The winter time is a great time of reflection. Once the poultry season begins in May, things get very busy. Only this year, it may be different. As I reflect on the coming year I'm at a loss for what may happen. It's gray and distant from this vantage point. I'm not scared though. I've been here before. Yet even though I may not be scared I must recognize that planning the rest of the year, at this point, is impossible.
As you know, I have a whole passel of kids. Right now we are a family of 7 wandering this wilderness together. Come March we're looking at a becoming a family of 8 and right now we live in a 1,000 square foot house in the suburbs.
Yes, I double checked those numbers and there are no typos.
We're living in our starter home. When we bought I didn't realize that we would be "starting" for the next 12 years. But never one to move too fast, I've steadily paid down our mortgage. My goal was to pay it down, collect some serious equity, and then put a big down payment on a bigger home. Then the market crashed. Like so many people I went under water for a while. Fortunately I was in a position to get my head above water quickly. That's primarily because I did have so much equity built up. I also failed to mention that I never intended to raise livestock. I always thought it would be very cool. My grandpa raised livestock and I loved helping him, but it always seemed like a pipe dream to me; something to long for and never achieve. That was my thinking until about 3 years ago. It was then that God began to show me a life where our family would raise livestock.
My friend, of course, let me use his land and we began raising poultry. It's been a great experience, but it's become very difficult to raise livestock at another farm. Logistically it's challenging. Each year I impose upon my friend and his family to help in the day to day care of the birds. They never complain, and I think to some degree they even like it, but it can be a burden to care for several hundred critters at the time.
And so I find myself searching for a house with a little bit of land in the country.
The vision I have is to set up a homestead with my family. I'd like to have a home a bit bigger than the one we have now and seated on some acreage. I'd like to grow a bigger garden than what we can today and plan to supply our table with as much of our homegrown fruits and vegetable as I can. I'd like to begin raising chickens, turkeys, rabbits, and sheep. Eventually I'd like to add cattle. I'd like to do all of this with the hope of giving to my children experience in hard work, sustainable living, and running a business. And then, I'd want to expand!
No, I'm talking about franchising or becoming a land baron. Rather I have a vision to work with other local people in the pursuit of creating an agrarian network. For instance, you might be shopping at your local farmers market. You see a booth where they are selling seeds they have harvested from heirloom vegetables, and you ask about chicken. The farmer let's you know that he can get chicken for you. The next week at the market you see him again and he indeed has fresh pastured chicken for you. What you don't know is that he doesn't raise chicken. He got it from me. But he's part of the "network". He's your reliable farmer. The people in the "network" trade and barter for fresh homemade/homegrown goods. In this way no one person has to bear the burden of having lots of land and working in every facet of the farm. Some may want to and I applaud them. Many of us cannot. But together we can create an agrarian community of producers and buyers alike, dedicated to preserving the past, feeding the present, and creating a sustainable future. In short, live a simple life.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Friday, December 23, 2011
Peace on Earth?
Being a dyed in the wool idealist, I've had to wrestle with Christmas the last few years. For writing a blog about simplicity I sure can make things complicated. There are basically two sides of the Christmas coin that I've been focused one.
Ideology One
Christmas is a an American tradition rooted in Christianity.
Ideology Two
Christmas is a pagan celebration and we ought to steer clear of it.
Some of my readers may not realize that both of those sides exist, but they do. There are many other facets, of course, and I'm over simplifying for the sake of blogging. My focus in this post is to look at this year and my peace with Christmas.
If I've learned anything over the past 2 years I've learned to rethink those ideologies I try so desperately to attach myself to. I'm learning to read the Bible from the perspective of those who experienced it first hand. I read a great blog post (click here for installment 1, installment 2, and installment 3). It really highlighted the uncertainty of Joseph and Mary. Here is Joseph, a seemingly kind and devoted man, who hears that his wife is pregnant. She also tells him that the Child is a result of the immaculate conception. It is God's Son. Joseph's response? He decides to put her away (hide her and end the betrothal) quietly. I'm not sure if he really believed her or not.
Or take David. War hero. Chosen of God. Adulterer. Failed parent. I can't imagine that at the end of his life he was taking stock and saying "Obviously I will be known as a man after God's own heart." He may have been just a tad bewildered as to how his life got so messed up.
