Now THAT looked like the Colts. Manning was as good as he gets. The defense stopped Jones-Drew, one of the top Backs in the AFC. Mathis and Freeney drove Garrard nuts. And we got the W, which keeps playoff hopes alive if we can find a way to beat Oakland next week and the Titans after that.
I'm glad we were able to beat out hated rival, the Zebras. Oh, you thought the Colts were playing Jacksonville? So did I, until the game started. There were so many, I wrote them down.
To start, Jacksonville ran a third down play and the Colts stopped them cold. Then the referee walks out and says, "There is no penalty. Repeat down." Uh... what? Where the heck does that come from. "I have money on Jacksonville, so repeat down." That seems more likely. Jacksonville got a Field Goal from that. Then, they call pass interference, because a corner looked at the receiver before the ball was throw ten yards out of bounds. Yep, that sounds like the corner's fault to me. Third, a guy hugs then trips Reggie Wayne, and there was no call (as happened multiple weeks in a row this season, proving why we hate playing the Zebras). That was followed by perhaps the most irritating. A punt returner waved his hand in what is traditionally called a "fair catch." They decided that he didn't wave hard enough, so when he ran to the endzone, it was called a touchdown. (If you're keeping score, that means the first 10 scored by Jacksonville were with help by the refs). And this was the first half. In the second half, they added an intentional grounding, no wait, we take it back. Freaking refs.
Let's talk about some big players who deserve a mention. Austin Collie came back and lit up Jacksonville the first half with 2 TD and like 100 yards until he took a bad hit and got knocked out with a concussion. It looked like the Philly game all over again. The difference being it wasn't helmet-to-helmet so no penalty and it didn't look as bad. I don't think this one was as bad. The other difference is the Colts fans have class and didn't boo why they were working on him, nor did Jacksonville. Because Philly fans are nasty people. In the mean time, I hope the Colts take the "Collie-dives-for-the-ball-and-gets-hit-in-the-head-and-knocked-out" play out of the playbook.
Donald Brown and the Colts' O-Line deserve a mention because they Colts had more yards in the first half then they averaged this season. Brown also broke the largest run since 04, which is only 49 yards because they Colts largely run only in the red zone. And if that run wasn't enough, he did it again in the second half.
Bethea also deserves a mention, because he was mentioned on nearly every defensive play, including a pick or two with help from the pass rush of Mathis and Freeney rushing balls.
Tyjuan Hagler (pronounced Ti-wan, unless you are Terry Bradshaw) scooped up the attempted onside kick and ran it in for a TD.
And Cox deserves a mention. He's a Jacksonville player who on a punt shoved a Colt player into the returner who had waved for a fair catch. The ball bounced off the returner and the Colts recovered. It was the one play that the refs didn't screw us by acknowledging the block in the back causing the contact, and gave Manning the ball in the red zone. So thanks Cox.
Rest of the League:
Cowboys-Redskins. Rex Grossman? Seriously? Did Caughlin have a stroke this season? The only surprise in this game was that the Cowboys Defense was bad enough to let them come back. Grossman maybe the new Brett Farve, as his constant turnovers and sacks in the early game was a reminder of the Geezer.
Panthers-Cards. Yep, no one cares.
Bengals-Browns. Yet another crushingly close loss for the Browns, despite the return of Colt McCoy.
Chiefs-Rams. Rams lose, no surprise.
Ravens-Saints. Game of the week. These two great teams when at it. I gotta say, the deciding factor of this game was probably home field advantage. Ray Rice ran rugged for the Ravens. I just wish I could have watched this game, but Indy played at the same time.
Eagles-Giants. This was the game to watch after the Ravens-Saints game ended. The Giants had this game won. They did. Until 8 minutes left. Then suddenly the Eagles poured it on. They game back 28 points to win, one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history (the Colts did the same amount in four minutes against Tampa Bay in 03). The last play was the best/worst. High snap, punt away. But instead of kicking it out of bounds, he kicked it right to DeSean Jackson, who fumbled it, then took it to the house for the game winning score.
Falcons-Seahawks. Aw, that's just mean making them play Hotlanta.
