Recently I had the honor and privilege of attending our congregations annual Men’s Camp with my three sons, three of my brother-in-laws and three of my nephews. We call the camp that we are invloved in Widga-Didga (Man Camp) and the name alone is enough to write another article on perhaps at another time. Widga-Didga is held up in the northern woods of the great state of Michigan. Away from cell phone reception. Away from TV. Away from many outside forces that daily work on us. We had 51 men and boys at the camp this year. Anyway the camp is designed with the idea and intent to help men (dads, grandpas, uncles and the such) remember what our responsibilities are to our children.
The word responsibility was brought up and used in many of the messages that were brought throughout the course of the week. One thing that really hit me head on this week was a simple statement but meant much to me and it was that as men, God has given us the ability to carry out our responsibility. I have always understood that we have a job to do, a task at hand if you will. However, I have been brought face to face with the realization now that God has given us the ability to get the job done. Too many times I hear someone say, I know what needs to be done, I just don’t know how to get it done. I was reminded about 2 Peter 3:18 Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. We have been given by God every tool we need to be the men we ought to be. We use this time in the north woods to bring dads and sons together. But this year I realized it is not as much about bringing the dads and sons together as it is to separate the Men from the Boys. Now when I say this I am not talking about physical men and physical boys, but rather the spiritual men from the spiritual boys. Our mission verse for our camp is 1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. It is high time that if you are the man in your family that you live like it. God has given us the ability to be… everything He wants for us to be.
Guys are losing the battle today because they will not take a stand against their 18 year old child. Guys are losing the battle today because they will not take a stand against their 8 year old child. Guys are losing the battle today because they will not take a stand against their wife for not letting him take a stand against their children. Guys are losing the battle today because they will not take a stand against their overbearing wife. Guys are losing the battle today because they will not take a stand against their personal sin and they let it keep control over them. Guys are losing the battle today because they will not take a stand against the culture that says being a real man is real mean. Guys are losing the battle today because they will not take a stand against the running down of today’s father. Guys are losing the battle today because they will not take a stand against the fiery darts of Satan and whatever they might be. Men remember you are your children’s father not their buddy. Be their dad let the little boy down the street be their buddy. Tell them no, when it should be no. Tell them you love them. Tell them you are not happy with the wrong they have done. Be their dad and you will have their respect. Be their pal and you will regret the outcome. Now is the time dads to take the opportunity to separate the Men from the Boys.
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