365 Meditations for Men by Men

S. D. Sharpe, Editor

Christian Coon, Tim Gossett,

James A. Harnish, Joseph L. Harris,

J. Ellsworth Kalas, Andy Langford,

Russell T. Montfort, James W. Moore,

Ramon Presson, Stacy L. Spencer,

Shane Stanford, John Underwood

Abingdon Press

Nashville

365 MEDITATIONS FOR MEN BY MEN

Copyright © 2008 by Abingdon Press

All rights reserved.

No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted by the 1976 Copyright Act or in writing from the publisher. Requests for permission can be addressed to Abingdon Press, P.O. Box 801, 201 Eighth Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37202-0801, or e-mailed to permissions@abingdonpress.com.

This book is printed on recycled, acid-free paper.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

365 meditations for men by men / S.D. Sharpe, editor.

  p. cm.

ISBN 978-0-687-65198-6 (binding: pbk., adhesive-perfect)

1. Christian men—Prayers and devotions. 2. Devotional calendars. I. Sharpe, Sally D., 1964-II. Title: Three hundred and sixty-five meditations for men by men.

BV4843.S55 2008

242'.642—dc22

2008016604

All scripture quotations unless noted otherwise are taken from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked RSV are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1946, 1952, 1971 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James or Authorized Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations marked The Message are taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © Eugene H. Peterson, 1993, 1994, 1995. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked GNT are taken from the Good News Translation in Today's English Version-Second Edition. Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked TNIV are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, TODAY'S NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. TNIV®. Copyright © 2001, 2005 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17—10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Contents

Introduction

S. D. Sharpe

About the Writers

JANUARY: New Beginnings

James W. Moore

FEBRUARY: A Man Named David

J. Ellsworth Kalas

MARCH: Roles of a Lifetime

Ramon Presson

APRIL: Connections

Tim Gossett

MAY: Lessons from Surprising People

Russell T. Montfort

JUNE: Old Testament Men

Andy Langford

JULY: Step Up

Stacy L. Spencer

AUGUST: Holy and Acceptable Service

Joseph L. Harris

SEPTEMBER: Body Building

Christian Coon

OCTOBER: Exercise for Spiritual Fitness

James A. Harnish

NOVEMBER: Self-Assessment

John Underwood

DECEMBER: Priorities, Promises, and Purpose

Shane Stanford

Introduction

Man's search for meaning is the primary motivation in his life.

—Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning

There is a longing deep within every man's heart to discover meaning and purpose in life; to lead a life of significance as opposed to a life of success; to live a life of adventure, conquest, and victory; to make a difference and leave a positive, enduring mark on the world. Yet, as Henry David Thoreau observed, The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. Although Thoreau penned these words more than a century ago, they still ring true today. So many men—including devoted Christian men—wake up one day and realize they are leading lives of quiet desperation, silently losing themselves as they strive to meet unrealistic expectations, overcome mounting work and family pressures, and battle unrelenting temptations. These challenges can easily sidetrack men, causing them to lose their spiritual focus.

Whether consciously or unconsciously, many men subsequently spend their time and energy and resources searching for significance in pursuits and people and things that can never fully satisfy. Some simply give up on ever finding lasting meaning and purpose in this world. Others find themselves somewhere in between. In any case, the result is often the same: a pervading sense of exhaustion, futility, or hopelessness.

Yet there is a remedy to this cultural epidemic, and it is found in reclaiming and living out every man's true purpose, which is found in God alone. As Saint Augustine wrote, Thou hast made us for Thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee. The apostle Paul expressed it this way: "Everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible . . . everything got started in [Christ] and finds its purpose in him" (Colossians 1:16 The Message).

365 Meditations for Men by Men is intended to help men focus on their relationship with God and, consequently, find real meaning and purpose in life. Twelve different Christian men share their reflections on what it means to be a man who seeks to follow Christ each and every day. Drawing upon the lives of men in the Bible as well as their own personal experiences, the writers present timeless truths and valuable life lessons that will speak to men of every age and experience. In addition to offering inspiration and encouragement, they provide counsel on practical matters such as how to

• know God;

• get your priorities in order;

• become spiritually fit;

• be holy and righteous;

• make a difference;

• be equipped;

• step up;

• take risks;

• stand firm;

• serve God wholeheartedly.

As you make your way through the year (whether you start in January or June), you will be undergirded by a sense of brotherhood—an assurance that you are not alone on this journey. With this confidence, may you boldly and courageously pursue a full and abundant life in Christ!