Pats-Packers. Wow. The Packers almost toppled the Pats, WITHOUT Aaron Rodgers, who was out injured. In fact, if he was running that 2 minute drill, I bet Green Bay would have won. Even Tom "We Suck" Brady basically admitted that they got lucky in the post game interview.
My throat hurts from yelling at the refs. Next week I'm visiting my parents. I'll post if I have time, but don't hold your breath. In the mean time, you all have a Merry Christmas. And if you don't celebrate Christmas, I hope you have a nice Dec 25th anyway.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Ministry is painful
When I started this blog, my intention was to write this blog as a genuine Christian. There is a lot of people who claim to be Christians who say and do a lot of evil things and misquote the Bible to justify themselves. They quote where Jesus said, "Blessed are you when people persecute you" to say that they must be doing the right thing when people hate them because they are jerks. It has nothing to do with Jesus, but when people hate them.
There is only one problem. I am a minister. As a minister, I am considered fake. Because I'm paid to care, they say. And they have good evidence. I've been this way since high school, an outspoken Christian who tried to just be different from what they always seen. I had one kid who walked up to me one day and stated, "You know why I'm not a Christian? My preacher died in a casino gambling away money he stole from the church." This happens, so I wanted to avoid those preconceptions.
Maybe I should take the opposite approach. Maybe I should write to ministers.
Ministry sucks. I recently heard a preacher say "Doing the work of God can destroy the work of God in you." This is true, especially because of church people. I hesitate to calm them Christians. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
Church people can be awful. A prof told us if we stayed in ministry long enough, some woman would try to get us to have an affair with her. Then you have church people that stroke your ego, try to be your buddy just to advance their own agenda. Actually the woman who propositioned many ministers may fall in this category or the next, the needy. By this, I don't mean those with real needs, but the guy who stops in twice a week when you're trying to work, because every snide comment his wife make brings him to tears, even if she was just teasing. They want attention, and seem to make up little things to be upset about to get it. They can solve no problems on their own, and listening to or advising them only enables their need.
And this brings us to the last and worst category that I deal with, because they are the ones that I actually deal with: the hyper critical. Some people complain about everything. Absolutely everything. It's too cold. It's too hot. They don't like my shirt. They don't like my shoes. The music was too loud, or too quiet (on the same Sunday). The sermon was too long. The communion devotion was too short. We should do more fellowship dinners. They don't like surving in the nursery once a month, but they were mad at those visitors whose baby cried last Sunday. Someone had coffee in the Sanctuary (but fellowship dinners are ok?). Everything has to be their way, even though their way only matters to them, everyone else hates their way, and it is selfish and anti-biblical.
This week a lady posted on facebook complaining about not doing enough Christmas music, because that is the only way to praise Jesus. Apparently we don't worship Him the other 11 months, just the one leading to Christmas. Because Jesus never grew up, never performed miracles, never died for the sins of the world, or raised from the dead. Nope, he's just a baby that Santa gave presents to. Nope. Just a baby. That's why church is about what they want, and everyone else can go to Hell.
Is it a wonder that Jesus turned over temple tables and drove people out with whips? Is it a wonder Paul wrote scathing letters that make up most of the New Testament? Ministry can be great. You can tell people about Jesus and salvation. You can help those truly in need, like those in need of food and clothing. You can change people's lives, teaching them to care about others needs and what they can do about it. You can ignite people's passion and help them feel truly alive and free as Jesus promised. You are also available to minister to people who were just diagnosed with cancer or who just lost a loved one.
As a minister, I wish I had more time to do ministry, and less time for church people. If you are not a minister by trade, do me a favor. Don't be one of these people. Give a crap that people are in pain and dying and you can do something about that. Don't hold the attitude that we work for you. We don't. We work alongside you. We just have the time to learn about leading and the Bible and other things that you don't. This doesn't make us better. But we do need your trust and partnership. Give us a break, help us out, and stop chucking spears at us.
There is only one problem. I am a minister. As a minister, I am considered fake. Because I'm paid to care, they say. And they have good evidence. I've been this way since high school, an outspoken Christian who tried to just be different from what they always seen. I had one kid who walked up to me one day and stated, "You know why I'm not a Christian? My preacher died in a casino gambling away money he stole from the church." This happens, so I wanted to avoid those preconceptions.
