INPUT & OUTPUT ARE THE KEYS TO CHANGING THE WORLD

By Mike Sanders, President and Founder of Junto Tribe

As I sit down to write this, Junto Tribe is coming off an off-site vision retreat where we discussed new and fresh direction, renewed strategy and realignment of the ministry, and set a solid path for moving forward into the future. In an attempt to simplify the weekend into a word – it was simply amazing.

But to stop at amazing would not do the whole experience any justice. I say that because, as I look back, it was also filled with powerful inspiration, hard work, intense focus, heavy discussion, and thoughtful problem solving. To be transparent, in many ways the weekend was also emotionally draining, sometimes overwhelming, exhausting, and yet, paradoxically energizing. With that said, back to my original summation, it was absolutely amazing.

It’s been a couple days since the retreat ended which has given me a chance to recover with restful reflection on the weekend. On that note, God has used the rest and restoration to move me to a new level of potential that could only be achieved by beginning and engaging in the aforementioned hard, exhaustive, and amazing work of the retreat. If anything, God has once again taught me a lesson through hard work, dedication, and sacrifice – all of which was realized once I began to rest. And for that, I give Him praise.

Have you ever been in my shoes? Has there ever been a moment in your life when you willingly took on a challenging cause for which you needed to be hyper-focused, intentionally targeted, and selflessly sacrificial? More importantly, have you felt the amazing process of growing closer to the people that you are in the challenge with? Have you noticed God’s close connection through it all? And to be clear, I’m not only referring to retreats or work. It would be wise to think also in terms of all areas of our lives. Maybe you could apply this to your family or personal challenge that needs to be faced. Whatever it is, we know that intentional hard work must come before rest if we’re ever to see our God do amazing things through us.

What’s God have to say about this? Let’s check in with the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 9:6 (NIV), where he writes:

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”

Here we see the Apostle Paul telling us something incredibly important that we must understand and plant (no pun intended) deeply in our hearts. In the most basic terms, he’s telling us that our output can only be matched by our input.

Our output, the potential we’re able to realize, largely and incredibly, lies at the foundation we created first through our input.

To shed a little more light on Paul’s Spirit led leadership, let’s begin a deeper dive with the words sparingly and generously.

Sparingly suggests approaching matters with ease, moderation, softness, or mildness. Contrarily, generously suggests abundance, liberality, bountifulness, and richness. The other important words in the passage are sowing and reaping. Sowing means to scatter, grow, seed, or multiply. Reaping, on the other hand, means to bring in, produce, receive, and realize. Paul is painting a picture of the relationship between input and output and potential change.

In order to do so, he’s incorporating the age-old process of what it takes to grow a yielding crop. Growing and yielding crops, especially in the days of Paul was extremely difficult, back-breaking, sweaty work that required pre-planning, careful thought, and know-how. Just like today, yielding nutritious fruit requires a clear, nutrient rich soil that requires nurturing, pruning, and attention if you’re going to achieve the goal you’re hoping to achieve. And let’s not forget, we need to plant the right, healthy seed in order to yield the crop we want. Which is what? We sow to achieve a harvest that feeds you, your family, the community, and maybe even the world.

In essence, this is exactly what we were doing this past weekend. We were hoping to bring a service to our community and the world around us. And with that, we intuitively knew that we needed to approach the challenge of achieving our goal through extreme hard, sweaty, attentive work to plan, think, and dream. We needed to clear the land, sow the right seed, create a plan for nurturing and fertilizing the hope, and work towards an amazing harvest. No wonder we were tired.

But what came from this? An amazing experience that will only grow into something even more amazing. We had a team that came together to serve God and His people – a worthy event. But there was also collateral increase that can only be achieved when people come together to create something bigger than the individual. We also nurtured and fertilized relationship and connectedness with one another that was fostered from a group of people longing to love God and love others. In fact, I can’t remember too many times in my life where I’ve felt so close and connected to others and to God as I did that weekend.

As I prayed over Paul’s message in 2 Corinthians, I began to pray the following prayer to God. I prayed:

“God, guide me. Give to me. Receive from me.”

Here’s what I mean by that.

  1. God, guide me – show me what it is that I, and the teams you have placed me with, can do for you and your people (remember, a team includes family, coworkers, community, etc).

  2. Give to me – give the tools, resources, gifts, and know-how to the team and me so that we may accomplish that work and service.

  3. Receive from me/us – inspire me/us to do the work – to give – to sacrifice for God and for His people. Essentially, giving back to Him what He has given my teams and me out of love and respect for Him and His people. This is our form of worship back to Him.

So what can you do with this?

  1. Pray – pray for guidance on where it is that God would like you to sow that seed. Maybe there is a relationship that needs to be mended. Maybe God has put something on your heart – an idea or service that needs to be shared with the world. Write it down. Think. Mull it over. Pray more. Execute the mission.

  2. Give – give to your family, your community, or the world what God has guided you towards. Plan. Sow. Nurture. Harvest.

  3. Lovingly ask God to receive – take what He’s given you and offer it back to Him as a form of worship. Yes, when you work towards the goal He’s given you, you are engaging in a form of worship. What would the world look like if we were in a state of perpetual worship?

  4. Ask the question “Who needs God’s gift? Your family? Your workplace? Your community? Your church? Don’t forget, God actually longs to co-labor with you in bringing His kingdom values to fruition.

Men! Imagine a world in which we were in constant, thoughtful engagement with our Creator and the people of the world. What we put in is what we get out.

So I ask you, “Do you have what it takes to be the man this world is yawing and creaking for? The church of Jesus needs “Yes men.” I mean, are you willing to say yes to Jesus who will send you on an adventure of a lifetime? Do we really believe He is who He says He is? If so, stop consuming and start acting. Say yes. Imagine a world of men that were tearing down the enemy’s strongholds by simply saying “yes!”

Now go forth! Sow the seeds of God’s love and guidance and watch what happens. You’ll never be the same and neither will the people you take with you.

What will you do?

Seek. Adapt. Go Forth. And endure.

Transformation Begins by Understanding Identity

By Keith Pace, Vice President of Junto Tribe

A few years back my family and I visited a butterfly garden, and this helped me understand a powerful truth found in God’s Word. I was standing in front of a glass case filled with cocoons, and this was called the transformation station. From caterpillars to butterflies this glorious transformation takes place. 

What if we started to believe that this is possible for us? What if we started to believe that if we are in Christ that we really are new creations? What if we started to believe that we are sons and daughters of the Creator of the universe, in right relationship with our Father, fully loved, fully alive, fully forgiven, empowered to live a life for His glory?

Religion has taught us that we are still those dirty rotten worms and that is all we will ever be. The truth is He has made all things new. Like the caterpillar being transformed into the butterfly, He has transformed us and is transforming us. 

In his Word, He tells us that we will be transformed by the renewing of our minds. If we look at the original meaning of that word transformed, we will see that it means metamorphosis. The exact same word used to describe the process of caterpillars being changed into butterflies. 

You may be thinking, “this sounds great, but this is not my experience.” You have probably been taught that you are just a sinner and you continually stay in God’s dog house because you don’t measure up. You have tried to change but found it to be impossible. 

True transformation begins with a proper understanding of our identity. The truth is after we have received Jesus as Lord and Savior, our identity changes. We are no longer separated from our heavenly Father but rather reconciled to the Father. Jesus took on all our sin and we are declared righteous. This means we are right with God. We are now sons and daughters. He gives us a new heart that has His law written on it. He gives us the mind of Christ. He says that we are now partakers of the divine nature. He says that we are now dead to sin and alive to God. He says that our old man was crucified and buried with Christ and we were resurrected in Christ as new creations. This is our starting point! We are now the temple of the Holy Spirit and the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead fills us. Jesus is in us. We are not separated! 

Once we have a proper belief about our identity, we start to see transformation from the inside out. We can go to the gym several times a week and look at ourselves in the mirror and not see any change, but we can trust the process. With a healthy diet coupled with the habit of exercise, we will see physical transformation over time. The Holy Spirit is our personal trainer and He is training us to be image-bearers of Jesus in culture.

I recently discovered, after months of symptoms, that dairy does not agree with me. I eliminated it out of my diet and felt like a new person.  In the same way, the Holy Spirit will change our diets so that we are getting built up in the ways of the Kingdom. A sinful lifestyle is not compatible with a man of God. We approach His Word not as a box to check but to encounter Jesus and learn the ways of the Kingdom. His Word will encourage, convict, and challenge us. 

We now have access to a superpower called Grace. Grace is His power in us to become who He sees when He looks at us. We need to surround ourselves with other believers on this same journey of transformation. I personally do this weekly with a group of men in an old rustic shed. He is the potter and we are the clay and He is shaping and molding us into His image. Instead of trying to be patient, we can be transformed into the kind of person that is patient. Instead of trying not to be an angry person, we can be transformed into the kind of person that is a peacemaker.

It was said of Michelangelo as He stood before the block of marble that he saw the angel in it and he simply had to chisel it out to set it free. I believe the same is true for us. When trials come in our lives we can trust that they are producing endurance in us and chiseling stuff off us. Our Father is working all things together for our good.

God is the sculptor and He is refining us into His image. We already are fully loved and accepted by Him. This is our starting position. We do not have to earn His approval! We already have it because of Jesus. We simply need to say yes to the process by fully surrendering. He celebrates progress, not perfection. 

What will you change in this new year? What lies have you believed about your identity? As a man thinks in his heart so is he. Trust the process as He makes all things new! Let’s let 2020 be the year of transformation!

The Power of Words

By Jeff Stovall, Junto Tribe Pastor

Have you ever been to summer camp? I’ve attended as both a youth and a leader, but one of my greatest privileges as a youth minister was being put in charge of games. It brings a smile to my face recalling all of the fun, competition, and pure silliness that was involved. I designed the games, created the rules, and assigned teams points according to the place they came in.

First place, for example, got 10 points, second place got 8 points, and so on. I did this for several years until I came upon a wise youth minister who said, “Don’t be stingy with points! The more points you hand out the more excitement it creates, and besides, points don’t cost you anything, but the youth sure love to get them!” From then on, I handed out points like candy; first place got 10,000 points, second place 8,000… and the kids went out of their minds with excitement. Even the team that came in last place was still earning thousands of points!! We’ll come back to that thought in a moment.

Have you ever had someone speak into your life? That’s a rhetorical question… of course, we all have. An unexpected, encouraging word can be so timely and infuse such amazing hope into our day, while a cruelly spoken word can be so cutting, zapping our very strength. At some point or another, we have all been on the giving and receiving ends of both cruel and encouraging words.

