Row Your Own Boat

A while back, I was sitting in a men's gathering with my five boys listening to a message on leadership from my friend, Chris Miller, when he used the term, "row your own boat." He went on to talk briefly about how the Vikings were strong, buff dudes, who would whip those who opposed them because of the fact that they "rowed their own boat."

They didn't hire someone to row for them, they didn't take government subsidies, to hire government rowers; no, they rowed their own boat. Rowing their own boat prepared the Vikings for what they needed to do. It kept them in top physical shape, and helped them stay focused on their mission, and it can do the same for us today.

Accepting responsibility in the areas that the LORD has called us to do so in, helps to keep men focused, it helps to keep men busy, and it helps to keep men in spiritual shape. Leading our homes spiritually is one area where men need to row their own boat. Providing for our homes is another, along with protecting. Educating our children is yet another, and sadly, this area is one where too many men have dropped the ball, and have seen devastating consequences as a result.

As men, we need to carry the blessed burden of leading, providing, protecting and educating with a joyous demeanor and uplifted countenance; for it is from the LORD of Heaven where we draw our strength to accomplish our given tasks. So go ahead, men, grab those ores, look to the LORD and row. Row like the faithfulness of your posterity depended upon it, because in many ways, it does...

Busy With My Wife...

If it seems like I haven't been posting much lately, it's been because my wife, June, who runs "A Wise Woman Builds Her Home," has been ill since the beginning of the year.

She's been in and out of doctor's visits, ER visits, etc., and I've been a lot busier than normal, picking up the slack of caring for the children more, buying groceries, and all the other things I take for granted when my wife is feeling good.

She's on the road to recovery, and I believe the LORD will give her good health in near future and beyond!

So, if things pick up for her health wise, I might be able to post more often than I have. If not, reruns will have to do!

(PS - I added "word verification" for commenting because I'd been getting a large amount of spam comments. I hated to do so, but hated deleting all the spam more!)

The Right Way

My son, Stephen Josiah, wrote this post a few weeks back on his blog, and I thought it was very well done, and quite inspiring. He hopes to be a Pastor one day, and I see the LORD's hand upon him already in the area of bible study and desire for the word. He's a good kid!

Hope you enjoy the post. Click here "The Right Way."

Brain Cancer Tests A Young Pastor's Faith

For those not familiar with Matt Chandler, he's the Pastor of The Village Church, in Dallas, TX., and sits on the board of Acts 29.

This past Thanksgiving he had a seizure that eventually led the to the discovery of a mass on his brain and current fight against brain cancer.

The story in this article talks about his faith during this trial and his optimism toward an unknown future.

Click here for the story!

(Below is a short video of Matt from Desiring God Conference last year.)

"Mamas...Don't let your babies grow up to be Cry-Boys..."

Few things are worse in this world than "Cry-Boys." The older they are, the worse it gets too! These are older boys/young men who cry over things that they shouldn't be shedding tears for.

There are definitely things that men should and could cry over. If we use Jesus as our example, I believe we'll see that he cried over things that men should cry for, and as Christ-followers, we could too.

Jesus shed tears over loved ones dying. He cried over the state of Jerusalem, and the fact that He wanted to save them, but they continually rejected his offer of salvation. I believe Jesus is very saddened over sinners who are unwilling to repent of their sin and come into a loving relationship with Him, because rejecting Him will ultimately lead to their destruction and eternal damnation. So we see, Jesus cried, and as men, we can too, but not over anything!

When we allow our boys to cry over everything, we're teaching them to be manipulative and abusive. When someone cries, the natural response of those around them is to feel sorry for them, or a sense of burden for what they're going through. But if what they're going through is nothing more than not getting their way, then they've manipulated the masses. We see politicians do this often. They'll go out, commit a crime or sin of some nature, get caught, then make an "emotional" appeal to their constituents for forgiveness. Then, when the cameras are off, they dry their eyes, and go back to work! (Manipulation!)

So, what shouldn't boys be allowed to cry over? Here's just a few things I've seen them cry over in my 17 years of parenting:

• Losing at a board game. (If you can't take losing, don't play baby.)
• Losing at video games. (Ditto)
  
• Being given chores. (If a man doesn't work, he shouldn't eat. God made men to work.)
• When he doesn't get his way. (This is life, get use to it.)
• When someone calls him a name. (Your identity is in Christ, be secure in that.)
• When work is too hard. (If you need help, ask, don't cry.)
• Because they think someone doesn't like them. (If mom and dad do, that's enough.)
• When his feelings are hurt. (Think about Jesus.)
• When his brothers use "his" stuff, that mom and dad bought. (It's good to share.)
• When he thinks others are being treated better. (They might be, parents are sinners.)

So, these are just some things that I've seen boys cry about, and yes, perhaps even in my own home. Hey, with five boys, it's bound to happen; doesn't mean we condone it though!

I regularly remind my boys that mendon't just cry over anything. They weren't created for such behavior. They're men; they were created to protect, to conquer, to fight, to worship, to provide, and yes, on occasion, to even shed a tear. When friends or loved ones die or are sick, shed a tear. When something very valuable to them is lost or broken, and can't be replaced-- I say, go ahead, shed a tear. When the unrepentant harden their hearts to the gospel, and vanish for all eternity, shed a tear. When we fix our gaze upon the LORD and see the suffering He endured, yes, as men we should be saddened, and shed tears of remorse over our sin that did it to Him.

So you see, it's ok for your boys and young men to cry, but not over anything. Raise them up to control their emotions, to harness their strength, and to use their passion for kingdom building. Boys are truly a gift from the LORD; let's not let the gift be wasted!

For help raising your boys, I recommend: