Redefining True Biblical Manhood

As a man who has functioned in the role of a “spiritual leader” for some time now, I have become keenly aware of the fallibility associated with humanity and specifically my own. This may seem somewhat strange coming from a man that claims to speak on behalf of Christ. Well the truth is that if every leader would first be honest with themselves, and subsequently be honest with those whom they are directly and indirectly responsible for, a more vivid and veracious portrait of the Christian landscape would be available to all.

I have always said that I don’t preach from a platform of perfection, but from the depths of a transformed heart. When I look at the current state of manhood in America, I see very little in the way of true biblical manhood. We – as men – have strayed so far off course that our walks remotely – if at all – resemble that of a true kingdom man. The past several years have been some of the most challenging I have faced in my life, but they have left me with an implacable yearning to walk in the will and plan of God.

Make no mistake about it, this ethereal journey I have undertaken has not been without its failures on my behalf – several of them of the monumental variety. The past year has served to introduce me to my humanity in some rather unique ways. In 2 Corinthians chapter 12, the Apostle Paul speaks of a thorn in the flesh. He does not identify the actual nature of the thorn. Many have postulated that is was poor eyesight, while others believe it was more of a spiritual nature. The actual nature of the thorn is obviously irrelevant – being that it is not revealed. What is relevant is the reason behind the thorn. Paul said that the thorn was given to him as a protective measure. Who was the thorn protecting Paul from? A close examination of the text reveals that it was protecting Paul from himself. Paul said that it was given so that he would not exalt himself above measure – become bigheaded.

When God has given you a vision and you begin to walk effectively in that vision, it can be easy to become engrossed in what you have accomplished and lose sight of the One who is enabling your accomplishments. God provides the equalizer so that you don’t become arrogant. With that being said, I am currently dealing with the revelation of my own fallibility. Anyone that knows me understands that I don’t advocate using our humanity as an excuse for failure. Will we fail at times? Absolutely, but that does not mean that we should be content with our failure. We must definitely become acquainted with and aware of our failures, but not for the purpose of developing a quilt complex or to become despondent. Our failure reminds us of our humanity and the need to always have God first. It also reminds us that we need to be compassionate and understanding towards those we oversee.

My thorn has not caused me to succumb to despair or shoulder any form of guilt. It has serve to remind me of my true destiny and encourage me to refocus and regain my footing. It has also reminded me that this life that I live is no longer mine.

It was the Apostle Paul who said:

“I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20, NKJV)

Why am I discussing my thorn? Because in engaging my own fallibilities I have been brought face to face with the greatest challenge facing this nation – the failure to accurately define the biblical man. I do not believe it to be a coincidence that I have been introduced so intimately with my own failures as a man right in the midst of writing a book on biblical manhood. Far too often we tend to see the shortcomings in others without acknowledging our own. This leads to an arrogance complex that makes us think that we are better than those around us.

Another danger associated with the failure to see our own shortcomings is that without acknowledging that we have fallen short of God’s design for our lives, we will never see the need for improvement. One of the most devastating forces associated with the current state of biblical manhood is the belief that we have already arrived.

It is simple, the future of this nation depend on the state of Christian men and their subsequent impact on the culture around them. The first element that must be addressed in this elaborate dynamic is redefining the true biblical man. There are a number of terms being used to describe what people believe is a true man – terms such as godly man, biblical man, kingdom man, real man, and more. Regardless to the terminology used, one thing is evident, the definition of manhood in the scope of his design, must come from the designer himself. We can no longer allow a secular cultural to define a biblical concept. We must define manhood as God has laid it out in His infallible word. We must execute manhood with God in mind.

As we move forward, we will discuss the true nature of manhood as God intended it to be. We will draw the correlation between men failing in their divine design and the spiritual, emotional and social ramifications for such failure.   

It is important to understand this has nothing to do with creating a state of perfection, because perfection in this life can only be produced as an illusionistic concept. This is about men striving to live out their destiny by functioning in their design and manifesting their God-given vision. This is about abandoning our selfish motives and ambitions and adopting a God-first state of mind. It is about understanding our power of influence in the home and the negative impact of our absence in the home. It is about learning that leadership is not about telling someone what to do – instead – it is about showing others what to do and then creating a secure and conducive environment for them to follow through on what you have shown them through your own actions.

If you are like me, you are aware of your fallibility. This is a great place to start. God is not looking for the perfect man, but the man that is willing to commit his heart to Christ as well as surrender to God’s will for his life.

We are the change that this country needs. It begins with us – not by pointing the finger, but by changing ourselves and then facilitating and empowering the change in others. As men, the only thing we should be concerned with at this point is rising to meet the challenge of our destinies. Everything else will fall in line when we do. ~ Dr. Rick Wallace  

10 Foods that will Boost Male Health

Food for Men: 10 Foods to Boost Male Health

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Foods men should include in their diets to improve health and prevent disease.

By Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD/LD
WebMD Weight Loss Clinic- Expert Column

Men are different from women in all kinds of ways -- including their nutritional needs. Just as women need particular nutrients during pregnancy or for protection from breast cancer, men need nutrients that can help them maintain muscle mass, prevent prostate cancer, and more.

Many foods that tend to be favorites among men are not the best choices for good health. Yet a healthy diet and regular physical activity can help prevent heart disease and cancer, the No. 1 and No. 2 killers for men over 35. They can also enhance performance, from the board room to the bedroom.

Christine Gerbstadt, MD, RD, notes that any food that is good for the cardiovascular system is also good for erectile function in men.

"Nutrients that are good for the heart improve circulation to all parts of the body, and these same nutrients provide a layer of protection against cancer and other chronic diseases," says Gerbstadt, a Florida-based physician and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.

Quality nutrients are also critical for maintaining immune function and preventing bone loss, muscle loss, and oxidative damage from the environment, Of course, any one (or 10) foods can't do the job alone. An overall healthy lifestyle, which also includes not smoking and getting regular physical activity, is what's really important for health, say the experts.

"It is not about one single food or even a handful of foods. What is more important is the pattern of regularly consuming a diet rich in a variety of essential nutrients," says Joy Bauer, MS, RD, author of Joy Bauer's Food Cures and Today Show nutrition expert.

Still, adding nutrient-rich super foods to the diet, as well as taking a daily multivitamin designed exclusively for men (for nutritional insurance), can give men's nutrition a boost, says Dave Grotto, RD, an American Dietetic Association spokesman.

With the help of the experts, WebMD came up with this list of 10 disease-fighting foods that can be a good start to improving health:

Food for Men No. 1: Oysters

Could there be something to the legend that oysters are the food of love? Well, it's true that just a few oysters each day will deliver a full day's supply of the antioxidant mineral zinc. Zinc is involved in hundreds of body processes, from producing DNA to repairing cells.

"Research shows that adequate zinc may protect against cellular damage that leads to prostate cancer," says Grotto. "Sexual functioning of the male reproductive system, including increased sperm counts, is also enhanced with zinc."

You can also get your daily recommended dose of 11 milligrams a day by eating other shellfish, lean beef, lean pork, or legumes.

Food for Men No. 2: Bananas

Bananas are a great portable source of quick energy and are rich in potassium, which is needed to regulate nerves, heartbeat and, especially, blood pressure. Diets rich in potassium and magnesium (which is also found in bananas) can reduce the risk of stroke.

As a super source of vitamin B-6, bananas can also aid your immune system, help form red blood cells, ensure a well-functioning nervous system, and assist protein metabolism. So enjoy a banana each day, at breakfast on your whole grain-cereal or before your workout at the gym.

Not a banana fan? Orange juice, milk, tomato products, and beans are other good sources of dietary potassium.

Food for Men No. 3: Fatty Fish

No list of superfoods would be complete without the healthy fat, omega-3 fatty acids. These polyunsaturated fats are the preferred form of fats in your diet for many reasons. They can benefit the heart, circulation, and immune system and reduce the risk for prostate cancer, among other things.

"Omega-3 fatty acids are potent anti-inflammatory foods that can help lower triglyceride [blood fat] levels, reduce aches and pains in athletes, and offer relief with certain kinds of arthritis," says Bauer.

Fatty fish (salmon, sardines, tuna, mackerel, herring) are the richest sources of omega-3 fatty acids. In fact the American Heart Association recommends that everyone eat fish twice weekly.

You can also get omega-3s in plant-based foods, like flaxseed, walnuts, soy, canola oil, and fortified products such as eggs. But there are other good reasons to eat fish.

"Fatty fish are also a good source of vitamin D, a nutrient that tends to be deficient in our diets and [which] in adequate supply can help prevent cancer, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and bone disease," says Bauer.

Food for Men No. 4: Broccoli

While virtually all vegetables deserve a place on the superfoods list, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli are helpful in the prevention of heart disease and cancer. It's loaded with vitamin C, beta-carotene, potassium, and a phytochemical called sulphoraphane, which has strong anticancer (prostate and colon) properties.

A recent Harvard study found that participants who had five servings a week of cruciferious vegetables were half as likely as others to develop bladder cancer, a cancer that affects two to three times as many men as women. This super-nutritious green vegetable may also help lower levels of homocycteine, an amino acid associated with increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

Don't care for broccoli? Go for other cruciferous choices like cabbage, bok choy, shredded broccoli slaw, cabbage, cauliflower, or Brussels sprouts.

And did you ever wonder where the term "cruciferous" originates? "It is not because they are crunchy vegetables, but when the buds from this group of vegetables sprouts, their leaves form a cross like a crucifix," explains Denver dietitian Mary Lee Chin, MS, RD.