The third chapter in the book of James tells us that our tongues are small but mighty; like a rudder that steers a great ship or a spark that can set a great forest aflame.  Proverbs 16:24 says, “Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”

We live in a world where people thirst to hear a kind word, but all too often they receive just the opposite. Within each of us lies the ability to quench that thirst… to genuinely speak words of life and peace into a person… to inject hope into hopelessness. And just like handing out points to excited youth, our words cost us nothing, but they benefit the one who receives and also the one who generously gives.

I have to say that I truly enjoy interacting with people… and if I’m being completely forthright, some people are much easier to speak with than others. I look for opportunities to speak with people on a deeper level all the time – at the grocery store, at work, or while traveling. I start by asking simple questions like, “How’s your day going?” or “What do you think about the weather?”

I look for hints that might tell me their likes or dislikes, or accents that might let me know where they’re from. I love it when I press the right button and they start to open up to me… to let me into their world just a bit. It’s not long after that an opportunity to speak an encouraging or kind word arises. I believe it’s on this basis that relationships are born and friendships have their beginning.

As a Christian, I find this to be a very effective form of evangelism. I can’t tell you how many wonderful faith encounters have come from simply starting a conversation… by showing interest in another human being and speaking words of kindness into their lives.

There’s no need to stand on a corner and thump your Bible. When they hear the genuineness in your words and feel the sincerity in your heart, they will often ask you about your faith. It is moments like these that we should live for as Christians; to be ready to speak the Gospel of Jesus Christ into the lives of the lost. When we do so, it is like gushing springs of water into dry and weary bones.

We can’t just sit back and hope that opportunities to minister to the needs of people will appear; we must actively seek them out. As ambassadors of Christ, it is our duty to represent our Lord. As salt and light, it is our privilege to make an eternal difference in the world in which we live. Will you ask God to daily provide conversations that give you the opportunity to speak life and peace into others’ lives? Will you intentionally seek out people who need a kind word? The cost to you will be minimal… the eternal rewards will be priceless.

This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live…

Deuteronomy 30:19

Every Day is Training Day

By Mike Sanders, President and Founder of Junto Tribe

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

-Thomas Edison

Over the past few months, we’ve been discussing courage. As many of you know, we’ve called men out of their comfort zones and into a life of courage and action. To do so, we’ve focused on the life of the shepherd boy, David: the same boy who would one day become the King of Israel.

Today, I want to discuss how easy it is for us to avoid hard work not realizing that hard work is actually opportunity in disguise.   

Many years ago, when I was working in NCAA Division I athletics as a strength and conditioning coach, I was responsible for physically preparing athletes for competition.  Doing so required a lot of forward thinking, planning, coaching, and the proper application of the scientific principles of physiology. That was my part. Furthermore, acting in accordance with that preparation was, of course, the athlete. They, too, shared in the responsibility of preparation, and with that, they were given opportunities to improve. Those opportunities came through hard work and difficult training sessions that many of them didn’t necessarily enjoy doing.

But enjoyment wasn’t the goal. The real goal for these training sessions was adaptation so that we could better perform at a higher level in the competition arena. That is, we were working toward becoming stronger and better physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Of course, it takes a lot of hard, painful work to bring about real change in these athletes. As you may have heard me say before, I’ve literally seen blood, sweat, and tears pour forth from the athletes I’ve trained for competition.  As you can imagine, keeping athletes focused and willing to push through the discomfort and pain can be quite challenging. But that was part of the job – to push these people out of their comfort zones and get them to work – hard.

One of the hardest and most challenging workouts that athletes engage in is called anaerobic training: a type of endurance training that prepares the body to perform high-intensity, explosive movements over time while slowing down overall fatigue. Ask most athletes, and they will tell you that anaerobic training is some of the most painful and mentally taxing work that you can do. I would agree.

Typically, the exercises that we engaged in lasted anywhere from 20-40 seconds with rest breaks lasting about 2 to 3 times that of the work. Now, 20-40 seconds may not sound like a long time, but when you’re going as hard as you can, trust me, you’re looking forward to every second of the rest break.

The rest break is needed in order to reproduce the same amount of work for the next working repetition, or work set. Typically, we might repeat the process of work/rest for a total of 10-20 repetitions. That’s a lot of work.

Taking that into account, let’s say, for example, that we had completed 15 repetitions of the workout. Of course, that means we would have 5 repetitions left. By this time in the workout, every athlete is counting down the repetitions because they are all very tired, in pain, and ready to hit the showers. Knowing that, one of my “go-to” phrases I used to motivate them was, “5 more opportunities, boys/ladies! Five more opportunities to improve and get better! Give it your best! Let’s outwork our opponents today!”

One of my favorite men of old, Thomas Edison once said, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

This is a statement that makes the weak heart squirm and the stout heart sing. My question for you right now is, are you squirming or singing?

David showed us that he understood this concept as he tried to persuade King Saul to let him go pick a fight with a giant in front of the whole world. He said,

“Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

One of the most honoring memories of working with athletes is when they would come up to me after competition and thank me for teaching them how to work hard. Many of them realized the benefit and took pride in their ability to increase their own individual work rates during games. Interestingly, this was not something they necessarily recognized during the hard training sessions. It was something that manifested itself in the competitive arena. In other words, they noticed the change in their physical power, strength, and endurance during the game when it mattered most, and that made their bodies thrive and their hearts sing. This had a compounding effect, as they would then put more value on future hard work.

Here’s the bottom-line: win or lose, they learned the benefits of working hard when no one was looking.

David was the same way and he recognized this. God, his coach, had prepared him for this day against Goliath and he felt it in his heart. During the long, hard, cold, loneliness of protecting his father’s sheep, David fought lions and bears. He probably suffered long, cold nights. Rain. Fatigue. Fear. Loneliness. He learned what hard work meant; what long-suffering could do for his own resilience. He learned how to face his worst fears and overcome them.

He learned about the stout heart and the courage of man when no one was watching.

David recognized the past challenges he faced as opportunities to do the work that God had given him to do with his life. During a moment of worship, David recognized this, and it made his heart sing:

“It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn.”

I used to tell my athletes, “Every day is training day.” Every day is a day that we have been given as an opportunity. It’s a day to take what we’ve been given, engage in the battle, and grow. It’s a day to train so that we’ll improve in the gifts, talents, and resources we’ve been given and then give them away as servants to others.

David teaches us that hard work, courage, and engagement are the only way to live our lives. We can only improve by challenging ourselves through hard work. We will overcome. And yes, sometimes we’ll fail. But warriors like David always stand back up and try again because that is what courage demands of us. Furthermore, we will ask for God’s strength and ask for the resiliency to do something that matters.

That’s how we overcome the fears and challenges that many times hold us back. Let’s embrace the hard work of making ourselves better for God’s Kingdom. 

Seek. Adapt. Endure. Go Forth.

The Element of Surprise

by Laura Stovall

The element of surprise… judging by thousands of years of history, abundant Scripture, and even our own life journeys, I think it’s safe to conclude that God is a huge fan of it.

While undeniably a God of astounding order and symmetry, of pattern and rhythm and cause-and-effect, He is also a God of supreme irony, of remarkable contrast, and of the breathtakingly unexpected.

The idea is well supported by examples very familiar to us, as they are stories we teach our children from early ages: the elderly Abraham and Sarah birthing a tremendous nation via an odds-defying pregnancy; young David conquering the mighty Goliath; Gideon’s alarmingly pared-down army of 300 defeating 135,000 Midianites; Daniel snoozing with the lions that were supposed to have already eaten him for dinner; the contents of a lunchbox multiplied by Jesus to satisfy thousands of stomachs one miraculous evening. The stories are so prolific that these hardly even get us off to a decent start.

The unexpected. Contrast. Irony. We see evidence after evidence, time and again and again.

God uses the weak things of the world to shame the strong, and the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. It is in giving that we receive. It is when we are weak in ourselves that we are strong in the power and presence of God. In sacrifice, we find fulfillment; in surrender we find victory; and in death, we find truest life. And we recognize Jesus, in seeming contradiction, as both powerful and meek, described as both the Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God.

The unexpected. Contrast. Irony. Elements of the God we know.

And to narrow our focus to the Christmas season we’ve just experienced, we can uniquely celebrate that these are also elements of the very heart of the whole fantastic, bewildering, ironic Christmas story. We’re well-acquainted with many of the ironies inherent to the story: a baby conceived by a virgin; “no room at the inn” for this monumental, long-awaited, world-changing event; the King of Kings born in a stable; glorious angels appearing to, of all people, shepherds – the “repugnant” social outcasts of that day. We’ve heard the story so many times that it becomes devastatingly easy to read it with as little passion as we once read our high-school history class assignments.

But may the familiarity of the story never, ever succeed in dulling our senses to the remarkable wonder of it.

In fact, if we narrow our focus even tighter for a moment, we might find ourselves accomplishing more than renewed wonder in the story itself. We might find ourselves privileged to experience one of those soul-waking encounters in which we are overwhelmed with renewed wonder in our Savior Himself.

The unexpected. Contrast. Irony. Elements of our very salvation.

We can be grateful that the divine Author does employ the element of surprise in His scripts, as it’s the unexpected that captures our attention and impacts us most powerfully. And we see that the surprises of the Christmas story perfectly set the stage for the surprises of the salvation story.

That said, I share the following poem, long one of my favorites for the way it poignantly, succinctly speaks the incomprehensible love of that entire storyline, from the manger to the cross. My prayer is that the wonder of that love, of that wildly amazing grace, pierces your spirit with profound, irrepressible gratitude the way it does mine.

Let the Stable Still Astonish

– Leslie Leyland Fields

Let the stable still astonish:
Straw-dirt floor, dull eyes,
Dusty flanks of donkeys, oxen;
Crumbling, crooked walls;
No bed to carry that pain,

And then, the child,
Rag-wrapped, laid to cry
In a trough.

Who would have chosen this?
Who would have said: “Yes,
Let the God of all the heavens and earth
Be born here, in this place”?

Who but the same God
Who stands in the darker, fouler rooms
of our hearts and says, “Yes,
let the God of Heaven and Earth
be born here - in this place.”

That, friends, is a love worth celebrating with everything that we are, with everything that we have, every single day – a love that can carry us into a new year transformed, renewed, and empowered.

Come, let us adore Him. Always. Amen.

https://pixabay.com/photos/g%C5%82ucho%C5%82azy-chapel-2251155/

Be a Man of Action

By Mike Sanders, President and Founder of Junto Tribe

Over the past few blog posts, we’ve been discussing purpose, self-mastery, faith, and courage. Personally, I’ve been feeling a call from God to take more courage in stepping into the calling that He has honored me with. With that, I also feel that the same about you. It is time for men of Christ to stand up and take courage and wholeheartedly engage in the things of God.

