Posts Tagged ‘warrior’

Why Can’t LIFE be Easy?

Posted: April 27, 2025 in Inspirational
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I wrote a blog post a few years ago called Why can’t life be easy? because it kind of fit where I was at that point. What I found interesting today is after reading it again, it seems to apply all over again, not just to me, but to all of us. 

None of us understand the ebb and flow of life and why things change the way they do; both personally and professionally. I found the worst part is how those changes affect us.  These waves roll in and they roll out with some just being a minor annoyance while others will knock us off our feet. 

I wrote this post just to serve as a milemarker along your journey of life to remind you NOT to give up. Stay your course and be strong for the people that need you. I hope you enjoy the new and improved version of Why can’t life be easy…

Have you ever wondered why God allows or even requires our Christian walk to be filled with pain, problems, unhappiness, and sometimes even misery? Because I have… 

Why does God put so much emphasis in scripture on our persevering, or striving for the prize and winning the race as Paul writes in Philippians? 

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:14

I believe that all the lessons and experiences we learn through lifes challenges; like those “Iron Sharpens Iron” moments like we read in Proverbs 27:17 have a purpose. I am referring to the the falling down and getting back up opportunities, but most importantly, trudging through the adversity and our ability to keep our eyes focused on Him in spite of whatever is set against us.

Let me give you one Old Testament reference and I promise to be quick.

Do you remember the Israelites in Egypt? That group of people who, as we recall, spent 400 years in exile and servitude to the Egyptians. You may forget this point, but they went to Egypt voluntarily and were promised by God to be made into a great nation (Gen 46:1-4) and then almost went extinct during that 400 years. During that entire time, no word from heaven was heard and once Moses, the deliverer was announced, no explanation was given.

Why do I give you this story? because if you signed on with Christanity thinking you can just skate until He returns, you are sorely mistaken. I hope this is not the first time anyone has told you that.

The Christian walk is a marathon that God intended specifically to be ALL about the journey. 

In life, God focuses on how WE handle problems we face in this world. Are you the kind of guy who gives up and just walks away? Or do you get back up and keep forging ahead? 

Guys, I believe that the men who pick themselves up from their problems and still keep their eyes on Him… are the ones that I firmly believe God will choose to surround Himself with in eternity. 

Look…we know life is hard…but you can’t just give up and let it overwhelm you! You must fight back…

One of my favorite warriors of the Bible was David who wrestled with these very same questions. Look at what he says to God in Psalms:

Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?  Psalms 10:1

The reality is that David, who is literally in the lineage of Christ, struggled just like you and me. He wrestled with pain and suffering and he cried out to God continuously…and do you know what? 

God did NOT forsake him.

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, Lord, for you have never forsaken those who seek you.  Psalms 9:9-10

Guys, this blog is titled, “Why can life be easy?” because there are times it seems like the only luck we have is bad. But I encourage you today to remember that your main job is this difficult life is just to trust and believe that God will do what He says He will do. Claim these verses above because you are not alone…I know that for a fact-

Guys, enjoy your journey and keep the faith because ultimately you will overcome.

Until next time Guys…

Having a God Mindset

Posted: April 12, 2025 in Tough Times
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For some reason, I have always loved the word mindset. It is one of those words that identifies your clarity or focus for whatever the topic might be. As an example, he or she might have an engineering mindset, which gives us an idea of what their expertise is. But when you apply God to the word mindset, you come up with a completely different category.

The apostle Paul did the same thing. In fact, he wrote about it in the first chapter of second Corinthians, where he said “now this is our boast: our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you in the holiness and sincerity that are from God. We have not done so according to worldly wisdom, but according to God‘s grace.“ 2 Cor. 1:12.

The easy translation to this verse is Paul is actually boasting that his life plan is to remain faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ. If you are familiar with Paul at all, you will remember that he worked overtime NOT to boast about anything. What I find interesting is then only time he decides to actually boast, he tells us up front. And what is he boasting about? His God mindset.

