kingdommenminutes

[kingdommenminutes]

Men, how can I pray for you? 

Message me at erik@kingdomdiscipleship.com It would be an honor to be in the battle for what matters most to your heart! 

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[kingdommenminutes]

[kingdommenminutes]

Commissioning December 2015

Kingdom Men Discipleship

Recently, a group of men gathered together to close out a year of intense training. Training that can only be describe as…well intense! What they’ve accomplished individually and as a band of brothers will impact their generations for years. The years’ work completed, battles fought through valiantly and the reward is great…freedom and comradery. These men…from many different churches, different backgrounds, all come searching for more. What was discovered changed the lives of these men. One of the hardest truths is understanding and advancing in “whose” they are and what the power behind that. Once this truth is realized and accepted there’s no stopping what a man of God can accomplish in His name for his King. This drastically alters the path as a mans life is redirected…led by his Father in Heaven – more on that later.

It was cold and cloudy. It was clear all week no chance of rain, no fire restrictions it was looking to be chili but a great night…then it happened…rain…lots of rain on and off all day!! It poured heavily threatening to take away from the night…then an hour before men and their families arrived…it stopped! It was…awesome! The potentially hostile, unpredictable weather added excitement, mystery to the atmosphere of this extraordinary night…and oh was it glorious!!

18 men were honored for their achievement for this year’s training. Some received the Ring of Brotherhood and will take on the next quest to embrace the Shield of Honor. Others have taken their Shield of Honor and are eagerly advancing to the next battlefield for the Sword. The men who took their sword this night…battled for three years in taking down strongholds that binded them, discovering who they are in Christ and for a while now, have even been on the offensive and taking these truths to other men – training – challenging - equipping…multiplication!! Building an army of men faithfully following and learning and knowing our King Jesus. All from men who once began from a place of devastation and brokenness…wow…ONLY from Father God.

I meet new men all the time, getting them involved to take on their true identity, transforming their kingdom, as they learn to influence those in their sphere of influence and protect those in their care. I met some of these men many years ago and walked…battled alongside them during some of the toughest times of their life. Where they’re at now leaves me amazed at Father God…I say Father because our King…yes and also our “brother” Jesus taught us that Almighty God wants us to refer to him as Father. Father…wow…yes FATHER! He’s been our Father from the beginning…but to be known as…a son…? Well that’s taken some hard work and what a difficult blessing to receive for so many men. To be sure though…I’ve witnessed how Father God guides and protects, I’ve witnessed the results of Jesus healing these brokenhearted men, I’ve witnessed the Holy Spirit counsel and bring us to what was once considered dangerous places of our hurts and pains…and FREE US!!

Isaiah 61 speaks of Jesus healing the broken hearted and setting the captives free, freeing from the prisons we are bound in. To hear this soothes the soul…to witness this fires up the flames of the warrior class and motivates to conquer more and bring down the Kingdom of Heaven…as sons!!

Some additional thoughts, if I may, from the vantage point that I’ve had as their friend, brother and leader in these meetings. Every week was different, bringing its own set of challenges and as much as possible driven by the Holy Spirit…and thank God literally because there were some difficult teachings, things men struggled with in a huge ways and would only accept the pure truth to resolve. Many times we would take a subject from the lesson and dive deep in the heart of masculinity and discover some amazing truths…and barriers!! Men need this! The topic was discussed, men were stirred, unsure of how to approach at times the topic…but never fail, we were never alone…Father was with us. Holy Spirit was the counsel and Jesus was the solid unwavering word that gave us the strength to resolve most difficult topics and challenges and leave us…stronger…more assured and resolved. Men are warriors, we’re built for war…the toughest war is the spiritual war…and in the end it’s all spiritual. I’ve witnessed men go from no confidence, timid, angry in full denial and have had the pleasure on many occasions to that same man, my brother, stand…tall, strong, unwavering about who he is, his purpose and how he’s been equipped to succeed as he’s being called forth, awakened and UNLEASHED!!

Final thoughts from this year’s commissioning. The offer from the training is brotherhood, awakening the powerful masculine spirit for Fathers glory! Our brother and Lord…Jesus, Lord of the Angel Armies has paved the way for us to be made pure and powerful with a strong voice in this world for Christ’s kingdom being his warriors. Really looking forward to beginning again after this well-earned couple weeks rest and initiate this new season again January 5th. As you go about your day through this next year and remember these meetings we ask that you pray for us…the difficult battles that have debilitated men for years will be faced, prayers are a most powerful weapon against the enemy and will provide much needed encouragement and spiritual strength throughout this time.