To bring light to this Call For Courage, I’ve been focusing on the shepherd boy, David, who would one day become the King of Israel. The stories of David’s life have inspired and motivated untold multitudes for many, many years, and they should. Just like you and me, he was simply a man, called to amazing work and purpose by God. Although he wasn’t perfect, he still had his heart, the center of his being, focused on the will of God. On the back of that, there is much we can learn from this amazing yet flawed human being. Today, let’s pick up his story in 1 Samuel 17, more widely known as the David and Goliath story, arguably the most recognized story of this great king’s life.

As this story unfolds, I feel it’s easy for us to think that David was extremely confident and completely fearless as he stepped out to face this extremely powerful warrior, Goliath. But I feel that it is a mistake to believe that David was some sort of non-feeling, fearless, super-soldier who had no fear and only supreme confidence.

Nevertheless, if we look through other moments in David’s life, we can see that he was very much in touch with human emotion that sometimes invaded his heart. The truth is, at times David felt overwhelmed with the same fear, doubt, and discouragement that many of us feel. Furthermore, he was adept at capturing that turmoil through his poems. A great example of this can be found in Psalm 13:1 (The Message):

“Long enough, God – you’ve ignored me long enough. I’ve looked at the back of your head long enough. Long enough I’ve carried this ton of trouble, lived with a stomach full of pain. Long enough my arrogant enemies have looked down their noses at me. Take a good look at me, God, my God; I want to look life in the eye, So no enemy can get the best of me or laugh when I fall on my face.”

Those are the words of the man who became an amazing leader and king of Israel; the same man and king who was once a boy; the same boy who was once a shepherd in charge of his father’s flock; the same shepherd who stood with Israel’s greatest warriors facing the giant Goliath in 1 Samuel 17.

Think about this for a moment. Here are two massive armies in a stand-off with extreme violence, intensity, and emotion hanging in the air. Imagine the sun beating down on the armor and swords and the smell of sweat and ferocity that was in the air. Interestingly, King Saul should have been the warrior who would come out to face Goliath, but he didn’t. He was just as frightened of this terrible threat as the rest of his army.

“When the Israelites saw the man, they all ran from him in great fear.”

(1 Samuel 17:24, NIV)

There’s that word again…fear. Fear threatened to overwhelm Saul’s army but here’s this little shepherd boy who had a question that needed an answer. He asks:

“Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

(1 Samuel 17:26, NIV)

This is an amazing view into the character of this amazing man of faith. By today’s standard, it would be like a high school boy taking on a Special Forces warrior. I think it’s safe to reason that David’s got to be fearful as well. But he’s got an itch that can’t be scratched, and he simply won’t allow this evil to prevail. What happens next? He steps toward the sword of the giant Goliath with incredible courage.

Here’s the point. Courage is not the absence of fear. Rather, it’s the ability to step into fear and engage in the fight. Fear is not comfortable – neither is inaction. If we step toward our fear with courage, we still don’t have a guarantee we’ll be successful. Conversely, if we choose to run away from fear and doubt, we do have a guarantee – nothing will change and the giant wins the day.

What will you do?

There is an old Samurai saying that states:

“If you look at your opponent’s sword, you will be killed by it.”

How many of us are looking at the sword of our opponents and choosing comfort – the gift that never gives? In the world of engagement, comfort is another great lie.

You see? David had his mind on the people. He wanted to protect the people and their way of life. God had brought these people out of the slavery of Egypt and David knew that needed to be maintained and defended. David recognized that the people he was protecting were not the means to an end; they were the end, and he was ready to put himself on the line for them.

He recognized that changing the situation could only counteract his fear and the fear of the people. And that meant closing the mouth of this dark giant for good. And what was the source of his courage? Listen to what he tells Goliath (1 Samuel 17:45):

“You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will hand you over to me…”

David was not fearless. Notwithstanding, he was a man of action. Inactivity comes from the perception that there is an imbalance between the demands of the call and the efficacy of our own abilities to handle the situation. It’s time that we believe that God has given us life for a reason and is with us – no matter what.

His intention is not for us to simply exist. His intention is for us to crush the powers of darkness that have hold over this world. What is your own personal giant that needs to be crushed? What giant does your family face? What work needs to be done help those who need your talents? What keeps you from being a man of action?

Calling good men! Take heed! Stand to! There are giants in the land. Let’s get to work.

Seek. Adapt. Endure. Go Forth.

 

https://pixabay.com/photos/sheep-farmer-shepherd-agriculture-690198/

 

A Call For Courage

By Mike Sanders, President and Founder of Junto Tribe

Over the past few weeks, we have discussed the amazing potential that lies in the depths of the human being. We have all been created for a purpose and have been equipped to live out that purpose with the guidance and help of our Creator and God.

Each and every masculine heart should find this exciting and motivating and find great encouragement and drive to increase his potential and grow toward a level of self-mastery. But there’s more because self-mastery and great potential are nothing without a heart that cares, loves, leads, and sacrifices for those around it. Furthermore, when we allow the Spirit of God to flow through us and over us, we increase our influence and strength because we are literally carriers of His influence and strength. What was it that Paul asked the Corinthian believers in 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)?

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus lives in you…”

But still, something lurks in the shadows deep within our hearts that longs to keep us from stepping out into the arena of life with our gifts and abilities. That something is fear, which is usually followed closely behind by doubt. It would seem that too many believers have allowed their fears and doubts to keep them from believing and accepting God’s calling on their lives. In essence, many of us have focused on Satan’s plans and have forgotten the power inside of us. This is not what being a follower of God is about.

It’s time we men heed the call of courage that our God has been imparting on us since the creation of man.

As I posted last week, I believe that the virtue of courage needs to (at the very least) include the following framework:

  • Faith and trust in God.

  • Belief in something bigger than ourselves. In other words, we need purpose.

  • A strong character honed through training which produces stress inoculation and resilience.

  • Sacrificial giving.

As we saw last week, David was just a man like you and me (or more appropriately, a boy) when God called on Him. As we see in 1 Samuel 16:12 (NIV):

“Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him, he is the one.”

If you’ll notice, God never asks David if he’s ready to step into his calling. Instead, He calls David into amazing and frightening responsibility, and in the process, gives him incredible power, which is manifested in him by the Spirit of God (1 Samuel 16). It seems that God sees something in David that others can’t see – God sees his heart – the very center of his being.

The Bible is not clear on whether or not David knew exactly what God was getting ready to call him into, but I think we can assume that he had no idea that he would someday be king. Conversely, Samuel, of course, knew that David would someday replace Saul as the King of Israel. Nevertheless, David continued to trust in God’s anointing and began the process of moving in the direction he was being instructed to go. To put it a different way, he seemed to be listening to God’s Spirit and chose to trust the direction of his life even if he couldn’t see the path clearly.

We see God’s plans begin to take root in 1 Samuel 16:14-23. King Saul is slowly losing control of himself as an evil spirit is tormenting him. It seems the only way Saul can get relief is through music. In particular, harp music, which just happens to be something that David has a talent for. With that knowledge, Saul’s attendants send for David to rescue the king from his tormented state.

With that as a backdrop, I think there’s an interesting thing happening here that I would like to point out. There’s something about David’s presence that the people around him notice or sense.

For example, one of Saul’s servants seems to recognize something special about David. He says the following in 1 Samuel 16:18:

“I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him.”

As we see here, the servant points out David’s particular talent for the need that Saul had, then drew attention to his bravery and warrior mentality, and even his looks. He recognizes mentality, physical appearance, and most importantly, he notices David’s spirit, which has been anointed – smeared with the Spirit of the Lord. Notice what the servant states:

“…the Lord is with him.”

It seems that this servant could sense something in David’s presence. Yes, he feels that David could help his tormented king. Yes, it was David’s ability to play the harp that they were looking for. But there seems to be something deeper going on here. I would like to suggest that the servant sensed the presence of God in David and it manifested itself in a very real way when he was around people.

Furthermore, if you’ll notice in vs. 23, the evil spirit that tormented Saul sensed the same thing:

“Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.”

It’s interesting to me that we are introduced to one of the most important characters of the Bible through his heart (1 Samuel 16:7). It’s also interesting that the Bible reminds us in Acts 13:22 about David’s heart:

“He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.”

David allowed God’s Spirit into his very being. The more he let God into his heart, the more it changed, and the more David’s overall being changed. This is an example of Interdependent Realization, which we’ve discussed in previous blog posts. The Holy Spirit was changing his spirit, mind (or soul) and body. It began in the immaterial spirit and began changing him at the material (physical) level. He was being transformed into the man that he would need to be to take on his calling and purpose.

So what does this mean for you?

For starters, we know that David had a heart after God’s. One of the virtues of that truth is the amazing relationship David had with God. He was in constant worship, prayer, and connection with his life Force. He had an intimacy with God that was his strength throughout his life. Even when he failed, and David failed hugely in his life, he returned to that strength – his relationship with his Father in heaven – and he never betrayed the anointing. No matter what, David chose to fight back against his fear and doubt and always returned back to the will of God’s purpose for his life. And no, it wasn’t easy. In fact, it was incredibly hard. But David never took his eyes off God for very long.

And this is what men like you and I need to do today. The world is in desperate need of men who are willing to fight. Accept the anointing of God on your life and let Christ’s power manifest itself in you. You have work to do.

His presence will be all that you need.

We have been given a spirit of power – God’s Spirit. We have not been given a spirit of fear – that is from our enemy. Power makes things happen. Fear destroys life-giving power. What will you choose to do today?

“I was not left on planet earth to be in hiding waiting for Jesus’ return. I am here as a military representative of heaven.”

-Bill Johnson (When Heaven Invades Earth)

Seek. Adapt. Endure. And Go Forth.

Dear Junto Tribe Dad

By Jim Marion, Junto Tribe Ministries Executive Director

Dear Junto Tribe Dad,

Childhood is tough. You were a kid once, so you remember. It couldn’t have been so long ago that you’ve forgotten. 

I need you. I need you to teach me about our Heavenly Father. How to pray, read the Bible, apply God’s lessons, and discover my calling. This Jesus thing is hard to understand and, let’s face it, I won’t make the time unless you encourage me to do it. 

I need you to spend time with me. Teach me how to do the things you like but also be willing to invest in the things I like to do. Don’t take yourself too seriously all the time. Be goofy, tell dad jokes, sing and dance in the kitchen, make a Tik-Tok video with me and don’t be afraid to embarrass yourself...it makes me laugh. 

I have a lot of milestones to celebrate. I’m gonna need you to be there for all of them. If you show up, I promise to pose long enough for you to take all the pictures you want, and I won’t fight too hard if you disapprove of what I wear. The truth is, I will put up with a little grief from you if you promise to be there. 

