What is a real man?

*A quick word of caution - It may seem like I'm bashing women in this post, but I hope you won't take it that way because that's definitely not how I intend it to sound.*

Is it just me, or is it the typical mainstream image of an actual man - that bothers me . . . and I mean it really gets under my skin. I hope I'm not the only one, but in case I am, here is what I mean.

It seems that in today's culture, it's completely okay to be a womanizing, sarcastic, untrustworthy, lazy, uncommitted, un-devoted, shallow, hollow, and void person(s) that calls themselves "men." It seems like the world, wants for men to be followers rather than leaders. We were meant for nothing more than to follow around our counterparts (sorry ladies) and agree with them on every single issue, under the sun. . . or so it seems.

What would it look like for the men around you to actually stand up for what they believe? Would it be transformational for them? Their communities? Their cities? The state? The nation?

What if men stood up for their families? Their girlfriends (If applicable)? Their friends? Heck, what about standing up for themselves?

What would it require to believe in an ideal? What would it take to have passion about even the smallest things in their lives?

I challenge each person reading this to look beyond what the "men" around you give as a sad, effortless portrayal of what manhood is actually supposed to be - but to see them as the man that they could be.

Remember, Men were not created to be followers, soft-handed, "agreeing", spineless creatures. . . but we were created in the image of God Almighty - with all the ferocity, courage, and bravery that He could place into a vessel meant to serve Him. A warrior, fighting for each "battle" in his life with a calm and controlled restraint; hearing the cries of the afflicted, and answering their call.

That's what I think a real man is anyway. . .

Feel free to let me know what you think.

Another day, another new story

Well here it is, the last semester of my college life, and I'm on the downhill slide - as far as finishing goes. It's kind of crazy to look back on all the people that have crossed my path in my time here. I've seen a lot, experienced a lot, and seen a lot of change . . . some good, some not so good.

It's exciting to think about the future, and all that it holds. The new faces I will meet, the new adventures to begin, and the new things I get the opportunity to learn about. At the same time, it's also the most scary thing I think I've ever had to deal with up to this point.

Change is not always a bad thing, but it is a scary thing. If I just step back and think of how far I have come, to the place that I am at now, all I can really do is stand in awe of what Christ has done in my life. In the good times and the bad He has stood right alongside of me; picking me up and setting me back on my feet whenever I fell.

If I could change anything, I wish that close friendships didn't have to fade like they do. I think that's the thing that I look back on, and I want to reclaim in my own life.

My life is a story, and this is only the most recent chapter . . . so what's YOUR story? I'd love to hear about it.