Where are the Men?

Lately I've been watching a certain commercial that never ceases to crack me up. Perhaps you've seen it, if not I'll show it to you:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhlWddAXSRA



In this commercial we see a former drill sergeant, played by R. Lee Ermey (of Full Metal Jacket fame, he also had two TV shows on History Channel), counseling another guy with some.... "issues". What the Sarge gives the man is a rather cleaned up kick in the hindquarters to get him to "man up".



However, I believe that a scenario like that portrayed in the commercial is but a small sample of what is running rampant in our culture at large. One cannot turn on the TV and see shows like "Two and a Half Men", "The Simpsons", "Family Guy" and numerous other TV shows that portray men as weak, dumb, and subservient. These "men" would sooner plop themselves in front of a TV, pop open a cold one, and just tune themselves out of the world. Though if that portrayal doesn't come up, then we have the "men" that go out and just live from day-to-day caring about their next hook-up.

What happened to the men? Where are the men who lived by codes of conduct that would honor their lady and lay down their lives for king and country? Where are the southern gentlemen who would hold their doors open for ladies because it was the right thing to do, instead of hoping to add brownie points for a possible "score"? Perhaps, most importantly of all, where are the men of God and why are they not making a stand for Him anymore?

Has manhood lost its definition? Can it be regained? I hope to answer some of these questions and give my opinion on them over the next several blog posts. I'd love some feedback and thoughts in regard to this as well.

Give Thanks....

As I have grown older, I've been having a rant at about this time of the year, "Why on Earth are they breaking out the Christmas decorations NOW?" or "Why are they playing Christmas music already?" I've seen some people breaking out the decorations and Halloween is not over yet. However, lost in the "Season to be Jolly" there seems to be a forgotten holiday, Thanksgiving.

Growing up, I've loved Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving was the time of year that we went to visit with my mother's family in Nashville and hang out with my cousins, aunts, uncles and my grandparents. Then through the weekend some extended family would come down and the party would really get going. Of course, other tenants of Thanksgiving like the food, and the football games also help to make the weekend fun as well.

However, even without those reasons there are many reasons that I enjoy Thanksgiving. It's the time where we intentionally set aside and reflect on the blessings that we have been given. Our health, our family, as Christians we have our salvation and so many other things. God tells us multiple times in the Bible that we should give thanks to Him:

• 1 Chronicles 16:34 - Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.
• Psalm 95:2 - Let us come before Him in thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.
• Colossians 2:6-7 - So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
• Colossians 3:17 - And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Now, having been in retail, I understand that the stores hit the black during the Christmas shopping season (starting right after Thanksgiving). However, if you are reading this I encourage you to take time this Thanksgiving, or regularly in your own life, and thank God for the things that he has done, or is doing with you.