It pains me to say this, but I am going to need you to teach me right from wrong. I don’t need another friend...I need a father. I need you to be the one I turn to when life throws a tough lesson at me. I need to know you’re going to stick around when I lash out at you. You are supposed to be my safe place. 

I’m not always going to say or do the right thing. You’ll probably get more eye rolls than “Yes Dads” from me. Love me anyway. And one day I will surprise you. The defiance, the moodiness, and the grief will all end. I’ll be a well-adjusted adult who loves and respects you back. 

Can you wait for me to figure it out? Can you put the work in? Are you willing to give me the time I need to get there? I hope so. It will be worth it...I promise.

Love,

Your Child

Men...We need to step up. There is no time like the present to figure out how to be better for our kids. I asked about their expectations are of their earthly Fathers. Here is what they said.

A Junto Tribe Dad is…

...Someone who feeds me and helps clean up. Attack...plays with me and my family including Lolo, our dog.  (6 yr old)

...strong, brave and helpful to people. (10 yr old)

...Someone who is kind and who loves me. He protects you. (11 yr old)

...a dad who Is a good influence. Takes action and teaches you. Shows by example what a Godly person looks like and the attitude rubs off on you. Someone who goes to church. (11 yr old)

...a father who provides and loves his family but keeps God’s plan in sight. (13 yr old)

…kind hearted, forgiving, wise, bold, brave, loving, encouraging… brings people closer to God. (14 yr old)

...a father who takes the time to teach his kids how to serve and be Godly people. Loves his kids even when they mess up. Isn’t afraid to apologize. He sets the example of what being a Christian could look like. (15 yr old)

...one who loves unconditionally. A Godly father loves his family with an overwhelming passion. Not only does he love his family but above all else he loves God. His love for God drives his ability to protect his children from the evils of this world. A Godly father does not hesitate to thwart off the devil’s attempts on his family. A Godly father teaches children right from wrong and guides them. He helps them when they make mistakes and keeps them accountable. A Godly father does not keep his children accountable to be right but rather because he loves them so deeply that he wants them to grow into worthy children of God. He loves his children despite their mistakes. A Godly father admits when he is wrong and is not afraid to show his children his imperfections. A Godly father is a warrior of God who fights for his children and the kingdom. (17 yr old)

...exhibits the Father’s heart for his kids. He is present in his family’s lives and shows up even for the little things because that still means a lot whether the kids admit it or not. He is not power hungry or domineering, but co-leads with and loves his wife as Christ loves the church. He shows sacrificial and unconditional love and is an encourager. A Godly dad is most importantly the spiritual leader in the home, motivating his family to hunger for more of the Lord, as his passion inspires. (17 yr old)

...one who seeks the Lord in all he does and allows himself to be transformed into Christ, giving his family an example of Christ so that they can follow in the father’s Christ-like leadership and attitude. He exhibits the characteristics of Christ in the form of the fruit of the spirit; as the Godly dad looks more like Christ, the family then can walk in the same Christ-likeness that has been exemplified to them through their Godly dad. (22 yr old)

...one who knows God intimately, puts Him above all else in life and lives that in front of his wife and children. He shows that the entirety of his purpose in life is to know God, and reflect His nature and character in all aspects of his life. He is long suffering, slow to anger, patient and loving with his children and wife. He is willing to say “I’m sorry” and make the changes necessary to look more like Jesus through whatever situation. Shepherds his family, leading them to solid foundational truth that points them to Jesus rather than to himself. The leader of the family, the one who takes the blows of life and still remains reliant on the Lord so as to lead his children on paths of righteousness. The one who has the opportunity to be a reflection of Jesus, ministering always first to his family, and then to those who he has the opportunity to disciple. (24 yr old)

...a man who mimics the real Father. Loves unconditionally. Shows Christ’s love even when it seems undeserved. (25 yr old)

...a man who has a love for God that transfers into love for his wife and children. He serves their needs as best as possible. A Godly dad also trusts God and has faith that through God and scripture we will always find answers and know what we need in life. (25 yr old)

As a Junto Tribe Dad, I need you to…

...help me with homework and teach me to cook. (10 yr old)

...love me and guide me. Share moments with me. I need you to not always be busy and for you to be present for special moments. (11 yr old)

...be there for me when I need it the most. (13 yr old)

...show up when you can. Make me feel loved and appreciated. Comfort me and give me Godly advice. Teach me how to live as a Christian so I’m ready when I have to go on my own (15 yr old)

...chase me. There are times when I feel broken and weak and I know I’m not strong  enough to handle this world alone. I think I can, and that I have it all under control but the truth is that I don’t. Even when I push and plead to be left alone, my heart is begging you to chase after me. Don’t ever stop running full speed. It wont be easy and I will put up a fight but what I need as a daughter of a godly man is to be fought for, even when I don’t think I want it. I need to be told that I have a father who is always in my corner despite my efforts to push him out. The world tries to to swallow you up and it is so easy to succumb when you are clawed at by the darkness. As my Godly father it’s part of your job to help me find my way back to the light. To feel the unconditional love of a father who never gave up on me. (17 yr old)

...Never quit on your family. Demonstrate that by resting in the constant faithfulness of God. Be the vessel of the grace shown us in Christ, the one who models what it looks like to forgive, persevere, sacrifice, love, own your own mistakes and get back up fully resting in the power of the Lord WHEN you fail. Don’t try to be perfect, but give your all to reflect the only one who is. (22 yr old)

...Extend grace when it doesn’t seem like it should be extended - but also be silent when you should be to see when I will come back. (24 yr old)

...be an example of God’s love for his children: the rebellious children as well as those who honor and obey Him without hesitation. Have grace. You have to teach me the limits and boundaries but ALWAYS give grace to me. I need to know that my Dad will always have arms extended to me, ready to receive me even when I go against you. I need my Dad to be an example of Abba to me. I need to be able to rightly understand how God sees me, treats me and interacts with me through the way my earthly father does those things. I need you to have a right understanding of the Word, so that I will know God’s heart and character. I need my Dad to remind me that his love for me is solely based on the fact that I am his child, his blood, and not based on performance. Trust in God and ask Him for peace during times of anger or sadness. Pray for your children and pray that we grow spiritually, and always put God first. (27 yr old)

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19:14)

King Solomon said, “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.”

Psalms‬ ‭127:3-5)

Children hold a high place in God’s Kingdom. Jesus loved children, spent time with them, wanted them around and taught them His principles. Jesus understood they were the future hands and feet of his Kingdom who would deliver His word to the ends of the earth. He asked us to consider the faith of a child the example for men to follow. 

And Jesus certainly challenged us to be the men who teach His children how to reach their full Godly potential. Do my kids understand my calling as their dad? Do they get that when I love them it’s a reflection of their Heavenly Father and when I discipline them it’s a reflection of that same Heavenly Father? Do I fully grasp what they need from me...am I making the grade? How do I measure my performance? 

God the Father is our example of how to love our kids well. I for one will charge forward and accept the challenge of Fatherhood God has blessed me with. My kids are worth it. I refuse to let “The World” do my job for me. Will you join me?

For His Kingdom.


The Spirit of Power

By Mike Sanders, President and Founder of Junto Tribe

In my last blog, I discussed the following points:

  • All humans have been created for a purpose and on purpose.

  • Humans are tripartite by nature, which means we have been created with a spirit, soul, and body that interact with the world in which we live.

  • Our potential for growth and self-mastery is unknown, and possibly, unknowable.

All of this sounds amazing and inspirational. Each and every one of us should get excited about living our lives with purpose and be encouraged to challenge our potential for growth and self-mastery. Every stout, masculine heart should long for improvement for the betterment of the world around him and push himself to find out where he fits into that mission. Nevertheless, as inspirational as these concepts sound, many times, we need a large amount of courage in order to step into this mission. Even so, I fear many of us are slowly losing that most important virtue of being men of God. We need a generation of men called to courage.

Unfortunately, it seems that many of us are in a perpetual state of waiting to be ready to step into the calling that God has given us. In other words, we feel the call to a higher purpose or mission in our lives but don’t step into it because of fear. So often, I think the fear that many of us feel comes from one common place – the belief that we don’t have what it takes to accomplish the mission. We believe we’re not strong enough, righteous enough, or smart enough; or we don’t have the skill to lead, teach, serve, or help. Our fear of failure drives us to choose a place of comfort, non-commitment, and indecision – and the world moves on in desperate need of the Godly, masculine heart.

Fear is common in us all. It is a real emotion that even the sturdiest man feels. With that, it’s important for us to understand that courage is not the absence of fear, but rather it’s the ability to step into and stand up to the author of that fear. Warriors step toward the challenge in spite of the fear. They step toward the bullets, bombs, and fire when everyone else is running.

Fear is definitely present in us all, but we must face our fears until those fears are behind us. If we run from fear, we allow it to be bigger than our God who has called us into much more than we believe we’re capable of.  

With that said, I believe that true manly courage needs to include a few important facets in order to strengthen and develop as a virtue (Please note that I will be writing a series of posts over the next few weeks in order to cover the following points):

  • Faith and trust in God.

  • Belief in something bigger than ourselves. In other words, we need purpose.

  • A strong character honed through training which inoculates against stress inoculation and produces resilience.

  • Sacrificial giving.

Many years ago, when I was training U.S. Navy SEALs, I worked with one guy who truly inspired me. Interestingly, this particular SEAL was not what most of us expect when we think of these warriors. Typically, we envision heavily muscled athletes when we think of our Special Operations community, and in some cases, that may be true, but this SEAL was nothing like that. He was carrying a little extra weight that was definitely not muscle, and when it came to the physical, this guy had to work a little harder than the rest.

I remember well how hard he worked. I can still see his ability to keep pushing through the pain and fatigue of the intense training he was engaged in. Because he was committed to keep going when many others would have simply given up, he simply inspired me. People like that make you want the best for them, and more importantly, to emulate them.

Humorously, there is a term of endearment given to this type of morphology in the SEAL teams. Many times, these guys “lovingly” get the name “Iron Marshmallow,” referencing the fact that they don’t have the physique but definitely have something else that makes them tough as nails. They have heart – an indomitable spirit that carries them through the challenges they face.

I would like to suggest that an indomitable spirit is what God saw in the chest of the shepherd boy David of the Bible.

We see the story unfold in I Samuel 16 when God instructs the prophet, Samuel, to anoint David in preparation for what God’s call on his life is going to be – a call that would ultimately require much courage.

Many of us know the story of David and Goliath, told in 1 Samuel 17, very well. This story has inspired untold multitudes to “face the giants” of their lives and overcome them. With that said, I would like to take a slightly different approach to the courage David showed the day he faced Goliath, the giant warrior. Specifically, I would like to focus more on the preparation that David went through before he faced those impossible odds.

