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The last couple years I have experienced an overwhelming feeling of responsibility to be a good model for my boys.  Humbly, I have had the extraordinary honor of having a father who has lead and lived an integral life. Who, in gist, has been a great model for me.

Currently I have been re-reading several books on raising boys, specifically a book called, Raising a Modern-Day Knight.

Here are some hard hitting thoughts by the author:

“Many sons have a premonition that they were created for something significant, if only someone [father’s] would notice them. “

The most disturbing quote…

“The most urgent domestic challenge facing the United States at the close of the twentieth century is the re-creation of the fatherhood as a vital social role for men.”

I can’t etch into words the importance of a father’s role in their sons lives.

Dad’s, how are you doing with leading your boys these days?  Make it count!

Thought provoking questions by Bill Hybels, that we need ask ourselves.

1. Is my calling sure?
2. Is my vision clear?
3. Is my passion burning hot?
4. Is my character fully submitted to Christ?
5. Is my pride subdued or is my ego messing with it?
6. Are my fears at bay? Or do I have anxiety?
7. Is my psychological baggage affecting the way I make decisions?
8. Are my ears open to the voice of God?
9. Is my pace sustainable?
10. Is my heart for God increasing or decreasing?

How are you leading self these days?

A few months ago I did a talk, where I talked about how precious life is…how fragile it can be.  How important it is to savor every moment, especially the time you have with your kids.

A woman named Mary Jean Arian wrote a little piece called “Gift From a Hair Dryer–Reflections of a Mom as She Combs Her Seven-Year-Old Daughter’s Hair After a Bath.” And somehow, it kind of captures what a precious thing life it.

“Comb and dry. Comb and dry. ‘Soon, I won’t be able to do this anymore,’ you say to yourself knowing that the little straight bob must inevitably yield to grown up coiffures and ugly curlers. What will she be like at 14? Where will her hair be blowing then–at 16 and 18? Do you suppose boys will love to watch her hair blow as you do now? And some of them will feel it on their faces. And one of them will marry her and her hair will be spread under the veil, and then, spread out on his pillow.

“And oh, you hate him a little and wonder where he is at this moment, whether he’ll be good to her. They will grow old together. And the gold-brown hair will be gray. And you will be gone. And then, she will be gone–this very hair, that now, your fingers smooth. And all the tears of the world swim for a second in your eyes as you snatch the plug out of the socket suddenly, and gather her into your arms, burying your face in the warm hair, as if you could seal this moment against all time.”

March Madness 2009!

Okay, I know this isn’t basketball, but I have a maddening amount of pictures of my family.

The fam taking it easy in Naperville.

Three generation of studs.

GQ George

Looks like George is scratching his stomach while we are trying to take a nice family photo.

Chics dig the car!

Why are you laughing?  That is my normal smile.

Waassssuuuppppp!

Thank you Heather for taking such great shots!

Forgiveness at times can be difficult, can’t it?

I was talking today about the burdensome weight that not forgiving can bring.  Not forgiving can cause one to lurk in the murkiness of resentment.

One of my favorite quotes by Fredrick Buechner:

“Of all the deadly sins, resentment appears to be the most fun.  To lick your wounds and savor the pain you will give back is in many ways a feast fit for a king.  But then it turns out that what you are eating at the banquet of bitterness is your own heart.  The skeleton at the feast is you.  You start out holding a grudge, but in the end the grudge holds you.”

Who do you need forgive?

I would like to start a Father and Son tradition.  It would have to be something my son and I could do routinely, all the way into his high school years and maybe beyond.  Whether it be weekly, monthly or even something annually.

What are your suggestions?