The episode of “Strong Dads,” hosted by Merrill Hutchinson and Carl Andry, discusses the profound and multifaceted concept of grace, particularly within the context of Christian faith. The hosts share personal experiences and insights to illustrate how the understanding of grace can transform one’s relationship with God and oneself. They emphasize that grace is what separates Christianity from other belief systems, challenging the prevalent works-based mentality.
The Nature of Grace
•Preconceived Notions: Carl begins by discussing the preconceived ideas that hinder an authentic understanding of grace.
•Works vs. Grace: The hosts note that many Christians mistakenly believe they must earn God’s favor through good deeds.
Personal Experiences with Grace
•Transformative Moments: Carl shares a pivotal moment when he realized the depth of God’s grace, describing it as one of the best months of his life.
•Church Dynamics: He conducted informal surveys within his church to gauge members’ understanding of grace, discovering that many, like him, had misconceptions.
Biblical Foundations of Grace
•Law and Sin: The introduction of the law through Moses is discussed as a means to make humanity aware of sin.
•Righteousness through Faith: They emphasize that righteousness comes from faith in Christ rather than adherence to the law.
Contrasting Perspectives
•Comparison and Judgment: The discussion touches on the human tendency to compare oneself to others, which breeds a toxic environment in churches and personal lives.
•The Prodigal Son: They reflect on the parable of the Prodigal Son, highlighting the contrast between the grace extended to the wayward son and the resentment of the elder brother.
Living in Grace
•Doubt and Assurance: believers may struggle with doubts and feelings of unworthiness even after understanding grace.
•The Role of Works: Carl argues that while works should naturally flow from a heart transformed by grace, they are not a means to earn salvation. Instead, good works become an expression of gratitude for what has already been received.
Scriptures:
Sin not imputed: 2Cor. 5:19, Romans 12-21, Romans 5:13-14
Saved by faith and not by Law (works): Eph. 2:8-9, Romans 4:13-15, Heb. 8:7,
Romans 5:6 Gal. 5:4
Dead to the Law: Romans 7:1-11, Romans 6:14, Gal. 3:23-25 (*18,19,21) Christ
released man from bondage to the Law.
Law condemned: Romans 3:19-20, 4:15, 5:20, 7:8, 7:21-25, 1Cor. 15:56, Gal. 3:10-
13, Heb. 7:19, 10:1
No condemnation for those under Christ: Romans 6:14 and 8:1-2
Law made no man righteous: Gal. 2:16, 2:21, 3:11
Law was a curse: Gal. 3:10-13
We are made righteous through Christ: Acts 13:39, Romans 3:21-24, 10:4, Gal. 2:16
The Law never applied to Gentiles: 1Cor. 9:21, Gal. 5:18, Eph. 1:12,15, 2:15, 1Tim.
1:7-10
Don’t leave your first Love (grace): Gal. 3:1-5, 5:1, 5:4, 5:18
Galatians 3:9-12 and 5:16-17, Romans 5:8-9, Romans 11:6, Romans 8:8-13, 2Cor
5:19, Romans 14:23, 1Cor 15:56, 2Cor 3:6-9, 1John 4:18, Hebrews 7:16-19 and 8:7-
13 and 10:35
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Bigorexia - When is Enough, Enough? Ep 254
•Bigorexia refers to a condition similar to anorexia but focused on a compulsive desire for muscle growth. The hosts clarify that the documentary they refer to is not specifically a Christian documentary, but it offers valuable insights into the psychological issues faced by bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts.
•Carl shares a personal anecdote from his youth, discussing the pressure he felt in the bodybuilding community and how a friend advised him against using steroids, seeing the potential harm it could bring.
Personal Experiences
•Merrill and Carl exchange their experiences with body image and performance. Merrill recounts his time as a runner, focusing on how he believed weight loss would improve his performance, leading to unhealthy goals and perceptions of body image.
•Carl discusses his past experiences with performance pressure and how he struggled with perceptions of self-worth based on physical appearance and achievements.
The Broader Implications of Bigorexia
•The hosts emphasize that issues like bigorexia are not just confined to bodybuilding but can extend to various areas of life, such as financial success, fame, and relationships. The constant need for more — whether it be money, control, or validation — can lead to destructive behaviors.
Obsessive Thoughts and Their Effects
•The hosts discuss the nature of obsessive thoughts and how they manifest in different forms.
•They highlight the dangers of comparing oneself to others, particularly in a social media-driven world where curated images create unrealistic expectations.
Recognizing and Addressing Obsessions
•Merrill shares the importance of recognizing when one’s pursuit of physical or material goals becomes unhealthy.
•They introduce the concept of “taking thoughts captive” as a biblical principle that can be applied to mental health, advocating for mindfulness and self-awareness.
Steps to Recovery
Therapy and Medication
•Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is highlighted as an effective approach to change unhealthy thought patterns and behaviors.