Maybe I should take the opposite approach. Maybe I should write to ministers.
Ministry sucks. I recently heard a preacher say "Doing the work of God can destroy the work of God in you." This is true, especially because of church people. I hesitate to calm them Christians. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
Church people can be awful. A prof told us if we stayed in ministry long enough, some woman would try to get us to have an affair with her. Then you have church people that stroke your ego, try to be your buddy just to advance their own agenda. Actually the woman who propositioned many ministers may fall in this category or the next, the needy. By this, I don't mean those with real needs, but the guy who stops in twice a week when you're trying to work, because every snide comment his wife make brings him to tears, even if she was just teasing. They want attention, and seem to make up little things to be upset about to get it. They can solve no problems on their own, and listening to or advising them only enables their need.
And this brings us to the last and worst category that I deal with, because they are the ones that I actually deal with: the hyper critical. Some people complain about everything. Absolutely everything. It's too cold. It's too hot. They don't like my shirt. They don't like my shoes. The music was too loud, or too quiet (on the same Sunday). The sermon was too long. The communion devotion was too short. We should do more fellowship dinners. They don't like surving in the nursery once a month, but they were mad at those visitors whose baby cried last Sunday. Someone had coffee in the Sanctuary (but fellowship dinners are ok?). Everything has to be their way, even though their way only matters to them, everyone else hates their way, and it is selfish and anti-biblical.
This week a lady posted on facebook complaining about not doing enough Christmas music, because that is the only way to praise Jesus. Apparently we don't worship Him the other 11 months, just the one leading to Christmas. Because Jesus never grew up, never performed miracles, never died for the sins of the world, or raised from the dead. Nope, he's just a baby that Santa gave presents to. Nope. Just a baby. That's why church is about what they want, and everyone else can go to Hell.
Is it a wonder that Jesus turned over temple tables and drove people out with whips? Is it a wonder Paul wrote scathing letters that make up most of the New Testament? Ministry can be great. You can tell people about Jesus and salvation. You can help those truly in need, like those in need of food and clothing. You can change people's lives, teaching them to care about others needs and what they can do about it. You can ignite people's passion and help them feel truly alive and free as Jesus promised. You are also available to minister to people who were just diagnosed with cancer or who just lost a loved one.
As a minister, I wish I had more time to do ministry, and less time for church people. If you are not a minister by trade, do me a favor. Don't be one of these people. Give a crap that people are in pain and dying and you can do something about that. Don't hold the attitude that we work for you. We don't. We work alongside you. We just have the time to learn about leading and the Bible and other things that you don't. This doesn't make us better. But we do need your trust and partnership. Give us a break, help us out, and stop chucking spears at us.
Monday, December 13, 2010
NFL 10 week 14 synopsis
Colts vs. Titans. This game comes down to who would not do as bad. Well, the Colts sucked less than the Titans. Most importantly, they weren't as bad as the last few weeks. Manning had no INTs. They had a running game. The offensive line had a push. The defense repeatedly came up with big stops.
But really, even though they were better, they weren't good. They had moments of good. Garcon and Wayne had big games. On defense, when it was 7-0, Dwight Freeney somehow ran from one end of the field to the other, and before Kenny Britt could get out of bounds, knocked the ball out, which Hagler recovered. They also forced man 3 and outs.
In truth, the Titans help. One 3-0 they could have made, but a reciever dropped an easy pass. There was also a punt, well, the long snapper launched the ball way over the punter's head. The punter also made a mistake. He tried to pick up the ball, but failed, allowing the Colts to recover (not that it mattered since it would have been a turnover on downs, but it could have potentially been a TD).
The Colts also struggled. There first two TDs came when the Titans got pass interference calls on 3rd down to give the Colts another chance. (It helps when they actually call pass interference, unlike the previous two weeks.) They did not score any touchdowns in the second half. They had one opportunity. Reggie Wayne was supposed to come on a crossing route, running inside from the post. Blair White was supposed run the out route, drawing the defense away from Reggie. Instead, he ran in and tried to make a play on the ball. All he managed to do was knock the ball away from Reggie, bring up fourth down and a field goal. Reggie, stared at him like the biggest idiot in the world. Manning ripped him a new one, understandably. It was the biggest defensive play of the night by Tennessee
To be fair to Blair White, Manning has thrown so many interceptions in the past few weeks, maybe he thought he could get more catches by pretending to be on the other team.
