Here’s a video blog for PART 2 of our MORE THAN A MUSTACHE series.
When every young man hits a certain age – hair starts growing on his face. But this glorious and beautiful hair growth does not make him a man….
My 14 year old son Isaiah and I sat down to make a lists of characteristics that make someone a “real man.”
I was very impressed with his input – and am proud to see him (and his brother) develop into fine young men.
In this series we’ll be exploring these character qualities that MAKE the man.
#wisdomwednesday
Here’s a video blog for PART 1 of our MORE THAN A MOUSTACHE series.
When every young man hits a certain age – hair starts growing on his face. But this glorious and beautiful hair growth does not make him a man….
My 14 year old son Isaiah and I sat down to make a lists of characteristics that make someone a “real man.”
I was very impressed with his input – and am proud to see him (and his brother) develop into fine young men.
In this series we’ll be exploring these character qualities that MAKE the man.
David Valentine Only a year and a half into our “fairytale” marriage, there was doubt we would be married another year. We entered this journey prepared—at least we thought we were prepared. For years prior to our wedding day we both read relationship books like addicts getting their fix. […]
What do you think of waiting? Is it something passive– sedentary? Is it a sign of weakness done mostly by people who don’t have the guts or gumption to take things into their own hands? I surely am not the first person to point out that we live in an age of instant gratification … or at least the pursuit or illusion of that.
It seems to me the longer I live, that waiting is a very active verb. It takes strength to wait. It takes resolve not to give into impatience. One needs to have vision of future goals and a good grasp of consequences- both positive and negative- of failure. We also must have hope and confident expectation. How sad that mankind has given up waitiing and put their energies in so many activities and dreams that are false or weak and will never fill the cry of our hearts nor the destiny God has called us into.
We are so often hypocrites and opportunists. I am not talking about the ‘worldling’… to be blinded by this earthly kingdom and chasing vanities is to be expected from the lost. But, we as Christians should not live so. We should not be so easily distracted…. 1. walkiing as the youth of today in a group- while texting others as if they are going to be left out…… or like many of their adult models.. 2. trying to get in the hottest ‘social network’ or ‘linked in’ to as many different potential agenda advancers as possible.
Maybe I am blogging to myself here, so I am going to encourage myself to be patient. I am going to try to keep true to the destiny I am called to. Help me Lord, not be so concerned when my roles in life change, as they do for all of us. You have called me for such a time as this and so I will trust that the ‘confinements’ during this particular waiting stage are shaping me and my character. Maybe the best thing you and I can do toposition ourselves would be to remain faithful and vigilant. Don’t let anyone other than the Holy Spirit call you away from your mission.
“Seek first the Kingdom of God.. and all these things will be added unto you.”
“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him.. to the one who seeks Him. It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”
We can’t all be part of Seal Team Six.. but we each can have a mission.
“Man your post”
Man– Has nothing to do with whether you’re male or female. It is about being faithful, alert, and operational. Be sober and diligent. We live in a world where everything is in a process of decline or decay… moving from order to chaos.
Your- Each of us occupies a sphere of influence that is unique to us. We have loved ones, associates, neighbors and contacts. We can either be a part of that decline and decay that mentioned above….having become apathetic, weary, and without hope; or we can bring renewal, refreshing, and redemption.
Post- This speaks of our unique station or calling. We may share roles that are similar to many of those around us, but we alone can “man” our particular station. You are blessed if you know your calling and have found strength and grace to remain faithful. There is ground that I am to occupy. I’m not saying it is easy or even fair.. this being ‘on duty’ for life. People are watching us. Many are dependant upon us to show them how walk through trials and stages of life with dignity, in victory and purpose. Each of us has a post to man- each of us will leave a legacy.
Once again Dallas, TX has officially proclaimed the month of June to be Pride Month. This is in response to a request brought forth by the LGBT task force, commemorating the Stonewall Riots, one of the first major public battles toward equality for homosexual US citizens. In many ways the homosexual community is still treated like second class citizens, though they have gained a lot of headway in the decades which have passed since this historic event. All politics aside, this got me thinking about what I’m proud of. The list has changed over the years, but a few key aspects of life have informed both my identity, and are the anchors of my pride.
