C&MA Men Living the Adventure

Impact
A man was in dire financial straights. On Saturday evening he prayed with a brother about the need. He half-jokingly suggested to God that it would be nice to find a brief case full of money in the parking lot. The next morning when he arrived at church the pastor handed him a Fed Ex envelope. The envelope was addressed to him with a reference to 1 John 3:17 (“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?”) Inside was $650 in cash! On Monday he had an up and down day, ending on the down! But upon entering his room, he grabbed a pair of pants and underneath them was a standard envelope containing $350 in cash!!!

God is always at work! What is He doing in your life? Send your testimonies to editor@cmamen.org.

News
Great Opportunities! There are Lots of "Big Events" Available for Men: The rumors of the demise of the big men’s event are greatly exaggerated! At least four ministries are now offering the “big event experience” for men in 2007. Each has a unique approach:

PromiseKeepers

Still the granddaddy of ‘em all, PK is offering 7 large arena events in 2007: Starting June 29-30, events are offered in Mobile, San Antonio, Nashville, Orlando, Columbia (SC), Cincinnati and Fresno. Great worship, talented speakers, all in the context of a sports arena. Tickets are only $64 through April 30! Go to www.promisekeepers.org for more info.

Iron Sharpens Iron

“The Mission of the Iron Sharpens Iron (ISI) Conference Network is to mobilize regional ministries to resource local churches with a first class one-day equipping conference that is specifically designed for men.” (From www.ironsharpensiron.net) Each conference features multiple speakers in large sessions and workshops. ISI is approximately halfway through their schedule of 24 regional conferences in 2007. Check out their website to find a conference near you.

Momentum

This brand new ministry is offering the large event featuring worship and a well-known speaker – similar to a Man in the Mirror seminar. Momentum’s strategy goes well beyond the event, however, offering leadership training in advance of the event, and a follow-up strategy to help capture the momentum after the event. Go to www.momentumevents.org for more information and to download their brochure.

In the Zone

“In the Zone is a high energy, no holds barred talk-fest by guys who don’t always agree. Truckloads of music, multi-media and hot topics.” Patterned after a sports talk program on TV, these events held on Saturday mornings promise to be “completely relevant, totally unpredictable.” Go to www.inthezone.org for more information.

Stand in the Gap 2007: The Washington Area Coalition of Men’s Ministries (WACMM) will be hosting a national gathering of men on the National Mall October 6, 2007, the tenth anniversary of the first Stand in the Gap. Go to www.standinthegap2007.org. Return! Remember! Renew! Rebuild!

Life
Rejuvenate: Clarify Your Focus and Drive

Based on Christ's teachings, Focus Four serves the business owner who feels overwhelmed, frustrated, or needs clearer

focus. Our three year process equips leaders with the knowledge, attitude, skills, and habits necessary for building your business while still having a life. You will then have the time and the economic support to be the leader you were meant to be in your home, community, and church. Learn more at www.focusfour.com.

For Your Women: Something That Lasts Longer Than a Flower. The Mission Mother’s Day Book Giveaway is now in its fourth year of reaching women in churches around the country. MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) has joined the program as a partner this year. Don’t forget to order books for all the women in your church this Mother’s Day. Remember: if you just give them flowers, they’ll be dead in a week (the flowers, that is). For about $1 each, you can give them Becoming a Women of Prayer, Five Star Families or pick from a half dozen other titles. Go to the Mission Mother’s Day website to order today.

On second thought, you might want to give them a flower and a book.

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You Need to Know: What Three Things Do Women Want Their Pastors to Know? Check out the latest book to support men’s discipleship: What Women

Wish Pastors Knew (Zondervan, 2007). Among the many messages Denise George heard from women, three were the loudest: First, women are hurting deeply and they need help. Second, they are starving spiritually. And, finally, they want churches to teach men to be strong spiritual leaders in their homes. Read the full article here. This is a great message for

us to bring to our pastors: women want the men to be discipled! Is your church teaching men to be strong spiritual leaders?

Here’s an article to start with: read Becoming an Effective Spiritual Leader of Your Family on christianity.com. Then, go to Man in the Mirror and check out the Drive Time for Husbands Toolbox.

Reach More Men: Pass it Along

Is there some interesting fact or thought-provoking idea in this e-mail? Don’t keep it to yourself! Why not forward this e-mail along to some other men in your church? We want as many people as possible to own the vision of reaching every man in America with a credible offer of the gospel and

the resources to grow. Click Forward on your e-mail handler, or use the link in the footer of the e-mail. Thanks!

Leadership
Train Your Men: Men’s Seminars. All around the country, churches are hosting men’s seminars. At Success That Matters, Rewired, Seven Seasons of a Man’s Life, Dads That Make a Difference, men are hearing the Word, accepting and rededicating their lives to Christ, and joining six-week small groups. Pray for the events being held this month in Ohio - Tennessee - Georgia - Florida - California - South Dakota - North Carolina - Montana – Virginia. Then, think about hosting one in your church. Click here for locations and details.

Train Your Leaders: Men’s Ministry Conferences Near You! No Man Left Behind Conferences. The Leadership Training Center has trained 265 leaders from 93 churches in just the last 3 months alone! Already, 9 more events are scheduled for 2007, with 8-10 more in the planning stages. Register for one of the events below, or get more information about bringing the Leadership Training Center to your area by calling 800-929-2536.

May 10-12 ~ Cary, NC (Raleigh Area)
May 10-12 ~ Victoria, TX
May 17-19 ~ Houston, TX
June 7-9 ~ Jessup, MD (Capital Area)
June 14-16 ~ Orlando, FL*
*Total Access Event – includes entire Man in the Mirror staff at your disposal!

Click here to learn more and register.

Reboot (with Joshua)

This month we begin a study of the battle for the Promised Land found in the book of Joshua. First, let us look at the historical and spiritual context of the book.

The Lord led the children of Israel across the Red Sea, protected them from Pharaoh’s pursuing army and rescued them from certain death. He saved them. After failing to place their trust in the Lord, they wandered in the desert for the forty years. It was forty years of anguish and frustration. The people were without rest. The Promised Land was just that, a promise, not reality.

If the Red Sea represents salvation, then entering the Promised Land represents sanctification. Entering and conquering the Promised Land was a discipling process for the Israelites. It involved obedience, persistence, boldness, and, most importantly, dependence on God. It also involved experiencing the power of God in overcoming obstacles to spiritual growth, equipping for ministry, and living an empowered life. We are called to lead men to the throne of grace and encourage, and in many cases, exhort them to establish a dynamic connection with the Lord.

Personally, where are you? Are you on the west bank of the Red Sea facing certain death? Or are you on the east shore and afraid of the struggles required to enter the land the Lord holds out to you? Are you unwilling to accept the Lord’s promised help in entering the Promised Land? Or, perhaps, you stand ready for the next opportunity to serve the Lord.

“The absence of praise is a sign of mediocre faith.”
G.K. Chesterton

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