Paul tells you and me that he made a choice. He decided that he would serve God. Period. Moreover, his service to God required a mindset at a whole other level to be successful. One that was focused exclusively on the Lord Jesus Christ and if you’ve read Paul, you know that he suffered greatly in this role. He literally has multiple near death experiences; he was shipwrecked, jailed, bitten by snakes, punched, and spit on… You name it, he went through it.

But what can you and I learn from Paul’s mentaility? Is it possible to have a God mindset in 2025 even with everything going on in this world? What about all the chaos in the mayhem we see each day on the news? Shouldn’t we be thinking about just hunkering down and weathering the storm? 

Guys, my answer is simple… Not only is it possible, but it’s critical that you and I maintain a God mindset, especially during these difficult times.

I have said this before and I’ll say it again… Our enemy is alive and well and he is looking to devour and swallow both you and me whole. If you and I don’t make the intentional choice to be strong about our “God Mindset”; I can assure you, we will be swayed In the wrong direction. And we cannot allow that happen.

That is my charge to you guys today. Having a God Mindset is for you to be intentional and focused on your Christian walk by making choices that identify who you serve. Let me clear; make “who you serve” obvious so that there is no question what side of the fence you are standing. When people look at you or speak to you, they know. More importantly, be that strong intentional role model for your wife and family.

Be like the warrior Joshua when he said below:

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15

Until next time guys-

Samson is an Enigma to me

Posted: February 17, 2024 in Something to think about
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Have you ever read the story of Samson? If you are a guy, Samson is the Hercules of the Bible. He was by far the strongest character the Bible talks about and honestly, besides David fighting Goliath, no other character was like Samson. Think about it…You have Joshua who was the warrior of the Bible. He was a General and a leader who conquered the Land of Canaan by following the direction of the Lord. With each conquest that God gave to Joshua, his legend grew among his enemies…But Joshua was a general with an army. Samson was just one guy whom God raised up to fight an entire Philistine nation. 

Samson’s story is unlike anything you have ever read. Did you know that an angel of the Lord came and announced to Samson’s mother that she would give birth to him? (Judges 13:3). That only happened a couple of other times in the Bible and BOTH were significant births…I am sure you recall both John the Baptist and Jesus Christ?

Samson however, was born and raised from day one with the Nazirite vow which meant that no razor could ever touch his head. Why? Because he was set apart for God from birth. Just so you catch this part…He was set apart from birth by God to save his people. Talk about having a plan for your life.

With that small introduction, this begins my blog about why I never quite understood this Samson character. As I mentioned, God anointed his birth as the next Judge of Israel. (If you don’t know Judges, the book after Joshua, God raised up a few people during this time to lead Israel…because they had no King) God gave Samson to Israel to fight for them against the idol-worshiping Philistines and that is exactly what he did.

Samson drove the Philistines nuts. He was a one-man wrecking crew every single time he encountered them. One guy against an army…and the army had no chance. Again why? The Bible tells us that each time he met them, “The Spirit of the Lord came upon him in power” which meant that suddenly, Samson became the strongest human being who ever lived, and what army could stand against that?

I could go on and on about his feats of strength but I want to zero in on the reason I am writing today. Samson had another weakness besides shaving his head which, if you had not figured out was the secret to his strength. The weakness I am referring to was lust and sex. Samson was attracted to Philistine women and according to the Bible, he could not get enough which ultimately leads us to Delilah. If you have yet to hear about her then sit tight. 

Delilah was a beautiful Philistine woman and in my opinion, is the epitome of the line said in the animated Disney movie, Beauty and the Beast, “Twas Beauty that killed the Beast”. Samson fell in love with her for the reasons I mentioned above. Moreover, she must have been well known because once she got her hooks into Samson, Delilah was approached by the local Philistine leaders to find out the secret of his strength so they could capture him. If she could do that, she would get paid. 

The Bible tells us that several times Samson gave her false ways for him to lose his strength and each time she fell for it. Finally, because of this continued failure, the Bible tells us that she began to nag and pester him to the point that he was literally “tired to death of listening to her”. The bottom line… Samson finally relented and told her his secret and of course, he was captured. They shaved his head, gouged out his eyes, and threw him in prison.

