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Thoughts On A Shipwreck

Hal — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:58:20 +0000

There are few disasters as riveting as a shipwreck. Thankfully they are very, very rare these days. This weekend was one of the exceptions, as the cruise ship Costa Concordia struck a reef off the coast of Italy and sank in shallow water near Isla di Giglio.

It’s too soon to know the full story of why the ship was off course and steering into the narrow channel. There are probably explanations of why the crew members initially told passengers to sit tight, it was just an electrical problem. Truth, rumor and conjecture get hopelessly mixed in an emergency, and compared to other events like an airplane crash or a building fire, a shipwreck happens in slow motion. Maybe there was an electrical problem which interfered with navigation and steering, and at the moment, some crew members had no better information themselves. Hopefully the truth will come out soon.

What is immediately disturbing though is reports that the captain left the vessel almost immediately after the collision, and that men among the passengers did not give place to “women and children first” as the call went out. What was expected as the duty of a gentleman in 1912 – as husbands and fathers, let alone unaccompanied men, gave up their places on the lifeboats of the Titanic – seems to be slipping away as the constant drumbeat of women-and-men-are-no-different erodes the biblical norms in our culture.

This “every man for himself” behavior happens when men are not taught from early years that their first responsibility in a disaster is not to preserve themselves, but to make sure that they use their strength and leadership to save others first. The greater the honor and position, the greater the responsibility — Jesus said,

“For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more “ (Luke 12:48), and

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends,“ (John 15:13).

That’s what makes the captain’s action the most shameful. No one expects him to go down with his ship (and in the shallows, he’d have to dive overboard to make the gesture). We do expect that the commander makes sure his passengers and crew are accounted for before saving ~~his sorry hide~~ himself.

How should a young man look at an emergency?

1. First, a man needs to stay calm. When people lose their composure, they act foolishly and do things like run past escape routes, ignore empty lifeboats, and trample other people. When men panic, it can frighten other people into losing their cool, too. Rudyard Kipling wrote about steadfastness in the face of catastrophe and he started his manifesto for manhood with the words,

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too; …

It’s that important.

2. Figure out where you can help. A young man by himself needs to look for someone who needs assistance. It might be an older adult or a family with children or a young person without a guardian. It may be someone injured or in need of comfort. Occasionally it might be help with the crew, holding a door or helping carry a piece of equipment or rescue supplies.

A young man with companions needs to look out for their needs. Are you able to assist your mother, sisters, younger brothers, grandparents? Then do so as your primary responsibility.

But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (1 Timothy 5:8)

3. Women and children first. The reports from the Costa said part of the problem was men unwilling to be separated from their families. This is totally understandable and indeed, honorable, if there’s clearly room for all. In this case, the list of the ship made it impossible to launch many of the lifeboats and rafts. The blessing was that the ship was plainly just a few hundred yards from the shore, and even a non-swimmer in a life vest should have been able to paddle his way to safety in the calm conditions. (Remembering Rule 1, stay calm.)

How to manage this? I think the key was probably to recognize separation was almost certainly just temporary. If the men had agreed with their wives on how they would make contact on shore, they could have escaped by separate ways with less anxiety. In this case, agree to stay with the group as much as possible, or if separated there too, leave word with the police on shore when you make land. In other circumstances, you might agree to meet at the car, or the restaurant across the street, or at the mailbox at the corner – any landmark in the area, a little ways from the emergency. Beside the anxiety over possible loss of life, the simple worry of being lost and alone is frightening. Having a plan, even one improvised at the moment, is a great comfort.

Emergencies do happen, and we’ve found a young man with a clear head can be a rock to those around him. It can mean the difference between life and death sometimes, without rushing into the teeth of danger but just by finding the safest way out of it. This disaster, with its great drama but limited tragedy, is a terrific opportunity to talk about how to handle the ultimate stress as a real man should.