And so it is today that I look over my life and question a lot of the decisions I've made over the years. I wonder if I can really be "on track" with God. He knows what I've done. He knows who I am inside. Even when I uphold the rules of christianity that I learned as a child (read your Bible, pray, don't drink, don't smoke) it is merely a veil to hide who I am on the inside. Knowing that, can God really even find me acceptable in His sight?
Then I remember the birth of His Son. Born to a doubting earthly father. Brought into a world of utter darkness. He lived among us. He became one of us. He did all of that so He could call me His brother. It is then, and only then, that I realize that there is a whole bunch of grace that He has poured on me. And that's the real story behind Christmas.
You already know it's not about the presents. You already know it's not about the tree and Santa, cookies and egg nog. It's not even really about family. It's about Him and His birth. It's about our relationship with Him and how that affects our relationship with others.
So with that said, I've made peace with Christmas. I have good friends who don't celebrate the holiday, but they celebrate Jesus. I have family who go all out for Christmas (think about the Griswolds), but they celebrate Jesus. I can stand with both sets of people and respect them for the decisions they make and celebrate, with them, the birth of Christ. I guess I've simply come to the place where it doesn't seem to matter how you "celebrate" the holiday. It only matters that you celebrate Jesus.
As for me and my family, we have a tree in our house. We play Christmas carols and sing loudly (especially at "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer"...all 7 of us). We don't have Santa stuff in our home and we don't go to see Santa. Right now, as I type this, we are eagerly awaiting the unwrapping of gifts, visits to Grandmas house (before she gets run over), and more food than some third world countries see in a year. And I'm happy. I'm looking forward to celebrating Jesus, my Brother, with my brothers and sisters. I assume they've made their peace with Christmas.
What's your relationship with God like? Now's a good time to talk with Him about it.
Ideology One
Christmas is a an American tradition rooted in Christianity.
Ideology Two
Christmas is a pagan celebration and we ought to steer clear of it.
Some of my readers may not realize that both of those sides exist, but they do. There are many other facets, of course, and I'm over simplifying for the sake of blogging. My focus in this post is to look at this year and my peace with Christmas.
If I've learned anything over the past 2 years I've learned to rethink those ideologies I try so desperately to attach myself to. I'm learning to read the Bible from the perspective of those who experienced it first hand. I read a great blog post (click here for installment 1, installment 2, and installment 3). It really highlighted the uncertainty of Joseph and Mary. Here is Joseph, a seemingly kind and devoted man, who hears that his wife is pregnant. She also tells him that the Child is a result of the immaculate conception. It is God's Son. Joseph's response? He decides to put her away (hide her and end the betrothal) quietly. I'm not sure if he really believed her or not.
Or take David. War hero. Chosen of God. Adulterer. Failed parent. I can't imagine that at the end of his life he was taking stock and saying "Obviously I will be known as a man after God's own heart." He may have been just a tad bewildered as to how his life got so messed up.
And so it is today that I look over my life and question a lot of the decisions I've made over the years. I wonder if I can really be "on track" with God. He knows what I've done. He knows who I am inside. Even when I uphold the rules of christianity that I learned as a child (read your Bible, pray, don't drink, don't smoke) it is merely a veil to hide who I am on the inside. Knowing that, can God really even find me acceptable in His sight?
Then I remember the birth of His Son. Born to a doubting earthly father. Brought into a world of utter darkness. He lived among us. He became one of us. He did all of that so He could call me His brother. It is then, and only then, that I realize that there is a whole bunch of grace that He has poured on me. And that's the real story behind Christmas.
You already know it's not about the presents. You already know it's not about the tree and Santa, cookies and egg nog. It's not even really about family. It's about Him and His birth. It's about our relationship with Him and how that affects our relationship with others.
So with that said, I've made peace with Christmas. I have good friends who don't celebrate the holiday, but they celebrate Jesus. I have family who go all out for Christmas (think about the Griswolds), but they celebrate Jesus. I can stand with both sets of people and respect them for the decisions they make and celebrate, with them, the birth of Christ. I guess I've simply come to the place where it doesn't seem to matter how you "celebrate" the holiday. It only matters that you celebrate Jesus.
As for me and my family, we have a tree in our house. We play Christmas carols and sing loudly (especially at "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer"...all 7 of us). We don't have Santa stuff in our home and we don't go to see Santa. Right now, as I type this, we are eagerly awaiting the unwrapping of gifts, visits to Grandmas house (before she gets run over), and more food than some third world countries see in a year. And I'm happy. I'm looking forward to celebrating Jesus, my Brother, with my brothers and sisters. I assume they've made their peace with Christmas.