•The potential use of SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) is discussed as a way to help stabilize mental health while working through cognitive therapy.
Lifestyle Changes
•They advocate for creating a supportive environment by surrounding oneself with positive influences and distancing from toxic situations.
•The conversation notes the need for moderation in all aspects of life, emphasizing that balance is key to maintaining a healthy mindset.
The Role of Faith
Spiritual Perspectives
•Throughout the episode, the importance of faith and spirituality is woven into the conversation. Merrill and Carl discuss how understanding one’s identity in Christ can provide a foundation for overcoming obsessive thoughts and behaviors.
•The hosts suggest that true contentment comes from recognizing one’s worth apart from societal pressures and expectations.
Perspective on Contentment
•The episode incorporates biblical references to contentment, focusing on the idea that true fulfillment comes from recognizing and appreciating what one already has.
•They reflect on the story of the Israelites receiving manna, illustrating the importance of living in the present and trusting in divine provision.
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Shyness - The Quite Battle Ep 253
Introduction
The podcast is hosted by Merrill Hutchinson and Carl Andry, featuring discussions about overcoming shyness and social anxiety, particularly focusing on strategies to engage with people and "work a room." They emphasize that shyness often stems from self-centeredness and anxiety rather than humility, and provide insights on how to develop social skills.
Understanding Shyness
Personal Experiences
Merrill shares his struggle with painful shyness and anxiety, which he felt deeply affected his social interactions.
Carl discusses his own experiences with shyness, highlighting that both men often have a silent internal struggle when it comes to social situations.
The Mechanics of Shyness
The hosts identify shyness as not merely a personality trait but a skill that can be learned and improved upon.
They explain that natural extroverts might find social interactions easier, while others need to develop techniques to manage their anxiety and communicate effectively.
Strategies for Overcoming Shyness
1. Desire to Change
The first step in overcoming shyness is the sincere desire to engage with others. Individuals must recognize the benefits of social interactions, including networking opportunities and personal connections.
2. Learning to "Work a Room"
Working a room is not about manipulation but about developing the skill to engage genuinely with others.
The importance of learning and practicing skills such as making eye contact, shaking hands, and being present in conversations.
3. The Importance of Small Talk
Small talk is vital in breaking the ice.
Engaging in small talk allows individuals to gauge a person’s interest and comfort level before diving into deeper discussions.
4. Asking Questions
They encourage asking open-ended questions to invite others into a conversation. This technique reduces the pressure on the shy individual to share about themselves and allows others to express their thoughts.
Carl emphasizes the art of questioning, stating that it can lead to meaningful exchanges and help shy individuals engage more comfortably.
5. Active Listening
Active listening is crucial in social interactions. The hosts stress the importance of giving full attention to the person speaking, which helps to foster connections and validate others’ feelings and stories.
6. Practicing Public Speaking
Engaging in public speaking can significantly help shy individuals. By practicing in front of larger groups, individuals can build confidence in their speaking abilities and learn to manage their anxiety.
7. Body Language and Presence
Proper body language, such as standing tall, making eye contact, and offering a firm handshake, communicates confidence.
The hosts note that these non-verbal cues can significantly affect how others perceive and respond to you.
8. Embracing Authenticity
Authenticity is essential. The hosts encourage individuals to be genuine in their interactions, sharing real thoughts and feelings rather than trying to conform to expectations.
9. Using Humor and Self-Deprecation
Learning to laugh at oneself and embracing mistakes can diffuse tension and foster a more relaxed atmosphere. The hosts share personal anecdotes about moments of awkwardness that ended up being humorous.
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You would think the death of your child would be a wound that could never heal. It does leave a scar, but it doesn't mean it can't heal and even heal well. Special guest, Mike Dusold, shares the life and passing of his son Brian. Brian's passing was not and is not easy. It's been hard on multiple levels. But, Mike's family made a choice to use Brian's life and his passing as a way to demonstrate the faith, hope, and love of Christ.
Admittedly, Mike says that it's not been easy. Some days are harder than others, but as time passes he sees God using Brian's story to touch others. Brian's compassion, love for others, and ability to connect and communicate with most anyone are just a few of the precious gifts that he leaves behind.
Mike was vulnerable with his sharing of how they dealt with Brian in his early years of drug use. Always working out of love, but sometimes recognizing that he and his wife should of chosen to be more tough in their loving. This is harder than people on the outside would imagine. When it is your own child that is heading for disaster, you want to do whatever you can to ease the immediate pain. As Mike discusses, sometimes easing the immediate pain might just be kicking the pain down the road.
Check out this show and please share to others that may be in a similar position. We do not have to go this alone as parents and families. God has a plan for all of our lives. It may not be the path that we would choose, but it is a path that can lead to the greatest rewards and gifts to ourselves and others.
