How to Get to a Daughter’s Heart
Man, I love daughters (and granddaughters)…especially my own. I’m blessed to have both a biological one, and one by marriage to a son. I really love them. Proverbs 30:18, 19 says, “There are three things which are too wonderful for me, Four which I do not understand: The way of an eagle in the sky, The way of a serpent on a rock, The way of a ship in the middle of the sea, And the way of a man with a maid.” To those I would add, “And the way of a good father with his daughter.” Every year my friends, Ed and...
read moreHow to Get to a Son’s Heart
My friend Rick is spending the day with his son Mitchell to celebrate his 10th birthday. He gave his boy a double surprise: 1. He showed up unexpectedly at school and grabbed him (with a heads-up to the admin staff) for a day of fun, and 2. He showed up in a red 2012 Mustang rental, which he had delivered on special order from the airport lot. Turns out Mitchell loves Ford Mustangs (I find nothing wrong with his taste) so Rick decided he was going to fan the flame a bit. I love that he’s doing that for his son. It communicates at least 3...
read moreGod Weeps Too
I heard a horribly sad story this week. A father who runs a wood-chipping company was at home clearing some of his own property. His 6 year old son wanted to help, so the father agreed, but kept an eye on him. At one point the father turned away for a moment, not knowing that at that moment his life would change forever. His son tossed a long branch into the chipper, but neglected to let go. The force of the machine pulled him along with the tree limb into the cutting blade and the boy was killed. I can’t imagine the horror, the grief,...
read more“Pity the Fool”
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” Those are the memorable words found in the journal of Jim Elliot, one of the men killed by Waorani warriors (known as Aucas at the time) in Ecuador in 1956. Their sacrifice was memorialized in a Life magazine spread, numerous books including Through Gates of Splendor, and the 2006 major motion picture End of the Spear. I was reminded of Elliot’s words as I read this passage this morning: “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it,...
read moreInternal Attitudes vs. External Behavior
“Jesus called the crowd to him and said, ‘Listen and understand. What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him unclean, but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him unclean…But the things that come out of the mouth come out of the heart, and these make a man unclean. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man unclean; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him unclean.” Matt. 15:10, 18-20. We have a...
read moreMen and Church
I saw this video some time ago, but it’s message is still just as timely, just as challenging. It’s another reason why men matter: they impact the church.
read moreSaying Goodbye to Parents
Exactly two years ago I wrote a post on the journey my siblings and I had been on for a while: caring for aging parents and anticipating when and how to say goodbye. At the time I wrote, I didn’t know that one week later my mom would be gone. The 2nd “anniversary” of her passing leads me to want to share, once again, some comments on this chapter in a man’s life. Since losing his best friend and partner of 67 years, my father has slipped gradually into increased dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease....
read moreKnocking on the Door of a Brothel
Have you noticed how frequently men will risk complete compromise of their values, their marriage and their reputation to pursue a short-term enticement? Perhaps you saw the former TV show To Catch a Predator, where a guy in a computer chat room thinks he’s talking to a young teen. He and the girl arrange a meeting at her home, which he eventually enters, thinking he’s fulfilling a sad fantasy. What he doesn’t realize is that the girl is actually a young-looking vice cop, and the home is wired and filled with hidden cameras. The girl...
read moreJob #1: Guard Your Heart
One of my favorite verses is Prov. 4:23: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of your life.” Protect what’s deep within you, because that’s where your life begins. I believe this passage gives us at least 3 charges: 1. Our heart is the source of our purity. We must protect it from sin. Our hearts are in the process of sanctification and transformation by the work of the Holy Spirit. If we have any desire to grow and become more and more like Christ, we should keep ourselves away from sin: • The lure of internet...
read moreWhy Men Matter, Part II (The good news)
If you’re a man, I have good news for you, and I have sobering news for you. The good news: you matter. Despite the questions our society often raises about the value of men, and especially fathers (think Homer Simpson), you have a deeply important calling as a man. Your presence and your words have an enormous impact on those around you. The sobering news: you matter. Your words and presence have impact, but that impact can go either way. It can bring life, security and blessing into the lives of others, especially our wives and...
read moreAbout Craig
My greatest joy in life is my family. I know, that sounds like the comment you're supposed to make as a man and father. All I can say is I literally shake my head in wonder at the family I have: my wife Beryl, my daughter Barclay and son-in-law Vince, their three daughters, Bella, Brynn and Brooke, my son Alec, my son Conor and his wife Bonnie. Every one of them is a genuine gift. Beyond that, I have a calling that I live out through Peregrine Ministries. It is to help men: Understand their identity in Christ, Embrace their role as men, and Live out their God-given calling in life. Bottom line is I'm convinced men matter and I want to help them live life on purpose.
About Jim
Jim Hughes attended Fort Wayne Bible College, then served the college as Associate Athletic Director as well as soccer and basketball coach for 10 years. He worked with Missionary Athletes International preparing athletes and coaches as a resource to the body of Christ in evangelism and discipleship. Jim and his wife Renee live in Charlotte, NC and have been married for 24 years, blessed with two daughters, Mariah and Erica. Jim’s heart for men to live authentic, transformed lives resulted in a compelling call to join with Craig and Peregrine.
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