Friend,

It's Valentine's Day and my question to you is... "How well do you love?"

If you have the courage, ask your wife, your children, or someone in your inner circle to rate how well you love, on a scale of 1 to 10.  While no one is a 10, except for Jesus, we should always be striving to love more authentically every year.

Since "God is Love", the source of all true love, it only makes sense that we should connect with God on a daily basis and let his love flow through us. This one thing will give you more purpose, meaning, and joy in your life than anything else you can do!  

The first and greatest commandment is to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind" and love to God is best expressed by our obedience to His commands...

"If you love me, keep my commandments". John 14:15

If we truly love God, keep His commandments, we will love more and more like He does. This is the Blueprint for Love!

This week our newsletter centers on this core concept of love and obedience. In this issue you will once again find practical teachings and tools designed to help you become the man God calls you to be. Here's what to expect this week: 

EDUCATE:  Learn about Challenge #6 - Optional Obedience: When Faith is Reduced to Opinion.

EQUIP: Read "Love that Lasts" to discover some creative ways to love more intentionally this year.

ENGAGE:  Discover a wide-variety of ways you can take action as a man! 

Here's to Living ALL IN! 

Marty Miller

Blueprint for Men

Founder | President

The Six Challenges Men Face in 2026

This week we wrap-up our series with a deep dive into Challenge #6 - OPTIONAL OBEDIENCE: When Faith is Reduced to Opinion. But before we get started let's review where we have gone during the past 6 weeks. If you would missed any of these issues they are linked for your convenience. 

1. Fragmented Identity (Who am I really?) - LINK

2. Pornography, Sexual Drift, and Intimacy Collapse - LINK

3. Loneliness and Brotherhood Deficit - LINK

4. Distraction, Dopamine, and Spiritual Apathy - LINK

5. Fear of Leadership and Responsibility - LINK

6. Optional Obedience: Faith Reduced to Opinion - TODAY 

Challenge #6: Optional Obedience

When Faith is Reduced to Opinion

By Marty Miller

One of the greatest challenges men face in 2026 is not the absence of faith—but the dilution of it.

The Issue

We live in an age where faith is increasingly treated as a personal preference rather than a call to obedience. Belief has been downgraded to opinion. Conviction has been replaced by commentary. Truth has been softened into “what feels right to me.” And obedience—once understood as the natural response to loving God—has been rebranded as optional, extreme, or even dangerous.

Many men still believe in God. Few are willing to obey Him.

Why This Challenge Is Worse Than Ever

This shift didn’t happen overnight. It’s the product of several cultural forces converging at once:

1. Truth has been redefined as personal.
We are told there is no absolute truth—only “your truth” and “my truth.” But Scripture does not present truth as negotiable.  Jesus said,

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Truth is not an opinion we hold; it is a reality we submit to.

2. Faith has been privatized.
Modern spirituality says, “Believe whatever you want, as long as it doesn’t affect how you live.” But biblical faith is public, embodied, and costly.

Jesus never invited people to agree with Him—He called them to follow Him.

3. Comfort has replaced worship.
Much of today’s Christianity has become what could be called “Burger King religion”: Have it your way. Pick the parts you like. Skip the parts that cost you.

Fast-food religion is tasty and convenient but always leaves you empty. 

Nothing New Under the Sun

This is not new. In the Old Testament, Baal worship appealed to Israel because it allowed them to blend devotion with desire. They could keep their idols, indulge their appetites, and still feel religious. Sound familiar?

God’s response then is the same now:

Divided hearts are not worship—they are rebellion.

Biblical Faith Has No Room for Opinions

Scripture is relentless on this point.

• “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46)
• “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)
• “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22)

Biblical faith is not measured by what we affirm with our lips but by what we obey with our lives.

Wisdom that is not acted upon is useless. Truth that is not lived out becomes hypocrisy. Jesus reserved His harshest words not for pagans, but for religious men who knew the truth and refused to walk in it.

“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” (Matthew 15:8)

That warning should sober every man.

FREE DOWNLOAD 

If God is calling you to address the challenge of complete surrender and obedience in your life, download the full 10-page study guide below and take action today! 

Take a few minutes to listen to Marty's presentation about this final challenge in our series titled, "Optional Obedience".  What areas in your life are you fudging on? Where is God calling you into obedience? 

Love That Lasts

A Reflection on Love & Creative Ideas for Valentine’s Day

What Is Love?

Love is more than a feeling. Feelings are powerful, but they rise and fall. Real love is a choice—an intentional commitment to seek someone else’s good, even when it costs us something.

Love is patient when it would be easier to rush.
Love is kind when it would be easier to criticize.
Love listens when it would be easier to speak.
Love forgives when it would be easier to hold a grudge.

At its core, love is action.

Valentine’s Day can easily become about gifts, expectations, or pressure. But at its best, it’s a reminder to express love intentionally—to pause and show the people in our lives that they matter.

Creative Valentine’s Day Ideas

To help us guys on Valentine's Day I have created a short document that shares some meaningful, thoughtful ways to celebrate love—whether you’re married, dating, single, or celebrating friends and family. Here's a sampling of the ideas you will find in "Love that Lasts". 

For Your Spouse or Significant Other

Write a “Why I Love You” Letter
List 10–20 specific reasons you appreciate them. Be detailed. Mention moments, qualities, and growth you’ve seen.

For Singles

Host a Friends Dinner
Invite friends over for food and connection. Celebrate meaningful friendships.

For Families

“Love in Action” Challenge
As a family, choose one way to serve someone together.

A Final Thought

This Valentine’s Day, focus less on perfection and more on intention. The greatest expressions of love are often the simplest: time, attention, kindness, and presence.

Love isn’t about one day.
It’s about showing up—again and again.

Download "Love That Lasts" and love more intentionally today! 

Get Involved in This Ministry

There are an incredible number of ways you can engage through this ministry. Join our growing online community, attend an event, or donate to our man-building cause. Together we can make an eternal difference!  

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT...

Are you struggling to love well? 

Do you feel loved... or do you feel judged? 

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