What's your relationship with God like? Now's a good time to talk with Him about it.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Of Texas and Texans
Recent travels have brought me into frequent contact with Texas and Texans. I've always loved the mystique surrounding the Lone Star State. As a boy I watched Westerns religiously and still do today. I've read the history of the Westward expansion and studied the history of raising cattle in America. Texas, of course, plays a significant role in all of those topics. But it is only recently that I have had so much exposure to the real Texas.
I've got to say...I'm impressed.
I like living in Michigan. Don't mis-understand. I like the weather (most of the time) and I love the lush woodlands, the marshes, and the Great Lakes. What strikes me about Texas, though, is the attitude.
I was recently talking to some business associates. I made the suggestion that perhaps we utilize some government resources available to us. The room got quiet and the group squirmed in their seats. Finally someone tactfully spoke up and said "Well, I know what the owner of our company will say. He'll say 'I'll close this shop permanently before I'll let the government run my business.'"
I laughed heartily at that.
I think that very statement encapsulates what endears me to the people of Texas. How much better off we would be if the people of the United States thought (to use JFK's popular phrase) not of what their country could do for them, but of what they could do for their country. And how satisfying to think of a government that empowered its people to lead and not pay politicians to live a life of extravagance. Unfortunately our country is in a state of decline. I believe much of that decline is a direct result of a lack of accountability. It has become our expectation that someone else is responsible for taking care of us. Yet deep in the heart of Texas I find much of the opposite viewpoint.
Take their gun laws for instance. The laws are much less restrictive than what we have in Michigan. In an informal poll I've been taking I have found that at least 75% of those I spoke to carry a fire arm. 75%! Each one believed that it was not only his or her right to bear arms, it was their responsibility. In the minds of those I talked to it is their responsibility to care for themselves and those they love. I have watched videos shot in other states where the elderly were brutally beaten, by standers gawking at the scene, and not a hand raised to help the victim. I somehow cannot see that scene unfolding in a state where most folks carry firearms and aren't afraid to use them.
Our forefathers sought to create a county that was united in the Independence of their respective states. Although in no way anarchists, they sought to limit the strength and over-arching dominance of a national government. Sadly, today we beg for the intervention of the Federal Government. If only we had listened to those who have gone before us. Instead we have recreated the intrusive government entity that they fled from so many years to go. Selfishly I look around and feel hemmed in. Unlike the founding fathers I don't know where else to go. Is there any undiscovered habitat in the world? I'm fiercely proud of our American heritage and I am profoundly disappointed in what we are fast becoming. My heritage is comprised of European immigrants and Native Americans. The need for freedom somehow flows in my blood. The continued growth and dominance of a central government strikes fear in my heart. Yet there is a glimmer of hope. Texas has talked of seceding the union. Hmmmm...there's something to think about.
Really, from the Austin music scene, the Dallas oil refineries, to the cattle ranches that dot the Texas landscape, the state has made a name for itself as being an example of "State's Rights" in the 21st century. Heck, if they do end up seceding from the union, they may find the population grow by one family.
Oh, and by the way, did I mention that Chuck Norris lives somewhere near Houston?
I've got to say...I'm impressed.
I like living in Michigan. Don't mis-understand. I like the weather (most of the time) and I love the lush woodlands, the marshes, and the Great Lakes. What strikes me about Texas, though, is the attitude.
I was recently talking to some business associates. I made the suggestion that perhaps we utilize some government resources available to us. The room got quiet and the group squirmed in their seats. Finally someone tactfully spoke up and said "Well, I know what the owner of our company will say. He'll say 'I'll close this shop permanently before I'll let the government run my business.'"
I laughed heartily at that.
I think that very statement encapsulates what endears me to the people of Texas. How much better off we would be if the people of the United States thought (to use JFK's popular phrase) not of what their country could do for them, but of what they could do for their country. And how satisfying to think of a government that empowered its people to lead and not pay politicians to live a life of extravagance. Unfortunately our country is in a state of decline. I believe much of that decline is a direct result of a lack of accountability. It has become our expectation that someone else is responsible for taking care of us. Yet deep in the heart of Texas I find much of the opposite viewpoint.
