting quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys.  Romo recently spoke to the media about his return to the team from his injury.  Sports writer, Will Whitmore, wrote, “Romo’s statement demonstrates three behaviors that model what being a great teammate looks like, three selfless choices worth emulating when confronted with the tension of ‘me’ vs, ‘we.'”  I want to comment on these three choices.

First, Romo choose the truth over perception management.  He told the truth about how hard it was not to be playing, about his status as a distraction, and of Prescott deserving to start since the team was winningl.  “In speaking honestly about his situation,” noted Whitmore, “instead of covering for his own reputation, Tony Romo chose a narrative in which he can be present for his teammates and help them accomplish what they have set out to achieve together.”  “Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top.  Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead.  Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage” (Phil. 2:3-4 – Message).  It takes a real man to put a younger quarterback first, while publicly accepting a diminished role.

Secondly, Romo choose words to build one another up.  Romo acknowledged, “He’s (Prescott) earned the right to be our quarterback. As hard as that is for me to say, he’s earned that right.”  “Romo did not have initiate addressing the media regarding this situation,” wrote Whitmore, “nor did he have to recognize the exceptional play of Prescott to this point, or his own desire to still be competing…he chose to use his words to strengthen his team, not diminish or undermine it.” “So let’s agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other.  Help others with encouraging words; don’t drag them down by finding fault” (Rom. 14:19 – Message). It takes a real man to publicly praise a rookie quarterback, while sitting on the bench.

Thirdly, Romo choose to serve others through a  different role. Romo reflected on how he felt when he first took over for veteran quarterback Drew Bledsoe.  Saying that “something magical” has happening to the team, he pledged his support to his successor.  “Even when the goals of the team override our individual desires,” wrote Whitmore, “we can use our gifts and skills to support one another.”  “Be easy on people; you’ll find it a lot easier.  Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back – given back with bonus and blessing.  Giving, not getting, is the way.  Generosity, begets generosity” (Luke 6:38 – Message). It takes a real man to sacrifice his football ambitions, in order to help a much younger man to be successful for the sake of his team.

Most impressive to me were Tony Romo’s concluding remarks.  “I feel like we all have two battles, or two enemies going on.  One with the man across from you, the second is with the man inside of you.  I think once you control the one inside of you, the one across from you really doesn’t matter.  And I think that’s what we’re all trying to do. ”  Jesus tells us, “In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up.  You’re kingdom subjects.  Now live like it.  Live out your God-created identity.  Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you” Matt. 5:48 – Message).  It takes a real grown up man to be honest about his own inner struggles regarding his competitive ambition before the national sports media.

Oxford University Press (the dictionary publisher) recently named its international word of the year for 2016: “post-truth.”  Oxford defines post-truth as “relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.”   Post-truth is not to be confused with “truthiness,” a term popularized by comedian Stephen Colbert years earlier that described the phenomenon of “believing something that feels true, even if it isn’t supported by fact.”

If the observation of  the Washington Post, “It’s official: Truth is dead.  Facts are passé…” is true, we are in deep trouble as a society.  Wildmen reading this blog need to establish a secure, solid, objective place to stand rather than on the sinking sands of emotions and personal belief.  In the spiritual battle we are in, Paul exhorts us to “put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist” (Eph. 6:13b-14).  “In this context the imagery is not that of a massive invasion of the domain but of individual soldiers withstanding assault” (NIV footnote).  Jesus has won the battle.  We are to stand in the truth.

The first two parts of the armor, truth and righteousness, point to a quality of character.  A vital part of our armor  in the spiritual battle is integrity and righteous living.  They are qualities of Jesus and the new creation he brings (Eph. 4:17-24).   Men, take note: character is absolutely vital in our stand against evil and the Evil One.  When truth, the belt of the armor, which holds the armor  together is missing, the armor is ineffective.  The lesson for men is this: make sure you have the belt of truth on to keep your armor secure.

So, how do we employ the belt of truth?  Here are a few suggestions: 

1)  Be absolutely clear in your mind that there is a sovereign, transcendent, loving God who is the author of truth. In Revelation, the worshipers declare, “Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the ages” (Rev. 15:3).  God declares in Isaiah 45:19, “I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right.”   The problem with truth  today is expressed in Romans 1:25: “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator.” God reveals his truth in Scripture.  In matters of faith and practice, submit your mind to the authority of God’s Word.

2) Remember that God’s ultimate truth was incarnate in Jesus, enabling truth to be relational.  This is a matter of the heart. “For the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). During times of doubt and uncertainty, literally cling to Jesus.  He promised to be with you and in you.  “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.  He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come” (John 16:13).  Therefore, learn to discern the truth being spoken to you and to stand on this truth.

3) Allow the truth of Jesus to set you free to be a truth teller.  Jesus declares to us, “Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (John 8:12).  What we desperately need today are men willing to take initiative guided by the truth in a loving and humble manner.

