Becoming a Man after God’s Own Heart in 2010!

Program developer Steve Bollman noted the importance of the King David story to the program: “The King David story was intentionally chosen as the basis for the first year of the program because it provides such hope. Here’s a man that committed adultery and had a man killed to hide his sin. Yet, he becomes the only man in Scripture to be ‘a man after God’s own heart.’ The story helps us to trust in God’s mercy. Wherever we’re at, God wants to take us to a better place.”

Following the King David story, the spring semester shifts to the second half of the story and focuses on becoming, “A Man after God’s own Heart.” This shift provides an ideal time for new participants to enter the program and begin with new material. Men will be challenged to develop a lived spirituality based on seven covenants which seek to avoid the temptations of Satan and then to immerse the soul in God according to the three orientations of the person – towards self, towards other people and towards God. These covenants help answer the question which men naturally ask at the end of the fall semester: “Now what am I to do?” It helps give direction to “becoming a man after God’s own heart.”

Past participants have noted that the spring semester is the perfect program for Lent when we follow Christ to Calvary and to Resurrection. The ultimate goal of the program is to provide men with the opportunity to encounter Jesus Christ. It is Christ that helps us to die to whatever prevents us from experiencing the joy of union with God. He helps us to truly become men capable of transforming our families and society. As Program Coordinator Mark Hartfiel simply stated: “Without him we can do nothing (Cf. John 15:4).”

The end of one year and the beginning of another comes with celebrations, reflections, new goals, and the famous New Year’s resolutions. When it’s all said and done there is nothing greater we could do in 2010 than to “Become a Man after God’s Own Heart.” We have a great opportunity before us!