In this important episode Colby Garman has a one on one conversation with Caleb Nelson as they talk about the Ethos Statement "Mature Men Deal with Their Darkness". Throughout the episode Caleb shares some of his personal journey dealing with challenging circumstances and personal issues in his own heart and life that really undermined his faith for a significant season. He also shares the ways in which God has led him to face some of his darkness and find grace and renewal. Listen along and check out the Ethos statement below.

MATURE MEN DEAL WITH THEIR DARKNESS

It is always tempting to deal with the darkness in the world around us or the darkness that we see in others rather than to journey inward and deal with the darkness we find in ourselves. Every man has aspects of sin, past trauma, unreconciled experiences, and personal disappointments that can dominate their inner life and undermine their pursuit of good things. We believe the gospel frees us from the hiding and false performance that comes with seeking to cover over our darkness instead of addressing it and dealing with it. As men who believe that God is light and have encountered His grace, we exercise courage to address the experiences of the past and weaknesses of the present with genuine honesty. We anticipate the power of God that is at work in the honest confession of sin and admission of weakness and through it experience the genuine fellowship that it promises with God and one another.

1 John 1:5–7. [5] This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. [6] If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. [7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (ESV)

We are joined in this episode by Jamie Limato as we focus on the statement Mature Men Take Responsibility. As we talk we dig into the text of Genesis 3, talk about substitutes for Taking Responsibility and try and offer some vision for young men as they look to strengthen this area of their life.

The full statement from the ManDown Ethos can be read below

MATURE MEN TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
One of the tragic things about the fall of mankind into sin is the rejection of responsibility that plays out in the lives of men ever since. In the garden as Eve was tempted we read that her husband Adam was with her. In the previous chapter he had been tasked with stewarding the instruction of God for the garden, including the warning not to eat of the tree they were now being tempted by. Instead of taking responsibility, he is passive and stands by while Eve succumbs to the temptation of Satan. When the time for accountability comes, he blames Eve, and he blames God, but never takes responsibility. Jesus, the second Adam accomplishes our Salvation by doing precisely the opposite. He takes responsibility for our sin and future, even though he had not sinned himself. As men who are being renewed to bear the image of God we endeavor to be people who take responsibility. Our families, our churches, and our society, need men who will take responsibility for the problems, challenges, and opportunities we face. Through doing so, we expect to experience the work of God restoring by grace, what sin has marred in our nature.

Genesis 3:6. [6] So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. (ESV)

In Episode 2 we are talking with Stu Fugler about the second statement from our ManDown Ethos, Mature Men Master the Scriptures. In this episode we talk about the challenges and barriers men face to studying the Bible as well as practical tips for growing in your mastery of God's Word.

The full statement from the ManDown Ethos can be read below:

MATURE MEN MASTER THE SCRIPTURES
As men we reject the anti-intellectual spirituality that neglects serious study of the Bible and important theological reflection. Through daily

reading, focused study, and sound instruction of one another we seek to build up our understanding of the whole counsel of God’s word. We believe that the Scriptures hold ever deepening insight and stabilizing foundations that equip us to navigate a world that builds its ideas on sinking sand. While valuing devotional reading, we also pursue focused study of God’s word to help us have a clear vision of God’s nature, understand the human condition, and contend for the faith with one another and those around us. Through this study of God’s word we seek to move from recognizing God’s truth to being able to wield the sword of God’s word and articulate its doctrines in a compelling manner.

2 Timothy 3:14–17. [14] But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it [15] and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. [16] All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, [17] that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (ESV)