I confess to being a country western fan.  I like the old stuff –  Merle Haggard, George Jones, The Oak Ridge Boys.   In my humble opinion, present day country doesn’t speak to the pain and struggle of life like the old stuff.  Anyway, during the recent CMA awards, the song of the year was “Humble and Kind,” recorded by Tim McGraw.  The songwriter Lori McKenna, wrote the song for her own children to remind them of what’s truly important as they make their way out into the world.  The song has launched a humble and kind movement in which fans were paying forward good deeds and sharing about it on line.

Could it be more then coincidence that the song’s popularity is occurring  as we experience deep divisions in our nation? The artist, Tim McGraw, does not come across as a wimp of a guy. In a day when there is so much distain for “toxic masculinity” and the “amoral” expressions of masculinity, we have Tim McGraw singing words like: “Don’t expect a free ride from no one/don’t hold a grudge or a chip and here’s why/Bitterness keeps you from flyin’/Always stay humble and kind.” The whole song is reminding us that all of life is build on relationships.  Put simply, “How we relate, is who we truly are.”

If there is going to be a “humble and kind” movement it will be expressed in relationships.  I suggest that men will need to take the initiative.  I take my cue from Gen 3:16, where we read, “Your desire will be for your husband and he will rule over you.” Male initiative and female response is implied in this relational description after the fall.  In I Tim 2:13 Paul reminds us, ” God made Adam first and afterward he made Eve.”  In the order of creation man is first and then woman. Romans 5:12 suggests responsibility rest with man. “Sin entered the world through one man.” Women should not be expected to set the tone of being humble and kind. Men need to take the first step.  Jesus is our example.  “He came to serve, not to be served – and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage” (Mark 10:45 – Message).  Godly men can help heal relationships with a posture of a servanthood toward others.

Humility coming  from the Latin word “humilis” meaning “on the ground.” This suggests a posture of lowliness.  One chooses a lower  place.  Jesus tells us, “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Matt. 23:12).  Peter instructs us,  “Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another because, ‘God opposes the proud, but shows favor to the humble.'” (I Peter 5:5).  “Growth in humility is powered by the simple desire to become more like Jesus” (Michael Casey).  Humble men initiate  movement in relationships by being the first to surrender their rights and privilege.

In the OT the word translated as “kindness” refers to God’s long suffering love for his people, in spite of their sinfulness.  In the NT the Greek word translated as “grace” best represents the idea of God’s kindness.   Kindness chooses to see  beyond the faults of others.  Jesus teaches us, “I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return.  You’ll never – I promise you – regret it.  Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst.  Our Father is kind: you be kind” (Luke 6:35-36 -Message).  Men express kindness by looking beyond the faults of others.

This is my post election blog.  This election season has made clear that our national is deeply divided.  Christians are confused and anxious about the future.  Our voice is labeled, “extreme” and “irrelevant.” The days ahead will be difficult. I try to make sense of our cultural context, from the perspective of the  prophets.  Here is a sampling from Jeremiah.  “They spread lies about God.  They’ve said, ‘There’s nothing to him.  Nothing bad will happen to us, neither famine nor war will come our way.  The prophets are all windbags.  They speak nothing but nonsense” “(Jer. 5:12-13 – Message).  “Prophets and priests and everyone in between twist words and doctor truth.  My people are broken – shattered! – and they put on Band-Aids, saying, ‘It’s not so bad. You’ll be fine.’  But things are not ‘just fine'” Jer. 8:11 – Message).

Men, if we allow the dominant media’s narrative to inform us we will be deluded into thinking that things will be “just fine,” while we continue to ignore God.   The arrogance and vanity is apparent, when seen the lens of the OT prophets.  Isaiah warns us, “But they were a proud and arrogant bunch.  They dismissed  the message, saying, ‘Things aren’t that bad.  We can handle anything that comes.  If our buildings are knocked down, we’ll rebuild the bigger and finer.  If our forests are cut down, we’ll replant them with finer trees” (Is. 9:9-10 – Message).

I wonder if God is allowing our  national experience to be a form of judgment, giving us what we deserve.  Romans 1, which begins with these words, “But God’s angry displeasure erupts as acts of human mistrust and wrongdoing and lying accumulate, as people try to put a shroud over truth.” Then we read three times (vs. 24, 26, 28) that God “gave them over” when referring to the on going consequence of turning from Him.  The passage closes with these frightening words, which we will see demonstrated  in our dominant cultural narrative in the days to come. “And it’s not as if they don’t know better.  They know perfectly well they’re spitting in God’s face.  And they don’t care – worse – they hand out prizes to those who do the worst things best! (Rom. 1: 32 – Message).  Is this a portrait of America’s near future?