Food for Men No. 5: Brazil Nuts

These large nuts from Brazil are packed with magnesium and selenium, powerful antioxidants that may help prevent heart disease and cancer and protect prostate health. (Bauer, however, notes that the studies showing reduction in cancer have been primarily in people whose diets were deficient in selenium, not in those who were already getting enough.)

Selenium also helps lower LDL or "bad" cholesterol and reduces the incidence of blood clots and heart disease.

Grotto recommends adults get 55 micrograms of selenium daily from Brazil nuts, dry-roasted nuts, turkey, tuna, or shellfish. Indeed, you can get your daily dose of selenium in just one Brazil nut. In fact, Bauer cautions limiting yourself to no more than two Brazil nuts per day because "they are so loaded and concentrated with selenium that you don't want to overdose."

Food for Men No. 6: Whole Grains

Most men get enough carbs in their diets, but they tend to be the wrong kind, experts say.

"A diet rich in whole grains provides fiber, vitamins, minerals - all the co-factors for heart health, building muscles, and keeping waistlines small," says Gerbstadt.

She suggests trying whole grain pasta or quinoa, a trendy, not-so-whole-grain-tasting grain that's rich in lutein for prostate health.

Oatmeal and barley are rich in soluble fiber, full of B vitamins that can help lower LDL or "bad" cholesterol, and are also good for the prostate. Suzanne Farrell, RD, recommends getting 10-25 grams of soluble fiber a day from oatmeal or other sources of soluble fiber like apples, pears, and beans.

When buying grain products, look for those whose labels say they have at least 3-5 g fiber per serving.

To avoid digestive problems, increase your fiber intake gradually, and don't forget to drink plenty of water.

Food for Men No. 7: Plant Stanols

Stanols are naturally occurring substances in fruits and vegetables that have been shown to lower mildly elevated blood cholesterol levels. Manufacturers are now adding concentrated versions of them to products like margarine, yogurt, orange juice, and granola bars.

"Men should regularly include a total of 2 grams of plant stanols, taken in two doses with meals, to help inhibit absorption of cholesterol in the intestine," says Farrell.

She suggests having 2-3 teaspoons of plant stanol spreads such as Benecol, or 16 ounces of stanol-fortified orange juice per day. Plant stanols can safely be used with cholesterol lowering medication.

Food for Men No 8: Soybeans

Soy is rich in isoflavones, which protect prostate health and have been shown to lower prostate cancer risk, says Gerbstadt.

And "according to a recent study, eating 25 grams or about 1 ounce of soy protein a day can help decrease cholesterol," Farrell says.

The FDA has approved a health claim for food labels that says having 25 grams of soy protein per day, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, can help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Try to eat a few servings a day of soy products, such as soy nuts, soy milk, soy cheese, veggie burgers, tofu, or edamame.

Food for Men No 9: Berries or Cherries

The violet, blue, and red colors in all kinds of berries and cherries are responsible for the healthy properties of these fruits. These little jewels are chock-full of the health-protecting flavonoid, anthocyanin.

"Berries contain over 4,000 different compounds that have antioxidant properties beyond vitamin C, so make sure you include these delicious and low-calorie fruits to help meet your 5+ servings of fruits each day," says Gerbstadt.

Adding berries to the diet may even help slow the decline in brain function that can occur with aging.

"Large studies show the more produce you eat the better, but specifically berries (blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, and cherries) can enhance brain function and keep your brain healthy," says Bauer.

Food for Men No 10: Red-Orange Vegetables

Vitamin C and beta-carotene are antioxidants that help preserve healthy skin cells and prevent oxidation from the sun.

"Vitamin C is involved in collagen production," says Bauer. "Beta-carotene converts to the active form of vitamin A, which helps to repair epithelial or skin cells."

She recommends getting these nutrients from red bell peppers (just one has 300% of the recommended daily value for vitamin C), carrots, pumpkin, or sweet potatoes.

But for that matter, just about any vegetable should be on the list of top foods for men (and women). Dark, leafy greens and any nutrient-rich vegetable can help reduce the risk of enlarged prostates, according to a recent study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Men whose diets are high in nutrients found in vegetables -- like vitamin C, beta-carotene, and potassium - were found to be less likely to develop benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or enlarged prostate.

Originally Published Published June 8, 2007.

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SOURCES: David Grotto, RD, spokesman, American Dietetic Association. Christine Gerbstadt, MD, RD, spokeswoman, American Dietetic Association. Joy Bauer, MS, RD, author, Joy Bauer's Food Cures; Today Show nutrition expert. Mary Lee Chin, MS, RD; dietitian. Suzanne Farrell, MS, RD, owner, Cherry Creek Nutrition; spokeswoman, American Dietetic Association. Rohrmann, S., The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, February 2007; vol 85: pp 523-529. Journal of the Society of Experimental Biology and Medicine, February 2007.

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