For more help please reach out to: https://rocksolidfamilies.org
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Common Symptoms of Low Testosterone
Low testosterone, also known as hypogonadism, can manifest in a variety of ways. Here are some of the most common symptoms:
Decreased libido (sex drive)
Erectile dysfunction (ED)
Fatigue
Reduced muscle mass and strength
Increased body fat
Decreased bone density
Mood changes, such as depression or irritability
Cognitive difficulties, such as trouble concentrating or remembering things
Hair loss
Decreased testicular size
It's important to note that these symptoms can also be caused by other medical conditions, so it's essential to consult with your doctor for a proper diagnosis.
Total Testosterone vs. Free Testosterone
Total testosterone measures the total amount of testosterone in your blood, both bound to proteins and unbound.
Free testosterone measures the amount of testosterone that is not bound to proteins and is biologically active.
While both measurements are important, free testosterone is often considered a more accurate indicator of testosterone deficiency because it reflects the amount of testosterone that is available to your body's tissues.
Normal Testosterone Ranges
Normal testosterone levels can vary slightly depending on the laboratory and the specific assay used. However, in general:
Total testosterone: 300-1,100 ng/dL (nanograms per deciliter)
Free testosterone: 50-210 pg/mL (picograms per milliliter)
It's important to note that these are just general guidelines, and your doctor may consider other factors, such as your age and overall health, when interpreting your testosterone levels.
Risks and Benefits of Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)
TRT can be an effective treatment for low testosterone, but it's essential to weigh the risks and benefits before starting therapy.
Risks:
Prostate enlargement
Increased risk of blood clots
Sleep apnea
Acne
Breast enlargement
Testicular shrinkage
Increased risk of heart problems
Benefits:
Improved libido and sexual function
Increased muscle mass and strength
Decreased body fat
Improved bone density
Improved mood and cognitive function
Increased energy levels
Here are some proven natural ways to potentially increase testosterone levels without replacement therapy:
1. Exercise and Lift Weights
Exercise is a powerful way to boost testosterone levels.
Resistance training, like weightlifting, is particularly effective.
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) can also be beneficial.
2. Eat a Balanced Diet
3. Manage Stress
Long-term stress can elevate cortisol levels, which can negatively impact testosterone.
4. Get Enough Sleep
Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
5. Get Some Sun or Take Vitamin D Supplements
Vitamin D is linked to testosterone production.
6. Maintain a Healthy Weight
7. Limit Alcohol Consumption
8. Consider Certain Supplements - Do your homework
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Strong Dads
Summary of YouTube Video Transcript
Introduction
•The episode is sponsored by Fourspeed on 50 Diner in Lawrenceburg, Indiana.
•Host Carl Andre is discussing money management, noting that he and co-host Merrill have been ill.
Host’s Background
•Carl and his wife have taught Financial Peace University (FPU), a program by Dave Ramsey, for nearly 25 years.
•They have experience working with many couples on financial issues.
Personal Experience
•Carl shares a personal story about a failed investment in the stock market that led to significant debt and unhappiness.
•He emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s relationship with money and how it can affect overall happiness.
Financial Education
•There is a lack of financial education in schools, leading to generational cycles of debt.
•Current economic indicators (e.g., consumer debt levels) suggest many individuals are financially struggling.
Money Management Principles
1.Take Control of Finances: Understanding how money works is vital.
2.Avoid Living Beyond Means: Many people overspend on trivial items, referred to as “bobles and trinkets.”
3.Budgeting vs. Dream Machine: Carl dislikes the term “budget,” preferring “dream machine” to emphasize planning for desired experiences instead of restrictions.
4.Emergency Fund: Start with $1,000-$2,000 as a cushion to avoid credit reliance.
5.Debt Snowball: Pay off the smallest debts first for psychological wins, then roll payments into larger debts.
6.Long-Term Thinking: Recognize the true cost of living and plan for future needs (e.g., home repairs, medical expenses).
Lifestyle Choices
•Prioritize experiences over material possessions by carefully allocating funds.
•Carl shares personal choices, like driving used cars and minimizing eating out, to save money for vacations and experiences.
Financial Peace University Course
•Carl promotes the upcoming FPU course, encouraging listeners to sign up to learn more about financial literacy.
Final Thoughts
•Emphasizes the importance of financial planning for both personal satisfaction and generational wealth.
•Encourages readers to change their financial literacy and habits for a better future.
Sponsors Acknowledgment
•Thanks to sponsors Quality Automart, 4 Speed on Fifty Diner, and Casey’s Outdoor Solutions.
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Summary of the YouTube Video: Strong Dads Podcast - Episode on “Egypts of Life”
Overview
In this episode of the Strong Dads Podcast, hosts Merrill Hutchinson and Carl Andre discuss the concept of “Egypt” as a metaphor for the comfort zones and familiar pains that people often return to despite the desire for change. The discussion draws parallels from the biblical story of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt, exploring themes of fear, faith, and the challenges of breaking free from detrimental situations.
