{"id":638,"date":"2015-02-13T02:27:01","date_gmt":"2015-02-13T02:27:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.therealgeobooth.com\/?p=638"},"modified":"2015-02-13T02:27:01","modified_gmt":"2015-02-13T02:27:01","slug":"devote-yourself-to-the-process-part-ii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.therealgeobooth.com\/?p=638","title":{"rendered":"Devote Yourself to the Process – Part II"},"content":{"rendered":"

“Not all who wander are lost”
\n– J. R. R. Tolkien<\/p>\n

In Part I<\/a>, we discussed the importance of committing to the process of becoming the man you were created to be. \u00a0We noted that this is a long-term campaign, not a quick trip to the corner store. \u00a0Now, I want to expand on the critical components of an effective transformation.<\/p>\n

\"Ingraham<\/a>

Engage the gears and it will function like clockwork<\/p><\/div>\n

Get healed and live close to your heart<\/strong>
\nAuthor and speaker Gordon Dalbey says, “Before Jesus can put you on the front lines, he has to put you in his hospital.” \u00a0Nearly all of us have been wounded just by living in a fallen world. \u00a0To be able to overcome the challenges and setbacks that will come your way, it’s important to take the wounds from your past to your Father in Heaven. \u00a0The time you spend working through this with God will pay great dividends. \u00a0He wants to heal you, but you must be willing to endure the pain of walking it through it with Him. \u00a0Note:<\/strong> \u00a0In addition to Gordon Dalbey’s book Healing The Masculine Soul<\/em>,<\/a> I recommend John Eldredge’s Wild At Heart<\/em><\/a>. \u00a0These are two of the best.<\/div>\n
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Have a sense of\u00a0destiny<\/strong>
\nGood news: If you belong to God through Christ Jesus, your destiny is to become — in your own unique way — more like Him. \u00a0The spiritual process of becoming more Christ-like is called sanctification, and that is something God does in us. \u00a0Our efforts in this regard are somewhat like trying to spend Australian dollars in Austria. \u00a0That is, we don’t have the right stuff to make this happen by our efforts. \u00a0This is a relief for those who grasp it, as it’s a simpler process when you simply let God love you.<\/div>\n
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Be\u00a0in the company of men<\/strong><\/div>\n
As we have noted elsewhere, your friends are your destiny. \u00a0Your values and your choices will, over time, resemble those of the people who wield the greatest influence over you. \u00a0For most of us, those would be our friends.<\/div>\n
Thriving, authentic masculinity is not designed to be a solitary pursuit. \u00a0There is no such thing as the Lone Ranger: Did you notice that even he had Tonto? \u00a0To realize your potential, you need a small number of fully alive men who will bring out the best in you, and whom you can encourage the same way. \u00a0Men thrive in the company of men — “iron sharpens iron” as the Good Book says — and this implies that you must get past the surface. \u00a0Avoid isolation <\/a>— it doesn’t lead anywhere good.<\/div>\n
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Remain anchored in community<\/strong>
\nIn our church we emphasize spiritual growth in the context of small groups called LifeGroups. \u00a0In addition to making a larger church more welcoming, these groups provide opportunities for a dozen or so people to get beyond the fa\u00e7ade — the polite, polished public exterior that is oh, so proper — to accomplish three main objectives:<\/div>\n
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To know and care for one another<\/div>\n
To encourage one another and to grow spiritually<\/div>\n
To unite in purpose and to commit to action that creates a beneficial impact in the community.<\/div>\n

We’re made for relationships. \u00a0To be the man you were created to be, part of your process must include being anchored in community. Lather, rinse repeat.<\/p>\n

Get\u00a0the proper tools
\n<\/strong>Here are a few other tools that can keep you on track and moving toward the realization of your purpose:<\/p>\n

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