Last time we ended with the icebreaker of a 2-minute testimony. Many guys may have never done this so it is good practice for telling others about Christ.

For example when you are in line at the grocery store, waiting for a bus or train, or just talking with people, having a 2-minute testimony will give you the opportunity to share what Jesus has done and is doing in your life.

Some other ways of starting a discussion include asking questions like: "How old were you when you first remember your daddy? What was the occasion? How did you feel? What was the next age? Next? Etc.

You can also ask questions like are you a man of character? Do you have joy? Are you content? Have you ever led someone to the Lord? Do you read your Bible daily?

We men have been born with emptiness in our hearts that can only be filled by the love of our biological dad. If we don’t get that, we look for love in all the wrong places- sex, drugs, gambling, pornography.

End each meeting with a prayer and a hug. God wants to sharpen each of us. Won’t you join in?

"Whhhhhoooo", you say; "this life sure isn't the way I thought it was going to be." Been having trouble in the family department? Oh, your sweetie isn't being as sweet as she used to be?

You know how the words go in that old song, "The old gray mare, she ain't what she used to be?" Ok, how is it going with the kids? Are they doing all the right things the right way? Or are things coming apart at the seams?

How's the job going? Did you get that promotion that was yours, or was it a pink slip instead?

Well how is your health doing? Oh, oh, some high blood pressure? --- and you need to take off some pounds so you can see your toes when you look straight down? How are things going in your church life? You do go, don't you? Yeah, we know how hard it is.

Well, what has God been doing in your life, recently? "Wait a minute", you say, "what has God got to do with it all?" The point of it is that God has everything to do with our everyday life as we live it. But you say that you are a self-made man and there's no time for God?

Guess what, that is where it is so easy to mess up, because we may be lacking in a relationship with Jesus Christ. You say, "why is that so important?" Simply because Jesus himself, told his very rich and religious friend, Nicodemus, that no person could see that Kingdom of God unless they were first "born again".

Remember, we were created by God to be like him, God said, in Genesis 1:26, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." We know that God is Spirit; so that means that we too are a human spirit, and we live in a flesh body, and we have a soul.

Our soul, to deal with the realm of the intellect and emotions, our physical body containing our five physical senses (touch, taste, hearing, sight, and smell); our human spirit so we can have a genuine living relationship with God.

But in the Garden of Eden, Adam disobeyed God and consequently broke fellowship with God, and because we are all descendents from Adam, we too come into this world as sinners, even as we were yet in our mother's womb. Life is transmitted through the father; the one who begets. We are all sinners, only saved by God's grace.

And then verse 17 says, " For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world ; but that the world through him might be saved."

When we respond to the Gospel message, and personally invite Jesus, to come into our heart, (our human spirit), then the Holy Spirit takes residence within our human spirit and we therefore become a "new creation" and everything in our life becomes new again. "Though our sins were as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow" - Isaiah 1:18.

Do you now see why the number one purpose of the "Calling All Men" Ministry is to bring a man to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. This is where the healing of our broken life begins to mend, and it is without question that it is God's will for all to be saved and healed of all afflictions. Praises be to God!

Jesus is the answer to every human need in the Book.

More Fundamentalist, More of His Word

Years ago there was a public service announcement about a reading program called RIF. RIF means Reading Is Fundamental.

Something that is fundamental is the basis, the foundation, and the most important element on which other things can build.

So, reading is the basis to good education, the foundation of a bright future, and the most important element of a successful career. You build on that skill. It’s fundamental.

What about the Bible? How doe that rate? Is that the basis, foundation, and most important building block?

I was once told that I was way too legalistic. I was told that I take the Bible literally. I was told that I was viewing the Bible as too fundamental. Oh really?

There is no way that someone can be too fundamental. Surely some people do not like Christmas lights and can be thought of as too legalistic.

But remember that Jesus was a fundamentalist. That means He used the Word of God as His foundation for His life. That means that Jesus took the Word of God at face value and did not read into the Word any man-made doctrine.

If the Bible says sex before marriage is a sin, then it does not matter if the male and female love each other. If they are not married it is sin.

You can’t be a follower of Christ- a Christian- and not use the Bible fundamentally. It is the basis. It is the foundation. Without it, we crumble.

Do you have a men’s ministry in your church?

Who’s holding your men accountable?

Calling All Men can help you start a men’s ministry that emphasizes men’s small groups.

Call us at 781-279-7070 or e-mail us: callingmen@aol.com

I once made a remark about the hidden books of the bible. It was a lulu. Kept people looking so hard for facts and for others it was a revelation. Some were in a jam. Especially since the name of the books were not capitalized but the truth finally struck home to numbers of readers. To others it was a fascinating few moments for you. Yes there will be some really easy ones to spot. Others may require judges to help them. I will quickly admit it usually takes a minister to find one of them and there will be loud lamentations when it is found. A little lady says she brews a cup of tea, so she can concentrate better. See how well you can compete. Relax now for there really are sixteen names of books of the bible in this story.