Faith, fatherhood, and doing the right things (even when nobody is watching) in life. Rebuilding strength, raising good men, and standing for truth.

Middle Tennessee
Joined July 2008
A lot of men ask what it means to live a life of integrity in a world that constantly pressures you to compromise. To me, it comes down to one core standard: unfailingly doing the right thing: the big things, the small things, and especially the things when nobody is watching. Over the last several years, life has tested that standard in ways I never expected. I’m a 57-year-old professional writer, Army combat medic veteran, a devout Christian, and a single father raising two young boys (14 and 12). My oldest son, Cash, is non-verbal Autistic, and being his primary caregiver has been one of the greatest honors and humbling teachers of my life. I’ve walked through the fire of losing a 24-year marriage and leaving behind the life (and my beloved farm) that we built. But through faith, heavy lifting, and daily discipline, I came out the other side not broken, but stronger, sharper, and more grounded as a father. I want to start using this account to share real, hard-earned lessons for men—young and old—on: • Raising sons to be men of honor and duty • Standing firm in your faith when the storm hits • Rebuilding physical and spiritual strength after loss • Leading your family courageously, even when the culture demands compliance We don't complain. We don't make excuses. We stand up. We build. If you're a man striving to hold the line for your family and live with quiet strength, you’re in the right place. Glad to have you here.
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I generally prefer to vote on election day, but I had a free afternoon so I thought I'd get it done today. Straight up and down red ticket, now rewarding myself with some ribs at the BBQ joint right next door to the polling place here in tiny Lynchburg, Tennessee.
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This post really hit home, as my boys are back at their mom's house and I'm here alone in mine. "Single dads live two different lives. One week, the house is full of laughter, breakfast plates, school runs, and little voices calling, “Dad!” The next week, it’s just him, a quiet house, and meals he barely feels like preparing." xitter.cf/HeedMywordx/status/211… But the quiet week is where you decide what kind of dad shows up the next week when your kids return. I use mine to get in the gym, get in the Word, and get outside. Empty house? Yes, but still full of purpose. #SingleDad
Single dads live two different lives. One week, the house is full of laughter, breakfast plates, school runs, and little voices calling, “Dad!” The next week, it’s just him, a quiet house, and meals he barely feels like preparing. One weekend, he’s cheering at football games, attending birthday parties, and chasing little feet around the playground. The next, he’s sitting alone, trying to figure out what to do with all the free time he once wished for. One night, he’s reading bedtime stories and tucking his children into bed. The next, he’s staring at his phone, hoping it rings so he can hear their voices before they sleep. The hardest part isn't being a single dad. It's learning to live with the constant switch between having your whole world around you and missing it when it's gone. People see the child-free days and call them freedom. Sometimes, they are. But sometimes, all he wants is to hear a little voice from the next room shouting, “Daddy!” Because a man can enjoy his solitude and still miss his children terribly. You can appreciate the peace and still wish the house wasn't so quiet. 💔
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"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people." ~ Ephesians 6:18 This verse comes right after the armor of God, so prayer is how a man actually stands in that armor. Over the last year of turmoil and change, the one constant prayer that I never stopped praying was that my boys would be OK; that they would wake up every morning knowing that they are loved. What's one prayer you've prayed for years that you haven't stopped praying? #Ephesians618 #VerseOfTheDay #Prayer #FaithOverFear
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If you were thinking of using your X money for good today, please consider my friend. Jen!
I would humbly & gratefully receive any chump change for food money today. I have used mine up & I'm looking for small jobs to push forward while im still on foot & my things I need to make money are in storage 3 hours away. 🙏 Trying to get them moved. I appreciate how you've all helped make sure I'm going to be ok & on the giving side soon. For now, I can do small jobs for people here too. Ebay specific help or anything I can do from my phone. LMK
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Challenging day. So I drove to across the border into Alabama to a course where I go when I need to talk to God and find some peace. Disc in hand. Cross on my chest. Quiet enough to hear Him again. Grateful for places that still remind me who I am when the day tries to take that from me. Where do you go when you need to talk to Him? #Faith #DiscGolf #Philippians413
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I only met my dad once, for about 30 minutes, when I was 16. I had lots of reasons to hate that man. But I forgave him for abandoning my mom and his 5 kids. Forgiveness is how faith shows up in a family. I hope to model that steady faithfulness for my own sons. #Forgiveness #Fatherhood
Young Men; Learn to forgive your fathers and be there for them regardless of what happened. My father went into exile for 20 years and left me when I was just 8 yrs old.(Long story). Two years ago, we got him back from JUBA S.Sudan and reunited with him without any judgement. Meanwhile, in Juba, I found him in a church ministering as a Pastor🤝😪 I was given the best welcome ever by the church members (most of whom were Baganda) and I was blessed to travel along with Dad back home😪🥰.