A primary factor in my life is my faith. I am a committed Christian, and I’m proud of my faith, and the heritage and direction it gives to my life. In recent years I feel like many have tried to make me feel guilty about such a traditional view, but let’s take a moment to clear the air. I don’t think that every Muslim is out to kill. The adherents to Islam I have met are intelligent people who never appear to be on the edge of murder. I don’t feel religious people have the right to ridicule homosexuals. It’s not our place to make anyone else feel like less of a human, or to cast scorn, hatred, or derision upon anyone, for any reason, sexual orientation included. I don’t disregard science due to blind adherence to the Bible. Actually, I think the two can go hand in hand. No, I don’t think the world is only 6,000 years old, and my children have been vaccinated. My best friend of over 20 years is an atheist – I will never exclude you for thinking differently than I do. Christianity has received a lot of bad press in recent years, but I know that it has taken me from an immature man child with no goals to a successful man with a great career, good friends and a wonderful family.
And on that note, I’m proud of my family. I have a beautiful, intelligent, creative wife who is a constant source of wonder and amazement. Seriously, she has ideas that would never cross my mind, and often fills in the gaps in my own thought process. We have two beautiful little girls, and a son with Asperger’s Syndrome. We are not a perfect family. We disagree, and sometimes mom and dad are too tired or stressed after a day of dealing with the black and white world view of an individual with an autism spectrum disorder. If you’ve ever seen the television show “Parenthood” take note of character Max Braverman. I assure you it’s a very accurate depiction of the stresses that come with a child on the autism spectrum. This year has seen our aspie son, the oldest of our three, make huge strides toward maturity, while our youngest, a girl of four with a wit sharper than many adults, enter preschool. While we are flawed in many ways, I am proud to be the father and husband to a loving, challenging family.
I am proud of my heritage. I have already mentioned the Christian heritage that grounds my faith, but in a way many of us can relate to I am proud of my country. The USA has made its share of mistakes, and while I often disagree with those in power, I like the fact that we can all be equal. Christian and atheist, gay and straight, no matter your outlook, spirituality, race, creed or disability (and we all have disabilities to one extent or another), we are allowed to live as we see fit, barring that we injure no other. That’s awesome. Yes, I know many are looked down on for various reasons, but when I see countries in the Middle East stoning homosexuals and publicly shaming, or even murdering, people who oppose the predominant faith, I’m glad that people of dissimilar views are allowed to live, more than this – expected to live, unmolested in my country.
To go even deeper, I recently introduced my children to our racial heritage by visiting a local museum dedicated to the Native Americans that originally populated our area. I am but a few generations removed from those who lived on the reservation. It was difficult to explain to my children that we have a rich heritage that does not require wearing animal skins, donning feathers and dancing around a fire. Native Americans have left an indelible mark on this nation, and are present in every industry and walk of life in the US. While my family may not practice the traditions of our forebears, it’s important to know where we come from, and to know take pride in how far we have come, as a society, as a racial group, and as individuals.
Whether you agree with Dallas or not, we all have something we’re proud of. I don’t know what it’s like to be discriminated against because of my sexuality, but I do know how it feels to be an outcast in other areas of life. How it feels to be the only Christian in the room when others are discussing macroevolution – scorned for my views, but still proud of my faith. How it feels to be the father of the kid with Asperger’s who is in tears because he doesn’t fit it with the other kids, yet still feeling pride in his small steps that other kids his age are leaps beyond. To be proud of my heritage when all others think of are the clichés seen on television and movie screens, which are often miles removed from the truth. This June I will celebrate Pride Month by taking stock of the things I am proud of, and remembering that I don’t have the right to tear down another for theirs. By living this way I hope to rise above the static around me to find hope, respect and fellowship, even with those whose views I may not fully understand.
