The $300 Belt

“No Excuses!”

Well, that is what I hear as I try to convince myself of a worthy reason as to why I haven’t written in almost three weeks. Honestly, I have no excuse. However, during my stint of laziness, I’ve been meditating on an article which I read a while ago.

The article titled, “Who Are You?” (by Roy S. Johnson, Editor in Chief, Men’s Fitness/March 2011), presses the reader to take a look at ourselves completely stripped of the stuff and things that control our identity; such as what we wear, drive, eat, etc.. Then, when all else is gone, who and what is left?

      Ultimately, who we are is what we leave behind. Sure, you might have a will crammed with all kinds of stuff to leave your family and loved ones. But even if your estate is worth millions, it won’t be as valuable as you and how you touched those around you, how you taught those around you – by your actions and words
      Make sure you like you when there’s nothing else around.

Well put! But why bring it up? Because, in essences, this is the heart of the Modern Gentleman. Too many times am I needing constant reminders of what it means to take pride in “me.” Everyday, I have to ask myself, “What am I doing to invest in me?” And this question is the foundation of The Modern Gentleman.

(Read more, click here…)

Perverted Manliness

Found in The Modern Gentleman articles.

Let’s take a moment to talk about manliness. For the past several months, I’ve been consumed with this idea that men should become better at being men. And much of theses ideas have encapsulated itself into the new project, The Modern Gentleman. But, I dare say that the issue plaguing the fowl mouth, insecure, hedonistic society and culture of today (and most of history) is the lack of emphasis we have on raising boys to be well-defined, justice driven, confident, self responsible men.

Let’s face it. Our culture has bastardized the definition of men, and the values that are naturally written in the DNA of every male. God forbid society raises any more men that qualify for a spot on The Jersey Shore.

The Modern Gentleman

See above page link for more information

Let’s be honest. We can officially state that chivalry is dead. Some men are still known for there morals and presentation of self, but the world has killed the gentlemanly trait of chivalry. Yet, even though such a thing may no longer exist in the circle of men, or has made it absurdly unaffordable for most, there is an urge in most men to be something better.

If there is one thing that a man might be known for is his persistence. If a man is to develop a passion in something or someone, and his attention and absolute focus were to be consumed by this then there would be nothing to stand in his way from completing the objective, or obtaining the object. But, hidden in the deep complexities of a man’s passion and focus, and going deeper into the inner workings of a man’s soul is a trait by which the entire core and existence of man’s being is fueled, honor.

And, within this trait is a self-determined and God-written code by which a man survives and lives, consciously and subconsciously. Many men will fail at crossing over the rite of passage of boyishness to manly disciplines, and die a prideful, convoluted, wanderer lost in his disability to find himself.  However, the other few will continually search out perfection as their understanding of self is saturated with humility and respect. And they will die fulfilled and pleased with their journey as they have tried and tested themselves, understanding the meaning to live. This is concept of the Modern Gentleman.

Enjoying the Seventh Day

See above page list to keep up to date with Enjoying the Seventh Day…

Just recently (January 2011), my wife, Cassie, has created her own little project (you can check it out here) which is quite an extraordinary project, I might say. Her project is named, Project Seventh Day. It includes a mixture of changing life styles, disciplines and dieting, while also, taking a day off to enjoy food, fun, family, and… well, sanity.

While I was there when this concept was contrived, I had no idea what my involvement would be. Maybe a little encouragement here and there. Maybe the need to endure a salad more than I necessarily want to. But, then the first Saturday (seventh day) came. All of her hard work from the week of exercise and dieting would pay off… for me.

My wife wants to cook, try out new recipes and dishes, and enjoy food in such a way that hedonist would be jealous, and I am the guinea pig. The meal that she has spent all week thinking about, creating a recipe, preparing the groceries and spending hours to cook, involves me pulling up a chair, grabbing a fork and indulging my taste buds.

Now, I’ve never recieved a free meal at a 5 star restaurant due the article I am to write the next day. Heck, I’ve never been to a 5 star restaurant. However, Project Seventh Day is a 5 star idea! I’m no food critic, but I am a lover of food. I know what tastes good… and also, what my dog wouldn’t even eat.

I’m not saying I will critique my wife’s cooking (no, that would be a mistake of tremendous proportions). However, I will enjoy the benefits of having a wife with such passions that it overflows to my waistline. And, I will let you know a non-food critic’s point of view on my most favorite restaurant in town, my wife’s kitchen.

I hope you enjoy! I hope you find the information useful. And I hope that one day you could experience the same glorious thing that I do every seventh day. Cheers!

