Truth, Legacy, and Courage: A Shepherd’s Call in Uncertain Times

I’m back. I took a month off from posting and from the site to get quiet and listen. Thank you for sticking with Men of the Shepherd.

Today I want to speak plainly. Not to stir panic— to stir our souls toward what matters.

The recent Charlie Kirk incident shocked a lot of people. It feels like one of those moments where the ground shifts— not just politically, not just socially, but spiritually.

My simple question for us today: What are the top three things we, as Men of the Shepherd, must teach our families right now?

Scripture anchor: Ephesians 5:15–16 (ESV), “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”

That’s our charge: walk wisely; make the best use of the time.

I’m giving you three takeaways you can put into practice this week.

1) Truth matters

Teach your family to love truth.

The world is noisy— spin, rumors, outrage, competing stories. When shocking events hit, people rush to fill the silence with more noise. As men, we must teach our families to find and value truth.

John 8:32 (ESV), “and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

That freedom includes being free from fear, gossip, and rumor.

How to practice this week:

• Daily “truth touchpoint” (5–10 min). Read a short Scripture first, then one brief, reliable item. Ask: “What do we know? How do we know? What don’t we know yet?”
• Slow your share. Model restraint: pause, check, pray before posting or forwarding.
• Teach source questions. “Who said it? What’s their stake? Where are the facts?”

This is discipleship in real time.

2) Life is fragile; legacy lasts

Events like this remind us: tomorrow is not promised.

James 4:14 (ESV), “yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”

We don’t live scared; we live urgent. We don’t hoard love; we pour it out.

How to practice this week:

• Legacy notes. Write one paragraph to each family member: “I love you. This matters. Here’s one hope I have for you in Christ.”
• Confession & forgiveness. Normalize “I was wrong. Please forgive me.” Do it first. Let your kids see reconciliation.
• Name eternal things at dinner. Ask, “What still matters in 100 years?” Tie answers back to Jesus.

Small habits become long shadows. That’s legacy.

3) Lead with courage and unity— not fear and division

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV), “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

Courage isn’t bravado; it’s the steady refusal to let fear set the tone at home.

How to practice this week:

• Guard your home’s atmosphere. When headlines spike emotions, you set the tone: “We will not mirror the chaos. We will love, listen, and think.”
• Civil disagreement drills. Practice: “I disagree with you— and I will love you.” Teach tone, not just points.
• Neighbor grace. Show hospitality to someone who thinks differently. Let your children watch you love people you don’t agree with.

Your home should be a workshop for unity, not an echo of division.

Three tiny actions (start tonight)

1. Ten-minute Sunday table talk. One short Scripture, one honest question (“What worried you?” “Where did you see God?”), one concrete kindness you’ll do this week.
2. Media timeout at dinner. Agree on sources; ignore the rest. Model discernment over doom-scrolling.
3. Legacy voice memo. 30–60 seconds to each child/spouse: love, blessing, one hope. Save them.

A word about the moment we’re in

Some events have changed how the world lives.

9/11 changed how we travel and think about safety.
COVID multiplied that effect and reshaped daily life.
And I believe the Charlie Kirk incident has changed our world— spiritually and physically—exponentially.

I feel a heaviness— not just in me, but in the spirit world. I can’t put my finger on specifics. I’m not predicting a physical catastrophe. But I sense a spiritual shift. Things don’t feel right.

If you feel that heaviness too, hear this: the right response is not more division, bickering, or anger. The right response is courageous unity.

We are all human beings— spiritual beings— made by the same Creator. As fathers and husbands, as shepherds, it starts at home. Stop the petty fights. Refuse the culture of suspicion at your table. Teach your household to love truth, remember eternity, and walk in courageous love.

So here’s the charge for this week:

Teach truth. Build legacy. Lead with courage.
Make small moves. Speak forgiveness. Turn off the feed and turn toward each other. Tell your wife and children you love them in a way that cannot be misunderstood.

Scriptures (ESV) quoted today:

• Ephesians 5:15–16 (ESV), “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”
• John 8:32 (ESV), “and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
• James 4:14 (ESV), “yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”
• 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV), “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

Closing prayer

Father, we live in uneasy days. Make us wise. Help us teach truth, leave a legacy of faith, and lead our homes with courage and love. Give us eyes for what is true and hearts that won’t harden in fear. Make us men who shepherd with Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.