"How to duplicate Mighty Men?"- Part I ....that is the question?
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I'd like to search and talk out a concept that has been running around my head for several years now. It is no secret that God brought John Eldredge and his band of brothers together to provide clarity, direction and purpose in the lives of men alike all across this globe.
My band of brothers and I have been together for 11 years. We have just recently added another brother to our band, Eric. Eric has been with us much of the last 7 years, so he's not necessarily new, but Eric is a great addition to our brotherhood. But, the challenge we ask ourselves is how do we duplicate "bands of brothers?"
This isn't very easy at all. It is a very emotional conversation that promotes alot of prayer and commitment. Over the 11 years, we are now all married, all 6 families with 24 children. Myself and my wife had a horrific seperation 7 years ago that spawned a much different "band" today than we had when we first started. 1/2 of us struggle with porn and temptations, while several of us have many wounds...many of which are only now coming to light because of our children growing up. Still others have parenting issues, because of the lack of relationships that we had with our folks, dads, mothers etc.
This isn't just "buy a franchise" and start a group or even sit around and talk football or politics. But, I do feel somewhat responsilbe to "share our recipe?"....but I don't know how to explain it? or how do you sell it if you will? My passion for my group is strong enough to be bottled and sold at the stores that's for sure. But, it's not that easy.
My relationship with God, my wonderful wife of 15 years Michele and my beautiful kids are extremely important to me and therefore I need warriors to defend or protect me at all times. I need them to be in my face...to slap me around...to cry with me...to hug me and tell me I'm going to be fine. It's a "man love" that is hard to describe. By the worlds accounts they'd see it as a "homophobic" position....but it's on the contary.
I have no idea what it's like to carry a child or give birth to a baby. Likewise, my wife has no idea what it's like to be a husband, a father, a leader, a provider, a warrior, an employeer, a role model, the point man who is consistently watching and praying over and around his family.
My wife knows about everything about me...probably 85%...but that last 15 + % she'll never understand and I can't expect her too. But, my "Backwoods Brothers" understand. We're all different, with different personalities...but we have the same common goal. Be Godly examples for our wives and children. To live a "Wild and Joyful" life that has purpose for His kingdom.
At this point, I'll stop and I'd just like to know what kind of advice, help, questions from other men who don't have a "band of brothers" OR have a group that is young, but hasn't taken root if you will. How can I (we) help you build your own "Mighty Men?"
I'd like to search and talk out a concept that has been running around my head for several years now. It is no secret that God brought John Eldredge and his band of brothers together to provide clarity, direction and purpose in the lives of men alike all across this globe.
My band of brothers and I have been together for 11 years. We have just recently added another brother to our band, Eric. Eric has been with us much of the last 7 years, so he's not necessarily new, but Eric is a great addition to our brotherhood. But, the challenge we ask ourselves is how do we duplicate "bands of brothers?"
This isn't very easy at all. It is a very emotional conversation that promotes alot of prayer and commitment. Over the 11 years, we are now all married, all 6 families with 24 children. Myself and my wife had a horrific seperation 7 years ago that spawned a much different "band" today than we had when we first started. 1/2 of us struggle with porn and temptations, while several of us have many wounds...many of which are only now coming to light because of our children growing up. Still others have parenting issues, because of the lack of relationships that we had with our folks, dads, mothers etc.
This isn't just "buy a franchise" and start a group or even sit around and talk football or politics. But, I do feel somewhat responsilbe to "share our recipe?"....but I don't know how to explain it? or how do you sell it if you will? My passion for my group is strong enough to be bottled and sold at the stores that's for sure. But, it's not that easy.
My relationship with God, my wonderful wife of 15 years Michele and my beautiful kids are extremely important to me and therefore I need warriors to defend or protect me at all times. I need them to be in my face...to slap me around...to cry with me...to hug me and tell me I'm going to be fine. It's a "man love" that is hard to describe. By the worlds accounts they'd see it as a "homophobic" position....but it's on the contary.
I have no idea what it's like to carry a child or give birth to a baby. Likewise, my wife has no idea what it's like to be a husband, a father, a leader, a provider, a warrior, an employeer, a role model, the point man who is consistently watching and praying over and around his family.
My wife knows about everything about me...probably 85%...but that last 15 + % she'll never understand and I can't expect her too. But, my "Backwoods Brothers" understand. We're all different, with different personalities...but we have the same common goal. Be Godly examples for our wives and children. To live a "Wild and Joyful" life that has purpose for His kingdom.
At this point, I'll stop and I'd just like to know what kind of advice, help, questions from other men who don't have a "band of brothers" OR have a group that is young, but hasn't taken root if you will. How can I (we) help you build your own "Mighty Men?"
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Comment by Drew on October 10, 2008 at 9:36am - Great post, Mikey. You've asked important questions. And the life you lead provides powerful answers. Thanks, Drew
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Comment by Mike Kirby on October 11, 2008 at 6:42pm - Hey Marcus ...thanks for your heart. I thought to keep these flowing better I'd move my last comment to a blog part II by itself....and that I'll answer or talk through some of my thoughts based on your most recent comments under a blog part III.
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Comment by Ed Utley on October 13, 2008 at 12:01pm -
Mike My Brother for Another Mother,
great words from your heart. Thank you. I am blessed to do life with you. I feel a tremor in the Force.lol. We are going in the right direction and now it is how do we share this with other men that have no one to really do life with. They are truly alone as a man just as we were. Marcus above gets this and you can tell he wants it. Marcus you are reaching out there with other men and making yourself open. That is huge and at the same time very intimidating to most men. This culture has robbed the men of the ability to truly love and depend on other men. I am sure you are doing this but pray specifically that God would bring other men into your life that "get it". If you keep pushing and praying God will surround you with other mighty warriors. They are out their and feel just like you. You need to also keep making yourself open to other men, even when everything in you says "don't talk about that" that is exactly the direction you need to head in. I meet with different guys all the time for lunch or breakfast not because I need more Men in my Band but because i feel called and love to talk to other guys about real life. Most of them want it but don't know what to do with it. I bet you the Ransomed Team feels this same huge weight everyday. They have created this great environment for men and provided many awesome tools for this but at the end of the day it comes down to men wanting it so bad that they will lay the poser aside. Just my 2 cents
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Comment by Paulus Maximus on October 14, 2008 at 1:36pm - Great point Eddie. Our group's weakness in the early years was that we were ALL posers. I'm so grateful to J.E. for bringing that term to light. Our group is stronger today because we have learned to come out with the crap that we once kept secret. Personally, I end up feeling stronger after confessions, because when I do, my brothers-in-arms surround me with grace and totally pick me up. Thanks, brothers! In our weakness, we are made strong through our circle of grace and support. It's a beautiful thing to know that I can totally be myself around you and the fellas(good, bad and ugly), and still know that I'm accepted, and sharpened! But it takes time for that kind of environment to be cultivated.
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Comment by Brandon James on February 20, 2009 at 11:12pm - So how did your band or group start? I am taking it that it started before the whole JE WAH thing?? I don't understand how you get close to another guy? Don't take that wrong, please! it's just hard for me to understand that, you'd have to know me and my past I guess to understand. It sure does look like, from the 94 pics on your pro page that you guys really have a good time together.
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