On my recent canoe trip with my 27-year-old son Mark (see last week's blog, below this one), I was reading a Father's Day-type book entitled, Raising a Modern Day Knight. My son interrupted to say, straight up: “Pops, isn’t this a book you should have been reading 15-20 years ago?” As in, “Sorry, Dad, too late now….” Maybe for me, but not for you guys with younger children still at home. If that's you, read on. While most of us object to any book telling us there’s only one way to parent or one outcome that is acceptable, this book instead offers ancient wisdom and gives options along a prescribed 3-fold path. That path is one of transition through developmental stages—from “page” to “squire” to “knight”—which correspond roughly to puberty, school graduation, and launching a marriage/career.
The process toward authentic manhood consists of three key elements, per Lewis: (1) defining an authentic manhood vision (a true man rejects passivity, accepts responsibility, leads courageously, and expects the greater reward—God’s reward); (2) clarifying an ethical code of conduct (ten biblical ideals); and (3) embracing a transcendent cause (something truly heroic, timeless, and extremely meaningful). This book is rich with ceremonies for a community of men to drive home these boy-to-manhood points. Knight is a “quick read” for anyone familiar with the “Quest for Authentic Manhood,” the multi-segment, 3-year video series that men from my church went through recently and will resume in 2012. Now you can get much of that good stuff in book form. After reading this book, I had some reservations and regrets. Not about the author or the book, but about me missing the mark, even missing my sons Mark and Eric. So I re-read a Father’s Day card from this past month (“Thanks for being the father that you have been to us. You have been great, and you have passed on so much to us that we take through our own lives. I love you a ton.”), then compared it to one from 1990 (“Thanks for being such a great dad, you really are an Everyday Hero!”) Don’t you just long to hear such affirmations commending your efforts, your example and your legacy?! But it’s not about us. This book is about raising up sons who imitate those ideals that bring glory to their fathers, as they become heroes, every day, under God. Amen. If you've got another men's book to recommend, one you want me to read and comment on--or if you have had similar struggles raising your sons in a godly path according to their bent--please let me know. Let's collaborate. Occasionaly someone will respond to one of my blogged stories with a favorite of their own. If the story is rich enough, I will either link to it, or re-post it, as in this case. This one, by Catherine Moore, was sent to me, and now to you, by my hiking buddy and partner in men's ministry, Bill Taylor, pictured here (at right) with me atop one of Colorado's 14ers, four of which we climbed in August of 2010. Our summit adventures are a subject of another blog, another day. "A Father, a Daughter and a Dog" by Catherine Moore "Watch out! You nearly broad-sided that car," my father yelled at me. "Can't you do anything right?" Those words hurt worse than blows. I turned my head toward the elderly man in the seat beside me, daring me to challenge him. A lump rose in my throat as I averted my eyes. I wasn't prepared for another battle. "I saw the car, Dad. Please don't yell at me when I'm driving." My voice was measured and steady, sounding far calmer than I really felt. Dad glared at me, then turned away and settled back. At home I left Dad in front of the television and went outside to collect my thoughts.... dark, heavy clouds hung in the air with a promise of rain.. The rumble of distant thunder seemed to echo my inner turmoil. What could I do about him? To read more, click here. In re-launching the Men’s Ministry at High Point Church (Madison, WI), where I worship, I've been asked to “blog about men’s books.” Why books for men? Because we believe good books influence men for good. Why me? I'm all about connecting people to resources for good. And I'm one of those odd ducks who goes bonkers over getting books in print. I even read books, blogs and magazines about the writing, editing and publishing of books. I’ve had a hand in producing a few myself, including 45 books and Bible products with 16 different Christian publishers, even writing/editing a dozen books for the Promise Keeper men’s movement. But that was two decades and two careers ago. First, this caveat & promise: There are still way too many men’s books for me to track, much less read. Solomon was right: “Of making many books there is no end; and much study wearies the body” (Ecclesiastes 12:12b). So, while I’ll always be a step behind in following trends of what’s out there for men, I promise you this much: I will post at least one book review every other month. So this will become a regular feature of our church's men's bulletin board, as well as this space here, for a wider audience to enjoy. Now to review ever-so-briefly a best-seller from that 1990's Promise Keeper era, Stu Weber’s Tender Warrior.
This classic has stood the test of time, as men’s groups still buy it by the case load, two decades later, now with updated material and two new chapters. Why? Because Weber touches and activates the tender heart of all men, much to the delight of the wives and children of those men. To read more,... click here If you want to buy it, from Amazon or read other reviews of this book, click here. But if you go there, the point is to not just read more book reviews, but the book itself. Whether or not this review (and related book!) helps in scratching where you itch, I’d love to hear from you. |