Review: Valley Vintage Shop Beard Balm

The two most common questions I get about my beard are how long have you been growing your beard? And what do you use for to take care of your beard? This short review is an effort to answer all of your beard-curious questions because the bottom line is that every man should have a beard and if you can't have one, hang out with someone who does. 

As far as the length of my beard, I have been letting it grow for about 2 years and in various seasons, namely every couple of months, my lovely wife trims it. I cry a little and ask not to trim any of the length, but she does a pretty snappy job at cleaning the sides. When released, my beard can grow pretty out of control so trimming the sides helps me to look somewhat like a person. 

Now, in terms of what I use for care, I'm a huge fan of Valley Vintage Shop's (VVS) beard balm. It's what I've always used and have zero complaints about it. In May, Amanda at VVS released the Pipe Tobacco scented beard balm and before I get into the wonders that it is, let me give you two quick reasons on why you need to take care of your beard and then a final reason as to why you should check out Valley Vintage Shop.

Beard Care

First, taking care of your beard is a big deal especially if your beard is the type that requires maintenance. It is a fact that some beards simply don't need as much as others. The majority of us need help. Beard balm provides essential oils that help keep your beard healthy.

Second, the oils in balm are vitamins for your beard and the beard needs them! Your hands suck. The oils secreted by your hands can actually damage the health of your beard. If you mess with your beard often, then buy balm and a comb!

Valley Vintage Shop

Here's what I love about VVS beard balm: every ingredient that is used is natural and safe for you and the beard. This is a big deal because many beards can be sensitive to various products that can damage facial hair.  

While there is an array of options, I suggest the coffee scented balm or the pipe tobacco balm. In my opinion, the textures of these two balms and their oils help increase the health of the beard (I've noticed a difference). Additionally, beard balm keeps the beard soft and moist whereas beard oil, I feel, can make it dry causing you to reapply more. 

Beard balm is a great gift for the man, ladies. And men, you simply need to buy it because it's time. Trust me. 

Check out Valley Vintage Shop for their balms and other great gift ideas. 

Recent shot of my beautiful wife, myself, and the beard. 

I've been reading Russell Moore's book Tempted and Tried and I must say, it's one of my favorite books on the topic of temptation. Recently, I spoke at a monthly gathering we call "Man Church" and taught from James with influence from Dr. Moore's book, then I decided to write about it. As I meet regularly with several of the men I disciple, the subject of temptation is at the forefront of our conversations. In short, I hope this post helps you with some theological perspective as it has me and my boys. 

In his book, Dr. Moore writes that "temptation starts with a questions of identity" and then adds how it can lead to a confusion of our desires and ultimately to a place we don't remember how we got to or simply regret.  In the first chapter of James, he teaches that "each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death (James 1:14-15)."

Here are two things I want you dwelling on: (1) your desire and (2) your satisfaction in Jesus. First, when James refers to our "desires," he is implying that which we wish to impose our will upon, albeit someone or something; coveting. Secondly, when you and I decide to follow through with our sinful desire (the porn website you visited, your anger, your whatever) we are finding satisfaction in someone or something that isn't Jesus. Simply, we have "drawn away" from our identity. 

Ask yourself: Who Am I? 

Ask yourself that question out loud right and then preach the gospel to yourself. I want you to preach the beautiful message that reminds you that Jesus came down to earth fully God and fully man to dwell among us; lived the life we cannot live and dying the death that we deserve; who knew no sin, but became sin by taking on the Father's wrath on your behalf so that we might be saved. You have been saved by the blood of Christ and have been made new. Preach this over and over. Everyday. 

James knew what he was talking about when he called himself a slave to God (James 1:1) knowing that this meant it was going to effect every single facet of his life. More so, James knew that in an effort to move forward in difficult times, he was going to need a faith that produced endurance and character (James 1:2-3); faith that relies on what Jesus has done (preach the gospel to yourself again). Later, James adds that as we move forward and we lack wisdom that we should ask for it, but to ask in faith and without doubt (James 1:5-6); a faith that rests in knowing who Jesus is (preach the gospel again!). You and I find ourselves in the middle.

Our identity rests in the person and work of Jesus. We, through the blood of Jesus, are made new not patched (2 Corinthians 5:17). Let me submit to you that temptation is going to be an opportunity to either sin or to worship. Temptation will begin with a question: who are you? 

"It is no longer I have who live, but Christ who lives in me and the life I live in the flesh I live by faith in the son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)

Recommended Books: Tempted and Tried by Russell Moore; Note to Self: The Discipline of Preaching to Yourself by Joe Thorn

Movies and film is something I'm not always current on. In fact, unless it's a super-hero movie with my son, I'm generally out of the loop on most current films. My wife says I have an "old soul." Maybe she's right and I'm not quite certain if that will ever really change. But nonetheless, I digress.

One thing I do enjoy watching are historical documentaries. While I'm not much of a historian, I find that they help inspire me and if they're good, I'll be engaged throughout the entire documentary. A few days ago, I came across the documentary of one of my favorite preachers and theologians, Charles Haddon Spurgeon titled "Through The Eyes of Spurgeon" and I highly recommend this! 

