Over the years, I have studied this topic constantly, written about it on many occasions, and even preached a sermon on it once. But this last week, a great friend asked me to give it another shot and write a letter as a part of his son’s fifteenth birthday “welcome to manhood” celebration. As it […]
Theology
God The Potter
An illustration by Omar & Bonnie Bravo that explores our relationship with God by interpreting the metaphor of “God the Potter” as it is found in the Bible. Share What’s Good! [Video Presentation – Length: 21:33] Transcript: Metaphors, Illustrations, and Parables are used throughout the Bible in order to communicate complex ideas into meaningful, […]
38 Backers, 19%
By the world’s standards, the Journey Notes’ Kickstarter project was a complete failure. With only 38 backers and 19% of the budget raised, it easily falls into the category of “not even close”. Fortunately, I don’t exactly see eye to eye with the world and her views. Or more accurately said, I choose not to. […]
Give Hope
The story of Jesus Christ is the greatest story ever. It is a story of humble man, who came from humble beginnings, and rose to great fame at the opposition of the ruling class. It is a story of man who willingly and sacrificially gave his own life so that the lives of his best […]
Expectations of My Spouse
Before Bonnie and I got married (4/4/2009), we went to a few pre-marital counseling sessions at the direction of our church. One of our assignments was to individually write a list of “What We Expected of Our Spouse” and then share it during one of counseling sessions… Fortunately, everything matched up. :) Even so, we […]
Faith vs. Fact
Faith – A belief in something that has not been proven. (example: God created the universe.) Fact – An inescapable truth that can be repeatability proven, beyond a shadow of a doubt. (example: 2 + 2 = 4) In the debate of theology vs. science (which I don’t believe to be mutually exclusive), participants on […]
Christian Rhetoric
Towards the end of a recent Sunday Church Service, our Pastor gave an impassioned speech for the entire congregation to “be bold in their faith and stand up for what they believe.” As he was reaching the crescendo of this call to arms, a number of manly sounding “yeahs” and “amens” could be heard responding. […]
Daily Bread
I used to worry about money alot. Not that I don’t ever worry about money anymore, but not nearly as much as I used to. In the past, my obsession (or worry) about my finances was a legitimate problem. The weird thing was that it had absolutely no correlation to the “amount” of money I […]
God’s Will for My Life
We’ve all heard the statement so many times (and even uttered it a few times ourselves): “I just want to know God’s Will for my life…” – followed by a resolute pledge to immediately execute His instructions, if we knew them – “so I could just move forward and do it!” Fortunate for us, God […]
The Original Super Hero
While speaking to a group of high school students on a mission trip in Costa Rica, I posed this question to the group: “According to American Society, what defines a REAL MAN?” Immediately, hands shot up and the students (both guys and girls) started shouting answers like “a nice car”, “a big house”, “a boat”, […]
Jesus Loves Gay People
One of the most controversial issues in American Society today is the the issue of Gay Marriage. Generally, the media characterizes the debate as Republican vs. Democrat, Conservative vs. Liberal, and Christian vs. Non-Christian. Unfortunately, like most all generalizations, the lines are just not that clear cut… As a “follower of Jesus Christ”, I tend […]
Husbands: Love Your Wives
One of the most misused verses in the entire Bible comes to us from the Book of Ephesians, Chapter 5:22-24… Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now […]
Project 50 / 50
Several years ago, while contemplating the idea of leaving my successful corporate career to pursuit a life of service in the mission field / non-profit business sector, I found myself running into the same circular argument over and over again: Do I want to help others because it makes me feel good, or do I […]
Mission 50/50
Mission 50/50 is a lifelong faith journey and life ministry to love our neighbors AS ourselves. Several years ago, while contemplating the idea of leaving my successful corporate career to pursuit a life of service in the mission field / non-profit business sector, I found myself running into the same circular argument over and over […]
Got A Better Story (Letter to Donald Miller)
Dear Mr. Miller, My name is Omar Jesus Bravo and I am writing you to say thanks… For inspiring me to “get a better story”, follow Jesus Christ whole-heartedly, and live a “page-turner” life! It all started in February of 2007 when I saw you speak at the Fusion / Right Now Conference in Orlando, […]
Free Milk (Living Together Before Marriage)
“Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?” I’ve heard this phrase a thousand times, as I’m sure you have too… Always from males, in reference to females, with regards to sex and marriage. From a business perspective, the statement makes perfect sense. Even so, I don’t think I’ve ever met […]
The Super Hero In You
The flagship article of Real Men Defined is The Original Super Hero as it is displayed on the homepage. Thus, as Jesus Christ is the Original Super Hero, it only makes sense that we each have a Super Hero inside of us… Right? Again, Jesus is a Super Hero, we have the Holy Spirit in us, thus […]
Believing vs. Following
For the first 26 years of my life, I was a believer in Jesus Christ. I went to church every Sunday, I completed all of my sacraments (having grown up in the Catholic church), and I even spoke to God regularly (but mostly, if not entirely, when I was in need of something)… There was […]
Stop Going To Church
A close friend of mine once told me “Sunday Morning Service is like a Pep-Rally for the Big Game of Life that takes place Monday thru Saturday”. I couldn’t agree with this more… For “church” is not something that happens on “Sunday Morning”. Neither is “church” a building, a ceremony, nor an event. The “church” […]
John 3:17 – Jesus Saves
It seems that the most quoted, most popular, and most celebrated verse in the Bible is John 3:16… “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” So popular is this verse that it can often be found […]
The Rhino Crash
The following was adapted from the book “The Barbarian Way” by Erwin McManus: It’s a swarm of bees and a colony of ants. A pod of whales, a school of fish, a flock of birds. But wait, they get better: A pride of lions, an ambush of tigers, a committee of buzzards, and a flamboyant […]
Where Have All The Real Men Gone?
There is a stereotype in American Society that Men have gotten soft. Gone are the days of generations pasts, where “Father Knows Best” and “Ward Cleaver” stood tall. The prominent male figures in present media are known more for their athletic triumphs and off-the-field antics than they are for their values and integrity. If it’s […]
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