PHOTO: Roberto Vongher, Wikipedia

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Boys need heroes, and they’ll seek them out if we don’t provide them. Our workshop, “Where’s Roy Rogers When You Need Him?” has practical ideas for finding worthwhile role models in real life, history, and the culture, and help you teach your whole family how to be more discerning about what they see in the media! CD is just $5 plus shipping.

The State of American Manhood 2012

Hal — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 03:04:27 +0000

Every year I try to collect a few things from the news that speak to manhood — either a great example of true, noble, God-honoring masculinity, or a cautionary example of how easily we men fall victim to our own weaknesses. Every year, there are plenty of examples of both types. We don’t claim these are the biggest or most significant, but we offer them as items which caught our eye.

Respect For Women: Boys Don’t Fight With Girls: In Iowa, a contender for the state high school wrestling championship defaulted a tournament round because he believed it would be wrong to fight a female competitor. “[W]restling is a combat sport and it can get violent at times,” Joel Northrup, a sophomore with a 35-4 record, told the media.” As a matter of conscience and my faith I do not believe that is appropriate for a boy to engage a girl in this manner.” Read Al Mohler’s column on the decision, and the repercussions.

The Importance of Self-Control: Legendary Coaching Career Ends Because of Another Man’s Lust: When former Penn State coaching assistant Jerry Sandusky was caught committing homosexual acts on young boys in the college locker room — on several occasions — the failure of head coach Joe Paterno, as well as the university president, the athletic director, and the head of campus security, to respond in a timely and forceful manner led to the firing of the veteran coach and the arrest of others. So many failures and falls, by so many men, at so many points along the way. Our editorial on the unfolding scandal drew the highest response of any this year.

Stand For What You Believe In: Rookie QB Saves the Season, Credits the One Who Saved Him: Tim Tebow was already an interesting character, a clean-cut, homeschool grad from the University of Florida, with a Heisman Trophy on his shelf. His outspoken faith in Jesus Christ and endorsement of pro-life and pro-family causes got a second look when the NFL rookie stepped into the starting QB role for the Broncos, mid-season. While nobody claims Tebow is the greatest athlete in his class, his enthusiastic leadership turned the moribund Denver team into playoff contenders. God bless him.

Responsibility: Real Men Face The Music: On a December Saturday night, Administrator J. Randy Babbitt of the Federal Aviation Administration was arrested for drunk driving in Fairfax, Va. No one questions that he was drunk, driving dangerously, and breaking the law. What impressed me is that rather than waiting around to see if lawyers could smooth it over, Babbitt requested a leave of absence the next day in the office, and one day after that, tendered his resignation. “Serving as FAA Administrator has been an absolute honor and the highlight of my professional career,” he wrote. “But I am unwilling to let anything cast a shadow on the outstanding work done 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by my colleagues at the FAA.” Aviation Industry News reported on the story recently.

On the other hand, Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain saw his candidacy sink below the waves when multiple women complained of sexual misconduct or harassment in the past. When he suspended his campaign, he said he would be the first to admit when he was wrong, but he never fully explained how an honest man could justify sending money to another woman for thirteen years and keeping it a secret from his wife. Sounds fishy to me, and I really wanted to like him up till then.

On The Battle Lines: Some Fight for Freedom, Others Want Free Things. As President Obama shut down the war in Iraq, veteran David French summed it up well:

”While the cost was very, very great, our accomplishments were real. The Iraqis may or may not have liked us (opinions were mixed) or shared our values (the cultural differences were vast), but no child should live under the terror of beheading or execution, and when we left hundreds of thousands of Iraqis were free men and women.”

Meanwhile, a group of similarly-aged Americans adopted military language for a protest movement that seemed to focus on setting up alternative governments on public property and demanding release from personal debts and contracts.

Twelve Days of Deals

Melanie — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:23:56 +0000

Twelve Days of Christmas – December 26, 2011 through January 6, 2012. Celebrate Celebrate with us by receiving a gift for the season!

We are partnering with Homeschooling Today magazine to bring you a special gift and discount on December 27th!

