Gentleman's Purpose - Inaugural Editorial Edition - July 2020 by Gentleman's Purpose

INAUGURAL EDITORIAL EDITION July 2020

Digital Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Magazine

What’s Inside Business pg. 34 - 38 Faith pg. 9 -17

Quality is Still the Best Differentiator and Are You Saving For An Emergency

From Vietnam to the Battlefield of the Soul and Love Must Be Real

Relationships pg. 18 - 23

Vacuums, Communication, and the War of the Worlds

Style pg. 24 - 28

A Quiet Storm in Men’s Fashion

Feature pg. 29 - 33 Interview with Caio Uruguai: MMA, Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Books pg. 48 - 53 Dining pg. 39 - 47

Considering Joy

Revving Up an Appetite & The Vineyard

Gear pg. 58 - 60 Getting in to Spear Fishing and Protect Your Feet

Music pg. 54 - 57 Classic Rock: Revisited

Travel pg. 61 - 72

South Florida: At Home On a Permanent Vacation and The Lost Diamond

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FAITH

From Vietnam to the Battlefield of the Soul by Justin Gaynor

He is not an imposing man. Joseph Trapani stands around 5 foot and change. He is an Italian American that was drafted into the US Army during the Vietnam war. While on active duty he served as a communications man, but not in the safety and security of a military stronghold stateside. Rather, Mr. Trapani was carrying a radio back-pack through the jungles of Vietnam. His job was to make sure that the commands and intel coming in over the radio was getting to his team. This helped them to achieve their mission, while avoiding enemy ambushes and various other impending dangers. Joseph loves the United States and served its citizens well, but it was not without much inner turmoil. Joseph told Gentleman’s Purpose, “I called to God in Vietnam. It was 1971 and I was sitting on a big boulder overlooking an ammo dump and the South China Sea.” You could see in Joseph’s eyes that he remembered that day like it was as close as his next breath. He continued, “The stars were shining like I have never again seen to this day, 50 years later. My prayer to God was… “God, if you are there; get me out of here alive.” It was then that Joseph took hold of a copy of the Bible that had been placed by a group called The Gideon Bible Society. The United States Army had passed it along to him. Joseph recalls, “My friends laughed, but my body shook as I read.” After that night, God did return Joseph safely home from the war. He did not really acknowledge that God had answered that prayer until years later. Joseph says, “I did a lot of forgetting for six years. Here I was, alive and well, God had answered my prayers and it was now 1977.”

Joseph recalls, one day, God reminded him, “You asked if I were here. You are home. Tell me soldier, now that you know that I AM HERE, Yea or Nay, DO YOU BELIEVE THAT I AM REAL, THAT I AM HERE?” Mr. Trapani describes this as an ‘almost audible voice’, noticeably clear in the question God wanted him to answer. Apparently, like most of us, and as described in the Bible, when someone first hears God speak, it can take some convincing that we didn’t just eat some bad tuna. However, Joseph says that, “With several other signs He proved to me that He is there and as a defeated soldier, I put up the white flag and surrendered to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ. That was 43 years ago and the greatest day of my life. That can be yours also! If you surrender in faith to Him.” Always the evangelist, Joseph offers a call to action. He says, “God has given each one of us a choice. You have the choice to do as you well please. You can have faith to believe there is a God, or be of a faith that says, ‘There is no God.’ The choice is yours and yours only.” We will be hearing more from Joseph in future issues of Gentleman’s Purpose, so stay connected.

LOVE MUST BE REAL Overcoming Hypocrisy and Finding Something Substantial By Justin Gaynor

Love can really suck, rather, heartbreak sucks, and yet we are drawn into these situations where we put our hearts out there in the midst of an ocean of unknowing. It has been said that the most important things in life are faith, hope, and love. Life is still difficult though and mostly because these three virtues are so distorted by all of our baggage. At least my life has had some significant challenges. How about yours? Have you experienced the death of close friends, family, or divorced parents, and other tragedies? Well, of these three important matters (faith, hope, and love) love is arguably the most important. In my understanding of the word though, there are definitely different levels and when I say ‘love’, the context matters. I mean, I do not love a cheeseburger and cold beer the same way I love my children. I do not love my secretary in all the same ways that I love my wife (if you’re doing that…. stop it!). From erotic love experienced between a husband and wife, and the kind of love expressed when a soldier throws himself on a grenade seconds before it takes the life of his brother in arms, there is much to be learned. Cont’d.

Family Love Your home is the training ground for learning to be truly human. From the day your parents or caregivers brought you home from the hospital, you began learning and arguably before that. This is where dependence on the good nature of authority figures is learned. That is why abuse towards children can result in such far reaching negative consequences. Eventually, the way you learn to love within your immediate family overflows into relationships outside of the household. For better or worse. As you consider your own childhood, there may be things that you swear up and down that you will not let your children experience. However, don’t be surprised if these same things visit themselves upon your kids. That means part of teaching your household to love, is instructing them clearly with your own story and directing them towards a better path. They will be able to receive this well if you have developed trust with them.

