The MOA- Men of Accountability
Since the retreat we have formed a group of three men whom are dedicated to keeping each other accountable. I have named our group MOA. Its an off shoot of SOA Sons of Anarchy. MOA also is a sniper/rifleman term having to do with minute units of measures when precision shooting. A minute of angle is a one inch for every 100 yards. If your shot is off a slight change in ones optics and scope can align the sights to hit the desired target. I liken the MOA to be the precise measurement that God uses in our lives to correct our behavior/actions/and lives. The MOA from an accountability standpoint is also that measurement angle that we as men correct and/or convict ourselves to be truly Men of God.
Our group is not revolutionary by any means. In fact God directs us in the Bible several times to hold each other accountable. Although from a personal standpoint it IS revolutionary in MY life as I have been transformed and these men are a huge part of it. God is great in so many ways.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Things you may not know about me FB
THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT ME... A FB exercise
1. I was raised by a single mother who worked full-time and went to night school to work on her law degree when my dad died.
2. By the time I was 10y/o, my baby brother had been killed in my driveway, my father was killed riding his motorcycle, grandma and grandpa died and my mom's uncle had died. Guess that's why I became a medic to try to save people.
3. Although not raised in the church my mom never kept me from it and I always knew "something" above was guiding me.
4. God placed Ryan in my life for a reason. Some I know, some I have yet to find out. But His work will only be done with us together.
5. I graduated SGHS with a 1.87 GPA. But when I put myself through college while working full time as a paramedic I maintained a 3.5 min GPA. (Probably because it was interesting)
6. I have never used illicit drugs and rarely if ever drink to drunkenness. (Its a control thing)
7. After my accident in 2002 I have many deficits. Some I conceal, some I cope with and adapt to and some I am I embarrassed I can not change.
I know I am the man I am today because of he values and ethics my mom and brother instilled in me. I also know that for everything I think "I" have done in this life, it has been God who has been working through me to accomplish those things. I had forgotten that for a while.
1. I was raised by a single mother who worked full-time and went to night school to work on her law degree when my dad died.
2. By the time I was 10y/o, my baby brother had been killed in my driveway, my father was killed riding his motorcycle, grandma and grandpa died and my mom's uncle had died. Guess that's why I became a medic to try to save people.
3. Although not raised in the church my mom never kept me from it and I always knew "something" above was guiding me.
4. God placed Ryan in my life for a reason. Some I know, some I have yet to find out. But His work will only be done with us together.
5. I graduated SGHS with a 1.87 GPA. But when I put myself through college while working full time as a paramedic I maintained a 3.5 min GPA. (Probably because it was interesting)
6. I have never used illicit drugs and rarely if ever drink to drunkenness. (Its a control thing)
7. After my accident in 2002 I have many deficits. Some I conceal, some I cope with and adapt to and some I am I embarrassed I can not change.
I know I am the man I am today because of he values and ethics my mom and brother instilled in me. I also know that for everything I think "I" have done in this life, it has been God who has been working through me to accomplish those things. I had forgotten that for a while.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
I'm on my knees
In October, I attended the Men's Retreat. What an amazing experience. We had just finished worship and singing "Stronger" by Hillsong. The lyrics broke me...I was weeping like a child. I felt, heard, sung and yelled the lyrics "Humbled to a sinner's cross.You broke my shame and sinfulness. You rose again victorious"... I could feel deeply that HE was working in me. I have never felt that kind of connection with God. Not when I was on fire for Him early in my walk. Not when I was baptized. HE was IN me. Then the chorus. I begin to sing louder and louder in praise until my voice begins to crack because I am crying painfully for my sins. I sing "You are stronger, you are stronger. Sin is broken. You have saved me." HE broke me. And it was okay. HE was telling me "I got this. I forgive you. Forgive yourself." The lyrics to this song opened me up so much and I was so relieved... I cannot wordsmith the relief I felt.
We then immediately split up into smaller groups of 3-4 men to share and open up with each other. I compose myself so as not to cry ifo the guys. Then Pastor Aaron sits in our group. UGH!!! I sit next time on Sundays as part of his safety ministry to provide protection for him. I am supposed to be a tough guy cop, and I'm crying. But it's ok. we each share and pray with and for each other. What a powerful experience to pray together sincerely and intimately.
In another service we take the time to have quiet time with God and we fall to our knees. I am on my knees!!! Speaking, listening and BEing with God. How humbling, how powerful, how amazing. HE Broke me! I had always felt I served God. But I had never fell to my knees and humbled myself to that degree where I truly served HIM. I guess I was always serving me and then HIM with what was left over. Not any more...
So I connect with two other guys who have similar struggles and and we become MOA. Men of Accountability for each other. We confess to each other our struggles later that night. I confide in them sins I have borne. And they share their sins with me. We each pledge to be with each other down the hill to hold each other accountable and keep each other from distractions and focused on God's will for us.
I have had temptations. I have battled and I have won. Each day is battle. But with HIM I can do all things. I have been reading in the word daily for 72 days now... Daily scripture devotional. It has been very good for me in my life. I can see the changes. God is great and I am thankful for the men HE has put into my life to keep me accountable.
We then immediately split up into smaller groups of 3-4 men to share and open up with each other. I compose myself so as not to cry ifo the guys. Then Pastor Aaron sits in our group. UGH!!! I sit next time on Sundays as part of his safety ministry to provide protection for him. I am supposed to be a tough guy cop, and I'm crying. But it's ok. we each share and pray with and for each other. What a powerful experience to pray together sincerely and intimately.
In another service we take the time to have quiet time with God and we fall to our knees. I am on my knees!!! Speaking, listening and BEing with God. How humbling, how powerful, how amazing. HE Broke me! I had always felt I served God. But I had never fell to my knees and humbled myself to that degree where I truly served HIM. I guess I was always serving me and then HIM with what was left over. Not any more...
So I connect with two other guys who have similar struggles and and we become MOA. Men of Accountability for each other. We confess to each other our struggles later that night. I confide in them sins I have borne. And they share their sins with me. We each pledge to be with each other down the hill to hold each other accountable and keep each other from distractions and focused on God's will for us.
I have had temptations. I have battled and I have won. Each day is battle. But with HIM I can do all things. I have been reading in the word daily for 72 days now... Daily scripture devotional. It has been very good for me in my life. I can see the changes. God is great and I am thankful for the men HE has put into my life to keep me accountable.
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