Growing up my dad always had two things: rabbits and gardens.  To be honest I don't miss the rabbits much.  I had to feed and water them as part of my chores and, pound for pound, I believe they produce more poop than any single living thing on the planet.  ...But I do miss the gardens.  Some of my fondest memories of childhood involve bare feet in cool, freshly tilled soil.  And, truthfully, looking back, those were the times when my dad seemed full, confident and happy.
 
Late this past sprint we actually planted ourselves a full-on garden.  Our little patch boasted onions, radishes, carrots, jalapeno and bell peppers, tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, cabbage, cauliflower and corn.  We learned a lot about what did well, what did not, how to plant different things - and how not to - and what the bugs liked and what they left alone.   One of the things I really looked forward to was fresh, home-grown sweet corn!

We planted 3 rows.  Like the rest of the garden it germinated, grew, flourished and began to 'bear fruit.'  I remember how excited I was when I saw those first little ears with silk coming out of them.  I was like a proud papa.  ...then, the bugs showed up.  Apparently bugs and I share the same affinity for sweet corn.

When you think of what it means to be a "man's man," what comes to mind?  ...maybe adjectives like strong, tough, rugged - you know, the leathered, dusty cowboy squeaking in his saddle atop his trusty steed?  Or maybe something like self-sufficient or self-reliant - an island unto himself needing nothing or no one.  Smart?  Macho?  ...Not village people macho but like "First Blood - the original Rambo" kind of macho.

Typically we assign our professional athletes to this model.  They're beastly physical specimens touting athletic prowess that is the stuff of legends.  If anyone in our culture were a 'manly man' it would be that guy!

Our culture today is peppered with world-class athletes who think they are all that ... and a bag of potato chips.   They have personas that are larger than life and egos to match.  They have nicknames like "King James," "Prime Time," and "Ocho Cinco." (or, as I call him, the receiver formerly known as Chad)  They tell us "It's showtime!" or "Get your popcorn ready" to flaunt their wares. The media eats it up.  We eat it up.  And so do they.  So, the question is, how does your picture of God's man differ from your picture of man's man?