READ TODAY’S POSTS:

Week One

What better way to start off Project Seventh Day then to bring home some comfort food from the south, fried goodness! Now, I have to be honest. I “like” fried food, but don’t “love” fried food like many people do. I hate to feel greasy, or gooey, or gross; and fried food does just that for and to me. Yet, I was intrigued when Cassie told me that the secret to her fried chicken was “double dipping.” (Read more…)

 

Week Two

Imagine this: sitting in the living room while your wife is in the kitchen composing her masterpiece for this week’s project, and then you hear her say, “Dang it! This is going to be a disaster.” (Read more…)



ADHDeriffic!

2011. Everyone is taking time to write there new goals and resolutions down. So, I began thinking the other day that maybe I should do the same. Here it goes:

 

Curtis Thomas’ New Years Resolutions for 2011

1. Make a resolution

 

Pretty anti-climatic, huh? I’ve never been one for resolutions to be honest.  However, a new passion that has sparked within my wife over the Christmas season has developed into her 2011 pet project, Project Seventh Day. And watching this new-found passion and motivation has really convicted me.

Eh…worship. What about it?

What is it exactly? Everyone has their own opinions particularly built upon personal experiences, traditional values or emotional intimacy. One person, in particular, find worship to be a two hour version of “Doxology” along with three alter-calls to make sure “we got all of ‘em” (true story). However, I believe that worship is a beast that is hard to tame, or even try to define it; but, worship is something that I have been questioning lately.

Personally, I been a worship leader longer than…well, I ‘ve probably been a Christian, so I feel as though I have a pretty hefty foot in the door when it comes to the conversation of, “What is worship?” I been a part of many experiences in worship such as:

1. Two high school students leading worship for a youth group while only having one acoustic guitar between the two of them, and each one only knowing 2 songs.

There He Goes – A Hero!

Just the other day, in the midst of my Christian music phase, I heard a song that I can’t seem to shake. Here, let me show you:

Hero by Abandon

He walked the dirty streets. Famous for nothing.
He said “come follow me” and they came.
A face like all the rest.
But something was different.
The Son of God would lead the way.
And soon they all would say.

New Seasons

I am ready for change.

This week marks the beginning of a change of seasons in more ways than one.  The weather is changing and Fall is in the air.  I am starting a new job and a new chapter in my time with Cohen.  Curtis and I have made some personal changes that we hope are going to reap fruitful results.  Things are changing!  Hopefully for the better.

We are coming out of a season that has been hard for our family.  But today I was reminded that even when we have been struck down, it is the Lord who raises us up and gives us new seasons of hope and refreshing.

Hosea 6 says:

“Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn us, that he may heal us;
he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.
After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him.
Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is sure as the dawn;
he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.”

Even when we don’t understand it, He give purpose to our suffering.  He heals where we are torn and he binds up where we are broken.  I want to press on to know that God.  I want to know the God who offers beauty for my ashes in an intimate way because I need that exchange!

The beginning of October always sort of marks the end of a year to me…like time is winding down on this particular calendar year.  This year has been hard.  But for the first time in a long time, I feel hopeful that things are changing for the better, and that I can dance in the showers of the Lord’s coming.

A Plea to a Father…

So, it’s been 7 months and  8 days since my wife and I were blessed with a little baby named Cohen. Yes, it was such a happy moment for us, yet scary all the same. But, when it was all done, we got to take him home, afraid that if we hold him the wrong way or forget to support the weight of his gigantic head, it might pop off like a Barbie doll or his “action-grip” may cease to be anything less than action or grip.

So like children with a new toy, my wife and I carefully changed diapers, gave bathes and played with Cohen, who didn’t do much but lay there and stare off into space dreaming of fairies and unicorns, as his mother and I pranced around like Christmas elves excited about the onset of Christmas urging a smile from him. And as Cohen continued to grow over the months, learning new things and beginning to recognize us when we enter the room, there was one thing that continued to bother me.

A Conversation with Cyn

cyn·i·cal [sin-i-kuhl]

1. like or characteristic of a cynic; distrusting or disparaging the motives of others.
2. showing contempt for accepted standards of honesty or morality by one’s actions, esp. by actions that exploit the scruples of others.
3. bitterly or sneeringly distrustful, contemptuous, or pessimistic.

Okay, I’ll be honest, I am more than likely a self-proclaimed schizophrenic due to the mass amount of conversations that take place within the walls of my head between myself and the little voice we’ll just call Cyn. Often times, it’s humorous to listen to, other times its sad, or maybe even depressing; but, never the less, it is definitely entertaining. So I thought I might let you in on the conversation in a little piece I call, “A Conversation with Cyn.”

Cyn: Knock, knock…

Me: Busy! Go away.