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I side with the wife on this one. I understand honoring an aging parent, but the Bible is clear on a man's responsibility to his wife. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” ~ Genesis 2:24: Jesus affirms this in Matthew 19:4–6
let's see what you guys think.. 🍿🤔
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I know firsthand what it's like when people decide from the outside who's "fit" to raise a child with challenges. The world may measure fitness by height or ability, but a child measures it by presence, and that man is right there bouncing on the bed with his daughter. Good job, dad! #Fatherhood #SpecialNeedsParenting
Honestly, people like this shouldn’t be allowed to have children.
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Something that I'm struggling with this morning, which I read on LinkedIn (from a Microsoft employee wrestling with yesterday's 60k layoff news) between heavy deadlifts sets: What has staying cost you that never shows up on the pay stub? When did you last feel arrested on a Sunday night? What have you been saving for "after"? These are some questions I need to resolve soon.
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Feeling especially grateful this morning. How can you intentionally practice gratitude in your daily life, especially during challenging moments? 🙏✝️
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Psalm 107:28–30 "Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven."
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A fresh week isn't a clean slate, it's another chance to be faithful in small things. Get to the gym, keep the routine, keep your word, and trust God with the rest. What's the one small thing you'll be faithful to this week, whether or not anybody notices? #MondayMotivation
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Every night I pray over my two boys by name. One of them may never be able to tell me what he's going through, so I bring it to the One who already knows. A father's knees are his strongest position.
NEVER underestimate what happens when a mother or father gets on their knees and prays for their child. 🙏❤️ ⤵️ You may not be able to protect your child from every hardship. You cannot make every decision for them, change their heart, or choose the path they will take. But there is something you can always do, no matter how old they get. You can bring them before God in prayer. And that is never a waste of time. St. Padre Pio is often credited with these beautiful words: "When parents pray for their children, God hears them, angels move, and great things happen. Pray with faith, and do not worry." Sometimes, you pray for your child for years and see nothing change. You wonder if God is listening. You wonder if your prayers are making any difference. But just because you cannot see God working does not mean He is silent. Every prayer is heard. Every tear matters to Him. And no child is ever beyond the reach of His mercy. Scripture reminds us that "the prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects." (James 5:16) So keep praying for your children, even when they seem far from God. Pray for their protection, their healing, their future, and most of all, their salvation. You may not always be able to hold their hand, but you can always entrust them to the hands of Jesus. ❤️ If God offered you ONE blessing for your child today, would you ask for health, happiness, success, protection, or a heart that never turns away from Him?
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One more thing I'm loving about my #Tesla - I needed a couple of recommended-services on my Model Y (to include the stupid front camera cleaning issue). The nearest service center is 1.5 hrs from me. No problem - used the app to schedule mobile service right in my driveway.
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This is one of the dumbest penalties I've ever seen called. And just one more reason I quit watching the NFL more than 10 years ago. It's devolved into a nearly unwatchable product.
This referee should be summarily fired. Calling unnecessary roughness on a RB who was running through the line is ridiculous and bad for football. Am I right?
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X money cashback day! Woot Woot! I'm just going to start rolling these back into my son's Trump account until we max out for the year.
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Just purchased my first ever (but not the last) shares (27) of $SPCX today. There are few companies that I believe in and want to support more strongly.
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What did your hardest year teach you?
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Starting over at 57 after 24 years of marriage taught me that forgiveness isn't a single moment, it's a choice you keep making, mostly so my sons see what a man does with hurt; how he gets back up with grace and strength. #Forgiveness #Faith #Fatherhood
🚨Erika Kirk talks about raw grief and the example she is setting for her children. Clip: @chicksonright
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That walk is what fatherhood and manhood looks like. No yelling, just 'get your shoes.' Some boys have never had a man care enough to correct them. #Fatherhood #RaisingBoys #Respect
My 13 year old has a friend over and I told them to please quiet down because the baby is sleeping and he (friend) told me to shut up?? My kids all froze and my son looked at him like wtf?? And my husband who was on a call in his office was like, "Joe, I need to call you back." They're now on a walk discussing respect, kid was still smirking until my husband walked out and told him to get his shoes because they were going to go have a talk. Weird afternoon.
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