It should be noted that the only information that God gave Samuel was that he was sending him to Jesse of Bethlehem to anoint one of his sons to be king of Israel. In other words, Samuel had no idea who he was looking for, or what the person looked like. He only knew that Jesse had a son that God had chosen.

Samuel did what God asked him to do and went to see the sons of Jesse. When he got there, he was sure that the oldest Eliab was the guy that God was looking for. The Bible suggests that he had the look of a warrior and king – tall and strong – a presence that demanded notice. But God said to Samuel:

“Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. (vs. 7).”

Shortly after that, Samuel finally realized that God saw something in the youngest boy, David, that was intangible to man. He had an indomitable spirit that was necessary to carry out his calling – a calling that many times throughout his life, would require great courage.

Next, we see how David’s anointing actually strengthened him at a higher level than before the anointing. Let’s pick up the story in 1 Samuel 16:13 (NIV):

“…and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power.”

What we see here is what I feel is step one in the Call to Courage:

We must have faith that God has created us for a purpose on purpose and accept the anointing of God’s Spirit.

If you’ll remember from my last post, humans are tripartite by nature. That is, we have a spirit, soul, and body that operate together in a connected, integrated, reciprocal fashion. The wellness or illness of each of these parts or properties of the human affects the other. Humans operate at their highest potential when each of these aspects is firing at their highest and strongest output. That means that a strong, resilient spirit and soul will produce a strong, resilient body – much like the SEAL I discussed earlier.

I believe that God has called each and every one of us to a purpose that is much bigger than any of us. Just look at the stories in the Bible. Over and over again, He chooses people to join in the work that He wants to do on this earth. And with that, He never abandons those people. Furthermore, He gives each and every one of them exactly what they need, when they need it, to accomplish that purpose.

God promises over and over again, “I will be with you.” He gives that promise to those who accept the anointing of the Holy Spirit, who will bring us power, strength, heart, and courage to bring the light of heaven to the situation we are in. When we are anointed with the Spirit, we are smeared with His power, and just like David, we can begin to operate at our highest potential.

And this brings me to the point I made at the beginning: too many men of God are waiting to be ready. But as we see here, God never asked David if he was ready. He simply saw his heart and called him. May I suggest that God is doing the same thing to you?

But you say, “I have been asking God for my purpose, He’s just not telling me what it is.” To that, I suggest you take a look around you. There are people in need of Him all over. They are in your workplace, your family, your community, your church. All you have to do is love and lead. To you, I say, “Take courage. Allow the Holy Spirit to give you what you need when you need it. And remember the words your God told Joshua as he was stepping into his calling:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Seek. Adapt. Endure. And Go Forth.

(Next week we will address David’s acceptance and belief in the purpose God gave him.)

 https://pixabay.com/photos/soldier-military-uniform-armed-60762/

 

 

 

Dear Junto Tribe Husband

By Jim Marion, Junto Tribe Executive Director

Before my wife Sarah and I married, like every Christian couple, we were required to attend pre-marriage counseling. In our sessions, our pastor gave us some great advice.

“Wake up every day and make it your goal to out-serve each other,” he said. “If you can both commit to doing that, you will both have all your needs met in your marriage.”

Sounds simple, doesn’t it? The best way to ensure my needs are met is to put them aside and meet the needs of the one person I pledged to serve, love, honor and cherish for the rest of my life. So how does that look practically? In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul put it this way...

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.”

Ephesians 5:21-28

This sounds great...it’s well written, poetic and simple...and hard to apply on face value. Anyone who has been married for five minutes will tell you women are not simple creatures and my wife is no exception.

But there is a simple answer to the mystery of what our wives need from us, their Godly husbands: ask them. I’m not a mind reader. I went right to the source and I asked my wife and other Junto Tribe wives and here’s what they said…

A Junto Tribe Husband is…

...a man who is bold in his faith and is not afraid of what others will think when he is doing what God wants. He seeks both his wife's counsel and the counsel of Godly men when making decisions, but ultimately does what he knows God is asking of him. A Godly man loves his wife, his kids, and others fiercely. He is a warrior for Christ and a champion for God's people. He is strong and brave, and will tenderly come to the aid of the wounded without hesitation.

...my best friend. Someone I can share everything with. One that is not critical, but sympathetic to my thoughts and feelings. A listener. Not quick to give advice unless asked. Respectful, encouraging. The spiritual leader in our household. One that leads through being an example to be more Christ-like.

...an effective spiritual leader. A man who leads by example when it comes to his own personal devotion, how he treats people, and how he handles life’s hard situations. He is concerned with the spiritual condition of each member of the family and is there to help teach, bring Godly wisdom, and equip us for any situation that might arise with any family member.

...a man who claims his position as the head of the household and is the spiritual leader of our family.

...a strong man with steadfast morals who places God above all. A man who has the courage to do what is right even when others are not. A man who acts the same at home as he does in church.

...someone who will love me for the person I am and the person I am trying to be. Someone who will be merciful and help me in trying to become a better human. He will forgive me for not being perfect and will make me feel safe. Someone who will remind me I do not walk alone. Someone who will value and support my faith. Someone who will love and support my girls on their journeys. Someone who will allow me to help and support them in being and becoming the best they can be.

...is humble yet confident of who he is in Christ. Sacrificial of his time and talents for those in need and for his family. He reads the word and allows it to soften his heart to have compassion and understanding for others. This man loves his wife as Christ loves the church, which gives a wife's heart the capacity and freedom to move into being who she was created in Christ.

...a man who loves God above all else, including his wife. Treats his wife with respect as an equal partner in the marriage. He is comfortable being the spiritual head of the household, able to lead boldly with great love and compassion, but without arrogance. Demonstrates sacrificial service, first to his wife, because that provides a great model of love. He is able to sacrificially serve his kids, his friends, and his community. He reads the Word, is obedient in prayer, teaches his kids to do the same, and makes time to do both with his wife. Attends church as much as possible, with a good attitude and a heart of worship. He knows the kids are watching and lives the part of spiritual head of the household. His values align with what the Bible says...he is humble and kind, just like Jesus.

...a man that puts God above everything. He is the Godly leader of the family and has his Bible in hand often. He prays with his wife and children. He is a man that continues to pursue God and grow in his faith.

As a Junto Tribe Husband, I need you to…

...love the Lord with all your heart and cherish me like God does. Protect me, not because I am weak, but because I am important.

...pray for your family daily. Desire to know God more and more and share that with your family. Share your knowledge and your excitement. Mentally, physically, and spiritually engage in our relationship and with our family.

...be loving not only to the public but to your family. Genuinely love spending time with me and the kids and make family time a priority. Also, make it a priority to spend alone time with me through a weekly “date night.“ Be a provider and protector. Share in the responsibilities of daily life with the kids. Keep doing what you are doing.

...love the Lord more than me.

...support me, choose me, guide me, hold me, and have a desire to prioritize time with your family.

...learn how to love me, be present, and fight for my heart.

...grow your faith, because that will have the most impact on our marriage and family. Pray for me, our marriage and our family. Pray with our kids. Teach them what a good prayer life looks and sounds like. Do things for me that are in my love language (acts of service) and teach our kids to do the same. Take an equal role in parenting our kids, even if deployments or travel take you physically away from the home. Teach our boys how to be gentlemen in today’s culture that is so electronically driven. Be involved in our kids’ activities as much as possible, assisting with sports teams, volunteering with their church activities, and helping out with homework. Do the things around the house that I hate to do, which isn’t much. (#pickupdogpoop #sacrificialservice).

...be a Godly leader. Lead us as a family and model Christlike behavior for our son. Do not rely on emotions alone, rely on God, and seek Godly role models.

So what’s the “so what”?

If you have read this far, chances are something above resonated with you. Maybe you’ve heard this before and never bothered to listen. Maybe you have a healthy relationship with your wife, but you understand you need to battle for her heart even when things are going well. You know the devil would love nothing more than to destroy your Godly marriage. Maybe you’ve never thought about it.

No matter how good or bad your marriage is, God wants it to be better. Men… we are called to be great at this. God has built us to protect our wives physically and emotionally. Don’t be afraid to do whatever it takes to do that. Don’t let ignorance, arrogance, machismo, or fear get in the way of your Godly responsibility. Ask her what she needs. If your wife is like mine, she'll tell you… gladly. It’s manly to want to out-serve your wife...even if you have to pick up a little dog poop.

For His Kingdom

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Interdependent Realization and the Cultural Mandate

By Mike Sanders, President and Founder of Junto Tribe

 

I am endlessly curious and interested in the ability and hidden potential of humans. In particular, I am interested in finding the clues and answers to what a fully capable human being is able to accomplish. It simply fascinates me.

With that, the three points I want to make here are: 

1.     All humans were created on purpose for a purpose.

2.     Humans have been created with a spirit, soul (or if you prefer, mind), and body.

3.     Humans possess an unknown, and possibly unknowable, potential for growth and advancement.

Let’s begin with our first statement: All humans were created on purpose for a purpose.

Genesis 1:28 (NIV) says:

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God, he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

Please stop and take a moment to see what is going on here. I believe this passage is one of the most important passages in the Bible. This is an absolutely amazing moment in the history of the world. Notice that God has just finished creating all that we see and don’t see in the universe. One of His first acts, right before He rests, is to put a human (which represents you and me), who carries God’s likeness, in charge of the whole thing. God is telling man, “Here’s My universe; you are in charge. Be fruitful, increase in number, rule, subdue.”

Some theologians call this covenant, this agreement between God and man, the Cultural Mandate. This means that God was asking human beings to take on the incredible and humbling responsibility to be His representatives on earth. Man was to rule and subdue – to be fruitful and multiply. To put it another way, man was to bring the whole earth under God’s government: one ruled through fruits of the Holy Spirit.

What would the world look like if we truly approached life with “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control?” (Galatians 5:22) It would look more like the culture of heaven. Man was called to bring the culture of heaven to earth.

What does this mean for you? It means that it doesn’t matter what position you hold, what responsibilities you carry, or what role in life you are playing. The bottom line is, you have been created to bring God’s purposes to earth. That is your purpose – to usher in the culture of heaven to earth. Your positions, responsibilities, and roles are not your purpose – they are tools that you use for the purpose you were created for – to engage in the Cultural Mandate.

The next statement we opened up with is: Humans have been created with spirit, soul (or if you prefer, mind), and body.

For us to understand ourselves completely, we must comprehend the fact that we are much more than just physical beings. We’re not just a configuration of bone, muscle, connective tissue, and brains. We are, in fact, body, soul, and spirit – tripartite beings made in the image of a three-personal God.

We see the process of our three natures getting knitted together as an integrated and whole unit in Genesis 2:7.

