In (Un)Honor of World Cup

I’m not a soccer fan.  Although I played it a lot as a kid, I can’t stand to watch it.  Sure, the World Cup is on, and all these gazillion people are watching, and there are watch parties, and scarves, and… blah.  My kids enjoy to kick the ball around, and it’s fun to run around with them, but again, watching it is like watching a bad novela (Spanish soap opera) in slow motion.  Nothing ever happens, you can’t understand what they’re saying, and it’s all fake.  The worst part, hands down, is the flopping.

The falls these players take are so ridiculuous I can’t even take it.  There’s a whole bunch I could write about here, in regards to sportsmanship and virtue, authentic masculinity, dedication, determination, etc. etc. etc.  Instead, I don’t want to give it much due, so I’m going to post this “oldie but goodie” video.  This is intended simply for a good laugh.  Blast away, Barry!

USA is set to play Belgium in the 2014 World Cup.  I want to believe that we will win, because we’re America.

TrueMan up!

Just for Laughs – No More Sports in Cleveland

As NFL football nears, I had to post this.

My family is from the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area.  My family, for generations now, has always been Steelers, Penguins and Pirates fans.  This video about Cleveland is especially funny to us and I couldn’t help but pass it along.  I hope you have as great a laugh as I had!

The Man Who Would Be Knight

Almost two years ago I became aware of a very impressive young man named Ryan Kraeger.  Ryan haswritten a few articles for TrueManhood.com before, so you may recognize his name.  I got to know Ryan over email and social networking connections and am thoroughly impressed with not only his writing, but with Ryan as a man.  He is young and vibrant and doing great things in our world.

First, I want to draw attention to his service to our great country!  Ryan is a Staff Sergeant in the US Army and hopefully soon (November ’11) will be graduating from Special Forces training.  Great job, Ryan – we are proud of you and honored by your sacrifice.  (Ryan shares some of his military experiences in his writings.  Great stories!)

Next, I would like to draw your attention to two books written by Ryan.  They are hot off the presses and are awesome.  I give my full recommendation of these books.  The first is entitled, “What Every Boy Man Needs: A Young Soldier’s Thoughts on Christian Manhood”.  The second is “My Dearest Sisters: Thoughts about Modesty from Your Brother…”.  Ryan “gets it”, and I think his writings will help others “get it” too.

For more on Ryan and/or to order his books, visit his website, The Man Who Would Be Knight.

TrueMan up!

iPod, iPad, iPhone (87G) and iGov’t

I haven’t made any comments about our government and the debt crisis yet because I believe there are plenty of people who know the right answer and none of them work or are associated with anything that happens in or around Washington.  The entire situation is beyond frustrating to the American people, especially to those of us who are hard-working, smart-spending, family-oriented, small-government-oriented, red-white-and-blue-proud, military-supporting, separation-of-church-and-state-doesn’t-mean-what-everyone-thinks-it-means, kinda people!!!

But get this… I check Facebook today and see lots of people posting about how Apple has more cash on hand than our government!  How crazy is this?!?!  I mean seriously!  These people sell gadgets… the government is supposed to be in charge of everything!  Gadgets versus government and gadgets is winning?!  I’m actually not as surprised as you might think.  And honestly, I think the whole thing is laughable.

I don’t own any Apple products.  I’m completely fine with that.  (Did you like my iPhone 87G joke in the title?)   The last time I used an Apple computer for any length of time was playing Oregon Trail on one when I was a kid in grade school.  I can’t stand them, mostly because I don’t know how to use them.  I’ve tinkered around with a few Apple products before, but I just don’t get the hype.   Apparently, I am the only one because they’ve got more money than the US government, which means that most of you reading this probably own all sorts of products from this booming company.  Mr. Obama… maybe you should step down and let Mr. Jobs do yours for you.

TrueMan up!

My Next 30 Years

This weekend is the last weekend of my twenties.  I’m sort of indifferent about “getting older” – on the one hand realizing that all the aches and pains, the heartburn and the receding hairline are realities and on the other, being excited to move into another chapter with my wife and children and in my professional career.

When I look back at my twenties, so many things come to mind that were instrumental in my journey to get to where I am today.  I desire so strongly to be the man that God created me to be, a TrueMan.  I’m not there yet; I’ve got much more to work on.  Considering where I was and where I am now, I’m proud of my last 30 years and I’m ready for my next thirty years.

In my twenties… I left and returned to my faith and the One, True Church instituted by Jesus.  I have been blessed by God abundantly.  I was blessed to meet and marry my best friend – God has since blessed us with three incredible children. I graduated from undergrad and graduate schools.  I changed jobs many times  – I think I had about 15 different jobs in the last 10 years.  At one point, I had only $85 in my checking account and my stuff amounted to about $500.  I was laid off twice.  I moved eight times.  I bought or sold 6 different vehicles.  I learned a ton – mostly about myself and the things that I want to change and be better with.  It hasn’t been a super smooth ride.  There have been many bumps and bruises along the way, but I find myself coming out of my twenties a much better man then when I entered.

I realize, more and more each day, that I don’t know that I’ll live for another 30 years.  I might, I might not.  I might live for many more than that.  What I know is that I live life to the fullest and do my best to be a witness for Jesus everyday.  I hope that comes through clearly in my personal and spiritual life, in my family life, in my professional life, on TrueManhood and in every other setting.

TrueMan up!

*A little funny… I found the above exit sign and thought it was pretty ironic – at mile marker 20, on the exit, which is 20 MPH, towards 30 to the east.  Out of 20 towards 30.

Old Vid, Just for Laughs

Just for laughs…

The Colbert Report	Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
The De-Deification of the American Faithscape
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog</a> Video Archive

Merry Christmas From the Pittsburgh Steelers

Although horribly off-key, off-tempo and out-of-sorts, the Pittsburgh Steelers want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.  Enjoy – ?

Here’s the link… Steelers Christmas Wishes.

TrueMan up!

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