It was done so well and is rich in the history of the "Prince of Preachers." If you don't know much about C.H. Spurgeon, he was a reformed baptist preacher in London in the 19th century. My top three favorite things about Spurgeon are the story of his relationship and marriage with his wife, Susannah, his love love and zeal for Christ Jesus, and his convictions as a result of his relationship with the Lord that some found controversial. 

In any case, below are the links to the documentary and to the books based off the documentary (which is filled with quotes from Spurgeon's sermons, books, and letters). I hope you enjoy and would love to hear your thoughts in the comments. 

Documentary: Through The Eyes of Spurgeon

Book: Through The Eyes of Spurgeon compiled by Stephen McCaskell

Book Review: Am I Called? The Summons of Pastoral Ministry by Dave Harvey

I've decided to review this book by beginning at the end. The final chapter, While You Wait, in my opinion was biggest time of reflection for me. This is not to imply that the rest of the book was of no use, rather I think this entire book should be on the shelf of every man who believes they're being called to pastoral ministry. The final chapter is a great place to start (for review) because it brought me to a place of nostalgia and is very authentic. 

In short, Am I Called? is a book written by Pastor Dave Harvey where he gives a biblical breakdown of the qualifications for an elder as seen in 1 Timothy 3. Additionally, it's a book that provides a great deal of academic resources for further reading with complimentary real-life stories from men who have gone before us. 

REVIEW & REFLECTION

"A man listening for a call is never a man sitting still." - Dave Harvey (p. 188)

I cannot begin to stress the importance of this statement. First, I wish to begin by saying that I do not write this from a position of "arrival," but from a place of understanding, failure, and reflection from my experience in ministry. 

I believe that the Lord was calling me into pastoral ministry when I was 22 years old, just 8 months after surrendering my life to Him and hearing about Him for the first time. It was intimidating and scary bringing that up to my pastors. I had never set foot in a church much less imagine that one day I would be a pastor! 

However, during that time, I was discipled primarily by our lead pastor (Tom) and several other godly men. And if I could summarize my attitude and spirit from that season into two words, they'd be prideful and hungry. I wrestled with (and still do today) with wondering how quickly or soon God would place me in pastoral ministry not knowing or understanding that I was already involved: the set-up team. We had just planted our church and setting up chairs was the need. I never thought that serving in that capacity would help shape me. More than anything else, my pride was soaring based on my ability to potentially lead others and knowledge of the Bible. I was an observant punk. Nonetheless, serving in multiple capacities helped me to not only pursue humility, but taught me patience and that ministry was going to be a journey. For the time being, my primary role was that of repentance (1 Samuel 16:7). 

"Obscurity fertilizes man with humility so that what he grows into can really bear fruit." - Dave Harvey (p.194)

I have been involved in the set-up team, security team, teaching in our children's ministry, social media and event coordination, kitchen and bathroom clean-up, hospitality, and many other areas of ministry that I simply had no clue what I was doing. All of the sudden, the confidence I had was quickly diminished by several 8 year olds. The truth is that when I look back at all of these experiences and "random" areas of ministry that I served in, I would not want it any different. Each one of those areas helped teach me my strengths and gifting while others showed me where I was lacking and that I wasn't pursuing humility. 

I recommend this book because it is not only filled with biblical wisdom and insight from Pastor Dave to the call of pastoral ministry, but it provides readers with the realities of waiting- something that's quickly overlooked. Aspiring to a noble task is not the issue, rather it is the heart of man that falls short. 

"The ultimate test of a called man is whether he desires the advancement of the Gospel more than the advancement of his own ministry"- Dave Harvey

If you believe that the Lord is calling you to pastoral ministry then I encourage you to pick up this book. I would also encourage you to read 1 Timothy 3:1-7 over and over again and ask yourself the following questions: 

Am I this man? | What areas do I lack in after reading this passage? | Would I still strive to be this man even if I do not become a pastor? 

National Notebook Day

It's finally here: the inaugural National Notebook Day! I feel like we've all been waiting for it to come and now that it's here no one knows about it. Including myself. 

I'm really not sure where these holidays are coming from or who has the authority to come up with such a holiday, but I must admit, I'm fond of this one. Readership is a big deal to me and jotting down notes and ideas are a big reason I love writing- it inspires me and helps me keep track of important ideas. 

The above picture is of Word notebooks and I had just received a small order so I thought that in light of National Notebook Day, I would jump on the bandwagon of uncertainty and hook you up with some of my go-to notebooks and why. 

Moleskin: I absolutely love Moleskin. I use these notebooks pretty often to help with sermon prep, blog ideas, journal entries, or simple notes. Moleskin helps me slow down too. I could easily jump online and start a blog, but when I write my thoughts down I'm at a slower pace helping me remember I don't need the giant screen always. 

Word Notebooks: I love lists. They help me stay organized. I'm down with online task lists like Google Keep and I use them with my teams for projects and all sorts of communication. But when it comes to notes, reminders, and daily tasks Word Notebooks are legit. Plus they're pocket sized! 

If you enjoy writing and are looking for something to hold onto those brilliant ideas of yours then I would encourage you to give these a try. 

Enjoy.