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Maximum Man – Maximum Change

A book that is required for all commander is Maximized Manhood by Dr. Edwin Louis Cole.  It should be on the lists of every man and by the way that’s any male over the age of 18.  It’s a book that I’ve gone through twice and will probably read every couple of years.  There is a great story in the book and it goes like this.

In the back room of a funeral parlor, a widow came to view her late husband’s body before the funeral was to begin. She was shocked to discover, however, that the mortician had put someone else’s suit on her husband’s body. Looking around, she realized that the man in the next casket was in fact wearing her husband’s suit. More grief-stricken than ever, she called the mortician over to the casket and tearfully pointed out the problem. He promptly acted to correct the situation. “Harry!” he shouted to one of his assistants. “Switch the heads on two and three!” Horrible, but you’ll never forget it. And, it illustrates something else that I don’t want you ever to forget. Change always comes from the top. If it doesn’t, it will come from revolution at the bottom.

Cole, Edwin Louis. Maximized Manhood (Kindle Locations 1385-1396). God’s House of Prayer, Incorporated. Kindle Edition.

If change starts at the top then, sir, take a hard look in the mirror.  If you want great things for your marriage and your family, then you have to change.  The new year is always the time of the year that we are most receptive to change so why not start the year with a new you.

There are two things that I have struggled with when it comes to change:  1. Blame don’t change.  2. We judge others by their actions, we judge ourselves with our intentions.

Four Change Steps

Repent

Man covers up, God uncovers.  Man whitewashes, God washes white.  You have go to come face to face with those sins in your life that are chaining you down.  Unburden yourself by repenting and allowing God to separate you from them.

Take Responsibility

If you’ve never been willing to accept responsibility for your sins, and ask forgiveness, you can never know true manhood.

Cole, Edwin Louis. Maximized Manhood (Kindle Locations 713-715). God’s House of Prayer, Incorporated. Kindle Edition.

I have known may leaders in my day and nothing shows true leadership then when a leader takes full responsibility for wrong.

Appreciate don’t Depreciate

Just like an asset your wife can depreciate.  The way you love and respect her can either appreciate your relationship with her or depreciate it.  Appreciating is a careful thoughtful and deliberate act.  Unfortunately, depreciating your wife is careless, thoughtless and usually come naturally.

Toughness not Roughness

As the leader of your family you’re the coach.  Stop running them over with the bus and help them get on the bus.  It is certainly necessary to be tough but it’s never ok to be rough.  The commendation must balance the correction.  When it is time to be tough and correct you will be amazed how much more receptive your kids will be if you have built your relationship up with recognition and properly place praise.

Being willing to change to become all that God made you to be isn’t easy but the rewards are nothing short of a promise land experience.  If any of these ideas resonate with your make sure you pick up Dr. Cole’s book Maximized Manhood.