I was having a conversation with my wife, actually just now as I started this, about working out and how it's been more difficult to get it in lately. Now, I won't go into all of what we are involved in, but it's a lot. We both work (from home...no, it's really not glamorous; you can just poop in your own toilet, which is the biggest win), we are heavily involved in our church, and having 3 boys, we do all the things. Prioritization used to be easier, but of course it did; there were less things to do. I'm going to go off the rails here for a sec and say that this "ideal way of life" we see everyone seeking and pushing on social media is not possible. You know, the one were you wake up, spend time in the Word, do an ice bath, journal, sauna, meditate, cook breakfast, deep work for 2-4 hours, workout, go for a walk, take a nap, more deep work, leisure activities, 7-8 hours of restful sleep, rinse, repeat. Where are the kids? Where are the lunches to be packed, the screaming toddlers, the sleepless nights, the challenging family situations, the anxious wife, the troublesome in-laws, the work demands, etc. We can't fit it all in. All of this nonsense, while good intentioned, is just not possible to achieve, yet we see endless experts and coaches (I'm not excluding myself in the past) push the idea that we can do it all with a side of six pack abs and a Father of the Year Award. Life is hard, dude. And we've heard it, but really, growth is not linear. If I am seeking the Lord, spending time in his word, being present with my family, and doing purposeful work, then my workouts may suffer a bit. And that's okay. What we need to know is the minimal effective dose to keep ourselves healthy. And somethings else... We need to understand that through all the struggle, suffering, and challenges, God is shaping us to look more like Christ. We can't seek comfort or vanity, and ultimately, that's what we are doing when we seek this idealized way of life. The true "good life" is found in Christ.

I don't want to go back to Instagram, y'all. It is interesting how something so seemingly trivial can make that much of an impact on your mood, your stress levels, your productivity, and so much more. My creativity, decision making, and overall attitude has been so much better, and if I had to narrow it down, I think it's due to a better streamline of thoughts. I don't get interrupted by notifications, or a pull to look at Instagram as I walk from one place to another, or wait on something. I am enjoying noticing things. That may sound weird, but I if I truly desire more joy in the mundane, then I have to notice what God has, and what he is doing within each moment, within each space. For instance, I was waiting for my middle son, who is 5, to put a couple ornaments back on his little tree he has in his room. Normally, I might have pulled my phone out during this time, as embarrassing as that is to say, but of course, this time I did not. And I just watched him. Watched him carefully put each ornament on a small, plastic tree limb, the light illuminating his face, the low, kneeling position he was in, the focus and care he was taking to hang each ornament exactly where he thought best. I can remember that moment now. It's not lost forever because I didn't notice it. I have more of him to hold onto in my mind and in my heart as he grows so quickly. Praise God. What are you noticing? If you haven't joined us yet in this challenge, just hop on in. Start posting. Be courageous and share what you're thinking and feeling throughout this. I'd love to hear what y'all are doing for Advent within your family's as well. What traditions you may have coming up. Who is also doing this for workout accountability? I am actually simplifying workouts throughout this time on purpose. I want to live from a restful place, and part of that is not overdoing it this month.

Guys, I was pondering this last night as I was reading one of my books for my seminary course. This is what I wrote down, and I thought I'd share it with y'all: We long for a return to the garden. We can even experience it through a seemingly fogged glass, but we cannot see fully through it just yet. Our sin, and our emotions tied to a false belief of how we are experience life, keeps us far from it. Our longings, though, turn to action, and that action we take can bring us success in whatever it is the Lord has blessed us with, letting us almost smell the air of Eden; this creates in us a joy and epace we can barely grasp, like a floundering fish caught during starvation. It's at this point we swell with pride, and say, "it is I who did this magnificent thing!" and forget to thank God for what we've experienced, those longings finally satiated, that we are thrust from our temporary encounter with the garden, and are brought back to the glass, our faces pressed tightly as if only we could just taste and see again, perhaps our loneliness, anger, depression, anxiety, pain, sorry, etc. will finally go away. Oh, how we needed saving from this. Initial thoughts?

Why is one change you’ve experienced in fatherhood and/or middle age that you didn’t expect? I’ll go first with something ridiculous: The Dad Sneeze. It’s loud, violent, and unexpected. Sometimes I shake my home’s foundations. How about you?

What’s up dudes!? Happy Monday! Wanted to focus this week’s discussion thread on leadership! No matter the career or position, we’re all leaders in some form or fashion. In our families, on the job, with our time and finances, even ourselves… how we lead today has the power to shape our tomorrow; not just for us but for those around us. 1. In what areas of your life do you lead well? 2. What areas of your life do you feel your leadership needs improvement? 3. In what ways do you desire to lead but haven’t been able to yet? BONUS: Feel free to share with the crew some of your own thoughts on leadership and what it means to you! SO, Let’s talk about it! Share your honest thoughts below and let’s show each other some support and encouragement! Hope you absolutely crush this week! Hugs and High Fives! And as always , BE THE DUDE 👊🏽⚡️💪🏽