LOVE MUST BE REAL

Brotherly Love

Next, there is this concept of brotherly love. Most guys I know have a lot of acquaintances and very few close friends. This is wise. You want to guard your own heart. The fact is that we all have baggage and trust issues. Having to manage too many relationships where maximum access is granted is too difficult and has a diminishing level of return on investment. So, seek deep relationships with your fellow man, but understand that there will be a select few that will be your ‘inner circle’. Strengthening these relationships begins with finding common ground and then allowing that connection to grow. Eventually, you will run into areas where there is disagreement. It is important that you do not ‘agree to disagree’ on these things. Rather, choose to care for one another enough to table those areas and allow time, wisdom, and truth to work on both sides of the equation. This approach will save you both from remaining stuck in a perpetual place of disunity. You always want to be eager to become more and more of the same mind as this will strengthen your relationship and you will find greater blessing. - Cont’d.

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Erotic Love I do not know a guy with a straight head on his shoulders that doesn’t enjoy making love to a beautiful woman. This kind of love brings a level of satisfaction, connection, and peace that is nothing less than divine. I mentioned connection, and that is an important part of it. Not only does making love to a woman engage our physical senses, but our minds, emotions and, for some, there is a very powerful spiritual element to it. Of course, this is the trouble with having a ‘lil’ black book’ that is more extensive than others. You can end up with all those voices and experiences gnawing at your soul. So, as important as this kind of love is, it has a certain place within your overall relational spectrum where it is most beneficial, and certain areas where it can become detrimental to your well-being as well as your humanity. So, my encouragement to you is to think through where sex has its place in your life and to set it in its proper order of importance. Sacrificial Love Finally, if you have ever heard anything of the Christian faith, then you know this concept of sacrificial love. A man lays down his life not only for his friends, but also for people who loath him. We see something of this with a national volunteer military or volunteer fire departments. It is not always so dramatic though. It really comes down to overcoming our natural inclination to self-preservation. That is why the philosophical aspect of resurrection is so important. If your mind can wrap itself around the fact that there is a New Creation that has been inaugurated and that your participation in it is not dependent on your physical survival, fear of death is removed. So ‘to die is to make a profit’ if it occurs selflessly and for the benefit of others. However, we must be careful, because one could very easily start to think of actively and intentionally putting themselves in harm’s way or even committing suicide. Those are often self-centered and impure attempts to gain attention or attain to glory. Certainly not what I would consider martyrdom in its most honorable and true form. Growing in sacrificial love takes time. You will be tested and many times you will feel like you are being broken on more level than one. I previously mentioned our natural inclination towards self-preservation. This is not a bad trait, but to be truly human, self-preservation must take a back seat to genuine sacrificial love. Self-preservation needs to be put in its proper place. ‘Love is the only way.’

RELATIONSHIPS

Traveling the Atlantic Coast of Central Florida during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Circa Spring 2020

STYLE

A Quiet Storm In South Florida Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fashion In The Form of Tie Dye and More Traditional Length Swim Trunks and Board Shorts. 25

A Quiet Storm In Men’s Fashion by Justin Gaynor Beachwear and surf trends are go-to fashion for guys in SoFlo. What’s hot in East Coast men’s beach wear as we trudge through the era of COVID-19 hysteria? Well, we visited Quiet Storm Surfshop in Delray Beach, Florida and here is what you need to know. Some ladies are digging a little more leg these days. Both men’s swim trunks and board shorts are at lengths above the knee. In addition to this return to 60’s and 70’s length, we are seeing a lot of tie-dye used along with pastel color palettes. We talked with the gorgious Ashley DePaul and she shared that when she’s at the beach, she still prefers a cool, laid back classic board short on her guys. Billabong being her preferred brand. However, Chubby’s has a line of bright colored, leg-revealing trunks that are flying out the door. Typically for a much more vivacious and fun-loving guy. Truth, Ladies? “Regular length board Shorts.”

BATCH Southern Kitchen and Tap in downtown West Palm Beach, FL has an amazing brunch.

