“Peace to you” is easy to say but how is it to be lived? “Peace” has been defined as “freedom from disturbance; tranquility,” at least per Webster’s dictionary. I think of the advertising for noise-cancelling headphones that sell the idea of being oblivious to the world around you, undisturbed and tranquil. Is that peace?
In this final week of Advent, the candle lit reflects ...read on
Joy is an emotion and men do not typically like to show emotions. How is a dad to celebrate great joy around Christmas? One example is King David’s celebration when the ark of God was brought to the City of David. In 2Samuel 6:14, it says, “Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might.” King David was elated, and celebrated great joy in getting the ark of God in its rightful place.
“Are you smellin’ what I’m steppin’ in?” That was a question posed by a friend from Mississippi. What I came to understand is that he was asking if I really heard what he was saying. The extension of course is that whatever is said is reflected in how you are walking. Are your kids “smellin’ what you’re steppin’ in”? Are you walking in faith or in something else?
In this second week of Advent, the candle lit represents the ...read on
The last number of months have provided many an opportunity to focus in on family as a priority. In spite of the challenges we have faced across 2021, there was much to be thankful for as November wrapped up. Now it is December and time for dads to lead the way to CHRISTmas. A family focus on Advent can help all tune-in to the Reason for the season, the Christ-child’s birth.
One of my favorite movies is Braveheart. In one powerful scene, William Wallace rides up on a horse to address his troops. The men are looking across the field at an English army that greatly outnumbers them. Some are overwhelmed and express a desire to go home versus facing certain death. Wallace says, “Aye, you can return to your homes and live but what kind of life will it be without freedom?” He proceeded to call out to the “Sons of Scotland!” He said, “You fight today as free men against an enemy that wants to take our freedom!”
The Scots stood firm on the battlefront knowing ...read on
How are you doing these days? Some are facing challenges around employment – Many companies are requiring mandatory vaccination or weekly testing. Other folks are struggling with emotional stress from the loss of loved ones to months of isolation. And political division on steroids has caused rifts in families and the public square. Men, families and businesses are struggling.
What in the world is going on? The world is ...read on
The young man made some poor decisions relationally and academically while off at college and the consequences were severe. This was out of character because he was in a church-going family and had regularly participated in the youth group events. Some were questioning if the youth group at the church was all it was cracked up to be if this could happen to one of their own.
I asked the pastor if there was anything that stood out about this young man that would suggest he might take such a turn. He responded, “Absolutely! His dad was ...read on
He is facing pressure from his employer of over 20 years to get the Covid19 vaccine. As a husband and father, the job is critical if he is to continue providing financially at the level the family has become accustomed to. His stance against mandates has been clear throughout the pandemic. Now it has gotten very close and personal. Is he going to conform or stand firm? The kids are watching.
Last month there were 23 kids arrested during three days of brawls at Southwind High School in Shreveport, Louisiana. A dad in the community, Mike LaFitte, saw a need and organized ‘Dads on Duty’- Forty dads volunteered to work shifts to ensure that several dads would be physically present at the school throughout the day. There have been no incidents since implementation of ‘Dads on Duty’. Several students commented that there was an immediate increased sense of safety with the dads present.
Mr. LaFitte was burdened with the status quo in his community and took it on himself to ...read on
In a recent interview, ex-New York Times journalist Bari Weiss stated that the world has gone mad – “Where can I start? … When you’re not able to say out loud and in public there are differences between men and women, the world has gone mad. … When in the name of progress, young school children, as young as kindergarten, are being separated in public schools because of their race, and that is called progress instead of segregation, the world has gone mad.”
These are just a couple of the dozen or so examples that Ms. Weiss cited but they are foundational issues the schools are trying to navigate through today. Parents are ...read on
“Peace to you” is easy to say but how is it to be lived? “Peace” has been defined as “freedom from disturbance; tranquility,” at least per Webster’s dictionary. I think of the advertising for noise-cancelling headphones that sell the idea of being oblivious to the world around you, undisturbed and tranquil. Is that peace?
Joy is an emotion and men do not typically like to show emotions. How is a dad to celebrate great joy around Christmas? One example is King David’s celebration when the ark of God was brought to the City of David. In 2Samuel 6:14, it says, “Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might.” King David was elated, and celebrated great joy in getting the ark of God in its rightful place.
“Are you smellin’ what I’m steppin’ in?” That was a question posed by a friend from Mississippi. What I came to understand is that he was asking if I really heard what he was saying. The extension of course is that whatever is said is reflected in how you are walking. Are your kids “smellin’ what you’re steppin’ in”? Are you walking in faith or in something else?
The last number of months have provided many an opportunity to focus in on family as a priority. In spite of the challenges we have faced across 2021, there was much to be thankful for as November wrapped up. Now it is December and time for dads to lead the way to CHRISTmas. A family focus on Advent can help all tune-in to the Reason for the season, the Christ-child’s birth.
How are you doing these days? Some are facing challenges around employment – Many companies are requiring mandatory vaccination or weekly testing. Other folks are struggling with emotional stress from the loss of loved ones to months of isolation. And political division on steroids has caused rifts in families and the public square. Men, families and businesses are struggling.
The young man made some poor decisions relationally and academically while off at college and the consequences were severe. This was out of character because he was in a church-going family and had regularly participated in the youth group events. Some were questioning if the youth group at the church was all it was cracked up to be if this could happen to one of their own.
He is facing pressure from his employer of over 20 years to get the Covid19 vaccine. As a husband and father, the job is critical if he is to continue providing financially at the level the family has become accustomed to. His stance against mandates has been clear throughout the pandemic. Now it has gotten very close and personal. Is he going to conform or stand firm? The kids are watching.
Last month there were 23 kids arrested during three days of brawls at Southwind High School in Shreveport, Louisiana. A dad in the community, Mike LaFitte, saw a need and organized ‘Dads on Duty’- Forty dads volunteered to work shifts to ensure that several dads would be physically present at the school throughout the day. There have been no incidents since implementation of ‘Dads on Duty’. Several students commented that there was an immediate increased sense of safety with the dads present.
In a recent interview, ex-New York Times journalist Bari Weiss stated that the world has gone mad – “Where can I start? … When you’re not able to say out loud and in public there are differences between men and women, the world has gone mad. … When in the name of progress, young school children, as young as kindergarten, are being separated in public schools because of their race, and that is called progress instead of segregation, the world has gone mad.”
