The Lord's heart is broken.
He's torn my heart.
"Men in this generation have prostituted their hearts for too long"
The weight of those words the Lord spoke made me weep. As I felt the burden of the Lord come, I literally asked Him to move Heaven for just one man crying out for the hearts and eyes of young men.
He has pierced my heart for His heart. The way He sees His daughters, the women we come in contact with every single day, in the mundane of life.
More than just "God", He is Abba. Carrying the heart of a Father...
"My daughters are My prized possession. I've given them great value and I'm fiercely protective over them"
Value that, as men, WE must fiercely protect as well!
As the heart of the Lord is revealed, I must respond accordingly.
More than anything, I burn for the weight and burden of stereotypes and expectation to be released off men. For revelation and truth to break in over this generation and reveal rightly the worth and honor women deserve.
The ways of honor are unmistakable. They breath life into women as WE show them that they have worth! That they are worthy of this...
Truly, the responsibility we have been given has carelessly been cast aside for the lust of the eyes. I sincerely don't believe I would get a contrary argument from this lustful culture of self-gratification...where "boys will be boys"
That's not what we were intended to be. Men casting down their place of leadership to fulfill their selfish desires..
However, in brief concession, I must relent to the fact that women have not been manifesting the demand for honor with true consistency. Truly, the burden also falls on the respect women birth inside themselves. When you meet a woman who knows her worth, you feel the weight of her presence and react according...
However, despite a disconnect between the way in which woman command our respect, unequivocally, women deserve our respect.
And as men, we must LEAD with that respect
We've been marked as leaders. To follow the Lord's heart and define ourselves in His image.
At the center of my heart and the forefront of my pursuit is a Man we must cling to for HIS leadership. How can we ever expect to walk out our masculinity on our own without the One who came to establish the purity in our masculinity....where the essence of manhood is established in the courts of His presence.
Truly, He is the one we follow and rely on to lead us. To openly and liberally give grace (grace!) for purity. To breakdown the wrong stereotypes and paradigms of our own constructed, perverted "rights" as men to pursue women with lustful intentions.
In His lead, we approach women with the love and humility in which Jesus approaches His Chruch...to make us blameless and Holy...
Are we thinking consciously of what we do to create an atmosphere of purity so women can feel blameless and clean in our presence?
Consider the authority the Lord has given us to create safety for His daughers...
But more than anything, the Lord has pressed my heart with the revelation of the purpose for our eyes. To take Jesus at His very spoken word, the fixation of our eyes is at the heart of our inner being (Luke 11:34). Our eyes, what we set our gaze upon, will permeate the inner facets our of spirit...
Please capture this: our eyes and our gaze reveal our heart...
In humility, I am just a man. Weak and broken.
These words.....just a blog
But I believe the longing and "yes" in my heart for purity and honor in this generation moves the heart of my Father.
Over this generation, I pray...
Father,
I cry out toYou for the men in this generation. That You would move with power and love so they will see the purpose of manhood with eyes of understanding and revelation. Break in with truth. Truth of who You are... One Man who we can fully place our hearts in and follow with utter abandonment. In Who we can find our masculinity in, our purpose in, our identity it. Move Heaven on behalf of this generation and raise up men after Your heart that will set their hearts on purity and righteousness...men who will set their gaze on You alone.
I ask you that You would reveal Your love to men, pour out Your spirit on all men, that they may be wrecked with love and affection for You. That they may be completely filled with the Holiness and Purity of your spirit. Give us a revelation and understanding about WHY we were created...to humbly show honor and respect; to protect physically, emotionally, and spiritually; unconditionally love; encourage; provide; and support women in our midst.
Forgive us for the perversion of this generation. The pleasure taken in the lust of the eyes. Release a new mantle of grace and righteousness over all men in the name of Jesus.
I believe in the men of this generation. With all that I am, I believe that there can be a return to honor.
My heart is for that place. Where women can come into an atmosphere of security and respect.