Key Points
1.Introduction and Background:
•The hosts express gratitude to their sponsors and engage in light-hearted conversation about winter chores and classic American diner culture.
•They introduce the topic of the episode: exploring personal “Egypts” that individuals face in life, referring to the fear of the unknown versus the comfort of familiar pain.
2.Understanding “Egypt”:
•The term “Egypt” symbolizes the situations in life that individuals know are unhealthy or unsatisfactory but are too fearful to leave.
•The hosts illustrate this with examples from their own lives and the lives of others, including relationships and career choices.
•They emphasize that returning to familiar pain is often easier than facing the uncertainties of change.
3.Biblical Context:
•Drawing from the story of Exodus, they highlight how even after witnessing miracles, the Israelites expressed a desire to return to Egypt due to uncertainty and discomfort in the wilderness.
•This reflects human nature: people often prefer the devil they know over the unknown, even if it means enduring suffering.
4.The Role of Faith:
•The conversation shifts to the importance of faith in overcoming these challenges. They argue that having faith is crucial for making significant life changes.
•They discuss the struggle between wanting change and the fear that often keeps people stuck in their “Egypts.”
5.Practical Insights:
•The hosts offer practical advice for listeners to assess their own lives and identify their “Egypts.”
•Key questions to consider include:
•What areas of life are you avoiding or fearful to confront?
•Are your decisions being made out of comfort rather than genuine purpose?
•They encourage listeners to take small steps towards change, reinforcing that growth often comes from stepping out of comfort zones.
6.Concluding Thoughts:
•The discussion wraps up with a call to action, urging listeners to reflect on their lives and consider what changes they might need to make to escape their own “Egypts.”
•The hosts emphasize that seeking purpose and taking risks can lead to a more fulfilling life.
Conclusion
This episode of the Strong Dads Podcast challenges listeners to confront the comfort zones that may be holding them back from a more fulfilling and purpose-driven life. By recognizing their own “Egypts,” individuals can begin to take steps towards meaningful change, fostering personal growth and resilience through faith and action.
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If you keep looking for it, you will find it!
That can be good or bad, depending on what you're looking for. Many of us have habits on how we view life. Some of us view towards the negative. This kind of mindset is hardwired into us as a means to help us survive. It helps us to be more aware of what can go wrong and then hopefully prepare for it.
Some of us are wired with lean towards the positive. Always seeing the potential good in situations and seeing the best outcomes. This type of mindset gives us hope even in difficult times which can be as much of a survival tool as thinking towards the negative.
However, like most things in life, moderation is key. Too far either way can be detrimental to your overall wellbeing and even to the wellbeing of others.
In our show we discuss how to go about determining your definition of "winning" in life and then how to develop solid habits and strategies by practicing mindsets that work best for you. The key is that you can learn to think better for your sake. Whether it;s training yourself to see the good, or training yourself to be a bit more aware of the potential pitfalls in order to avoid them.
An important factor in your mindset is that you have to be intentional in catching yourself and beginning to redirect appropriately. Become aware of what your philosophy for living your life and then begin to grab your thoughts to direct them in a way that you can live the best version of your life.
For more help or information, reach out to Rock Solid Families, at 812-576-7625, or check out our website at https://rocksolidfamilies.org
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Strengthening tendons and muscles in our workouts is a must.
Like it or not, as we age many of us find ourselves dealling with more tendon issues. Tennis Elbow, runner’s knee, Achille strain, Patellar Femoral Tendonosis, etc…
What’s going on here?
As we age our tendons are not trained like our muscles. We don’t hang from trees or run sprints like we used to.
But, we may still find ourselves going to the gym in performing traditional muscle strengthening exercises.
This is not all bad, but as we see the muscles getting stronger we may have not taken the time to allow the tendons to strengthen with the muscles.
Before you know it you have a muscle that is stronger than the tendon can handle. This could be due to strength or over use.
We have come to find out that completely laying off and stopping all exercises is actually not the way to properly heal and get stronger.
We want to continue to workout, but change our focus on what we are working out.
Let’s start to train the tendon before we get any stronger in the muscles.
Advice -
Eccentric vs Concentric motions
Concentric is what most of us think about when we are building muscles. We “contract” the muscle to shorten it and flex the joint. The muscle bulges and gets shorter and fatter.
Eccentric is the lengthening part of the motion. The extension of the elbow in the curl. This means the muscle is lengthening.
Here’s the key, if we are getting tendon issues we are likely working the concentric phase too hard and the muscles are contracting with great tension on the tendon. The muscle is able to handle it, but the tendon begins to break down or even tear.
So, let’s move into placing a sufficient, but not too heavy of a load on the tendon and allow the tendon to be stressed in order to be stimulated for growth, but not so stressed that it tears.
The muscle will likely not work as hard but we are working the tendon at a load that it can handle.
Ben Patrick, Knees over Toes Guy, was one of the guys that I began to follow closely because he has really stressed the importance of strengthening the knees in order for the muscle to be most effective in jumping and running.
