Want to grow this summer? Download these books to your kindle, or snag a paper copy and read them by the campfire or on the beach.

Making Men by Chuck Holton

This book is an amazing reflection, birthed out of Holton’s desire to chart a course for his own sons.  Holton is a Christian, and the book reflects that, but even if you are not a Christian, there’s a lot of great content here. Holton lays out the characteristics or “building blocks” of manhood, and makes no bones about what it means to be manly.

I’m especially moved by his realization that his job was keeping him from his family – so he quit and moved to Panama – not without establishing several sources of residual income, enough to meet his family’s needs.  A man may be his family’s provider, but that is not his only responsibility. He is also responsible to raise his children. Holton talks about what that means.

The book casts a vision for men to rise up and cast off passivity, and for me, that’s a message that I need to hear.

What if you could have the best summer ever? The kind of summer that your family or friends will remember for the rest of their lives! Want to make it happen? Of Course you do. This month, we’ll explore some things that will help make your summer the best ever.

What if it rains?

Gosh. It always does. The weather is beyond your control, and it may frequently interfere with your plan.

1. Get used to getting wet.
Some of your activities might work just fine in the rain! Though – watch out for lightning. That stuff isn’t worth it.

2.  Skip the TV and break out the cards.
Just because the weather spoils your outside plans, doesn’t mean you should vegetate. Bust out the deck of cards and play a game with family or friends.
3. Have a list of indoor places to visit – especially air conditioned ones!
Make sure your adventure list contains museums, shopping excursions, or other activities that are inside, and maybe even air-conditioned – just in case it’s too hot, or too wet to enjoy something outside!

What if you could have the best summer ever? The kind of summer that your family or friends will remember for the rest of their lives! Want to make it happen? Of Course you do. This month, we’ll explore some things that will help make your summer the best ever.

We’ve talked about those adventures and special days… but what about the regular, every day grind that you still have going on in the summer? Isn’t it hard to make it the best summer ever, when you still have a job, or a schedule?

Sure, it’s hard. But make it a point to have evening campfires. Maybe you rent a campsite for the week near home, and commute to work every day from the campsite. Maybe you live in a tent in the backyard for the whole summer! Maybe you grill out every night.

Whatever it is – make the whole summer feel like a vacation. Take advantage of that late sunset to visit friends in the evenings instead of watching TV.

Don’t waste a minute on fruitless entertainment – instead, fill it with things you enjoy, and with people you love.