Sunday, November 23, 2014

Why Being a "Good Guy" Isn't Enough


I never know what to call my friends that happen to be males…Guy friends? Man friends? Anyways, several months ago one of the guys that I hang out with that really is  just a friend, offered a small revelation: boys are dumb. That’s right, a male told me that boys are dumb.  How can he be so unforgiving toward his own gender? 

He can offer such an ungracious speech because he is correct. Boys are dumb.  Now that we have that established, before I proceed, allow me to defend my guy friend by explaining that he finished his remark by saying “but girls are stupid”.  Again, the guy friend is correct.  In fact, he couldn’t be more right.

Boys are dumb and girls are stupid (not to mention needy, emotional, ridiculous, and occasionally anti-committal).  Don’t worry, this isn’t about dogging the female population either-this one’s for the guys. 

So fellahs, why the random rant?  Because I feel bad for the “good guys” that just can’t seem to win. Good guys don’t win because being a good guy isn’t enough.  Sure, the world has expectations for who you should be, but is that who you are when no one else is around?  Don’t just be a “good guy”-be a man of integrity. The world can promise you limited and fleeting success, but a man of bold conviction stands forever. 

Down here in the South, these good guys are often referred to as good ole’ boys….the problem with these “good ole’ boys” is that they never become men.  We’ve got a bunch of 20 and 30-somethings that are great at having fun and hanging out and are even glad to lend a helping hand to those stuck out in a ditch somewhere, but somewhere along the way we lost the real men….men of principles, men with self control, men pursuing their God-given purpose.

Boys are dumb, but men have integrity-men are bold.
Men are intentional. 
Boys are dumb, so be a man. Intentionally be a man.
Good guys are a dime a dozen, but a man…now that’s something worth striving to become.


Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Teachable Moments


If anyone would have told me 4 years ago that I would be doing Children’s ministry as a 24-year-old I would have laughed in their face.  While it has been an unexpected twist in life’s journey, I have learned oh so much in a very short amount of time.  Kids are smart and resourceful-we just need to use that power and energy for the good.  Every waking moment with a child is an incredible opportunity to plant seeds of truth within his or her heart.  Kids ask questions. A LOT of questions. Those questions lead to great, meaningful, Truth-imparting discussions.
Just last Sunday as I sat in worship with one of our kiddos the following conversation took place:
               Child: “Wesley, why do you have so much stuff underlined in your Bible?”
               Me: “Those are different scriptures that have challenged and changed me.”
               Child: “Can I underline a verse that changed me?”
I couldn’t say ‘no’ to a question like that.  The child flipped to his desired location in my Bible and when I looked back down to see what verse he chose, my heart almost melted at seeing his green markings. 
 God's Word changes us; Sunday morning reminded me of that. Adults and children alike, the Word of God is living and active in our hearts.  I encourage you, friends, parents, teachers, fellow ministers, to seize the teachable moments of our daily routine...sometimes it's the child (not us) that does the teaching.