Sore knees are oftentimes caused by irritated and weak tendons, typically the patellofemoral tendon or the hamstring tendons.
A key point also is to not be afraid to train the joints through their fullest range of motion.
For years coaches told their athletes to not squat with their knees going out past their foot. Between this and sitting in chairs with our legs bent only at 90º our PFT lost its range of motion and became weak when placed in a movement beyond its trained motion.
For me, this meant sore knees all the time. Two knee replacements later.
The second part of the video is demonstrating with the Kettle Bar varieties of movements that make the body work through multiple planes. This is key to stressing and training more muscles that tend to get left out of traditional workouts which results in a weaker and less durable body.
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Changing your life is hard. We often make references to changing parts of our life and all too often find out that we fall back into our old ways. Change takes way more than having the thought. It takes work!
Acceleration is the change in speed or direction of an object. In order for that to happen, the object must be acted upon by an outer force. Newton’s First Law - An object in motion will stay in motion and an object at rest will stay at rest unless acted upon by an outer force.
Change in our life is the same way - It takes an outer force that applies the push, pull, or pressure necessary to change the direction of our lives.
Sensational Emotional Event - S.E.E - This is often a triggering event that comes with such strong emotion that it grabs our attention unlike anything else. It becomes a true point of change opportunity in a person’s life. Could be a negative or positive event
Fired from a job
Terrible car accident
Birth of a child
Divorce
Loss of a loved one
Marriage
Winning the lottery -
ACTS 9:1-19
Saul’s Conversion
Fatigue - I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired
Change in Lifestyle - working from home vs office, night shift vs day shift,
Change in Health/Capability
In order for the “Change” to stick…
Intentionality
Building New Habits
Surrender Pride
Praying
Surrounding Yourself with the right people, places, things
Boundaries - protecting yourself from the wrong people, places, things
Gratitude - Looking for where you were and where you are today
Celebration - Whether celebrating years of sobriety, and anniversary, or a fresh start. Celebrations help to provide energy to keep going.
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Part 2 - Time to get practical with excellent advice to improve your lot in life.
It's no secret that the American Workforce has been hindered over the past decade. Finding good men to do good work has been difficult. When discussing the challenges of owning and running your own business, a universal complaint heard from the business owners is, "we can't find good employees."
Young men are simply not showing up to work. They accept a job and soon they start habits like showing up late or not showing up at all. After a little pressure, they decide this work is not for them and they are finding their way out the door. Hard physical labor is an even deeper problem. Whether it's roofing, concrete work, or building homes, these sectors are hurting to find even a few good men.
In this show, Carl and Hutch discuss some of the apparent challenges of our workforce. However, they don't leave the conversation there. They create a mindset for young workers that can be an absolute game changer for the bettering their lives. Many of the discussion points might seem like common sense to those only a generation ago, but with the lack of male leadership in the home, many of our young men never learn these basics.
If you are a young man or are raising a young man, this show is a game changer. The opportunities for success are ripe. A hardworking aggressive man can practically name his path and set his family up for success.
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It's no secret that the American Workforce has been hindered over the past decade. Finding good men to do good work has been difficult. When discussing the challenges of owning and running your own business, a universal complaint heard from the business owners is, "we can't find good employees."
Young men are simply not showing up to work. They accept a job and soon they start habits like showing up late or not showing up at all. After a little pressure, they decide this work is not for them and they are finding their way out the door. Hard physical labor is an even deeper problem. Whether it's roofing, concrete work, or building homes, these sectors are hurting to find even a few good men.
In this show, Carl and Hutch discuss some of the apparent challenges of our workforce. However, they don't leave the conversation there. They create a mindset for young workers that can be an absolute game changer for the bettering their lives. Many of the discussion points might seem like common sense to those only a generation ago, but with the lack of male leadership in the home, many of our young men never learn these basics.
If you are a young man or are raising a young man, this show is a game changer. The opportunities for success are ripe. A hardworking aggressive man can practically name his path and set his family up for success.
https://rocksolidfamilies.org
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Wouldn’t it be interesting to see a museum in our country to memorialize the atrocities we have committed on the unborn. We have museums to remind us of our terrible allowance and support for slavery, we have museums to remind us of the tragedy of the holocaust. The museums are not for celebration but rather for the strong reminder that we should never forget lest we risk repeating evils that we’re capable of.
The Unborn Child is a Person.
Psalm 139:13-16: "For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in the womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works; and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them."
It is important to remember that those who have had abortions are not alone. God offers forgiveness and healing to all who turn to Him. We should extend compassion and love to those who have made difficult choices, while also upholding the sanctity of life. Let us work together to create a culture that values and protects all human life, from conception to natural death.
The Desire for Convenience
While the reasons for abortion are complex and multifaceted, one common factor is the desire for convenience. Some individuals may choose abortion because they believe that having a child would disrupt their plans, careers, or lifestyles.
