Comments on: Encouraging Boys to Manhood http://ylcf.org/2006/04/encouraging-boys-to-manhood/ YLCF Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:52:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Adrian C. Keister http://ylcf.org/2006/04/encouraging-boys-to-manhood/#comment-1096 Adrian C. Keister Tue, 18 Apr 2006 15:20:00 +0000 http://ylcf.org/wordpress/2006/04/encouraging-boys-to-manhood/#comment-1096 I agree that women have this power to influence men greatly, and I fully agree that they should use it to the glory of God. However, I would caution against two things.<br/><br/>One is this: if a man who has watched you and observed your kind and gracious ways still goes out and does not behave like a gentleman, you must not be hard on yourself. That is related to the second:<br/><br/>You cannot <i>expect</i> the man to change under your minstrations. Remember: only the Holy Spirit ultimately changes hearts. He may very well, and often does, work through you ladies (and bless you for it!), but do not presume on the Spirit to work. In Lewis's words, "He's not a tame lion." <br/><br/>God bless you. I agree that women have this power to influence men greatly, and I fully agree that they should use it to the glory of God. However, I would caution against two things.

One is this: if a man who has watched you and observed your kind and gracious ways still goes out and does not behave like a gentleman, you must not be hard on yourself. That is related to the second:

You cannot expect the man to change under your minstrations. Remember: only the Holy Spirit ultimately changes hearts. He may very well, and often does, work through you ladies (and bless you for it!), but do not presume on the Spirit to work. In Lewis’s words, “He’s not a tame lion.”

God bless you.

]]> By: Emily http://ylcf.org/2006/04/encouraging-boys-to-manhood/#comment-1035 Emily Sun, 16 Apr 2006 00:43:00 +0000 http://ylcf.org/wordpress/2006/04/encouraging-boys-to-manhood/#comment-1035 Thanks for the reminder to maintain lady-like behavior at all times, if possible. Especially when they tease! In the whirl of college life, it's sometimes very trying for this girl to properly handle the banter of young men who do not share a common faith. How can we show them a loving example of Christ-like humility if one responds with a sharp tongue instead of a "meek and quiet" spirit? Thank you again and again-you've helped me to rekindle my *natural, but momentarily misplaced* serenity and rediscover the benefits of forbearance with "them". Thanks for the reminder to maintain lady-like behavior at all times, if possible. Especially when they tease! In the whirl of college life, it’s sometimes very trying for this girl to properly handle the banter of young men who do not share a common faith. How can we show them a loving example of Christ-like humility if one responds with a sharp tongue instead of a “meek and quiet” spirit? Thank you again and again-you’ve helped me to rekindle my *natural, but momentarily misplaced* serenity and rediscover the benefits of forbearance with “them”.

]]> By: Anonymous http://ylcf.org/2006/04/encouraging-boys-to-manhood/#comment-1029 Anonymous Sat, 15 Apr 2006 17:22:00 +0000 http://ylcf.org/wordpress/2006/04/encouraging-boys-to-manhood/#comment-1029 Sarah, I enjoyed reading your post. It's so wonderful how everyone has a different love language, but it's also quite challenging to love people in ways that they understand and appreciate the most.-Whitney Sarah, I enjoyed reading your post. It’s so wonderful how everyone has a different love language, but it’s also quite challenging to love people in ways that they understand and appreciate the most.-Whitney

]]> By: Anonymous http://ylcf.org/2006/04/encouraging-boys-to-manhood/#comment-1028 Anonymous Sat, 15 Apr 2006 17:17:00 +0000 http://ylcf.org/wordpress/2006/04/encouraging-boys-to-manhood/#comment-1028 Another great post on the YLCF...:)Really, I don't think there is a single YLCF post that I DON'T like;D... Thanks for writing this one, Gretchen!:) Though I don't have any brothers, this post has given me more insight into how I can bless the boys and men that I come into contact with (as well as those that will come into my life in the future)...<br/>-Whitney Another great post on the YLCF…:)Really, I don’t think there is a single YLCF post that I DON’T like;D… Thanks for writing this one, Gretchen!:) Though I don’t have any brothers, this post has given me more insight into how I can bless the boys and men that I come into contact with (as well as those that will come into my life in the future)…
-Whitney

