Maybe it’s just us, maybe it’s just our generation . . . maybe it’s just this year? But it seems to us as if the vulnerable pursuit that comes with friendship can be extra challenging for some men.

Can we get an a-men? (Ha…)

Today, we invited some of our new friends, Sam and Blaine Eldredge (yes, the sons of John and Stasi), to help us better understand why friendships for men can be extra challenging.

We talk about some intense (and fun) things, of course, including:

• What do are you nerdy about?
• Why don’t many men pursue each other’s hearts? (How can they?)
• How can men neither detach from the calling to be God’s man nor stomp on others while falsely declaring themselves to be manly?

Highlights:

“Friendship is a characteristic activity of a whole heart.” –Blaine Eldredge

“When you interact with a man, whether they seem timid or brash–whether they seem they are going to stomp on you and carve their name in marble and build a mausoleum (or if they just want to hide and be alone in their garage with their hobby)–you are meeting different forms of brokenness and different forms of posing.” –Sam Eldredge

“The story is not just: ‘Men, be friends.’ The story is: ‘The restoration of all things is underway. You have a role to play. You will need people around you if you are going to walk out your role.'” –Blaine Eldredge

“Find a few other men that you really want lasting friendship with and make their battles your battles. Truly take on that posture of  ‘When you go to war, I am going to war as well.’ Whether that’s for your kids, for your marriage, for your job, and even for your heart.” –Sam Eldredge

Question of the Week for Next Week:

What was the most memorable youth group game you ever witnessed (or endured)?

Do the Next Thing:

Find Sam and Blaine’s site–including their podcast here

That Pause App their team developed? It’s here

That gender podcast with Tim Keller? Find it here