It is important to recognize that the desire for convenience does not justify the termination of a human life. Each unborn child is a unique and precious individual, created in the image of God. To treat them as mere inconveniences is to devalue their inherent worth.
The Sacrifice of a Child
While the concept of abortion is often framed as a woman's right to choose, it is important to consider the profound implications for the unborn child. In essence, abortion involves the sacrifice of an innocent human life for the benefit of the adult.
This sacrificial dynamic stands in stark contrast to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Jesus willingly laid down His life for the salvation of humanity. His sacrifice was not a means of self-preservation or convenience, but rather a selfless act of love and obedience to His Father.
In contrast, abortion often reflects a desire for convenience or a belief that one's own life or circumstances take precedence over the life of an unborn child. While the challenges faced by pregnant women are real and should be addressed with compassion, they do not justify the termination of an innocent life.
Men are not to be let off the hook of responsibility in the abortion conversation. Just as a woman may desire to relieve herself of the perceived burden of raising a child, the men have in many cases, completed jumped ship. They had their fun in the bedroom but want nothing to do with the sharing of the responsibility. Thus, leaving the woman in a sad and desperate state of needing to figure things out on her own.
As a culture it is time to change the conversation of the value of life. All life is valuable and should never be disregarded as an inconvenience.
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Let’s get something straight: physical needs are important and must be provided for. But, emotional needs are equally important. In my work I have specifically developed an exercise to get couples to begin to recognize these needs and how they can go about them to improve the provision of satisfying the emotional requirements that we all have.
Here are the Emotional Needs:
Control
Love
Respect
Trust
Security
Affection
Purpose
Faith
Every person has a need for these in their lives, but here is where things get interesting.
Think about needs like you would think about food. We all need a certain number of calories in order to survive. We would never look at a person that needs 3000 cal/day and tell them they should just eat 1500 cal/day because that’s what another person needs. We are all different with different levels of need. The same holds true with the emotional needs.
Just for the sake of having a reference point, use a scale of 1-10 and rate yourself in each of the following emotional needs. For right now, don’t think too much, just give yourself a score and reason why you scored yourself that number. (We all have slightly different definitions and territories, or “taste” in each of these areas. Just like food!)
What happens when you don’t get the amount or type of food you need? Hungry, malnourished, etc… The same holds true with not reaching the number you wrote next to your emotional need. You begin to starve emotionally!
Here’s where provision comes in. Within our marriage, we have the responsibility to help meet the needs of our spouse. This includes emotional needs. And as I said earlier, seldom do we see a couple due to a physical need not being met, food, water, shelter, but, we regularly see couples because emotional needs are not being met.
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As a Strong Dad and husband, we are to honor our wives. Proverbs 31 gives us a biblical description of this lady.
Proverbs 31:10-31 (NIV):
10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. 11 Her husband can trust her, and she will enrich his life. 12 She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life. 13 She is a diligent and hardworking woman. 14 She rises while it is still dark and provides food for her household and tasks for her servants. 15 She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. 16 She girds her loins with strength and makes her arms strong. 17 She sees that her trading is profitable; her lamp does not go out at night. 18 She puts her hands to the spindle and her fingers to the loom. 19 She generously opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hand to the needy. 20 She does not fear the snow for her household, for all her family are clothed in scarlet. 21 She makes coverings for her bed and linen garments for herself. 22 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 23 She makes linen garments and sells them, and belts for the merchants. 24 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she laughs without fear of the future. 25 She speaks with wisdom, and her tongue gives instruction. 26 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 27 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her: “Many women have done noble things, but you surpass them all.” 28 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 29 Give her the praise she deserves; let her deeds proclaim her worth. 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
A Guide to Honoring Your Wife, Based on Proverbs 31:10-31
What to Do:
What Not to Do:
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It is estimated that at least 40% of all families in the United States are Blended Families. Whether it be divorce, death of a spouse, or adoption, in some form or another, we find ourselves blending together families members that are not of the same biological descent. In fact, both Hutch and Carl are in blended family situations.
This show tackles the many different dynamics that the blended family presents. It is not unusual for couples to go into this situation with their eyes closed to all the possible challenges they will be facing. Differing cultures, genetics, and environments are just the start of what the blended family will be dealing with.
The goal of this show is not to scare people away from blending their family with another. Rather, to educate and inform in order to help couples prepare for what they may be experiencing down the road. Learning to communicate the challenges and develop and understanding of how to approach them as a couple will go a long way in reducing problems to more manageable levels.
One big takeaway is the importance of humbling yourself to get help prior to blending your families. Working with a counselor to discuss and develop a plan to move forward is worth every penny you will spend.
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This is our last show in our series of Pride. After we have recognized that the only way to halt our prideful damage is through Christ. We now move into the daily habits and practices to replace our old ways.