“…the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”

God took the basic substances of His material earth, breathed His Spirit into that material, and the soul of the human being came alive.

In his book, The Spiritual Man, the Chinese pastor, theologian, and author Watchman Nee further argues the stance that the Bible “treats man…as tripartite-spirit, soul, and body.” Furthermore, Nee quotes I Thessalonians 5:23 that states, “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (NIV).” This quote from the Bible comes from the Apostle Paul. In it, he seems to be calling us, or more specifically, humans, to a standard of being so that we continue the work of Jesus. That is to say, we are to keep our complete nature, which is tripartite, to the high standard of how Jesus trains us to be.

And what were the purposes of Jesus? To bring heaven’s government to earth.   

And this leads us to my final point: Humans possess unknown, and possibly unknowable, potential for growth and advancement.

The human beings, that is, the tripartite human being, possesses the ability to optimize its potential. That means that you have the most amazing gift to improve and grow in each of these areas or properties. And with that, as one improves, it will have an effect on the growth of the other parts. The stronger we are in each of these aspects of our tripartite nature, the stronger we’ll be.

At Junto Tribe, we call this Interdependent Realization. That means that these properties of the human are mutually dependent. In other words, the wellness or illness of one affects the others in a collective, connected, reciprocal way. The great philosopher Plato once said, “The part can never be well unless the whole is well.”

It seems that neuroscientist Caroline Leaf agrees with Plato to a degree when she states the following in her book Who Switched Off My Brain: “Memory and emotions, like body and mind, are inseparable.”

So why should this concept of Interdependent Realization be important to us? And how does the fact that the true and fullest potential of the human being is currently unknowable affect our daily lives? Lastly, how does this tie back to our original point that you were created for a purpose?

It means that each and every day we’re given is a day that we can prepare, maintain, heal, and use our potential for the purposes we’ve been given.

I’ve been involved in the business of training athletes and special operators for 20 years now. Without reservation, I can tell you that the only way to pull the full potential of the God-given gifts, talents, and resources out of the human is to train and work for it. I’ve seen literal blood, sweat and tears pour from the people I’ve worked with as they trained for excellence. Growth is painful, exhausting at times, messy, and scary, and it can be very tempting to listen to that little voice inside you that you’d be better off sitting on the couch in comfort.

The men of Junto Tribe are calling other men out to live a life of self-mastery out of respect for the One that gave us life. You were created for a purpose on purpose. It is time for good men to stand up and engage in the process of living lives that leave a legacy of producing good fruit. We do this by engaging in the Cultural Mandate and sharing heaven’s atmosphere with a world that is dire need of good men doing the hard work.

So now what?

·      Read your Bible. Study great books. Think. Improve your mind. Nourish your soul. Pray.

·      Train your body. It yearns to be pushed. Push it. It is God’s temple.

·      Go forth. Stop waiting till you think you have what you need. God didn’t ask for a church of consumers. He wanted a church of doers. Lay hands on the sick. Pray for those that need help. Speak life and love into people’s lives.

·      Work hard. Protect. Take courage.

·      Be a man.

 

Seek. Adapt. Endure. And Go Forth.

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This Man's Hands

By Mike Sanders, President and Founder of Junto Tribe

This man’s hands are skilled, true, accurate, and fast. Though some would say the spirit of the warrior is dead and no longer has a place in our society, he disagrees. He believes it is part of being a man – and he will not let this spirit die. He is not violent but believes he must protect the ones he loves, those who are oppressed and those who struggle and strain.

This man’s body is capable of great strength and explosive power. His legs are capable of carrying him with great endurance even when his brain begs him to stop. Many do not understand his intensity and why he pushes through the pain. He does this because his body craves to be pushed – to be hardened. He will not let it become weak. His body is a temple.

This man’s mind was designed to create. It is his nature to think and to form works of service to others, for he was born in the image of his Father in Heaven. He does not design and build projects for himself or to elevate his stature, but rather he creates to give of himself so that others can benefit from the gifts he has been given.

This man has much curiosity about this world in which he lives. He finds great pleasure in pushing his mind to learn more in order to better serve the world around him. He has a genius that has been given him and so he works to challenge and stretch his intellect.

This man loves the scent of the woods. He loves the sound of the great wind blowing through the trees. He finds the sound of the waves crashing on the shore somehow comforting. He is drawn to challenge himself against nature. This man needs to connect to nature in this way, to face its wildness. He sends a primal war cry to the wind, the waves, and the storm.  Some will believe him mad, yet he sees this as a way to connect to God’s beautiful creation.

 This man’s heart draws him to the floor of his dwelling. His daughters are there, playing with their games and toys. He knows how important it is to them that he shares in their lives and so he plays. This man’s heart aches when they are hurt or frightened, and so he will hold them – comfort them. His arms are strong, and he will hold his children in complete love. He will protect them. He will die for them if he is called to, and more importantly, he will live for them. He will someday hand them to another man he prays will love them as much as he does. This man knows the important position he holds in the lives of these little blessings. He is their dad, their earthly father, and he is aware of the great responsibility he holds.

 This man loves his wife. He has chosen her, and she has chosen him. She is the person he will share life with and grow old with. He thanks God for her daily. She’s the mate God has chosen to help him raise two angels disguised as children. She has his back and he has hers. She is a woman. He is a man. They were made for one another. Their Creator has said so.

 This man understands he is weak but knows he can be strong. He is aware that he can only find strength through the Spirit of God. His soul knows he needs the guidance of the Great Spirit. He is incapable of going forth alone, and he has learned this lesson hard, so he has died to himself and walks daily with the world’s only Authentic Man. He has given up his life to regain it in Christ. This man believes the breath of life was given into his being for a purpose. He believes he has a mission in life – a calling. This man will no longer ignore his Shepherd in the wilderness and will follow His great commands. He will stand and lead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Junto Tribe Friend

By Jim Marion, Junto Tribe Executive Director


Have you ever had a story or verse the Lord keeps sending you back to? For me lately, God keeps putting 1 Samuel 14 in front of me. 

In this chapter, Samuel tells the story of Jonathan and his young armor-bearer. Like many stories in the Old Testament, in this episode, Jonathan finds himself in the middle of a war with the Philistines. Outgunned, outnumbered and in a disadvantageous tactical position, Jonathan pitches the idea of leaving his army and climbing the mountain to take on the whole of the Philistine army with just two men... himself and his armor-bearer. 

After hearing this impractical plan in verse 7, the armor-bearer says simply, “Do all you have in mind. Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.” He didn’t even think twice. He trusted God and he trusted his friend. Needless to say, with God on their side, Jonathan and the armor-bearer delivered a great victory.

Every man needs this kind of friend: the kind that will step out in faith with you, stand back to back, and fight the battle in 360 degrees. For 20 years as a man of faith, I have always had a stable of friends that would drop everything and run to my aid if I needed them. 

Do you have an armor-bearer? Are you someone’s armor-bearer? How does that relationship look different for a modern-day Junto Tribe Warrior? As I explore what it means to be a man of faith and a Junto Tribe Warrior I asked myself...What is the definition of a Godly friend and what do my friends need me to do for them? How can I be for my friends what they are for me? It may be different for each man. So… I asked some of my friends and here is what they said.

A Junto Tribe Friend is...

...One I can feel safe to let my guard down around and open my heart to without fear of judgment. They refuse to leave me in the pit and discern when to listen and when to challenge me with the encouraging truth. Someone I can trust my wife and daughters with, knowing that they are as safe and protected as they would be with me. 

...a friend who never changes even when circumstances change or if I can't live up to my end of the friendship.

...one who is genuine, transparent, holds me accountable, loves me despite my failings, trusts me, guides me, supports me, and challenges me.

...someone who accepts me for who I am. A friend that I can be open and vulnerable with and not fear being judged. Men are so frightened to show vulnerability and that is such a tragedy.

...someone who genuinely and unwaveringly seeks the Lord and has an ongoing relationship with the Father. He is not perfect but humbly understands his need and dependence upon God. When giving advice, it is evident that God and Scripture are at the center of his reasoning. He is consistent in his behavior - not acting one way around believers and another way around the world or in private. He regularly looks to the interests of others and puts their needs before his own. He is a good listener, keeping confidential, intimate words spoken to himself. He faithfully prays for those around him. He is always sincerely happy to see me and desires to know how I am doing. In summary, he is a sweet, godly extension of Jesus in the flesh; he is a beautiful gift from the Father, a sort of down payment until I see Jesus face-to-face.

...one who walks with me as God refines me. A Godly friend is someone who sincerely desires to join together with me on this journey we call life has a mutual desire to help each other live like Jesus.

As a Godly Friend, I need you to…

...be open-minded about wrestling through scripture and being willing to challenge the status quo. I need you to sharpen me and challenge me to walk in the fullness of my identity as a son. I need you to make me aware of blind spots in my life and not be satisfied until I own my stuff. When I am wounded, I need to know you have my back and will pick me up and carry me and help me find the healing and restoration I need. I need you to pray with me and check in with me to follow up when I have shared a personal struggle.

...sounds crazy, but be that first cup of coffee and do what it does. I need you to always be grace-thinking which submits to divine order, and eliminates all human viewpoint.

...be trustworthy. I need you to be OK with me being myself around you. I need to know you will stand in for me when I’m unable. I need to know you will take care of my family if I am unable. You need to challenge me and allow me to challenge you. I want a friend that will grow with me in my faith and help me become more of a man.

...first and foremost be present. I fall from time to time and need a hand to help me up and give me the courage to keep going (Ecclesiates 4:9-12 - below). I need godly advice and encouragement to help me through life's struggles. I also have a need to reciprocate, to help you in times of need. I need godly friends who are honest and open about their struggles so that I know I'm not the only one undergoing and falling to temptations and sins. A true godly friend is rare and the man who has one is amazingly blessed.

...go on adventures with me. I need a place where it is OK to tell fart jokes (I know...I’m so immature). Play sports, shoot guns, hike, camp, paddle-board, challenge our bodies, do things that dudes like to do. I need you to partner with me to teach my son how to be a man. I need a group of men to do the things I like that my wife doesn’t like. At the same time, I need you to love your wife and children like I do mine, so we can encourage each other to be good men for them.

What does God think about it…

God has built us to need companionship. From Adam in the Garden of Eden when God said, “It is not good for man to be alone (Gen 2:18),” to Jesus’ relationship with the Apostles, God has taught us to depend on each other. Jesus says it best…

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

John 15:12-13

Being a Godly friend means sacrificing yourself for others. Making time for your friends when it’s hard to. Listening to what they say they need from you, be it directly or through body language. Have you ever taken the chance to ask your friends what they need from you as a friend? The specifics will be different for every man. 