]]> By: BrmSort http://ylcf.org/2006/04/encouraging-boys-to-manhood/#comment-1007 BrmSort Fri, 14 Apr 2006 20:22:00 +0000 http://ylcf.org/wordpress/2006/04/encouraging-boys-to-manhood/#comment-1007 As a guy, I can attest that you women have a great influence on our lives -- spiritual, emotional, and mental. <br/>The influence is almost scary in its power. You can lead a man closer to God or tear him away. Realize that power and use it to God's glory. As a guy, I can attest that you women have a great influence on our lives — spiritual, emotional, and mental.
The influence is almost scary in its power. You can lead a man closer to God or tear him away. Realize that power and use it to God’s glory.

]]> By: Anonymous http://ylcf.org/2006/04/encouraging-boys-to-manhood/#comment-1005 Anonymous Fri, 14 Apr 2006 19:33:00 +0000 http://ylcf.org/wordpress/2006/04/encouraging-boys-to-manhood/#comment-1005 Thank you for reminding us of this, we do have a great responsibility to show the men in our lives the respect they deserve and help them to grow into biblical manhood. <br/><br/>I have four brothers, two older and two younger and my older brothers have helped me to become a more godly young woman, I think, by the respect and encouragement they have given me while I was growing up. But, I still need to continue to help my younger brothers to become men of God by respecting them (which looks different than with my older brothers), and showing them an example of a woman who seeks the Lord.<br/>We really do have a lot more influence upon the men in our lives then we often think.<br/><br/>Gretchen, is your fiance building your house near where his parents live in Washington, or in Oregon? If it is near Leavenworth, that is a beautiful area.<br/><br/>Bethany Thank you for reminding us of this, we do have a great responsibility to show the men in our lives the respect they deserve and help them to grow into biblical manhood.

I have four brothers, two older and two younger and my older brothers have helped me to become a more godly young woman, I think, by the respect and encouragement they have given me while I was growing up. But, I still need to continue to help my younger brothers to become men of God by respecting them (which looks different than with my older brothers), and showing them an example of a woman who seeks the Lord.
We really do have a lot more influence upon the men in our lives then we often think.

Gretchen, is your fiance building your house near where his parents live in Washington, or in Oregon? If it is near Leavenworth, that is a beautiful area.

Bethany

]]> By: Rebecca S http://ylcf.org/2006/04/encouraging-boys-to-manhood/#comment-999 Rebecca S Fri, 14 Apr 2006 17:44:00 +0000 http://ylcf.org/wordpress/2006/04/encouraging-boys-to-manhood/#comment-999 I wonder if this doesn't also apply to us as girls. Are we only as feminine and sweet as is expected of us by the men in our lives? It seems like it would be so. I'm trying not to be so easily influenced. If my brother treats me like "one of the guys" (he doesn't):-) maybe I should try hard not to fit into that category. Regardless of the way I'm treated. Isn't it ultimately my responsiblity how I act? <br/><br/>Anyway, I loved the post. I will definitely be putting these thoughts into practice. <br/>*smile* I wonder if this doesn’t also apply to us as girls. Are we only as feminine and sweet as is expected of us by the men in our lives? It seems like it would be so. I’m trying not to be so easily influenced. If my brother treats me like “one of the guys” (he doesn’t):-) maybe I should try hard not to fit into that category. Regardless of the way I’m treated. Isn’t it ultimately my responsiblity how I act?

Anyway, I loved the post. I will definitely be putting these thoughts into practice.
*smile*

]]> By: sarah http://ylcf.org/2006/04/encouraging-boys-to-manhood/#comment-998 sarah Fri, 14 Apr 2006 17:28:00 +0000 http://ylcf.org/wordpress/2006/04/encouraging-boys-to-manhood/#comment-998 I read the article on how to treat men in our lives, and I linked from there to your "personalities" section. I already knew I was balanced precariously somewhere between an ENTJ and an ENFJ. Now I have figured out that I am Sanguine, and my primary love language is "Acts of Service." How about that? A person learns something new every day. :)<br/><br/>I have been discovering since I arrived home this semester just how much influence I can have on my brothers. A simple compliment is enough to give one a beaming smile and a willing jump to open the door for his sisters. (Ha! He must be "Words of Affirmation!") The other younger brother sits and works at his computer for hours, then gets up and starts to wander around looking for a hug. Once he gets one from someone, he sits back down and works some more. If people don't hug him enough, he starts to lapse into melancholy.<br/><br/>People are just plain a wonderful creation! I read the article on how to treat men in our lives, and I linked from there to your “personalities” section. I already knew I was balanced precariously somewhere between an ENTJ and an ENFJ. Now I have figured out that I am Sanguine, and my primary love language is “Acts of Service.” How about that? A person learns something new every day. :)

