H.I.T. Men Ministry: 2009

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Thanksgiving ... Canadian EH?

Here we are and it is Canadian Thanksgiving weekend. It is a great time of year, a nice time for us all to spend with family and friends. Of course we all do our part and suffer for the cause by eating Turkey, ham or even roast beef. All in all I really like this time of year. I am very blessed as I have family that also reside in the United States so I have an excuse to have more turkey etc... in a little over a month.

Anyway really isn't this weekend supposed to be about a whole lot more than family, friends and turkey? I mean of course some of the family and friends are turkeys but really what should be our focus? The roots of this holiday are intended to be a time for us to remember the great blessings that God has bestowed upon us and for us to celebrate His graciousness with worship.

Take time this weekend to thank God for all that He has done for you. Emphasize your lack and need for His work in your thanksgiving and praise. You see we find our passion for worship again when we understand just how lacking we are and how much God does for us. Then share this with others. Share your thankfulness, share what God has done for you, encourage others and care for them like God has done for you.

This is a great opportunity to live out our faith and for us to have opportunity to talk about our faith in plain terms. Let us not leave this opportunity to pass by. Let's grasp what opportunity god has given us.

Praise God, Celebrate His Character & His Work, Acknowledge your need for God to daily care for you, be thankful for his daily care and the great blessings He has bestowed upon you. Share this great message with others... your Christian brothers and sisters will celebrate with you ... those who do not know Jesus will hear about Him and what He has done for you and can do for them.

Let's move out!

Monday, October 5, 2009

whats it all about

sitting here this morning feeling so blessed by what God is doing. yet being reminded of why we do what we do.

we call men to be real men, to be warriors, to be good husbands & fathers, to confront their demons, to fight their addictions. Yes this is true. however it is not all.

we call people to come to Christ, to grow, to get involved. Yet this is not all.

We need to always check our heart attitude that we are not doing even the "right things" with the wrong motives.

we ae not about growing a church group... we are not about men being supreme... we are not about doing good works ... we are not called to these things.

we are called to honor Jesus Christ our Lord... we are called to worhip Him & celebrate His work on the cross... we are to embrace the supremecy of God and drop our selfish ways ... we are to be about the calling & work of His kingdom as the Real Church is always His not ours.

Go forward with the right attitude & calling.

HITMan Preacherman

Thursday, October 1, 2009

called to be a warrior

Men there has been some that question the calling of the warrior. I have seen posts that would try to tell men that they R not called to be warriors and rather call for pacifism. Beware of this poor teaching. Our God He is a warrior. Our God called His people to some very violent wars. In Christ we are called to a Spiritual war. We are called to be warriors.

Jesus called it like it was and stood for Truth. He even made a whip to foceibly cleanse the temple. Sounds a lot like a warrior to me. Jesus sacrificed himself for those who could not help themselves. A true warrior does not fight for selfish purpose, rather He fights for those who need protection, defends Truth, protects virtue, cares for the weak and those whom are in His protective care.

Be a true warrior a Christ like warrior.

fight on

Preacherman

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

God is Working

It is so good to see

god working in the hearts of the men in
Fort McMurray.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Fierce Passion for Jesus

Men, we were designed to be warriors, to be heroes, to take care of those in need, to work hard, to fight for the oppressed, to make right wrongs that have been done, But my brothers this is not to be driven out of our testosterone driven bodies, rather it is to be driven by our fierce passion for Jesus.

We are called to be passionate about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and we are to use the gifts and abilities He has given to us for His work. Let us renew our minds with the Gospel of Grace and the depravity of our sin, so that the grateful passion we have for Jesus can move us forward to who we are called to be.

Fight On!

Preacherman

Fierce Passion for Jesus

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

A Call to WAR!

Men, we are called to a WAR, we are called to battle.

It begins with humble hearts broken before God in prayer and worship. He is our source and our strength.
As we begin each day we need to prepare to fight, to stand firm for Truth. We need to prepare to properly love our families and friends. We need to fight by protecting the weak and helping those without hope. We need to fight the old man and the selfish ways of our hearts. We are to fight the things of this world that would distract us and draw us away.

The battle is not fought only on our knees, but this is where it must begin for us to be victorious. Pray, grab your sword (read the Bible), get into your squadron (find men to meet with) and then press forward. Do not worry, if you fall, if you are wounded in battle, we have the supreme medic who is our healer and giver of Grace to get us back into the battle and His name is Jesus Christ.

