Ordinary Dude - Extraordinary Dad

God-Fearing Husband & Dad. Build the House on Purpose.

[Ordinary Dude - Extraordinary Dad @mcdonnelldad]

Father's Day 2026 - An answer to (long-term) prayer.

It's never too early to pray for your kiddo's long-term life.

When my daughter was a tween, I started praying for her career, her future husband, and future kids. I prayed over her card about once a week and at first it was a little weird to do that for someone so young. But 15 years later there is a "Praise God" for an answered prayer.

Our Family picked up a new son by virtue of my daughter saying "yes." Couldn't be more stoked for them - perfect couple! One of the Best Father's Days ever!

[Ordinary Dude - Extraordinary Dad @mcdonnelldad]

Dad, mocking the poor is mocking God Himself.

Rejoicing when others fall brings judgment.

Let your kids hear you speak about people in hard times with humility and encouragement, not scorn.

[Ordinary Dude - Extraordinary Dad @mcdonnelldad]

@pcosprincess22

[Ordinary Dude - Extraordinary Dad @mcdonnelldad]

@anymanfitness Middle. Middle. Homer. Stoked for you. Congrats.

[Ordinary Dude - Extraordinary Dad @mcdonnelldad]

@smcroasters Yeah… but how many feet to the beach? Congrats and much love from the 904.

[Ordinary Dude - Extraordinary Dad @mcdonnelldad]

I get the sentiment of this post, but it’s a little bit of an overreaction. If you’re part of the small percentage where you can discuss ALL things with your spouse, congratulations. As it applies to lust and pornography though, in my experience, a band of good Christian Brothers (peers and above) is that outlet for 100% vulnerability and accountability. Had you not made the original post, there would not have been the discussion and the chance for people to learn. Good on you.

[Ordinary Dude - Extraordinary Dad @mcdonnelldad]

@StrongMarriage5 Wanna split a pitcher of sangria? #13 on both lists in our house.

[Ordinary Dude - Extraordinary Dad @mcdonnelldad]

@howertonjosh @Protestia

[Ordinary Dude - Extraordinary Dad @mcdonnelldad]

@GiaMMacool for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.

Proverbs 24:16

[Ordinary Dude - Extraordinary Dad @mcdonnelldad]

@DougTenNapel Nah. But great post script.

[Ordinary Dude - Extraordinary Dad @mcdonnelldad]

@Michael_Druggan @JustinMihaly In body building debates, when you misrepresent or oversimplify your opponent’s position, it IS in fact a steelman argument. Everything else is a straw-man argument. 💪🏼

[Ordinary Dude - Extraordinary Dad @mcdonnelldad]

I can be pretty good at rationalizing the way I go about my life.

Usually that means I lean towards doing what’s best for me and assess any present situation with my own best interests in mind. It becomes a drift where it’s easier and easier to do “what’s best for me.”

But God looks at my motives and will occasionally whack me upside the head to get me to see the self-deception.

The main problem with self-deception is that it usually comes on slowly and subtly. Eventually it gains enough momentum though to create a blind spot in my life.

That’s why it’s best to have a ritual to stand before God and ask for a clean heart. I don’t do it every night, but I certainly try to...

Pray Psalm 139 before going to bed at night to get your proper place before God. And then as you begin verse 23, take a split second to get deathly serious. God is good and he will answer the prayer in verses 23 and 24. The goal is a clean heart – with motives that glorify God.

[Ordinary Dude - Extraordinary Dad @mcdonnelldad]

Contentment is not a popular word in Western Civilization these days - much less a virtuous one.

Celebrity, success, and wealth are a distraction trifecta for us Dads and our kids to keep our eyes focused on more, more, and more...

But contentment in the Biblical sense is a deep sense of peace and fulfilment in God’s provision and purpose, as opposed to the material trappings that culture uses to seduce us.

Three quick suggestions to cultivate some Biblical contentment.

First, know that God is in control of all circumstances. God has created the world and everything in it (Isaiah 45:18) and He loves you immensely (John 3:16) and he knows every hair on your head (Matthew 10:30). You need not fear the future when you know God is in control of it all.

Second, know that you can trust in God’s provision and plan for life. In Philippians 4: 11-12, the Apostle Paul details how his contentment triumphs whether he is in need or abundance materially. This is because Paul’s contentment is rooted in God’s plan and purpose for his children – not in having everything we want, but knowing God will supply all that we need. Later in verse 19 Paul insists to his audience in Philippi that God will meet all of their needs.

Third, learn to mortify the love of money and materialism in your heart. Matthew 6: 19-21 instructs us to see heavenly treasure as more valuable and enduring than earthly treasure. Money is not bad according to the Bible, but the “love of money” is. If you’re not familiar with these scriptures, take a moment to look them up and then write them down where you’ll see them regularly.

I use my lock screen on my phone to try and memorize a new verse each month. A 3x5 card tucked into your pocket will also work.

[Ordinary Dude - Extraordinary Dad @mcdonnelldad]

“By making fitness into a pastor’s goal, you swap out the end and replace it with the beginning.”

How about the wisdom of not being obese? Fitness is not the goal, stewarding your body is. Being healthy is.

For the record this applies to elders, deacons, church staff, and us knucklehead sheep in the pews.

[Ordinary Dude - Extraordinary Dad @mcdonnelldad]

@tyromper First and best.

[Ordinary Dude - Extraordinary Dad @mcdonnelldad]

@thisisfoster Is that a recommendation for the book?! Already bought it based on the review 😆 but just wondering if I read a little too much between the lines.

[Ordinary Dude - Extraordinary Dad @mcdonnelldad]

@FitFlMan Oldest son is building his home gym. Just over the bridge from you in Mandarin. If it’s still available I can get it today. This weekend too - whatever works for you.

[Ordinary Dude - Extraordinary Dad @mcdonnelldad]

@smcroasters What’s the position the IRS takes if you fudge facts on their forms? Send them back.

[Ordinary Dude - Extraordinary Dad @mcdonnelldad]

@TevinMacharia

[Ordinary Dude - Extraordinary Dad @mcdonnelldad]

Here’s the part of the equation it seems you’re missing. I hope your Dad mentioned it to you at least a few times already. If not, here goes…

You have a marriage window whether you realize it or not. It opens at about age 18 or 19, and it closes sometime around 25. It doesn’t mean that you can’t get married after the window closes, but this is the period of time in your life when finding a worthwhile loving mate gives you the best chance of lifelong marriage success.

The fact that you think there are reasons for you to dig in and just wait suggests your window is closing or has closed due to self-inflicted (lousy) expectations of who your person should be. And to be honest, those expectations while valid to you, are silly in the pursuit of lifelong love. Just ask folks you know who’ve been married more than 10 years.

Family is the big win in life. Children are the biggest part of that. Locked into a career with expectations about finding a mate when all your boxes are checked is a surefire way to close your marriage window on yourself. Best of luck.