Most men don't have a faith problem. They have a follow through problem.
Scripture of the Week
James 2:17. "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
This one matters this week because it kills the excuse. You can't file "I believe" under done and move on. Belief that doesn't move is just an opinion about God.
This Week's Big Idea
James doesn't soften it. A man who says "God bless you, stay warm" to someone who's cold and hungry, and does nothing else, hasn't loved that person. He's said words that sound religious and done nothing that costs him anything.
That's the test. Not "do you believe the right things." It's "has your faith required anything of you lately." Your money. Your time. Your attention. The way you treat someone who can't do a thing for you in return.
If the honest answer is nothing, that's not a minor faith. James doesn't call it weak or immature. He calls it dead.
Podcast Recap: Mistakes I Made (So You Don't Have To)
This week Paul went solo, and it might be the most honest episode yet. No guest to hide behind, just Paul telling his younger self what he wishes someone had told him.
Two moments worth your drive time. First, "courage comes before confidence." Not the other way around. You don't wait to feel ready to apologize to your wife or start the hard thing. You go first, scared, and the confidence shows up after.
Second, the line on marriage: love starts it, but friendship is what carries it through the seasons that aren't easy. If you've ever wondered why the spark isn't enough some years, that's your answer.
There are five total, and the one on wasted seasons alone is worth the listen. Catch the full episode here: FULL EPISODE. Don’t forget to subscribe and share.
Resource of the Week
Stand Firm, Act Like Men by Joby Martin. If James 2:17 stepped on your toes today, this book will keep stepping. It's not a comfortable read. It's a needed one.
This Week's Challenge
Do one thing today that your faith demands and your comfort resists. A financial gift. A hard conversation you've been avoiding. Showing up for someone at a cost to you. Don't journal about it. Do it.
Sit with this first: what has your faith actually required of you lately? If nothing comes to mind, that's your answer too.
Community Update
We're getting closer to launching an accountability program run by Richie Lord, one of our original Brotherhood Forged members. No launch date locked in yet, but it's coming soon. Keep an eye out, this one's going to matter.
We are also rebranding the Friday call to being a “community led” call where Joey and Paul can focus on other things Brotherhood Forged related. We will continue to evolve as our number grows. Growing does not happen without our guys sharing what Brotherhood Forged has done for them. We’d appreciate sharing this newsletter with everyone you know too.
A Note from Joey
Dead faith doesn't announce itself. It just sits there, comfortable, unbothered, and calls itself belief. I don't want that for you and I don't want it for me. Let's make this week cost us something.
Know a man who needs this? Forward it. That's how Brotherhood Forged grows, one man at a time.
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If you are interested in joining our community, check us out at Brotherhoodforged.com The link is at the top of our page, we’d love to have you join us full time.