Here is where I have to ask the question, what did he expect to happen? Each time she asked the question he made up an answer. Finally, he gave in. Was Samson that unintelligent?

Secondly, the Bible also says that when his head was shaved, the Spirit of the Lord left him and he did not know it, Judges 16:20. That is also very hard to grasp because I would think the presence of the Spirit would be a living and powerful presence inside of him and with it exiting you would think he would notice…but that was not the case.

I need to wrap this up so what can we learn from this story? I think one of the biggest lessons about Samson is that he was able to overcome how far he had fallen. God never forgot Samson, even while in prison. When we look back on the life of Samson, we can also see that God viewed him as a man of faith. Samson is listed among the other men of faith in Hebrews 11:12 below:

And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, and Jephthah, about David and Samuel, and the prophets…

All of those men did GREAT things for God but yet every single man on that list also had his faults…just like you and I do. But God was able to use them exactly for the purposes they were created for. Samson in particular, is included in the Bible for that very reason.

The bottom line for you and me, we don’t have to have our lives all buttoned up and perfect before God will consider using us. That is so far from the truth. Think about it…Samson was a mess but God was able to use him for his purposes JUST like He can do with you. All you have to do is take the first step and ask…

I encourage you to do just that-

Until next time Guys…

Are you Serious about God?

Posted: September 26, 2015 in Something to think about
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getting-serious-about-god_0

I think sometimes it is very tempting to go about our lives forgetting there is a God of this universe mainly because of the fact that we physically cant see Him. Now, we can see His handiwork should we choose to look, but for an average person striving to get to the next level in their life, many of us just don’t pay attention.

Frankly guys right now, I am speaking to those of you who were raised in a local church and understand the idea of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. These are the folks, that in my mind, “know better”.

You see as we all know very well, life just simply rolls on and it does not stop for anyone. We cant take a break or call time out, or…like I’ve seen in the movies, control time by making it stand still. My point, is that before you know it, years have gone by and your children have gotten older and you still feel the same way about God…in other words, kind of apathetic?

Well, I have an opinion on that…and it is simply that it’s time to get serious about God. It is time to take control over yourself and get back on track with why you are here. Do you know the answer to that question? Why am I here? Its actually easy; you are here to prepare yourself and your family for eternity…and how does one do that?

GET SERIOUS ABOUT GOD

But I will warn you about this; getting serious with God is no laughing matter. You need to remember that dealing with the almighty God is HOLY BUSINESS and no casual dealings will suffice. A.W. Tozer said, “Let him come to God in full determination to be heard. Let him insist that God accept his all, that he take the things out of his heart that shouldn’t be there in order that God, Himself reign there in power.”

What is Tozer saying here? Simply put, be a man with God. You were born a man for a reason on this earth and God expects you to act like one, even in His presence. Please don’t mistake what I am saying here as arrogance because if you do, it will not go well. When you approach God, approach him with humility, but as a man, NOT a pup. You are (Or have been?) a warrior in your lifetime and God desperately wants you to act like one again both on your behalf as well as your families.

Guys, in truth, what I am saying here is not a difficult thing. But it does take a real man to admit where he is failing and a real man to ask God for forgiveness. When you do that, you have gotten serious about God…and that is exactly where He wants you to be.

Until next time Guys-

It is time to take a stand…Again

Posted: July 5, 2015 in Husband
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1 Take a Stand

I originally wrote this post 2 years ago in June of 2013 and yet it still has huge relevancy as America continues to change before our eyes. I am calling out the men again to take a stand in their own homes and be strong and be who you have been called to be for your family. I ask that you read this post with the same urgency it was written 2 years ago and now…

The Ironman Strength blog has always been about MEN being strong in God and taking on the challenges that this life sends our way and this post is no different. Guys, I sense some indecisiveness out there. Maybe you have some doubt in your lives that if left alone, could cause some very serious problems for you and your family down the road. Please read this post with the same urgency that I write it and please take it to heart because our America is changing. I begin with a verse for warriors that I hope you will apply today…

