Category Archives: Career

Something, something, about something

A few weeks ago I posted about being STUCK. I experienced a release of words. The words had been accumulating in my mind for weeks. I spit them out.

Now what?

Keep going? You bet.

One lesson I learned through the brief period of no words is the need to continue. Writing begets writing. A body in motion stays in motion. So I continue to write. The writing does not need to be brilliant (even if I want it to be). My words need to leave my head. Create, create, create. Keep moving and exercising the brain muscle.

I read quite a few blogs published by professional writers. They blog on a variety of topics, but one thing they have in common is they post on “how” to write. They are very generous with the supposed secrets of their craft. There really aren’t any secrets. Most of the information shared by them has been shared with them at one time or another. Now I’m going to lean on them, use them, learn from them, and write. Sooner or later my writing will improve. My writing “voice” will be refined. My message will come into focus. Jon, Jeff, Andy, Michele,…………..thank you!

What am I writing about?

I’m glad you asked.

You name it. I’ll write about it. For me, right now, the topic doesn’t necessarily matter so much as the actual practice of writing. A few topics rolling around in my head, and scribbled in way too many places (yes, I need to learn to use one system) include Baseball, Communion (The Lord’s Supper), Masculinity, Selling, Family, Community, Depression (specifically as it relates to men), etc.

There are plenty of topics available to me. Now is the time for me to be bold, create something, and hit the pesky “Publish” button.

As I post more often, I’d love for you to participate. Leave comments. Ask questions. Help me define my message and find my voice. Go back through my small collection of posts and ask me questions about what I’ve written. Please.

As I sit here writing this morning, I’m also have a text conversation with one of you. I’ve been given one more great prompt for writing. “Who” As in, “Who am I writing for?” What a great question!

So there you have it friends.

Thanks so much for your continual encouragement.

Thank you for your honest opinions.

I’m excited for the #Next3Decades!

Why I Write

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I am called to refresh others.
I am called to speak words of encouragement and inspiration into the lives of people.

Photo courtesy of Julie Beth Theule

This is why I write. I have been called to write the words of my heart and share them with you.

Do I have a great and glorious revelation to share with you? No. I have words given to me over the course of the 43 years of my life. Words of my story I wish to share with you. Words are bursting out of me. Every day.

My story is no different from your own. We all experience joy, sorrow, triumph, defeat, success and failure. I am called to share my stories with you so you too can better understand this life you live. My words may inspire you to greatness. My words may bring you to deep despair. Either way, I’m going to share them with you. If my words move you to greatness, HALLELUJAH! If my words bring you deep despair, I pray God will meet you in that despair and restore you to HALLELUJAH!

The written word and the spoken word are powerful.

I’m not writing out of a selfish need for validation. (At least I shouldn’t be.) I’m writing so I may share what has been given to me.

I’ve been called to share the words I’ve been given. I wrote the quote below in my journal a few months ago. I didn’t make a note of the source, so I cannot give proper credit, but I love these words and I need to share them with you.

“It’s not God’s plan for us to collect seed. God’s plan is for us to plant the seed.
Do something with what you have.” – unknown

I’ve been collecting words like seed. Now it is time for planting.

I am being called to write and speak. May my words be seeds. May they find rich soil. May they grow and have life in you. May they produce a harvest filled with overflowing HALLELUJAH!!

I’m A Man – Society’s Opinion (part 2)

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After reading the post about Society’s Opinion of men (I’m A Man Society’s Opinion), a few people commented (online and offline) that the image of a man portrayed on T.V. sitcoms is horrible. I agree. Many sitcoms portray the dad in the show as a bumbling idiot.

Here are a few to consider:
Homer Simpson Al Bundy

Peter Griffin

Pick any show on Disney Channel (Seriously). Let’s use the show “Dog With A Blog” as the example. The dad on the show is Bennett James. Here’s the description of Mr. James from that ever popular site, Wikipedia.
Dog With a Blog – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

“Bennett James, played by Regan Burns, is Tyler and Chloe’s father and Avery’s step-father. He is a child psychologist(who basically has the mind of a child) who has his own book and tries to think of ways to get his kids to come together. He is also shown to be quite conceited. Sometimes, his wife thinks he got his psychology degree online, as his attempts at practicing psychology do not seem to go well. In the pilot, he introduces Stan to the blended family in hopes that the dog will help his children bond.”

Did you catch that? “Who basically has the mind of a child.”

How many times do we laugh at the dad on the show we are watching? What kind of impression do our children gain about the role of a dad from watching these shows?

Do I laugh at these shows? You bet. I’m part of the problem too. I’m also going to be part of the solution. What can we do? We can begin by setting a better example. Stop watching shows that tear people down. This applies to everything we watch. If you still have kids at home, of any age, do you watch shows with them that are inappropriate for their age? Some of you are saying, “Of course not. My spouse and I wait until they are in bed before we watch anything the kids shouldn’t see.” Hmm…That may be a place to begin the change in your home. It’s a place to begin in my own home.

I’ll admit to it. My wife and I were hooked on the ABC show Scandal for quite a while. We like shows that make us think. Twists and turns in the plot, and trying to determine who is doing what to who, are exciting and fun to try to unravel. But is the show appropriate? No. Flat out, no. I love the intrigue. The sex and violence are addictive though. And wrong. Would the show be as popular if the writers took out the sex and violence? Probably not.

So here is a challenge for you and me. Take a hard look at what images and stereotypes you are helping perpetuate when you turn on the box. I’m not advocating the extermination of the TV in your house. There is something beneficial with that action, but I don’t believe it is necessary to move forward and do better.

Let me know if you are taking up the challenge.

What actions will you take?

Share them in the comments below. Continue the conversation.