Month: July 2019

Traits of a GB Relationship: Confrontation, Confession, and Accountability

The traits of a God Buddy relationship in this series of posts are used as the foundation for a deeper friendship with another man. As you and your GB become increasingly comfortable revealing your weaknesses to each other, you will become better men. But there’s a difficult trait needed at times that really helps “sharpen” you: Confrontation, Confession, and Accountability. In my last post on Nonjudgmental Acceptance and Unconditional Love, I indicated that loving your God Buddy was not judging them despite their flaws and mistakes. But that doesn’t mean accepting their sins. Your GB relationship will inevitably reach a point when one of you senses there remains something hidden “behind the mask” and some gentle confrontation, honest confession, and accountability for improvement is needed. Can You Handle the Truth? So what happens when its time to “get real” and speak the truth in love to each other? There is a

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Traits of a GB Relationship: Nonjudgmental Acceptance and Unconditional Love

As you read this series about the important traits of a God Buddy relationship, are you now feeling ready to develop a deeper friendship with another guy? Once you Find Commonality, Develop Trust, agree on Confidentiality, and demonstrate Vulnerability, Authenticity, and Transparency in your GB friendship you have the foundation. Then you Practice Good Listening and Showing Empathy which is then paired with the next set of traits: Non-judgmental Acceptance and Unconditional Love. By definition, “unconditional” simply means without conditions, without rules, without expectations. Easy to do, right? Consider this scenario Over the last few months, you’ve had conversations with a friend who is having an affair and planning for his new life but has not told his wife of almost seven years. Not only is this friend unaware of hurt awaiting his family, but he has repeatedly put you in a situation where he expects you to lie about his

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Traits of a GB Relationship: Practice Good Listening and Show Empathy

This series on the unique traits of a God Buddy relationship provides practical ways to help us develop deeper friendships and become better men. My prior posts explained that Finding Commonality helps Develop Trust which leads to complete Confidentiality so you can demonstrate Vulnerability, Authenticity, and Transparency. The next trait is to Practice Good Listening and Show Empathy. First, let me ask you a personal question: Are you a good listener or a bad listener?  If you are honest, really honest, you are NOT a good listener.  Few of us are. Is This Your Story? Here is a scenario that may resonate with you.  Your wife often gets frustrated because you just don’t seem to care when she tries to have a conversation with you. As she walks into the living room to talk, your eyes stay glued to the TV set or computer or your phone.  As she talks,

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