Our prideful ways have created many habits that seemed to make sense at the time. Over time, these habits become natural and common place. Once we realize that many of these habits are teaching and reinforcing the exact opposite of what Christ calls us to be, we must begin new practices.
In this show, Carl and Hutch recommend several habits that can help us become more aware of the need to serve others and put them before ourselves. We used to consider many of these things to be just "good manners", but in our current culture manners have lost their place.
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In our third of four shows on Killing Pride, this is the one that begins to move you forward. This show boldly comes out and tells you exactly where we can all begin to grab our pride by the throat and begin to choke it out!
The tactic described is not for the faint of heart. It causes most to run and avoid the inevitable. The inevitable of surrender! Let's be clear, surrendering sounds like the last thing any warrior should ever do. But let's consider who we are surrendering to and why we might surrender.
If you were in a battle and shot your last bullet only to find yourself under endless gunfire, you would have to make some choices. Do I run, do i sit, or do I surrender? If I run, I will likely get shot. If I sit I will likely get shot. If I consider the option of surrendering, I have to ask myself the questions; who am I surrendering to and what is the likely outcome? If the likely outcome is death, then it may be best to choose the fastest path to death, since it's coming anyway. However, if I find that my capture puts me in the hands that will promise and deliver something better and life preserving, then I need to deeply consider this option.
Life is going to keep shooting endless gunfire your way. When will you look up and recognize that Christ is not the enemy, but rather the savior. He is waiting for your surrender so that he can carry you to a better place. A place of peace, hope, security, promise, and ultimately, eternal life.
In this episode of Killing Pride, we unveil the biggest step you must take to killing your pride. We recognize that it is not easy, but we also recognize that it is only made difficult because of our sinful pride. We have taken so long to develop a false shroud of who we believe we are that we have lost sight of who God made us to be. It's time to take off the shroud and die to self and live for Christ!
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In our last episode, 236, we introduced our personal struggle with pride in our lives. Mostly centering around anxiety and the fear of failure. In this episode we blow the doors wide open on PRIDE. We explore the many different ways that all of us have seen or experienced. The blamer, gaslighter, excuse maker, mad-man, road-rage, one-ups, competitiveness, paranoia, self-sabatoge, and the list goes on.
We don't discuss this list to make anyone feel bad, we discuss it because it is actually the first step to helping people realize the masks they have been hiding behind. Once you call the truth for what it is, people can actually make a decision to own it and begin the process of healing and forming the best version of themselves. That version is the one that Christ desires for us.
If you listen to the show and feel guilty, we ask that you turn that guilt into conviction. Conviction is what it takes to harness the negative energy and turn it into a positive solution. Staying in your guilt is exactly where Satan wants you. He wants you to beat yourself up and feel defeated. Christ wants you to push Satan away and restore the real you.
You have to tune in to our next episode as we we discuss the "Cure" for Pride. This show is going to be amazing. Simple but effective changes in mindset and daily practices that will truly move the needle to making your the man you want to be. No more bondage from your pride. You will finally have the opportunity to see and experience freedom in the person God designed you to be!
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We are called to die to ourselves. What in the heck does that even mean? And even a better question; why?
In this episode Hutch introduces Carl Andry to the Strong Dads audience. Carl is not only a smart man, but more so, he's a man of wisdom. He truly enjoys looking back in his own life and the lives of others to see what he can learn to take into the future.
Power, money, sex, control, words, you name it and we will strive to show ourselves better than the next. Just as bad, we will protect ourselves from being discovered as less than the next. A little alcohol to help loosen our inhibitions and not worry so much about what others might think. I would never want to be thought of as a failure.
Our topic today is "Pride", but more specifically it centers around learning how to identify the function of pride in one's life, why it is dangerous if left unchecked, and then learning how to make something better out of your life as your deal with your pride.
We wish we could say that this is a one and done operation of removing pride from your life. But, the reality is that it is ongoing. Satan believes he knows what is feels like to desire to be all controlling and all powerful, even superseding the power of God. But, as we know, God is never to be mocked. He is a jealous God and lets us know that our ways will never be better than his ways.
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When was the last time you thanked someone that poured into you or your life's work? You never know, if you wait too long you may miss the opportunity to let them know what they meant to you.
We all have people that have influenced our life. Some much more than others. We have fathers, mothers, teachers, preachers, and coaches that are among the most likely to impact our lives. The point of this show is to simply acknowledge and give thanks to one of the people that poured into and shaped my life. From my highschool days till now, there is still a bit of his finger print on my life.
Coach Rudy, Brent Rutemiller, was one of those guys in my life. He was a dreamer, worker, fighter, learner, and influencer. Status quo did not exist in his vocabulary. You're either living or dying. No such thing as just hold ground. Rudy taught that same idea to all that he did life with. He was hyperactive with a busy brain. He loved to be challenged and accepted challenges as opportunities rather than burdens. He proved that in his battle with cancer.
