A Dad with Arms Open May 25, 2025 A letter from your daughter What can I say about my dad? I have been a daddy’s girl for as long as I can remember. I came into this world weighing 2 lb and 5 oz. I was told my father was the first person to hold me. He told me that he could put my entire body from head to toe in the palm of his hand. My mother has always said that our relationship has been that close ever since. I have to agree with her. As little girls, we love our daddies. The relationship between a daughter and her father it’s different from the mother. The emotional connection, is one that is unmatched. A lot of times, it’s not about what they say, it’s just what they do. They have the ability to make all of the scariest things in the world go away just from a hug. My father is always been a safe place for me. If I’ve ever needed anything, wanted anything, or ask for anything.. he has always been there. They say that your first love from a man is from your father, ...
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Prospering in Every Season
Prospering in Every Season image credit: wikipedia Seasons. Recently, I realized I was in a season of transition. A housing change and upcoming move is bringing with it a new place, a different neighborhood, new neighbors, new experiences, and a different perspective. But it is bittersweet. I don't want this season of my current home base to end. My time here has been the richest and sweetest time of my life. Why do we so often cling onto our seasons so tightly? Does this keep us from seeing the opportunities ahead of us, and the areas of growth that are waiting to happen? It's so easy to try to hold onto where we are, rather than eagerly anticipating what is ahead of us. But, when we have a confident hope that there are good things planned for us, what do we have to worry about? We have a choice: to start to lean towards and embrace a new season, or to try to cling to the one we are leaving. Seasonal changes in our lives can provide a perspective and lens to view things di...
God Stories: Genea
God Stories: Genea I am so grateful for this opportunity to share Genea’s story. It has moved me and encouraged me tremendously and I hope it does the same for you as you read this. This is the first in a series of personal stories of how God is at work in this world and in our lives. These stories are not always tied up neatly with bows at the ends, but I hope the strands of faith, hope, and God's love interwoven in these will encourage you in whatever you are facing. -Alex ___________________________________________________________________________ “..I found myself where the Almighty had let me fall, and He picked me up and told me ‘You can't handle this on your own, and you will NEVER have to’….I KNOW with conviction, that everything WILL be okay no matter what the circumstances are. If God can lead you to it, He will lead you through it….your situation is NOT your final destination…” ____________________________________________________________________________ About Gen...
When a Man Copes
Photo: Colorado Pain Center When a Man Copes Personal Insight from Men Talk, April 28th 2025 Topic: Healthy and Unhealthy Ways to Cope Platform: MEND Virtual Gathering www.mendcharleston.com Coping encompasses the various ways people deal with stress and negative emotions. Several days ago, a group of 5 guys gathered together online to talk about healthy and unhealthy ways to cope with pain. The depth of the conversation and the personal stories of the men was unexpected and impactful. I wanted to take time to summarize a few of the notes, comments, and takeaways from that gathering. Notes We noted unhealthy (maladaptive) examples of coping with pain (physical/mental/emotional): alcohol addiction, drugs, pornography, rage, etc. Also, numbing out, mindlessly scrolling youtube videos or reels, playing video games excessively, and binge eating. Comments “A coping skill is something I do when I am stressed. I start doing it out of habit.” “It becomes unhealthy when it takes awa...
What a Man Needs In Order to Truly Provide and Protect
What a Man Needs In Order to Truly Provide and Protect What is or are the most essential needs of a man? What does he need to have, or know, before he can step into his role and purpose in life and move forward as a truly confident, safe, and joyful protector and provider for others? I believe, as a starting point, he needs to fully and deeply know WHAT the answers to these questions point towards in his life: Where does he go for safety and refuge? Where does he find real rest? Where does he go for instruction? What guides him? What keeps him solid, and not collapsing, WHEN the storms hit? What makes him thrive? Where does he find joy? How does he get to fully experience the pleasures of a good life? Men, look into your answers to these questions and examine where and what they point to. Knowing this may allow you to know what your source of life (i.e. strength, energy, motivation, love, security, provision, emotional and spiritual stability, hope, peace...
Mothers: Shaping the Next Generation of Healthy Men
Photo: The Tree of Life, 2011 Mothers: Shaping the Next Generation of Healthy Men Do you believe you are shaping our world? Where are you today, reading this? I have experienced, heard, and seen, over and over, the influence a mother has on the lives of men. The actions of our mothers, showing up in childhood and adult life, shape who we are and who are becoming. A simple AI search shows the evidence is strong: A mother serves as a significant role model, demonstrating behaviors, values, and life skills that a son can emulate. She can inspire her son to dream big, pursue his goals, and develop a strong sense of self-worth. A man's relationship with his mother can influence his understanding of relationships with women and his ability to form healthy and fulfilling partnerships. A positive mother-son relationship can help a man develop healthy boundaries, respect, and empathy in his relationships. Even as a man matures and establishes his own family, the influence of his mot...