Rest of the League:
Bills-Browns. Yet another crushingly close loss from the team that blew out the Patriots and apparently fired them up. The Bills almost upset the Steelers, and now upset the Browns. I think I speak for everyone when I say get better Colt McCoy, because no on wants to see Delhomme play.
Jags-Raiders. Well, that's annoying. The Raiders have just fallen apart since the injuries have caused this season to rapidly fall to pieces.
Steelers-Bengals. Oh, Bengals lose again. How a team goes from sweeping the division for the first time ever to one of the worst n the NFL, I don't know.
Buccs-Skins. The Redskins almost upset the Buccs who once claimed to be the best for no reason, except that they missed the extra point because the longsnapper through the ball right over Hunter the punter's head. He tried to get to the ball, but the PAT failed, and the Deadskins lost by one. I once heard someone say that 9 times out of 10, the team that misses the extra point loses by one. That doesn't seem to be statistically true, but it sure was this week.
Falcons-Panthers. First in the NFC vs. last. That's just sad.
Lions-Packers. Aaron Rodgers went out early in this game, and that impressive Packers D just didn't make it a shut out. They allowed one TD in the fourth, but without Rodgers the offense did not score enough.
Rams-Seahawks. Ok, this division is so bad, they should take away their championship and give it to another Wild Card slot. I mean, they are worse than the AFC South.
Pats-Bears. Wow. I think the Bears forgot to, well, play football. Seriously. I hate to say it, but I guess no one can beat Tom "We Suck" Brady and the Pats in the snow. I also hate to say it, but the Pats are the AFC team to beat. Let's just hope someone beats them, and hard.
Chargers-Chiefs. Uh... what happened to KC? This was the last undefeated team in the NFL, but they got dominated.
Dolphins-Jets. Wow. That has to be one of the Sanchize's worst games. They still could have won that, except Holmes dropped an easy one. I think that just took the wind out of Sanchez's sails.
Giants-Vikings. Let's start with the news on this one. This adventure starts with snow in Minnesota. I know. Who would have thought that it would ever snow in Minnesota. Anyway, for some reason, they did not design a stadium that could withhold snow. In Minnesota. They got 17 inches and the roof collapsed. So this game was New York at Minnesota at Detroit on Monday night. The Giants got snowed in, and had trouble getting to Detroit. So while stuck in an airport, the Giants made a way to entertain themselves. They made the rookies put on a talent show. I tell you this, it reminds me of m senior year in college when we were studying and yelled "Freshman!" A freshman walked into the room we were in, and we sent him to Wendy's to get us Frosties and burgers, and money to get himself.
Now on the FAR, I mean REALLY FAR opposite end of the spectrum is well, old. The other piece of news is the end of the streak from the Geezer. GOOD RIDANCE. Maybe now he can go home and leave us alone. They are still saying he's the best ever. If anyone would play long enough, they have to get a couple of records eventually. But doing something a long time does not make you good. He has the INT record in I believe the same game at the TD record, because every throw is pretty much one or the other. He does not deserve to be on a list with guys like Montana, Elway, and Unitas.
But really, even though they were better, they weren't good. They had moments of good. Garcon and Wayne had big games. On defense, when it was 7-0, Dwight Freeney somehow ran from one end of the field to the other, and before Kenny Britt could get out of bounds, knocked the ball out, which Hagler recovered. They also forced man 3 and outs.
In truth, the Titans help. One 3-0 they could have made, but a reciever dropped an easy pass. There was also a punt, well, the long snapper launched the ball way over the punter's head. The punter also made a mistake. He tried to pick up the ball, but failed, allowing the Colts to recover (not that it mattered since it would have been a turnover on downs, but it could have potentially been a TD).
