American culture exalts a narrow view of manhood: you gotta be rugged, strong, and unemotional, like pickup trucks banging up and down mountains in TV commercials, chewing up boulders and spitting out gravel. But the ads are fake. If you treat your truck that way you will not only destroy the suspension, you may voidContinue reading “Non-Toxic Masculinity.”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
Loyalty.
Are you loyal for a season or for life? Most young people are fair-weather friends, committed to things while it is convenient. But sometimes God will put people in your life who deserve a serious commitment. As you know, your mom and I have friends we have known since childhood, and to whom we remainContinue reading “Loyalty.”
What About Those Alpha Males?
Some are born leaders—their voice and raw physical traits always land them on top. There are those of whom it can be truly said, “he never took a back seat to anyone.” Perhaps such raw leadership works best in more physical fields: battle or sports or law enforcement. George Washington, Billy Graham, and Robert E.Continue reading “What About Those Alpha Males?”
David Lost the Moral High Ground.
Who was David’s greatest enemy? Goliath? King Saul? The Philistines? How about Absalom? David’s own son staged a coup, taking his father’s throne and forcing David and his armies into the streets, running for their lives. His son? What happened? David had children by so many wives that there were half-brothers and half-sisters all overContinue reading “David Lost the Moral High Ground.”
Mercy.
“Corporal” or “bodily” punishment is effective with children because it is painful. There is also fearful anticipation associated with the instrument of punishment. In order of mildest to most severe, I would rank them: hand, wooden spoon, ruler, belt, tree branch/switch, the cricket-bat-style wooden paddle. I feared my father’s belt—that was his most severe tool. Continue reading “Mercy.”
Jesus Was Shrewd.
He knows human nature. So when the Pharisees were in a frenzy to kill Him, He knew not to trust anyone. He understands what lurks in the heart of mankind. “Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was doing. ButContinue reading “Jesus Was Shrewd.”
The Opposition Party.
Yesterday I read about a writer who said he was “the opposition party” in his family. Whatever Dad was for, this kid was against. I can relate to that. Sometimes I am against things just because they are popular, like Buc-ees. But growing up means using God’s wisdom to temper those attitudes—and I have learnedContinue reading “The Opposition Party.”
God Does Not Change.
Have you heard people say that God is full of wrath in the Old Testament but forgiving in the New? God says He does not change: “I am the Lord and I do not change” Malachi 3:6. (See also Hebrews 13:8.) If God does not change, where is the Old Testament grace? If you searchContinue reading “God Does Not Change.”
Sin Sickens. It Festers.
Cat fights result in bites and scratches filled with germs. But cat skin heals quickly—sometimes faster than the underlying infection—creating an abscess. To heal it, the vet will drain it. In serious cases the vet will stitch a piece of plastic in place to hold the wound open, ensuring the fluid continues to drain. AbscessesContinue reading “Sin Sickens. It Festers.”
How Do You Get Clean?
When a child soils a diaper, who cleans him? Can a baby clean himself? When toddlers cover each other with ink or peanut butter or shaving cream or flour (see YouTube), do the parents tell them to clean it up? No. Children are terrible at cleaning up. Mom and Dad have to do it, orContinue reading “How Do You Get Clean?”
Household Words: 