Men today I call you to this WAR and to fight till the end!

Preacherman

A Call to WAR!

Monday, September 21, 2009

Leading with brokenness & vision

As we look toward the future and understand both the present and the past I believe we are called to move toward something more. We are to follow the Lord with a great passion for the work He has set before us. Before we can look to a new vision I believe we must deal with our past and current situations.

I am not saying that everything must be perfect to move forward but rather I am saying that we must recognize our sinful condition and our need for the Lord to be at work in us. We need to walk daily in the forgiveness and grace we are given in Jesus Christ. This is the foundation for us to lead forward and have a fresh vision.

As we move forward may we do so with broken hearts that are driven by a passion for our one and only savior and lord "Jesus Christ".

Press on my brothers

Preacherman

Monday, August 24, 2009

Real Men SERVE!

Too often I hear stories of men who live to be served by others. Even those who are in "servant" positions at work seek to be served in their private lives. This is natural and part of human nature, but it is also sinful and self seeking.

Real Men are called to serve others. First we are to serve God as our lives are to be all about Him. Second we are to serve our families, starting with our wives if we are married. Third we are to serve our community and our Church in order to live out the business of the Kingdom.

The example shown to us in Scripture is that of Jesus, the warrior King and God Himself, who became a servant for our sake. WE too are to be warriors and live with noble attitudes but we are to do so in our service to others with selfless hearts.

Thanks to all the guys who showed their hearts to serve this week, it was great to see. You are all inspirational. Keep following the Lord and He will give you strength.

Blessings

Preacherman

Monday, July 13, 2009

Real Men think of the Cross

Real men think of the cross of Jesus Christ often and it should break us!

I was reminded again today of how important it is for us as men to live not only in the Grace that we have been given through the work of Jesus Christ, but also to live out the example of the Grace with others.

Often we struggle to have patience with the people closest to us and we tend to get frustrated and angry fast with them. What ever the situation, what ever it is that people are doing or are not doing is not really the issue. Rather the issue is that we have done far more to offend our Lord than anyone has done to us.

We have sinned greatly against God and when we loose it with people we continue to sin against God. Yet often we feel justified in our frustration and anger, because we are "right". Yet even in our "correctness" we can sin. Be reminded that Jesus puts up with all our garbage and yet He loves us and extends Grace to us. We rebel against God and want our own way. We blatantly decide to sin against others and God. We hurt people with our words and sit on our selfish pride. This is who we are as people and yet Jesus extends an invitation to us and keeps His word about His grace even when we are not faithful and obedient.

This is who we are called to be like ... Jesus! So we are called to have patience and grace for others. When we fail at this we are to become broken and repentant, not only to God but to those we have hurt. This will help us to walk with humility and to restore our relationships.

So every day take some time to remember the work of the Cross and be humbled by the greatness of Grace. Allow this to direct you and soften your heart toward others.

Keep fighting!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Enemy #1 - Selfishness

We need to stand up and get real. Our number one enemy is not some other person, it is not the devil, it is ... Our own selfishness.

All of us need to come to terms with this and begin to look at life with a different perspective. Our lives are meant to be about God and His glory and then serving and caring for other people. All of the horrible things we do to others need to stop. I keep hearing about how life is not going well, about how other people or my spouse treat me poorly. Yes there are times when others are really being abusive and mean, but usually the problem is US!

Most of our issues stem from our lives not being the way we want them to be. You see as people we default back to being the centre of our own universe. The problem is that this position is reserved for God and not us. We are not even called to be right next to centre, we are called to the end of the line.

Men if you want your wife, children, friends family, church, etc... to respond better to your needs. Then start showing healthy leadership and beign tghe example of sacrificial servanthood and caring for all of their needs. It is time to MAN UP and lead things in a healthy driection. Be who you are supposed to be, not to get others to change, but because it is who you are to be. Then your example will speak for itself, much like the example of Jesus Christ speaks volumes to me everyday.

Stand up and take on Enemy #1, yourself!

Monday, June 22, 2009

Where is the Love

Men, I have to ask "where is the love?".

