sdonig01's Journal

Okay folks, here is a little summary of my day at Iron Sharpens Iron.  Tony Evans was very good.  His two sons were there both speakers as well, one was a singer as well.  He talked about G-d having a plan for all of us.  No matter how battered or beat up we are.  If we are still breathing then G-d is not done with us yet.  He spoke about as men we should walk the talk.  It needs to start at home plain and simple.  Allow the Holy Spirit to fill your heart and walk the talk.
 
(Tony Evans)
Gen 18:19
19 I have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. Then I will do for Abraham all that I have promised.” 
 
* I have chosen him
     Despite failures and flaws G-d is not done with us.
* Spiritual responsibility to walk the talk.
     Man learns to live under the lordship of Jesus.
     It starts at home.
* Carry yourself with dignity
     Righteousness
     Justice
     G-d’s Standard – Do not let the world lower the standard.
* Dominion
     Right place – right time.
     Help others.
     Walk the talk.

Leftovers in the hands of a master…
 
I heard Cliffe Knechtle speak about hard questions and real answers.  Here is some of what I took away.
Jesus is asked 183 questions in the Gospels.  He answers just 3 of them.  He asked 307 questions back.  Jesus does not do question and answers as much as he does question and question.
    * Why is there evil and suffering?  I DO NOT KNOW.  But, if there is a G-d, I am sure there is a reason in the grand scheme of things.
    * G-d is fair.  Life is unfair.  Do not get these mixed up.
    * Men and women are meant to be together (GEN 2:24).  A life long commitment should be made and honored.  (24 This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.)
    * He believes the bible literally however he reads things in context and respects literary style.  (IE.  The land of milk and honey.)
    * How can I know Jesus was who he said he was:
    * His Lifestyle
    * His Ethical Teachings (Sermon on the Mount)
    * His Death
    * His Resurrection
    * When some asks a wacky question do not let them lead you down the rabbit hole.  There are answers to questions but we must rationally sit down and discuss it.

Last, I was privileged to hear the General LTG (Ret.) William G. Boykin.  I have to say, for a 60+ year old gentleman, he could kick my butt.  His testimonial was very powerful.  His life has been filled with real life, life and death stuff.  He said that when he was under fire (in DC by the media) and the President had publicly rebuked him, he wanted to give up.  He said the Holy Spirit came to him and told him to, “Get up, put on your armor on and get back in the battle.  I have called you for this and it serves my purpose.”  He is a man of G-d.  No doubt in my mind.  I was touched by the couple of stories he told.  I am currently reading his book Never Surrender.  I will gladly pass it along to anyone who would like to read it when I am finished.
 
All in all, it was a quick day.  There was (a guess) about 4,000 men gathered on a Saturday morning to praise G-d and remember why Jesus laid down his life for us on the cross.  There is a Woman’s Iron Sharpens Iron being put together in October, I believe (in Hartford).  The first of its kind.  This was my second ISI and I was once again very impressed and touched.
 
The General mentioned these two psalms.

Psalm 13
O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever?
How long will you look the other way?
How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul,
with sorrow in my heart every day?
How long will my enemy have the upper hand?
How long will my enemy triumph over me…
Been asked before and will be asked again
 
He was thinking the above psalm words exactly.  He was not the first to think this and he will not be the last.  The Holy Spirit responded with this thought: 
Get up, put on your armor on and get back in the battle.  I have called you for this and it serves my purpose.
 
Psalm 27:3
Though a mighty army surrounds me,
my heart will not be afraid.
Even if I am attacked,
I will remain confident.
 
G-d is putting together an army as well to fight the battle with us.
 
Shawn