Welcome to the Shed
Here are some resources we recommend
“Better to raise a warrior in a garden...than a gardener in a war.”
Simply wanting to become a better man is not enough, so we created the Shed, filled with resources to help you keep growing and align your masculine heart with God’s truth. Explore the resources below. Find something that fits you right where you. And keep going.
Alumni Access Area
You’ve taken an important step. Now take another.
As an alumni you know the life Jesus offers comes only with the deepest of commitments. That’s why the road is narrow and those who find it are few. Union with God is the reward for that commitment, and it’s the secret to manhood. These journal entries are just for you, and include video, devotions, and exclusive content. Let’s take another step. And then another…
“I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do.”
Recommended Podcasts
Here are some podcasts to bring you into life-giving conversations with people who carry both truth and authority. These are a few podcasts worth listening to.
Recommended Blogs
A good post to start: Luxury
A good post to start: Castration - A Case for Carrying a Knife
Great first post to read: Cousin Dwalo
Start Here: 5 Agreements that are killing Millenials
Warship Music
Pray with Power
This is quite simply the most powerful single resource we can point you to. The men of ABOB pray it regularly. It’s not the short prayer we’re used to praying before meals or at bedtime. The Daily Prayer is simply one scripture after another. This will gird you up to face the day, take your place in the full work of Christ, center you in the truth, and disarm the Accuser. This prayer will teach you, prepare you, protect you and free you. Do it regularly and it will change you.
CLICK TO PRINT the Daily Prayer with scripture references
CLICK TO PRINT the Daily Prayer (for head of household) and Prayer to Break Agreements
St. Patrick’s Breastplate is a popular prayer attributed to one of Ireland’s most beloved patron saints. According to tradition, St. Patrick wrote it in 433 A.D. for divine protection before successfully converting the Irish King Leoghaire and his subjects from paganism to Christianity. (The term breastplate refers to a piece of armor worn in battle.) CLICK TO PRINT the prayer St. Patrick’s Breastplate.pdf
Inspired by George MacDonald’s description of why Jesus came. This is a prayer focusing on Christ’s promise for life. CLICK TO PRINT A Prayer for Life pdf
These statements of truth were compiled by Morgan Snyder to share with the kids each morning in his carpool. It's a little liturgy that has some stunningly simple but profound theology in it. Discipling your kids better can start here. CLICK TO PRINT The Carpool Daily Prayer
Recommended Books
“How many a man has dated a new era in his life from the reading of a book.”
I'm really glad you made it to this page. We will continue to update it with more books that have been "turning points" for me and other Being Sons allies.
Beautiful Outlaw by John Eldredge
What was Jesus really like? This book is a revelation in capturing the personality of the man, the king, the warrior, the Savior. Again, small passages read to family from this book can help you celebrate the world's most remarkable human.
Excerpt: "I mentioned earlier my anger in the museum at the classic art depicting the birth of Jesus the Superbaby. I was angry not because the art was done badly, but because it was done so beautifully, so very reverently, making it all the more difficult to remember that Jesus was human."
Who is This Man? by John Ortberg
One of my favorite books. It's a collection of historical facts presenting a case that Jesus has had more influence on human history than any other single man. You'll have a new appreciation for how Jesus put his fingerprints on every significant arena of modern day living, including government, sexuality, art, architecture, medicine, education, women's rights.
Excerpt: On the day after Jesus' death, it looked as if whatever small mark he left on the world would rapidly disappear. Instead, his impact on human history has been unparalleled. After his disappearance form earth, the days of his unusual influence began. That influence is what this book is about..."
Loving Our Kids on Purpose by Danny Silk
Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17). Rather than the traditional approaches that train children to learn to accept being controlled by well-meaning parents and adults, this book teaches parents how to train children to manage their freedoms and protect their important
How Children Raise Parents by Dan Allendar, PhD
Parenting with Humility...We often realize that we learn as much from our children as they learn from us. So why don’t parents approach the task of child-rearing as a learning experience, rather than a mandate to make sure their kids succeed in life? To reduce the pressure and enjoy greater closeness in your family, turn your parenting upside-down by allowing God to use your children to help you grow up. Imagine what would happen if you began to prize what you’re being taught by your children’s quirks, failures, and normal childhood dilemmas…
Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters by Meg Meeker M.D.
