Cold weather is a great time for reading. I’ve been intrigued by what I have been reading lately and want to share what has stuck out to me, especially as it relates to men and men’s growth. From digesting some solid reading content, I have begun to understand that these attributes flow out of a man who is offering his whole self–his mind, body, spirit, and soul, and every action that comes from those–as an act of worship to something greater than himself. This man is humbled in gratitude for what he has been given, and his life shows it. 

• He doesn’t inflate his ego
• He is honest and real in his self evaluation
• He uses his gifts gladly and well
• He loves others
• He hates wrong 
• He holds on to what is good
• He enjoys honoring others
• He works hard and serves
• He celebrates with confident hope
• He is patient in trouble
• He helps those in need
• He practices hospitality with eagerness 
• He truly wants blessings and good for those who harm him
• He is happy
• He weeps
• He enjoys “ordinary” people
• He doesn’t think he knows it all 
• He never pays back wrong with wrong
• He does all things honorably
• He lives in peace as much as he can with everyone
• He does good, even to those who hate him 
• He submits to authorities and leadership
• He pays his taxes and owes nothing
• He accepts others, especially those who are weaker than himself
• He doesn’t condemn people
• He helps others do what is right and builds them up
• He lives rightly
• He doesn’t have a hidden life 
• He keeps praying! 

Would you have anything to add?

Notes: this isn’t a checklist for life. And from what I have seen and understood, these qualities are not self-produced.

Moving Forward 

→What are you living for? 

→What are you surrendering yourself to? 

→From those, what is flowing out in your life?

Questions or comments? gerberxc@gmail.com