For many years, I not only was afraid of truth, but didnt want to live in it. Opening your life up and showing vulnerability is not an attractive process after all. I hid my feelings because of insecurity and fear of not being accepted. So much of my world was about people pleasing, and had nothing to do with reality. So many times for those of us who grew up in church, we were afraid to face our demons publicly. We were deceived into thinking we could not be who we were and keeping up appearances were more important than truth. Have you ever tried to just keep up the vibe when you knew in your heart it was false? From experience, my family and friends were pretty well shocked when I became transparent with all my bitterness, my anger, my frustration, anxiety and depression. It was too overwhelming for most, because after all...the job was to always be perfect and keep up the facade. One thing I always preached and lived was that all of us should have people who love us no matter what. So, I brought in three men into my intimate life that were trusted friends whom I could share my life with closely, even the faults. These men were close to me and my accountability partners for decades. I shared with them my deepest fears, my real bitterness so when my life changed, it was no surprise to them, not at all because of knowing each other well. Who do you have in your life that knows you well? Who is that person or persons you can go to and get an unbiased opinion and will not lather you up with good things you want to hear, but really shoot straight with you in everything? I am so thankful for great men who were real with me. The men who have meant the most in my life and have filled those important shoes in being accountability partners in the past are Matt A. Seward, Norman Behymer & Dr. Matthew Britt. Also, I am thankful for men like Dr. Mark Hartman,Dr. Claude Thomas Rick Thompson, Dr. Anthony Jordan, James Barnett, Randy Smith, Johnny Shipman, Johnny Hodges, Ronald Owen, David Sutton, Dave Gillogly, Michael Norman, John Kyle, Marty Hardell Gary Jones, and Gary L. Olson. Recently, men in my life like Darrel Campbell, Miles Hanon David Barrow, Ron DiCianni, Michael Beckmann, Bruce Milner Bruce Kennedy Don Kerby, Nick Brooks, Stan Olive, Loren Balman, Peter-Lorena Andrews, Randall White and especially men in my immediate family like Papa Joe Dean Ross Wilson have all become more important to my soul and even closer to my heart every day. Naturally, at the top of my list are my sons, Michael and Bear with my hero, my father. However, we have to remember our pastors when we think of mighty men of God. Pastors like John Dickey, Jimmy Kinnaird, Monty Priest, Jimmy Hoffman Rabbi Curt Landry Paul Marcellino, Clint Thomas Dr. Mark Chironna Craig Groeschel Chris Beall have changed my life in so many ways for the better. May God richly bless the men of faith who surround us. Now with men like these, the men of the Veritas 300 are there as we build lives together in Biblical Community. There is one man who has been my friend since I was four and he was five years old, his name was James Bob and we were best friends growing up. He and I renewed our friendship since high school after many years back in 1995, almost twenty years ago. He is now known as Bob Hoffman and he coaches a basketball team in Macon. I am so thankful for his friendship and love. Lastly, I have a group of Godsons whom have become a cherished and big part of my heart and my life because they are mighty men in and of themselves. I wont list them all here, but each and every one of them knows how much they mean to me. Thank you men, for standing strong, following God and being mens men of chivalry. These are the kinds of knights I want to hang around, real warriors for Veritas. Be bold and gather men around you who speak truth and dont be afraid to listen or too stubborn to hear. Yes, sometimes I didnt want to listen to what was said, usually because I was off track and there were so many times I was wrong. To the strong mighty men of valor, thanks for kicking me over and over again and pushing me to forge ahead. Forgive me when I did not listen and thank you, for not giving up on me when you had every right to do this. May God bless you.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 06:48:17 +0000
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