We’re not mind readers. You may be surprised by what they say… I know I was. Try it. Your friends are worth it. After all... you need each other.

For His Kingdom



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In A World of “What Ifs…”

 By Eugenia Fuenzalida, Director of Junto Tribe Cognitive Performance Team

 

“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.”

~Marcus Aurelius

 

We live today in a world of “what ifs” where the power of predictive efficiency often means the difference between success and failure. We train, educate, and practice with the goal of reducing uncertainty and maximizing preparedness. It is this ability to prepare for the unexpected where we find courage to confront the unknown.

History tells us and research shows us that asking the proper “what ifs” can not only guide informed responses but can be helpful in reducing anxiety. What we know for sure is that the questions we ask as we prepare ourselves for confrontation or battle can make the difference between overcoming and succumbing. The implications of our “what ifs” are arguably most evident in our jobs, but the repercussions of “what ifs” are salient in our personal lives as well.

Spend a few minutes thinking about how you manage your “what ifs.” For our purposes, “what if” refers to thinking about the possible scenarios we may encounter moving forward. There is no shortage of research indicating that contemplating possibilities and asking the right questions goes a long way to developing a mindset that is ready to perform. Consequently, it seems important to bring our attention to the way we construct our “what ifs” in our lives and the manner in which we manage them.

Many of us move through our days absent-mindedly asking “what if” with the goal of handling difficult questions from our spouses, tackling tough challenges with or on behalf of our children, and even engaging in introspective queries. Asking the “what if” in our lives can bring a sense of mastery and preparedness, but depending on the possible outcomes can also leave us feeling overwhelmed and lost.

So, give the following a try. First, remember “Who’s got this?” God sees us as well as our dilemmas. He sees our concerns in the depth of our minds and hears our cries loud and clear despite our silence. He stands ready to stand up when we yearn to stand down, to lift us when we fall, and to embrace us when we fail. Remember that He challenges us not to face the world alone, but to embrace it fully with those who share our journey. He calls us to adopt His vision, take His strength, and share His love. He is Peace amidst the storm, Wisdom in chaos, and Light in a world that is sometimes dark and foreign.

 Second, let’s remember the meaning of “priority before capacity.” Don’t be afraid to ask, “What if,” but take a moment to think about HOW and WHEN you ask. When we ask questions, it is often helpful to consider alternatives and solutions. Most of us think about the “what ifs” in our lives and then pray. Begin today by recognizing Who has the answers. Challenge yourself to release before asking, to trust before taking things into your own hands. In practical terms pray first, and then think about the “what ifs.” This practice changes how we think, how we pray, and how we live.

 Third, when your mind is occupied with “what ifs,” commit to telling a buddy who can remind you to pray before asking. Identify someone today who you can text, call, or speak to when you feel too distracted or too overwhelmed to pray. It is by seeking light in times of darkness and brotherhood in times of loneliness that we begin to know Him, and to understand the peace of mind that only He can bring. Peace.

The Tragedy of Dying Inside

By Mike Sanders, President and Founder of Junto Tribe

 WHAT’S THE POINT?

 “The tragedy of life is what dies inside a man while he lives.”

Albert Schweitzer

SEEK

 Need analysis: Something inside you has changed. You remember a time when you had dreams, passions, and hopes for your life. Unfortunately, these seem to have been lost somewhere and left to die along the wagon trail of life.

 A few years ago, I went to see a counselor. I went because I knew that something inside of me wasn’t right. I felt a stirring deep inside my soul that needed settling.

 In my attempt to find peace, I asked my counselor a few forthright questions. “Is there something wrong with me? Am I anxious? Depressed? Do I need to get on medication?”

 I’ll never forget his response. He said, “Is there something wrong with you? Are you anxious and depressed? Do you need medication?” He asked the questions, looked at me with piercing eyes, and said, “Some may agree that you do. But I don’t. I just think the Holy Spirit is trying to get your attention and you’re not listening.”

 As you can imagine, this blew me away. With that, I realized that I had so much more of myself to give, that life was much more than what I was getting and giving, and that I had allowed the stresses and distractions of the world to drive me into giving up on some of my passions, dreams, and hopes.

Have you ever felt this way? Do you ever, in your quiet moments of reflection, feel the same emptiness and confusion deep inside your soul?

ADAPT

The day we’re born, we come into the world a brand new, fresh being who has the whole world before us. Our journey has begun, and we are thrust into this big world with our futures before us. Of course, we begin to grow in body, mind, and spirit. Furthermore, we begin to develop passions, dreams, and inspiration – the things of life that push us forward into a future of expectation, anticipation, and hope.

As we’ve discussed over the past few weeks, however, challenges and resistance are part of our journey and how we deal, grow and mature from those makes all the difference in our ability to keep our hopes and dreams alive.

The threat to us all is allowing self-doubt, insecurity, and fear to metastasize into wounds that deepen.  Soon, these distractions rob us of our hopes and dreams, and we abandon the path we were on towards achieving them. May I suggest that some of life’s greatest tragedies occur when we give up on those amazing qualities – qualities that make us extraordinarily human? A loss of our dreams and hopes leads to a sort of captivity of the soul.

God never wanted us to feel like we’re just another cog in the wheel of the universe, living for today, holding tight to distractions that we believe are important, and feeling as if we’re losing our grip on the meaning of being human.

Here’s what God tells His exiled people in Jeremiah 29:11-14:

 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.”

Here’s the bottom line: Your path for achieving your dreams will more than likely be confusing and seemingly unachievable. But we must not give in because we can’t see what lies around the bend. We must believe and trust that God has put those on our hearts for a reason and must continue to move forward into the unknown wilderness until they have come true. God is as interested in those dreams and hopes as you are. More than likely, He’s the one that has given them to you in the first place.

ENDURE

Dreams, hopes, and passions give life to the hearts of men. A large part of life is using them in conjunction with the love inside you. These are reflections of our Creator, and we should use those traits to touch other people’s lives for the greater good of humanity. Not for ourselves, but to be a beacon for God’s love – to love others as He loves us.   

GO FORTH

 Allow His glory to shine through you. It’s going to take much work, commitment, dedication, sacrifice, and moxie. You must stand up, accept the challenge, and do the daily, hard, grinding work it takes to make your dreams, hopes, and passions see the light of day.

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Sharing the Struggle and Hope in Marriage

By Shannon Rasmussen, Junto Tribe Administrative Team Director

“He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”

2 Cor 1:4

 Marriage is always work.

Even without financial worries, health issues, children, jobs, extended families, and the everyday struggles of life, sharing life with another person is hard. Committing to someone with a different background and unique experiences is incredibly hard. It’s worth noting, too, that we have no idea when we sign on exactly what will come our way over the course of that marriage. So, on some days, marriage feels impossible.

Unfortunately, we’ve compounded the problem by failing to talk about how hard marriage is. Maybe because nobody wants to ruin the engagement season with talk about the hardships that will certainly come. And then no one wants to disrupt the honeymoon season by warning about the struggles that often emerge after the novelty wears off. Then life gets busy once kids are introduced into the mix, and no one has time to talk about much of anything.

Eventually, as the years go on, we assume that couples who have made it this far must have marriage figured out. Since everything looks great on the outside, we presume that all is well. And then, when a years-old marriage falls apart, we discover how wrong we were, and it’s often too late.

Because not only are we failing to talk about the difficulty of marriage; we’re also failing to talk about the hope.

Many years ago, a couple in our church small group told the story of the day they woke to discover they didn’t really even like each other. They suggested we all brace for the possibility that we might someday feel the same way. But they also told us that if we brace for those moments, and understand how common they are, we’ll be less likely to buy into the lie that they are a death sentence for our families.

In short, they shared their experience with hope. They didn’t promise us that marriages always work out, and they didn’t suggest that this knowledge would somehow save us from hardship. They simply reminded us that with God, hope always exists.

Then, because my husband and I had heard their story of reconciliation, we sought it for ourselves when our own marriage was in trouble. God surrounded us with wise counsel and healed the things we thought were impossibly broken because we mutually placed our hope in Him.

We couldn’t see how it could work, but we drew from the story of our church mentors and Scripture, and we left room for hope.  

In the years that followed, He gave us countless opportunities to share our story of restoration with other couples who were in the same fight. He positioned us to share that same hope, as well as the comfort He had once given us, with others who needed it.

It’s often true that when we get lost in the struggles and the monotony of marriage, we falsely assume we have two options: stay together and be miserable, or divorce and end the misery. We fail to consider that sometimes, a third option exists: to stay together and end the misery. In other words, fight FOR each other instead of AGAINST each other.

Jesus offers us endless hope in the face of every struggle, including marriage. It will always be hard on this side of heaven, but when we share our own stories of how God has worked, we encourage others and provide a source of hope. We also create a lasting legacy that will extend exponentially as each person who experiences hope shares it with others.

If God has given you comfort and hope, pray for opportunities to share it. If you’re struggling in your marriage, refuse to believe that you’re alone in your struggle. Then refuse to walk away without at least engaging with someone who has experienced God’s hope in marriage.

Seek. Adapt. Endure. Go Forth.

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"I Will Quit Tomorrow"

By Mike Sanders, President and Founder of Junto Tribe

 

WHAT’S THE POINT?

The Resistance is real. It will fight and claw and bite to keep the light you carry from ever breaking the dark. But you must continue on your journey. You must not quit. You must not give in. You must let your light shine!

SEEK

Need analysis: I feel like quitting on the goal I have set for myself. I feel like God has laid a goal, hope, or project on my heart; therefore it is good and worthy to accomplish it. However, I feel like quitting because it feels as if achieving it is too hard for me. I need the strength and resiliency to continue.

In my last blog, I discussed the very real and dangerous entity that author Stephen Pressfield called the “Resistance.”

I wrote that blog because, at the time, I was going through a season of struggle and challenge on a project that I had been working extremely hard on for many months. My team and I were feeling the Resistance but remained resilient because we felt we were on the cusp of developing something that was worthy, good, and right for those we served in our organization.

To be transparent, this project felt more like a battle. It had been long and hard, and it was an emotional road that I badly needed rest from. In fact, many mornings during my quiet time, I had been praying that God would give me strength and peace, and the ability to keep my mind and body focused on enduring the Resistance – to metaphorically keep my feet moving toward the finish line.

Isn’t it amazing that the worst of the Resistance seems to intensify as we get closer to achieving our good and worthy goal? Have you ever been there? Have you ever gotten to the point of giving in the closer you get to your goal?

ADAPT

So what can we do in those moments when we feel like quitting?