Take their gun laws for instance. The laws are much less restrictive than what we have in Michigan. In an informal poll I've been taking I have found that at least 75% of those I spoke to carry a fire arm. 75%! Each one believed that it was not only his or her right to bear arms, it was their responsibility. In the minds of those I talked to it is their responsibility to care for themselves and those they love. I have watched videos shot in other states where the elderly were brutally beaten, by standers gawking at the scene, and not a hand raised to help the victim. I somehow cannot see that scene unfolding in a state where most folks carry firearms and aren't afraid to use them.
Our forefathers sought to create a county that was united in the Independence of their respective states. Although in no way anarchists, they sought to limit the strength and over-arching dominance of a national government. Sadly, today we beg for the intervention of the Federal Government. If only we had listened to those who have gone before us. Instead we have recreated the intrusive government entity that they fled from so many years to go. Selfishly I look around and feel hemmed in. Unlike the founding fathers I don't know where else to go. Is there any undiscovered habitat in the world? I'm fiercely proud of our American heritage and I am profoundly disappointed in what we are fast becoming. My heritage is comprised of European immigrants and Native Americans. The need for freedom somehow flows in my blood. The continued growth and dominance of a central government strikes fear in my heart. Yet there is a glimmer of hope. Texas has talked of seceding the union. Hmmmm...there's something to think about.
Really, from the Austin music scene, the Dallas oil refineries, to the cattle ranches that dot the Texas landscape, the state has made a name for itself as being an example of "State's Rights" in the 21st century. Heck, if they do end up seceding from the union, they may find the population grow by one family.
Oh, and by the way, did I mention that Chuck Norris lives somewhere near Houston?
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving
Make sure you set aside time today to dwell on all those things you are thankful for. Gods blessings are abundant and sometimes we overlook them. Use today as a time to remember. Give thanks to the giver of all good things. May He bless us all.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
That's What Faith Must Be
As my readers know I am a Christian. Sometimes I cringe at saying that
because I know some of the preconceived notions that people have about
Christians. Unfortunately some of those notions have proven true over
the years. When I think of what it really means to be a Christian I am
left with really only one answer. At its core, its very essence,
Christianity is faith in the God of the Bible and His son Jesus Christ.
The question then becomes "What is faith?"
Since this is a simple blog I can only answer simply. I'll leave the detailed explanations to the Theologians. For my part I will only answer from my experience.
Last year I blogged about my family and the joy we shared at the coming of a new baby. Children are always a blessing from the Lord. But in November we lost that baby. I blogged a bit about that too. It was a hard time. We looked forward to the baby with great anticipation. He was one of us; flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone. Though I never knew him I still loved him. Then he was gone. A relationship ended before it had begun.
And so I wondered at God. Why does He do things like that?
I never got an answer to that question. I didn't really expect to. He is God. I am not. That's just the way it is.
A year has passed now. I'm still asking the Lord some hard question. Since the time of the scenes laid before you in the above paragraph I have also lost a dear friend and brother unexpectedly. Now I find myself in a situation where my house is sold and I have no place to move my family. In short I find myself in an ever shifting landscape that I don't understand. It's a very unsettled place.
Even though I don't "get" what's going on I'm still walking with God. My beautiful wife of 14 years is again pregnant. What a blessing! And yet even in this pregnancy I am walking by faith. Faith in what? It's not a faith that the baby will thrive. It's not a faith that we will get a new house. It's not a faith that when I get through it all it will suddenly make sense to me. It's a faith that God is God and that He is Good. That's it. It's that simple.
As a final thought, please don't read into this that I am strong and brave. I am neither. I am asking God hard questions because my faith is weak and I struggle. Like the man in the Bible I cry out "I believe. Help my unbelief!". I'm walking in faith and believing that He knows what's best...because I don't.
UPDATE: The buyer for our house found that they can't get financed after all. That's the second deal that's fallen through for the same reason. What's that mean for us? Not much. We're still unsettled and still waiting on the Lord. Our faith is being tested once again. Right now I can thank God that He is still working.
Since this is a simple blog I can only answer simply. I'll leave the detailed explanations to the Theologians. For my part I will only answer from my experience.
Last year I blogged about my family and the joy we shared at the coming of a new baby. Children are always a blessing from the Lord. But in November we lost that baby. I blogged a bit about that too. It was a hard time. We looked forward to the baby with great anticipation. He was one of us; flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone. Though I never knew him I still loved him. Then he was gone. A relationship ended before it had begun.
And so I wondered at God. Why does He do things like that?
