Men's Group Topics - www.mensgroup.org

06/04/2026

I’ve lived with pain for six decades. Frequently pain has defeated me. Sometimes I won, occasionally it was a draw. My is strewn with boulders of frequent battles, sometimes practically to death.

Eventually discovering I must “love my pain” even though it is my antagonist. Why? Because it is a part of me and I can’t hate what is a part of me. Simple in theory but almost impossible in practice.

These two poems are my attempt to impart what I have learned to help others. Marsh

Mensgroup.org

05/19/2026

The more I try to slow down my busy life, the more it speeds up. This is especially true in relation to my blood cancer journey. I’ve learned that I can’t predict how I will feel each day. On days I expect to be full of energy, I have none. On days I anticipate being tired, I’m a bundle of energy. Since I never know medically what will happen, I now take each day as it comes and try not to worry or fret about it.

This month it hit me: Isn’t this what we as Christians are supposed to do? When I truly live this way, my days flow more easily and peacefully. I realized I haven’t been doing this as fully as I should. I’m doing much better, but I still have a way to go. My hope and prayer each morning is to do His will, not mine. Do you feel the same? If you do, pray each morning and throughout the day for help and guidance.

While cleaning up old files, I rediscovered the poem below, which made me realize something important: it’s all about love—God’s love for us and our love for God.

Blessings, Marsh

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Love. The Answer!

Can you describe love if you don’t see it.
Can you accept love if you don’t feel it.
Love unrestrained overwhelms
all attempts to describe it.

How do we lovingly describe ourselves?
Our efforts fail miserably. Why?
Because we are love we
must have been
created by love.

Only our creator could
describe the amazing
love involved.

Only God would
have the
words.

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“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.”

– Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV)

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Suggested Study:

“When Life Doesn’t Turn Out Like We Planned”

You were diligent. You planned your work, and worked your plan. Then it happened, the bottom fell out! And now your disappointment is turning to discouragement or depression. Perhaps the scenario you feared most has now appeared on the horizon, your anxiety levels are off the chart and you're asking the question:

“Why is this happening to me?”

This study contains questions, biblical references, and other insights for you to reflect upon and apply in your life.

Find this FREE Bible Study here:

You were diligent. You planned your work, and worked your plan. Then it happened, the bottom fell out! And now your disappointment is turning to discouragement or depression. Perhaps the scenario you feared most has now appeared on the horizon, your anxiety levels are off the chart and you're asking

05/15/2026

A friend of mine mentioned off hand this week, today is “my best day ever. Currently I’m in a very creative writing zone and immediately wrote this poem.

It is good to be a human, but I think we can learn a lot from dogs. What do you think? Marsh

A New Day!

Humans. Woe is me.
Dogs. My best day ever.

Humans. Too many things to do.
Dogs. More things to play with.

Humans. I don't like this food.
Dogs. Yummy.

Humans. I like you.
Dogs. I love you

You get me drift?
I pick dogs.

If I was a dog.
I'd be happy, worry free,
well-fed and in love for
the rest of my life.

mensgroup.org

05/02/2026

During four decades in the corporate world, I wrote Corporate Animal for a compatriot who needed help and support. Only later after did I realize the “animal was me.”

Memories bubble up oozing through fractures in my business and personal life as I begin my third book. Thoughts of the past are both painful and hopeful. My journey or life’s voyage finding my purpose on earth slowly marches forward. Marsh

A Corporate Animal

Birthed from confidence,
thriving on competition,
winning at all costs.

Fueled by ruthless ambition
consuming what matters most.
Family, friendship and quiet
comforts of home.

Beneath the victories,
deep hunger gnaws from within.
Success does not satisfy.

The animal has
no peace nor
purpose.

Only God knows
their destination.

Mensgroup.org

04/20/2026

Happy April! I hope this finds you well as we move from Easter into the heart of spring.

On the writing front, I finished the Preface and Chapter 1 of my new book, "The River Julio: A Leader’s Journey Beyond Success." I’m excited about where this one is headed.

While going through some old files, I came across a poem I wrote back in March 2023 while we were moving back to Southern California and facing my new cancer challenge. Reading it again, its message feels especially timely in our screen-filled world:

Wandering Mind

My mind wanders.
Why? I don’t know.

Is it better to wander
or to be fixed?

Maybe that’s the wrong question.

A wandering mind can drift or
a fixed mind can stagnate.
If a fixed mind, it all depends
on what it’s fixed on.

Light… or darkness.
Growth… or decay.

So maybe it’s this:
Not wandering or fixed
but where your mind rests.

This idea of where our minds rest is at the very heart of our newest short Bible study I just completed: “Digital Addiction & Purity.”

It helps men identify and overcome modern digital temptations — endless scrolling, gaming, po*******hy, and AI-generated content — by guarding our hearts, fleeing temptation, renewing our minds, and choosing to rest them on Christ instead of drifting into darkness. The study is now available for free on mensgroup.org.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” – Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

New Study: “Digital Addiction & Purity”

This study guide helps men identify and overcome modern digital temptations such as endless scrolling, gaming, po*******hy, and AI-generated content by guarding their hearts, fleeing temptation, renewing their minds, and walking in the freedom Christ has already won for them.

Find the FREE “Digital Addiction & Purity” Bible Study here:

https://www.mensgroup.org/digital-addiction-and-purity

In today’s world, the battle for purity is fought on screens. Endless scrolling, gaming, po*******hy and AI-generated content pull at our eyes, minds, and hearts. The Bible doesn’t mention “digital addiction,” but it speaks clearly to lust, the mind, purity, and victory over sin. This short ...