The Colts also struggled. There first two TDs came when the Titans got pass interference calls on 3rd down to give the Colts another chance. (It helps when they actually call pass interference, unlike the previous two weeks.) They did not score any touchdowns in the second half. They had one opportunity. Reggie Wayne was supposed to come on a crossing route, running inside from the post. Blair White was supposed run the out route, drawing the defense away from Reggie. Instead, he ran in and tried to make a play on the ball. All he managed to do was knock the ball away from Reggie, bring up fourth down and a field goal. Reggie, stared at him like the biggest idiot in the world. Manning ripped him a new one, understandably. It was the biggest defensive play of the night by Tennessee
To be fair to Blair White, Manning has thrown so many interceptions in the past few weeks, maybe he thought he could get more catches by pretending to be on the other team.
Rest of the League:
Bills-Browns. Yet another crushingly close loss from the team that blew out the Patriots and apparently fired them up. The Bills almost upset the Steelers, and now upset the Browns. I think I speak for everyone when I say get better Colt McCoy, because no on wants to see Delhomme play.
Jags-Raiders. Well, that's annoying. The Raiders have just fallen apart since the injuries have caused this season to rapidly fall to pieces.
Steelers-Bengals. Oh, Bengals lose again. How a team goes from sweeping the division for the first time ever to one of the worst n the NFL, I don't know.
Buccs-Skins. The Redskins almost upset the Buccs who once claimed to be the best for no reason, except that they missed the extra point because the longsnapper through the ball right over Hunter the punter's head. He tried to get to the ball, but the PAT failed, and the Deadskins lost by one. I once heard someone say that 9 times out of 10, the team that misses the extra point loses by one. That doesn't seem to be statistically true, but it sure was this week.
Falcons-Panthers. First in the NFC vs. last. That's just sad.
Lions-Packers. Aaron Rodgers went out early in this game, and that impressive Packers D just didn't make it a shut out. They allowed one TD in the fourth, but without Rodgers the offense did not score enough.
Rams-Seahawks. Ok, this division is so bad, they should take away their championship and give it to another Wild Card slot. I mean, they are worse than the AFC South.
Pats-Bears. Wow. I think the Bears forgot to, well, play football. Seriously. I hate to say it, but I guess no one can beat Tom "We Suck" Brady and the Pats in the snow. I also hate to say it, but the Pats are the AFC team to beat. Let's just hope someone beats them, and hard.
Chargers-Chiefs. Uh... what happened to KC? This was the last undefeated team in the NFL, but they got dominated.
Dolphins-Jets. Wow. That has to be one of the Sanchize's worst games. They still could have won that, except Holmes dropped an easy one. I think that just took the wind out of Sanchez's sails.
Giants-Vikings. Let's start with the news on this one. This adventure starts with snow in Minnesota. I know. Who would have thought that it would ever snow in Minnesota. Anyway, for some reason, they did not design a stadium that could withhold snow. In Minnesota. They got 17 inches and the roof collapsed. So this game was New York at Minnesota at Detroit on Monday night. The Giants got snowed in, and had trouble getting to Detroit. So while stuck in an airport, the Giants made a way to entertain themselves. They made the rookies put on a talent show. I tell you this, it reminds me of m senior year in college when we were studying and yelled "Freshman!" A freshman walked into the room we were in, and we sent him to Wendy's to get us Frosties and burgers, and money to get himself.
Now on the FAR, I mean REALLY FAR opposite end of the spectrum is well, old. The other piece of news is the end of the streak from the Geezer. GOOD RIDANCE. Maybe now he can go home and leave us alone. They are still saying he's the best ever. If anyone would play long enough, they have to get a couple of records eventually. But doing something a long time does not make you good. He has the INT record in I believe the same game at the TD record, because every throw is pretty much one or the other. He does not deserve to be on a list with guys like Montana, Elway, and Unitas.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
NFL 10 week 13 synopsis
To be honest, due to my usual extreme business, I did not have time to watch much football, or even watch NFL gameday highlights like I usually do, so this one will be brief.
Manning sucked. He started the game with two interceptions. It was in the 2nd quarter before he had two RECEPTIONS. I don't know if he has to lose to pay off some bad gambling debt or something like that that you see on TV, but it almost looks like he's doing it on purpose.
