Self-initiation is killing our young men. Without strong mentors, boys are walking alone into a wilderness of conflicting messages about who they should be as men. It's no wonder that our sons are confused about what the world expects from them and what they should expect of themselves. The Intentional Father is the antidote. This concise book is filled with practical steps to help men raise sons of consequence--young men who know what they believe, know who they are, and will stand up against the negative cultural trends of our day. Jon Tyson lays out a clear path for fathers and sons that includes specific activities, rites of passage, and significant "marking moments" that can be customized to fit any family. It's not enough to hope our sons will become good men. We need them to be good at being men. This book shows how fathers, grandfathers, and other male mentors can lead the way.

There's a shadow that's settled over the hearts of men today. Masculinity is in crisis. Critiques about the dangers of toxic masculinity and the abuses of patriarchal systems have grown louder than ever. The very notions of masculinity and manhood are under attack. In response to cultural shifts, some have doubled down on old stereotypes in ways that just add to the conflict and confusion.

The result? Many men simply feel paralyzed--worried about saying the wrong thing, unsure what to do with their ambitions or strengths, simultaneously tempted and shamed by a hypersexualized and pornified culture. Our models and mentors have failed us. Based on their years of working in men's ministry, Bethke and Tyson have good news for men looking for clarity and courage in this age of quiet desperation.

In Fighting Shadows: Overcoming 7 Lies That Keep Men From Becoming Fully Alive, they help men:

• Overcome the temptations of escapism, passivity, or overcompensation
• Combat the most harmful shadows that men battle today, including loneliness, apathy, distraction, lust, and shame
• Embrace masculinity as a God-given gift, not a curse to be avoided, suppressed, or battled

An entire generation of men is being told they should abdicate the responsibility and joy of living into God's calling on their lives—don't be one of them. If you're a man who's wondering what to do with your strength, your longings, and your gifts, it's time to step out of the shadows. Jesus has a vision for you.

Where is the life God promised us?

Life is busy. We live like slaves to our fast-paced, suffocating schedules. We spend our energy and time in triviality, relegating God to the background. He seems distant to us, and we resist the idea that God wants to give, say, and show us more; we dismiss it as rumor. But Jesus calls us to a better way. Another dream- an unimagined future. Close the gap between what you hear about and what you see.

Rumors is filled with the same forward-thinking spirit that defines its authors, Jon Tyson and Darren Whitehead. ―Louie Giglio, pastor, Passion City Church

Both challenging and encouraging, Rumors of God will reintroduce you to a God worth talking about. ―Gabe Lyons, author, "The Next Christians," founder, Q, coauthor, "UnChristian"

This book invites us to find the rumors of God all around us. Read it, but be ready to be changed. ―Scot McKnight, author, "One.Life: Jesus Calls, We Follow" and "Jesus Creed for Students"

For those who are jaded by the church, or have become cynical about the power of the Gospel in our time, Rumors of God is a great antidote. ―Alan Hirsch, author, dreamer, activist (www.theforgottenways.org)

Foreword by Bill Hybels, founding and senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Ill., and chairman of the board for the Willow Creek Association.

" ""The irony: two upstart Aussies from tiny towns half a world away wind up leading high impact churches in two of the most significant cities in North America. Only God."

"Darren Whitehead and Jon Tyson are deep thinking Christ followers with a bias for action in the world. A rare combination these days. They are both leaders and communicators, visionaries and "get stuff done for God" guys. Extremely rare."

"I have had the privilege of working closely with Darren at Willow Creek Community Church for over 7 years. He is thoughtful, relationally intelligent and one of the hardest working young leaders I know."

"In Rumors of God, Darren and Jon have some how succeeded in slipping 3D glasses over our eyes. The results are that passages from scripture come alive in ways that will impact readers for a long time."

" ""I salute the efforts of these young mates and pray that readers will be as stretched in their minds and hearts as I have been."

A NYC pastor and global influencer inspires readers to find their most meaningful and purposeful life. Surprising to many, this life is not measured by success, comparison, or accolades. Rather, free and joyful living stems from a God-centered celebration of our union with Christ and the lives of those around us. Jon Tyson's exploration of the reverse economy of the kingdom frees his readers from merit-based living...not just in terms of salvation, but daily, earthly value. Life is not meant to be a series of competitions or a survival of the fittest rat race. Yet so many of the messages around us, so many of the voices bombarding our hearts and minds tie up our value and package it with our accolades. This book gives another way forward. It shows readers how to value their individual lives based on what God says about them, rather than how they measure themselves against the world. This is a must read for each and every person trying to find their voice and purpose in a loud and frenetic world.