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Real Men ... Love

Love (Divine) Men's Concerns Husbands

Contributed By: Corey Sawyers | Date Posted: 2018-10-02

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1 ; 1 Corinthians 16:14

Author: Corey Sawyers
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ILLUSTRATION

I Corinthians 16:13 says, "Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong." Such a manly verse! "Be on the alert!" Manly! "Stand firm!" Manly! I especially love the second half of the verse. "Act like men." Of course, that is manly. "Be strong" Manly! You can almost hear Tim "The Toolman Taylor" grunting!

So how did the inspired writer qualify his exhortation? This way: "Let all that you do be done in love" (I Cor. 16:14). 

APPLICATION

Wow! Act like men. Be strong, yes. Let all you do be done in love? Manly? You see, there are many who think of meekness and compassion as signs of weakness. The Bible suggests otherwise. 

Men, do you want to be a manly husband? Show your wife you love her.

Do you want to be a manly father? Show your children you love them.

Do you want to be thought of as a manly man around town? Show your neighbors you love them.

Do you want to be considered a manly man at work? Show your co-workers you love them.

Do you want to be the big man on campus? Show your classmates you love them.

See, if we are going to really be a manly man, you have to be transformed into the image of the One who created you, and God is love.

A real man shows love.

"You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 2:1).

Say It With Beef

Men's Concerns Cultural Trends Valentine's Day

Source: “Nothing says 'I love you' like flowers made of dried-out beef,” by ROBIN SHREEVES, Mother Nature Network, February 1, 2017.

Link to Source: Click here to view source

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2017-03-17

Scripture: John 15:12

Author: Illustration Exchange
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ILLUSTRATION

Robin Shreeves with Mother Nature Network writes:

The lovely roses in the picture above are made with beef jerky, the brainchild of a company called Say It With Beef.

But what is it you're hoping to say, and to whom? I think that depends on the situation. This "broquet" as its creators are calling it, can say many things. It can say to your Valentine, "Flowers die quickly but beef jerky lasts for a really, really long time." It can say, "You're a dude and I had no idea what to buy you. Have some beef." Or perhaps they're just a way to congratulate a guy on a new job, bachelor pad or car.

These dozen beef roses could be perfect this Valentine's Day and on other occasions in which you need to remind the recipient that he's so manly that he deserves dried-out beef flowers in a beer mug. 

APPLICATION

We rightfully place an emphasis on the celebration of femininity in our society. In fact, we have an entire industry dedicated to that purpose.  Flowers are a wonderful way to express appreciation for that special woman in your life.  But what about the men? What about the masculine characteristics of strength, provision, protection and initiative that are often associate with men?  

What is the appropriate way to celebrate masculinity? Is the answer really beef jerky flowers in a beer mug? Or, perhaps the better question might be, is masculinity even considered a positive trait in today's politically correct climate?  Isn't it true that masculinity in general, and the masculine role in particular, have been disparaged in western society? Even acknowledging these as masculine traits can cause offense to some, as though such a thing somehow makes women less equal. 

But here's the thing: God does not intend for our lives to be a competition. Rather, we are here to learn to love and appreciate one another.  And that means both acknowledging and celebrating our differences. 

Find a way to celebrate your man for the role of he plays in your life.  It can be anything, even beef jerky flowers, if the message is that you are celebrating him for being him.

"This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you" (John 15:12, NLT). 

Three Pregnant Dads

Motherhood Empathy Men's Concerns

Source: “Three Pregnant Dads: Meet the Men Wearing 'Empathy Bellies’” By JOANNA PRISCO, ABC News via GOOD MORNING AMERICA, posted Feb 23, 2015

Link to Source: Click here to view source

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2015-04-27

Scripture: Romans 12:15 ; 1 Peter 3:8

Author: Illustration Exchange
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ILLUSTRATION

“From exhaustion to bladder discomfort to lack of sleep, pregnant women endure an array of aches and pains on the path that culminates with childbirth. If only a man could even begin to understand what it was like. Well, now three guys are trying to do just that,” reports Joanna Prisco for Good Morning America:

In an effort to pay tribute to the challenges of pregnancy as well as to their wives and mothers, three men have decided to wear 33-pound 'empathy bellies' for one month straight in the run up to March 15, 2015 when Mother's Day is celebrated in England. To spread awareness of their plight, the men are sharing the ups and downs of the experiment with readers on a site titled, appropriately enough, Three Pregnant Dads.
 

Three Brits—Jason Bramley, Steve Hanson and Jonny Biggins—have agreed to wear the pregnancy simulation suits 24/7 for a full month, the only exceptions being when they shower.

The suits are designed to simulate not only the shape and weight of a full term pregnant belly, but also the pull on the back and shoulders, the pressure on the bladder and diaphragm, and even provide the sensation of the constant movement, digs and jabs of a full term fetus.

In addition to wearing the suit 24/7, the men have agreed to keep a video diary and a written daily journal of their great experiment.

Many have expressed support for the experiment and have lauded the “Three Pregnant Dads” for their willingness and desire to empathize with their wives’ experience, others have found the entire idea freakish and weird.

One reader felt the project undermined a father's traditional role. "Men already have roles during pregnancy and after the birth of their children. This is just another example of the anti-male, anti-Fatherhood agenda at work in society nowadays."

APPLICATION

Clearly fathers and mothers have very distinctive roles in the process of childbearing and child rearing. A good dose of empathy and understanding, however, is hardly a bad thing. Isn’t that what we long for—someone to understand how we feel?

Kudos to Bramley, Hanson and Biggins as they boldly go where no man has gone before!

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15).

“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind” (1 Peter 3:8).

“Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

Men Rules

Men's Concerns Marriage Humor

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2015-04-20

Scripture: Romans 12:10

Author: Unknown
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Be A Better Dad Today

Fatherhood Men's Concerns Priorities

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2014-06-09

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:8

Author: Gregory W. Slayton
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Have You Just Lied To Me?

Accountability Transparency Men's Concerns

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2013-02-19

Scripture: Galatians 6:1 ; James 5:16

Author: Chuck Colson
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Victories Make Men Men

Men's Concerns Victory Spiritual Warfare

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2012-10-01

Scripture: Romans 8:37 ; 1 Corinthians 15:57

Author: Illustration Exchange
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You Make Me Look Marvelous

Self-examination Men's Concerns Self-deceived

Contributed By: Mitchell Dillon | Date Posted: 2012-06-15

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:12

Author: Mitchell Dillon
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Stay At Home Dads

Fatherhood Children Men's Concerns

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2012-06-13

Author: Illustration Exchange
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Serving Single Dads

Fatherhood Divorce Men's Concerns

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2012-06-13

Scripture: Acts 4:32 ; Acts 4:44

Author: Illustration Exchange
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