Thank you all for your support, prayers and encouragement. An army of men is being gathered and trained for the spiritual war we face every day. Pray for the men that will begin and those continuing this quest in January. In giving thanks to Father God, Holy Spirit and King Jesus for the work accomplished in 2015 and the victories coming 2016…Ho!!

[kingdommenminutes]

Men what makes your heart come alive? Women do you know what keeps your husband in the fight for his family, for you and his generations? Join the discussion, Saturday June 6th at 11 am at Grace Walk Church in Avondale and together we will explore these answers and so much more!

[kingdommenminutes]

Love or Lust?

Great discussion with a group of men recently and one of the topics had quite the impact! Two words with a whole lot of meaning, love & lust. Simply put Lust is defined as benefiting self at the expense of others and Love was of course the exact opposite in that others benefit at the expense of self. Talking about Lust...most would consider this to be solely associated to a sexual connotation when in fact it can be about anything that "takes" from another to satisfy or benefit self. Yes it could be physical, but could it also be about money? What about time? Resources? Let's stretch it a bit...what about someone's peace or personal space? You can see lust can be far reaching and very inclusive. As we men discussed this we quickly discovered that it's actually an "easy" thing to do. The round table discussion illuminated the ugly truth that it actually happens more then we care to admit! Lust is a taker and without thinking we satisfy ourselves at the expense of another. Think about the relationships in your sphere of influence...wife...children...parents...friends...

...when you think of them do you think of what you can get or what you can give?

Kingdom Men Challenge:

Love is a giver while Lust is a taker. Take some time and go through this last weekend or even this last week and ask yourself, better yet how about asking the Holy Spirit...in fact, let's do it now..."Holy Spirit reveal to me as real as you can make it, the times when I've given and the times when I've taken" and sit with this knowledge and receive from our great Counselor...your personal take-away.

You have been created for greatness, by the greatest Giver that transcends time, and we are created in His image, and He resides in our hearts...you have everything you need to be a great giver, a great prophet, priest & king...Ho! 

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Investing in Men:UNLEASHED!

Greetings men of the kingdom,

Our lives are filled with obstacles, hardships, adversities all of which our Mighty King allows and uses, ultimately, for our good...even if we don't know it at the time. Opportunities which drive us, stretch us, derail us at times and at the very least make life interesting!  

Our Mighty King instructs us, teaches us...strengthen us through these events in our life which equips us for even greater heights, greater victories! As it is with anything the more prepared we are the better chances of triumph and victory, and it is with this knowledge that beckons us deeper into this conversation...I'd even go as far as to say summons...or a CALLING FORTH!! 

Every man in his life comes across many crossroads, opportunities to do things differently...or go back the same known, familiar yet unfulfilling, unsatisfactory, almost deadening road of "playing small".

Kingdom Men Principle - Every man comes to a place in his life when he asks himself...do I have what it takes. Nothing brings a man to himself as a challenge for his mind...and heart. The offer is freedom and clear purpose...true identity - summoning  a man to take his place at the kings table. Building men to strengthen the Kingdom of God and giving glory to the KING of kings.

Kingdom Men Challenge - There is weekend adventure that is intense, revealing, rewarding and therefore NOT for every man. How about you? Ready to go further...much further. Ready to be challenged to discover and take your destined place on the battlefield of biblical manhood? These weekends are anything but a "Retreat". These weekends are "Intensives" designed to help you realize what's always been available to you...just needed awakening...CALLED FORTH!! 

Once you've decided there's - no going back - you wouldn't want to anyways...only forward in the predestined place of victory! You were created for greatness...ready to discover in what way? 

Email your interest and which weekend to

I-AM-ALL-IN@UNLEASHED.com and await further instructions. 

See you on the battlefield!!

UNLEASHED

INTENSIVE WEEKENDS

Location TBA |  Cost is $200.00

August 14 - 17th               4 Men Max (3 Spots Remaining)  

                                                 Registration Ends 8-11-2014

September 18 - 21th       4 Men Max (4 Spots Remaining)

October 16th - 19th         4 Men Max (4 Spots Remaining)

November 13th - 16th     4 Men Max (4 Spots Remaining)

[kingdommenminutes]

Asking and Giving Instructions

Men, have you ever noticed how one of the very last things we’ll do is…read the instructions. Yet in life there are times when it’s exactly what we need…first! I’d even go as far to say as there are times what we really need is it to be modeled to us.