S. D. Sharpe, Editor

About the Writers

Christian Coon (SEPTEMBER) has been pastor of Christ United Methodist Church in Deerfield, Illinois, since 2001. He and his wife, Anne, have two children, Caroline and Ethan. Christian is a native Iowan and is an avid runner, blogger (www.genxrev.com), and movie watcher.

Tim Gossett (APRIL) is the Educational Consultant for Iowa Religious Media Services in Urbandale, Iowa, the nation's largest ecumenical resource center. He is the author of six youth ministry books, including A Walk with God for Graduates, and he has worked for the past twenty years in campus ministry, youth ministry, Christian education, and as a freelance writer/editor. Tim lives in Ames, Iowa, with his wife, Kathryn, and (hopefully, by the time you're reading this) an adopted daughter.

James A. Harnish (OCTOBER) is a husband, father, grandfather, and University of Florida Gator football fan. He also is senior pastor of Hyde Park United Methodist Church in Tampa, Florida, and the author of several books including Passion, Power, and Praise: A Model for Men's Spirituality from the Life of David and Journey to the Center of the Faith: An Explorer's Guide to Christian Living.

Joseph L. Harris (AUGUST) is assistant to the bishop and communications director for the Oklahoma Conference of The United Methodist Church. In addition to serving as a youth director, pastor, and district superintendent, he has been publisher of the United Methodist Men magazine, the first general secretary of the Commission on United Methodist Men, and the first president of the World Fellowship of Methodist and Uniting Church Men affiliated through the World Methodist Council. Joseph has been married to Nancy for thirty-two years. They have two adult children, Sarah and Joseph Jr.

J. Ellsworth Kalas (FEBRUARY) is an administrator and professor of preaching at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. Before going to Asbury in 1993, he served for five years as the associate in evangelism with the World Methodist Council, and as a United Methodist pastor in Wisconsin and Cleveland for thirty-eight years. He has been a presenter on DISCIPLE videos, is the author of the Christian Believer series, and has written more than thirty books, including the popular Back Side series; Longing to Pray: How the Psalms Teach Us to Talk with God; Strong Was Her Faith: Women of the New Testament; What I Learned When I Was Ten; and A Hop, Skip, and a Jump Through the Bible.

Andy Langford (JUNE) is a United Methodist pastor in North Carolina. He received degrees from Davidson College, Duke University Divinity School, and Emory University. Andy has written almost twenty books on worship, weddings, church reformation, evangelism, and spirituality. Most important, he is the son of Tom and Ann Marie; brother to Jay, Tim, and Hugh; uncle to many nieces and nephews; husband of Sally; father of Ann Green and Sarah; and now father-in-law to Nathan.

Russell T. Montfort (MAY) retired after forty-three years as a United Methodist pastor in western North Carolina; Bonn, Germany; and West End United Methodist Church, Nashville, Tennessee. He holds degrees from Kentucky Wesleyan and Duke University. He has been married for fifty-four years to Ruth Nance Montfort. They are the parents of two adult children, Leslie Montfort Marsicano and Joel Montfort, and the grandparents of three grandchildren: Chris, James, and David. Russ currently works as a custody advocate for The Center for Children's Rights in Charlotte, North Carolina. He and Ruth also teach adults with developmental disabilities in their church. He is the author of two books: Who's in Charge Here? and Buck and the Band of Angels.

James W. Moore (JANUARY) is the author of more than forty books, including Yes, Lord, I Have Sinned but I Have Several Excellent Excuses; You Can Get Bitter or Better; Some Things Are Too Good Not to Be True; and Faith Is the Answer, But What Are the Questions? In 2006 he retired from twenty-two years as senior pastor of Saint Luke's United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas. Prior to that he served for twelve years as co-pastor with D. L. Dykes of First United Methodist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana, in addition to pastoring several churches in Tennessee and Ohio. Currently he is minister in residence at Highland Park United Methodist Church, where he spends his time preaching on occasion, teaching, and writing. He and his wife, June, make their home at Heritage Ranch in Fairview, Texas. They are the proud parents of two children and grandparents of five grandchildren.

Ramon Presson (MARCH), an ordained minister, is a clinically certified marriage and family therapist and the founder of LifeChange Counseling and The Marriage Center of Franklin (Tennessee). An award-winning poet, avid journaler, and local newspaper columnist, he has written numerous feature articles for major Christian magazines and is the author of seven books, including the Love Talks series with Gary Chapman. Married to Dorrie for twenty-one years, he and his wife have two sons, Trevor and Cameron. Ramon's blog, SightLines: Seeing God in All of Life, may be found at www.RamonDPresson.typepad.com.

