REAL Man’s Toolbox
Bring your best in an ‘age of outrage’ Stetzer takes us on a journey of discovery that By Leo Hellyer ends with a lifestyle we are called to live out in all Living life as a Christian man in 2020 is a very facets of our life, being Christ-like in all we do. Most complicated proposition. As men, many of us try to Christians know that we are to be Christ-like, but live life in our individual circle of family, co-workers, doing so, especially while facing emotions, pride, and friends, and as much as we can, block out the personal attacks, patriotism, etc., becomes very majority of the societal dysfunction that surrounds problematic. us. With us being in an election year, all of this Outrage has the tendency to breed more outrage. dysfunction is magnified exponentially. During an In his book, Stetzer presents us with alternatives to election year, it seems that a lot of the gray areas the outrage. If we will immerse ourselves with Scripthat blend society together disappear, and all we ture and Christ-like living, we will be able to weather hear are the extremes our polar opposite political the outrage around us and bring stability back from parties present. Regardless of how hard we try to instability. If we will get to the point in our Christian not get drawn into the fray, many times we are there walk where we live by the Holy Spirit within us, we before we know it. will be able to respond to the outrage around us in As Christian men we need to be a stabilizing influa manner that can extinguish the outrage and ignite ence in our society. We need to be a breath of fresh a firestorm of love, compassion, consideration, and Leo Hellyer air in the din that surrounds us. We need to bring cooperation. reason to the unreasonable conflict and discourse At the end of the book, Stetzer challenges all of those who read his that is present. As I examined for myself how I should proceed to book by saying, “Put down this book and go into the age of outrage. build up, instead of tear apart, this great nation and our governmenLeave behind angry nationalism. Leave behind political excuses. tal structure that was built upon Christian foundations, I found a Leave behind unloving tribalism. Leave behind prideful Facebook book that very eloquently speaks directly to this issue. posts and endless arguments... Embrace your responsibility as a misI believe that any Christian can benefit from reading this book. Ed sionary of grace to those around you, seeing your local community Stetzer is a distinguished Christian author who addresses how we are as a mission field to which God calls His church. You have the Holy to ‘bring our best’ as we live our lives. The book’s title is very descrip- Spirit inside you to live on mission. In a world at its worst, live out tive of its contents: “Christians in the Age of Outrage — How to your calling to be a Christian at your best in the age of outrage.” Bring Our Best When the World Is at Its Worst.” Published in 2018, This ending is very profound. As Christians, many times we soak the book is a great resource for living as a Christian at this time in up the great teachings, readings, singing, and prayers that we hear, history. and rejoice within ourselves. However, to be the most effective in our Christian walk, we need to do as Stetzer says — we need to take all that God has given to us and boldly leave the four walls of our “As Christian men we need to be a churches and homes and enter the age of outrage with godly love. We have the answers to the shortcomings of the society we live in. stabilizing influence in our society. We have the power to overcome the divisiveness around us. Societies We need to be a breath of fresh air are not healed by politics and elections. Societies are healed when God-fearing believers get up, get out, and become soldiers of the in the din that surrounds us.” Lord in the battle for the souls of the people. As Christians, we are ineffective until we hit the streets and share the truth, power, and In the book’s introduction, we read, “This is a book about outrage. love of Christ. This is what it looks like to Bring Our Best When The It’s an acknowledgement that our world, or at least our part of it, World Is At Its Worst. God bless you as you put feet to your faith. n seems awash in anger, division, and hostility. Outrage is all around, so we have to decide how to walk through this. We are living in a day — Leo Hellyer is a non-staff pastor with a local church and has been married to his wife Norma for more than 45 years. The couple volunteered with the Boise and this is indeed our moment — when we need to live like Christ, FamilyLife Ministry Team for 20 years. They are both employed by Boise Rescue as gospel Christians in the midst of shouting, anger, and hatred. And Mission Ministries, Norma at City Light Home for Women & Children and Leo it’s going to get worse... What do we do when the anger becomes too at River of Life Rescue Mission. Leo is also the President and Chief Firearms much? How do we know when righteous anger has made the turn Instructor with Helping Hands Firearms Training LLC. If you have questions into unbridled outrage? These questions do not have easy answers, about Real Man’s Toolbox, or need other assistance, Leo may be reached at silverbut they deserve our consideration if we want to be faithful disciples plate426@msn.com or 208-340-5544. of Christ.”
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14 March / April 2020 | Christian Living
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