So how is a man to live in the days ahead? Here are a few reminders.  Remember that the Lord God, Almighty, the maker of heaven and earth,  is sovereign over the course of history.  The question during this political season has been, “what side of history are you on?”   Isaiah says it straight and to the point. “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand” (Is. 14:24) and then in Is. 46:11, “What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do.” In trust and surrender put your life and future into the hands of your heavenly Father who is in complete charge of history.  James reminds us, “Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers.  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1: 16).

We follow Jesus, who is “King of kings and Lord of lord” (Rev 20:16).  He has established His kingdom reign in the earth (Matt 28:18-20).  We are part of that reign.  Jesus has conquered and been victorious.  So men, let us follow that lamb who has conquered.  “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise” (Rev. 5:12).

Back in the 80’s there was a movie entitled, “Distant Thunder,”which depicted the followers of Jesus living in the last days.  Today, men who are awake to the movement of God’s Spirit in our fallen culture, are hearing the sound of distant thunder, warning them, among other dangers,f the coming “sexism tsunami.”  Recently I learned of a new phenomena among  young fathers. Courtney E. Martin of the NPR radio show “On Being” noticed a trend among younger middle and upper-middle class fathers-to-be,  pointing of the coming tsunami.  These fathers, “seem to disproportionately desire having a girl instead of a boy.”

They said such things as, “I wanted a girl mainly because I felt it was harder to be a boy in today’s society.  If I have a boy I will embrace the challenge of raising a boy…..who needs to  learn the power of vulnerability even as male culture tries to make him see it as weakness.”  These comments were typical of men feeling more confident and better equipped to parent a strong, confident daughter.  “Men like me abdicate our responsibility by letting other men – the ones who don’t always encourage the broader, deeper humanity within males – raise boys.  And we deprive ourselves of the opportunity to heal old wounds.”  Could it be, that Christian men are becoming intimidated in  raising sons.

In response to this trend of fathers abandoning their sons to the gender wars, I want to encourage  Dads  with these  observations.  First, no amount of social engineering can successful and permanently replace the role of a father in God’s purpose for the family as the basic and foundational aspect of culture.  “Fathers, don’t exasperate your children by coming down hard on them.  Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master” ( Eph. 6:4 – Message).  This charge is given first to fathers, not mothers. Dads, in God’s economy, you are the front line of defense. Accept the mantle of leadership that comes with being a dad. As you stand firm in the Lord, you will have grace for your task.

Second,  the need for affirmation of our masculinity  as fathers.  This is a constant theme in this blog.  Remember masculinity is passed on from one man to the other.  We cannot give away what we don’t possess.  Masculinity is caught more than taught.  No amount of gender blending can shape a young man with a healthy sense of his maleness.  “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart” (Prov 3:1).  Dad, no  one can take your place in the formation of your son.  God grace will be there for you as you embrace the task of  being father to your son.

Third, dads will flourish in our culture when they model in the words of the Benhman brothers of HGTV reality fame, a “hard head” and a “soft heart.”  The day of a stoic, distant father is fading. What is needed are dads with a “soft edges” but “firm centers.”  .

Fourth, expose your son to other godly men.  They could be relatives, neighbors or church members.  Let them  “absorb manliness” from men who walk the talk.  Find men who are encouragers of the spiritual journey, who are open and honest about their journey in finding wholeness as men

Fifth, by all means, find a support group for dads. I am now a 75 year of grandpa. With inner healing and the benefit of hind sight, I have more wisdom about fathering the when I was in the midst of raising two sons.  Find some godly grandpas to relate to as father and son.

Bob Dylan was the  surprise winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature.  According to the Swedish Academy, Dylan won,”for having created a new poetic expression within the great American song tradition.” In  ways I relate to Dylan.  We were both born in 1941.  He grow up in Northern Minnesota, where I am retired on the lake.  He had an influence on the youth movement of the early 70’s when I was a youth pastor.  Being part of “the Jesus Movement,” we had a revival among high school students in our Lutheran Church located in Edina, Minn.  “Blowing in the wind” was sung often,  along with such songs as “A bridge over troubled waters” (Simon and Garfunkel).  Intuitively we had a sense that Dylan was a “soulful” singer, speaking prophetically to the American soul.

Dylan, the poet, can be experienced as  a prophetic voice calling men to go beyond the surface to struggle with the deeper issues of life.  His songs can’t be reduced only to their verbal content.  You are forced to find spiritual meaning to  his songs.   While not a devoted fan, I came to maturity as a man, during Dylan’s rise to fame. Like many others I saw him as a spiritual poet.  Eugene Peterson notes, “a poet uses words not to explain something, and not to describe something, but to make something…….Poetry is not the language of objective explanation but the language of imagination….we do not have more information after we read a poem, we have more experience.”  That is how we experienced some of Dylan’s songs during the spiritual revival  in the early 70’s.  I applied many of his lyrics to biblical themes, that spoke to questioning teenagers.