FEATURE

A PASSION FOR FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT: A Conversation with Caio Uruguai, MMA Athlete by Justin Gaynor

FEATURE CAIO URUGUAI

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) continues to grow in popularity. The value America places on diversity seems to tear down walls and make new and exciting things possible, particularly in sports. Here in this month’s feature, we want to introduce you to Caio Uruguai. Uruguai has been training and competing in organized fighting events since he was a child. He currently holds a 7 win – 3 loss – 0 draw record with the MMA. Gentleman’s Purpose was able to connect with Uruguai in an exclusive interview at his residence in Boca Raton, FL. Caio is a recent convert to Christianity, with no small thanks to the example and encouragement of his fiancé, Brandi Abrahams. Our conversation explores the purpose of one gentleman that is making great progress in life. Faith is an area of Caio’s life that has grown over time. Caio grew up in Brazil and has since crossed over here to the United States. He met his fiancé, Brandi Abrahams, who grew up in a strong Christian home and the two fell in love. Caio and I met through a networking event Brandi has at their home regularly. Caio says, ‘we like to get people together, so they can meet each other, and you never know what’s going to come from that.’ Let us just say, their hospitality is well known amongst the people of Boca Raton. That hospitality is informed tremendously by their faith.

We asked Caio what role faith has played in his life so far. He says that his faith was weak, but he has focused on building it up over time. He credits faith with giving him the endurance he needs to move forward in the MMA. We define faith as the substance of things hoped for, or the evidence of things that have yet to be seen. His experience with MMA required this sort of faith. Eventually, the object of his faith was adjusted as he observed the Christian faith of his fiancé. Uruguai says his MMA experience helped him as well. He says, it helped ‘raise my faith, believe more in God and know about Jesus, this became something that is today part of my routine, my life, I surrendered myself, so, my faith today is everything for me.’ Caio expressed a humble gratitude for his local faith community which led us into the topic of relationships. Caio mentioned his relationship with Jesus and that is reflected in the relationship he has with his fiancé. Caio and Brandi met at a popular restaurant in Boca Raton and have been together for five years now. They enjoy dancing and kickboxing together. Their common passion for healthy living really helps them stay connected. Caio says they have different careers, him as an MMA fighter and Brandi as a financial professional with Merrill Lynch. He believes their differences, as well as their common interests work together to help them compliment and complete one another very well. They are a healthy, stylish couple that really do make a great team.

Brandi Abrahams, Caio Uruguai’s fiance’ is a financial professional with Merrill Lynch who is active in her faith community as well as various other community organizations in Boca Raton.

Boca Raton has some of the trendiest dance clubs, restaurants, and shopping in all South Florida, so we asked Caio about his view on style. He is a very humble man, so he shared about how he has grown his wardrobe and has learned a lot from his fiancé about dressing for success. As a fighter, growing up he never really cared about such things. As he became more social, he began to focus on his wardrobe more and is still exploring his personal style. He says he does like to dress well, ‘It makes you feel good.’ We at Gentleman’s Purpose could not agree more. MMA is big business and business, especially the business of professional sports, carries with it a different level of dress and personal style. MMA has a huge following in America. Many in older American generations were enthralled with the sport of boxing. However, MMA is a perfect example of the increasing influence of diversity on the sports that are embraced by the American public. We talked with Caio about his vision of the future of MMA. He says, ‘MMA is a lifelong journey for me.’ Caio started training at two years of age in Judo and Jiu-jitsu with his dad in Brazil. Eventually, he started training in kickboxing at 14 years old. He debuted in MMA at 20 years old in Brazil. He has experienced many ups and downs in his career so far and is continuing to learn and grow. On the business side of things, Uruguai says his fiancé is instrumental in helping him make important decisions. His brother and manager/agent with Titan FC, J.Z. Calvin, is also a Brazilian lightweight fighter. Caio has a lot of great memories from his own fights. He mentioned his recent kickboxing fight and his bout with Ramon Martinez from Dominican Republic, which came up on nine days’ notice. He says he had a lot to overcome, but it was a fight he will never forget. Uruguai sees a bright future ahead for his MMA career. Dining in South Florida is a full contact sport and Caio loves to eat. He comes from a family that genuinely enjoys cooking together. His sister has her degree in gastronomy, so it is always fun to get in the kitchen with her. When it comes to dining out though, Uruguai loves Italian food and sushi. Brazilian BBQ is of course a favorite of his. All of this shows up when Caio and Brandi host gatherings at their home. The spread is always amazing. Caio really appreciates good food, in a good place with good company and loves to bring people together around the table. Caio’s most recent three fights included a significant knockout that ironically led to a new enjoyment of reading. With this setback, he took some time off to learn more about the psychology of fighting with Brazilian coach, Luciana Castillo Blanco. Blanco has worked with fighters like Hubert Barnes and Vincent Santa Luca. Growing up as a fighter Caio never really liked school much, but he has been enjoying Blanco’s book recommendations on developing the mind of a champion. His recent conversion to Christianity has also helped to inspire his love for reading. The Christian faith Caio has embraced has helped him to become increasingly fearless regarding the future. He says the verse that has most impacted him is Acts 4:12. In this verse, the Apostle is writing about the exclusive role of Jesus in the human story. It is written there that, “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Caio feels that the simplicity of the Gospel, and the uniqueness of Jesus is an example of God making it quite easy for all people to come to a place of knowing Him personally. Uruguai’s Christian faith has also informed his taste in music.