Stacy L. Spencer (JULY) serves as senior pastor of New Direction Christian Church in Memphis, Tennessee. Under his leadership, the ministry, which began in 2001 with sixty members, has amassed a membership of more than ten thousand with two worship facilities. He holds degrees from Drew University, Southern Theological Seminary, and Western Kentucky University. The Kentucky native is married to Rhonda, and they happily parent four sons: Calvin, Omari, Jordan, and Jaden.

Shane Stanford (DECEMBER) serves as the staff leader/teacher for The United Methodist Hour, a television and radio program broadcast to more than five million homes a week. He is the author of two books, The Seven Next Words of Christ and The Eight Blessings. He also has written for a variety of religious periodicals. Shane is married to Dr. Pokey Stanford. They are the parents of three daughters: Sarai Grace (10), Juli Anna (7), and Emma Leigh (2).

John Underwood (NOVEMBER) is a native Oklahoman and a full-blood member of the Seminole Tribe of Oklahoma. For the past fourteen years, he has made his home in Nashville, Tennessee. John has a degree in education and works in retail management. He and his wife are co-contributors to 365 Meditations for Couples and the proud parents of two beautiful daughters.

JANUARY

New Beginnings

JAMES W. MOORE

JANUARY 1

GOD CAN BRING HEALING WHERE IT HURTS

So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!

(2 Corinthians 5:17)

Years ago I heard a story in a sermon about Edgar Dewitt Jones, renowned pastor and author of the early twentieth century. As the story goes, Dr. Jones was preaching a revival, and when he gave the invitation, a huge, burly man came storming down the aisle. The man was obviously moved, penitent, and remorseful. Big tears were streaming down his cheeks. He marched right to the front, extended his hand to Dr. Jones, and said, Preacher, you said tonight that God could save anybody, no matter who they are or what they've done. I want to believe that. I want God to save me. But I want you to know I've done everything. I've done it all. So many times I've broken the Ten Commandments—all of them. I'm a Swedish blacksmith by trade, and I have been a terrible sinner. I don't know whether God can help me or not.

Dr. Jones took the man's massive hand, looked deep into that eager face, and said to him, Sir, you are in luck. God is specializing in Swedish blacksmiths tonight!

Whatever your problems may be, God is specializing in you today. God is the Great Physician, and God can bring healing where it hurts. That's a good thing to wrap our arms around as we move into the new year—a time for new beginnings. Join me this month as we consider how we can experience some new beginnings in our lives!

O God, you are the Lord of new beginnings and new life. You are the Great Physician. Bring me the healing I need, and be with me in the new year. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

JANUARY 2

NEW LIFE

We are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, . . . nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39)

The words of Louise Fletcher Tarkington are especially pertinent for the start of a new year: I wish that there were some wonderful place called the Land of Beginning Again.

Well, there is such a place! This is the good news of the Christian faith. It's the great promise of the Bible. We can be forgiven. We can make new beginnings. We can start over. We can have a new chance. We can become a new creation. By the miracle of God's redeeming grace, we can have new life!

The start of a new year is a great time to make resolutions. It is also a great time to ask God to come into our lives and give us new life.

At the start of this new year, O God, make me a new creation. Give me new life, new beginnings, new birth; and enable me to be your servant. Help me live each day in the Spirit of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.

JANUARY 3

THE GOOD NEWS OF THE CROSS

For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

(1 Corinthians 1:18)

A popular story from the Second World War tells about some Marines who were shipwrecked. After days of floating in a raft, they saw land. Their fears began to be dispelled, and they made their way to shore where they said prayers of gratitude to God for saving them.

Soon they saw signs of life on the island and realized they weren't alone. Immediately they began to wonder: Are we safe here? Will the people welcome us or kill us? And their fears returned.

Then one of the young Marines climbed a tree to see if he could get some indication of what they might expect. Suddenly he called down to the others: We're saved! I see a steeple with a cross on it!

Isn't that great? The cross meant that the spirit of Christ was there and they didn't need to be afraid.

Neither do we, because nothing—not even death—can separate us from God's love. That's the good news of the cross! And that's good news we need to take with us throughout this day, this week, this month, and this year!

Teach me, Lord, to trust you and the way of the cross. In Jesus' name. Amen.

JANUARY 4

GOD REDEEMS!

Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?

(1 Corinthians 15:55)

On September 14, 1986, Bob Brenley of the San Francisco Giants tied a major league record by committing four errors in one inning at third base against the Atlanta Braves. The errors led to four unearned runs in the fourth inning.

At Bob's last time at bat in the bottom of the ninth inning, the count was three and two. Bob hit a home run and won the game 7-6. As he circled the bases with his game-winning home run, a radio announcer reportedly said, Well, folks, Bob Brenley just redeemed himself. The jeers turned to cheers. A nightmare became the dream of a lifetime.

