Publisher's Synopsis
#99Lessons is a book that will bless the hearts and capture the minds of all its readers. It is a collection of Lessons for Sons, a Guidebook for Fathers, and a unique glimpse into manhood for everyone else.
#99Lessons is a journey into manhood. Join Pastor Donte as he walks his son through the arduous trials of a teenage young man while teaching him about Girls, Love, Friends, Enemies, and the Power of God that works in his life. This book is a fun, interesting, educating way to get the keys to being a healthy Christian Man in today's society.
#99Lessons is not simply a book for teens. It is a tool for Sons of all Ages (12 - 99) and anyone who is raising sons.
This book is a holistic complement to the process of manhood and a tribute to those of who have been through it and are still going through it.
Pastor Banks is influenced by Pastor Max Lucado Bishop TD Jakes, and Joyce Meyer.
He Says, "The major Difference between Boys and Men is not so much the battles they've fought but, the LESSONS they've learned. Every Lesson is a Blessing!"
Here are a couple of Snippets
*************Lesson #22 from the Chapter on GIRLS"SHE" could be 9 years old to 99 years old. Your hands could be completely full and you could be in a wheel chair. It's your obligation to BACK THAT WHEELCHAIR UP to the door and allow her to pass. This doesn't diminish her, or her strength. It honors who she is. It tells her that YOU honor all women. It speaks to how you were raised. It shows how you treat YOUR MOTHER (Yes, I'm talking about YOUR MOMMA). It shows her you understand that the same honor and courtesy you would show to your own mother or sister or grandmother is also due her. SHE is someone's MOTHER/SISTER/GRANDMOTHER. It is a common courtesy that is losing ground, a courtesy that men of HONOR (chivalrous men) are responsible to uphold. The same goes for CAR doors. Don't even UNLOCK IT until you are close enough to open it. Allow her to get in, and gently but firmly, close it behind her. This is a skill that you have to learn, even if she hasn't learned to let you do it yet.
*************Lesson #66: - "Be Ye Confident" - From the Chapter "Lessons on your Purpose"What is confidence, you ask Confidence is simply having trust or faith in a thing. So... YES! I am saying trust in yourself. Believe in yourself. Have faith in what God purposefully designed YOU to do. That is not blasphemy or infamy. It is the opposite. It is understanding that you are God's creation. Fearfully and wonderfully made for the purpose of serving and glorifying HIM. (See Psalms 139:14) Your mind is wonderful! Your face is wonderful! Your ears, nose, eyes, hands, and feet are ALL wonderful. Let this idea be woven into the fabric of your heart. That God created you and YOU are WONDERFUL. This should be the foundation for your confidence. Conversely, when your confidence is pointed away from God and begins to point toward YOU, that is the moment when you pervert that confidence. When it only serves you it becomes enmity with God. When you become your own 'god', your confidence becomes vile and begins to detract from who you truly are, sending the blessings, anointing, and favor of God running away from you. THIS is arrogance.Arrogance is like trying to cover your nakedness with a clear plastic trash bag. It will certainly not protect you from the elements of life nor will it prevent people from seeing the real you, naked and shivering, underneath. It is like the story of The Emperors New Clothes. It feels real to you but everyone sees that you are missing something, or better yet, trying to compensate for something you are missing. No matter how well you wear it, eventually the frailty of your insecurities will shine through.
If you would like more information about this topic, please head over to 99Lessons.org or contact Pastor Donte Banks at 210-807-9911 or email at [email protected].
