Yesterday my wife and I brought home our new little boy Ethan. Getting him into the car was tons of fun, trying to strap him in nice and snug like he’s preparing for a shuttle launch (Jessica probably thinks my driving is like a rocket ride at times). We got him in the car and realized that his head was not going to stay put (even though we had the proper “baby head rest” in). Basically, every time I pressed the gas his head slumped to the side in a position that would make any good chiropractor cringe.

The most common parenting trick to fix this issue is to roll up two towels and place them on either side of the baby’s head like a bumper. But, since we were fresh out of towels in our luxury (not) SUV, we had to improvise. And so…I drove with my left hand on the steering wheel, while reaching back with my right hand, behind the passenger seat, into the back of the car, and holding Ethan’s head in place. Believe it or not, this was our best, and only, option at the time.

So, I was driving (utilizing what my wife calls my “monkey arms”), my arm was cramping and a thought struck me: this is my first act of sacrifice for my son. My pain (in my arm) was traded for his comfort (a strait neck).

It also occurred to me that this is a foundational element of all relationships that pierce the skin of acquaintanceship and aim toward true friendship. Sacrifice. Without it relationships remain selfish and shallow. With it there are no limits to the depth of brother and sisterhood that we can achieve.

Our relationship with Jesus is founded on His sacrifice for us, I wonder what our relationships with each other are founded on?

This is a great blog post. Read it, share it, learn from it for now and the future.

Come on Adam….slacker……just because you have a new son doesn’t mean you should neglect us, your blog children. heha It was great seeing and the family Thursday. Congrads brotherman!

Simple break down by chapters

1.The Rule of Passivity  Never Get in a Fight

2. The Rule of Playing It Safe  Never Risk It All

3. The Rule of Perseverance  Never Give Up

4. The Rule of Independence Never Ask for Help

5. The Rule of Restraint  Never Lose Your Cool

6. The Rule of Impressing Others  Never Look Stupid

This book is about abiding in Christ and His truth and doing away with the “add on rules”. The writer, Bill Perkins, takes us rule by rule and shows us what he thinks is holding men back from true joy and honest abiding. Parts of it are going to make some disagree but at the core it is a fresh reminder of biblical grace over man-made laws. The last chapter is worth the cost of the book.

This book is good but not ground breaking. It is not a must read but a great read. I give it a WORD UP!