I have been discovering since I arrived home this semester just how much influence I can have on my brothers. A simple compliment is enough to give one a beaming smile and a willing jump to open the door for his sisters. (Ha! He must be “Words of Affirmation!”) The other younger brother sits and works at his computer for hours, then gets up and starts to wander around looking for a hug. Once he gets one from someone, he sits back down and works some more. If people don’t hug him enough, he starts to lapse into melancholy.

People are just plain a wonderful creation!

]]> By: Anonymous http://ylcf.org/2006/04/encouraging-boys-to-manhood/#comment-997 Anonymous Fri, 14 Apr 2006 17:12:00 +0000 http://ylcf.org/wordpress/2006/04/encouraging-boys-to-manhood/#comment-997 That's a mind turner!<br/>What a responsibility we've been given and how exactly are we using it! We are the women in our brothers/friends/boy down the street who sees fetch the paper you every morning etc. lives, what are we showing them?!?! That’s a mind turner!
What a responsibility we’ve been given and how exactly are we using it! We are the women in our brothers/friends/boy down the street who sees fetch the paper you every morning etc. lives, what are we showing them?!?!

]]> By: Anna Naomi http://ylcf.org/2006/04/encouraging-boys-to-manhood/#comment-996 Anna Naomi Fri, 14 Apr 2006 17:10:00 +0000 http://ylcf.org/wordpress/2006/04/encouraging-boys-to-manhood/#comment-996 Excellent and challenging post! It is amazing what power we girls have, without even realizing it. Thank you so much for running this website. It has been a great encouragement to me. Excellent and challenging post! It is amazing what power we girls have, without even realizing it. Thank you so much for running this website. It has been a great encouragement to me.

]]> By: Rachelle http://ylcf.org/2006/04/encouraging-boys-to-manhood/#comment-994 Rachelle Fri, 14 Apr 2006 17:04:00 +0000 http://ylcf.org/wordpress/2006/04/encouraging-boys-to-manhood/#comment-994 Wow, I've never even thought of that! What an awesome responsibility us sisters have been given, one which we are sometimes not even aware of or don't take seriously! Let us all be granted that Christ-like cloak of compassion, gentleness, kindness and love so that we may be an example to the men and boys in our lives.<br/>Incredible post, Gretchen. <br/>I will really take this to heart.<br/>Thank you,<br/>Rachelle Wow, I’ve never even thought of that! What an awesome responsibility us sisters have been given, one which we are sometimes not even aware of or don’t take seriously! Let us all be granted that Christ-like cloak of compassion, gentleness, kindness and love so that we may be an example to the men and boys in our lives.
Incredible post, Gretchen.
I will really take this to heart.
Thank you,
Rachelle

]]> By: Anonymous http://ylcf.org/2006/04/encouraging-boys-to-manhood/#comment-992 Anonymous Fri, 14 Apr 2006 16:12:00 +0000 http://ylcf.org/wordpress/2006/04/encouraging-boys-to-manhood/#comment-992 Good reminder. . .brothers are special gifts to us! I was convicted by your post! <br/><br/>Thank you! Good reminder. . .brothers are special gifts to us! I was convicted by your post!

Thank you!

]]> By: Kelci http://ylcf.org/2006/04/encouraging-boys-to-manhood/#comment-986 Kelci Fri, 14 Apr 2006 14:48:00 +0000 http://ylcf.org/wordpress/2006/04/encouraging-boys-to-manhood/#comment-986 Awesome Job...well said, and thank you for responding! Gretchen I love reading your comments and articles...thank you for being willing to serve the Lord by helping keep this website up and going! Blessings, Kelci Awesome Job…well said, and thank you for responding! Gretchen I love reading your comments and articles…thank you for being willing to serve the Lord by helping keep this website up and going! Blessings, Kelci

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