Up until about four years ago, I was a pretty staunch agnostic that leaned towards atheism.  I was too self-absorbed and closed-hearted to believe in anything bigger than myself, much less God or Jesus.  As you might imagine, this type of attitude led to many difficulties in my life and marriage.  This was especially true, given the fact that my wife was raised in the church and had pushed me for years towards God, only to be met with my continued arrogance and know-it-all attitude.  My lack of desire or ability to be the spiritual leader of my home led to several problems, but I was too thick-headed to see it.

Through the years, my wife continued to be patient with me, and we were blessed with three beautiful sons.  When our twins were born, I reluctantly agreed, along with pushing from my wife and a few friends, to start attending church regularly.  After attending for several months out of obligation, I slowly started to enjoy it.  Every week we went, I started to notice that I was actually getting a nugget or two that would help me get through the following week.  I enjoyed the messages and the people, but I was still reluctant to accept God’s love.  For some reason, I just couldn’t, or wouldn’t, make the leap.  Around this time I joined a small group of men that would meet routinely to read and exchange thoughts and ideas.  I sat at a table with these guys that I liked and respected, and my walls slowly started to be torn down.  I started to see Jesus working in them and others, and for the first time I began to imagine that I could be part of something bigger than myself.

Around this time last year, I was sitting in church as our pastor was discussing the opportunity to be baptized the following week.  As he was saying the words, I immediately became uncomfortable and began to think of excuses not to do it.  After 43 years of practice you get really good at excuses, and I had already come up with several reasons not to be baptized.  I’d also come up with several ways to delicately explain to away the missed opportunity with my wife, even though I know it would break her heart once again.

As I was mentally polishing my latest excuse, I felt incredible warmth throughout my body.  It literally felt like my seat was on fire.  For the first time ever, the thought came to me that maybe I should do this.  Maybe I should tear down my walls of control and self-dependence and admit that there was something bigger than me.  Not only should I do it, I HAD to do it, and the sooner the better.  I can’t explain to you the calm and warmth that came over me at that moment.  As soon as the service was over, I basically sprinted to the lobby and told my pastor that I had to be baptized the next week.  And, that’s what happened.  I accepted Jesus as my savior in January, 2014.

During the past year, I’ve become convinced that it’s impossible to be the best husband and father you can be by going it alone.  By accepting God’s love, and with the help of other men, we can all become the spiritual leaders of our homes.  Our wives and children crave the type of leadership that we can provide with God as our guide.

I’ve created this site to provide an outlet for men to share thoughts, struggles, ideas, and encouragement with other men as they attempt to be the leaders that their families deserve.  Becoming a great husband and father will not be easy.  In order to be successful, you will be required to deepen your relationship with God and other men.  You can do this.  Have faith.  You’re a Courageous Archer.