September 2024 Newsletter
“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” (James 5:16, NLT)
Does this sound familiar?
It does for me. Growing up Catholic, confessing “sins” was a part of the culture. Though the liturgy of confession had some difficulties for me as a teenager, there was no doubt that when I left the booth…I felt better.
In recent years, the power of a “confessional community” has been a very significant part of my growth, maturity, and sanctification as a man living a new life. Bringing into the light what has remained in darkness, or what PREFERS to remain in secret, has been absolutely vital and transformative the past ten years.
In our intentional communities of men, we have simplified the path forward as requiring the following discipline:
Confess
Your sins
To men
Of grace and truth
Read that again, please.
Did you notice anything that is missing?
The FIXING part.
There is no advice giving. No, “Here’s what I did…” No, “You think that’s bad…” None of what comes naturally to us as men. We are problem-solving, advice-giving, and troubleshooting machines!
Yet the passage says nothing about us “fixing” each other.
In fact, we are told to direct our conversation to the One who can truly help. In so doing, we are actually providing the grace, truth, and power of confessing. We listen. We feel. We affirm. And then we pray to Him who has the power to change hearts from stone into flesh, He who can supply water from rocks, He who can move mountains.
And we are not He.
Let’s be those men who know that, know Him, and are known to be men of grace and truth. The men that other men feel safe enough to share their deepest hurts, darkest secrets and most devastating sins with, and yet without shame and fear of divine rejection.
May it be so.
Recapping 3 Incredible Events
Our white water rafting trip to the Kern River a few weeks back was an absolute blast. We paddled through some thrilling rapids, made new friends, and found powerful spiritual lessons in the journey. The energy was class V at least, and we’re already excited for our next adventure.
We're deeply grateful to Calvary Chapel Oceanside and their Man Up ministry for the incredible opportunity to join the True Valor Conference this year ⚔️ Our founder, Chris Cannon, had the honor of speaking in breakout sessions on "Coming into the Light" and "The Lies We Tell Ourselves." It was a powerful time of truth, reflection, and growth.
A huge thank you to all the men who attended—you made this event truly phenomenal. We can't wait to see what God has in store for next year!
What a blessing it was to gather with lead and men's pastors at our Quarterly Men’s Ministry Breakfast. We came together to link arms in our united mission to raise up and equip Godly men in our communities, celebrating each other's wins and supporting one another’s missions and goals.
We were especially honored to have Torrance Mayor George Chen and Rock Harbor Recovery Director Pastor Dan Bradford join us. Their presence and shared wisdom made this gathering even more impactful.
My 5 Favorites for September
Book I am reading: Hard Rain Falling by Don Carpenter
A coming of age book, reminiscent of The Outsiders, but much grittier and psychologically engaging. Two young men try to survive on the streets of Portland Oregon, hustling pool halls in the ever-elusive pursuit of redemption. Another reminder of the gaping hole fathers can unwittingly leave their sons.
Show I am watching: Alone
The ultimate test of survival. Ten survivalists are dropped in different locations with limited resources in the freezing Arctic Circle. The last man standing wins. I live vicariously through this series. It’s this fantasy that I could, one, survive, and two…enjoy the solitude. Let me know if you watch the series and if you have the same fascination with it as I do.
On my Spotify: Josh Garrels
I’m unsure how to best describe his sound other than “haunting.” He brings out the reflective melancholy in me…without turning me away from reality. “His music combines the traditional folk music with nontraditional exploration of Christian themes.” That sounds about right.
Subject I am pondering: The fear of the Lord.
Somewhere between “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” and “reverent worship” lies the truth. I know that the “fear of the Lord” is the beginning of something very sacred. Yet I also believe it is more than a door to that leads me to call our for salvation.
What do you think it means to “fear the Lord?”
Movie in Theaters: The Forge
Men! Get to the theater while you can and see The Forge! Finally, it is an honest portrayal of the tensions a fatherless 19-year-old faces in an urban/suburban environment that is so common among young men today. Help comes in the form of an older businessman who takes an unconditional interest in this young man and brings him into “the community of men!” Don’t see it alone!