I’ve got a 9-year old son who is itching on the inside to become a man. He tries to talk in a deep voice, give advice to everyone, including our pets, and volunteer for all the “heavy lifting” chores around the house. As his dad, I’m trying to think of ways to help him make the transition into manhood in his own mind, as well as in the eyes of our community. I’ve found quite a few ideas so far,... Read more
Think parenting is a thankless job? Well, think again. Or, better yet…stop thinking and go out to eat at Sogno di Vino, an Italian restaurant in Poulsbo, Washington. Laura and Chris King took their three children out to eat at an upscale Italian restaurant, and when they received their bill they’d been given a “Well Behaved Kids” discount. The restaurant took $4 off the total because they were impressed with the King children, and wanted to express their appreciation toward the... Read more
On the night of one of our nation’s most polemical events of the year, it’s nice to hear a story of kindness that we can all stand and clap for. On December 2, 2012, Ivan Fernandez Anaya, a long distance runner from Spain, was competing in a cross-country race. He ran well and was in second place to Kenyan phenom and Olympic champion, Abel Mutai. And then, as they neared the finish line, Mutai slowed down and stopped racing. He... Read more
Sometimes things that are meant to do one thing do the opposite. Take the device that caused the power outage at the Super Bowl—it was a relay switch designed to prevent power outages. Another seemingly backwards design flaw happens in marriage. I’ve performed several weddings, and every couple that stands at the altar expects their marriage will provide relational satisfaction, peace, and joy. “It’s why we get married, right?” You can see it in their glossy, optimistic eyes; they’re certain... Read more
Each man needs a solid brother or two, yet this type of friendship isn’t easy to cultivate today. When the television was invented and placed in every house on the block, men began to spend less time outside. Personal computers allow them to shop, bank, and pay bills online. Facebook, Twitter, and Smartphones have framed their interactions with friends, constraining their encounters to 140 characters or less. Sociologist Robert Putnam wrote a book called, The American Porch: An Informal History... Read more
Want to do something refreshing? Want to get noticed? Want to stand out? Turns out, one of the most radical, off-the-wall strategies out there involves representing yourself accurately. Wall Street receives hundreds of applications for interns every year. Each applicant “pumps up” his resume, padding his experience, beefing up his titles, and piling on his work experiences. When you have a world full of supermen, what’s special about another person leaping a tall building? What is special is when someone... Read more
We’re in the dead of winter, and the hand-chapping winds outside have invited themselves inside through every crack and seam in this old house. Nothing fights back the chill and warms a room like a good story, so I’m sharing six of my favorite story songs. My gifts to you to warm your toes and mind this chilly Friday! 1) The Temptation of Adam: Every time I hear this song I chuckle out loud. Who thinks up a story of... Read more
Like us all, yet in his own, serious ways, Martin Luther King, Jr. was a flawed man. Yet, he is one of my heroes. What I most admire about him is his courage to speak the truth in love, showing respect to those who disagreed with him. We were a divided nation, and Dr. King knew his work would likely cost him his life. But, like Daniel, Martin Luther King would not bend his back or turn from the... Read more
Our youngest daughter, Claire, has had a hard time learning to read. Our first two children took to books like honeybees to flowers, but their sister has had a harder time locating the nectar. Awhile back, my wife, Jamie, told Claire: “If you stick with it and work hard, there will come a time that reading will just click for you.” That statement ignited hope in Claire, and clearly stuck in her mind all day – that night before bed,... Read more
Here’s the video book trailer for “Man on the Run.” Check it out, and then leave me a message and let me know what you think! Read more
Cedars and Sandhills
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