But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15 NIV)

This is a great verse because it is clear and to the point. When Joshua wrote this verse, he knew he was going to die. He had fought the good fight for God and now he was old but before God took him into heaven, Joshua spoke to the children of Israel and gave them two options about their spiritual future; either serve God…or don’t serve Him. They had already experienced the power of God throughout their daily journey as they moved through the promised land and continually overcame obstacles that were more than they could have ever withstood on their own…And now, here they stood on the precipice of the most important decision any of them would ever make for their future…and with Joshua gone…would they give in and serve the gods of the existing tribes around them…or…would they take a stand and serve the God who had brought them to where they were now?

What is critical to note here though is Joshua’s final opinion on the two options he gave Israel. He said, “as for me and my household, we will serve The Lord”. As was typical of the rock who Joshua was, he did not waver or falter…he spoke from his heart and it was solid.

Joshua was one of the most powerful warriors in Biblical history who served God with all he had and when the end of his life was near, he took his final stand in front of his nation and announced who he and his household would serve…

My question to you is…which option have you chosen for you and your house?

Have you taken the stand for yourself and firmly planted your feet on the solid ground before God?

I believe that now is time to “man up” in your relationship with God…You need to make a decision and then stick with it…It is your responsibility to shield both you and your family from the harm that Satan seeks to wreak upon the people you care about. Now is NOT a time for doubt, it is a time for clarity. Otherwise you will be like this;

But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (James 1:6 NIV)

Everyone has seen seaweed being tossed back and forth inside waves with no stability whatsoever. That seaweed could end up anywhere because it has broken away from its stronghold under the sea. Guys, if you doubt, that will be you being thrown around in this world like broken seaweed in the waves…with nothing to hold onto…being tossed around with no idea where you will end up…

Trust me here…that is NOT God’s plan for you OR your family.

Guys, I challenge you right now to be the warrior God intended you to be by taking a stand inside your house by protecting your wife and kids from what Satan seeks to do them. It starts by clinging onto our God who is a rock and a fortress and will always be there for us…

I challenge you to be like Joshua and declare to the world…

As for me and my house, we will serve The Lord…

Who will you choose to serve?

Until next time guys…

Sin is NOT my Master…

Posted: January 5, 2014 in Inspirational
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opinions_freewill2I was listening to another Podcast recently and something that Andy Stanley from North Point Ministries said struck a chord within me. How many of us actually do what we know we should do 100% of the time? This would mean when temptation strikes you and for that period of time where all of us have a choice, sin or not sin, how many of us really make the right choice? In my opinion, probably not very many of us could raise our hands here because that statement is very near impossible. In fact, Paul struggled with the very thing and asked the very same question:

“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do…As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.?” Romans 7: 15-20

Honestly, its kind of encouraging that I struggle with the same things the Apostle Paul did but that is another blog post…the point I am trying to make here is that Paul is simply saying that what causes us to do the things we shouldn’t ALREADY LIVES inside of you and me. Honestly, we were born with it…into it…and it covers us…what is “it”…

Sin…

I don’t know about you but it drives me crazy when I find myself literally doing something that I told myself not to, 30 minutes prior…and that happens all the time! Why do I let myself fall into the same pit over and over again? Honestly guys, it’s a human problem that affects everyone who was ever born on this earth. It started when our buddy Adam sinned inside the garden and that single act affected mankind forever…and without the cross, we were absolutely doomed!

But you already know all of that…

Lets get back to Paul…because he is pointing out something that affects you and me and he is asking the same questions we do. If I was to summarize what Paul is saying I would say, “Why do we let SIN control our lives?” I think that sometimes we are sold short on the idea that we get to sin all week and then on the weekend, come to church to wipe our “sin slate” clean. That was NOT Gods intent. His intent was that you live a life of freedom from sin all of the time. Well how does one do that? Let me tell you what Andy Stanley said from above to help all of us:

The 3 “D’s”

DECLARE – SIN IS NOT MY MASTER. Say that out loud to yourself…seriously, say it. SIN IS NOT MY MASTER. You don’t have to let sin control you. You don’t have to let sin reign, or be in charge, of your mortal body.

