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The Nature of Man

"Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let him rule….  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:26a-27

Praise God for another year!  Our family enjoyed its time together.  Dan and Tom were engaged with their music ministries that included Christmas Eve celebrations.  Louise and I especially enjoyed seeing our grandchildren and extended family.  Time goes by way too fast and we miss our Bay Area friends so much. 

When God called us to the Inland Northwest it was hard to understand why we should leave the things we loved most.  It was our heart to be obedient and follow His leading.  Clearly the ability to operate this national organization for 40% less and to reach one of the most un-churched areas in our nation has proved to be of great importance.

This month our ministry launches an effort to help assist and empower 5,000 churches in five years with our new resources and messages.  We are excited how God is directing us to new areas of service by multiplying our gifts and time.   I’m so thankful for the wisdom and experience God has provided to us with our small but talented staff.

After being involved with a variety of venues over the past twenty-five years, we are excited to spend the majority of our efforts promoting a biblical message that encourages men to become strong leaders in their homes, communities, churches, and nation.

Many men are in crisis.  They feel insufficient and unworthy.  Of utmost importance to OCM is the ability for us to communicate God’s plan for men.  In Genesis, we find that God desired man to reflect His likeness.  Man was to engage God’s creation with all the love, grace, mercy, kindness, and perseverance that was provided to him by his Heavenly Father.   God had given man a supreme task to rule over His creation – to take responsibility for the welfare of those things He entrusted to him.  "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of (rule over) it." Genesis 2:15

The key thing was for man to be obedient to God - his creator.  He asked that man be obedient and not take of the fruit of the apple tree.  As man looked on, he let his wife partake of the fruit from this forbidden tree.  "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it." Genesis 3:6

Then man blamed woman for his lack of leadership and obedience.  “The man said, ‘The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.’” Genesis 3:12

Unfortunately, Adam’s sin has continued through the generations.  Today, the majority of men are not fully engaged with their household or their faith.  They have allowed the woman to take on the major leadership resulting in the dilemma we now face.  David Murrow in his book, “Why Men Hate Going to Church” states that men are not connected to their families or church.  They find contemporary church life boring and irrelevant.  They have delegated the responsibility of their family’s spiritual life to the woman.

Statistics tell us that when a man connects with his faith, 96% of the time the entire family will become faith-filled.   When only the woman is involved with faith issues 13% of the time she will be successful in bringing the entire family to faith.  God’s plan is that man is to lead the family in issues of faith. 

I’m excited for the future.  I’ve had the privilege of meeting with thousands of men who now realize the importance of becoming engaged in faith issues.  The power of the Holy Spirit is moving on this land as more men realize the power of having a personal relationship with the living God through Jesus Christ.

Please pray for our ministry that we can be fruitful in 2007.  Our first quarter is filled with numerous opportunities to serve many churches and men’s ministry programs.  Your prayers of encouragement, gifts of support, and feedback enable us to be effective and efficient in the work before us.

May God bless each of you this year and may your lives impact others for God’s glory.   

Have a great week.  Jim Grassi, Founder/President Outdoor Connection Ministries 

P.S. – Attention men of the Inland Northwest! Plan now on attending Iron Sharpens Iron – a men’s equipping conference coming to Spokane, WA, Friday evening, February 9th and Saturday, February 10th. Register with 9 other men from your church by January 31st and you pay only $39 per person. Lunch is optional. Learn more and register now!