I remember a statement that a Special Forces soldier recently told me. He was reminiscing about some of the more physically, mentally, and spiritually demanding moments of his life as a Green Beret. He said, “During those times, as the feeling of giving up begins to overwhelm me, I say to myself, ‘I will quit tomorrow.’”

This seemingly simple statement is so powerful when we put it the test:

“I will quit tomorrow.” That is to say, I will quit tomorrow and not today. I will keep pushing today. I will make it to the end of today when the sun will finally go down and I can rest. I will quit tomorrow.

ENDURE

Here’s the genius behind that statement. Each day provides a new sunset and new energy and new opportunities. Fatigue has been reduced and I have new life and hope to see this battle to the end. And here’s the best part. I keep pushing the quitting to a new day that never comes. No matter what happens, no matter what failures, I must endure. I must keep the faith in knowing and believing that God is with me. You see? The only thing that stands between us and what we want from life is the awesome ability we’ve been given to keep going.

Resiliency is not something we have but rather something we do. We must keep fighting and biting and clawing back at the Resistance. Make it through today and begin again tomorrow. All we have is right now. Use it and overcome with God’s amazing strength. He will not be denied.

You will not quit today.

GO FORTH

 “Let us not become weary in doing good; for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Galatians 6:9

 

 

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Finding Truth In a Noisy World

By Jeff Stovall, Pastor of Junto Tribe’s Spiritual Performance Team

Our world is full of voices projecting their opinions: some right and some wrong. We hear them in politics, sports, news, schools, universities, workplaces, homes, social media, friends, acquaintances, and strangers.

There are times I find myself in the middle of the horde, adding my two cents, feebly inserting my own reasoning in an attempt to right a sinking ship. There are other times my mind wants to run away and shut them all down, to silence the crowds, to hit the reset button, and sit at the feet of Wisdom and listen to the authentic Voice of Truth.

The voices just keep coming, though, don’t they? Can truth actually be relative? Can what is right for me actually be wrong for you and vice versa? Do I really have the power to speak a gender into existence? Who are you to say otherwise? How offensive! Did man really evolve from a fish? Is having sex outside of marriage really just a fun game people play with no consequences? How many theories have been disproven, and facts debunked?

The sway of public opinion is like shifting sand. What is right today is wrong tomorrow – what was once clear is now foggy. The sea of opinions seems to be endless and ever-encroaching on the shores of sound reasoning.

Despite the confusion, I’m reminded that like sheep, ALL have gone astray – that there is no one righteous…not even one. (Isaiah 53:6 /Romans 3:10-12) Sure, I believe that some project their opinions out of a spirit of cunning and deceitfulness; there will always be those who try to get ahead at the cost of others.

And Satan, the enemy of man and of God, is constantly up to his tricks…he’s not called the father of lies by Jesus for nothing. His goal is to confuse and divide, and ultimately to destroy us. The overwhelming majority of us, however, are simply attempting to make sense out of this seemingly senseless existence. We want to make black and white out of the endless shades of grey.

I’ve been told that the best way to spot a counterfeit is to study and know the original in great detail, and ANYTHING that deviates from that original is simply an imitation. Believers must routinely break open the Bread of Life. We are told to do our best to present ourselves to God as approved, workmen who don’t need to be ashamed and who correctly handle the Word of Truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)

We must demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Cor. 10:5) Jesus declared Himself as the way, the TRUTH, and the life, and only on the solid rock of Jesus Christ will we ever be able to make sense out of all of the voices of this world.

We must hide scripture in our hearts. (Psalm 119:11) Otherwise, we will simply be another voice in the crowd, being tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. (Ephesians 4:14)

In conclusion, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32) The world is aching for real Truth. Will you and I be bold enough to proclaim it? Faith comes through hearing the Truth, and the Truth is heard through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17) Spend time daily reading, listening, and meditating on the Voice of the Great Shepherd, and then you will be ready and able to share it with a world that needs it so desperately.

 

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Recognizing Resistance as Confirmation of Your Journey

By Mike Sanders, President and Founder of Junto Tribe

Even though the conversation was 14 years ago, I remember it like it was yesterday. I guess the intensity of the moment, and the love and respect I had for the person I was speaking with, is what makes the memory seem so near and dear.

At the time, I was working as the head strength and conditioning coach for one of the top collegiate Division I men’s ice hockey programs in the country. I was talking to the captain of the team — the defending national champions from the year before — and I never imagined such an honor. But here I was with the team for the second year in a row, getting ready to play in the NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Championship Final known as the Frozen Four.

The team we were facing that day was a big, physical team – the type of team that I call headhunters. Their style of play was always to use their superior size and strength to grind and wear down their opponents by hitting hard and looking to beat them into submission. We were a much smaller team, but I felt we were fitter, more resilient, and quicker, and I felt these attributes would prove to be our saving grace. 

As you can imagine, the intensity of the moment was high as everyone in the locker room was preparing themselves in their own unique way. One of my ways to help prepare the team was to grab the captain, take him to the side and give him a few last words of encouragement.

That particular night I said, “You know as well as I do that they’re going to come out swinging at us. They’re going to hit hard, try to intimidate us, and wear us down. All we have to do is survive the barrage for one period. If we can do that, our superior resiliency and speed will prevail, and they won’t be able to sustain our energy.”

In this regard, as the guy in charge of their physical development, I was preparing my guys for the resistance – the resistance that was waiting on the other side of the ice, bent on keeping us from the championship – a goal that we felt was worthy of accomplishing. 

“The more important a call or action is to our soul’s evolution, the more Resistance we will feel toward pursuing it.” 

Steven Pressfield

I tell you this story because of the way it parallels life. As I look back throughout my life, I realize I’ve never achieved a worthy cause, or made some positive change in the lives of others or myself, without challenge, obstacles, and even uncertainty.  It’s almost as if there is a living, breathing entity pushing back against our good, right, and worthy goals.

Moreover, good and worthy work takes great resilience, endurance, and energy to accomplish. Why? Because you have an opponent standing on the other side of the ice looking to keep you from achieving your goal, and he’s going to headhunt you and try to beat you into submission. He’s the enemy of all that’s good, right, and worthy and he will resist.

Jesus tells us of this enemy – this living, breathing Resistance in John 10:10:

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

The problem with so many of us is the fact that many times we allow our foe to intimidate, grind us down, and beat us into submission. But we must stand and resist knowing that our foe is defeated and is simply a loud, defeated, lying enemy who loves to use doubt and fear to keep us from creating life-giving good.

But we must endure. We must be resilient. We must outlast the enemy, not with our own strength, but with submission to God, our teammate in the fight. We fight back with the truth that brings life – the truth of Jesus. 

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

James 4:7

I don’t know where you are today. Maybe you are fighting a life-threatening disease. Maybe you’re working on a project that, if accomplished, will help many people and the challenges you’re coming against are more than enough to make you give up. Maybe you’re trying to heal your marriage, or relationship with a family member or friend. Or maybe you’re in school and feel like the stress and strain is too much for you to continue.

If that’s you then listen carefully:

Your enemy is going to keep swinging. He’s going to try to hit you hard, intimidate you, and wear you down. All you have to do is endure today and keep fighting. Survive the barrage for one more day and let your superior resiliency and energy from God almighty keep driving you forward. Recognize the fear and doubt for what it is, the last weapons of a defeated foe. When you feel the Resistance, realize that it is a great sign that you are on the right path and keep going. Pray. Pray. Pray. And never forget the name of Jesus. 

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

 Seek. Adapt. Endure. And Go Forth.

 

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Teaching Our Daughters Their Value

By Jim Marion, Executive Director of Junto Tribe

 

Men...Our girls need us. Our daughters are growing up in a world that tells them they have to compromise themselves in order to fit in and it’s our job to educate them about their value. 

So there I was...sitting before my 2 teenage daughters and 3 friends who were all in homecoming dresses, 20 minutes before they were to leave for the dance. My job this night was to try to impart practical wisdom about the event they were about to attend. I had no idea what to tell these girls that I am fiercely protective of and madly in love with. Hours before, I prayed about what to tell them and this is what the Lord wanted me to say…

“Girls, I want to give you some practical tips about homecoming and remind you how God sees you and how you should see yourself.

Practical tips…

1. Stick together. Keep track of everyone and don’t let anyone fall behind. Leave with the same number you arrived with...don’t let anyone get separated from the herd. 

2. Don’t let anyone go to the bathroom alone. My wife taught me this one. As a man, I am not sure why girls do this, but I know it’s important. I guess bad things happen on the way to the bathroom, so don’t be caught alone. 

3. No drinking, no drugs, no smoking...duh. 

4. If you find yourself in a situation you don’t want to be in, no matter the circumstance, call me. Even if a bad choice got you there. I will come — no questions asked — with backup, and I won’t be mad. 

5. Dance your butts off. Life is too short to stand on the sidelines.  Don’t take yourself too seriously that you won’t dance in a crowded room. Do not miss a moment to experience joy. Dance...it’s contagious.

Never lose sight of how God sees you. I prayed about what to say tonight and the Lord kept putting one message on my heart for you. Value Yourselves. 

In Psalm 139:14, David says, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” 

God made you deliberately and with purpose. Take a second and let that sink in. 

In Matthew 10:29-31, Jesus says, “What is the price of two sparrows - one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” 

Think about that, girls…You are fearfully and wonderfully made by the God of the universe. You are so important that God took the time to specifically number the hairs on your head. Above all, God values you above all others. How much do you value yourself? Please remember these truths...

First, believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are beautiful. You are fearfully and wonderfully made to be who you are. Who you are is absolutely beautiful in every way. Pay no stock to what haters say. There are mean people in the world, and their opinions are garbage. Lean on the opinion of your father in heaven. 

Second, it feels great to be cherished by a boy, and it is devastating to be put down by one. Don’t waste time with a boy who doesn’t cherish you. There is a boy out there made by God specifically to cherish you. Wait for him...don’t settle for anything less. 

Lastly, surround yourselves with friends who encourage you to be the best you. These are the friends that see you the way Jesus sees you. You’ve found that in each other. Protect that friendship, cultivate it, and don’t let each other forget your value.

Remember how much I love you. I will chase you to the end of the earth if I need to and will not grow tired. I will fight for you if you need me and by the power of Jesus, no evil can stop me. So if you need me...do not hesitate to call. Be safe, have a great time and value yourselves.”

Men...there is no script for these moments, but God will give you the words. The important thing is to chase your girls and let them see you chasing them. Be present. Don’t be afraid to be in the moment. Don’t be too manly to be vulnerable. Tell them they are beautiful every chance you get. This is our charge as fathers. 

We have been given the responsibility to shape expectations of how our girls should be treated by men for the rest of our lives. Step up...Tell them how much God values them and how much you value them. Then they will value themselves.

We’ve got this, men!!!

For His Kingdom