BOOK REVIEW: TEN LIES MEN BELIEVE

Are you a real man? That is a question that needs an answer. In this book we men are challenged with that question. There are definite truth that will help you answer that question. In this book J. Lee Grady points us to how male dominance prevails in the world, even in the church. He explains that we men are driven in our society to look at what we can acheive and what we possess as our measuring stick of success. This book is a call for men to look at their lives and relationships, and to repent in areas where it is needed. The issues of how we perceive our relationship with our earthly father causes us to view our heavenly father in the same manner. The issues of sexual traps we men fall into are also covered quite candidly. The way a man should look at his wife and her role in the church is also in this book. The book has answered some tough questions I have had on the issues of a woman and her role in the church. I believe women would also benefit from this book. It would give them insight into why their husbands may act as they do. It has helped me, and I say this book is a great find.

KOBIE AND ROBIE

The water was crystal blue as Mary the bear took turns splashing the water on her two cubs kobie and Robie. The cubs loved to play in the water with their mother in the heat of the day. It was cool and revived them from the heat that was stifling. Robie called out, " Mother this is so fun coming here to play, it is my favorite thing, " he bellowed as dove under the water and grabbed Kobie by the legs, pulling him under. Kobie came too the top of the water. he was shaking his head furiously. " You are such a playful youngster," Mary cried. Then she splashed water on the more playful of the two. "I will get you Robie for pulling me under the water," Kobie screamed, his face contorted with anger. He quickly grabbed Robie by the head and pushed his head under water."

Mary yelled at Kobie to let his brother go. She was not pleased with his attitiude today. "Kobie you should not get so angry with you brother like that, I am ashamed of your actions. He was only playing with you." "You two must learn to get along and play with each other with love and compassion, not with anger and strife." She then smiled at Kobie to let him know that she loved him. She had them hug and say they were both sorry and that they would be more caring of the other one.

Mary had known for along time that her two sons were as different as hot and cold, deep and shallow. Robie was the fun loving one, happy, playful and had a general jolly attitude. He was much like herself. She had often told her friends and family that Robie was a spitting image of her. She held a bit of pride in her heart for that fact.

Kobie on the other hand was a lot like his father Wiilard. He was serious, thoughtful, and not given to whims as Robie was. She had in fact had long dicussions with Willard about this. They never discussed serious matters in front of the cubs. There had been times when Willard has chided Mary for being a bit too playful with him. He didn't like that side of her much. She could see where and why Kobie was in his relationship to his brother.

Robie brought Mary out of her daydreaming by exclaiming " Mom I think we should get something we can play in the water with." he splashed water all around as he swam toward Kobie. Kobie screamed out at him " You are the one  that is always making my life miserable with your playing and carefree life." Mary then got out of the water and shook herself off. "It is time to go boys your father will be home shortly."


The boys obeyed and come out of the water and followed their mother home. Kobie was glad to be going home as he wanted to see his father. They had a special bond. Willard loved his both his sons, it was just Kobie seemed more like him. Robie would have liked to stay and play in the cool water till dark. He knew it wouldn't be long till they hibernated in the cave for the winter. He for one wasn't fond of that situation. Willard was already at the cave to greet them when they returned home. Kobie ran up to his father and gave him a big hug. How's my boy today," Willard asked his son. "ok I guess," replied Kobie. " I dont like the lake as much as Robie, but it's alright." Willard looked at his youngest son with a bit of concern. He knew Kobie was a little afraid of the water. He then asked Robie about his day, " It was wonderful dad I had a lot of fun playing in the water. I want to go back as many times as we can before winter, " he said with excitement in his voice.

As they sat at the table Willard looked at Mary and she gave him the it's the time look. So then the father began speaking to his two sons. "Boys I think you both should know that your mother and I want you to love each other.  The bible states " we should love one another, we should prefer the other above ourself. If we do that then we are pleasing God.  " Willard and Mary looked at their sons to see if what was being taught them was taking hold. " Do you know what your father is saying?" she asked them.  Both Kobie and Robie looked at each other for a moment and then stated that they both understood. " Well boys your mother and I want you to look for ways to be kind and loving to each other. The boys said they would do just that. They all laughed together, and settled in for a family night of caring and love.

THE HOUSES OF DIFFERENCE

This story begin as we look at twin brothers. They were both raised in a loving christian home, but as we shall see they took different paths in life. They were both taught the word of God as children. One took heed and the other did not. They were typical boys who loved to play sports, took part in school activities and even married their high school sweethearts. They both grew to be young men with much hope and promise, and as we shall see the differences became apparent.

Now Harry, he married and they had two lovely children. Harry had a thriving T- Shirt business that he ran upon the principals of the word of God as he had been taught as a youth. His wife was a strong woman of faith and did much work in the community and church. Harry glorified God in his business, and he gave to the poor widows and orphans. He was a spiritual leader at home and everyday had family time centered around the word of God and prayer. They also worshipped the Lord as a family. Harry was a leader in the local church and did mission outreach. He took his relationship with God to be a serious thing. He desired to be more like Jesus. He stood on the word of God as his source of knowledge and wisdom.

Now with Larry the same was not true. He made investments and had other ventures, but they never worked out right. He didn't glorify God in his life. He went to church here and there, but nothing consistent. He desired earthly pleasures more than he desired to know God. His wife wasn't a strong individual, she didn't have a relationship with God. Therefore the two children they had weren't raised in the word of God. Larry thought why should I give money to the preacher, when he could use it on his own dark pleasures. He didn't take heed to the fact that it was God he was giving the money to and not the preacher. He didn't remember that God loved a cheerful giver. He didn't heed what he learned as a child as Harry did.

The scriptues plainly give us the basis of the story. Matthew 7:24-27 is the scriptures for our story. " Therefore whosoever heareth these saying of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock, vs.25, and the rain descended and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not; for it was founded upon a rock. vs.26 And everyone that heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand, vs 27 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house,and it fell: and great was the fall of it." (KJV)

So when the storms of life hit Harry and Larry, their preparation in life, or lack of it took over. When the storms of difficulty hit his marriage, the winds of adversity hit his finances, when the floods rushed in to cause his children to rebel, Harry was ready. It wasn't easy, but he was ready. He stood on the promises of God and never gave up. He stood on the great rock, Jesus Christ.

Not so with Larry for he hadn't prepared his life as he should. When the floods of advesity hit and the winds blrew hard against his life he was shaken. Crisis in his marriage, his finances and children and his health carried him away in a flood of despair. He was all washed up!  He didn't have the solid foundation of the rock of jesus to stand on, he was ruined. The moral of this story, be found standing on the rock, Jesus, when the storms of life hit. Be there with the word and a relationship with God. Amen!!!