Reggae and rap music continue to be a love of Caio Uruguai’s. However, he says that since his walk with Christ has begun, he loves worship music and spending time immersing himself in holy vibes. Overall, his musical palate is diverse and growing to include some new and refreshing experiences. More important, though is Uruguai’s love for athletics. Uruguai loves watersports when he is not training for the next fight. His friend Gustavo Guroup in Miami owns a paddle boarding business. Caio loves visiting with his friend and taking the paddleboard out on the water. Caio grew up skateboarding in Brazil, but that led to more injuries than was wise for his MMA career. Now, he sticks more to watersports, biking and running. When Caio really wants to focus on refreshing and renewing his mind, travel is his passion. He says that currently his favorite vacation spot is Colorado, where he loves the snow, the vibes, snowboarding and sitting round the fire pit. Caio’s travel experience is currently in its infancy. Not only is he looking forward to travel for his honeymoon, but also some international travel, to Europe and some other destinations. All in all, Caio Uruguai is a humble athlete with a great future on the horizon. I would be amiss if I were not to mention that Caio has recently launched a new Kickboxing and Self-Defense Class for kids aged 5 – 12. If you have children and would be interested in learning more just call 561-654-8356 to reserve a spot for your child in the class.

BUSINESS

Quality Is Still the Best Differentiator by Justin Gaynor

The age of COVID-19 is rapidly ending, or so it seems. Though not as quickly as some would like. Getting back to business will require wise stewardship, as usual. My hope is that many lessons are learned through this strange season of human history. One thing is sure to remain in business. Quality in commerce is a key factor for the successful business. Since we have all, hopefully, been in a time of reflection and everyone has now had an opportunity to rethink some things, let us consider upping quality at every level. Quality as a Core Competency Deciding to be a company that makes quality a core competency is no joke. It means commitment. A long-term commitment. It means thinking through, from start to finish, how everything works together and purposing to discover the best way forward. It really all starts with your mission and vision statements. When you tell people what your company does and what you are working to become, do they know that quality is important to your organization? If it is unclear, that should be your starting point. Your mission and your vision statements are the point from which every person in your organization ought to begin for all their goal setting. So, it is important. Hiring Quality Talent A common characteristic of businesses that value quality is the people they employ and invest in. You need hiring practices and performance development systems that attract and retain the best team members. Hiring for character first and skill / education second is also going to take a company that values quality in the right direction. Basically, you want to consider where to find the best pools of talent for your industry. Then think through what excites people in your industry and what the least enjoyable aspects are. Make sure that your salaries are in line with or higher than what your competitors are paying. That includes looking at the whole compensation package: healthcare benefits, dental, 401k, etc. Invest in learning interviewing techniques that are going to allow you to understand the candidate and if they are going to be a good fit. Make sure all onboarding is smooth, fun and, to a certain extent, challenging. Then you want to think about the long term. You want every employee to have a clear, long term path for success with your company. This path needs to be well marked so the team member will know where they stand. They should know what it will require to obtain raises, bonuses, and promotions. Also, one-on-one performance development conversations should be held at least semi-annually. Thinking through where your company is with these things will improve the overall quality of your corporate culture, but you still need quality products and services.

Sourcing Quality Products Every business is different and yet, offering quality products and services is the common thread that lasting businesses share. Sourcing quality products and services can take a little more time and investment, but it is worth it. It is my opinion that the best products on the planet are produced right here in the United States of America. However, that does not mean American business can sit back on its heels and coast through. Foreign competition is already fierce, adding significant pricing pressures to domestic production. If they continue to grow in their quality controls while we stagnate, the long-term results could be disastrous. Know your products and services, define quality for your set of goods and persist in taking it to the next level. Offering a Quality Relationship The customer / brand relationship is something that must be nourished consistently. When you have built a quality business, hired the best people, and offer top notch products and services you are just getting started. Walking through the customer experience and learning where the points of gratitude and pain are is vital. When you know what is going on you can proactively make adjustments that will work in your favor.

Business Article

This starts with an effective sales funnel designed to bring people to the point of purchase. You need to take it beyond that though. What is it going to take to make these people brand advocates? As much as I love the marketing industry, I want the companies I advise getting 50 to 80% of their new business via word of mouth. If that is happening, that means the company is going full throttle with quality at the various levels. That is what you want. Growing a Quality Company The variables we have discussed will play into the success of your company and its overall quality. There will be challenges that arise and that is why developing growth strategies, implementing well, and evaluating regularly are important to help keep you on track. General Media Consulting, the parent company of Gentlemanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Purpose Magazine, specializes in building strong, fruitful businesses. If you would like to have a free consultation regarding anything discussed in this article, we would encourage you to visit www.GeneralMediaConsulting.com and connect with a consultant who will walk with you through developing higher levels of quality in your business.

