The Spartan Path to God - An Excerpt from the New Release by Tony Rorie

The Spartan Path to God:

As fuel is to combustion, so holiness is to fulfilling purpose. Without a deep driven desire to maintain personal holiness, you will never accomplish the task for which you were created. A cleaner engine runs better. The love of God is not realized without being able to first fear God. The fear of the Lord is a prerequisite to receiving the deep places of God, the intimate friendship out of which comes a level of communion where the secret things in God are revealed.

You cannot experience the power of God without an understanding that salvation is free, but to walk in the favor of God, will cost you. Time spent seeking Him with your whole heart, time spent battling and winning against your flesh in temptation struggles where you adamantly scream “no.” I’m not talking about matters of legalism, I’m talking about, how bad do you want to walk blameless before the Lord.

In areas of gray, lurk the enemies of greatness. The difference between great and mediocre men lie in small compromises. There is Holy Spirit power to walk above these, but only in proportion to our hunger for holiness. “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for holiness, for they shall be filled.”

It is the good vs. great decisions that a man must make in order to be one in which God is not disappointed.

The message of greasy-grace will not tread water here.

Sloppy Agape creates losers.

God loves each man, but to the select few who demand and struggle for His blessing, there is a special place. A place reserved for these VIP’s, a place of friendship, intimacy, power and favor.

Some practical tools to beginning the Spartan Path to God:

1. Journal your daily focus, triumphs, failures, thoughts and plans. This, even with a few lines, can help you to stay on task to walk the higher ground.

2. Make holiness your goal. Understand that others may, but you may not when it comes to matters such as drinking, lusting, coarse joking, idle communication.

3. Invite conviction: Ask the Holy Spirit to shine the light of His Spirit into every dark recess, revealing the small areas that need cleansing and forsaking. He desires this more than you. Come in faith realizing that this path will bring a smile to the Father’s face.

4. As much as you confess out sin, confess in righteousness. The enemy delights in keeping you pinned down the sin that you have already repented of. Shake it off and tell the devil to go to hell.

5. Turn off your TV.

6. Turn off your TV.

7. Turn off your TV.

Kingdom Production: Take it Like a Man

Kingdom Production: Take it Like a Man

The essence of manhood is the same as it has been since the garden; let’s face it, we are men. And as such, we are moved and driven and motivated by the same things. In today’s user-friendly, politically correct, gender sensitive Christian community, some leaders are scared to tell it like it is.

The truth is, inside we all want to be mighty men. We all want to be heroes. Testosterone and the Holy Spirit inside us drive us to produce and that’s what we were created for.

The book of 2Samuel, chapter 23, has always caught my interest and cranked something on the inside of me. I’m sure it has done the same for you. We read this about David’s Mighty Men:

David’s Three Men

⁸ These are the names of David’s mightiest warriors. The first was Jashobeam the Hacmonite who was leader of the Three—the three mightiest warriors among David’s men. He once used his spear to kill 800 enemy warriors in a single battle.

⁹ Next in rank among the Three was Eleazar son of Dodai, a descendant of Ahoah. Once Eleazar and David stood together against the Philistines when the entire Israelite army had fled. ¹⁰ He killed Philistines until his hand was too tired to lift his sword, and the Lord gave him a great victory that day. The rest of the army did not return until it was time to collect the plunder!

¹¹ Next in rank was Shammah son of Agee from Harar. One time the Philistines gathered at Lehi and attacked the Israelites in a field full of lentils. The Israelite army fled, ¹² but Shammah held his ground in the middle of the field and beat back the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory.

David’s Thirty Mighty Men

¹⁸ Abishai son of Zeruiah, the brother of Joab, was the leader of the Thirty He once used his spear to kill 300 enemy warriors in a single battle. It was by such feats that he became as famous as the Three. ¹⁹ Abishai was the most famous of the Thirty and was their commander, though he was not one of the Three.

²⁰ There was also Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant warrior^[ from Kabzeel. He did many heroic deeds, which included killing two champions of Moab. Another time, on a snowy day, he chased a lion down into a pit and killed it. ²¹ Once, armed only with a club, he killed a great Egyptian warrior who was armed with a spear. Benaiah wrenched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with it. ²² Deeds like these made Benaiah as famous as the Three mightiest warriors. ²³ He was more honored than the other members of the Thirty, though he was not one of the Three. And David made him captain of his bodyguard. (NLT)

What is that differentiated the thirty six from the 3, what is it that made them stand above the others? The answer in its unapologetic and unafraid starkness is simple: …numbers.

Numbers are what make the leaders. Production. Period.

I can hear the theological wheels rolling and the cannons being aimed.

But the truth is, Jesus said in that if a tree is producing, we should prune it so that it produces more. If it doesn’t it is to be “chopped down and thrown into the fire.” Matthew 7:19 (NLT)

He also tells us in John 15:8 that “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” (KJV)

Remember, in the parable of the talents, that all three “showed up”. Which is the measure of faithfulness and success to most churches. But not to Jesus. His only question was, “How much did you produce?” What happened to the one that didn’t produce? Matthew 25: ³⁰ Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ (NLT)

Our production needs to be measured by the things that matter to God.

