Vow to Me (Man Cave) – Thought on Marriage

What Men Say and What They Actually Mean –

When a man says “IT WOULD TAKE TOO LONG TO EXPLAIN”  He means: “I have no idea how it works”

When a man says “TAKE A BREAK, HONEY. YOU ARE WORKING TOO HARD’’  He means: “I can’t hear the game over whatever it is your doing”

When a man says: “IT’S A GUY THING”  He means: “There is no rational thought pattern connected with this, and you have no chance at all of making it logical”

When a man says “UH HUH, SURE HONEY,” or “YES, DEAR”  He means: Absolutely nothing – It’s a conditioned response.

When a man says “I DON’T THINK I CAN GO TODAY.”  He means: Shopping is NOT a sport, and no, I am never going to think of it that way.

When a man says, “I DON’T REMEMBER SAYING THAT.”  It’s because he means: “Anything I may have said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all past comments become null and void after 3 days.”

If a man says, “HONEY, WHAT COLOR IS THIS?”  He means: ALL men see in only 7 colors, like a rainbow. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a color. And, I have no idea what color “taupe” is.

Today, I want to look at the men in our lives and more importantly, to encourage those men to continue to seek to be the example we are called to be in the roles that we play.  We will do this through the physical and spiritual idea of the man cave.  Take a look at the following video:

Oh yeah – the MAN CAVE – not just a location, but a fortress, a hideout, a destination and place of relaxation and recuperation!  Here we find our place of security, power, respect – this is our ultimate domain!  Here we are truly the king.  Let me hear it men – the Tool Time\Tim Allen grunt!  For those who have a man cave or that room that is your own – what exists in it?

 “The Ultimate Man Cave must contain…” (the following are answers from actual men asked)

 A Man

Killer AV with THX

A Fridge

Dead Animals

Neon Signs

Pepsi Fountain Machine

Unlimited Supply of Chewy Chips Ahoy Cookies

Bacon

Recording Studio

See, there is a reason why even as boys we desire this separation – this place of fortress.  Think about it – the club or treehouse with the sign or rule of “No Girls Allowed.”  This is the masculine build, the formula of how we were created in the image of God.  We were created for a purpose – and that is where our main message and challenge lies this morning – we love our physical man caves and we do need that place of solace – but what about the solace of our hearts?  What makes up our inner man cave?  What shouldn’t be inside and more importantly…what SHOULD be inside?  I asked other’s this question as well and got some funny responses but also some thoughtful ones as well.

“The Heart of a man must contain…”

 Blood

Four Chambers

Bacon

Love

Truth

Courage

A Passion for His Family

The Word of God

A few people hit the nail on the head here.  What should overwhelm the heart of a man is his desire to be the example of Christ in the lives of those around him.  For a more simple thought – a man is called to be a LEADER!  Scripture hits so many good points on this, but we will look at a more general focus first…I want to establish a foundation.

Romans 12:1-2

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Men, it all starts with our commitment to lay down ourselves just as Christ did for us in order that we may lead by example!  Our inner man cave must be built on a foundation that is self-LESS not self-ISH!  Our example must shine in all that we do.  This means our words AND our actions.

Ephesians 4:29

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

We know with our words that we can tear down, but we are commanded to use our words for building up.  Men, think about what your words mean to those around you, those who you love.  I don’t have to convince you or give you a direct example for you all to know the difference your words make whether positive or negatively spoken.

But then again, how much more do your actions speak to those around you?  How much more of an impact can a simple act of selflessness have when it is seen by others – and trust me – people see it.

Matthew 5:16

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

But here is the real kick in the pants men – when it comes to the selfless vs. the selfish – how and why we do the things we do and say the things we say have to be based on the foundation of a pure heart.  The purpose must be that those around us see the spirit of Christ behind what we do.  In no way should we deliver these words and\or actions with a hidden agenda or expectation.

So how do we keep it pure?  How do we lead properly with a Christ like example?  There is a road map.  One we have visited before and we will visit again I am sure.

Micah 6:8

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Gentlemen – here is the platform we must stand on.  Here are the tools that should be laid out within our inner man cave – within the heart – in order that we might be the men, husbands, fathers, and examples we are called and created to be:

1. DO JUSTLY
2. LOVE MERCY
3. WALK HUMBLY WITH GOD

 We DO JUSTLY by being an example of Leadership through Christ

 We LOVE MERCY by holding fast to and applying the principle of forgiveness in all things

 We WALK HUMBLY WITH GOD by submitting to His authority in our life and allowing His Word to be written on our hearts and His Spirit to sit on the throne of that same heart

 Men – the title of Father, Husband and MAN is more than just a recognition of family.  It is a position and seat of leadership.  But the authority that comes with this title is not to be used for force or power – it is a privilege and an honor to hold this position.  And when we achieve this seat it is as an example for all those in our lives – not just those who may today or one day call us Dad or Husband.  As we read – our example is to shine before ALL PEOPLE – because we are not just representing ourselves – we are representing our Father in Heaven.

I ask this question as your challenge moving forward, men –

“The Heart of a man must contain…”