ARE YOU SAVING FOR EMERGENCIES? by James Buchanan, Primerica

Life throws curveballs. When faced with an emergency situation, many of us are reminded of the deficiencies and oversights that may exist in the perceived safety nets we’ve set up for our families. Are we as prepared as we could be for a major life disruption such as a job loss, a sudden health problem, an accident, or any other unexpected major expense? Here are some tips to help quickly build up an emergency fund: Reduce your expenses. Use a budget to figure out where your money is going and reduce your expenses wherever you can. Move the leftover money you save into a separate savings account that you do not touch. Cut unlimited data plans, pricey gym memberships, subscription accounts, and other recurring monthly payouts that aren’t necessary expenses. Once you’ve reached the adequate amount of savings for your household, you can reenroll for the luxuries you cut out of your budget if you can afford them. Sell items online. Electronics, vintage items, antique furniture, handmade arts and crafts. There is a marketplace for everything online. If you’re not using it, and if it doesn’t have sentimental value to you, consider selling it and banking the money you get for it in your emergency account. There are plenty of ways to sell items for free online without having to leave your house. Save all monetary surprises. If you receive a bonus at work, an overpayment check from your insurance company, or a check from your great- grandmother, put it in your emergency account and don’t think twice about it. Twenty dollars here and $50 there can really add up over time. Make more money. Do you have a particular hobby, trade or skill that you could put to use for a side gig? Starting a side hustle is a great way to produce a second income stream and boost your emergency savings. There are many side gigs that you can get started and trained in online or in the comfort of your own home, on your own time.

DINING

Modern Poetry The Way by M.E. Shoe

The Gypsy sings; of birds with broken wings, and painted wheels that never roll. A poet waits for words to come to mind. To reveal the secrets of the soul. Roads to freedom, but we all pay the toll. So what is the ultimate Way, to the promise of the future? When is the day we take control of our own lives, and see things with our own eyes? Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let anyone say how you should spend your time or where to enjoy the view. A cowboy rides on toward the setting sun. A place where the sky is always blue. A sailor navigates, hoping the fickle winds will turn where the horizon becomes brand new. What is the Way to the promised land? Will there be a day That finds us pure and strong the time it takes..wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take that long... Somewhere up ahead is the Way.

Revving Up An Appetite by Justin Gaynor

August is just round the corner, a month that has always lived up to its name as regards its uniqueness. Always a time for preparation as the hot, sticky summer months come to a close. Lazy beach days and hard, sweat drenched work in the steamy South Florida trenches give way to a return to school for all of our youngsters and stricter routines for the day to day hustle and bustle of life. Don’t get me wrong, I’m in no rush for this summer to be over, especially with lobster mini-season just on the horizon. For now, I’m eating at a local favorite, Two George’s, as I reflect on the spiritual meal I have recently been digesting. Today, as I gathered together with old Joe, an Italian-American Vietnam war veteran, my friend Harry, a hard working stucco man like my dad used to be. Luis was there, a Latin-American guitarist and Henry, an expatriate that used to serve in South Africa’s military. There was Tharon, a hard-working veteran that not too long ago adopted a young African-American boy named Malachi whose mother had abused alcohol while pregnant with him to the point of causing some pretty severe mental health problems. Ray, an ol’ Nordic fellow, big and strong as an ox, that ‘got saved’ not too long ago, and went through some pretty heavy repentance, so he’s got that zeal that is always, simultaneously, refreshing and concerning to those of us that have been walking in the Way for a while…Sort of like when your teenager first gets their drivers license. Then there was ol’ Bob…gentle and quiet as ever, just a sweet old man with stories ranging over the length of a life well lived, but you have to seek them, press in and ask the right questions to get the gold as they say. There were a few other fella’s there, but I don’t know everyone like I know these ones, I’m tryin’ though. It’s good to love folks, and loving folks means getting into the nitty gritty of life with them. The nitty gritty of life…the crazy nights…the hospital crisis…the marriages and birthdays…the broken relationships…the healing and the wondering…all of that. This big mess, as we see it sometimes, that is in some strange way a very precise symphony where everything is working together for the good of some and exposing the folly of others. I’ve found myself on both sides of that line during my life, and since I keep running towards the side of mercy, I have to conclude that all of it is somehow working together for my good, not that I would even begin to pretend that I understand all of it. Today we meditated or mused or whatever you want to call it, on how the great victories of our lives are like a database of encouragement for us to draw from in times of doubt and disappointment and this was couched in the reading of an ancient story of a young lad that took on a huge, beastly warrior with far more experience and skill in the art of war and yet, ultimately won the day, humbling both the enemy forces and his own nation with regard to the significance of faith… but that was then, and this is now…new battles, same unyielding, faithful strength available to those that simply believe. This week has been strange for me in the big picture of everything. I mean who would have guessed that the son of a stucco man and a waitress from the suburbs of Orlando, Florida would end up in beautiful South Florida living a life filled with tropical excursions, beautiful women, and drenched with the saving grace of some strange deity that has been spoken and written about for millenia. Yet here I am, doing this thing with significant awe and often times, utter amazement.

