the art of manliness

Did you know that there’s a website devoted to reviving the lost art of manliness?  As a man who is dedicated to helping other men grow into their calling, this interests me.  I’ve been poking around their website for a few weeks now.  They feature articles aimed at helping men be better husbands, better fathers, and better men.  That’s quite a statement.

Over the past few days I have read articles on shaving like my PawPaw, proper classroom etiquette, and the right way to shine shoes.  I’ve studied their posts on integrity and the lessons on manliness to be learned from Bilbo Baggins.  It would appear that they cover every imaginable aspect of manhood, from basic skills to crafting a family mission statement and choosing friends to foster growth.

I’m liking what I read.

As a pastor in a community filled with young men at various places on their journey, this could be a valuable resource.  I have a responsibility to pass on what I have learned to these young men, just as others have invested in me.  I have a responsibility to live well, to honor those who have gone before me, to follow well.

The Psalmist wrote (Psalm 145:4)
One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.

I’m thinking old-school these days.  I want to learn to shave with a straight razor.  I bought some sweet leather wingtips.  I’m looking for a watch that I have to wind.  But all of those things can be window dressing; I want to be a man of substance, to have something to offer others.

I can’t imagine a better place to live than right here in Happy Valley.  This is the ideal place to be if I want to help shape the lives of young men.

It would appear that this idea of passing it on has its place in modern media too.