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MEMO: TOUGHEN UP, BABY!

BY MIKE RAMEY

Three quick things off of this month’s memo, right from the outset. First, our economy is in DEPRESSION not RECESSION. I make this statement to prepare the brotherhood for the ugly truth, rather than to believe the beautiful lie that the economy is going to get better in one or two cycles. Second, to be counted a man of quality, you have to learn how to toughen up in hard times! ‘Males’ who spend more time worrying about where their next video game is coming from won’t survive in the arena of economic warfare.

Can I get an AMEN from the sisters who ‘skeet’ my column every month?

Lastly, learn how to share the joy of living by simply giving above and beyond every once in a while. Brothers, it is truly good for the soul, and a great witness as to where (and in whom) you have your treasure stored.

WAIT: DID YOU SAY ‘TOUGHEN UP’?

Oh, yes I did!

It seems that more than a few brothers have become feminized and are hooked on their feelings--even some who claim the mantle of Christ! Men, we need to remember what natural cruelness the Master suffered BEFORE He got to the cross, in order to reap the blessings of life eternal, DURING a time of national hardship under the Roman occupation.

Men are built to RISE in tough times.

Bookmark this one for the feminists and ‘wishy-washy’ males in the house: “Where a nation stops listening to upright men, a roadway into Hell is paved--and opened--for immediate use. Until righteous men are heeded in the public square, the national suffering CONTINUES!”

And the righteous brothers said: AMEN!

The late Reggie White’s 1996 book: “In The Trenches: The Autobiography” does a great job in the armor restoration department. The ‘Minister Of Defense’ pens several lines among a few dozen that stand out for the brotherhood this month: “Trench warfare is rugged and dirty, but wars are won in the trenches…It isn’t always fair. It isn‘t always just. Sometimes you get punched, you get held, you get clipped from behind--and you just have to get back on your feet, bind up your wounds, line up in the trenches, and do it all over again.”

White took risks on and off the field. I’ll never forget his public stand against Homosexuality. White caught a lot of ‘media flack’ for his views. But he went to his grave with the one award that many ‘feminized’ male members of the mainstream and entertainment media WISHED they could claim: The mantle of manhood.

Too many men have been ‘hoodwinked’ into believing that without an ‘earthly’ father in their lives, there is no venue for interacting with upright men. Balderdash! There are brothers who are doing the right thing everyday, and are willing to teach you what you need to know for the journey. You don’t need a ‘Big Brothers’ program to heed the advice of an older man who is right in front of you explaining why you don’t dance in the middle of the street during rush hour!

Want more out of your life, brothers? Listen to older, upright men! If you don’t, you may be missing out on a tremendous blessing because of your lack of humility. In the words of one African proverb: “An old lion is NOT old--by accident!”

THE TIP CONNECTION:

On my voyage to manhood I learned the joys of being a good tipper, from hanging out with my own father. My Dad made it plain: “If you WANT good service, you have to be WILLING to pay for it!” That advice has served me well over the years. From the boys who come by to shovel my walk to my barber, our household is known for not being ashamed of tipping for good service.

No matter how bad times may get, the lesson is worth learning and sharing.

A teacher friend of mine told me about a how she passed the lesson on to some of her students during a field trip. She rebuked a group of them for not leaving a tip for the waitress after they ran up a healthy tab. Not only did she leave a good tip FOR them, she put EACH of them on the hook to pay her back by the end of the week--or she would be calling each of their parents about their ‘restaurant transgression’.

Cheap parents breed cheap teens. This is NOT a good quality to instill in your children as they go out to make their way in the world. Some time or another they will be working in a job where tipping makes the difference between a good paycheck and a mediocre one.

AND…ONE PLACE YOU DON’T:

Tipping brings out the best in workers and employees. Tipping also gives an indication as to the quality of man (or woman) one may be attracted to for a potential relationship. Brothers, I’ll make it plain: “If she’s CHEAP, head down the STREET!”

Tipping--going above and beyond what is expected--is a great witness of your faith in God. How one can be a bad tipper and THEN want to leave a gospel tract for a waiter or waitress is beyond me. Your witness goes as far as your ability to open your wallet.

And the restaurant workers said: AMEN!

I’ll catch some ‘hate mail’ on this next point, but I’ll ‘say on’ regardless.

There is one place that tipping is NOT allowed--in God’s church!

God gives those who are His the power to get wealth. The Tithe (10 percent of your weekly earnings before taxes) is the Christian’s way of public identification with the cause of Christ. Salvation is THE way. Baptism is next. However, if the Lord truly has YOU, your WALLET is also SANCTIFIED! Let the naysayers and excuse mongers stay BROKE! As men will stay away from cheap men, God WILL stay away from non-Tithers…including Pastors who talk one way, and give LESS than their best!

RAMEY is the Pastor of The Forward Church, Indianapolis, Indiana, and is the author of THE MANHOOD LINE. This syndicated column appears on fine websites and gracious blogs around the world. To correspond, email to him at manhoodline@yahoo.com. © 2010 Mike Ramey/Barnstorm Communications.