As I unlocked the Deck Barn on the  Southland I was singing Tony’s praises. He had come by the night before and remembered to turn on the heat. It was cold enough to see your breath outside but the meeting space was warm, and the coffee was hot and strong. The men meeting that day had gotten up early. Driven in the dark and gathered for the purpose of putting Christ first. First in our hearts, and that means, on this day, first thing in the morning. 

 

We all found seats around the table that had been set up, again, not by elves, but our unsung hero Tony. We did a quick intro, names, hometown, and a tidbit. I forget that not everyone knows everyone else. It was good that David was running the show, I might have jumped into things too quickly. The point of the Brothers in Faith is not just another men’s group. It's a commitment. An endeavor to attack two problems, maybe the two biggest in a man’s life: first, that Jesus can slip down the list of priorities in our lives. We know He should be first but how do we live that out? Second, as men we tend to lose connections with other men. Sure we have work buddies and sports buddies. The studies say that we don’t have a deep connection, as modern Americans, but even more so, as men. 

 

The study was on Screw tape letters, a book by C. S. Lewis, an atheist turned Christian. The book is entertaining and none of us have to do any reading ahead of time. David has come over from another men’s group to set this one up. This is the model Paul used with Timothy. Don’t just say that there should be a group of Christians and hope it happens but put your own skin in the game. David is walking us through this book in hopes that other men, in our congregation or not, will have what he has: a deeper relationship with the LORD and men in his life who actually care. That’s why I’m there. To put some weight behind all this. 

 

I’ll admit 7am is early. But it’s worth it. Maybe we’ll change the time of day or day of the week that fits better with the guys who show up. But for now meeting the challenge brings real meaning. You know there’s something special about waking up early to meet. It shows I want to meet the LORD, not just go through the motions. It means the other guys there are on the same page as me. That feels good, somehow. It feels holy. 

 

Come, you men of Christ. Meet on the Southland at 7am this Thursday. Bring Jesus into your life. Make a commitment to grow with Him and others. Don’t worry about buying a book or knowing the bible. That’ll all work itself out. Just bring yourself. I’ll bring the coffee.