I'm sure he didn't want cancer and all of its complications. But, he also didn't shy away from owning the cancer and then going to battle with it on a daily basis. This was just another example of his courage and tenacity.
So many things that others pour into us and often they do not even know they are pouring into us. It's just who they are. They are the mentors and teachers of our lives. When was the last time you thanked one of them?
This week make it a point to reach out to that person that positively inspired you and helped to direct your sails for better waters. Tell them Thank You!
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It's always great to have good conversation to challenge and inspire us to be better men. That's exactly what my conversation with Chris Wilson from Strong by Design produced.
Chris has been in the coaching and strength training world for over 25 years. After working with some of the best of the best he is still humbled by his journey. Rather than beating his chest to celebrate his accomplishments, he gives thanks for his opportunities and has tried to make the most of them.
Over his years of running his business and becoming a husband and father, it is his grounding in Christ that keeps his priorities in line. Yes, every good man wants to do well in his daily work. But every great man wants to do even better in his most influential role as a husband and father.
Chris and I hash out the many different aspects of dealing with our weaknesses, past wounds from our own fathers, owning our mistakes, and intentionally working and understanding the importance of humbleness.
Listen in to this show and I promise you will find great nuggets of thought and inspiration.
For more information about Chris' work go to: https://youarestrongbydesign.com
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Aging is often not kind to us. We build a new house only to have begin replacing, fixing, and rehabbing in a decade or so. We buy a new car and along with the regular maintenance, we find ourselves dropping the cash for bigger ticket items to keep it on the road. Even our bodies seem to find ways to fall apart. Before you know it we find ourselves replacing joints, hitting the gym to get stronger or lose weight, changing our diets to get ourselves back on track. Let's face it, maintenance is a necessary component of life. That's why Strong Dads is doing a series for the Summer called: Summer of Rehab 2024.
Today's show starts with the catalyst that launched this series into reality. Merrill had his knee replaced and is now facing a long Summer of trying to get back to normal strength and health. But, besides the knee rehab, we can all agree that we have other places in our lives that may need to be rehabbed. Maybe our marriage is not what we want it to be. How about the job and your performance? Are you where you want to be financially or could that use some rehabbing as well?
Since Merrill has been working with people he has kept a notepad of the various analogies, metaphors, bits of wisdom, and motivational words that he has come across to help people lift themselves up. Throughout this series, Merrill will be discussing many of these gems and help you incorporate them into your own life.
So whether it's your knee, your marriage, or your house, you are likely to have an area of your life that needs some attention. Let's take this Summer to begin the rehab process and get back to our best lives.
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A little less than a month and we have a finished product! Last month on Episode 232 I introduced you to my "Jackpot". A project camper that I bought to fix up. After a I dug into it I discovered that there were way more things that needed attention than I originally noticed. Rotten floors, leaking sunlights, failed caulking, all of which meant lots of mold.
It was time to go to work and that I did. Ripping out all of the floor and replacing it with new underlayment and then waterproof floor planking. Completely washing down every part of the interior with bleach solution and then painting all the wall and ceiling surfaces. The canvas was in pretty good shape so I was able to scrub it down with a mold killing solution and let it air out.
The toilet and black water tank was a job of its own. Having not been cleaned and left unempty for longer than it should have been, I went to work with washing out the inside and cleaning to get all the waste and smell cleared. That was fun, NOT!
Then it was on to the stuff that I expected. Replacing the awning and wheel fender and buffing out the entire camper shell gave it a new look. A few finishing touches like recaulking seams and checking for any other potential issues and we are ready for our maiden voyage.
So, what did I learn. I will go back to the original idea that I have learned to put in my head when starting all projects. "NOTHING'S EASY, NOTHING'S CHEAP". This theory held up well as it nearly always does, so I was able to keep my frustration to a minimum and stay focused on getting the work done.
When starting a project, here are two things that I have learned that are essential to my success. 1. Name and describe your finished project. 2. Put a hard deadline on the project. The first one just makes sense, but the second one is annoying. It's applying pressure to yourself to help you stay focused and limit the potential distractions. During this project I limited many other activities that I normally would do just to make sure I stayed on track. The point is, the camper is finished and now it is time to enjoy it!
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Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a mess that seemed to get bigger the longer you're into it? Around our house we call those situations, "JACK POTS". Obviously, using the term in a facetious way, there is nothing good about these jack pots.
Hutch open's his latest "JACK POT" up for all of you to see. He recently bought a camper with the idea that the family could get back into a little camping. He didn't want to spend too much money on the camper as they aren't sure how much they will actually be able to use it. So, he bought a used camper, AS IS!
Once he began to dig into the camper he realized he had more on his hands than he originally bargained for. No turning back now.
Hutch walks through the important mindset changes that can help you get through difficult challenges. How you approach the challenge can make all the difference.
Feel free to share your "jack pot" experiences as we all could stand to learn a little from your approach.
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