As for today, the Atlantic seas were calm as the sun beamed through the delicate white lace of cloud cover. My trusty old steed, the 1985 GMC Safari that I bought from an ol’ biker during my sojourning in Port Orange, FL for $600 got me where I needed to go today. I changed the oil in ‘er yesterday, along with a new oil and air filter. My old oil filter was red, this new STP one is blue. I’m sure that has some significant symbolic meaning to someone, somewhere...but for me...today...it was just nice to get in the water and swim around a little. My snorkel, mask and fins helped me cruise around after I paddled out past the shore break on my newly acquired, longboard. I picked it up from from a young guy that recently took over a local surf shop called Nomad in Briny Breezes, FL. His dad founded the place years ago. The used board is about 8’8”, red with black stripes and exposed, fiberglass protected foam that has yellowed with the years. It has a few dings, pressure imprints, some stress lines in the glass and a few chips here and there…but it’s a classic and it was shaped by this guy’s dad, a man known for his love of the sea and specifically this local culture that he has contributed to for decades. With regard to the sea today, not much going on beneath the surface, the water clarity is much better than it was last weekend, a few finger-mullet here and there, but nothing to speak of. You gotta go deeper for that, not much but sand and seaweed at that depth...yet, it was refreshing enough. Now, as I sit here in a quiet corner of one of my favorite local spots on the intracoastal water-way, Two George’s, enjoying the smiles of those coming in off their boats for a pint or a cool frozen concoction to liven up the sunny day, I am once again in awe of the love that God has for all of us, regardless of where we’ve come from, or how dark and tumultuous our stories may be. This sweet-heart of a waitress, Sydney, has been lookin’ after me in all my musing and flirtiness, like a gentle, kind and skilled nurse sent from God Almighty to perform surgery on my soul. Pura vida! Soli Deo Gloria.

THE VINEYARD A GOOD YEAR TO BUY WINE by Joe Joe Paul Paul by

A man who wisely stocks his wine cellar and then hordes those treasures until they age at least a decade can then make a reservation at that fantastic BYOB Italian restaurant and subtly impress his lovely date with sweet nectar of the vine. And do not worry, any cellar will do, as long as the temperature is steadily cool in that space throughout the year. Why the BYOB? Why not go to a great restaurant with a liquor license and impress your date by asking the waiter pretentious wine list questions? The next time you’re at a restaurant or bar, look at their wine list, look at the price per bottle and glass, and then through the mystical and magical power of the internet, jump on Google and see what that same wine goes for, per bottle, at the liquor store. Any self-respecting price gouging restaurant will take a bottle they bought for $13 and sell it for $40, or $8 a glass. Your server does not care how pretentious you’re behaving, because they are about to butter your butthole with a 300% price gauge. A wine certainly needs to be aged, but that does not mean the older the better. Some snobs might also look at the year and state “That year is undrinkable”. That is great that they feel that way, as it is more wine for you. Even if a wine has passed its peak taste, it has not magically transformed into poison. It is still safe and indeed “drinkable”. But on the flip side, you do not want to drink it too soon. Now, hey, wait a minute, am I now one of those snobs?!

Does that just mean “more wine for you” and now I am left with an empty glass? You could give me a dose of my own weird medicine, or you could hear me out further, because as I type this I’m drinking a 2010 Otazu Premium Cuvee from Spain that I bought for 12 measly dollars, tastes fantastic, and could have actually been kept in the cellar longer without passing its peak. My only regret is that I did not buy a case. I was at a dinner party with friends, and one of them brought a bottle he randomly purchased in the $15 range. He had the luck of the draw as he actually grabbed a 2013 Napa Valley cab. But this was in 2017, so tasty as it was, it had not even begun to hit its peak. I advised him to return to the store at his earliest convenience, pray they still had some in stock, and buy a case (pretty pretentious advise since I haven’t gone back to buy more of that 2010 Otazu yet!), furthermore, I told him to horde it in his cellar until at least 2023. For a measly $180 he could squirrel that case away and emerge in 2023 with 12 treasures that would impress any dinner guest. I prefer to let a wine age at least 10 years, and I have some Italian Barolos in my cellar that are 20 years old, and they are utterly fantastic. So, what is a “Good Year”? What is the secret answer to this perplexing mystery? Does it mean the year itself? We had different presidents in many of these years. Might a Republican or a Democrat evaluate these years differently? Who won the World Series in that particular year, and does this matter? No.

