Downton Abbey - A Measure of Excellence

Over the past several weeks I've been able to catch up on my new favorite television show, "Downton Abbey."  Yes - you read that right! I am a huge fan! (I'll return my man-card!) It's only been recently that I got hooked on this show that takes place post World War I in an age where being proper and having a sense of honor and excellence was had by most. I love Maggie Smith's character the most!!

I'm learning a lot about what it means to strive for excellence.  It seems every character in the show instills some type of excellence.  Now, mind you, not every person on the show is someone that I want my kids to model (O'Brien and Thomas come to mind), but even those characters knows what it means to be proper and to do their job well. The show is filled with values and character traits that seem to be missing in out culture.  Let me give you a few examples:

1. Benevloence
2. Chilvary
3. Honor
4. Charity
5. Loyalty
6. Purpose
7. Self-sacrifce

There are many others, but these stand out to me personally.  So the question is - how do you measure excellence? At what bar do you strive for?  I urge to catch a few episodes of the show and begin to look for ways in which you can instill some of these "classic" values in your life.

Dennis Prager : Is America Still Making Men? - Townhall.com

One of the biggest questions that, at times, keeps me up at night is, "Am I being a good father to my son? Will he become a man of great character?" I was thinking this very question Sunday evening as I was listening to other parents of sons. This article by Dennis Prager I found very interesting and I thought I would share it with you. We all have responsibility to helping make "Men" for our country.

Dennis Prager : Is America Still Making Men? - Townhall.com

The Olympics Can Bring...

The Olympics has a way of bringing the best and worst out of you. I've been very pleased to see how the U.S. athletes have responded to pressure and - what looks like favoritism - disappointment. That can't be said of every athlete, however.

From throwing the Bronze medal to ground to show-boating in race, being on an international stage can expose what is deep down in a person's character. The problem is, the whole world is watching you. Plus, you are recorded for posterity's sake and you will never be able to deny your actions.

You don't need to be on an international stage to keep yourself in check. As a believer in Jesus Christ I know my actions and attitudes are on display for the entire "world" to see. Those that do not hold the same beliefs I have are watching me and making a judgment on my character and my faith. I am the only person standing in the way of someone seeing Christ.

Next time you are in the public eye (which can be at any time - from shopping at Wal-Mart to your work environment) the world is watching and they want (dare I say desire) to see Christ in you - your hope for glory.