Too much screen time?

 

Screen time has replaced outdoor time for many men ... what are the results? ... Read my thoughts here #DynamicDads www.dynamicdads.com

https://www.amazon.com/author/paulpettit

David & Bathsheba: A tragic reminder about "finishing well" ...

 The story of David & Bathsheba reminds us about finishing well ...

Read here: https://newcommandment.org/finishing-well/

The Legacy of Luigi Mangione

 Two different Valedictorians ... their lives took different paths. One became a C.E.O ... the other became a shooter ... Read about them here ... #freewill #wisdom #legacy

https://newcommandment.org/a-tale-of-two-valedictorians-the-shooter-and-the-c-e-o/

One Body, One Spirit interview and discussion (You Tube)

From Dr. Paul Weaver: It was great to have Mr. Jason Epps and Dr. Paul Pettit on the Bible and Theology Matters podcast to discuss their recently released book - One Body, One Soul. We discuss the topic of disability and community within the church - focusing on the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities (both physical and social). You can watch on the YouTube link below or on your favorite podcast platform. 

Watch here:  https://www.youtube.com/@BibleandTheologyMatters

Stones of Remembrance: 34 years of marriage

 Stones of Remembrance: 34 years of marriage

by Paul Pettit  

Like everyone else, we believers can be forgetful people. We especially can forget the many instances of God’s goodness to us. What to do?

Joshua 4: 4-9 records the command of Joshua for the Israelites to set up stones of remembrance.

“So, Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, and said to them, “Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.”

So, the Israelites did as Joshua commanded them. They took twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, as the Lord had told Joshua; and they carried them over with them to their camp, where they put them down. Joshua set up the twelve stones that had been in the middle of the Jordan at the spot where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant had stood. And they are there to this day.”[i]

We all need stones of remembrance to help those who follow us to remember important spiritual events in our lives

We also need to set up stones of remembrance for our family and friends in order to recognize significant events where God has proven faithful. Recently my wife and I celebrated thirty-four years of marriage. You know the old jokes; “We’re celebrating thirty-four years of being married … and thirty years of being happily married!”  Or “Somehow I’ve talked my wife into renewing my contract for one more year!”

Not every married couple enjoys years and years of wedded bliss. One guy told me he was married by the Justice of the Peace, but it should have been the Secretary of War! My wife gave me a funny card one anniversary that read, “Marriage is a relationship where one person is always right, and the other is the husband—just kidding — happy anniversary!”

Why are these stones of remembrance so important? Here are three critical reasons.

1) We need stones of remembrance to show our extended family and friends how God has been faithful

I love the old hymn which says, “…Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed Thy hand hath provided: great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!”[ii] Marriage is difficult at times. Various pressures pull us in all directions. Selfishness gets in the way of putting the other first. We sometimes take it for granted our marriage will go the distance. Then we are alarmed when long-time friends announce they are splitting up. In fact, a newer phenomenon called gray divorce recently caught my eye. Gray divorce is a term used to describe the growing number of divorces among older couples, typically those over 50 years old. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) coined the term in a study published in 2004.

The divorce rate for couples over 50 has increased significantly since 1990. In 2019, 36% of divorces in the U.S. involved people over 50, up from 8% in 1970. The divorce rate for people over 65 has also more than tripled since 1990.[iii]

2) We need stones of remembrance to remind ourselves of our commitments.

My wife and I have a plaque from our wedding day with a quote and the date. I see it each time I enter my home study. Of course, I don’t always stop to deeply ponder the inscription … but sometimes I do. In Scripture, God takes vows seriously!

• “If a man vows a vow to the Lord or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.”[iv]
• “But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.”[v]

3) We need stones of remembrance because we are forgetful

I love the story about the senior golfer. At 92, his eyesight grew so poor he could hardly see his drive off the tee. Searching for a friend who could help he asked, “So you golf … and your eyesight is excellent, right?”

“Oh yeah, his new friend answered … I’ve got 20/20 vision!” Both men hit their drives. The man with poor eyesight confirmed, “You saw it all the way down, right?”

“Oh yeah, I saw it perfectly!” The two old men sauntered down the fairway reminiscing about the good old days. When they finally arrived near the green the man asked, “You saw my golf ball, right?

