“Uncle” Skip a man’s man

If a brother, uncle, guardian, mentor or friend, I will give honor in all of my relationships. I will lead, teach, correct and train in the spirit of righteousness.

Via The Joshua Commission

“Now Saul’s uncle asked him and his servant, “Where have you been?” “Looking for the donkeys,” he said. “But when we saw they were not to be found, we went to Samuel.”” 

1 Samuel‬ ‭10‬:‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Ok I’m using that Samuel verse totally out of context - but I grew up with some awesome Uncles, and one of them -Skip; would have totally sent me as a kid out looking for donkeys just to bust on me. Fact is he wasn’t a blood uncle - but Skip was and still is family.  As a kid I didn’t call him Skip - kids didn’t call men by their first name then. 

Skip was always busting on me, and taught me some great lessons.  Skip taught me to fish, to shoot a bow, and you don’t eat oreos without milk. And he taught me to get out of some wrestling holds, because he would pin me down as a kid and tickle the piss out of me - yah literally a time or two. Skip was younger then my parents - my dad taught him in high school. 

My dad had a term he used to describe Skip and literally about three other men (two other uncles (Paul and Leon); he described them as a man’s man. It was never defined to me, but learned as I got to grow up around these men. My dad was Skip’s best man in his wedding to our new “Aunt Jane”. My parents were Godparents to their daughters. And my dad, an incredible musician, started a band with Skip; my dad always said Skip was the best drummer he ever played with. In fact Skip was in the Navy as a drummer for several high caliber service bands. Skip was one of the few people who continued to show up when my dad was in hospice. It was an honor to recently go to Skip’s 50th wedding anniversary - where my sister and I felt like we were not just celebrating that milestone but got to represent our parents. 

Skip is a mentor whose been part of my whole life- he taught me, led me, corrected quite a few times (as somehow I fell in rivers fishing a lot, while let’s call it exploring when I was impatient). Skip was often at church with our family and I got to see righteousness not religiously but what a man’s man lives out.

I hope you have memories like this of the brothers, uncles and cousins like I do. Hope you have some old pictures like those below - yes drying out from a fall in the creek, and trophies, and a man like Skip alongside you. 

More so I hope those men inspire you to be doing the same; engaged in their lives. We have many young men we are deeply proud of- they have been indoctrinated at our Sunday dinners - helping us to actually try and break the dining room table as at the count of three we slammed fists down after the blessing (it’s our thing). They have watched our dogs, been on vacations, called Uncle by our kids and grandkids, been to their weddings. They are on our short list of prayer warriors and would bail me out (literally) and fly tomorrow if one of us said we need you. 

The creed is not some random words, and though pretty formal -the skills and more importantly relationships are what matter. Be a man’s man; surround yourself with good men, surround your kids with good men, invite younger men into this circle. The TJC mission is “Follow me, I Know The Way”. You don’t read the bible or a DBO - you do it. 

Thanks Skip, I love you. Pray God blesses you with more years to come. I promise not to try and tickle you when you appear feeble down the road. Mostly cause there is a real thing called old man strength ! 

THE KINGDOM MAN’S CREED

I am a Kingdom Man. I am created by God to bear His image. I am a son and viceroy for my Fathers work. I am a warrior, lover, teacher and king.

I am a Kingdom Man. Like Joshua, I will be strong and courageous. I will train my mind and body for the battles to come. I will discipline my heart, eyes and tongue to be steadfast and faithful to the calling on my life.

I am a Kingdom Man. If a husband, I love and serve my wife, if a father, a loving father to my children. I will love and lead them as Christ loves the Church. If a brother, uncle, guardian, mentor or friend, I will give honor in all of my relationships. I will lead, teach, correct and train in the spirit of righteousness.

I am a Kingdom Man. I am called to break down barriers and free others from strongholds. I am a Peace Maker. My armor is Truth, Righteousness, Grace and Humility. I will stand in the gap for my neighbor to defend gospel justice for the marginalized. 

I am a Kingdom Man. God is my provider. He has given me gifts and talents to exemplify Him with the work of my hands. I will work with diligence and excellence. My labor will be honest and its fruits purposeful.

I am a Kingdom Man with a Kingdom vision. Commissioned by Christ. My life is the Father’s. I am intentional. I will grow in my faith, be consistent in my actions and leave a legacy worthy of the race I have run.

I AM a Kingdom Man!