Our metrics have to be showing production in terms of Kingdom growth.

For the King, the marketplace has been opened for them to plunder and take ground to finance the work of the ministry.

For the Preist, it is souls.

We don’t need anyone to make us feel better about our lack of production. We need someone to unleash us on the enemy and see the casualties mount as satan’s kingdom is destroyed by mighty men. Figure out what you are. Ask God to show you. Then get busy devastating the enemy and producing for the Kingdom.

I know, not a real comforting word. But as we approach the end of time, it is now more important than ever that we get busy with the things that matter most. As Leonard Ravenhill’s tombstone reminds us “Are the things you are living for worth Christ dying for?”

Starting A Revolution!

The revolution has begun in Jackson, MS! I had the honor of ministering alongside (left to right): Allen Rice from the Minnesota Vikings, Paul Cole, President, Christian

Men's Network and PS. Dwayne Pickett from New Jerusalem church.

Young men and women all over this country are in bondage to an oppressive tyrant. This tyrant has told them that they will never amount to anything. The Tyrant has told them that in order to be an accepted part of the culture, they must embrace the societal norms of drug use, sexual promiscuity, homosexuality, and whatever their friends and popular culture deem as acceptable behavior.

They are told that in order to be viable, they must be vulgar.

They are hurting, broken, empty, discouraged, and dying. Global suicide rates for youth ages 15 to 24 is 600,000 annually.

The good news is: A revolution is stirring! A revolution of righteousness. A restoration of the lost virtues of chivalry, honor, integrity and righteousness. The tide will turn as we launch a grass roots movement across the nation in every place where young people gather.

This month in Jackson, Mississippi we have launched the Men of Honor program into the Jackson public school system and the Mesquite, Texas public school system. In Jackson, where young black men are 3 times more likely to finish their G.E.D. in prison than graduate from college, they are being taught that "manhood and Christ-likeness are synonymous" and that "there is no greatness outside of God".

At the first introduction of the program in 7 Jackson middle schools, 1,075 young men indicated a desire to be part of the Men of Honor program!

What will this state look like when these young men graduate as Men of Honor? What will will the statistics reflect when young men grasp the fact that they are created in the image of God and have world-changing power on the inside of them. They will be prophetic and not pathetic!

The comprehensive and systematic strategy that we have been given by God has the power to change our schools, our communities, our states, our country and eventually the world. What we need now is God's people, the enablers of this great revolution to pray, support, and strengthen the movement. To sponsor these world changers through camp, provide life-changing curriculum, and give them an opportunity to change the world, give online today at www.themenofhonor.org.

Be encouraged! The tide is changing and the revolution is stirring. The Lord promised, "I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and daughters will prophesy!"

The Father's Blessing Miami

Gen 27:34 And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father.

There is a great and exceeding bitter cry ringing out across our land today. This call is from fatherless young men, desperate for the blessing & affirmation of a father.

Last weekend in Miami, Florida, Dr. Joaquin Molina answered the call and hosted a father & son retreat with Men of Honor called "The Father's Blessing 2009".

Men & young men gathered for a weekend of worship, teaching, and affirmation. 35 stepped over the line on Friday night to receive Christ and recommit their lives to Him.

The most powerful part was when fathers began to bless & affirm their sons. They spoke blessing on their lives, future marriages, vocations, ministries, and most of all....sonship.

There were fatherless boys in attendance whose hearts were longing with "great and exceeding bitter cry" to have a father bless them.

These longings were fulfilled when, one by one, men from the group stepped forward and said "I will stand in as this boys father" and pronounce a father's blessing. The young men wept as their blessings were said. The men also wept as God used them to communicate his love to broken hearts.

Each person left the camp with hearts full of God's love and the blessing of a father. One down.....millions to go!

Winners are not those who never fail, they are those who never quit!

"Winners are not those who never fail, they are those who never quit..." -Dr.Cole

One month ago, my father was in the hospital fighting for his life; both lungs were completely filled with pneumonia, his kidneys were failing, and the doctors were not sure which way it would go.

Today, he has just finished his third meeting of the new Men of Honor group he began in his church in Gun Barrel City, Texas.

You Dad, ARE A WINNER!

Please read Dad's report of his new group below:

Just a little update about the Men of Honor group that we started three weeks ago in The Mabank/Gun Barrel city area.

Actually the Church we have been meeting at is right in the middle, on the city limits line. We have six young men in our group.

The youngest, Jacob, is nine tomorrow and begged to be a man of Honor when he heard about us two years ago. I am so proud of these boys they have been on time for each meeting, and four of them earned their shirts by the first meeting and by the time of the second meeting, they all knew their axioms.

Kirk Kelso our guest speaker presented the other two boys with their shirts. Thank you for sending Kirk down. The boys were impressed with his testimony and his presentation of the "Fellowship of the Unashamed", along with the talk about the Axioms.