“Oh yeah, I saw it!”

Turning to his new friend he asked, “Then where is it?”

His newfound friend sheepishly replied, “I forgot!”

We need to be more mindful people. When I stood at the altar thirty-four years ago the promises and vows easily rolled off my tongue. I was more nervous than serious. And yet, as each October 13th rolls around, I’m reminded a) I need to purchase a gift and b) God has been faithful!

What stones of remembrance do you need to set up as a reminder of God’s goodness to you?

[i] Joshua 4:4-9 (NIV)

[ii] Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father, Author: Thomas O. Chisholm (1923)

[iii] Shoichet, Catherine E. (2023-08-05). “More Baby Boomers are living alone. One reason why: ‘gray divorce'”. (CNN)

[iv] Numbers 30:2 (ESV)

[v] James 5:12 (ESV)

© Dr. Paul Pettit

 New Podcast on One Body, One Spirit ... by Paul Pettit and Jason Epps ... from Key Ministry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yIxIEvb5BI

New Podcast Interview!

 New Podcast Interview!

Enjoyed being interviewed by Sandra Peoples from Key Ministry for our new book, One Body...One Spirit from Kregel Publications 

Link: https://www.keyministry.org/church4everychild/2024/9/5/one-body-one-spirit-with-jason-epps-and-paul-pettit-podcast-episode-116

Listen Here

Sandra Peoples interviews Jason Epps and Paul Pettit about their book, One Body, One Spirit: Disability & Community in the Church. Hear about their friendship and how Jason's challenges with church accessibility led to them writing this book together. 

Links:

Paul & Jason’s Book: One Body, One Spirit: Disability & Community in the Church

Paul’s Ministry Page: www.DynamicDads.com

Jason’s Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/jason.epps.372

https://www.instagram.com/bjepps777

Men and Disability Ministry 

Often a men’s ministry can overlook men with disabilities

Here are three dangers, which arise from this unfortunate pattern ... 

Read the article here: https://newcommandment.org/why-your-mens-ministry-must-include-men-with-disabilities/

 Happy Day! Today, our new book One Body, One Spirit: Disability & Community in the Church releases to the public ... order your copy today! #OneBodyOneSpirit #DisabilityMinistry #5StepPlan Order your copy here ...

There is a massive deficit in our churches, parishes, and fellowships; an entire category of people is missing
According to the CDC, one in four people in the United States lives with a disability, yet many of our churches don't resemble this reality. Attempts to welcome those with a disability are often implemented by well-meaning but ill-informed people. The results can lead to those with disabilities feeling excluded and isolated from the family of God.
One Body, One Spirit gives eyes to the able-bodied to see the challenges experienced by those with disabilities:

• Physical barriers to places of worship, classrooms, and small group settings leave people outside the gathered family of God.
• Emotional barriers, like fear and prejudice, preclude them from using their spiritual gifts.

How can church communities, both on the congregational and individual level, address these issues? Paul Pettit and Jason Epps provide a roadmap by looking at a biblically informed solution. They survey disability in the Old and New Testaments, provide a vision for full integration, outline how to conduct a disability audit, and offer a five-step plan for how to change the culture of your church or parish.

The Inevitable Disappointment of Following “Celebrity” Pastors

 Once again news has broken regarding the “sin” of a well-known, influential minister. This news hit me particularly hard as this is a man I’ve listened to and learned from on hundreds of occasions. Here are four reminders to take away when you hear this kind of news.

1. God is no respecter of persons.

Indeed, “there is no partiality with God.” (Romans 2:11 NASB) Another popular translation of this Scripture states, “For there is no preferential treatment with God.” (Romans 2:11 PHILLIPS) It is easy to idolize and glamorize effective pastors and even men’s ministers. They often speak before large crowds. They ooze charisma and charm. They write books, produce podcasts, and oversee radio or television productions. Over time it’s easy to slip into the belief God somehow favors them, or

Read the rest of this post here.

A Powerful Testimony for Pride Month ...

 Jesus and My Gay Desires ... By Taylor Simon Maxwell

I grew up in a Jewish household and knew nothing of Jesus Christ, saving grace, or Vacation Bible School. My religious childhood was attending synagogue, studying Hebrew, and celebrating Jewish holidays, such as Hanukkah and Passover. I even had a bar mitzvah at 13, which supposedly was meant to initiate me into “manhood.” It did no such thing.

