The subject of man-hood has been much in my mind lately; in light of the first three weekends of August, it's not hard to see why. The first weekend of August, I am slated to be the main speaker at Appalachian Christian Camp's Father/Son Weekend. So many of the decisions men make in their adult lives stem from those formative years. The second weekend of the month will be the Tanner/Brown wedding, in which it will be my honor to conduct the service. In counseling prior to the marriage with this awesome couple it has hit home to me how one's man-hood is tried and tested in the work of marriage. Men and women alike who misunderstand a man's role in a marriage will judge him as being weak, or "whipped," or "hen-pecked," even as a godly husband knows that his heart and mind are tested, and found strong on a daily basis. The third weekend this month is the date we will head for Promise-Keepers in Louisville, KY. Those who do not participate in Promise Keepers have ideas as to what it is about; they imagine something overtly political, or perhaps chauvinistic, or overly emotional. Those who do not participate do not know what it is.

            That, to me, is the nature of true man-hood. Those who do not participate in it (Men and women alike) do not understand it. Being whole, and complete as a man warrants no excuses or explanations. It only warrants a man's patience, reliability, courage, gentleness, trustworthiness, Godliness- and a willingness to shepherd those who do not yet possess these traits in sufficient amounts.