On My Mind...
It seems like I hear something related to it every week. There are repeated calls for young males to grow up and be a man. The call to “man up” comes from both the right and the left. It comes from both the secular and the church world. What is disturbing is that there seems to be little difference between the approach to “manning up” whether coming from the church or the world. A book came out back in 1982 entitled, Real Men Don’t Eat Quiche: a Guidebook to All that is Truly Masculine. Written by Bruce Feirstein, it was a humorous look at culture. Feirstein wrote:
•Real men don’t floss;
•Real men don’t buy flight insurance;
•Real men don’t play frisbee;
•Real men don’t use zip codes;
•Real men never call for a fair catch.
I came across another one I liked, “How many real men does it take to change a light bulb? None! Real men are not afraid of the dark.”
There is a Chinese proverb that says, “It is harder to lead a family than to rule a nation.” I think that is true. I mean to lead a family well, given today’s world. One out of two marriages ending in divorce. Over a million teenage girls will get pregnant out of wedlock and half or more will get an abortion. Every 78 seconds a teenager in America attempts suicide. The problems are overwhelming. Who is their right mind wants to take the reins in such circumstances? Leading a family is difficult. Dad, you have a difficult assignment. You will be leading your family through some treacherous waters, but you are not alone. Your Father in Heaven has promised to supply all your needs. His word commanding, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all generously and without reproof.” He gives because it is His nature to give and He does so without a lecture. Seek the Lord and His mercy and grace and do the best you can. Will you make mistakes? Yes, but failure is never final in His economy. I found that by the time I figured out the answers – they changed the questions! Relax, rest in our God’s kindness and gracious provision. When you fail, and your will, acknowledge your failure and find His grace. By the way, when you fail your children, what a great opportunity to teach them about the grace and forgiveness of God as you acknowledge to them, that you have failed and ask for their forgiveness. That’s not weakness that is strength.
Sunday is Father’s Day. I’m grateful for a father who consistently, yet imperfectly, modeled what fatherhood should be. I’m grateful for many other “fathers” who have guided me throughout my life. Pastors, Sunday School teachers, deacons, coaches and teachers who have shaped and are shaping who I am. Sunday is a day to remember, honor and give thanks.
Have a blessed week and I’ll see you Sunday.
Rod
•Real men don’t floss;
•Real men don’t buy flight insurance;
•Real men don’t play frisbee;
•Real men don’t use zip codes;
•Real men never call for a fair catch.
I came across another one I liked, “How many real men does it take to change a light bulb? None! Real men are not afraid of the dark.”
There is a Chinese proverb that says, “It is harder to lead a family than to rule a nation.” I think that is true. I mean to lead a family well, given today’s world. One out of two marriages ending in divorce. Over a million teenage girls will get pregnant out of wedlock and half or more will get an abortion. Every 78 seconds a teenager in America attempts suicide. The problems are overwhelming. Who is their right mind wants to take the reins in such circumstances? Leading a family is difficult. Dad, you have a difficult assignment. You will be leading your family through some treacherous waters, but you are not alone. Your Father in Heaven has promised to supply all your needs. His word commanding, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all generously and without reproof.” He gives because it is His nature to give and He does so without a lecture. Seek the Lord and His mercy and grace and do the best you can. Will you make mistakes? Yes, but failure is never final in His economy. I found that by the time I figured out the answers – they changed the questions! Relax, rest in our God’s kindness and gracious provision. When you fail, and your will, acknowledge your failure and find His grace. By the way, when you fail your children, what a great opportunity to teach them about the grace and forgiveness of God as you acknowledge to them, that you have failed and ask for their forgiveness. That’s not weakness that is strength.
Sunday is Father’s Day. I’m grateful for a father who consistently, yet imperfectly, modeled what fatherhood should be. I’m grateful for many other “fathers” who have guided me throughout my life. Pastors, Sunday School teachers, deacons, coaches and teachers who have shaped and are shaping who I am. Sunday is a day to remember, honor and give thanks.
Have a blessed week and I’ll see you Sunday.
Rod