DECIDE – You have a choice to say NO to sin. I am speaking the truth to you guys. You can decide to not let sin rule over you. Everyday, Satan will secretly ask you if he can borrow your mind for a while so you can think about something you know you shouldn’t.

Do not lend Satan control any part of your physical body in order to sin.

DEVOTE – Every part of your life to God. Take a chance and be humble by submitting every part of your body during your prayer time to God.

Guys, look at what he is saying…YOU HAVE A CHOICE. SIN IS A CHOICE…saying NO to sin is literally the hardest thing in the world but yet at the same time, to overcome sin…well that is something a warrior would do…defeat an adversary in a battle.

Paul said it this way:

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2

Guys, all He is saying is this: as long as you stay focused on Him, each day, living our your life with your eyes pointed towards heaven…YOU ARE FREE TO MAKE A CHOICE AND HAVE VICTORY OVER SIN.

Does that mean you will stop sinning? Heck no, remember Adam from above? Sin seems to be a part of our DNA but with Christ, we can overcome…

Guys, I challenge you today when you get up each morning to say out loud…Sin is not my master. Say it as many times as necessary until you believe this in your heart, then you can have that victory I know you seek…

Until next time guys,

Andy Stanley is the Pastor of  North Point Church and  North Point Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia. His Videos and Podcasts are available at yourmove.is.

It is time to take a Stand…

Posted: June 9, 2013 in Father, Husband, Inspirational
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theBible_poster_joshua

The Ironman Strength blog has always been about being strong in God and taking on the challenges that this life sends our way and this post is no different. Guys, I sense some wavering out there…some doubt in your lives that if left alone, could cause some very serious problems for you and your family down the road. Please read this post with the same urgency that I write it and please take it to heart. I begin with a verse for warriors that I hope you will apply today…

But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15 NIV)

This is a great verse because it is clear and to the point. When Joshua wrote this verse, he knew he was going to die. He had fought the good fight for God and now he was old but before God took him into heaven, Joshua spoke to the children of Israel and gave them two options about their spiritual future; either serve God…or don’t serve Him. They had already experienced the power of God throughout their daily journey as they moved through the promised land and continually overcame obstacles that were more than they could have ever withstood on their own…And now, here they stood on the precipice of the most important decision any of them would ever make for their future…and with Joshua gone…would they give in and serve the gods of the existing tribes around them…or…would they take a stand and serve the God who had brought them to where they were now?

What is critical to note here though is Joshua’s final opinion on the two options he gave Israel. He said, “as for me and my household, we will serve The Lord”. As was typical of the rock who Joshua was…He did not waver or falter…he spoke from his heart and it was solid.

Joshua was one of the most powerful warriors in Biblical history who served God with all he had and when the end of his life was near, he took his final stand in front of his nation and announced who he and his house would serve…

My question to you is…which option have you chosen for you and your house?

Have you taken the stand for yourself and firmly planted your feet on the solid ground before God?

I believe that now is time to“man up” in your relationship with God…It is your responsibility to shield both you and your family from the harm that Satan seeks to wreak upon the people you care about. Now is NOT a time for doubt, it is a time for clarity. Otherwise you will be like this;

But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (James 1:6 NIV)

Everyone has seen seaweed being tossed back and forth inside waves with no stability whatsoever. That seaweed could end up anywhere because it has broken away from its stronghold under the sea. Guys, if you doubt, that will be you being thrown around in this world like the seaweed in the waves…with nothing to hold onto…being tossed around with no idea where you will end up…

Trust me here…that is NOT God’s plan for you or your family.

Guys, I challenge you right now to be the warrior God intended you to be by taking a stand inside your house by protecting your wife and kids from what Satan seeks to do them. It starts by clinging onto our God who is a rock and a fortress and will always be there for us…

I challenge you to be like Joshua and declare to the world…

As for me and my house, we will serve The Lord…

 

Until next time guys…