An athlete may be able to redeem himself by his own ability, but when it comes to our spiritual lives, only God can redeem. Only God can turn defeat into victory, death into life. This is the message of our Christian faith.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life (John 3:16). Christ died and rose again! And because he lives, we, too, can live through faith in him. We, too, can be resurrected. We, too, can move from defeat to victory.

In what ways do you need to experience God's resurrection power?

O God, resurrect me and give me a new start, a new beginning, a new vision, a new life. Amen.

JANUARY 5

PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH

You must faithfully keep all my commands by obeying them, for I am the LORD.

(Leviticus 22:31 NLT)

Several years ago I asked some children to write down the one thing that would make our world a better place. I was impressed with their responses. If we will listen, we can learn much from them:

• Each person should try to be a light in the world and an influence for good.

• More love and less violence.

• "All people should act like brothers and sisters because, after all, we are God's

   family."

• "Go out and do what you know is right—and stand up for what you know is

   right."

• Learn the Christian faith and stick to it.

Do you see what the children are saying to us? They are saying: Live your faith; practice what you preach; see yourself as God's coworker in this world. These are good things to think about as we move into the new year.

O God, watch over me, walk with me, and help me practice what I preach in the spirit of Jesus Christ. In his name I pray. Amen.

JANUARY 6

SEND ME

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? And I said, Here am I; send me!

(Isaiah 6:8)

Imagine you are at a football game and fifty players are huddled with their three coaches. The referee blows his whistle to start the game, and a crazy thing happens. The fifty players stand on the sideline, and the three coaches run out onto the field to play the game. Some of the players shout, Go get 'em, Coach! You can do it! But none of the players goes onto the playing field. They expect the coaches to do it all.

If you saw that at a football game, you would think, This is the craziest thing I've ever seen! Yet that's the way some people relate to the church. They think the ministers and staff are supposed to do it all while the other church members stand by and watch.

That idea is certainly not biblical. Jesus didn't call a single priest or rabbi to be one of his disciples; he called lay people. He is calling you right now. Can you hear his call? And can you say with Isaiah, Here am I; send me?

Here am I, Lord; send me; use me. Let me be your servant this day and every day, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

JANUARY 7

CELEBRATE EACH DAY

This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

(Psalm 118:24)

A first-grade teacher walked into her classroom one morning and found six-year-old Johnny standing in front of the room, sticking his stomach out. Johnny, she asked, why are you standing there with your stomach sticking out?

Well, said Johnny, I had a stomachache this morning, and I went to see the nurse. She said if I could just stick it out 'til noon, maybe it would be OK.

Unfortunately, many men go through life like that: no sense of purpose; no great cause; no celebration of life. They just stick it out 'til noon. They give in to boredom and apathy, to premature old age, or to fear and anxiety. They do nothing exciting and take no risks. They don't really live. They merely exist, enduring life, and that is so sad.

God meant for us to celebrate life and to see each day as a precious gift. The psalmist put it like this: This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Teach me, O Lord, how to celebrate each day. Help me be a good steward of each day you give me. Help me truly celebrate life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

JANUARY 8

THE LEAST OF THESE

As you did it to one of the least of these . . . you did it to me.

(Matthew 25:40)

I have a good friend who is one of the most outgoing persons I've ever known. A former football player, he is strong and powerful; yet he has a teddy-bear personality. He expresses his love with hugs.

Once I heard him speak to a group of young people, and he said something that inspired them and touched me. He said: When I first became a Christian, I was so grateful for the way God had turned my life around that I wanted to hug God, but I didn't know how. . . . Over the years, I have learned that the best way to hug God is to hug God's children; the best way to love God is to love God's children; the best way to serve God is to serve God's children.

That's what Jesus meant when he said, As you did it to one of the least of these. . . you did it to me. Even the strongest of us men can hug God in this way!

Lord, enable me to reach out to others with love so that I might continue the ministry of Jesus Christ, in whose name I pray. Amen.

JANUARY 9

ARE YOU IN A PIT?

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

(John 3:16 RSV)

One day a man took a shortcut across a field and fell into a deep pit. He tried to get out but couldn't; so he screamed for help. A pop psychologist passed by and said, I feel your pain. A religious fanatic happened along and said, Obviously, you have sinned greatly because only bad people fall into pits. A news reporter rushed up and asked, Could I have an exclusive story on your experience in the pit? A lawyer came and wanted to represent the man in a lawsuit. A neurotic came along and said, "You think your pit is bad; you should see mine!" But then someone else came along, saw the man's dilemma, and pulled the man out of the pit. Later, as the man told his story, people asked, Who was the man?

It was Jesus! he said.

How do you know? they asked.

"I know