Summertime Reading

Ah summertime. The time to enjoy outdoors however you are able to do whatever you are able. And that includes picking up a good book or two. One of my recent completed readings is "Risking it All: The Adventure, Challenge and Significance of a Promise Keeper" by Todd Burkhalter. As I was reading, I was thinking about the men of our church and a few passages really drove home the adventure, challenge and significance of QB:

"Throughout our lives, there are moments, hours and seasons when we must stand together, or we will fail. This is part of God's design. He designed us to work in unison with each other, doing together what cannot be done alone. Connecting to a few men helps each of us accomplish the calling and purpose of God in each man. We become a team, a platoon, each functioning in his strengths to cover the backs of those around him. Men in such groups ask this question: 'How am I helping you live out your calling?'"

Later after a reference to the final letter from Paul in 2 Timothy 4, Burkhalter writes:

"We need this kind of support; we were made for this kind of brotherhood. We need the perspective that comes from men who are engaged in our life. We need the strength that comes from men who can speak the truth of God's Word to us. Often times, we need encouragement to hang on to what we know is true. We need men in our lives who know our histories and our lives, men who can speak to us, reminding us of God's loving kindness and faithfulness. This is real fellowship."

Great food for thought on this unusually crisp summer evening as we quickly approach another great season of men's ministry!