They deserve it.
-JG
Friday, February 11, 2011
Friday, February 4, 2011
The Art of Integrity
Integrity: the quality or state of being of sound moral principle; uprightness, honesty, and sincerity; state of being complete; wholeness
As I work through the new beginnings of this blog and the purpose of its vision, I find I'm forcing myself to look at life in such a way that magnifies my understanding of "life". I would say that more than anything, it is truly humbling to have an opportunity to express the things which grip my heart. Even in the simplicity of this blog.
However, I don't mean to ingratiate the magnitude of my opinion as if I am profoundly important.
I'm simply a man that sees potential for men in this generation.
That being said...
Our lives are certainly a canvas. A platform to extend ourselves in love; in patience; in humility.
I will never deviate from the belief that our lives are a stage. We are in the line of eyesight with such constancy. People notice you. They know what you do. They see you. They hear you. They watch you. They are influenced by you......More than we'll ever know.
Capture that revelation
So truly, let this blog be of encouragement and exhortation....
Integrity............is for REAL men (bold statement, huh?)
Living a life of uncompromising integrity is for REAL men
Because it's not easy living a life of integrity. It's certainly not for the faint of heart.
In any and every direction we look, there is opportunity to pursue the unjust. We are pulled by this culture. By this society. Which expects us to act, talk, think, look a certain way.
I feel it. I know you feel it.
But we cannot escape from the weight of integrity because it truly transcends EVERY aspect of our lives. Every decision. Every word we speak.
When you consider that proposition, consider the accountability that requires.
But integrity is our safeguard! (Proverbs 10:9). In the atmosphere of integrity, our peace is established. But more than anything, a name attached to honesty and integrity is valuable and honored (Proverbs 22:1).
Truly, pursing a life of integrity brings more blessing than it does curse.
It is worth it. To trust in the security of integrity is worth it.
Personally, as a 23 year old man, I find myself in a place of utter longing, nearly insatiable desperation to live with integrity. To feel that simplicity of virtue.
The awakening in my heart to the pursuit of integrity has overcome me and become an obsession.
However, there is truly one aspect of integrity above all that has pressed my heart more than anything: the transcendent nature in which integrity permeates EVERY facet of life as men.
Consider this: As men, our opportunities abound daily to make decisions with the authority and simplicity of virtue; with the power and influence of integrity. I believe in my heart of hearts that the men of this generation can return to the pursuit of integrity.
So consider your role, men.
Consider the integrity in which you approach women, daughters of the Living God.
The virtue in which you speak. Are you a man of your word?
What value do you place on what's attached to your name?
Let's pursue uncompromising integrity with a new abandon. Refocus our perspective.
To take delight in living rightly before the eyes of an Almighty God that He may position us before the eyes of men!
Your integrity will open doors and you, "shall dwell in the land, and the men of integrity, blameless and complete [in God's sight], shall remain in it" (Proverbs 2:21).
Integrity keeps you. Preserves you. Positions you.
Hide this in your heart, men. Hold this revelation near for all your days.
Uncompromising integrity
-JG
As I work through the new beginnings of this blog and the purpose of its vision, I find I'm forcing myself to look at life in such a way that magnifies my understanding of "life". I would say that more than anything, it is truly humbling to have an opportunity to express the things which grip my heart. Even in the simplicity of this blog.
However, I don't mean to ingratiate the magnitude of my opinion as if I am profoundly important.
I'm simply a man that sees potential for men in this generation.
That being said...
Our lives are certainly a canvas. A platform to extend ourselves in love; in patience; in humility.
I will never deviate from the belief that our lives are a stage. We are in the line of eyesight with such constancy. People notice you. They know what you do. They see you. They hear you. They watch you. They are influenced by you......More than we'll ever know.
Capture that revelation
So truly, let this blog be of encouragement and exhortation....
Integrity............is for REAL men (bold statement, huh?)
Living a life of uncompromising integrity is for REAL men
Because it's not easy living a life of integrity. It's certainly not for the faint of heart.
In any and every direction we look, there is opportunity to pursue the unjust. We are pulled by this culture. By this society. Which expects us to act, talk, think, look a certain way.
I feel it. I know you feel it.
But we cannot escape from the weight of integrity because it truly transcends EVERY aspect of our lives. Every decision. Every word we speak.
When you consider that proposition, consider the accountability that requires.
But integrity is our safeguard! (Proverbs 10:9). In the atmosphere of integrity, our peace is established. But more than anything, a name attached to honesty and integrity is valuable and honored (Proverbs 22:1).
Truly, pursing a life of integrity brings more blessing than it does curse.
It is worth it. To trust in the security of integrity is worth it.
Personally, as a 23 year old man, I find myself in a place of utter longing, nearly insatiable desperation to live with integrity. To feel that simplicity of virtue.
The awakening in my heart to the pursuit of integrity has overcome me and become an obsession.
However, there is truly one aspect of integrity above all that has pressed my heart more than anything: the transcendent nature in which integrity permeates EVERY facet of life as men.
Consider this: As men, our opportunities abound daily to make decisions with the authority and simplicity of virtue; with the power and influence of integrity. I believe in my heart of hearts that the men of this generation can return to the pursuit of integrity.
So consider your role, men.
Consider the integrity in which you approach women, daughters of the Living God.
The virtue in which you speak. Are you a man of your word?
What value do you place on what's attached to your name?
Let's pursue uncompromising integrity with a new abandon. Refocus our perspective.
To take delight in living rightly before the eyes of an Almighty God that He may position us before the eyes of men!
Your integrity will open doors and you, "shall dwell in the land, and the men of integrity, blameless and complete [in God's sight], shall remain in it" (Proverbs 2:21).
Integrity keeps you. Preserves you. Positions you.
Hide this in your heart, men. Hold this revelation near for all your days.
Uncompromising integrity
-JG
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Uncommon Men
Uncommon: rare; unusual; remarkable; exceptional; not ordinarily encountered; unusually great or remarkable in character or kind; a species that is found in low numbers
The uncommon....
The focus of this blog.
This is definitely a new start to writing for me.
If you'd like, check out my old blog here: http://jacobglose.blogspot.com/
I suppose for an introduction, I just wanted to share my heart on the purpose and vision for this blog...
The idea for 'Uncommon Men' was conceived just over a month ago. Although my purpose is to write this blog for men, specifically, women are certainly welcome!!!
I feel the perspective I have on masculinity and what a 'real man' consists of is certainly much different from the established stereotype and label our society places on men and who we are supposed to be. I am burdened by the weight of expectation that hinders men and their lives. Men CAN live separate from the expectation of being unfeeling and stoic...to feel, communicate, express ourselves, be who we were created to be...to have..uh......feelings.... is ok! (seriously, it's ok...really)
We can be men who lead and protect fiercely with a heart of tenderness and humility!
So as much as this blog is for men, it is also an outlet for me to communicate, challenge, and encourage!!
Honestly, I can't say that I'll be writing daily or even weekly. However, the things that grip my heart, the things that move me, the things I'm passionate about will always be written. I truly want quality over quantity. To speak with clarity....not just to be heard for the sake of it.
But as I was thinking about this first post, I began to ask myself, "What qualifies me to write this?!"
Interesting question I suppose....
Guess I should just go into the standard 'first blog' introduction first.........
So...I'm Jacob.
I'm not a perfect man...far from it. Don't have all the answers....even farther from it.
But I pursue and hold steadfastly to a God who has encountered my heart in such an intimate way. The very essence of who I am and my identity is changed and newly formed in the presence of an Almighty, Living God. The intricate fabric of my being, as a man, is found in Him (Acts 17:28). I do not despise His design (Psalms 139) but I trust in the Man who is Jesus and His leadership.