Reggie Wayne was kinda out there playing by himself. At least we got Mike Hart back for a little while before he was hurt again. Too bad our O-line had their worst play ever. Manning almost got sacked on a running play because Polluck didn't even touch the guy he was supposed to block. You want to know why we can't run? It isn't because Addai is hurt. It is because Saturday can't get any help down there at the line (the same reason we lost week 1 to Houston).
The D, well, I threw my hat down in anger at the first Dallas TD, because 4 guys could have at least tried to stop him, and just let him run by instead. That pretty well started the landslide.
Despite all this, special teams where the one bright spot, due to a blocked punt. Unfortunately, they also caused a penalty that allowed them to tie, that and a couple of Manning pick 6s and another pick in overtime. The Colts were awful and almost pulled this game out.
As far as the Cowboys, it is amazing what they can do when they pretend to be professionals.
Rest of the League:
What can I say? I didn't get to see much. Most teams that I was rooting for lost. Cincy almost upset the Saints, but didn't. The Browns managed to win. The Ravens just could not score enough points to win. The Jets sucked, despite playing Tom "we suck" Brady. Favre got knocked out of the game on the first play, which is the one good thing about football this week. Going to retire now that your throwing arm is hurt, ya Geezer? Should have retired years ago. Oh wait you did. This time stay down.
The only other news to report is that Josh McDaniels of the Broncos was fired for doing what Bellicheck won a Super Bowl for in what is now known as "Spy Gate 2." Silly McDaniels, you know that you are only allowed to cheat if you win or if you are with the Pats, who are by nature a bunch of stinking cheaters.
Manning sucked. He started the game with two interceptions. It was in the 2nd quarter before he had two RECEPTIONS. I don't know if he has to lose to pay off some bad gambling debt or something like that that you see on TV, but it almost looks like he's doing it on purpose.
Reggie Wayne was kinda out there playing by himself. At least we got Mike Hart back for a little while before he was hurt again. Too bad our O-line had their worst play ever. Manning almost got sacked on a running play because Polluck didn't even touch the guy he was supposed to block. You want to know why we can't run? It isn't because Addai is hurt. It is because Saturday can't get any help down there at the line (the same reason we lost week 1 to Houston).
The D, well, I threw my hat down in anger at the first Dallas TD, because 4 guys could have at least tried to stop him, and just let him run by instead. That pretty well started the landslide.
Despite all this, special teams where the one bright spot, due to a blocked punt. Unfortunately, they also caused a penalty that allowed them to tie, that and a couple of Manning pick 6s and another pick in overtime. The Colts were awful and almost pulled this game out.
As far as the Cowboys, it is amazing what they can do when they pretend to be professionals.
Rest of the League:
What can I say? I didn't get to see much. Most teams that I was rooting for lost. Cincy almost upset the Saints, but didn't. The Browns managed to win. The Ravens just could not score enough points to win. The Jets sucked, despite playing Tom "we suck" Brady. Favre got knocked out of the game on the first play, which is the one good thing about football this week. Going to retire now that your throwing arm is hurt, ya Geezer? Should have retired years ago. Oh wait you did. This time stay down.
The only other news to report is that Josh McDaniels of the Broncos was fired for doing what Bellicheck won a Super Bowl for in what is now known as "Spy Gate 2." Silly McDaniels, you know that you are only allowed to cheat if you win or if you are with the Pats, who are by nature a bunch of stinking cheaters.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Men or Babes
I was doing some serving tonight. I was packing lunches for kids to have meals on weekends when not in school. This elementary school gets a grant to get this food, and we were helping pack it into bags for the kids to take home.
While doing so, this boy, whom I had the priveledge of having at weeks of camp and also getting to baptize earlier this year, was there helping. We had to undo plastic wrapping and open boxes. So I loaned this boy a knife. I showed him how to use it and how to be very careful.
I have carried a knife since I was 10. I grew up in the country. In my family, we cut strings off of bales of straw or hay daily. We open packages. We need knives daily. Carrying a knife was a rite of passage for me, and a very important one. A knife represets the ability to carry out work. Can a knife be dangerous? Absolutely. If not, it would not be a rite of passage to becoming a man.