Go to www.HomeschoolingToday.com now to sign up on the home page for the Homeschooling Helper e-newsletter to receive our offer via e-mail on the above date. Homeschooling Today will send a special discount or gift from a different vendor each day of the Twelve Days of Christmas, but only to their readers. So don’t miss some wonderful offers to get your new year off right! Sign-up now so you don’t miss a thing!

Congratulations to the Winners in our Facebook Party Giveaways!

Hal — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 22:12:53 +0000

The Winners…

Amanda P + Ambre S + Angela W + April P + Barrett + Beth M + Bethany U + Bobbi B + Carisue C + Caroline A + Charlene + Charlene M + Christine S + Connie M + Cristi S + Dawn W + Dell F + Dicka + Elizabeth T + Erynn S + Gabreial W + Holly P + Holly S + Jamie C + Jatina C + Jen + Jennifer + Jennifer F + Jennifer T + JoAnna P + Julia S + Julie B + Kat M + Kendra M + Kim + Laura B + Lindsay + Lisa F + Lisa M + Lori R + Malia R + Marijo T + Melissa P + Michelle O + Monique H + Peggy B + Rhonda J + Roxanne M + Sage D + Sara G + Sarah + Sarah A + Sarah K + Shannon R + Shannon W + Sharon F + Sharon M + Sonita L + Steph + Vanessa G + Vicki M + Vickie W + Wendy G + Wendy I+ HarvestSchool + Hugabug + Lady Aramina + LearnDailyMom + Mad Hatter+ Thumb Happy Moms + Well-luved + a few more …

And thanks to all these great companies

who donated gifts and prizes

for our epic 11/15 Facebook party!

Apologia Educational Ministries + Art of Eloquence + Beloved Books

Bright Ideas Press + The Busy Homeschool Mom + Christian Logic

Circle C Adventures + Classical Composers Monthly + Doorposts + Fourth Day Press

Gentle Shepherd + Grace and Truth Books + Grapevine Studies

Griffin Family Publishing + Heritage History

Home Educating Family + Homemaking 911 + Home School Adventure Co.

Home School Legal Defense Association + Jim Hodges Audio Books

A Journey Through Learning + Joyce Herzog’s EDUcational Products + Joyous Home

Knight’s Book Knook + Knowledge Quest + Lilla Rose (Caroline Allen Consultant)

Me & My House Ministries + Media Angels + Micro Business for Teens

My Audio School + The Modest Mom + New Millenium Girl Books

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine + The Pilgrim Institute + Savory Favors

The Shorter Word Press + Stephen Bautista Music

Supermom’s Health and Wellness + Teach Them Diligently Conference

Timberdoodle + Trivium Pursuit + Vintage Remedies + Warrior Prayers

WriteShop + Youthful Homemaker

Wondering how to use social media like this for your company? Click here.

Timberdoodle Drawing: Survive-o-pedia

Melanie — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 19:29:17 +0000

Our friends at Timberdoodle have donated a real boy treasure — The Worst Case Scenario Survive-o-Pedia Junior Edition

From Timberdoodle:

Warning: This book contains unbelievable dangers, jaw-dropping disasters, and hair-raising scenarios.
The world can be a scary place, but not if you know how to navigate it. Worst-Case Scenario Survive-o-pedia Junior Edition teaches your child how to calmly face both the unlikely, including a school of sharp-toothed piranhas, and the probable, such as a common venomous spider.

The knowledge and skills to survive anything!
Seventy entries are packed with lively and engaging facts, spectacular photos, essential maps, and step-by-step instructions, all with a sprinkling of humor to keep things light. Short blocks of text and entertaining illustrations make Worst-Case Scenario Survive-o-pedia Junior Edition a perfect gift for a younger or a reluctant reader.

Click here to read more!

Enter using PunchTab or by just leaving a comment below.

Timberdoodle Drawing: Adventures of Tin Tin

Melanie — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 19:10:49 +0000

Our kind friends at Timberdoodle have graciously donated a set of six Adventures of Tin Tin: Young Readers Edition books!

