The Map: The Way of All Great Men by David Murrow

David Murrow follows up Why Men Hate Going to Church with The Map: The Way of All Great Men. The Map answers all of the questions that were left in the minds of readers after reading Why Men Hate Going to Church. Murrow sucks you in with the “story” of how he discovered the map that leads to manhood. Globetrotting and adventure lead to the secret of what it means to be a great man. The answer lies in Matthew’s gospel and the account that he gives on the life of Jesus. Matthew writes and Murrow “discovers” the three journeys that are apparent from Jesus life. Consequently, these are the same three journeys that are necessary for men to take to achieve not only godliness but manliness as well. I have found myself seeing the three journeys as I read the Bible. It has also become a major theme of my teaching and preaching. The key is for men to see that you can be a man and a Christ follower at the same time. There is no need to check your “man card” at the front door of the church. Murrow hits on very practical applications not just for men but for churches as well. The challenge is to help men see that it’s okay for them to be men and have a heart for Christ. Churches must also see that they are to lead men on these three journeys. The problem is that most churches are stuck on the first journey and; therefore, men check out. I have found many applications for the principles that Murrow teaches. The Map has also given me a fresh look at how to reach men and what is necessary to keep them and grow them within the church. I highly recommend this book and strongly encourage you to put it into practice before it is too late.

SYATP

Today, thousands of students gathered around their flagpoles at their school campuses to pray. Today marks the 19th See You at the Pole event that I have been apart of. I was there at the first SYATP in 1990. This morning as I gathered with some students from our local high school, I was struck with the need and urgency to pray for our students. If you have kids in school, I know that you are doing this. If your kids are out of school, then you probably haven't given it much thought in a while. Students today are faced with decisions, situations and circumstances that you or I were not faced with ever or at least not until later in life. I heard a report on the radio of students who gathered in Pittsburgh, PA to pray for the leaders of the G20 conference that is coming to their town. One student commented that he wished he would be able to speak to one of these world leaders just to let them know that they were in his prayers. You see, we must understand that this generation of junior high, high school and college students want to make a difference in the world around them, more than any other generation before them. They not only believe they can change the world, they are being proactive in doing it. We need to encourage them to do that. We can most especially do that by praying for them. I think we also need to do that by supporting, encouraging and mentoring them. While they may have huge aspirations they may lack the direction and resources to make the difference they need to. I think it is important for us as adults to invest in the generations that are coming behind us. How can you do that? Volunteer at your local elementary, junior high or high school campus. Start an after-school program at your local church. Become a mentor. Ask your children's minister or youth pastor where you can serve in their ministries. As adults and senior adults, we have something the following generation can use -- wisdom and experience. God did not give us those things to hold on to for ourselves. He gave us those things to share and invest in others. I think, sometimes, that a ministry of presence, especially in the lives of students, makes the greatest impact. When students see that another adult cares for them it makes a huge difference. Let me encourage you today to get involved in making a difference in the lives of students. That is crashing into life. Crash on!