J.R.R. Tolkien on Love, Sex, and Marriage

What the author of "The Lord of the Rings" told his son

I encountered what I’m about to share with you quite providentially. In a discussion regarding male-female relationships, someone made a passing reference to the letters J.R.R. Tolkien wrote to his son. Being a fan of “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings, I was intrigued, went looking for the letter, and found it. I […]

Sure, You’re Grown. Show Honor to Your Old Man

Don't Be A Father-Mocker

“Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.” -Proverbs 17:6 A question arises from time to time in the minds of young men: given the Biblical commandment to “Honor your father and mother,” does that requirement expire when one is out on his own? The answer may surprise […]

Seven-and-a-half Tips for Masculine Initiation – And Why They Matter

“Of all sad words of tongue or pen the saddest are these IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN” -Anonymous I have written about the importance of masculine initiation here and here, and I’ve featured a post written by my older son providing his perspective.  In this post, I want to provide some practical considerations against the day […]

A Boat Is A Hole in the Water

“Dear friend, if you’ve gone into hock with your neighbor or locked yourself into a deal with a stranger, If you’ve impulsively promised the shirt off your back and now find yourself shivering out in the cold, Friend, don’t waste a minute, get yourself out of that mess. You’re in that man’s clutches!” -Proverbs 6: 1- 5 […]

Three Vectors of Emotional Health

“All the world’s a stage.” – William Shakespeare Some time ago, I read an article expounding on the theory of 20th century playwright and anthropologist, Robert Ardrey.  In his book, The Territorial Imperative, Ardrey states that once a creature’s survival needs are met (Think Maslow’s hierarchy: food, clothing and shelter), there is a hierarchy of […]

Four Lessons from King Lune of Archenland

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” -1 Peter 2:9 (NIV) From the time my first son was born I have been a fan of C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles […]

Masculine Initiation – A Field Report

A note from the host: The following is a first-person account of masculine initiation, written by my son, Samuel.  I’m proud and honored to welcome him as the author of this site’s first guest post.  Here’s Sam: The summer before my tenth birthday, my Dad took me on a four-day backpacking trip. This was the start of […]

The Root of the Poison Tree

“The increasing complexity and precariousness of our economic life have forced Government to take over many spheres of activity once left to choice or chance. Our intellectuals have surrendered first to the slave-philosophy of Hegel, then to Marx, finally to the linguistic analysts.” – C. S. Lewis from “Willing Slaves of the Welfare State” Last […]

Determine to Pass it On

“…and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” – 2 Timothy 2:2 Some time ago, I wrote a post concerning living a life of consequence whose title was “You Cannot Eat Like a Sparrow and Defecate Like an […]