A New Beginning

Romans 6:6-7

6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

Easter Sunday. Pastors, get the Word out.

I want us to look at this in a little different way today. Jesus obviously died on the cross for our sins and that should be praised, appreciated and celebrated.

Let’s look a little deeper here. This scripture says that our old self was crucified with Him. Or life before being saved has to die so we can be born again. That is our new beginning.

Men keep in mind that our sin was part of Jesus’ suffering. However, also keep in mind that our sin died with Him.

Make it a great Easter and a great week in the trenches. Be exceptional at being you.

Love,

Yancey

Regular Reminders of Why We Are Where We Are

1 Corinthians 7:17

17 Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.

Men, if you’re traveling, please be safe.

Today’s message comes from several recent happenings in my life. For a little background, I have changed jobs a few times in recent years. That has taken me to four schools in as many years.

Last Tuesday I had a one year memory pop up on Facebook about a former player’s signing day for college. On Friday I was invited to a party at a different school by two very special students, who happen to be special needs, that I saw every day at three years ago.

It was so humbling to see that memory and then to see and get hugs from those two kids along with several others in their class.

We don’t get to understand why things happen or when they happen, but we are always in the right or assigned spot. I am writing this, but I have to be reminded of it with quite a bit of regularity.

Men, do a good job of doing what you’re doing.

Make it a great day in the trenches. Be exceptional at being you.

Love,

Yancey

Family Friday 4/19: What Oils Your Gears?

Good afternoon, men!

I apologize for the late message! I was off today for Good Friday and what I thought was going to be a lazy day at the house got away from me quick.

While we were driving around today, my youngest son asked me why we needed to get the oil changed on his mom’s car. I explained to him how gears made her car move and told him hat oil helped the gears work correctly. I may or may not have used the word viscosity to a 6 year old….but hey, we have always talked to ours like they were grown.

Point being, what is your oil? What do you need to keep your faith gears turning? For me some of the things that make up my “oil” are:

1. Daily Prayer (occasionally with my wife)

2. The Manly Message

3. Sunday Gatherings and Worship

4. Friday DNA Breakfasts

5. Reading Scripture/ Books

6. Our MC Family and Locker 10:34 Outreach

Occasionally, just like a tune up, I need to re-evaluate how much I commit to these things. When I am faithful, my machine runs pretty well. When I’m not, I feel distant from God and often frustrated.

Think today about what your “oil” is and keep those gears rolling!

Have a blessed day, men!

M.I.T.T. ~ Runyan

I am guilty

I hope everyone is having a great week leading up to Easter. Today is Maundy Thursday, and we remember the Last Supper Jesus shared with the disciples.

This week I have been reading all the different accounts of the disciples as they recorded the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion.  It’s hard for me to at times, because the punishment Jesus took was so unnecessary and exaggerated, so I get very defensive toward the people.  But, then I realize I am one of the people, and that Jesus still wanted to fulfill Gods will, the prophecies and make this sacrifice for me.

Here are a few examples I cannot get out of my mind:

1. Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover.
John 18:28 NIV
This has been heavy on my heart all week.  These men cannot enter the home of Pilate (a gentile) because due to their rituals they would now be deemed “unclean” and would not get to celebrate passover.  They are harboring anger, jealousy,  envy and murder in their hearts; they also, are making up lies so that Jesus will be crucified yet their religion or ritual says they would be unclean if they entered the home of a gentile!? The God they should be worshiping and desiring is the one in front of them they are trying to murder.

2. Pilate is the best example of what it looks like to not reject passivity as a man and leader. In the verses below you will see him “wash his hands of this innocent man’s blood”, only want to “satisfy the crowd”, not listen to his wife’s commands and become friends with an enemy because he sent Jesus to Herod (who had heard of Jesus and only wanted to see the man who worked miracles perform one for him). I understand Pilote is a gentile, he has no dog in this fight. But, I use to think that Pilate did what he could,  I now see him through a different lens. He had a choice just like you and me!

When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took  water and washed his hands in front of the crowd . “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”
Matthew 27:24 NIV

Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
Mark 15:15 NIV

While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”
Matthew 27:19 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.27.19.NIV

That day Herod and Pilate became friends—before this they had been enemies.
Luke 23:12 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/luk.23.12.NIV

Have a an amazing Easter. Remember, Jesus rises from the dead! This story has the best happy ending ever,  and it’s important and impacts each of us!

With love dlp

M.I.T.T.

Science and God

Good morning, men!

Recently, I have started a book by Mike McHargue titled “Finding God in the Waves.” The book details how Mike grew up in a fairly normal house with Christian parents. He married, had kids, and became a deacon in his church. He had always had an interest in science and was a self-proclaimed “nerd.” At times, this interest posed complications with his understanding of Christian teaching about the formation of the earth, evolution, the size of the universe, etc.

