Equipping Blog Posts – Page 18 – Men in the Arena

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Equipping Blog Posts

  • SURVIVAL GEAR - 7 Tools Needed for the Fatherhood Adventure

    by Jim Ramos

    In my daily devotional, The Field Guide: A Bathroom Book for Men, “Wyoming Nights” recounts a dangerous night of suffering hypothermia while hunting the high country of Wyoming and needing their body to survive the night. It is an embarrassing yet memorable event. Click the link to read about it my short story, “California Rodeo in Wyoming.”

                From that memorable night in 2001 I learned to carry the proper survival gear needed for every contingency. So often we pack our fears, filling our lives with worthless items, to the neglect of those necessary to be the best father to our children.

    Posted in Fatherhood, Hunting, Parenting, Survival

  • California Rodeo in Wyoming

    by Jim Ramos
    I knew we were in trouble at the planning meeting and BBQ two weeks before we left for Wyoming. Three of the four men, I had never met before that night. They were buck hunting fanatics, with over 80 mule deer to their credit. Being the only mule deer virgin in the group I was excited to hunt with them. We met with our families and had a wonderful time of eating wild game, the great desserts prepared by our wives, and having fellowship. I was especially impressed with the heartfelt prayer time with the men as we held hands and prayed for God’s blessing on our trip. Driving home my wife asked me what I thought of the guys. My knee-jerk reaction was, “Wow, what a godly group of guys but it concerns me that we are packing in with five horses and only one of us (Bill) even knows how to saddle one! Having a very negative experience with a horse as a kid I was intimidated, and this meeting only confirmed my biggest fears.
    Posted in Hunting

  • Will Wearing Masks Ever End? - Pro Tips for Removing Masks Men Wear at Church

    by Jim Ramos
           As the world opens up again and masks slowly fade into memory (hopefully), I’m reminded of another annoying mask men wear—the veneer concealing their true self... 
    Posted in Accountability, For Leaders of Men, For Pastors, Hunting, Interview, Iron Sharpens Iron, Leadership, Podcast

  • What Do You Say to a Grieving Friend?

    by Jim Ramos
    This is not a usual blog about our latest Men in the Arena Podcast guest. It is much more guttural. This is a blog about a friend—a 2:00 AM friend—a guy I could call anytime, anywhere, and he’d be there no questions asked...
    Posted in Friendship, Grief, Reactions

  • Not a Fan, but a Follower - Notes on Luke 9:57-62

    by Jim Ramos

    Are you a fan or a follower of Jesus? Those are two different things. In these notes on Luke 9:57-62, Jim Ramos outlines what makes a follower of Jesus different from a fan. 

    Here are some thoughts about fans:

    • Fans live vicariously through those in the arena or on stage.
    • Fans want to be close to the stage but far enough to be safe. “Followers will do some crazy things for love, but fans want to play it safe.” - Kyle Idleman
    • Fans jump on and off the bandwagon of success...
    Posted in Bible Notes

  • What to Do When Lust Has You in A Chokehold

    by Jim Ramos
    The (NEW) Ravi Zacharias Legacy
    Arenamen, Ravi Zacharias, founder of the RZIM (Ravi Zacharias International Ministry), was known as one of the leading Christian apologists of our time—his ministry spanning over 40 years. Tragically, his legacy will not be his ministry but the recent uncovering of his sexual misconduct. According to a Christianity Today’s article, “Ravi Zacharias Hid Hundreds of pictures of women, abuse during massages, and a rape allegation...
    Posted in Interview, Leadership, Lust, Moral Failure, Podcast, Reactions, Sex

  • Why Do You Do What You Do? - For Affirmation Addicts and Performance Junkies

    by Jim Ramos
    A successful businessman was racing his Lamborghini down California’s winding Pacific Coast Highway (101), when he lost control, sending his car over the edge. He was launched from the tumbling vehicle, severing his left arm at the elbow. People arrived at the scene to his screams, “My Lambo, my Lambo!”
              Pointing to his bloody stump, a Good Samaritan said...
    Posted in Career, Interview, Job, Podcast, Priorities, Work

  • 5 Wise Tips for the Smart Stepdad - How to Become a Better Stepdad

    by Jim Ramos
    In the United States 50% of children will have a stepparent at some point in their lifetime, and 90% of children in step-families live with their mom and stepdad. Forty percent of children from divorce will not see their dad for an entire year, which places an added burden on stepdads.
              Stepchildren who have good relationships with both their stepfather and their nonresident biological father have better outcomes than children who have good relationships with just their father...
    Posted in Blended Families, Interview, Marriage, Parenting, Podcast, Step-Parenting

  • Best Advice for a Successful Marriage - From a Couple Married for Half A Century

    by Jim Ramos

    I spoke at a conference with a man who shocked me when he confessed to being a “serial adulterer” who recently repented, remarried, and was there to tell me how to make marriage work. Huh?
              Another time I overheard one man telling an intently listening group of other men, “I just told my third wife that my kids were more important than her and if she didn’t like it, she could leave.”
              That advice was shut down quick. 
    Are these two men who you want to give you marriage advice? I hope not. Do you want the best advice for marriage?...

    Posted in Interview, Marriage, Podcast

  • What is the Purpose of Sex? - Three (or Four) Reasons God Made Sex

    by Jim Ramos
    I grew up in a broken home but saw my Dad daily since he was a teacher at my high school. I distinctly remember the day my dad discovered I was dating a girl of a certain reputation and literally followed my bus home so he could convince me to break up with her!
    I didn’t. I should have...
    Posted in Interview, Lust, Marriage, Podcast, Sex

  • Disappointments and God Appointments - Finding Victory When Life Doesn't Go Your Way

    by Jim Ramos
    2020 was a banner year for disappointments.
    How do you handle life when things don’t go your way? Do you rage in angry outbursts? Do you live vicariously through your TV monitor? Do you dive into your favorite comfort foods? Or numb your mind through marijuana, alcohol, or other substances?...
    Posted in Interview, Podcast

  • Why Am I Here? What is My Purpose in Life? - 5 Practical Tips to Craft Your Mission Statement

    by Jim Ramos
    What is a personal mission statement?
    I’m glad you asked. It is a dynamic strategy that captures your best understanding your unique, God-given, contribution to this world during your short stay. It is a tapestry of all the things you love and have experienced wrapped into one statement under 50 words.
              It provides a prayer path through the many blessings and tragedies in life. It is a compass. It is a visual reminder of why you exist on this planet, region, and unique time in history. A personal mission statement provides vision, direction, and reasons to say no to good things in order to do great things for God.
              It will help you stay on track during times of stress and testing. It provides the decision-making grid to navigate. It points out areas where intentional growth and mentoring are needed to achieve the most impact. And it serves as a personal call to arms, helping you stay mission minded amidst the plethora of daily distractions.
              I firmly believe Psalm 20:4 is for us today, “May He grant you your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your purpose!” A quarter of a century ago I crafted my first mission statement, 44 words that has hardly changed. Here it is...
    Posted in Interview, Mission, Podcast