I confess…I am ashamed of myself.  After living with no electricity or running water for a couple years as a teen – how could I complain about anything? I had a weak moment the other day - shame on me! I walked into my clean, beautiful kitchen, opened my refrigerator full of food and thought what I preach to my kids to never say: “There’s not a darn thing to eat in here!”  What the heck! I immediately took it back, looked at the multiple photos of the kids in Africa on my fridge, eating and living off of a dump, and proceeded to cry  my head off. Suddenly, I found multiple items to prepare for dinner. MAN UP AND GO!

SAGE: PART THREE:

July 30, 2012: Okay! Sorry to be behind on posting the ending of my story. I actually tell people I prefer to live my life and not blog it, but I am “Manning Up” for our website! LOL!

          Okay back to the Sage story! I left the Casey’s store and back tracked, hoping to find Sage walking down the street still. I kept driving and didn’t see him! I saw a police car drive by and peeked into the window wondering if Sage got picked up…nope! I was about to give up and I saw him limping down the street in his huge high heels and black wig.

          I stopped the car and asked him how he was doing. He looked pleasantly surprised to see me. He replied in his sweet voice with a slight lisp, “I am almost home but don’t I look hot in my high heels. I look so cute!” He sounded like he was an 8-year-old boy locked in an adult cross dresser’s body, proud of the new toy he got for Christmas! I could have cried.

          I told him I tried to get him some flip flops and asked him if he could wear my shoes…no go, too small. I handed him a Snickers bar and a huge bottle of water. His face lit up like it was his birthday and Sage said, “Are you sure? You gonna give me that?” He acted like a whipped dog that never had an ounce of love in his life, not worthy!

          I told Sage to not give up, to follow his dreams and told him a little bit of my journey. As with the couple at Casey’s, he looked shocked that someone like “me” would have had any problems in life. I asked him if he knew God. Softly he said yes and gave me a look I will never forget.

          So I’m not “tooting my horn that I’m a do-gooder!” No way! I’m just a tool being used. The point is, you don’t have to Man Up and Go….to Africa. If you can, I highly recommend it! If you can’t, you can always Man Up in your daily life in many, many ways. All of the little things add up!

          How did you Man Up today? Send me your story to put on this blog!

SAGE: PART TWO:

July 22, 2012: I made sure “he”, Sage, was okay and drove off feeling like I didn’t do enough! And, mind you, I was running late for an appointment! I certainly didn’t have time to help a needy cross dresser! I pulled into a nearby Casey’s Store for more water, food and maybe some flip flops so Sage could at least walk home comfortably (the pavement was too hot for him to walk bare foot and I later found out my size 8 sneaker was too small for him.)

          As I walked into the store, I saw a couple to my right. I was compelled to ask them if I gave Sage the right directions to his house, as I wasn’t that familiar with the area. (My original plan was to ask the store worker.)The girl looked like she could have worked at Forever 21, or something like that. Her boyfriend’s scarred leg looked like it had been put through a meat grinder as he limped over. They assured me I gave the right directions and through a series of questions I discovered they needed $7 to help them get back home to Arkansas. He was disabled and she just lost her job and her apartment…homeless. They never asked me for the money, and I’m not one to hand it out by any means, only food and water. But, this time I did, and I usually NEVER carry cash with me.

          As I handed them a $10 bill, they both cried and hugged me. The girl grabbed the cross on her neck. I asked her if they loved God and told them I did. Through their tears they exclaimed yes and told me how much they loved Him. I looked them in the eyes, told them the hell of my past and that I was living proof God is real, and to keep him close. They were shocked that a 45-year-old women getting out of her nice car in her prissy little skirt and Ked’s would have a testimony like that! I always enjoy surprising people who think I’m “Mrs. Randy Bacon” and have had the perfect life! Not the case AT ALL. 

          Okay, but I had to get back to Sage! (part three continued tomorrow, July 23!). How did you Man Up today? Even if it was a "little" thing, I want to hear it here!:)

July 21, 2012: A THOUGHT FROM ME, SHANNIE: I was on my way home from our downtown studio today. Took the back way down Market St. as usual...like the different scenery that way - grew up in a rough part of L.A. for a bit. Not your usual South Springfield visual and I love that. Saw a cross dresser...if you watch Am. got talent think of Prince Poppy Cock meets Andrew DeLong (from this year)...loved them both fyi. This guy was in ten inch heels and a black wig, tacky outfit so it was a not so cute version of the Prince and Andrew. I LOVED HIM IMMEDIATELY. It was 102 out in the shade for those of you who aren't locals. I stoppped the car...he was clear in the eyes and seemed sober and was so sweet. I asked him if he was okay as he could barely walk in his shoes. Then he spoke and I realized he has a speaking disorder of some kind and seemed mentally challenge...sweet as could be to get my used cup of water as I sat in my nice AC car. 