A good year simply refers to the qualities of grapes grown that year, which are obviously the grapes used to make that year’s vintage, as they will not be using grapes grown in 2011 to make wine in 2017. A year to year spread can cause a variation in quality in a place like France where the weather is not consistently sunny. And a good sommelier would also use the term “good year” in reference to the best years to drink that vintage after it properly ages. But as I have prefaced, you cannot go wrong holding a good year (by grape standard) for a decade before drinking it. One of the most important things you can do is let that wine breathe for at least 30 minutes. If you are opening an older vintage in the range of 15 or 20 years, you will want at least an hour, if not a few hours, of breathing. Do not make the rookie mistake of trying to impress your date with a 15-year-old wine, only to start drinking it immediately upon opening and subjecting your dinner guest to a palate full of bitter grape juice. They will not take another sip the whole evening. And if you taste a wine after 30 minutes of breathing, and then taste more after another 30 minutes, you will realize that it will actually taste better at the 60-minute mark. Let it breathe. If you do not want to be restricted to H2O for your first 30 minutes at the dining table while your wine breathes, I would suggest getting a travel decanter. I use one of these and have blown people’s minds with 20-year-old gems the minute we supped together. I took the time to breathe it at home in the decanter. It made the difference. So great, now we know what a good year means, but do we now scour agricultural reports like Randolph and Mortimer Duke trying to determine the quality of each year’s grape crops? And once we figure that out, are we now going to spend $13,000 on a case of Chateau Latour from France? Luckily, some fantastic vintages are closer to home in the USA. Up until 40 some odd years ago, the thought of anything made in the USA stacking up to Europe’s best was unthinkable. But then came a cabernet out of Napa Valley in California Stag’s Leap Cellars, which vaulted to international fame when its Napa Valley Cabernet won the Paris Tasting of 1976.

Now, let us look at the Napa Valley region and their wonderful cabernets, and hone in on some good years. The best years in recent history are 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016. 2014 and 2018 are excellent as well, just a micro notch below the other 4 years. The question you might be asking is, what about 2017? And more importantly, if the 2012 and 2013 are so great, then the 2011 must be utterly spectacular because it’s even older than those, and it’s close to that 10 year mark where you just know that taste will be popping! Not true as the grape crop of those years were not to the excellent standards of the other years. If you see any of those great years on the shelves of your local liquor stores, grab as many as you can and squirrel them away in your cellar. If you are lucky enough to find a 2012 or 2013, you could even open those now, but I would try to hold out a few more years and hit that decade before opening. 2016s are still out there for sure, and you can grab up the 2018s. Even if it is only $15 a bottle, it will age nicely. But if you want to go into the $45-$65 range, grab one of the aforementioned Stag’s Leap Cellars, and another top notcher is Cakebread Cellars. If you are insistent on straying from the cabs of Napa and buying French wine, a Bordeaux from Médoc from 2015 and 2016 would be some of the best you could find. And if you do find it, please, please, PLEASE resist the urge to open it for at least a decade. If you are looking to impress your date tonight and can’t wait 10 years for the wine to age, see if you can find a Bordeaux Médoc from 2010. As a matter of fact, I am heading to my local wine shop now to see if they have any in stock! One last point, some people buy into the “White wine for fish, red wine for meat”, but that is utterly not true. From a dating standpoint, most women aren’t going to sit at a meal and drink more than half a glass of a chardonnay (they’ll drink a full glass at most). It is great to drink wine at home, but there is nothing like a fantastic dinner date with wonderful food and a well thought out wine. Make every year a good year for you. (Author’s Note): After writing this article I went to the liquor store and grabbed the last 4 bottles of the 2010 Otazi).

