Chapter 5-8: Nobility, Purity, Loving Kindness, and Joy
Dear Friend,
It’s difficult if you don’t post daily. You end up being so far behind that it becomes a challenge to catch up. Anyway, because I’m so far behind and I don’t want to spend hours working on this, I’ll just post a brief paragraph for each chapter.
We continue with Mighty Man of God by Sam Laing. These are few more characterisitics a Mighty Man posesses
Chapter 5: Nobility
I was very challenged and humbled by this chapter. The noble man is a gentleman, unselfish, gracious, rational, above pettiness and vulgarity. I desire to become a nobleman, but the standards are high. I have plenty of room to improve in this area. I used to be more unselfish, but lately I’ve become too selfish. I don’t know where this came from, but this must change.
Chapter 6: Purity
This seems to be a challenge to all men. I’ve studied this out through various books and lessons, but its something that I have constant challenge with. A lot of my temptations have died down since marriage, but I don’t want to get myself near any temptation so I avoid things that may even give me a hint. I do my best to keep my eyes pure, which effects my mind, and thus effects my heart. I’ve been doing okay in this, but I don’t want to be prideful, because that’s when Satan cuts me down again.
Chapter 7: Loving Kindness
Lately, I’ve become easily irate. This is also something I must change. I think this is a time for God is using to sharpen me and take out a lot of my negative tendencies. My anger doesn’t help anyone and I’ve realized that not only does it hurt others, but it hurts me in the long run to. My lack of patience and seeing from other people’s perspective has humbled me quite a bit in these last few months. I need to be more loving and kind.
On a side note, I read this chapter yesterday, but its interesting to note that it is easy to forget. I need to find a better way to implement things I’ve learned and to keep them in my head and make them natural habits.
Chapter 8: Joy
Joy is great! However, leading in joy is difficult for me. I’ve realized that I prefer to be in the background, but I want to become an effective and powerful leader. It’s something that I must fight here as well. This chapter focuses that despite any circumstance we must be joyful, why? Because God is with us and he loves us.
Peace be with you,
~Hoo
Photo:http://flickr.com/photos/artchemist2007/
Chapter 4: Honor
Good afternoon!
It’s been a weird couple days with friends dying and parents of friends’ dying. I haven’t gotten a good night rest for a couple of days, but spending time with God is important. Here’s notes from today for the Mighty Man of God.
Chapter 4: Honor
Laing says a mighty man is a man of honor: highest principles, unimpeachable integrity, unassailable virtue, and of God.
“A honorable man is one who holds himself to the highest standards of morals, ethics, and behavior.”
He is trusted, revered, listened to; does not demand, but receives respect; admired, esteemed, beloved, others want to emulate him. I would really like to be someone like this.
“A man of honor is a man of truth. Honesty and loyalty to the truth are the fundamental building blocks of character”
Truth is the foundation for everything, therefore we must love, believe, hear, and tell the truth. To me the truth is much easier to deal with than dealing with deceptions and memorizing lies.
The truth is also a key component in relationships.
“A man of honor is a man of principle. A man of principle is faithful to what is right over and above his concern for his own safety, position, or personal benefit. He stands up for what is right, no matter what the cost.”
man of
I struggle with principles, because sometimes it gets confusing. For example, something I used to struggle with and again recently is piracy of music and movies. I want to do what is right. That’s what it comes down to. I will not judge others, but encourage them to do what is right too.
A man of honor sacrifices. The example here is the story of Daniel. Are you willing to sacrifice and go against the law when it goes against the truth?
“A man of honor expects the best of himself. These is within mighty men a desire for excellence, a hunger to be the very best version of themselves that they can be.”
I REALLY want to do this, but I make too many excuses and fall back into my laziness. I need to pray and figure out a way to overcome this and TRULY do this.
“A man of honor embraces challenge and adventure.”
I love challenging myself mentally and physically. It is a rush to push yourself to the edge and survive. It is one of the best feelings in the world. Just when you think you can’t go any farther, you take another step. The adrenaline and feelings are great. I don’t know why I don’t challenge myself more often. This is something that will change soon.
After reading this chapter I am challenged and inspired. I want to change my environment so I can cultivate this kind of life style.
Peace be with you,
~Hoo
Photo: http://flickr.com/photos/mountainbread/
Mighty Man of God by Sam Laing: Introduction, Chapter 1, Appendix
Dear friend,
Today’s quiet time begins with a book titled: Mighty Man of God: A Return of Glory of Manhood written by Sam Laing. A good friend kept encouraging me to read this book. You can find a used copy on Amazon.com for 44 cents. The content I’ve read so far is pure gold: inspirational, challenging, and encouraging.
I read the introduction, first chapter, and the appendix. The rest of this post will be quotations, my thoughts and notes. If you have a copy I encourage you to follow along.
Introduction
The introduction begins with a letter from Sam to a select group of men:
“They were brave warriors, ready for battle and able to handle the shield and spear. Their faces were the faces of lions, and they were as swift as gazelles in the mountains.” - 1st Chronicles 12:8.
He challenges them to read, study, and meditate on 1 Chronicles 11, 12 and 2 Samuel 23:8-30 for preparation. He genuinely believes in his men and challenges them to be whole-heartedly prepared or not to come to an early morning meeting at 5:30AM. He also says he wants the men to prove themselves through actions instead of just words. Reading that letter alone challenged the tar out of me. I’d like to say I would like to attend a meeting like this, but not in my current spirituality.
That morning 29 men stood up to the challenge to become mighty men of God. Laing also describes how he used the Bible to inspire and radically changed the men in the coming months. He also bluntly lays out the sad state of what “manhood” has come to. I never thought of it before, but Laing mentions: where are the Churchills and Lincolns. Where are the great men of old? “The presidents and leaders seem unable to remain faithful to their own wives, much less inspire a nation to greatness.” I don’t know why, but that quote really resonates with me.
In the last part of the introduction: Laing calls men to wake up, because there must be true men out there. He calls men to conquer weaknesses and fears; and to forge onward to become a mighty man of God.
Chapter 1
Chapter one focuses on the Spirituality of men.
- We need depth spiritually
- We need consistent study of God’s word
- We need to be devoted to prayer
- We need to continually grow
- We need to begin today
Appendix
The appendix has stories from the first group of mighty men and their accomplishments. Two of Laing’s sons also participate in this program. The appendix is truly inspirational. It got me fired up again. It’s been a long time since I felt that.
Anyway, I hope to grow and make some positive changes within my life and learn from this book. Who knows maybe I’ll create my own Mighty Men of God group.
Peace be with you,
~Hoo
Flickr