I never got an answer to that question. I didn't really expect to. He is God. I am not. That's just the way it is.
A year has passed now. I'm still asking the Lord some hard question. Since the time of the scenes laid before you in the above paragraph I have also lost a dear friend and brother unexpectedly. Now I find myself in a situation where my house is sold and I have no place to move my family. In short I find myself in an ever shifting landscape that I don't understand. It's a very unsettled place.
Even though I don't "get" what's going on I'm still walking with God. My beautiful wife of 14 years is again pregnant. What a blessing! And yet even in this pregnancy I am walking by faith. Faith in what? It's not a faith that the baby will thrive. It's not a faith that we will get a new house. It's not a faith that when I get through it all it will suddenly make sense to me. It's a faith that God is God and that He is Good. That's it. It's that simple.
As a final thought, please don't read into this that I am strong and brave. I am neither. I am asking God hard questions because my faith is weak and I struggle. Like the man in the Bible I cry out "I believe. Help my unbelief!". I'm walking in faith and believing that He knows what's best...because I don't.
UPDATE: The buyer for our house found that they can't get financed after all. That's the second deal that's fallen through for the same reason. What's that mean for us? Not much. We're still unsettled and still waiting on the Lord. Our faith is being tested once again. Right now I can thank God that He is still working.
Monday, October 31, 2011
A Vote for Conscience
Have you ever heard the term "vote your conscience"? I hear it every time a presidential election starts to gear up. The truth is I'm not very politically minded by nature. It's a chore for me to follow elections and campaigns. In recent years, though, I have become increasingly aware of my responsibility as a good citizen of the world.
As a Christian I do not feel that I can definitively commit myself to a single party. My heart belongs to Christ and Him alone. Not surprisingly C.S. Lewis did a remarkable job of explaining it in an essay in the compilation called "God in the Dock. I have searched for the title of that essay and I can't find it. I'll plan to post it in a comment when I find it. But I digress. In the last election I had to look at all the candidates to evaluate them based on what qualities I felt would make a good leader. I ended up not at all sure who to vote for.
On the one hand I had the Democrats. I am pretty conservative overall so I generally shy away from this party. However, I do not bitterly hate anyone from the party and find that some of the ideals are in alignment with things I believe in (I think I just heard and audible gasp from the Republican readers of my blog).
On the other hand I had the Republicans. Yes I'm conservative, but when you really look at an individual candidating for the American presidency, you must also evaluate their leadership abilities. I didn't see much coming from the GOP. Also, just because a candidate has conservative ideals doesn't mean their life is not full of compromise. That was also a common theme at the time.
So what's a white middle class conservative Christian American male to do? I...I can hardly say it...I voted 3rd party!
As you pick yourself up off the floor, I'll let you know that I'm not going to write in this blog which party I voted for. It doesn't really matter. The point is that I voted 3rd party.
An acquaintance of mine was absolutely appalled. He is a died-in-the-wool Republican. He works to distribute literature locally and is a staunch supporter of the GOP. He was quite animated that I would throw away my vote. Isn't it interesting that even in the land of opportunity we assume that there are really only two parties? We don't even pretend that a 3rd party will win. It just will not happen. According to this person if a conservative voter does not vote Republican, it's almost like giving your vote to the Dem's. And so I was duly chastised.
Frankly, when I look at a candidate for anything I'm looking at 1) personal character and 2) leadership abilities. I really don't care what party they are affiliated with. I want to know who they are and can they handle this position. And I pray. I don't make a move of this magnitude without prayer.
Well, you know the end of the story: the Dem's won out, the GOP started searching for a new candidate, and my life went on pretty much like always. Did my vote help put a Democrat in office? Maybe. But at the end of the day I can stand before God and I am confident that I am not simply voting for a party. I'm voting for God. I may get it wrong sometimes, but that's okay. He knows my heart. In fact, He's the one speaking to me in that still small voice...my conscience. So vote your conscience. God knows who will win. I don't think He's intimidated.
As a Christian I do not feel that I can definitively commit myself to a single party. My heart belongs to Christ and Him alone. Not surprisingly C.S. Lewis did a remarkable job of explaining it in an essay in the compilation called "God in the Dock. I have searched for the title of that essay and I can't find it. I'll plan to post it in a comment when I find it. But I digress. In the last election I had to look at all the candidates to evaluate them based on what qualities I felt would make a good leader. I ended up not at all sure who to vote for.
