Entries by Jeff Kemp

What Can We Learn From the 2025 49ers?

Only one team can win the Super Bowl this year, and it’s not the 49ers. But most of us don’t play in the Super Bowl and may be better able to identify with and learn more from the 49ers than the winner. (I’m gung ho for my Seahawks, by the way). In the Divisional Round […]

,

To Mock is Human; To Understand, Is Divine

As a quarterback who had to read blitzes to stay upright and read defenses to sustain drives and score points to win, I paid intense attention to our coach’s scouting reports of our opponents’ defensive schemes. I also studied my film and our offensive tendencies to correct and improve my play. Now, imagine yourself as […]

,

John Harbaugh Embodies Coaching Manhood

Would you have walked (to the locker room) with Tyler Loop? It was the biggest 5 seconds of Tyler’s athletic and professional life. The Baltimore Ravens’ rookie kicker stood poised on the field, ready to kick a game-ending 41-yard field goal that would not just win the game but send his team to the playoffs. […]

,

Encouragement Rocks: How (and Why) to Appreciate Others

Discoveries by brain scientists, psychologists, and theologians are lining up. According to neurotheologian Jim Wilder and pastor Michel Hendricks, the human brain is always hunting for peace and joy. The chemistry and synapses of our brain reveal two consistent ways we experience them. One is when someone speaks positively of us through specific praise, appreciation, or […]

,

Real Men Pick Each Other Up

In my last blog, I talked about the importance of having your inner core group of deep Level 5 friendships. Part of that friendship is picking each other up. As Ecclesiastes puts it, “Two are better than one…If either falls down, one can help the other up.” Want some funny, and cute, evidence? The video […]

,

How Many Close Friends Should You Have?

You don’t need a deep friendship with every guy in your life—and that’s ok! At a recent MEN HUDDLE Huddle Captains Convene, we talked about how Level 5 Friendship isn’t a system to turn every friend into an intimately close friend. It’s simply a clear guide to help you recognize your need for this deepest […]

Why Leaders Need Real Friendship

We have a leadership problem in America. It’s part of our pride and power problem. Nowadays, leaders in everything from politics to business are quick with excuses and blame, and slow to admit fault or take responsibility. Pride and power are fused with brand and image. Egos and yes men blind leaders to reality and […]

What Does Discipleship Look Like?

During His time on Earth, Jesus showed us that our life-long mission is to become more like God every day. He knew exactly how to meet a person where they were at and help them grow. A key part of this was the process of discipleship. Before He returned to heaven, Jesus directed us to […]

How Did Jesus Handle Conflict?

When interpreting how did Jesus handle conflict, there are two seemingly opposite characterizations of Him. One is a peace-loving hippie who stopped His own disciple from defending Him before He was falsely accused, tried, and executed like a criminal. The other is the macho carpenter who overthrew tables in the synagogue. The truth is Jesus […]

5 Big Lessons About Courage In The Bible

Are you feeling fearful in your life? Do you need extra courage to do something you know you need to do? Courage in the Bible is a recurring theme, reminding us that fear is a natural human response, but we are never alone. God is with us, by our side, giving us the courage to […]

3 Important Factors in Guiding Young Men

Young men are being seriously blitzed right now. According to the Stanford Review, they are “three times more likely to overdose, four times more likely to commit suicide, and a staggering 14 times more likely to be incarcerated than their female peers.” They’ve been ignored, isolated in social media and inundated with lies about what […]

3 Big Ideas for Praying for Strength in Christ

One of the greatest difficulties of modern life is how easy everything is. I certainly don’t want anything to actually get harder for me or you, but it’s easy to go through our days without facing any dangers or hardships. When something does come up, whether it’s sickness, grief, or some challenging situation, it stops […]

What Does The Bible Say About Fear?

Fear has devastating effects on our lives. It affects our memory, brain processing and our mental and physical health. More importantly, it keeps us from living in the faith and power of God. Everyone deals with fear. I know I have, whether it was the fear of a linebacker coming off the blindside, or the […]

What Does It Mean To Be a Christian Father?

Being a father comes with its challenges, responsibilities, and joys. But being a Christian father carries an even deeper calling: to reflect God’s love, provide spiritual leadership, and guide your family in faith. What does this look like in practice, and how can fathers embrace this role with humility and purpose? A Christian Father Leads […]

What Is a Christian Family?

A Christian family is more than shared bloodlines—it’s a home built on faith, love, and obedience to God’s Word. At its core, a Christian family keeps Christ at the center, creating a foundation for lasting unity and purpose. But what does this look like in practice, and how can families intentionally grow in their faith […]

7 Key Verses in the Bible About Wisdom

The Bible is the story of God creating humanity in His image, giving them free will, and then bringing them closer to Him with His perfect way and the sacrifice of His Son. It is the greatest concentration of wisdom in the Bible, a collection inspired by God Himself over generations. So, of course, it […]

What Does Spiritual Leadership Look Like?

True Biblical spiritual leadership doesn’t look like the world’s leadership. And when a spiritual leader fails, it’s because they’ve traded Jesus’ way of leading for a worldly way. Sometimes, that’s replacing spiritual goals with material ones (such as the land-grabbing Crusades or many examples of financial abuse). Other times, it’s falling in love with the […]