Recently, I have talked to some guys who are questioning their faith. In reading the first chapter of James, we are told that we are going to face trials. James challenges us to consider them pure joy. I have a couple of pals who just have found out that they have prostate cancer. They have…
We don’t fight spiritual battles in this world with physical weapons, Jesus tell us to use HIS power, HIS word as we fight for our families against the plans of Satan. This month we focus on how to pray for our WIVES: (Read and say your wife’s name aloud as you read and pray these…
Spring Break is right around the corner to be followed shortly by that wonderful time of Summer Vacation. Instead of hearing your kids whine about being bored, sit down now as a family and make plans for how to spend that time off from school in a fun and valuable way. We suggest a list…
My wife started to tell me something the other day and after about two sentences, I had already formed an opinion about what she was talking about. I bet you can guess what happened next; I put in my two cents worth! She stopped me and said, “You are not listening to me!” And she…
It’s Christmas and for most of you, the women in your life (mom, sister, wife, daughter, so on) have kicked the activities into high gear! Cookies are being baked, trees decorated and SOMEONE has to climb up on the roof and put those stupid twinkling lights up! We already feel pulled into a hundred different…
Here is a little test you can take to help determine what type of family you are, and who has the greatest influence on your child. In January we will look at how to set a year’s worth of goals for your family and this list will help as you plan. Excluding yourself and…
Francis Chan in his book “You and Me Forever” challenges us to look at Ephesians 5:25-27 and love like a man. Lets take a look at His Word: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water…
So you want to be a dad that raises your kids “right” and teaches them all the “important” things in life? That it? Sounds like something just about every man in America would say he would want to do as a parent. We pray and we plead and we think maybe we’ve got this parenting…
I’m a guy. You are a guy (or at least that is usually who is reading REUP posts). So let’s be brutally honest about something that IS an issue for men EVERYWHERE. Porn. I am not an expert by any means on dealing with such a serious issue that faces society today, but I do…
A teenager wanted to go south for Spring Break with all his pals. He wanted to go alone to their rented beach house. He said he could be trusted. You and I both know that there could possibly be alcohol, drugs, and sex abound. It’s like a person who plays with an explosive device even…
The more I read my devotional “Love Talk” by Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott, the more I appreciate their input. The last two days especially helped me to look at something that we guys let go by. PRAISING OUR SPOUSES. Have you ever been out with some guys and heard one of them run their…
As many of you know, REUP lost a dear and important member of our leadership team last week when Sean Heltsley passed away after a valiant and sudden battle with cancer. I was humbled to be asked to speak at his funeral. Following are my notes from that day: I was a man who loved…
If you’ve been involved with REUP for very long at all, you know we value the importance of each man knowing his identity in Christ. But “identity” is not just for the individual, each family needs to have and know its own identity as well. Here are some easy ideas to help you start building…
The Divorce rate in America according to the latest pole is 52%. Oh, by the way, it is the same whether you follow Jesus or not. But listen to this: if you and your spouse pray together, do devotions together, and go to church together, there is only 1 divorce out of about 1500. I…
REUP realizes that men need constant encouragement, education, and empowerment. A man we highly respect and who has made a great impact on many of the REUP leaders is Regi Campbell. Please check out his resources and consider signing up for his emails. You will not be sorry! https://radicalmentoring.com/truth-telling/ Posted by Regi Campbell Isn’t it…
Scripture: Hebrew 3:6 Thought: Why do you do what you do? Try this exercise with your Fire Team. Have them complete the following statement “Jesus is the reason I __________________”. Questions: (1) What did you learn from everyone’s answers? (2) Have them do that exercise with their wives/significant other. Have them share what they learned.
Scripture: Matthew 14:23 Thought: Ever been in a crowd and still felt alone? While vacationing on Sanibel Island, there was a saying on a bathroom wall. It was entitled “How to live on an Island.” It read–dance on edges–stretch–cultivate quiet–practice simplicity–float–ride rusty bikes and go with the wind–walk tender–leave no wake–build castles and leave them…
Scripture: Romans 12:2 Thought: Is this the year that you __________? At the beginning of each year, we all make plans. What can I eliminate? What needs to be added? God, is there something you want me to do? New Year’s Resolutions. We all have them. If you don’t make a plan, then we are…
Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14 Thought: What does God think of Neutral? The University of Kentucky Baseball 2012 baseball team reached the #1 ranking in 2012 but they lost in the SEC tourney. They were hoping to host a regional game but the committee overlooked them. UK’s coach made this comment “we were cheated”. All the SEC…
Scripture: Romans 9:21 Thought: I wonder what God will show me? What did you see today? Join the “Wonder Club?” Oh, that we could recognize God’s grace when it comes to us. Don’t ask God for success, or wisdom, or power, or fame. Ask Him for a Sense of Wonder. A Pharisee before a Monet…
Scripture: Numbers 11:4-6 Thought: Peace found in God not the world. What science has taught us recently is that most of the health problems in our body are caused by inflammation. Heart disease, arthritis, reflux, and cancer can now be associated with inflammatory response to something. What about our spirits? The world creates a high…
Scripture: John 8:7 Thought: Ever wonder where God went? If you have ever done a ropes course, you have probably gone over that wall. Our group came to that wall. It was high, but we could help each other. We had to figure out how to get over it together. Some pushed. Some climbed. Some…
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:3-5 Thought: What if we could look on the inside? “What about Bob?” was a great movie. But that same question is asked when we are looking at a guy and his life. We all want things our way. When we look at others close to us, we are uncomfortable when we…
Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25 Thought: What’s it going to cost me? The strength of what we believe is measured by how much we are willing to suffer for those beliefs. Joseph was to be wed to Mary. Joseph was a man of strong beliefs. He was prepared to do what was right, despite the pain he…
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 Challenge: Where is the beef? You remember the old burger commercial ‘Where’s the beef?’ It was a little old lady who walked up to the judge’s bench with a big hamburger bun and a little, bitty hamburger. She lifts it up in front of the judge and says, “Where’s the beef?”…