An Honor and a Priviledge

Some weeks ago a single mother friend of my wife and my acquaintance asked me to speak into her son's life, at a surprise 16th birthday party.

I had the privilege of homeschooling this young man during his 3rd. 6th grade years, before he returned to the public schools, where he has been playing football.

Below are the thoughts I shared with him before a number of friends and family.

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J.R., I am privileged to speak to you today. I remember when the Lord prompted me to take you under my wing for a time. First, taking you to Promise Keepers and then taking you out like each of my own children. Then homeschooling you with C., R. and J.

When the time came for changes, it was not easy for me to let go, as you had become like a son to me. Releasing you to go down a different path in life than mine was very difficult, emotionally, for me.

Since then, I have had opportunities to see and hear about how you were growing into manhood and I have liked what I have been hearing. The Lord seems to be working greatly in your life.

J., turning 16 is a significant time of transition in your life. You are given new privileges, like driving a car and freedom to spend your own money, and responsibilities, like driving safely, and earning your own money. You are on your way to becoming a man. In fact you are a young man.

At this time I want to give you encouragement in being a true, a real man. It is more than simply gowing older and bigger, I know as I have done both. In addition, I want to give you a gift to remind you of the challenge I leave with you today.

Lev 19:2 and 1 Peter 1:16

"Be holy, for I am Holy"

These are the words of God and they speak of holiness, implying purity, perfection, being set aside for a purpose.

In the box you should have found a signet purity ring. It is to be a reminder to you that you are to remain pure, in very sense, sexually and otherwise. It is a costly thing because your purity is priceless.

Yet this ring is more than that. On it you will find a 'coat of arms', representing the armor of God. Look to Eph 6 to remind you of the armor and tools of a 'Godly man.'

The Belt of Truth

The Breastplate of righteousness (Christ's)

The helmet of salvation

The shield of faith

The gospel of peace

And the Sword of the Spirit (the word of God)

J., I want this ring to remind you of something else as well. I want it to remind you of what it means to be a real man. During our times together I tried to share what I believed God wants a man to be To be like Jesus and follow him, Jesus who was THE true man.

As men we are to:

• Reject Passivity--we take an active role in life, discerning what his right, and DOING it, no passing the buck like Adam did in the Garden
  
• Accepting Responsibility--for ourselves and those around us, who depend on us. We do what's right even if it hurts
  
• Lead Courageously--Like Jesus. We are to be servant leaders, to be the first in serving. Lead in doing what is right. (Adam should have been leading, beating Satan with the hoe, instead he was following)
  
• Expect God's Greater Reward--Our reward is not in this life. It is in doing what is right, and enjoying our relationship with the Lord. God is faithful and rewards those who obey him.

J., we cannot be the men we are called to be by ourselves. We must depend on God to show us, to strengthen us. We also need other men to help us.

Proverbs 27:17

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another

Exodus 17:2 Aaron and Hur with Moses

Lastly, hear the words from the apostle Paul

"Be watchful,

Stand firm in the faith,

ACT LIKE MEN,

Be strong.

Let all that you do be done in love."

1 Cor 16:13-14 ESV

J., we love you.

Come to any of us if you are ever in need.

Be the man, and be blessed by God.

Lynnette Marie (Kline) Emmerling: We'll Miss You Mom.

Lynnette M. Emmerling, 60, of Elizabethtown, died Friday, Sept. 22, 2006, at Hardin Memorial Hospital in Elizabethtown.

A native of Linton, Ind., she was a member of First Christian Church in Elizabethtown. She helped her husband operate their business, Industrial Parts and Service, in Elizabethtown.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Laverne Resch Kline.

Survivors include:

• her husband, William “Bill” Emmerling;
• her father, Earl Kline of Washington, Ind.;
• three sons, Bill Emmerling Jr. of Lamar, Mo., Jeff Emmerling Sr. of Magnolia and Ryan Emmerling of Elizabethtown;
• a daughter, Lisa Highbaugh of Elizabethtown;
• two sisters, Patricia Burton of Washington, Ind., and Barbara Hartz of La Grange, Ind.;
• seven granddaughters;
• four grandsons;
• and a great-grandson.

The funeral was held Monday, Sept. 25, 2006 at Manakee Funeral Home in Elizabethtown with Bill Emmerling Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Elizabethtown Memorial Gardens.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to The Koman Foundation, 5005 LBJ Freeway, Suite 250, Dallas, TX 75244; (888) 888-3317; www.KOMEN.org/ donate.

Leaving a Legacy: Why?

Why do I want to leave a legacy?
Because I want to leave the world a better place than I found it. In fact, I believe God has called me to do so.

Why do I want to leave a legacy?
Because I did not receive one, I did not receive delibrate instruction on what it means to be a man, especially a man of God. I received instruction of manly skills, but not in what it is to be a man.

Why do I want to leave a legacy?
Because I see a world that has rejected its creator, and is quickly falling apart as a result.

Looking at the present often causes one to look at the past and wonder.
Were the “Good Old Days” really that good?
Or do we only remember what we want to?

I expect the answer to both questions is YES. Yes, many of the days before were better. Yes, we tend to over look the bad and remember what we found pleasant.

Yet, this is what we want for the future, especially for our children and our children’s children. We want the best for them. My goal is to lead my children to live godly lives, in relationship with our Savior, that they might experience God’s best by bringing glory to him.

It is also my goal to encourage other men to do the same.

To both ends, God has brought together a group of men at the church where I attend to consider what it is to raise a son and how to teach him to be a man.

I have daughters, of whom I am very proud and fond. I have every intention to train them up to be virtuous, godly women. Yet, I believe God has indicated in his word that men are to be the servant leaders in a family. And today too few men know what it is to be a man. I believe that men must be raised up to lead our families, our fellowships of faith, and our nation. Should we fail to do that, I fear that all three will fall.

Presently we are reading Raising a Modern-Day Knight by Robert Lewis, as well as dialoging over the video series of the same name.

The men of our church are also using the Men’s Fraternity Quest for Authentic Manhood by Robert Lewis.

It is exciting to see how God is using these materials to stir up men to follow him, and to take up the mantle of leadership that their families need.

1st Blog Entry

My intent with this blog is to address what it is to be a man, a man of God, and to raise sons to be men. I may address family, faith and fellowship issues as additional subjects.