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I can read the below to you in my own voice, and/or you can read it yourself. God Bless!

Jesu juva

A Stranger in My Own Generation

There are times I feel like a stranger in this generation. Simple manners that used to be drilled into us are almost gone. They were non-negotiable in my youth but have thinned out with each generation. I catch myself noticing that gap and realizing just how old-school I am.

The Woman Who Shaped My Character

My mother shaped most of who I am. She has a gift of sensing people’s needs, often long before they speak and gives without hesitation, even when money is tight. I’ve watched her obey those quiet nudges from God, and I’ve spent years trying, in my flawed way, to follow her example.

The Man Who Sharpened Me

Dad was a good man with rough edges, sharp skills, and a backbone. He could build or fix just about anything. He was the enforcer of manners, discipline, and what a man’s presence should communicate. He embodied a rugged competence I always admired and tried to imitate.

Why Older Men Left Such an Impression on Me

Growing up, I always connected more with older men who had lived enough life to earn their wisdom. I still had friends my age, and sure, I made dumb choices like anyone else. But the men who shaped me most had scars and stories, and they taught me steadiness and grit.

Faith at the Core

From a young age, I wanted to live surrendered to God, not just claiming belief in Him. That desire shaped every step. At nineteen, I became a youth pastor. Those years were intense, but powerful. The youth group grew fast, and I saw God transform those young lives. Later I pastored a small country church filled with genuine country people who taught me more about faith than any book.

Writing as Ministry

Because of recent health issues, writing has now become my pulpit. The articles within this website are how I teach, share what I’ve learned, and stay faithful to the calling God has placed on me.

Honoring the Legacy of Men Before Us

Everything I stand for today traces back to the men I watched growing up. They were models of what manhood could and should be. Their lives form the foundation for everything I try to teach and live today. What follows is not a complete list, but a glimpse of who these men were, what they valued, and what still defines real men today.

The Protectors

Men used to understand their role. Protecting the home wasn’t optional. It was instinct. Skills for safeguarding home, land, and loved ones were passed down from father to son, generation after generation.

Today, many rely on systems instead of skill. The world may seem safer, but one glance at the news says otherwise. The threats we face now are just more polished, digital, psychologically advanced, and global in scope.

We need men today who train, learn, and prepare so they can stand firm when danger comes.

The Providers

The men before us took pride in earning their family’s keep. Long days and hard labor weren’t burdens—they were badges of honor. Asking for help was rare because their communities functioned as brotherhoods; men helped each other without needing to ask twice.

That mindset built strong communities. Now too many lean on government instead of effort. Real men show up, no matter the job or the weather, and sick days were rare. And they help other men without expecting anything back. Heaven notices that kind of generosity.

Standing Firm in Beliefs and Values

Our forefathers held strong convictions and respected others. They knew freedom requires responsibility. My ancestors left England in the 1500s, giving up titles and comfort for faith and liberty. They paid a heavy price to stand for what mattered.

That same resolve is needed today. This nation’s foundation is Judaeo-Christian, and anyone who comes here should respect that heritage. We need men who refuse to bend when truth is under attack.

Love and Respect the Ladies

If there’s one area where modern men have dropped the ball, it’s in how they treat women. Hearing men call their wives or girlfriends “the old lady” or “baby mama” makes my skin crawl. Those titles speak of immaturity, not affection.

My parents modeled something better. They taught me to treat women with respect, regardless of age. Courtesy isn’t weakness—it’s strength with manners. I still say “yes ma’am” and “no ma’am,” tip my hat, and open doors. It’s not old-fashioned; it’s timeless decency.

Some women today bristle at “ma’am,” thinking it makes them sound old. I think it makes them sound honored. When I get that reaction, I can’t help but grin and repeat it. Usually, that breaks the ice.

Gentlemen, open doors. Help her into the car. Make her safety and comfort your priority. These gestures aren’t about control—they’re about reverence. They tell the world she’s cherished.

This isn’t about being perfect; I forget sometimes too. But every time I do, I feel the loss of something important. Respect for women isn’t an act—it’s a mindset, one that must be practiced daily.

A Man’s Word is His Contract

I was raised to meet a man with a handshake—firm, honest, confident. My father’s grip could crush steel, but it always carried respect. He taught me to match another man’s pressure, to look him in the eye, and to let my word mean something.

Once, that handshake was a binding contract. If two men agreed, the deal was done—no lawyers, no signatures, no loopholes. You followed through, even when it cost you. Integrity wasn’t negotiable.

Now we live in a world of fine print and half-truths. People sign documents they don’t understand, and others look for ways to escape their word. It’s a tragic downgrade from when honor sealed the deal.

I still prefer conversations over contracts, though understand business today demands email trails and written proof. Even so, I miss the simplicity of a day when men’s promises carried weight and character mattered more than convenience.

In Closing

Volumes could be written about how men ought to live today in honor of their ancestors. This site is my way of rekindling that fire—to remind men of the timeless principles that built this great nation and can yet again rebuild its backbone.

I’ll do my best to continue adding articles expanding on these ideas—restoring the lost art of masculine living rooted in faith, honor, and humility. I’d be honored to hear your stories.

Keeping it old school.
Blane Sheffield

S.D.G.