May 9, 2011

Dear Marketplace Friend,

    Let’s hear another sustained applause for the moms who enrich our lives! Yesterday was tremendous… but a token, nonetheless. Some mothers devote themselves almost exclusively to the role, making maternal duty their day-in, day-out assignment. Others carry a full load in the career arena, but place the priority on their progeny, when push comes to shove (and it does, often). I trust your Mother’s Day ( United States and Canada) allowed you to extend – or, to receive – commendation, as deserved.
    Men need to spend more significant time with their families. In The Master’s Program, we focus on the “significant” factor: time can be squandered, or leveraged. If the time one spends produces little or no value, increasing the amount will do little to enhance the relationships. Men benefit from learning how to turn minutes into moments when engaged with their family; making memories that capture the hearts of wives and sons and daughters is an art to be learned…

    Here’s another observation: men need to spend more significant time apart from their families. Once again, this is not about “more;” it’s about “significant.” Whether it’s road trips or bowl games, men can find themselves in settings – or, in groupings – that play to their weaknesses and decrease their core credibility. Those images of “worst case scenarios” cause some men – and, their wives – from valuing the chance for men to become better at being men, from being in the right place, with the right guys…
    I have two friends who recognized that reality and did something about it. Jan Janura has his hands more than full in his “day job” – working with his wife, Carol Anderson, in leading their firm, CAbi Clothing. Ken Tada could be fully engaged alongside his wife – Joni Eareckson – in the ministry of Joni and Friends. They don’t “need” anything else to do… but they are part of the fraternity of Kingdom Entrepreneurs who see problems as opportunities, and vision becomes irrepressible…
    Two leaders. A private ranch in Montana that borders the Madison River. Fishing guides and frontier chefs to provide the essentials. Men who need a break, and time to purge the toxicity of modern life and get real. A book – Wild at Heart – to focus their conversations. And… a week to reclaim what it means to be a man, made in the image of God. A week in God’s country – in a group of 12 men – to drill deep on the things that never seem to reach life’s surface when you’re in town…
    Jan is a graduate of TMP; the experience with us didn’t convert him, it confirmed him. Jan and Ken’s Wild Adventures (www.jkwa.net) was already launched when we met, but TMP surrounded him with other leaders who know that the good life can keep a man from the best life if he’s not careful.
    I’m involved with men across North America who are serious about their responsibilities… and running on fumes. Great guys… but losing steam. Some have already read Wild at Heart… but they haven’t been to one of John Eldredge’s retreats to ponder the depths of where their passions are, or how they got there. Some will find their way to Colorado one day, to be with the hundreds who do John’s retreat experience to get in touch with their stuff…
    Or, they could explore the same life-defining issues as one of 12 fishermen (sounds almost biblical, doesn’t it?) in a best-of-class setting. Both are good options; would a week like that hold any attraction, for you? (Note: if you aren’t a fisherman, they’ll provide gear and instruction!)
    I have Jan and Ken’s permission to extend an invitation – to you, and maybe a friend who needs the same kind of man-therapy – to consider joining them in one of their summer weeks, in Montana. Click the button on the right – Wild Adventures – and give me your mailing info. I’ll send you some info on the opportunity. Only three weeks this summer; not many spots remaining. A wild thought: God might want to meet you out in the middle of the environment He created for you…
     
Bob Shank