Category: Boys to Men

How does a mother raise a boy into manhood?

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ENTERTAINMENT: Watch What You Watch

Dear Son,

Please be mindful of what you put before your eyes and in what you entertain yourself. Everything that matters to you matters to God. In fact, He cares so much about how we have fun and what we do that He gives us instruction on the best things and thoughts to ponder. Our omniscient (all-knowing) Heavenly Father knows the damaging repercussions of disruptive thoughts and destructive entertainment. Even better yet, God tells us of all the benefits of having good thoughts and wholesome entertainment. Guess what – somehow good entertainment always leads to a THANK YOU, JESUS! And that’s worship – which God loves. 

The devil cunningly wraps evil into fun like a hotdog in a bun (like poisonous ingredients in a tasty snack). So, he can lure you to find pleasure in what he has concocted to destroy you. The enemy wants to keep you from the amazingly blessed plans that God has ordained for you. Always remember; everything that the devil has to offer comes with adverse side effects and multi-generational curses. 

But EVERYTHING that God has for you comes with more blessings than you can imagine. Even your children, grandchildren and their children will benefit from those blessings. Just think – your children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and so on will benefit from you learning, knowing and living out God’s word. Isn’t that AMAZING?!

Philippians 4:8 (CEV) says it all – Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. 

Here are some other verses – 

Philippians 4:8  NKJVAmplified Version
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.  Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].
Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.Whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [and in dependence on Him], giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Ephesians 5:11 
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.Do not participate in the worthless and unproductive deeds of darkness, but instead expose them [by exemplifying personal integrity, moral courage, and godly character];
Titus 2:11-12 
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,For the [remarkable, undeserved] grace of God that [a]brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to reject ungodliness and worldly (immoral) desires, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives [lives with a purpose that reflect spiritual maturity] in this present age,
Matthew 6:24 
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord].
Hebrews 10:26 
For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,For if we go on willfully and deliberately sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice [to atone] for our sins [that is, no further offering to anticipate],
Romans 16:19 
For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and [a]simple concerning evil.For the report of your obedience has reached everyone, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.
1 Corinthians 6:12 
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.Everything is permissible for me, but not all things are beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything [and brought under its power, allowing it to control me].
1 Corinthians 10:23 
All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.All things are lawful [that is, morally legitimate, permissible], but not all things are beneficial or advantageous. All things are lawful, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life].
  
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Dear Tyron,

WHAT IF?

What if
That drink, that smoke or whatever your vice of choice is holding you back from reaching your goals, destination, and full potential?
What if
The things you think you have a handle on are actually mishandling you?
What if
The things and inanimate dreams that hijack your time are keeping you from being that righteous force to reckon with?
What if
Your games and entertainments are stifling the excellence that God deliberately planted deep within your DNA?
What if
The steps you take today are forging the path on which your son will travel?
What if
He continues along the course you tread? Will his steps in your footprints invoke your satisfaction and make you proud?
What if
He comes behind your name and benefits from the respect your name has already gained?
What if
The way you run your race affects the handoff as he begins his own run and sets his own pace?
What if
The baton you hand him is honorable and aptly transferred into his awaiting hand?
What if
He catches your dreams and contemplations?
What if
He runs his leg of the relay to advance your legacy and noble aspirations?
What if
the mantle you hand him is a desirable one?
What if
He accepts it with the dignity that you demonstrate and instill within him?
What if
The lyrics that so easily roll off your tongue spring from his mouth as he develops into the man that you exemplify? Will your words through his lips invoke your smile?
What if
The decisions you make are meticulously crafting your son’s world.
What if
Your beliefs and the moves you make today help him tomorrow to move in a better way?
What if
What he sees in you causes him to blow up?
In the future when he is you, will he look back and say Pops, thank you!

WHAT IF…

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Dear Brother,

Photo by RF._.studio from Pexels

What does a mother do when she learns that her little boy has been exposed to p0rn0graphy? What does she do when she realizes that her elementary school age son has gone further than exposure, but he has actually been watching p0rn?What is she to do, especially when she knows the dark road that p0rn can lead a man down?

Outside of confiscating his device(s), what should a mother do. How does a mother train up a child in the way that he is supposed to go?

Your sisters need to hear from you. Please, please advise!

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I’m going to be a man one day

Poem by Malachi with mommy’s help

I’m going to be a man one day
How do they think and what do they say?
I’m going to be a man one day
Does a man even get to play?
What do they do?
Hey man! I’m going to be like you!
What does a man do when he’s mad?
And can he cry when he’s sad?

Do you ever eat snacks like chips or something?
Or do you always eat vegetables?
Are all men good at sports?
Will I be tall or will I be short?
Do all men like music?
And what do men do when they get sick?
Do they go to the hospital or do they stay home and eat soup?
Do they wear shorts or do they wear suits?

I’m going to be a man one day
I’m going to be strong like my uncles
Funny like Uncle Owen and Uncle Rob
Smart like Uncle Owen, Uncle Alva, Uncle Allen, Uncle James, Uncle Aaron, and Papa
Rich like the HipHopPreacher Eric Thomas
Godly like my friend Mr. Shofar
Loving like all of my uncles
And happy like me.

I’m going to be a man one day
And that’s what I want to be.