Timberdoodle says:

Tintin in America
(The Adventures of Tintin: Young Readers Edition)
Set in the 1930s, Tintin in America depicts the real-life problems of gangsterism during the Great Depression. Some references to social problems in the United States at that time are made; probably the most notable one is the sympathetic representation of Native Americans, contrasted with the depiction of the prejudicial and manipulative behavior of American oil companies which led to the mistreatment of Native Americans. Some other issues, such as lynching, are mentioned briefly. And even though the Wild West portrayal is a bit misplaced for the time period, your child will enjoy reading about the Wild West, complete with cowboys and Indians.

Click here to read more!

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Got a Son Who’s 9 to 12 Years Old?

Hal — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 23:54:19 +0000

When our children were all little and Melanie was feeling overwhelmed, most people responded, “You just wait ’til they’re teenagers! You think it’s hard now?”

Well, thank you, that’s very encouraging. Does it have to be that way? Does life with a teen have to be more difficult than life with an untrained toddler with no self-control? Is sullen, moody, rebelliousness just a part of growing up?

No!

Get prepared to make the teen years great at our exclusive Boot Camp 9-12!

What’s that? A series of LIVE webinars with Hal & Melanie Young, authors of the 2011 Book of the Year, Raising Real Men, for a small group of parents wanting to make the teen years great!

For more information or to register now (we’ll give you a refund if you win this door prize!), click here!

Enter using PunchTab, or just leave a comment on this post!

Just Wow.

Hal — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:21:06 +0000

What a fantastic Facebook Party! Fun, fellowship, freebie Party Favors, tons of Door Prizes — just great!

If you are just joining us or checking back in:

Wondering what in the world a Facebook Party is? Click here.

Head over here to pick up your freebie Party Favors!

Page back through the blog here to enter all the great Door Prizes. Entries will be open until midnight Wednesday night.

Join our practical, encouraging newsletter to be the first to find out who won!

Email Marketing You Can Trust

Join our Facebook Page and scroll down to check out all the great resources and encouragement shared during the Party

Join our sons’ grain mill newsletter to find out about great sales and enter to win a coffee mill at Grain of Truth Bread Company

Check out these great new releases we were celebrating tonight:

We Gather Together: Sanity and Celebration at Thanksgiving – the ultimate guide for the entire family, especially mom and dad!

Hero Tales volume 3 – The long awaited boys’ favorite audiobook by Theodore Roosevelt — with cannons!

The Facebook Party Primer – Learn to promote your business on Facebook with a Party like this one!

Schoolhouse Planner

Hal — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 03:13:19 +0000

The 2011-12 Schoolhouse Planner

Jump into a great year with The 2011-12 Schoolhouse Planner! Erase the frazzled feel of disorganization with the 2011-12 Schoolhouse Planner and bring order and efficiency to your school year. Packed with relevant articles, clever calendars, useful forms, handy lists and so much more, this planner is the key to meeting your many goals for the 2011-12 school year. We put our heart into the 2011-12 Schoolhouse Planner so you’ll have more time to put your heart into your home. Click here to view sample pages from the Planner.

Enter by using PunchTab for extra entries or just by commenting below.

Write Shop Fold-N-Go Grammar Pack

Hal — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 03:10:34 +0000

Grammar will soon become your children’s favorite subject when you introduce them to Fold-N-Gos! With the Level 1 Fold-N-Go Grammar Pack, you’ll make 10 lapbook-style grammar and writing folders, each devoted to a different skill. Each colorful page presents simple rules, engaging examples, and practice exercises that make learning or reviewing grammar fun. At the end of Level 1, kids will have their very own set of portable reference guides, along with matching bookmarks for quick review.

Printed on brightly colored paper, Level 1 Fold-N-Go Grammar covers punctuation, self-editing, seven different parts of speech, and using references. Fold-N-Go Grammar can be used to supplement or reinforce a more comprehensive grammar program, or you can use it as a gentle, stand-alone introduction. Ages 8-11.

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