I will be away at a men’s retreat sponsored by the Episcopal Churches of Tennessee. This is my second year going and I am ready to have some fun and to be spiritually renewed. Being in the company of these guys reminds me its good to be a guy who loves his God and his fellow-man. Being in a place where you can just relax and have a good time is important to filling your physical, emotional and spiritual tanks much like you do your car. Being taken care of even self-care is important.
Of course I will be sharing as I go along in the weekend. My phone will be with me and there is good cell service where I will be. Have a great weekend my friends. Grace and peace
Men of faith are called to be servants and leaders in their communities. They have an important role in being people who are to model humility and a vibrant spirit. They are to work with their partners in sharing their faith tradition with the next generation. Men are needed to be role models too. I think men also support their partners in achieving their dreams and encouraging those around who need a hand in times of need. I will expound on this topic in future posts. They need to pray for those closest to them. Faithful men also need to love, be tender, care and be there for others. God made man to be in his image and to put our best foot forward.
For me aging means needing my glasses to use my cell phone and falling asleep before the Late Show comes on. As I get older sleeping through the night is harder. Of course getting up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom is common. Getting older means facing ones own mortality too and no one wants to think of a time when they die. Now I am 46 and there are others who have lived much longer and have more stories to tell so I need to keep things in perspective. Life goes on and I need to enjoy it as long as I can. I enjoy my life and I pray it will get better as we go along. Getting older isn’t for the feint of heart.
During the month of October there is a focus on Breast Cancer and health. Both women and men can be impacted by this dreaded disease. Many people have been impacted in one way or another by this form of cancer.
More than likely you have a family member or a friend who has or has had Breast Cancer. For some the fight was a victory while others have been taken from us tragically. There are stories of everyday people who have been impacted by this disease that have been heroic. My mother-in-law is a survivor because she caught it early. Mary Ellen Locher, a former local TV news anchor here in Chattanooga unfortunately lost her battle but she has a treatment center at a local hospital named in her honor.
Self examination and annual mammograms are important in the fight against this disease. Research is ongoing into a cure for this and other cancers.