On the one hand I had the Democrats. I am pretty conservative overall so I generally shy away from this party. However, I do not bitterly hate anyone from the party and find that some of the ideals are in alignment with things I believe in (I think I just heard and audible gasp from the Republican readers of my blog).
On the other hand I had the Republicans. Yes I'm conservative, but when you really look at an individual candidating for the American presidency, you must also evaluate their leadership abilities. I didn't see much coming from the GOP. Also, just because a candidate has conservative ideals doesn't mean their life is not full of compromise. That was also a common theme at the time.
So what's a white middle class conservative Christian American male to do? I...I can hardly say it...I voted 3rd party!
As you pick yourself up off the floor, I'll let you know that I'm not going to write in this blog which party I voted for. It doesn't really matter. The point is that I voted 3rd party.
An acquaintance of mine was absolutely appalled. He is a died-in-the-wool Republican. He works to distribute literature locally and is a staunch supporter of the GOP. He was quite animated that I would throw away my vote. Isn't it interesting that even in the land of opportunity we assume that there are really only two parties? We don't even pretend that a 3rd party will win. It just will not happen. According to this person if a conservative voter does not vote Republican, it's almost like giving your vote to the Dem's. And so I was duly chastised.
Frankly, when I look at a candidate for anything I'm looking at 1) personal character and 2) leadership abilities. I really don't care what party they are affiliated with. I want to know who they are and can they handle this position. And I pray. I don't make a move of this magnitude without prayer.
Well, you know the end of the story: the Dem's won out, the GOP started searching for a new candidate, and my life went on pretty much like always. Did my vote help put a Democrat in office? Maybe. But at the end of the day I can stand before God and I am confident that I am not simply voting for a party. I'm voting for God. I may get it wrong sometimes, but that's okay. He knows my heart. In fact, He's the one speaking to me in that still small voice...my conscience. So vote your conscience. God knows who will win. I don't think He's intimidated.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Be A Man
As many of my readers know, I am a proponent of manhood. Yes, some may
call that sexist but it's not. I do not promote manhood against
womanhood. It is merely a celebration of being a man. I've been giving
some thought on the topic now that the weather in the Midwest states
begins to feel very autumn-ish. As always happens this time of year I get
ready to walk out the door and I am put into a quandary. To wear or
jacket or not to wear a jacket. That is the question. As I am typically a
hot blooded sort of man I don't like to wear a jacket until it's good
and cold. However, when it raining hard I generally use a windbreaker.
That's just how I roll.
What is amazing to me is that every time I wear a jacket or a coat, almost without exception, someone will question my manhood. "Are you serious? Do you really need a jacket? It's not even cold out here!". Or "I don't wear a coat until it gets below freezing!".
Every single time.
Men need tests of manhood in their lives. Say what you will but it's embedded deep within our psyche. We must prove we are men. I don't think that's all bad. Every society must choose for themselves what the test will be.
Ours is apparently whether or not you wear a jacket.
Seriously it is pathetic what we in America do to prove we are men. If you scratch yourself and drink beer you must be a man. If you curse and disrespect authority you must be a man. If you gain power and image you must be a man.
It was not always the case. In America we had fine men who knew what it was to be both strong and kind. They knew how to act in the field and display manners at the table. Today we are in desperate need of modern examples of manliness. Real men who are not defined by societal influence but are rather driven to do that which is right. If you'll indulge me, I'll provide a few examples.
Example 1: My Grandpa
My Dad's dad was a true man. He was part of the last great generation. He served in the second world war and afterward moved to Detroit. He wanted to work in the automotive industry but became an educator in the public school system. He even wore a pocket protector. What made him a man, though, was his commitment. He was a loving husband to two wives (one died at a young age) and fathered three children. He could fix anything that broke. He was a master with wood and genius with mechanics. If you had a problem with your car, he'd come over for a visit in his trademark dress slack (yes....slacks is a good description) and short sleeved button down shirt and climb right under your car to start working. Yet he was, in my mind, refined. He was an antique dealer and his table manners were impeccable. The truth is, he was a nerd before being a nerd was cool. He was committed to seeing his family taken care of. He was committed to serving God in church. He was committed to helping others. He was committed to doing what was right even when there were easier ways.
