Something has gone terribly wrong…

In John Eldridge’s book ‘Wild at Heart’ he discusses a number of pertinent issues to the modern man. He suggests that we have lost our heart. The quotes below are given to provoke and inspire the reader, yet I can’t help but wonder if he is even getting close to answering the real questions? And so we will discuss this on Monday night at EDGE.

To steal a phrase from Vodafone… “Lets talk like we used to”

EDGE Kingsland, This Monday June 21st, 7pm.

“In the heart of every man is a desperate desire for a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue.”

“A man must have a battle to fight, a great mission to his life… He must have a cause to which he is devoted even unto death. …There is something fierce in the heart of every man.”

“A man needs a much bigger orbit than a woman. He needs a mission and a life purpose. Only then is he fit for a woman, for only then does he have something to invite her into.”

“Adventure, with all its requisite danger and wildness, is a deeply spiritual longing written into the soul of a man.”

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” -Gil Bailie

Jamie.

Mothers day got me thinking again about men, and how masculinity is such a clouded issue in our society. Men face many challenges and issues as we try to navigate this life. Why do so many of us struggle with our identity? Why do so many of us turn our backs on kids and partners when things get tough? Why do the ‘Bastions of Masculinity’, the professional athletes, continue to abuse alcohol, drugs, and women? Why does NZ have some of the highest rates of child abuse and suicide amongst males in the developed world? It seems something has gone terribly wrong?!

Before the Great Depression and World War II it was common for up to four generations of males to live in the same household, interacting daily and passing down wisdom as a natural part of life. Young men learned by practical example how to be good husbands and fathers; older men learned how to respect and encourage the enthusiasm of youth; and all learned together how to honour their wives, daughters, sisters, girlfriends, and mothers. This type of close-knit community is now all too uncommon.

So how do we address these issues? Surely the answer is more than just trying harder to be good, or talking more about our sexual struggles?

I propose we facilitate some conversation.  A cross-generational get together of men folk who want to talk about this stuff. This will not be the answer but rather the start of a journey together to see if we can uncover some of the glory that is resident within each of us men. This will not be a ‘Men’s Ministry’, but rather a band-of-brothers (and sons, and fathers, and grandfathers) attempting to do life together instead of struggling alone. This will not be advertised in the notices on Sunday morning, but rather it will take individuals speaking to their friends and acquaintances and inviting them along.

To steal a phrase from Vodafone… “Lets talk like we used to”

EDGE Kingsland,  Monday June 21st, 7pm.

Jamie.