Equipping men to walk in ‘power, love, and a sound mind.’

GOD HAS NOT GIVEN US A SPIRIT OF FEAR

Most men won’t openly admit it, but they feel lost today. Everything down to their core screams, “I want to operate my life with power and a purpose.” But as the world’s system (fueled by the enemies of God; Ephesians 6:12) forces broken paradigms of thought and behavior on us, Christian men are torn between apathy (behaving nicely to not offend the offenders, which might include their spouses) or righteous anger (taking a stand for what is moral, holy, and the way God created us). When men choose to cower, they forfeit their chance to live with power, use their giftings, and eventually confidence in what is actually sound thinking (2 Timothy 1:6-7).

The Bible is clear: Christ the carpenter and teacher was both meek and bold, but he was not effeminate as the enemy wants us to believe, and even some churches, marring the image of God. He spoke the truth that inflamed the religious leaders while caring for the oppressed. Never forget the “lamb” that most people envision was ridiculed, stripped naked, and led to the slaughter of ALL humanity’s sins. And yet he never cursed his accusers as he was nailed to a cross (Isaiah 53:7). That’s strength under duress and THE MASTER we can follow. No other “religion” offers such a sacrifice. 

Society’s stripping of masculinity creates confusion and animosity under our skin (Matthew 24:10). Some church folk tell us we must work harder to be good and do good and somehow find acceptability with God, family, and fellow man (moralism: righteousness based on outward behavior). God’s forgiveness, grace, and love can demolish the burdens of self-hatred, condemnation, guilt, and shame most men carry. When we genuinely understand how Christ’s sacrifice set us free from the bondage of sin (and striving to keep the Law), we can walk in peace, knowing we’ll never be perfect. Still, in obedience to him alone, we begin making the changes that bear fruit as a follower of Christ, not man. It then feels natural, not contrived. 

Now most men cannot grasp perfect love (because it has never been modeled), and it is easy to see why we gravitate toward lawless behaviors (self-seeking rioting through all our senses; Galatians 5:19-20) to fill voids God never intended us to possess. 

Many men (churched or unchurched) are warring in anger against God over loss or disappointments. Some struggle whether to stick with the faith they’ve been weaned on but no longer understand. Maybe they never understood it. And just as a beginner mimicking the motions of an athlete, outdoorsman, salesman, or father can’t make him one by day’s end, religious behavior (as in denominational edicts and sacraments) is void of authenticity and completeness without a personal relationship with Christ (“the way, the truth, and the life,” John 14:6).  

LIONHEART Men’s Equipping Ministries is committed to addressing the challenges that some clergy may find daunting in individual or church group settings. We will courageously share God’s truth with love, identify and reevaluate the flawed patterns of thought that hinder our progress, demonstrate the necessity of faith in pleasing God, and encourage men to seek the Spirit that many have only read about. Jesus assured us that his departure was for our benefit so that the ‘Spirit of truth’ could come and teach us what the Lord has revealed to him (John 16:1-15).

Proverbs 27:6 and 17 remind us that ‘iron sharpens iron’ and that a true friend’s rebuke is sincere. But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy. Brothers need to have one another’s back so we can “overcome” (James 1) and, more importantly, fulfill the plans our loving God has for us (Jeremiah 29:11, Ephesians 2:10 - We are God’s masterpiece meant to do something meaningful). Eventually, our goal is to disciple others (2 Timothy 2:2) as we simply “do life together.” We are identifiable flesh that’s been redeemed.

The mission of LIONHEART Men’s Equipping Ministries is straightforward: ‘Equipping men to walk in power, love, and a sound mind’ (2 Timothy 1:7). Our vision is to provide support to other ministries, with the belief that ‘Born-again paradigms of thought and heart behavior (not religion) can transform men, families, churches, and communities.’ This is a collective endeavor, and all glory belongs to God.

Whether it’s a series of weekend workshops or a large outdoor men’s event, the author of The Huntsman’s Conscience seeks to point men toward Christ’s redemptive work on the cross and hone their relational skills.

Men confuse meekness with weakness. The ‘Lion of Judah’ is a powerful symbol that has come to represent the eternal authority, power, and protection of Jesus Christ, His royal lineage, and His courageous victory over death and sin. We were created in God’s likeness. And like Paul instructed his mentee (in 2 Timothy 1:5-7), we are to use our faith and giftings with courage because, “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Exercising humility (it’s not about us) doesn’t mean we have to walk around with our heads down. We can have the Lion’s heart. 

— Scott Cummings