I’ve been thinking a lot about initiation lately, about how in America we have raised generation after generation of fatherless men.  Our men have been “wussified” and over-mothered.  The result?  A grown generation of “men” who aren’t even “men” at all.  As a guy, we have nothing to define us anymore as men.  And frankly, the problem’s not any better, even in the Church (it’s full of wusses).  Thankfully my friends have recognized the same problem:
 
The gospel is about as subtle as a punch in the face. And in a culture
where most young men spend their time playing video games, watching
porn, drinking tons of cheap beer (or Dr. Pepper), talking about
zombies, and eating pizza rolls smothered in Velveeta cheese after
midnight, this is exactly what is needed.

Hook up. Shack up.
Break up. Marry later and stay married shorter, but don’t feel
obligated to stay at all. This is our culture. The average dude is no
Dude; he’s just a boy who knows how to use a Norelco. Wake up Christian
men!
How many have to perish before we recognize our brothers who are
enslaved to the service of lusts and pleasures (usually pornographic)
are living in silent shame, which hinders their growth in Christ and
service in ministry? We need men-pastors, fathers, brothers, bosses-who
are willing to step up and throw the first punch.

The body of Christ needs brothers willing to throw down like this:
 
“Why
do you act as if sexual sins are ‘out there’ in the media, strip club,
or gal with low-rise jeans and hi-rise thong? The problem is in you! It
is from the sinfulness of your heart that lust and sin proceed like
sewage from the drain. This is the painful, unvarnished truth. Don’t
kid yourself. Sin is an onramp to death. If you get on it and don’t
repent, turn around, and exit, you will find the landscape getting
darker, grosser, filthier, and deadlier.
 
You are not an animal. You are the glory of God.
You are not a pervert. You are the glory of God.
You are not an addict. You are the glory of God.
You are not a victim. You are the glory of God.

You are not a fool. You are the glory of God.
 

Man
up. Quit being a wuss. Quit living for yourself. Follow Christ. And
let’s do this thing together. We need each other. We need Christ.”

Who’s going to throw the first punch?
Who’s ready to get in line and take one on the chin for the glory of God?
We need both kinds of men.

I am both kinds of men.
 
If you want, you can read more here.  His name is Casey Smith and he’s a great friend from college who has a heart for the lost and hungers to see all come into the brotherhood, sisterhood – the family of Christ.