Confession time. When I was in middle school, I was into sports (that's not the confession. Read on). I collected team hats, jerseys and considered being "knowledgeable about sports" a manhood rite of passage. So, my parents let me get a subscription to Sports Illustrated. Though my parents were diligent to screen the mail, I "happened" to visit the mailbox the day IT arrived. That's right, the annual swimsuit issue.

It didn't take me long to determine that these photos deserved to be on display on my bedroom wall (no, I was not very smart). I carefully removed each full page photo and taped them on the wall, just behind the door so they would be unseen when the door opened. I was well on my way to being a "real man." Until my mom came along. Who knew she would actually walk all the way into my room and look around?! It was either later that day or the next (I'm not totally sure), my mom opens the door and simply said, "Take the pictures down" and she left. A little surprised and honestly ashamed, I went about the task of removing each picture from the wall. For the record, I've never had another Sports Illustrated subscription since...maybe I'm not the sports fan I thought I was.

Well, here we are again a few decades later. The Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue is out again. I do appreciate what Sports Illustrated does for sports, but frankly the swimsuit issue is too much for any man remotely concerned about his purity. Parents, take notes here. My mom did what any mom (or dad) should do - she expected more from me than to gawk at scantily clad women. She refused to allow me to become a man that treated women like sex objects. Parents, your job is no different today. You must be heads up. You must not take lightly things like the SI Swimsuit issue.

This is ultimately an issue of respect. We must train our children to have proper respect for themselves, others and, most importantly, Almighty God who made them and calls them to a life of honor. Who knows what the specific issue is going on in your home? I can assure you there is some issue that threatens the respect your kids have for God, others or self. This issue needs to be addressed quickly, clearly and firmly. Just the other day, I reached over and covered the eyes of my eight-year-old son because a Victoria's Secret commercial came on TV. I must physically guard his eyes in order to train him in what it takes to guard his own eyes. I must start now "carving a groove" of purity in my child's heart and mind that holds him accountable to being a respectful and honorable man.

Men, if you happen to take Sports Illustrated, I believe you can "opt out" of the swimsuit issue. I encourage you to. If you feel like you are less of a man if you opt out, you completely misunderstand manhood, in which case I encourage you to watch the Hero series I taught last summer.

Parents, be intentional...you've got 7000days®.

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Men, part of the calling of manhood is learning how to treat the woman you love. Let me let you in on a little secret. Today is Valentine's Day. In honor of the day, I have created a little guide to help you love your wife well this year. It is important to make the most of days like today, even if you think Valentine's Day is stupid (frankly, it's not much different than the Super Bowl). Regardless on how you feel about the commercialize day, it is a chance to show your wife what she means to you, and to elevate her as the prize she is.

Express love verbally. As men we often allow ourselves to be far too quiet in life. We give reasons like, "I'm just not a talker." Yet if it's sports or hunting or our hobby of choice, we can talk all day. Men, take time this year to express your love for your wife verbally. This means actually saying something. Tell her how you feel about her out loud or at least in written form on a card. You will likely need to think this through before you open your mouth. Bring notes if you need to, but express it verbally! By the way, the most important words in a marriage are not "I love you;" they are "thank you."

Express love physically. Ok guys, physically does not ONLY mean sex. If it did, there would be no issue here. Expressing love physically also means holding her, sitting next to her and simply being present. It is important on special days like today (her birthday, Mother's day, etc) to protect your schedule to spend time to physically be with your wife. It is also important to express love sexually but not as the only physical expression. You wife may enjoy holding hands or taking a walk together or a drive around town to talk (see #1). Or sit next to her on the couch and run your fingers through her hair (easy on the tangles!)

Express love sacrificially. Men, I can say with reasonable confidence that your wife sacrifices often for your good and the good of your home. Use moments like these to love her through sacrifice. Come home early and relieve her of "kid duty." Dust off the "honey-do" list and complete some overdue projects you've been avoiding. Let her know you will make dinner and maybe do some laundry...if she will let you. Show her how much you appreciate her by serving her sacrificially.

Express love generously. Everyone woman loves a gift. Gifts communicate value and care. They can be a token of love and a statement that says, "I've been paying attention to your WANTS." You do not have to spend a fortune, it is the thought that counts...unless you gave it very little thought, then it doesn't count. We need to learn to be generous in the giving of gifts, time and attention. Sometimes the latter two are valued more than the first.

