Close the Zoo!

I can't wait for the week between Christmas and New Years. We leave for a quiet vacation. The Zoo will be closed! Dana and I were introduced to this concept when we taught Growing kids God's way. Periodically, Zoos will close to give the animals a break from the people. They can go about their day without having someone always looking at or talking to them. The animals eat better, are less agitated and tend to be more friendly with each other. Then, when the gates open again, the animals are happy again.



So, are we much different? Every night, we are on the go and during the day, it's very busy with the normal frantic rush. SO when we close the zoo, we're going away and will hopefully eat well, exercise, relax, sleep become more friendly with each other

Fireproof your marriage

The movie Fireproof is in theaters. It's really good. They zero in on the issues that break up marriages. For the man, it's collecting stuff and satisfying lustful desires and for women it's dealing with submission. There's much more but it's worth seeing. It won't be in theaters long. These movies seldom last that long. Don't miss it! It could save your marriage!

One more thing.

31. Men should be able to prepare for a hurricane.

I'm amazed at some of the "men" I've come across this week that are either clueless about hurricane prep or they're just plain stupid about it. You may never have to use any of your prep work but your family is depending on you to be the man and take care of things.

25 (30) Things Every Man Should Know

I went back through Popular Mechanic's 25 Things Every Man Should Know and reworked them plus added a few. I came up with 30 and I could probably add more but this is a basic list. Every man should know how to do these things. It gets you out of a jam, allows you to live more comfortably and allows everyone around you enjoy life more abundantly. MOST importantly, God has created man to be the primary provider of his family. It's rather wimpish to hear a man say he can't, or doesn't do these things. Perhaps he's right. Just don't call yourself a man.

30 Things Every Man Should Know:

1. Lead another to Christ.
2. Satisfy your wife in bed.
3. Be a gentleman.
4. Tie a tie.
5. Fall a tree.
6. Iron clothes.
7. Change a diaper.
8. Siphon liquid through a hose.
9. Understand refrigeration.
10. Basic wiring and plumbing.
11. Cook a five course meal.
12. TXT MSG.
13. Speak to a group of 25 or more.
14. Balance a checkbook.
15. Patch a radiator hose.
16. Protect your computer.
17. Frame a wall.
18. Back up a trailer.
19. Build a campfire.
20. Navigate with a map and compass.
21. Sharpen a knife.
22. Perform CPR.
23. Clean a fish.
24. Maneuver a car out of a skid.
25. Paint a room.
26. Mix concrete.
27. Change oil and filter.
28. Paddle a canoe.
29. Repair a flat tire.
30. Get a car unstuck.

Load out/Stay - Jackson Browne

I don't know why but I've always liked this song. While I'm not a musician and can't understand what they feel being cheered by enthusiastic crowds, the thoughts come to me about my family and friends and the desire I have to be near them...all the time. My family is precious to me and my friends are fun to be around. So when we have get-togethers at our house, my emotions are similar to Jackson. A little stupid I know.

8 Reasons I Don't Share My Faith

This is perhaps the best short video on why most people, including myself, struggle with talking to others about Christ. When it comes down to it, it really is just excuses.

25 skills every man should know

Popular Mechanics posted their list. It's up for discussion. My list will come later because I think it has a few things different. I like the list but some things seem unnecessary and other items not on the list should be there. For now here's the list. Agree or disagree?

The List: How to...

1. Patch a radiator hose
2. Protect your computer
3. Rescue a boater who has capsized
4. Frame a wall
5. Retouch digital photos
6. Back up a trailer
7. Build a campfire
8. Fix a dead outlet
9. Navigate with a map and compass
10. Use a torque wrench
11. Sharpen a knife
12. Perform CPR
13. Fillet a fish
14. Maneuver a car out of a skid
15. Get a car unstuck
16. Back up data
17. Paint a room
18. Mix concrete
19. Clean a bolt-action rifle
20. Change oil and filter
21. Hook up an HDTV
22. Bleed brakes
23. Paddle a canoe
24. Fix a bike flat
25. Extend your wireless network

This crew has plenty of stories!

For you to better understand where I come from, I will introduce my family. Left to right is Andrew (18), Rocky (11), Nicole (5), Emily (11), my wife, Dana, Samuel (2), Julie (14), Leanne (16).

Even as I look back at this photo taken in the fall of last year, we've changed so much.

Today, Dana and I celebrate our anniversary, 22 years! I'll have more to say about this and all our children. Stay tuned!

"I am altering the deal...Pray I don't alter it any further." - Darth Vader

I've always liked that line from Darth Vader and have wanted to say it to my children. Now that most are older, they would get it. So this is a warning for anyone reading this. My aim is to make waves by challenging the status quo for we men. I'm now on the web and plan to submit an arguement that real men can live a Godly life, have a big family and be content. I've wanted to do this for sometime now but haven't really found the opportunity. Let it begin here.