I trust in how my Father made me and His plan and purpose for my life.
I truly am a majorly blessed man. Incredibly humbled by everything that my life consists of!!
What I do: I'm about 4 months, a lot of tests, papers, and presentations away from graduation at Lindenwood University. Ultimately my next step (key word, "my") is to go to graduate school and then be licensed as a professional counselor. A transition time is certainly coming but with transition comes growth...and opportunity.
So really, this blog will mostly be about specific topics; particular things I find rad; life impacting knowledge I come across; my life. But mostly, I just want uncommonmen.blogspot.com to be about challenging men to change the paradigm of how we see ourselves, how we approach life, who we believe we are and why...challenging what a 'man' looks like.....
I cannot claim to know it all or really to even be qualified to write this blog (reassuring, huh?) but I have a model of a Man who shows me how to live a life of integrity and honor.
I cling to Him and follow His lead...
I'm excited about getting started.
If you'd like to leave me leave a comment down below, I'd really appreciate and welcome it!!
Guess the first blog is never too exciting...but (kinda) necessary
Thanks for reading
-JG
The uncommon....
The focus of this blog.
This is definitely a new start to writing for me.
If you'd like, check out my old blog here: http://jacobglose.blogspot.com/
I suppose for an introduction, I just wanted to share my heart on the purpose and vision for this blog...
The idea for 'Uncommon Men' was conceived just over a month ago. Although my purpose is to write this blog for men, specifically, women are certainly welcome!!!
I feel the perspective I have on masculinity and what a 'real man' consists of is certainly much different from the established stereotype and label our society places on men and who we are supposed to be. I am burdened by the weight of expectation that hinders men and their lives. Men CAN live separate from the expectation of being unfeeling and stoic...to feel, communicate, express ourselves, be who we were created to be...to have..uh......feelings.... is ok! (seriously, it's ok...really)
We can be men who lead and protect fiercely with a heart of tenderness and humility!
So as much as this blog is for men, it is also an outlet for me to communicate, challenge, and encourage!!
Honestly, I can't say that I'll be writing daily or even weekly. However, the things that grip my heart, the things that move me, the things I'm passionate about will always be written. I truly want quality over quantity. To speak with clarity....not just to be heard for the sake of it.
But as I was thinking about this first post, I began to ask myself, "What qualifies me to write this?!"
Interesting question I suppose....
Guess I should just go into the standard 'first blog' introduction first.........
So...I'm Jacob.
I'm not a perfect man...far from it. Don't have all the answers....even farther from it.
But I pursue and hold steadfastly to a God who has encountered my heart in such an intimate way. The very essence of who I am and my identity is changed and newly formed in the presence of an Almighty, Living God. The intricate fabric of my being, as a man, is found in Him (Acts 17:28). I do not despise His design (Psalms 139) but I trust in the Man who is Jesus and His leadership.
I trust in how my Father made me and His plan and purpose for my life.
I truly am a majorly blessed man. Incredibly humbled by everything that my life consists of!!
What I do: I'm about 4 months, a lot of tests, papers, and presentations away from graduation at Lindenwood University. Ultimately my next step (key word, "my") is to go to graduate school and then be licensed as a professional counselor. A transition time is certainly coming but with transition comes growth...and opportunity.
So really, this blog will mostly be about specific topics; particular things I find rad; life impacting knowledge I come across; my life. But mostly, I just want uncommonmen.blogspot.com to be about challenging men to change the paradigm of how we see ourselves, how we approach life, who we believe we are and why...challenging what a 'man' looks like.....
I cannot claim to know it all or really to even be qualified to write this blog (reassuring, huh?) but I have a model of a Man who shows me how to live a life of integrity and honor.
I cling to Him and follow His lead...
I'm excited about getting started.
If you'd like to leave me leave a comment down below, I'd really appreciate and welcome it!!
Guess the first blog is never too exciting...but (kinda) necessary
Thanks for reading
-JG
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