Losing Our Punch

Robert Bly once said

"We know that our society produces a plentiful supply of boys but seem to
produce fewer and fewer men."

That quote by and large has been understood culturally, it has not been viewed as a biological one.

Until now.

A recent study just came out that illustrates that testosterone levels in men are lower than they were 20 years ago. I believe that American culture has continued to emasculate men in such a way that maybe our bodies are starting to believe it. That is what I am fighting as I continue to ask the questions:

What is a man?
Am I a man?
Do I have what it takes?

Movie trailer for Thr3e

I read this book by Ted Dekker and it was one of the best books I've read in years. Now the movie is set to be released January 5th. If the movie is as good as the book then it's a must see!

Aren't We All?

George Carlin - Modern Man

Like Herding Cats

Why Men’s Work is Challenging by Richard Rohr, OFM

Men do not tend to sign up for things, surely not spiritual things, and surely not early.

Men affiliate quite differently than women, tending not to connect with one another unless there is a specific need, problem, or task.*

Men tend to naturally compete with one another, which leads to petty rivalries and hurts over issues of leadership, ego, and style.

Much of the first and early work with men is still rehabilitation (from unhealthy religion and loads of “bad news”) and personal healing (from addictions, childhood and family hurts, sexual wounds, father and authority wounds) — before we can get on to a positive and life giving spirituality.

Men overwhelmingly try to deal with life through their heads, with thoughts, theories, and theologies. The head is both their control tower and their spiritual down fall. Our approach and hope is to integrate body, mind, soul, and spirit.

*Our brothers in the Czech Republic continue to model effective methods of men staying connected for long-term support. Because of Communism they learned the “cell” concept, and have applied it to their follow-up and networking. American men tend to be task-oriented more than growth oriented. We hope to learn from them.

- Taken from the website www.malespirituality.org/

The Biggest Loser

Some of you can actually remember not so long ago Randall the stud. Most of you however did not know me when I was younger and was a very fit, athletic and actually pretty good looking (compared to the present). Throughout my younger years I was very involved in baseball, wrestling and track. I was a sprinter and long jumper in track and actually was the league champion in the 100 meters in 8th grade. For the same reasons I was the leadoff batter and played centerfield in baseball because of my speed on the bases and in the outfield. I wrestled and was a champion at 167 in junior high and wrestled 160 and 171 in high school. I was fit and had lots of energy.

When I came to college, I stopped living such an active lifestyle and over the course of two years I put on 80 pounds, since then my weight fluxuated with my activity or lack thereof. I have tried many times to diet and found it to be frustrating with little results. I have been working out since February at the YMCA and have been getting myself in shape yet I was still falling into bad habits when it came to my food choices. I ate fast food A LOT!

This past month has been different. Since September 1st I have lost 12 pounds and have set a goal weight of 168 within 15 months (December 2007). After having lost those first 12 pounds that leaves another 90 more to go. I will post pictures when I start to see some noticeable differences. I hope that even in the small ways you can be a supporter of my goals through prayers, notes and just checking in as well.

Beard commentary

Most of you know that I grew up surrounded by men who wore beards and always viewed it as as something natural, representative of masculine qualities as well as a symbol of strength. I have kept a Brethren beard for the better part of the last 6 years. The longest I ever kept one was for about 4 or 5 months. I would always end up shaving it off or just keep a gotee because I would mess up my trim job or become dissatisfied with how it was looking. Having a beard is also a part of my identity, being raised in the Church of the Brethren, it not only symbolized my masculinity it also marked my spiritual heritage.

I found an interesting and fun site called All About Beards and I'm inspired to do something that I have always said I wanted to do but never did. I recently just buzzed my head down to about an eigth of an inch and shaved my gotee off since it looked funny to have more hair on my chin than my head.

So I am getting rid of my razor blades and having Brenda hide my beard trimmer for six weeks (or longer if I want). In that time, I will grow a full beard moustache and all (which I have never done) just in time for winter and unless I really like it, I will form it back to my "Brethren Beard" or as the site calls it a chin curtain or a Donegal.

I have just been reading of lately on how today's culture wants the man to be talk, dark, handsome, clean-shaven and professional. I believe this is counter to the way God created man, natural, rugged and bearded!

Challenge to all the men reading this blog: Seek to return if only for a time to a more natural look by not shaving for at least six weeks! This could revolutionize the way we approach life for a change! Have fun with it.

Amish school shooting

It is a sad commentary in today's news when we have to report a third school shooting in a week's time. This time the victims were Amish children. You can also read more about the story here , here and here