Prayer Lesson

I'm not afraid to admit I struggle with prayer. I know this is the way to connect with my Father in Heaven but feel as though what I am trying to say at times just isn't enough. My family prays before every meal and it is in this setting that I learned something simple yet extremely important.
I always ask my kids at dinner, "Who wants to pray tonight?" It took awhile but my youngest, who is 2, finally got enough courage one night to raise his hand. He proceeded to pray, "Thank you, God.", not once, not twice but at least 10 times before closing with an Amen. This has been his routine for at least a month and I have to admit after a couple of weeks it was beginning to annoy me. But then it hit me, my son is learning to pray and what better way for him to do it than to thank his Heavenly Father over and over. His prayer is simple and repetitive but it is coming from his heart and this is all God really wants to hear.

Too Busy

It was a perfect Sunday afternoon for watching football and for once my team was actually being televised. I sat there focused on the t.v. and my son, who is 6, asked me multiple times to help him draw insects. I of course let him know I was too busy, especially to draw insects. I wanted to watch this game and be left alone. My son continued to ask and I finally felt the nudge from God to give in and help him draw an insect. I turned off the t.v. and spent the next 30 minutes drawing some crazy insect from a book he had checked out from the library. When we were finally finished he took his piece of paper and wrote "I LOVE YOU DADDY".

Isn't it great how God uses our kids to let us know we made the right decision. I can watch a football game and get some kind of enjoyment out of it. But nothing compared to what I felt when my son handed me that piece of paper with those words written on it. All it took was 30 minutes of my time and it obviously meant the world to him. If you're a Dad, turn off the t.v. and do something your child wants to do with you. I promise you will not be disappointed.

Who am I?

Am I the man I want to be, more importantly, am I the Warrior Christ sees in me. I will be the first to tell you I am not even close. Sometimes I am strong and sometimes I am so weak I dwell on the failures for days.
The following are a few, because there are many, of my failures. I have failed to speak up at times when racial or gender issues come up in a group setting. I have failed to keep my eyes under control when a woman is dressed provocatively. I have failed to give my family the Daddy/Husband time they so desperately crave. I have failed at being the spiritual leader in my household. I have failed to set time out of each day for my Father in Heaven.
I struggle with these and other things throughout the week. I choose to give into these struggles because I don't want to cause trouble for a group of people. What harm is there in not keeping my eyes under control, I am just looking. There will always be time tomorrow for my Father in Heaven and family. I am not prepared or strong enough to be the spiritual leader right now. How can I possibly forgive them for what they did?
Father, help me, give me the strength to always keep my eyes on you and fight for what you know is right. Make me a better Warrior.

The purpose of this blog is for real men to share authentic experiences about everyday struggles to be the Warriors, Christ has called them to be. The blog will be updated as God leads us to do so. We pray that through this blog we will be able to sharpen men by sharing common struggles.

We will be as honest and forthcoming as we possibly can be. Please remember that we are men so opening up at times can be difficult. Hopefully this blog will help us realize we are not alone in this earthly battle to be Warriors for Christ.

Coming October 1st, 2009.