Age 40: Advice To My Sons
Today is my 40th birthday and looking back its been a great journey thus far. I realize that life is short and there are no future days guaranteed, so I wanted to write this for my three sons: Owen, Ives, and Albert.
1. Stay wild and don't let the world tame your masculine heart. Spend nights in an open field watching for falling stars. Go alone into the deep woods to find your place on the edge of the pond, not to fish, but to stay silent and listen for the voice of God. Do this often, for your heart needs it, and He will give you strength. Tell no-one.
2. If you are uncertain of faith and religion, look into them all, but lastly seek Jesus. You will not find Him in a Church or through other so-called "godly" people. The more holy they appear on the outside the more full of "it" they really are. If they tell you that you will be blessed the more you give, run. You are the Church, and it was never intended to be a building. If you give to others do so in secret. Go to those in prison, homeless, and destitute, feed and clothe them and do so in secret, never outsource this work, by giving to an offering plate.
3. If someone wrongs you once, be patient, kind and merciful. If they wrong you twice, pray for them so they may know Him. If they wrong you three times, break all dealings with them, and lay waste to them and pour out your wrath by blessing them. No matter how many times you are wronged, if a person falls upon your mercy and asks for forgiveness, never deny them. Forgive, but never forget the wrong they have caused to mitigate future issues.
4. Above all things know love. Love is not emotion. Its a choice that you must make every day. It is an oath. If you follow this pattern you cannot fail or lose your step, do not let your emotions fool you.
5. In business, never let your greed get in the way of your greed. That is, understand that generosity is the path to wealth, and opening your hand is the path to filling it. A closed hand cannot be full.
6. If another man gives you an opportunity be loyal to the point of death. Never forget those who give you a hand up. Never take a hand-out, and if you do, get ready for that same hand to ask for you to kiss it. People do not remember you for what you do when your on the mountain peek, you are remembered for what you do while in the gutter. Stay calm, stay steady, and keep one in the chamber.
7. Get an education. An education will not necessarily help you make money in life, it will however, help you take care of the money that you do make. Money doesn't equate to happiness, but happiness often leads to money; therefore, watch over your heart with all diligence, its the key to both.
8. It is my wish that you will seek active combat military service and fight valiant on the battlefield. If you lose your life in the defense and service of the people, know that there is no greater love. If you survive, you will never value life the same, but you will understand the value of freedom.
9. Do not listen or subscribe to false prophets within any industry. You will know them because they are self proclaimed evangelists who attempt to sell their special "gnosis". Search that term from ancient times, it was a heresy, and there is truly nothing there. Cut your own path and work for yourself as soon as possible. Make deals with others, but never be owned by any man.
10. You cannot outsource success. It flows from within you. You can never pay someone else to make you great. If they claim to have a way to make you great, figure out how they are doing it and do it yourself. Learn how to learn.
11. Read.
Above all else, know yourself. Never lie to you! Stay silent, stay hidden, and if you must strike, strike first and show no mercy.
I love you and have written this on 16 Feb 2018. You are my boys and I will always be your father, but Im just a man. Your real Father is in heaven and He is the one you must seek. Be honorable, be loyal, and never stop moving forward. Its easier to steer a car that is moving, than one that is sitting still. May the Spirit of Christ Jesus be upon your brow forever.
1. Stay wild and don't let the world tame your masculine heart. Spend nights in an open field watching for falling stars. Go alone into the deep woods to find your place on the edge of the pond, not to fish, but to stay silent and listen for the voice of God. Do this often, for your heart needs it, and He will give you strength. Tell no-one.
2. If you are uncertain of faith and religion, look into them all, but lastly seek Jesus. You will not find Him in a Church or through other so-called "godly" people. The more holy they appear on the outside the more full of "it" they really are. If they tell you that you will be blessed the more you give, run. You are the Church, and it was never intended to be a building. If you give to others do so in secret. Go to those in prison, homeless, and destitute, feed and clothe them and do so in secret, never outsource this work, by giving to an offering plate.
3. If someone wrongs you once, be patient, kind and merciful. If they wrong you twice, pray for them so they may know Him. If they wrong you three times, break all dealings with them, and lay waste to them and pour out your wrath by blessing them. No matter how many times you are wronged, if a person falls upon your mercy and asks for forgiveness, never deny them. Forgive, but never forget the wrong they have caused to mitigate future issues.
4. Above all things know love. Love is not emotion. Its a choice that you must make every day. It is an oath. If you follow this pattern you cannot fail or lose your step, do not let your emotions fool you.
5. In business, never let your greed get in the way of your greed. That is, understand that generosity is the path to wealth, and opening your hand is the path to filling it. A closed hand cannot be full.
6. If another man gives you an opportunity be loyal to the point of death. Never forget those who give you a hand up. Never take a hand-out, and if you do, get ready for that same hand to ask for you to kiss it. People do not remember you for what you do when your on the mountain peek, you are remembered for what you do while in the gutter. Stay calm, stay steady, and keep one in the chamber.
7. Get an education. An education will not necessarily help you make money in life, it will however, help you take care of the money that you do make. Money doesn't equate to happiness, but happiness often leads to money; therefore, watch over your heart with all diligence, its the key to both.
8. It is my wish that you will seek active combat military service and fight valiant on the battlefield. If you lose your life in the defense and service of the people, know that there is no greater love. If you survive, you will never value life the same, but you will understand the value of freedom.
9. Do not listen or subscribe to false prophets within any industry. You will know them because they are self proclaimed evangelists who attempt to sell their special "gnosis". Search that term from ancient times, it was a heresy, and there is truly nothing there. Cut your own path and work for yourself as soon as possible. Make deals with others, but never be owned by any man.
10. You cannot outsource success. It flows from within you. You can never pay someone else to make you great. If they claim to have a way to make you great, figure out how they are doing it and do it yourself. Learn how to learn.
11. Read.
Above all else, know yourself. Never lie to you! Stay silent, stay hidden, and if you must strike, strike first and show no mercy.
I love you and have written this on 16 Feb 2018. You are my boys and I will always be your father, but Im just a man. Your real Father is in heaven and He is the one you must seek. Be honorable, be loyal, and never stop moving forward. Its easier to steer a car that is moving, than one that is sitting still. May the Spirit of Christ Jesus be upon your brow forever.