“As a new father to an 8-month old girl, I felt confident on how to be a good dad. But after reading 'Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters, I didn't realize how much poison our culture contains for little girls to face. This book a a thought-provoking and inspiring work that gives all fathers the tools and courage to fight for their daughters. A father will learn that he plays a huge role in his daughter's development into adulthood. He will learn that he is the most important man in his daughter's life. And he will walk away from this book knowing that he must be the hero his daughter deserves.” - A Father’s Review
Raising Boys and Girls Podcast by Sarah Bragg,
Yeah, I know this is not a book but a podcast. I don’t care. I want you to know about this.
Both seasons are great, but season 2 in particular has profoundly helped answer the questions “What is going on, by God’s design, in my child"? and “What do they need from me now?” Both seasons of Raising Boys and Girls have free Discussion Questions that you can use with your people, either in pairs or in a small group.
Mother & Son, The Respect Effect by Emerson Eggerichs, Ph.D.
Love is important but it is respect that is the key to your son’s heart. As Emerson Eggerichs transformed millions of marital relationships with a biblical understanding of love and respect, he now turns these principles to one of the most important relationships of all, a mother and her son. The idea of moms respecting their sons may sound alien to some, but it seems to ignite curiosity across the board. It is easy to relate to the need for all of us to feel a mother’s love, but is that the same thing as respect? Even for young boys, the effect of respect is nothing short of astounding when applied properly.
Becoming a King by Morgan Snyder
Morgan Snyder’s Becoming a King unabashedly speaks directly to men, teaching them the life-changing truth about the power that God intends for them to responsibly step into for his kingdom, while also giving women an honest peek behind the curtain into the lives and hearts of the men they know and love.
It is God’s design, desire, and intention to empower humans and entrust them to participate in the ongoing creativity of the universe. Yet a look at our history and the world around us shows that the story of most men is being entrusted with power and having that power bring harm to themselves and those under their care.
Adam’s Return by Richard Rohr
“Based on decades of work, travel, and experience, Rohr, a Franciscan brother and best-selling author, unearths the complexities of male spiritual maturation and helps us to understand the importance of male initiation rights in both culture and the church.” - Amazon Summary
This book sheds light on the 5 inevitable truths the masculine soul must embrace to leave immaturity and embracing authentic manhood.
The Way of the Wild Heart by John Eldredge
Fathered by God by John Eldredge
“There is a path leading to authentic manhood, cut by men who have gone before us, sons following in the footsteps of their fathers, generation after generation. There are perils along the trail, even disasters? All the more reason to rely on the guidance of a Father who has gone before.
But in an age when true fathers are in short supply, how do you find the path to manhood? How do you steer clear of the dangers?” -Amazon Summary
The Star of Bethlehem - DVD
The Bible begins... "Then God said, 'Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons... (Genesis 1:14)'" Watch together how God inspired a dad setting up Christmas decorations in his yard to begin researching the star of Bethlehem's credibility. Your family's understanding of God's majesty will be challenged as he takes you on a tour of the signs in the sky at Jesus' birth. Incredible! This is a Heck family favorite.
The Action Bible - Sergio Cariello and Doug Mouss
I have to include this because it is simply so so good. I asked Baer this past year how he knew so many Bible stories compared to other kids and he told me it was because he'd read this so many times. It is captivating, cover to cover, even for adults. Your kids will want to read God's whole story, comic book style, with these awe-inspiring illustrations. At $15.29 on Amazon this has been the best gift we've given kids over the last several years. A perfect Christmas gift.
An Angel's Story by Max Lucado
In this classic Christmas novella, best-selling author Max Lucado imagines the spiritual conflict that surrounded the coming of Christ. Surely there was much. If Satan could pre-empt Christ in the cradle, there'd be no Christ on the cross.
Journey back in time to the very throne of God ... and witness firsthand the glory, the wonder, and the battle that took place on the very first Christmas.
Excerpt: As she spoke, a Light appeared in her womb.
The King walked over and reached for the book. He turned it toward Lucifer and commanded, “Come, Deceiver, read the name of the One who will call your bluff. Read the name of the One who will storm your gates.” Satan rose slowly off his haunches. Like a wary wolf, he walked a wide circle toward the desk until he stood before the volume and read the word:
“Immanuel?” he muttered to himself, then spoke in a tone of disbelief. “God with us?” For the first time the hooded head turned squarely toward the face of the Father. “No. Not even You would do that. Not even You would go so far.”
“You’ve never believed me, Satan.”
Fearless by Eric Blehm is a tribute to the life and legacy of Navy SEAL Team SIX Operator Adam Brown. This soldier's story of redemption is as dramatic as it gets. I couldn't help but shed tears reading the almost unbelievable story of this man's journey from troubled kid, addicted and incarcerated, to family man and true American hero.