Recently, our kitchen had an internal water leak so it was demolished, rebuilt and as of this writing, we’re on the back end of it waiting on all the pieces to arrive and be put together. After going as far as I could with Youtube instructionals, I took the next step and enlisted a friend of mine to help during some of the more difficult tasks that I just didn’t have the knowledge…or confidence to accomplish. During that time we got to talking and I asked how he learned all these very handy handyman skills.

The first thing he credited his expertise to was his father who taught him at a young age about general house repairs, plumbing, welding any many other skills and the rest he learned and gained expertise along the way. How cool is that! Not having a dad that taught me really anything useful to help in me in life, it was refreshing to hear of another who did and how that investment benefitted me and my family years later. His dad taught him some “how to’s” then he just kept it going! I learned a lot on this project and actually feel fairly comfortable to do a lot of the work when the opportunity arises again.

Instruction…Teaching���Mentoring…Fathering - all types of Investing...in Kings. From Kings to other Kings…building, strengthening the Kingdom of God and giving glory to the King of kings.

 Kingdom Men Principle – would be to realize that investing in men…kings…equips the kingdom and the blessings are generational and cross many spheres of influence. Investing in men impacts the generations, strengthens marriages, strengthens families and so much more and sometimes that means ASKING for help to assist YOU to a new level. Mentor up (being mentored) Mentor down (mentoring another)

Kingdom Men Challenge – who has God put in your path to invest in? What king is nearby that could use the experience and wisdom that you are equipped to give? Name him and help him in his time of need, help him to the next level in his journey of being a King.

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Kingdom Men Minute: July 15th, 2014: Treasured Possessions

Kingdom Men,

There I was enjoying a good read and came across the phrase "chains of our own making" and...totally caught my attention - had to read it again. It's from the book Desire by John Eldredge and I just had to pause...reading on John tied it to "treasured possessions" and then it sunk...and I realized what I do - here's the section...

The Evil One has basically two ploys. If he cannot get us to kill our hearts and bury our desire, then he is delighted to seduce our desire into a trap. Once we give over our desire for life to any object other than God, we become ensnared. Think of the phrase "She's a slave to fashion." We become slaves to any number of things, which at the outset we thought would serve us. In this light, repression of desire is a much less dangerous stage in the process. Addiction is far worse, for as Gerald May explains,

Our addictions are our own worst enemies. They enslave us with chains that are of our own making and yet that, paradoxically, are virtually beyond our control. Addiction also makes idolaters of us all, because it forces us to worship these objects of attachment, thereby preventing us from truly, freely loving God and one another. (Addiction and Grace)

Like the rich young ruler, we find we cannot give up our treasured possessions, whatever they may be, even though God himself is standing before us with a better offer. If you think his sad story is not also your own, you are out of touch with yourself. I remember standing in the East River several summers ago. It was a gorgeous summer evening, and I was about to enjoy some great fly-fishing. I had just begun to cast when God spoke to me. Put down the rod, he said. I'd like to spend some time with you. I was irritated. Now? I replied. You want to talk to me now? Why not later on the drive home? There's plenty of time in the car. Good grief. What an addict I am! Thus the father of lies turns our most precious treasure-our longing for God and for his kingdom-into our worst enemy. It is truly diabolical. We wind up serving our desire slavishly, or resenting it, or a little of both.

I realized just how similar I am really am to the rich man. It was easy to dismiss what he did as a life choice and ignore the fact that this also applies to a moment's decision, I may not be walking away but I am replacing time with Father God with "treasured possessions" which are in essence "chains of MY own making". John's own example helped me understand this. Can't tell you how many times God gives me what I ask for which is a hunger for time with Him and how it gets pushed aside for what I now know to be "treasured possession". Utter foolishness...

Awake and Aware moment...do you see that this happens with you? Is it easy for you to stop what you're doing to sit with Father God or do you encounter resistance? How much resistance?

 Remember...we have an enemy that is relentless at keeping us from time with Father God and he even uses our own interest and desires to do it...awake and aware.