You see, if there is no danger, it isn't really masculine. Look at football. Twenty-two men on two sides who hit each other as hard as they can. Rock climbing is obvious. Skydiving, rafting rapids, backpacking the AT, all these have an element of danger. And men are drawn to them.
Well, this boy's mom started to disagree. She was scared. "You should live with him. He's immature. I have to tell him to brush his teeth." Though she did not take the knife away, she repeatedly, verbally expressed her doubt in her son. Afterward, she continued this rant.
No matter what I said, I could not possibly get her to understand what she was doing. Masculinity is bestowed. It does not happen passively. It must be passed down. And in cannot grow in the mother's bossum (to use old-fashioned expressions).
The reason he is immature, is because she suffocates maturity in him. She tells him everyday to brush his teeth, so he doesn't have to remember to do it. In two weeks of camp over two years, I never once told him to brush his teeth or shower or change clothes or pick up his dirty clothes. Yet he did it, because he was ALLOWED to mature. As long as she keeps controlling his every move, he will NEVER grow.
Women cannot teach, cannot bestow masculinity. In our world, men are rare. Men come home and plop down in front of the TV. They don't teach their sons how to become men. Most of them are boys themselves, who don't know how to be men. They never learned how to be dangerous. They never learned how to lead. They never learned to live. And they certainly never learned to teach what they didn't learn.
It is sad really. So women, release your boys. Let them go. Let them GO. LET THEM GO. They have to fall and pick themselves up, or they will never learn to walk. Men, take them from their mothers. Teach them. In some native American cultures, after a rite of passage, they would take them back to their mothers, who would pretend not to know them. The man that bestowed masculinity upon them would introduce the young man to his mother. Her baby was gone. He was a man now. Let that be a lesson. Raise up young men.
While doing so, this boy, whom I had the priveledge of having at weeks of camp and also getting to baptize earlier this year, was there helping. We had to undo plastic wrapping and open boxes. So I loaned this boy a knife. I showed him how to use it and how to be very careful.
I have carried a knife since I was 10. I grew up in the country. In my family, we cut strings off of bales of straw or hay daily. We open packages. We need knives daily. Carrying a knife was a rite of passage for me, and a very important one. A knife represets the ability to carry out work. Can a knife be dangerous? Absolutely. If not, it would not be a rite of passage to becoming a man.
You see, if there is no danger, it isn't really masculine. Look at football. Twenty-two men on two sides who hit each other as hard as they can. Rock climbing is obvious. Skydiving, rafting rapids, backpacking the AT, all these have an element of danger. And men are drawn to them.
Well, this boy's mom started to disagree. She was scared. "You should live with him. He's immature. I have to tell him to brush his teeth." Though she did not take the knife away, she repeatedly, verbally expressed her doubt in her son. Afterward, she continued this rant.
No matter what I said, I could not possibly get her to understand what she was doing. Masculinity is bestowed. It does not happen passively. It must be passed down. And in cannot grow in the mother's bossum (to use old-fashioned expressions).
The reason he is immature, is because she suffocates maturity in him. She tells him everyday to brush his teeth, so he doesn't have to remember to do it. In two weeks of camp over two years, I never once told him to brush his teeth or shower or change clothes or pick up his dirty clothes. Yet he did it, because he was ALLOWED to mature. As long as she keeps controlling his every move, he will NEVER grow.
Women cannot teach, cannot bestow masculinity. In our world, men are rare. Men come home and plop down in front of the TV. They don't teach their sons how to become men. Most of them are boys themselves, who don't know how to be men. They never learned how to be dangerous. They never learned how to lead. They never learned to live. And they certainly never learned to teach what they didn't learn.
It is sad really. So women, release your boys. Let them go. Let them GO. LET THEM GO. They have to fall and pick themselves up, or they will never learn to walk. Men, take them from their mothers. Teach them. In some native American cultures, after a rite of passage, they would take them back to their mothers, who would pretend not to know them. The man that bestowed masculinity upon them would introduce the young man to his mother. Her baby was gone. He was a man now. Let that be a lesson. Raise up young men.
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