A poet will use words to grab your imagination.  “Dylan is a profoundly spiritual poet, and his spirituality is profoundly shaped by the Christian Bible.” notes one observer of Dylan’s career.  He once said, “I don’t think I’ve been an agnostic.  I’ve always thought there’s a superior power, that this is not the real world and there’s a world to come.”  In 1980 he had a conversion experience in which he said, “Jesus put his hand on me.  It was a physical thing.”  This period resulted in two albums built around Christian imagery – “Slow Train Coming”  and “Saved.”

By the 2000’s Dylan’s lyrics, “begin to reflect less the influence of any one religion and more a seeking, mystic bent.”  In the final track on “Modern Times,” Dylan seems to reflect where all his spiritual wanderings have brought him.  “Ain’t talkin,’  just walkin’ / Through this weary world of woe / Heart burnin’, still yearnin’ / No one on earth would ever know / They say prayer has the power to heal.”   He did say once, “Being noticed can be a burden.  Jesus got himself crucified because he got himself noticed.  So I disappear a lot.”  It seems he is just walking and not talking.

Back in the 60’s “Blowing in the Wind” was asking this question,  “How many roads must a man walk down /before you call him a man?”  Dylan’s answer was, “The answer, my friend, in blowin’ in the wind /The answer is blowin’ in the wind.”  Pope John Paul II at the 1997 World Eucharistic congress in Bologna, Columbia, before thousands of youth, referred to Dylan’s words by saying, “You asked me: How many roads must a man walk down before you can call him a man!  I answer you: Just one, only one.  It is the road of a man. This is Jesus Christ, who said I am the way.” Yes, that is the road we take to become a man.

Since this blog site is concerned about a  healthy  expression of masculinity, I want to weigh in on Donald Trump and “locker room talk.”  To start with, I am conflicted about voting for the best of two deeply flawed candidates.  I am saddened by religious leaders who seem to be giving Trump a pass on his “toxic” masculinity.  We hear things such as, “Trump’s not a Sunday school teacher, Trump’s a new King David or pagan deliverer Cyrus.  Trump is either a ‘baby Christian’ or the kind of tough strongman conservative Christian need since the Sermon on the Mount isn’t realistic enough for the 21st century.”

What is most disturbing is the coming  post election fall out.   One female columnist calls it, “the coming ‘sexism’ Tsunami.”  Mark my words, the path for men as humble, loving followers of Jesus, will be laden with new and vicious attacks from angry feminists, who have been collecting fresh ammunition from Mr. Trump’s  legacy as a “womanizer.” The response of some Christian leaders only adds fuel to the fire. With all the muster I can gather for this blog, I want to shout “character matters.”  America needs men of spiritual integrity who strive to model  moral purity.

Men, the Lord will not give us a pass on “locker room talk.” Jesus warns us,  “Don’t go to bed with another’s spouse.  But don’t think you’re preserved your virtue simply by staying out of bed.  Your heart can be corrupted by lust even quicker than your body.  Those leering looks you think nobody notices – they also corrupt” (Matt. 5:27-8 -Message).  Our sexual passion and energy needs to be reserved for our wives only. “Your spring water is for you and you only, not to be passed around among strangers.  Bless your fresh-flowing fountain!  Enjoy the wife you married as a young man!  Lovely as an angel, beautiful as a rose – don’t ever quit taking delight in her body” (Prov 5:17-18 – Message).  Job is very blunt. ” I made a solemn pact with myself never to undress a girl with my eyes” (Job 31:1 – Message).

Here is some hard earned advise from someone who has sought to be a “one woman man” for over 50 years.   First,  admit to yourself and confess to other men that you are a man filled with sexual passion that needs to be channeled in a healthy spiritual manner.  It is everyman’s battle in our culture.   I have been a faithful husband for 51 years.  But have I struggled with my sexual fantasies? Yes.  Men, surrender your inner life to God, letting  light into secret places of our heart.   Secondly,  purpose to honor and cherish your wife. Take delight in her.  Work at not taking your marriage for granted.  Cherish her by showing in word and deed that she first among your priorities.  She is “Bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh (Gen3:23).

Thirdly,  show your wife the utmost respect in public.  Be attentive to her.  Do little things like opening the door for her.  How you treat your wife in public, will send a profound message to women that you honor the opposite sex.  Never, never belittle your wife in public or in front of your children.  Fourthly, make a covenant with your eyes.  Never look with lust at another woman.  Do not flirt or entertain the advances of other woman.  Commit to be a “one woman man” in every relationship.

There is much more to say, but one more point.  Among other men, disavow locker room talk. Never objectify another women by your attitude, words or actions.  Be vigilant among other men.  Angry women who have been deeply hurt by other men are watching.