Let's see them, fellas! We need to come together and pray for each other. No man is an island, and we are here to support each other in life's struggles, triumphs, challenges, etc. This community has been quiet, and that it on me by not pushing to get our guys back in here. I challenge you to step in and help me grow this space as a refuge and support for guys looking to become better in all aspects of life. My prayer request: I have an opportunity to lead a small home church. That would require stepping away from our large church in town and following the template that Jesus set in the Gospels: start with a small group, raise up leaders, and multiply. There would be no income from this, so it's a tough decision. I would have to really ramp up coaching and drop the notion of seeking a paid opportunity within the church that I have applied for. My family is blessed with finances that, if we stewarded well, we could live off of, but it would be a heavy adjustment. Your prayers would be greatly appreciated. Now comment your requests below and let's get after it!

We're officially two weeks in. I think it's time to reflect on past two weeks and take a look at what you've done well, and how you can make the next two weeks even better. How can you continuously slow down. CS Lewis, in his introduction to the book "On the Incarnation" by Athanaius of Alexander, he mentions having a good pipe and pencil and wrestling over some tough theology. As a man after God's heart, that's something we should take into practice. Perhaps you're not a pipe guy (I actually own several pipes and enjoy sitting down with one every now again), but the intention here is sit down with the church fathers every now and again, or over the Word itself, and pour into the text. Removing social media makes this easier. I realize my attention span has gotten a bit broader, praise God. What can you do to worry less about production and more about reflection and intention?

If you are doing the challenge, how has this been so far? What fruit is bearing from removing social media from your life? Let's do a recap of your experience. For me, it's been incredibly rewarding because I am way more focused and calmer throughout the day. 12 days is about 2/3 to solidifying a habit, so in one more week, the impulse for social media should be gone completely. And honestly, for me, it's gone. I don't think about it during the day at all. If you are seeing this and you aren't in the challenge, it's not too late to hop in. I plan on doing these challenges often next year, leading men through a cohort and increasing the depth and experience each time. That has been incredibly rewarding because my brain is no longer automatically thinking about it, so it's searching for other reward systems and has increased my focus for work. I don't feel as scatter brained, and for that I am profoundly thankful. The hardest part has been seeing my wife still be on it, and the negative impacts that I can so visibly see, but she doesn't. We've talked about it, but she doesn't feel convicted and uses it as a "mental break", but it's not truly giving her that. Have you seen anything similar with your spouse? Can you better see the impacts of social media from others around you, maybe at work, that you couldn't before? I've noticed my attention span for reading has increased, as well, which used to be far more difficult for me. What has your experience been like so far?

I played chess with my son for the first time yesterday. I'll probably write more in detail in a blog post tomorrow, but I am thankful. I've always wanted to learn how to play chess. I've never played much or had anywhere/anyone to play with or show me. A few years back I got a chess app on my phone and played it a bit, learned the basic movements of the pieces and got beat by the computer endlessly, even on a beginner mode. Lately, off of social media, I've started playing that game when I've been alone waiting for something, like carpool, or in the bathroom. Now, I'll pause to say that I can see it becoming a bit of an issue against reading the word, or praying, but I could argue this is what God wanted, and I'll tell you why: Playing just with my son is something I've always wanted in my life. A forever excuse to just sit with him and talk. I mean, goodness, right now he never sits still, and honestly, I didn't know he could play, but he said they play at church on Wednesday nights sometimes. This beautiful moment happened where we are sitting by the fire. I set up the chess board my wife gave me about 10 years ago, and we played. And it was a blessing. And I felt loved because my Father in heaven knows this desire, and my son felt loved because he was with his father, one on one, and I think we need to be on the lookout for more things like this. They spur our faith, they bring beauty and depth to our lives, and they bring us deeper into relationship with our loving Father who truly cares about the little things on our hearts. Second week, let's go...

The pull for social media is totally gone. But I have replaced some of that time spent on there playing chess on my phone, which I am not sure if that is good yet. Sure, it doesn't have the dopamine hits like social media, and there's no comparison game there, but I do have to watch myself when I play it and ensure it's not during a "bad time", like when the family is all together, or when I should be doing something else. Leisure activity only. Anyway... How is your month going? What have you been praying for, specifically, and how can we pray for you during this time? One of the goals of this challenge is to go deeper into Advent than we normally have. Some of us might have done Advent devotionals before, or have our own process during the Christmas season, but what are you doing differently this year? Dwell on this hymn today: 1 Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming From tender stem hath sprung! Of Jesse's lineage coming As men of old have sung. It came, a flower bright, Amid the cold of winter When half-gone was the night. 2 Isaiah 'twas foretold it, The Rose I have in mind: With Mary we behold it, The virgin mother kind. To show God's love aright She bore to men a Savior When half-gone was the night. 3 This Flower, whose fragrance tender With sweetness fills the air, Dispels with glorious splendor The darkness everywhere. True man, yet very God, From sin and death He saves us And lightens every load What load needs to be lightened for you? My prayers this month are focused on my parents, my family, my career path and purpose professionally, and all of you. My mom has Alzheimer's and it's getting worse. My dad is 85, and is in really good health, but is having hip issues all of a sudden and fears he needs a hip replacement. Having three boys, I am always needing prayers. lol There is an opportunity at my church for a Discipleship Director position I am praying about. There's a possibility that I could be a fit for that role, but I want it to be what God has for me, not only what I want.