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Developing the Warrior Within
Imagine John Wayne diapering a baby or Clint Eastwood "cooing" a toddler. You pretty much have to imagine it, because you've never seen it in the movies. It's not the hard-guy-hard-core image we are used to. Scornful of sentiment. One dimensional. And phony as they come. Hollywood folks wouldn't know a True Warrior if they saw one. They get it wrong every time. Underneath the warrior's breastplate beats a tender center. In every man there is a tender side. The side that connects to another. The thirst for relationship. The desire to touch and be touched. To hug. To link.
Contrast Tinsel Town's John Wayne ("Never apologize mister, it's a sign of weakness") with real-life hero General Norman Schwarzkopf. Not long after the Gulf War and the dazzling victory over Iraq, the conquering commander of Desert Storm appeared on national television in an interview with Barbara Walters. In the course of their conversation about the war, something touched the big man. We all watched with fascination as the eyes of this career soldier with four stars on his shoulder glazed over.
Tears formed. Ms. Walters, with well-practiced bluntness, said, "Why, General, aren't you afraid to cry?" Stormin' Norman replied without hesitation, "No, Barbara. I'm afraid of a man who won't cry!"
Real men long for connection, touch, and the genuine expressions of feelings. You see it every Sunday during the football season. It's there-among some of the world's biggest, strongest, most competitive men. The inner drive to touch and connect won't be denied. What's the first thing they do when a great offensive drive explodes in a touchdown? They look for someone to touch. Oh sure, it might be a cheerful head butt, a smacking of big fists, or a slapping of hands, but they're really hugs in disguise. Those magnificent hulks of the gridiron long to be connected. We did this together. I like you. You like me. We're teammates. We belong. Let's touch…if only for a second and just a little bit.
Pastor and Author Stu Weber captures it wonderfully; "We want Tender Warriors…not "soft males". There is a world of difference between "tender" and soft. ." The word Tender is defined as "expressing or expressive of feelings of love, compassion, kindness, and affectionate. In contrast, when the word "soft" is used to describe an individual, it means "mild, effeminate, easily yielding to physical pressure, untrained for hardship."
Two thousand years ago another steely-eyed, battle-scared warrior wrote these words to a group of struggling, persecuted believers in the city of Thessalonica.
"We proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. Having thus a fond affection for you, we are pleased to impart to you not only the Gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.
(1 Thessalonians 2:7-8)
Gentle? Tender care? Nursing mother? Children? Fond affection? Very dear? Was Brother Paul writing to women? No. Does that sound like the warrior you want to be? Are these the words you would want to hear from a man's man? Maybe not, but God does.
As we travel with the Apostle John down his road of maturity we see the same pattern of growth that Paul experienced. John's tough, me first attitude earned him, along with his brother James, the nickname "Sons of Thunder." This same man is now referred to as the "Apostle of Love".
Coaching legend Vince Lombardi (no theologian by any stretch, but a man who knew men) certainly understood this truth. His Green Bay Packers ruled football in the sixties.
They did it by creating a brotherhood that is unparalleled in the sporting world. Today's WWF "How about me" mentality is far cry from the selfless team concept Lombardi insisted upon.
Coach Lombardi said: "You got to care for one another. You have to love one another. Each player has to be thinking about the next guy. The difference between mediocrity and greatness is the feeling these players have for one another. Most people call it "Team Spirit". When the players are imbued with that special feeling you know you have yourself a winning team."
This type of heart in a man helps others as well as himself overcome obstacles. It carries. It wins. It creates an attraction that glorifies God. It's the kind of emotion that our Lord was about when He said to His men, "I have longed to have this Passover with you." His tender affection was contagious. It's the hallmark of the Warrior.
Man of God, the wounds and trials of our past sometimes reap painful thoughts. Thoughts that may harden an otherwise Christ-like heart. Your Father knows this and understands. He has a plan for you. One that will heal and mature your heart. A Plan to nurture and develop the warrior within. Follow the paths of St. Paul and St John and go from Warrior's of Wrath to Warriors of Christ.
God4me Men's Network is a National alliance of Churches and Men's groups systematically training and assisting men in their pursuit of significance and purpose. "Discipleship Boot camps" are forums to provide encouragement, instruction and fellowship for the transformed man. Anointed speakers help men replace the lies of the world with Biblical truth. Upbeat and practical topics such as "Brainwashed", "A Man's Wild Heart", "The Purpose-Driven Man", and "As a Man Thinketh" are presented in a user friendly environment where men are free to "hear and respond". Movie clips and skits are used expressing the practicality of the topics. Food is served for time in fellowship, and short interactive workshops create a dynamic effective arena for change in men. Please visit Invasion for up to date information on events.
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