Stand in the gap. Be a light among them.

  • Terminal cancer and birthdays.

    I was out visiting church members two days ago, and I came across a scene that I don’t think I’ll ever be able to unsee. I was out with the pastor of a church in Charleston, and we were making the customary rounds. On the docket for the day was a hospital visit, a few…

  • A healthy quick lunch under $5

    So… you’re looking at the current economy and you’re asking yourself, “What’s a healthy quick lunch under $5?” Fear not. I have the secret. Fun fact about me, I learned how to cook at a fairly young age. And I’m not just talking about scrambled eggs and ramen either (even though I really can make…

  • How long does it take to build muscle?

    How long does it take to build muscle? How far along in your fitness journey do you have to be? The term fitness journey has always puzzled me a bit. When I think of journeys, I think of going from point A to point B. Once you get to point B, you’re done, right? You’ve…

  • What I learned from my first year of work.

    So… here’s what I learned from my first year of work. January 23rd, 2024 marked my first completed year in the workforce. Looking back over the previous year, it went by so fast it almost seems blurry. I’ve done a lot of things, both in this job and in life in general. I learned to…

  • When the Lord says no.

    I came home early last Friday afternoon in a mood. My Howell brow was on full display for anyone who cared to pay attention. The mood was one that I’d consistently been fighting for a few weeks. It only reared its ugly head on Friday afternoons and it revolved around a simple fact: I had…

  • Men cry.

    For whatever the reason, it seems men are often averse to tears. From the time we are in elementary school, there seems to be a stigma around sadness when it comes to men.  Not the act of being sad per se, but the emotion with which it presents itself to the outside world.  I’ve heard…

  • The Widow’s Sacrifice.

    I’ve always heard of the Widow’s Sacrifice as a very cut-and-dry event in the Bible. A poor woman gives her all to God, even though it is small in the world’s eyes, and Jesus notices. It’s just a couple of verses in Mark and Luke. However, as God is apt to do when one begins…

  • Broken cisterns and broken gods.

    Over the last few months, a certain subject has been weighing heavily on my mind. I’m not sure if it has to do with the political season that we are entering. Or what we’re continuing to see in our culture. Or what we have seen overseas recently with Israel. But, I’m increasingly feeling UNEASY with…

  • 6 no-tech ways to protect your home.

    Let’s face it. At some point, most men are going to get a house. If you live anywhere other than a major city, the likelihood that you may get a plot of land is (hopefully) something that you have on your radar. As I write this article, I’m sitting in my apartment. I can tell…

  • Profit in much.

    One more rep. One more rep. This was the singular thought going through my mind as my extended arms held the barbell above my chest. It was only a 185 lbs bench press. I’d done it a couple of times already. For sure I could do it one more. Besides, I could feel my spotter’s…

  • 2023 Wrapped.

    I am beginning to write this article at 5:58 PM on 12/31/2023. I have all intentions for it to be live on 1/1/24, but it remains to be seen whether I’ll hit that target. The fireworks from all the neighbors are already going off outside. Thankfully though, the New Year is always a low-key affair…

  • Does this 1980s Walking Workout work?

    Each decade has its defining workout fad. The 1950s gave us trimnastics with Jack Lalanne. The 1960s was all about calisthenics. The 1970s brought on Jane Fonda and her classic “Workout” video (which happens to be one of the best-selling home videos of all time). However, I personally believe that the 1980s is when physical…

  • Christmas movies you need to watch this season.

    Fellas, we have to do better.  As we are in the throes of the holiday season, I have become painfully aware of the disconnect between men and women regarding Christmas entertainment.  As the days get shorter and the nights get colder, it makes sense to sit on the couch and watch a nice Christmas movie…

  • Coming home for Christmas.

    I decided to be spontaneous the week before Christmas.  Originally, I had scheduled to take two days off from work before New Year’s.  I was sitting in a code review meeting Monday morning when the idiocy of that plan hit me in full effect. Why would I trade days BEFORE Christmas for those after?  My…

  • Top watches for young men.

    As I’ve gotten older, I’ve begun understanding men’s fascination with watches.  I couldn’t have cared less in my younger years, but now I’m beginning to respect a good timepiece a bit more.  Want a surefire way to stand out from the crowd of other young guys out there?  Wear a watch.  Like… a real watch. …