(Part two of the REST OF THE STORY JULY 22, 2012! WE WANT YOU TO SEND US YOUR MAN UP STORIES TO TO POST ON THIS BLOG. Let's inspire the world one at a time to do more, love more, give more and think beyond ourselves!! 

What does a modern-day warrior look like? I recently saw the movie Acts of Valor. It was a total dude flick. No Hollywood actors. The actors were real life Navy Seals action heroes. It was the kind of movie where 40 year olds get to live out their warrior fantasies by watching these dudes kick some terrorist butt on the big screen. Hooyah! 

Acts of Valor is about a Navy Seal Seven unit that is deployed to rescue a captured CIA agent behind enemy lines and defend the borders of the United States by keeping suicide bombers from entering. For me, a modern-day warrior operates very much like a Navy Seal, but in James 1:27 style. What does a 127 Warrior look like? As men, we are naturally wired to protect! In the book, The Male Brain the author called this hormone vasopressin the White Knight. Vasopressin is the reason for our gallantry and monogamy. It makes us aggressively protect and defend our turf, mate, and children. Along with testosterone vasopressin runs the male brain circuit.  A 127 Warrior is a man who uses is gifting to look beyond his own wall to Man Up for the fatherless. As men we instinctively know that we are supposed to protect our home, spouse, and kids, but outside of our own “walls” what does that look like? Unfortunately, four years ago I didn’t have a clue.

When Kari and I along with our children went to Ethiopia to get Zoie I came face to face with a (spiritual) battle that I was not ready for. The air-raid began around midnight. At first, I really didn’t think much about it. I’ve been through this before and I was warned before I left to make sure I pack my battle gear and weapon because there was good chance I would be involved in a fire fight.  This wasn’t anything I’ve not seen or been involved in before. I was confident I would defeat the enemy if an attack did take place. However, at 2:00 AM the enemy dropped a bomb that I’ve never seen before. It absolutely blasted me out of my fox hole. I was defeated. I was done.

Amazingly, as soon as I started thinking about what I could do to help orphans and I began to process the need for more men to get active in the lives of orphans it was almost simultaneously the attack began. It was like a big dog with a loud bark and the enemy was letting me know where the boundary line was. Without even realizing it I had walked right into enemy territory. Satan is just as interested in stealing, killing, and destroying (John 10:10a) the lives of the fatherless with as much intensity as the very souls of my own children. It was unlike anything I’ve ever been a part of.  Now, I take the spiritual stewardship of my kids heart’s very seriously.  As a dad, I believe it is the father’s responsibility to guard and protect the hearts of our children. So, whose role is it to guard the hearts of orphans?  

A 127 Warrior is a man who is willing to look beyond his own rooftop, walls, and comfort zone. He stands in the gap and prays for the fatherless. He goes fearlessly into battle just as a father does for his very own child to fight for their eternal livelihood. He seeks to make sure that their walls are secure from threats. I’ve been incredibly encouraged by other men who have Manned Up to be 127 Warriors such as my ministry partners Rob Neal, Mitch Haustchildt, Jason Clement,Billy Ong, Stephen Elder, Brady Stark, and Cory Cotton. Also, Sammy Liben and the guys of Great Hope, Caleb David of One Child Campaign, Dan Owen and Scott Harty of Sixty Feet, Tymm Hoffman, Frank Pass of Visiting Orphans, Jerry Shannon of Embracing Hope Ethiopia, Levi Benkert of Bring Love In, Frank Teabo of Fight Club 1:27 and many more.

I want to encourage you to GO and be a 127 Warrior this summer. Man Up! Love and protect the fatherless. Come and join us on the front line. This battle cannot be fought alone. 127 Warrior is a band of brothers united in Christ to love BIG for Him so that they may know Him and have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10b).  My prayer is for a men’s movement to be 127 Warriors. To get more men involved in the battle. To pray, go, be actively involved, and invest back into local 127 Warriors. 

127 Warrior!

Roger