Son, I have to tell you that I am really amazed at the way this has taken off in just a few weeks, it has really given me an opportunity to have a hands on knowledge of The Men of Honor.

Speaking of knowledge I am impressed at how much the kids learn in the meeting, we gave them a pop quiz on the lesson and I mean they all had the answers. So I have to give you credit for the curriculum, and lesson plans and activities that you sent us, they are very effective.

The bottom line is the results, and when I watch these kids do the pledges, the axioms, and prayer, and watch them participate in the lessons, enjoy the meal and fellowship, then get up and clean up the kitchen, and dining area without being told (because they had been taught from day one that "a Man Of Honor always leaves an area cleaner than when he arrived") It really touches my heart.

One of the boys Parents said she is excited about what Garrett is learning and the way he is talks about the meeting, and she asked if she and her husband could buy Pizzas for the next meeting.

One of the boys in our group is Pastor Ed's son, and remember Jacob? His parents have started coming to our church Sunday, and Wed. plus our MOH meeting on Friday evenings. She said she had been worrying because she couldn’t get him to go to church, but since the boy s have started Men of Honor he hasn’t missed.

I think Men and Ladies Of Honor will help this church grow.

So Tony I wrote this hopefully to encourage you, because I know that this ministry takes a lot from you and Mellisa, physically, and financially. I tell you though that you are doing, a good, and a great work and you make me proud.

I thank the Lord for you every day and pray that God protect and bless you. I love you Dad-O

Not This Day...

"A day may come when the courage of Men fails, when we forsake our friends, and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day." - Aragon (Lord of the Rings)

Yesterday we rewarded the young men for memorizing "The Fellowship of the Unashamed" , a powerful confession that they would follow Jesus through hardship and blessing, declaring that though none go with them, still they will follow.

The day began with a breakfast with over 85 in attendance. The word of God was powerfully spoken and then we commissioned two young men who had been scheduled to be commissioned at the Dec.6th banquet but were unable because their mother's drunken boyfriend made them leave the banquet minutes before it was start. The devil tried to steal their blessing, but he failed and they were singularly honored in front of their peers.

Then the young men and a few fathers gathered together to celebrate being Men of God, masculine men, warriors for Christ .

We took the boys skeet shooting in the country. Many of them had never been in the country, most had never fired a shotgun.

Afterward, we grilled steaks, and spent the remainder of the evening aroung a bonfire sharing truths that will help these young men walk in righteousness and become world-changers.

After our time sharing, the young men and the fathers were invited to confess their sins and make Jesus the Lord of their life, going after Him with all their heart....many responded.

There might have been a day in these boys lives that they did not feel special.....but it was not this day!

It was the culmination of a year of hard work for young men & women from all around the Metroplex. They had given it their all; memorizing the Fellowship of the Unashamed” doing their required book work, but most of all…developing their character on a scale that the world is not familiar, all for the Glory of God.
There to honor them was the Mayor of Rowlett, Dr. John Harper, a man of integrity and honor. Dr. Rosbure delivered a proclaimation from Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert and the Dallas City Council proclaiming Dec. 6th, Men of Honor & Ladies of Honor day in Dallas, TX, and over 350 others including Pastors, teachers, leaders, friends, and family. We commissioned over 30 young men in a ceremony paralleling that of a medieval knighting ceremony. We were commissioning young lions! One of our guests, Jack King, who worked with Dr. Cole wrote the following:
“I have had the privilege of commissioning men all over the world, but there is nothing I have enjoyed more than commissioning 37 young men, ten to sixteen years old, last Saturday night at the Men of Honor and Ladies of Honor Banquet with Tony & Melissa Rorie.I believe what Tony Rorie is doing in schools, churches and recreation centers across north Texas is finally the fruition of Edwin Cole's "Timothy Project." Discipling young men with the young men's curriculum.These young men not only learn and live the "Coleisms" but have brought another level of maturity as young men to the place they live and learn daily in school. Yes they state the axiom that "Manhood and Christlikeness are synonymous." But they also declare that "I do right because it's the right thing to do." "If there is no man, I will be that man."How refreshing is it to see young men run to a door to open it for a young lady. Or more refreshing is when they go through the rites of passage and ask God to help them walk a path of sexual pureness. Yet the moment that brought tears to every man and woman's eyes Saturday night was when one young man (boy) ten years old, began to confess how rebellious he had been toward authority including his parents but God had touched and changed his heart. He wept as he shared what God had done and Tony stood there with his arms around him as only a man with the heart of the Father could do, until he regained his composure and finished testifying. There are full grown adult men that cant, don't and won't get in front of people to tell what God has done in their lives. Yet parents came to the microphone to thank Tony and Melissa for their ministry to their sons and daughters.
The Men of Honor and Ladies of Honor is teaching and ministering the character and integrity of God that somehow has been lost to this younger generation.These are the types of ministries that need our support, financially and prayerfully. “
This morning I thanked The Father for allowing me to be a part of such a great ministry that will one day change the world, and to be a part of such a great group of people as yourself. We love you and Thank you! Have a Merry Christmas! Get ready for great things to come in 2009!