Over the past few years we’ve seen the rise and rise of the email newsletter. Personally I’d prefer that more of these were blogs that had RSS feeds but I understand the economics. They’ve become a way of talented people earning some income through people paying for a subscription for their work. I have a mix of free & paid newsletters that I subscribe to that provides me with a steady flow of thought provoking comment, expertise, wisdom & insights into a whole host of topics.

I regularly subscribe and unsubscribe. If I find myself not really reading a particular newsletter on a regular basis I’ll unsubscribe, if I find there are things worth saving or I want to come back I’ll keep it going. I’m always interested in hearing about well-written newsletters that offer value to the reader, so if you have any suggestions let me know.

So I thought I’d take the time to introduce them, why I subscribe, what value there is and who knows maybe you’ll find something there for you too.

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One of the most consistently encouraging and practical newsletters that I subscribe to is Jon Tyson’s weekly email aimed at (but not limited to) men and fathers. I’ve had the privilege of meeting and talking with Jon a few times in a few different cities (London, Stockholm, New York – where next Jon?) and I can say that from those interactions, who I met and what I read offer the same combination of kick up the backside, understanding hand on the shoulder and conviction that Jesus is the way, truth & life.

Here are a few excerpts from recent newsletters that have encouraged me:

On the most important 13 words a dad will ever say

As Fathers we all ache to bless our kids, but for many it’s hard to know how to actually do it. How do we project good into the life of our children in a Tik-Tok, Fortnite, and gender non-conforming world?

Matthew 3:16-17 gives us an anatomy of blessing.

“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

13 words spoken from heaven. 13 words that still speak today. 13 words that made the entire ministry of Jesus possible. 13 words that enabled Jesus to move through the world with a blessed soul.

Acceptance. This is my beloved son.
Affection. Whom I love.
Affirmation. With him I am well pleased.

On the effect of a man

Once, my neighbor in the apartment across the hall – a tough man who had AIDS from years of drug addiction – stuck his head out.

“Yo JT, I see you standing in front of the door at night and staring before you go in. Why do you do that man? Everything good?”

“Yeah mate, all good. I am trying to leave the crap from the city out here so I don’t screw my kids up in there.” I replied.

A few moments later he answered, in a strained voice, “I wish my Pops had done something like that.”  

I didn’t always get it right, and I had to keep working on it, but slowly a different person began showing up. That small space enabled me to shift states and show up as the man I wanted to be. The man they deserved.

This takes real work as a man.
Be default, the world will beat a man down. It will erode his soul and zap his strength. It will leave him frustrated, exhausted, reactive and cold.

Robert Bly writes, “What the father brings home today is usually a touchy mood, springing from powerlessness and despair, mingled with longstanding shame and the numbness peculiar to those who hate their jobs.”

That’s why the exhortations of scripture address men like this:

Husbands love your wives, and don’t be harsh with them. (Col 3:19)
Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. (Col 3:21)

On formation

The world has a vision for you as a man.
The world wants you to be a greedy, unrestrained, anxious consumer. Addicted to dopamine rewards through trivial pursuits.

Satan has a vision for you as a man.
The enemy wants you to be a selfish man fixated on entitlement, victimhood, selfishness, success, sex, pleasure, and power.

Jesus has a vision for you as a man.
He wants you to be a godly, passionate, life-giving man.

On deformation

Secularism has shaped your world to believe God is distant and irrelevant.
Porn has shaped your view of sexuality to be selfish and your view of women as commodities for male pleasure.
Violence has shaped your view of anger, revenge, and justice.
Consumerism has shaped you to believe your preferences must be met and the goal of life is fulfilment and ease.
Bad Religion has shaped your view of faith, God, and religious performance.
A therapeutic culture has shaped your view of victimhood, agency, and possibility.

Paul says we need to be renewed in our minds, respond to God’s mercy in love, and begin a process of transformation.

On counter-formation

The spirit is now counter-forming us out of the way of the world and into the way of Jesus.

Where there was once lust, there is now self-control.
Where there was once pride, humility is formed.
Where there was once apathy, passion emerges.
Where there was once wrath, gentleness flourishes.
Where there was once envy, contentment comes into play.
Where there was once greed, generosity breaks through.

Slowly our desires, mindsets, habits, practices, and way of life become what Jesus had in mind. Our new self breaks through in the midst of the old self. We learn to walk with Jesus and become who we truly are.

Although this is a glorious vision, it can be a brutal war.
To confront the flesh, tear down strongholds, and come to terms with how deep a hold sin has had in our lives can be startling. But there is a profound sense of joy, relief, and freedom as the Spirit works in us.

The war is worth it.
Change is attainable.
Healing available.
Transformation possible.

On transformation

Believers with a history of sleeping with prostitutes and stepmoms. Believers with a history of getting drunk at the communion table. Believers with a history of being seduced by false teachers. Believers with a history of being divided into factions based on human dynamics and personalities. Believers with a history of chaotic gatherings where gifts were used in prideful and disordered ways.

Believers for whom Paul believed transformation was possible. For this is ultimately the heart of our message: Christ changes men. He changes their hearts, their motives, their desires, their attitudes, their practices, their lives. Transformation is the call of the church.

On conformation

Men are made to give themselves to something. To exhaust themselves on the field of battle for a worthy cause. We are made to take up something. If we don’t take up our cross and follow Jesus, we will take up something with our strength. And much of the crisis of the modern world is that men are giving themselves to and dying for the wrong things.

Jesus never said…

Take up your politics.
Take up your accomplishments.
Take up your arguments.
Take up your legislation.
Take up your culture wars.

He said we are to take up our cross.

Yes, there may be consequences and implications that bleed into other areas of life, but it will be the blood of self-denial, not the blood of others, we sacrifice for our own self-righteous causes.