My entire Jewish world was flipped upside down, however, when ... 

Read the rest of the story here

 

Dads, Time Flies with Your Children … Invest it Well!

This weekend, my wife and I will marry off the fifth of our five children. I can’t believe how fast the time raced by. Sure, when I was a young dad, older men warned me, “They grow up fast.” Intuitively I knew this to be true, but still it surprises me how quickly time has moved. Use your men’s ministry to remind young fathers of these three stages of fatherhood they will encounter...

Read the rest of the post here

Christian & Ashley Pettit 

Don't forget the single men!

 

Don't forget the single men ... See: https://newcommandment.org/dont-forget-the-single-men/

Read article here

How will you celebrate Easter this year?

 

Resurrection Sunday 2024 

It’s springtime! While some areas of the U.S. are still experiencing snowstorms, most of the country is seeing the greening and sprouting which warm weather brings. Flowers are blooming and folks are spreading Weed-N-Feed on their lawns.

It’s also time for believers in Jesus Christ to celebrate Resurrection Sunday. Here are four words to contemplate as we ...

Click here to read article: Four Reasons to Celebrate Resurrection Sunday

 D/FW area-wide Men's Spring Summit!!

April 20th, Grace Bible Church 

Address: 11306 Inwood Rd, Dallas, TX 75229

Phone: (214) 368-0779

All men ages 16 - 99 in the D/FW area are invited to attend!! Breakfast & Lunch, Door Prizes, Worship Music, Ministry Tables, and Free Men's Bible Study to each man who registers and attends, bring a friend! 

Registration is Open for the Men of Grace Spring Summit!

Get ready for an inspiring journey into Christ-centered masculinity at the Men of Grace Spring Summit! 🚀   🗓 Date: April 20, 2024   🕰 Time: 8 am – 12:35 pm Draft of the Schedule: 8-8:45: Breakfast 8:50-9:15: Worship (led by Jack Thweatt) 9:20-9:45: Paul Pettit (The Problem: Toxic Masculinity) 9:45-10: Discussion at Tables 10-10:15: Break (Restroom, visit ministry tables) 10:15-10:45: Paul Pettit (The Solution: Christ-Centered Masculinity) 10:45-11: Discussion at Tables 11:15-12:00: Lunch w/ announcements from TS Weaver 12:00 – 12:30: Panel Q&A and last (best) door prize 12:35 All stand … close in prayer 📍 Location: Grace Bible Church 11306 Inwood Rd, Dallas, TX 75229 Join us for a day of dynamic discussions, deep insights, and genuine fellowship as we explore the essence of Christ-centered masculinity with Dr. Paul Pettit! We're constantly searching for godly content that pushes us closer to Jesus. Dr. Pettit offers powerful teaching for men at all levels of life and faith that will aid in our understanding and embracing of who we're called to be: Christ-centered men.   🌟 Key Highlights: - transformative insights on Christ-centered masculinity - Engaging in discussions that will challenge and inspire - Fellowship with like-minded individuals on the journey of faith - Take home materials specifically designed to build on the day's sessions - Special worship led by Jack Thweatt   This will be a special gathering of men seeking to embrace and embody the true spirit of Christ-centered living.   🚨 Register! 🚨   Register here: Men of Grace Spring Summit - Grace Bible Church Get ready to level up in your journey of faith and masculinity and consider bringing someone in your circle of influence who might be interested in attending.   In His service, T.S. Weaver

 

What does fishing have to do with the difference between marriage and parenting? A lot, says Dr. Paul Pettit.

 

People are confused about Jesus’ teaching on marriage

Reading online comments regarding Jesus and marriage fascinates me. Here is a random list of some of them:

• “Jesus never got married … so why should I?”
• “Did anyone ever ask Jesus why he never had a wife?”
• “Could it be true that Jesus married, yet it was not recorded in the Scriptures?”
• “Jesus never said anything about homosexuality or gay marriage.”
• “If Jesus is the model, why didn’t he marry?”