As an adult, he experienced the divorce of his parents due to an extramarital affair and, combined with some scientific exploration…..went deep into Atheism for years.

The book chronicles his journey away from God, and back to God through science. Although I haven’t quite finished, it is a page turner if you have any iota of scientific interest or have ever had questions about how some Christian teachings and science don’t seem to gel.

Overall, the book has encouraged me to realize that no matter how far away we are from God….no matter how wide that gap seems to us….he is always right there with us.

Have a blessed day, men!

M.I.T.T. ~ Runyan

Comeback

Good morning men. In case some of you don’t know, Tiger Woods won the masters on Sunday. Many are regarding this as one of the greatest come backs in sports. As a golf enthusiast and a Tiger fan, this was one of the most enjoyable golf matches I’ve ever seen. Tiger has experienced every high and every low imaginable for someone that lives in the spotlight. As recently as two years ago, physicians and Tiger himself doubted if he would ever be able to play golf again, let alone win at the highest level. On Sunday he returned to that.

This reminds me of another incredible comeback. The most important comeback of all and we will be celebrating that comeback this weekend. Christ was crucified on a Friday. His followers entered into the lowest low imaginable. Their Lord was gone. Dead. Not to return. They had doubted what He said. On the third day, the stone was rolled away men! Imagine the disbelief and utter joy his disciples experienced when they saw Christ again! Men in this life we will experience highs and lows. Maybe you’ve been to your absolute low already. Maybe you are there now. Christ is there with you. He’s writing your comeback story right now. Keep the faith men. Keep your faith to help others grow theirs because in times of trial is when people can see our true colors and what we truly believe. It’s also a wonderful time to tell them about the savior who’s getting them through your biggest trials in life.

Have a great week in the trenches men.

Thirsting for God

Sorry for the late posting men. Been a challenging past few days calling out to God for his presence and his provision. May this passage provide guidance and encouragement.

Psalm 63

1
O God, you are my God; t earnestly I seek you;
u my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you,
as in v a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding w your power and glory.
3 Because your x steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
4 So I will bless you y as long as I live;
in your z name I will a lift up my hands.

5 My soul will be b satisfied as with fat and rich food,
and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,
6 when I remember you c upon my bed,
and meditate on you in c the watches of the night;
7 for you have been my help,
and in d the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
8 My soul e clings to you;
your right hand f upholds me.

9 But those who seek to destroy my life
g shall go down into h the depths of the earth;
10 they shall be given over to the power of the sword;
they shall be a portion for jackals.
11 But i the king shall rejoice in God;
all who j swear by him shall exult,
k for the mouths of l liars will be stopped.

Is It Harvest Time Yet?

Galatians 6:9

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

Pastors, make today memorable for your congregation. Use your gift.

Men, the motivation for today’s message is a mixture of the Masters, the NBA playoffs and a bit of a holdover from last week’s national championship game.

When we watch golf, basketball or any other sporting event, we see the harvest. Take Virginia for example, we didn’t witness their harvest of this year last Monday night. We witnessed their harvest of at least two years. They overcame the worst loss in NCAA Tournament history in 2018 only to stay focused and fight through the weary to become champions in 2019.

How long have the golfers playing today been working tirelessly on stroke after stroke just to get the opportunity to compete, let alone win. Every three pointer made in the coming NBA playoffs will be the harvest of countless hours in the gym working on shooting.

Grit and grind, men. Our faith is the same way. It takes grit to fight through whatever is going on in our lives. Keep in mind, the harvest will come at the “proper time.”

Make it a great week in the trenches. Be exceptional at being you.

Love,

Yancey

Opportunities That Fall In Your Lap

Ephesians 5:16

16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

Good Saturday to you all.

Today’s message is about those times that a small opportunity turns into the opportunity of a lifetime and possibly not your lifetime, but someone else’s.

This past week, one of our fellow men on the message and I were sitting in the office and one of our students came in talking about his future plans. This kid is from a rough part of Ripley County, Missouri. That in itself means he’s already overcoming some obstacles.

The opportunity arose to talk about his faith. We both think a lot of this young man and want the very best for him. We didn’t plan for him to come in and we hadn’t ever discussed is faith. However, we had discussed this young man’s upbringing and work ethic.

In a split second, the opportunity presented itself and we walked through the proverbial door. We can’t make him accept Christ, but he’s aware of the love available from Christ and the consequences of choosing not to accept the salvation Christ paid for.

Be ready when those opportunities present themselves. You’ll know what to say.

Make it a great Saturday in the trenches. Be exceptional at being you.

Love,

Yancey