2018 was not a good year for men. We've been dealing with Trump and Jeff Sessions and the attention seeking Alt-right men. The whole MeToo movement makes it seem like all men are creeps. The whole Roman Catholic Church crisis seems to be based on perverted, evil, power-seeking men who betrayed their duty and their God.
I've seen many cracks about men in comments and facebook, etc. People say that the reason for the Church crisis is because no women are allowed to be priests. I find this a ludicrous claim. Women, like men, are full of flaws and sin. Women can abuse just as much as men, they just haven't had quite as much opportunity on the grander scheme that men have had. That might be a silver lining in the injustice that women have been treated with as less important or weaker than men. Women weren't allowed to get quite as evil collectively.
But in the midst of all this I've found some men who have given me hope.
Catholic:
Father John Hallowell - just one example of his excellent homilies. He never disappoints, always goes deeper to the truth.
Brian Holdsworth - So intelligent, thoughtful and well spoken. He gives me hope for the younger generation!
Bishop Barron - I have known about Bishop Barron for years now and I've watched his Catholicism series several times. I follow him pretty consistently. He is very inspiring and refreshing. I do get nervous though because 1) he's a bishop - and in this day and age you sort of have to prove your worthiness for this office. 2) he's a celebrity and celebrity-ness is never a good thing for one's soul. But still, he continued to buoy me up during this year of crisis, where I really have been struggling with staying Catholic.
Robert George - professor of Jurisprudence at Princeton, fearless Catholic commentator of staunch integrity, never tribal, always honest and charitable. His twitter account is actually inspiring. Anyone who can do that is admirable in my book!
Christian:
Roger Maxson - I just discovered this guy's you tube channel. He's just starting to build it, but what is there is astounding. I look forward to more. A philosopher who has examined in depth both the atheist and Christian claims in the most honest, intelligent, reasonable way and come to the conclusion that Christianity is it.
& Campaign - This is a wonderful campaign spearheaded by African American Baptist churches who are uncomfortable with the political divide that doesn't allow for both Biblical Christians and social justice - which is absurd! Their spokesperson, attorney Justin Gibony, excels at summarizing the problems and stating clearly the crux of different political issues and how Christians ought to approach them.
Jewish:
Rabbi Sacks - a righteous man of humility, faith, compassion and intelligence.
Secular:
Glenn Loury - a professor of economics at Brown University, he hosts the most intelligent, look-the-truth-straight-in-the-eye, informative, eloquent and witty interviews on the internet. His conversations with John McWhorter are fascinating. He is no in-the-box, partisan voice but one who cuts to the chase and can't put up with nonsense.
Homesteading:
I watch a lot of homesteading videos. If you want to find a lot of likable, earnest, hardworking men, watch homesteading videos!
Justin Rhodes - permaculture chicken guy and family man trying to be a good husband, father and son, neighbor and business man. Always refreshing.
Art and Bri - Another homesteading family. Art is so thoughtful, gentle, hardworking, deep, talented, just an excellent guy.
The Fit Farmer - I just started watching this channel. A fun family living in a yurt, living off their market garden. They are an interracial couple living in the south and no one seems to care.
Swedish Homestead - Simeon is a farmer in Sweden who is experimenting with regenerative agriculture based on Joel Salatin's methods. Beautiful videos, always interesting and worthwhile. A man of excellent character.
The African Homestead - this guy hasn't been putting out videos lately but he's trying to homestead in Liberia. He's a Christian missionary with ten kids (I believe some are biological and some are adopted Liberian children).
Homesteady - another fun homesteading channel, chronicling Austin and Kay's family as they farm, hunt, grow their family (Kay is pregnant with number 5) and unschool their kids. Austin is a hoot! He's hardworking, dedicated, with a heart of gold and a capacity to laugh at himself. He makes great videos too.
Bobblehead Homestead - Jeff is a middle aged, single guy who is living his dream. He bought cheap property in Arkansas where he cleans up the trash left on the property, admires his stray cats, raises chickens and grows flowers. He's got Parkinson's so he gets head tremors, hence the name Bobblehead Homestead. He is the sweetest guy! It's wonderful to watch his joy in simple things and in nature and to watch him work towards his dream.
Out of Goshen - a large Jewish family who spent 2018 searching for their homestead and then finally found it after much suspense! The suspense was real because Ashley, the wife, was about to have baby number 7! They settled in central MI. They are a lovely family. Eric is such a good and dedicated father and husband. A joy to watch.
Thank you to these men who really have boosted my spirits, made me happy to be human, kept life interesting and taught me so much this past year.
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