These comments illustrate the confusion people have about Jesus and marriage. But one thing is clear, Jesus emphasized the permanence of marriage. We see this emphasis in Jesus’ debate with the Pharisees, who fiercely opposed him.

This dramatic conflict appears early in Mark and builds throughout the Gospel as the leaders of the Jewish religion, the Pharisees, continually work to test or trap Jesus to discredit him and his message. Mark 10 records one of these trap questions. Some well-known Jewish rabbis taught it was permissible to divorce. Others held it was forbidden, except for certain circumstances. The Pharisees wanted to pin Jesus down, forcing him to endorse the teaching of one popular rabbi over another. Jesus did not take their bait!

Even though the Pharisees set their trap with a popular, cultural debate, Jesus referred them back to ... click hear to read article

Your Vibe Attracts Your Tribe

 "Show me your friends ... I'll show you your future!" 

A new leadership phrase is making its rounds through workshops, webinars, and conferences. Business and marketplace gurus tell us: “Your vibe attracts your tribe!” They mean that the most important thing for a business leader is no longer the actual business location or work type. What is important for CEOs and other industry leaders is how they dress, talk, and live.

Want to attract young talent? Toss out the suit jacket or tie … start wearing a black t-shirt and ripped jeans to attract younger workers. Take an extended break from the office to attend a silent retreat while spending time in a partially underground 300-square-foot Hobbit-like structure devoid of light. Or move to Mexico so you can combine working remotely with learning to surf!

That leadership phrase, “Your vibe is your tribe,” is partially true: your lifestyle ....

Read article here

Boys to Men ... and the Failure to Launch

Boys to Men ... and the Failure to Launch 

© Dr. Paul Pettit 

 Boys to Men is more than the name of a recently popular singing group. It also accurately describes the pathway to maturity God desires all males travel.

Male maturity requires courage

Watching recent events unfold in the Middle East reminds us of the courage required to fight evil as grown men, not like boys. Yes, God is good. However, there is still ... (read the rest of the post here ) 

The Fathering Crisis in America Isn't Going Away

 America is in the middle of a fathering crisis. Some are even calling the United States “Fatherless America.”[1] Consider the following facts:

• In America, 2022 data indicates there are approximately 18.3 million children who live without a father in the home, comprising about 1 in 4 US children.
• About 80% of single-parent homes are led by single mothers.
• Children from single-parent families are twice as likely to suffer from mental health and behavioral problems as those living with married parents.
• In one study, 70% of youth in state-operated facilities were from single-parent homes.
• Children with an actively engaged father perform much better in school, some data show they are 33% percent less likely to repeat a class and 43% more likely to get A’s in school.
• In a study of 56 school shootings, only 10 of the shooters (18%) were raised in a stable home with both biological parents. Eighty-two percent grew up in either an unstable family environment or grew up without both biological parents together.[2]

Read the article here

Interview with Nancy R Pearcey on The War on Masculinity by Mark Turman of Denison Forum

 Source - Denison Forum 

https://www.denisonforum.org/biblical-living/podcast/biblical-manhood-toxic-war-on-masculinity-nancy-pearcey/

Nancy Pearcey joins Dr. Mark Turman to discuss the rise of secular masculinity, what makes a “good” man versus a “real” man, how Christianity makes men less misogynistic, not more, why young men are struggling, and how Christians can reclaim manhood.

Nancy Pearcey discusses why she wanted to write on masculinity, sharing her story of meeting Francis and Edith Schaeffer, converting from agnosticism, and her experience with an abusive father (3:01). She reflects on the history of masculinity, the growth of toxic masculinity during the Industrial Revolution, and why modern women seem to hate men (11:26). Pearcey talks about why she wrote the Toxic War on Masculinity, which delves into the ideas of Christ-like and secular masculinity (19:61). They reflect on the dangers of nominal Christianity, why dedicated evangelical men have the best marriages, but Christian-in-name-only men create the worst marriages (36:44). She says, “nominal Christian men can take the secular script and then sort of baptize it, and the end of actually living worse than secular men.” She provides a multitude of research demonstrating that men becoming evangelical Christians makes them less misogynistic (52:31). She closes by reflecting on the current landscape, how men are falling behind women in all areas, and how true Christians can reclaim masculinity in a healthy way (56:09).