What One Thing Are You Entitled To?

We live in an entitlement culture, and our marriages and kids are dying from it. The entitlement attitude of "I deserve something for free" is pulling us down as a people and as men leading our families.

Tim Challies is spot on:

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As a Christian, I believe in one entitlement.

I’m entitled to Hell. That’s the only entitlement I have. That’s all I deserve, because of my sin. Anything else is grace, an unmerited bonus from the God of all grace. I don’t deserve a breath of life, a crumb of food, a drop of water, a stitch of clothing, a cent in my wallet, or an hour of education. I’m not entitled to one friend, one vacation, one verse of Scripture, or even one sermon. I’m certainly not entitled to salvation and heaven. I’m entitled to damnation and Hell.

That sense of entitlement makes me seek mercy, receive mercy, enjoy mercy, and be merciful to others. To paraphrase the Apostle Paul, “What have I that I did not receive as a free gift of divine grace? How therefore can I ever boast as if I had actually been entitled to it or earned it?”

So, there are basically only two ways to live: with a proud and angry sense of entitlement or with a humble and thankful sense of responsibility.
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Read the whole article.  This is great conversation fodder for your family.

Han Solo Shot First!

Men, I encourage you to consider this commentary from Bill Whittle, and think about how we're training our sons.  Remember that TV, movies, and videogames have a tremendous influence on worldview.

Do You Fall Into This Gap Trap?

Let's face it, men, we're confronted with gaps all the time between what is and what we'd prefer:

Money
Intelligence
Physical attributes
Accomplishments
Gifts and Talents
Marriage
Parenting
Work
Possessions
Courage
Respect and Praise we receive
Giving
Entertainment

As you scanned down that list I'm sure examples came to mind.

These gaps between what is and what we'd prefer (even if our preferences would be bad for us or our loved ones!) create tension.  Emotions, especially anger, flood into these gaps.  These gaps fuel both pride and discouragement.

Here's my challenge to you: consider whether it is God who points out the gaps as a means of drawing you further to Himself and living to glorify Him by serving others, or your own selfishness and self-centeredness that makes the gaps feel so big.  [This may be an excellent issue to discuss with your mentors and men who know you well.]

Both sources of "gap" identification happen to men all the time.  But selfishness and self-promotion steer us into gap-trap, which makes us ineffective childish fools.  Godly gaps are bridged and traversed in the power of the Holy Spirit, and we become more manly.

Prepping for Easter

Easter is April 8 this year, men.   That's about nine weeks away.

What are you doing in February and March to prepare your family for this holy celebration?

Need some ideas?  Check out this 2011 guide for ideas: Suggested resource