Express love vicariously. To the dads...if you have a son, or in my case four sons, you have a big responsibility to train those boys how to love a woman well. While your boys are in the house, you should love your wife vicariously through your sons by training them to love their mother well. This will help develop the skills necessary for when they decide to love a special young lady one day. Boys learn early to forget about mom. Your job is to make sure they don't. Doing this will be an act of love to your wife and honestly to your future daughter-in-law.

Express love regularly. One of the dangers of Valentine's Day is the tendency we men have to love well today and forget the other 364 days of the year. If you have not loved well this year, you cannot make it up on one romantic evening of dinner, wine and roses. Love, especially in marriage, is an every day calling. We must choose it whether we feel like it or not. We must honor our wives by loving her so well that Valentine's Day is the icing on the cake. If you aren't there yet, start today. Confess to her that you have not loved her well and that things will begin to change starting today.

I hope this helps. I hope you have a great Valentine's Day today or whatever day you choose to celebrate it. If you need further inspiration, please check out the series I taught in October of 2011 entitled, "A Ridiculous Idea Called Marriage."

Happy romancing!

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The Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 makes Christian mission clear: "And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” 

In a phrase we are called to "make DISCIPLES." I've heard lots of debate on what that passage "really means." Some prefer to see it as a primary text for the evangelistic work of the Church, focusing on the word "Go." Others focus on the phrase "make disciples" elevating the one to one discipleship/mentoring approach. As a teacher, I often focus on the phrase "teaching them to observe all...," elevating the role of preaching and teaching. In the end, I think we would all do well to recognize these interpretations are all embedded in this text and undeniable parts of the Christian Mission. If we are honest, every "part" of the Great Commission is in need of more frequency and excellence.

Today I am boldly promoting an innovative new tool that I believe is a game-changer for Christian mission. My friends at Downline Ministries here in Memphis have developed a tool to help individuals and churches better fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus. It's called the Downline Builder (please watch the video above). I am encouraged by this tool for a number of reasons...

1. Customizable, ever-growing library of excellent curriculum. You get to pick and choose the curriculum YOU need for your context. We've all done Bible studies that have great cover designs and promise the world, only to be disappointed by the content or some portion of the content that seems irrelevant. The DL Builder allows you to select the number of lessons and focus of your curriculum, taking out the guess work and making the most of your time. You can customize and download curriculum for a number of uses including: personal mentoring, group leadership, Sunday School class lessons and I dare say sermon prep helps. 

2. Not just for pastors. DL Builder is designed for the regular Joe in need of a no-nonsense curriculum to ensure disciple-making can exist right alongside the busyness of family life and career. You don't have to be a pastor or have a seminary degree to do this. At the same time...pastors, we need this tool as well. If we're honest, sometimes we need a leg up from time to time in our content and our personal involvement in disciple-making.

3. Electronic, global access. Downline is committed to continue development in multiple languages so this technology is available to the world at the touch of a button. Currently the entire English speaking world has access to this tool, making it a one of a kind, affordable resource for the big "C" Church around the world. Please share this with your friends and those you have on the mission field around the world.

4. Saves money. For the individual or church on a budget, this tool is remarkably affordable. I strongly encourage churches to consider the DL Builder to become the curriculum choice for Sunday School classes and small groups church-wide. This would likely result in hundreds, if not, thousands of dollars saved for churches; money that could be put back toward global missions or community development in your church's backyard.

5. Theologically responsible. If you care about good theological content (which you should) the DL Builder will not leave you disappointed. The Downline team is scholarly yet practical and approaches Scripture honestly seeking the intersection of God's truth and everyday life. There is deep truth explored in every lesson as well as life-changing points of application so we do not fall into the trap of being "hearers of the Word and not doers." You may not "line up" with every doctrinal position Downline takes, but I think you will find, as I have, that Downiline is "theologically responsible" giving you confidence in everything they do from their original Downline Institute, to the Downline Men's and Women's Summits  and now with the Downline Builder.

Please don't miss getting in on the "ground floor" of the Downline Builder. Your initial involvement will help promote this unique and needed tool around the world. For the record...I was not asked to post this, I'm not getting paid by Downline and I don't teach for Downline...yet :). I simply believe in this tool and recommend it to all my readers...Downline Builder is "Stuff I Like."

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