04/19/2026

There’s no shortage of headlines, broadcasts, and podcasts debating the “good and bad” of AI. there are real concerns, but here’s a story about the good.

Over 30 years ago, I began a charcoal drawing I never finished. The left wing remained incomplete. I accepted it likely always would be and at 82, made peace with that.

Then came a simple thought: Could AI help me finish what I started? I’m new to AI, but I decided to try. Within a short time, I was able to complete the drawing, something I thought was no longer possible.

That moment changed how I see AI. Like most powerful tools, AI can be used for good or for harm. The difference isn’t in the technology, it’s in us. In our choices and how we choose to apply it as individuals and as a society.

This was my small, meaningful experience of AI being used for good.

What’s yours? Marsh

03/21/2026

Clearing up my computer I uncovered a forgotten bass pic and a poem. Two of my favorite topics, Fishing and loving. Marsh

How do I tell you?

How do I declare my love?
Love radiating
in my soul.

Love consumes me.
You are my truth, my peace,
my wings and my rock.
My inspiration
and beacon.

You shine light for
my life’s journey.

Do you feel my love?
The truth of it, depth of it
and eternity of it?

Only Heaven’s gate
will confirm my
love for you.

12/19/02, Christmas

mensgroup.org

03/18/2026

Happy March! Spring is in the air, Easter is approaching, and I’m grateful for another month to walk this journey with you.

I was recently interviewed for CentralCoastVoyager.com — a wonderful platform that tells stories of everyday heroes and hard-working people doing entrepreneurial, creative, or artistic things with their lives. It was a joy to talk about Men’s Group Foundation, how it started, and why we provide free Bible studies to help men grow in faith and godly living. Once the article is published, I’ll share the link in a future newsletter so you can read it. Thank you, Sarah and team, for the opportunity — it was a refreshing conversation.

That interview brought back memories of other interviews I’ve done over the years. One in particular was with Dwayne Deskins for the 2021 Courageous Men's Summit. I went to check the video link on our site (embedded from the original source), only to find it’s no longer available. If anyone has a copy of that interview saved or knows how to recover it, I’d love to get it back and upload it to our YouTube channel so men can still benefit from it.

I also revisited a couple of interviews I did with Transformed Radio. Thankfully, those are still preserved on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Dzf1S8iSLw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL07d3dAuI0

Feel free to watch them if you’re interested — they’re short and cover some of the heart behind the ministry.

With Easter just around the corner, I’ve been reflecting on the resurrection and what it means for us as men. Easter isn’t just a holiday — it’s the ultimate reminder that no matter how far we’ve strayed, how broken we’ve become, or how much we’ve tried to fix ourselves through striving, God offers new life through Christ. The empty tomb says our past doesn’t have the final word — grace does. For many men, Easter is a time to confront fears, lay down pride, and step into the freedom and purpose God has for us.

This year, as we approach Good Friday and Easter Sunday, I invite you to reflect on this simple question:

What part of your life needs resurrection?

Maybe it’s a relationship, a habit, a dream you’ve buried, or an area where fear still holds you back. Christ’s victory over the grave reminds us that no fear is final, no past is too broken, and no life is beyond God’s redemptive reach.

If you’re looking for a way to prepare your heart, our free study on “Feeling Peace & Contentment” is a great companion for this Easter season. It explores how we can rest in God’s peace amid life’s storms—exactly what the resurrection promises: Christ’s victory over death gives us lasting contentment that no circumstance can steal. My book, “Overcoming the Seven Fears,” is also a helpful guide — it walks through the fears that rob us of peace and points to the hope and freedom we find in Christ’s empty tomb.

Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support — you're helping us to reach men near and far.

He is risen indeed!

In His grace,

~Marsh

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 (NIV)

Suggested Free Bible Study: “Feeling Peace & Contentment”

https://www.mensgroup.org/study-guide-feeling-peace-contentment

Short Study on Feeling Peace & Contentment. This study guide examines passages in Matthew and Philippians and what we can do to realizing peace and contentment in our lives.

03/15/2026

Do we Die or Just Pass Away? A little play on words for a serious topic. Marsh

Does it make a difference?
Aren’t they the same thing?

You die; you are dead.
You pass away; you are dead.

So, does it make any difference
if you died or passed away?
I think not.

If you just passed
away, are you dead yet?
Or just passing through
the neighborhood?

I admit dead sounds more
serious than passing away.

For me, it doesn’t matter
being dead or passing away
because it’s not the end
of the line for my life.

I have faith and hope for Heaven.
To live in Eternity.

03/03/2026. Los Robles Hospital.
Mensgroup.org

03/06/2026

I'm finally making progress on a chapter in my next book. I rediscovered this poem fitting perfectly into the theme. I hope you like it but causes you to pause for a minute. Marsh

Eyes of Love

I will never forget your eyes of love.
Never had I seen the depth of a soul.
Impossible to describe your feeling
of love penetrating the darkness.

But I will try. I want to,
and I must try.

How do you describe total trust
or explain love's purity?
Eyes of love burned
into my heart.

I don't know if I can,
but I have tried.

“Why do I feel like I want
to crawl inside you?”

Words from the depths of
one soul reaching another.

8/20/99. 330am. Hospital.

mensgroup.org