Proverbs 27:9 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice. Principle Good advice from honest friends is like a fragrance – lingering in the air and reminding us of them. I tend to have a hypersensitivity to smells. As I travel, staying in a…

Proverbs 26:14-15 Just as a door turns on its hinges, so a lazybones turns back over in bed. A shiftless sluggard puts his fork in the pie but is too lazy to lift it to his mouth. Principle Laziness is the habit of resting before you get tired from your labors. The writer of Proverbs…

Proverbs 25:20 Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on a wound, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. Principle Showing respect when others are facing sadness and tragedy is polite behavior. A FivestarMan is gallant. A gallant man conducts himself appropriately on every occasion.…

Proverbs 24:17 Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them. Principle Don’t spike the ball when you’ve scored. Be a good sport. David’s rebellious son, Absalom, had orchestrated a treasonous insurrection against his…

Proverbs 23:22 Listen with respect to the father who raised you; when your mother grows old, don’t neglect her. Principle A son has a responsibility to respect his father and keep a loving relationship with his mother. The last words of the Old Testament give a startling warning, “See, I will send the prophet Elijah…

Proverbs 22:9 The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. Principle When a man’s character reflects generosity, he is most like his heavenly Father. The idea of generosity is a natural reflection of the character of what a FivestarMan is all about – we are philanthropic – which means…

Proverbs 21:15 Good people celebrate when justice triumphs, but for the workers of evil, it’s a bad day. Principle Authentic Manhood celebrates justice. The word justice means “one who has a just cause.” I know that crosses the sensitivities of some people, but we are fighters. As authentic men, we’re born with a fight. If…

Proverbs 20:9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin”? Principle Perfection isn’t the goal – excellence is. Let’s face it – we’ve all blown it. None of us are perfect. That’s not the goal. As we strive toward living authentic manhood, there are times that we’re going…

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. Principle The plans within your mind should be in harmony with the purposes of God. One thing I’ve learned about men is that they certainly have a lot of plans. It seems…

Proverbs 18:19 A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle. Principle When a brother turns away from you, don’t underestimate their offense. Every time I read the story of Cain and Abel – I am stunned – completely in awe at the hatred that…