Example 2: Harold
My friend, Harold, is father to 9 children. That was not a typo. He has structured his life, both professionally and personally, in a way that allows him to give of himself to his wife and children. He has had a series of successful businesses (construction based) in which he actively involves his sons. He considers his wife's needs and desires in his decision making and actively communicates his love for her. He puts a strong emphasis on loving God and serving others. Selfless is the word that comes to mind. And the results? I've never met a finer bunch of kids in my life.
Example 3: Chuck Norris
No, this is not a joke. I've spent some time learning about Chuck. I've been a martial arts fan my whole life. Although the Chuck Facts may be humorous (some are not) they do not in any way truly measure this man. Despite what you may think of him politically you cannot deny that Chuck is in every way a gentleman. He is passionate about God and country. He loves his wife and children. He uses his ample resources to help others, including under-privileged children who receive martial arts classes that emphasize self worth and good citizenship...all for free. His dedication to serving God in more recent years has been evident in his life and his writings. Plus, his roundhouse kick totally rocks.
The truth is that manhood, real manhood, is not about brute strength and Neanderthal-like thinking. It's not about power and prestige. It's not about money. Its not even about wearing a jacket. Its about commitment, honesty, integrity and love. It's about a selfless devotion to God. It's about strength of character.
True manhood is about living to serve.
As I thought of this post I found it difficult to identify modern examples of real men.
How about you? Who are your examples of real men?
What is amazing to me is that every time I wear a jacket or a coat, almost without exception, someone will question my manhood. "Are you serious? Do you really need a jacket? It's not even cold out here!". Or "I don't wear a coat until it gets below freezing!".
Every single time.
Men need tests of manhood in their lives. Say what you will but it's embedded deep within our psyche. We must prove we are men. I don't think that's all bad. Every society must choose for themselves what the test will be.
Ours is apparently whether or not you wear a jacket.
Seriously it is pathetic what we in America do to prove we are men. If you scratch yourself and drink beer you must be a man. If you curse and disrespect authority you must be a man. If you gain power and image you must be a man.
It was not always the case. In America we had fine men who knew what it was to be both strong and kind. They knew how to act in the field and display manners at the table. Today we are in desperate need of modern examples of manliness. Real men who are not defined by societal influence but are rather driven to do that which is right. If you'll indulge me, I'll provide a few examples.
Example 1: My Grandpa
My Dad's dad was a true man. He was part of the last great generation. He served in the second world war and afterward moved to Detroit. He wanted to work in the automotive industry but became an educator in the public school system. He even wore a pocket protector. What made him a man, though, was his commitment. He was a loving husband to two wives (one died at a young age) and fathered three children. He could fix anything that broke. He was a master with wood and genius with mechanics. If you had a problem with your car, he'd come over for a visit in his trademark dress slack (yes....slacks is a good description) and short sleeved button down shirt and climb right under your car to start working. Yet he was, in my mind, refined. He was an antique dealer and his table manners were impeccable. The truth is, he was a nerd before being a nerd was cool. He was committed to seeing his family taken care of. He was committed to serving God in church. He was committed to helping others. He was committed to doing what was right even when there were easier ways.
Example 2: Harold
My friend, Harold, is father to 9 children. That was not a typo. He has structured his life, both professionally and personally, in a way that allows him to give of himself to his wife and children. He has had a series of successful businesses (construction based) in which he actively involves his sons. He considers his wife's needs and desires in his decision making and actively communicates his love for her. He puts a strong emphasis on loving God and serving others. Selfless is the word that comes to mind. And the results? I've never met a finer bunch of kids in my life.
Example 3: Chuck Norris
No, this is not a joke. I've spent some time learning about Chuck. I've been a martial arts fan my whole life. Although the Chuck Facts may be humorous (some are not) they do not in any way truly measure this man. Despite what you may think of him politically you cannot deny that Chuck is in every way a gentleman. He is passionate about God and country. He loves his wife and children. He uses his ample resources to help others, including under-privileged children who receive martial arts classes that emphasize self worth and good citizenship...all for free. His dedication to serving God in more recent years has been evident in his life and his writings. Plus, his roundhouse kick totally rocks.
The truth is that manhood, real manhood, is not about brute strength and Neanderthal-like thinking. It's not about power and prestige. It's not about money. Its not even about wearing a jacket. Its about commitment, honesty, integrity and love. It's about a selfless devotion to God. It's about strength of character.
True manhood is about living to serve.
As I thought of this post I found it difficult to identify modern examples of real men.
How about you? Who are your examples of real men?
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