I know that this is a greatly misused word, "love", because as men we "love" our trucks, our quads, our bikes, our toys, our guns, our movies, our music, our games. Not only that but most men "love" to look at women, they "love" to pursue women, they "love" to hang out with the guys, they even "love" spending time at home. There are a lot of things that we "love", but is it real? Is our "love" real and true?

For your "love" to be real and true, it needs to be "selfless". Our love when it is "selfless" is the kind of "love" that can change lives, it is this kind of "love" that makes a real difference. When we start to find the real "love" that we need to live out, we can then be who we are supposed to be.

Jesus is the example of that "love", He was always selfless and gave His life for us. A shift to selfless love should cause us to re-think our priorities and how we view things. There should be many things we "like" and many things we "love" but if we find true love in Christ then the word Love should imply a selfless love for us.

Where is the love? It is in Jesus, it is in following him, it is in sacrifice.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

The Importance of being a true Man

Today I am reminded of the importance of being a true man. This is more and more being lost in our society. Our culture tries to neutralize any emphasis of gender and certainly wants true men to stop being who they are. Some of you are not even certain what I mean by a "true man" so I will explain.

A "true man" is someone who walks with strength, confidence, vision and a fierce passion.
Balanced by tenderness, care, love and patience just to name some of the attributes.
As a "true man" we are called to stand up for and help those who are in need, the weak, the poor, the oppressed, the lonely, the hurting, etc... Our character is to be measured not by our harshness but rather through our resolve to do what is right even if it is not popular.
True Men take risks, they rise to challenges, the are into action and willing to fight the fight for what is right. Protectors, warriors, hunters, providers, these are good things for "true men".

True Men are into sacrifice, they put aside their own selfish wants and desires to make a difference, especially in those closest to them, their wife, children, parents, brothers, sisters, families, friends and Church. Even when it is difficult and emotionally draining "true men" will be there for others.

I know I seem to have set the bar pretty high, but here is the last part of being a "true man". True Men are seeking to walk in humility, broken hearted about their sin, quick to repent, full of grace for others and desiring to walk with God daily as they lead others to do the same.

Our challenge - to live as "true men".

Friday, June 5, 2009

Men, Marriage & Communion

Men, Marriage & Communion - how do these things relate?

In the book of Matthew, chapter 26, the following remembrance is instituted by Jesus.

"²⁶While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." ²⁷Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. ²⁸This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."

This remembrance is what we call "communion", the remembering of what Jesus Christ did for us in his act of sacrifice on the cross. It is our reminder of how He who did not deserve this punishment took it on for us, so that we could have a relationship with God through Him. It is a huge thing for us to remember, it is a vital part of our faith.

Marriage is described in Ephesians chapter 5, as being like that of Christ and the Church. This description includes a reference to Jesus Christ giving himself up for us. Our marriage relationships are to be a testimony to this work that Jesus did for us as we seek to live that type of grace out as we care for our wives. This is a living remembrance of what Jesus did for us.

Men, we are called to lead our families in their relationship with Christ, we are called to be a living reminder of His grace. Through our strength being displayed in a proper way and with our leadership we are to live this out as a witness to those around us.

I would encourage all men to be involved in leading communion in their homes with their families. If you are single then do so with your friends who know the Lord so that you are reminded to live out this example.

Let us walk forward together
Preacherman

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Soldiers of Grace

"You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus." - 2 Timothy 2:1-3 (NIV)

We are called to be Soldiers of Christ Jesus, strong in the grace found in Him. This is a key element and reminder for us if we are to truly be H.I.T. Men. You see grace is the element of the gospel that changes lives. If God had sent His Son to die because He loved us and wanted us to be able to live lives that might please Him if we were good enough, then grace would not exist. Yet so often we encounter people who might admit that this is not what the Bible teaches and yet it is how they apply Christianity to their lives. REALITY CHECK! Grace is so essential that without it we would all be doomed to Hell. Grace is what happened when Jesus Christ took on all our sin and gave us His 100% righteousness, that is Grace.

Without a foundation of that Grace, we have no hope. The only way to receive Grace is by faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord, surrendering yourself to Him. We recognize that our lives are a mess and that we cannot make it work, we cannot find God on our own, we cannot fix things, we need help... our only true and eternal source is Jesus. Then we live with Him in us, allowing the Spirit of God to mold us and shape us into who He wants us to be. It can be scary but it is good.

Part of how we are to live this life of surrender is to become soldiers of Jesus Christ. Part of His force, His troops, serving under His command. We know that a normal soldier with a normal general who is a really good commander will have troops who seek to become like him, to lead like he does, to do the things he does. In the same way we are to follow his ways and become like Him.

Jesus gave us grace, we are now to live out that grace with others. As men, as soldiers in His army as H.I.T. Men, we are called to this. Walking in grace = help others even when you don't feel like it, overlooking others faults, loving people even when they hurt you, standing up for those who cannot defend themselves, sharing about what Jesus did in our lives, loving our communities, leading by example, raising families that love and honor God even though it can be hard, etc...

If you have some more examples feel free to add them here, there are lots in your Bibles!

Fight ON!

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Our God is a Warrior!

OUR GOD

The Mighty One, The Warrior, The Fierce, The Just, The Massive, The Strong, The Vindicator, The Hero, The Defender, The Judge, The Jury, The All Powerful One, etc...

These descriptors are not the complete list of attributes of God and His character, but they are often overlooked. Take a read of Exodus 15 below and consider some of the attributes of God that are expressed.

Exodus 15:1-18 (NIV)

Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD :

"I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea. The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name. Pharaoh's chariots and his army he has hurled into the sea. The best of Pharaoh's officers are drowned in the Red Sea.

The deep waters have covered them; they sank to the depths like a stone. "Your right hand, O LORD, was majestic in power. Your right hand, O LORD, shattered the enemy. In the greatness of your majesty you threw down those who opposed you. You unleashed your burning anger; it consumed them like stubble. By the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up. The surging waters stood firm like a wall; the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea. The enemy boasted, 'I will pursue, I will overtake them. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword and my hand will destroy them.' But you blew with your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters.

"Who among the gods is like you, O LORD ? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? You stretched out your right hand and the earth swallowed them. "In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling. The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the people of Philistia. The chiefs of Edom will be terrified, the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling, the people of Canaan will melt away; terror and dread will fall upon them. By the power of your arm they will be as still as a stone—until your people pass by, O LORD, until the people you bought pass by.

You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance— the place, O LORD, you made for your dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, your hands established. The LORD will reign for ever and ever."

As men we are called to live lives after God's Own heart, like David was known. This means that we are to seek to emulate God's Character in our lives as much as we can, every day. It is an attitude of the heart.

Preacherman

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

R U Ready?

Men ... Are You Ready?

Are you ready to support each other? Ready to go the distance? Ready to do what is needed?

Mark 2:1-12 (ESV)
A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, "Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ." He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"

These friends were willing to go the distance for their friend. The lived out their faith and put it to use, whatever it took. We do not hear about whether they got some grief from the home owner about the roof, or about the people who may of been hit by falling debris. I think that the reason for that is because to those friends these were secondary things and they would do what they needed to make it right later, after their priority of helping their friend was done.

We are called to this type of walking with each other by faith. Go the extra mile and make a difference in your brother's lives.

R U Ready to walk together?

Preacherman

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Psalm 133 (ESV)
¹Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brothers dwell in unity
²It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down on the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down on the collar of his robes!
³It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the LORD has commanded the blessing,
life forevermore.

A great truth for us to remember. We will walk together as brothers in unity. Let us strive to stand firm in our unity and expand our unity to others.

Press on my brothers.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Great event last wednesday! We had approx 75 people join us at the Church to watch Fireproof the movie. What a great show with some great messages for us about God, life, love, marriage, addictions, anger and the gospel was so very present in it.

Anyway we started the Love Dare challenge and have a list growing for some LIFE group follow up sessions. It is very good that as men we could partner with the HIT Chicks to put the event on. Thanks ladies.

Preacherman

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

HIT Men?

What are HIT Men? is this some sort of armed and dangerous group? Maybe ...

Really we are a band of brothers who believe in coming together for the following purposes.

Honesty
Integrity
Transparency

The idea for this group began as 5 of us men went to a Promise Keepers conference in Calgary Alberta in 2007. WE decided that the conference was good but we needed to do something next..

So we began a group, after a lady asked if it was a woman's group we adopted this name H.I.T. Men. The group has grown and changed over the past year and a half, and God is at work.

We will post some of the stories here of what He is doing in our midst.

Praise God for His work in our lives!!!

Preacherman