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Books

Considering Joy by Justin Gaynor

Joy is that surprising explosion of radiant presence that blots out negativity and, once it takes hold and becomes sustainably present, is the central characteristic of the Kingdom of Heaven. Yes, it stands firmly right there in the Holy Spirit with Shalom, true peace. ‘Well, I want that!,’ you may say. It is well afforded to you and quite readily available, only it may be somewhat of an adventure to attain to it and then further to genuinely ascertain its magnificent value. C.S. Lewis, the author of the book up for discussion today, was part of a group of writers that met regularly at a pub in Oxford. The men called themselves, the ‘Inklings’. Quite prolific in his writing, Lewis was an Irishman, educated in England, faithfully served in the military, and had a wife whom he adored. In ‘Surprised by Joy’ he accomplished something I think it wise for every Christian to do. He sat down and reflected, from his earliest years, on his relationships and his thoughts about life at different times. He explored how his faith developed from a complete lack thereof. Through the process, he not only shares his heart, but comes to places of understanding, wisdom, and repentance. In this space, we share with him in some of these explosions of joy that so strengthen the spirit, soul, and body that a person can quickly start to think they are involved in some sort of magic! Crossing over into the joy of one who has already ‘graduated’ to be with Christ? Oh, it is no magic my friends! You see, as much as we enjoy a pint of Guinness and pot roast at the pub, the Kingdom of Heaven is not about such things in and of themselves, but of joy and peace in the Holy Spirit. Yes, this Spirit who ventures between heaven and earth just as easily as our dear Lord suddenly appearing with the disciples in a locked room where they were hiding for fear of persecution and sharing in the recent, seemingly dismal, fate of their Rabbi . This Spirit that knows the mind of God and the minds of men and somehow mysteriously ministers to reconcile the two. For me, it was a long time coming to faith, not being baptized into Christ until I was 25 years old. Surprisingly (or perhaps not, since it was mostly Southern Baptists praying for my conversion - John Baptizer was of priestly lineage), the age that Levitical priests would begin their ministry. I shared Lewis’s skeptical, agnostic, if not atheistic leanings in my younger years, something explored in detail in this book. Being baptized in the Holy Ghost at around the age of 30, as was Jesus. After, much soul searching and repentance with some beloved characters in my own story, my Christianity was infused with new, vibrant life, and passion that I had never before known possible. It was as if there was a whole other sphere of being human that I had previously not been privy to. A sort of unveiling of what it means to be truly human and ‘in Christ’...a living and active member of the one body of Israel’s Messiah...only I would come to discover that it was not all revealed at once, but is something that I have continued to mature in since that day when, like a rushing, gentle wind the Holy Ghost entered into me and I exclaimed, ‘What was THAT!!!’ to which my sweet friend Kathy said with a gentle smile...’that is the Holy Spirit!’ Since then, He prompts me, gives me unctions, helps me find my keys (God is truly a Helper to him who has no helper!), teaches me, reminds me of things, comforts me, communicates with my Father on my behalf when I have no words to express my needs and desires. He exposes my own thoughts and hidden emotions and people that mean to do me harm and puts a halt to all the evil intended to harm me or cause me trouble. He points me to Jesus continually and the love that the Father has for me. I am comforted. So, if you haven’t got plans for your Saturday this week, pick up a copy of ‘Surprised By Joy’ and as you read it, consider your own life journey so far. You may find yourself forgiving some folks and even more so, you may find yourself coming to fellowship with some very specific remembrances to praise God for when you gather to celebrate with the Church this Sunday!!!

MUSIC

Classic Rock: Revisited by Justin Gaynor

Never did I think that I would be that excited to buy a gift for another person. I had turned wrenches next to my step-dad in the garage with Led Zepplin and other classic rock legends playing in the background for years. When I spent time with my biological dad, riding around in his classic mustang, it was common place for us to be jamming to Pink Floyd, Van Halen, or Aerosmith. I didn’t know a whole lot about being a man at that stage in life. One thing that I did know is that for an America man, manliness appeared irrevocably welded to Classic Rock. Now, I was buying a gift. Jimmy Page and Robert Plant were planning a tour. Were they coming to Orlando? Yes, they were! My step-dad loved Led Zeplin and he was so good to my mom. This is not to mention that as much of a little shit as I was to him, I really wanted him to like me. I needed a strong dude in my life. He never wanted to replace my dad, he was comfotable just being ‘Ken’. I respected that...and I wanted to buy him a gift he would REALLY like. Two tickets to see Page and Plant...IN CONCERT, would definitely express my gratitude. He did a great job feigning the level of gratitude and excitement that I had expected to see. It was years later that I discovered that he has a severe aversion to crowds and had sent my mom to the concert with a friend of hers. He couldn’t bring himself to tell me. Apparently, my desire to bless him was being worn on my sleeve and he didn’t want to break my heart. I probably would have been pretty upset at that stage. Well, here we are decades later and classic rock is still a place of common ground between men and here in the pages of Gentleman’s Purpose, it is a topic we are going to really be diving into. Send us an email and let us know what musicians you would be most interested in learning more about. justin@generalmediaconsulting.com

GEAR

Getting Into Spearfishing? South Florida is a great place for fishing. People travel from all over the world to hook-up in the beautiful Atlantic and Gulf waters off the coast of Florida. That’s not to mention all of the freshwater fishing. Spearfishing; however, is unique. Spearfishing is an ancient form of hunting. It doesn’t require a whole lot of expensive gear to get started, basically all you need is: -Scuba Mask -Snorkel -Swim Fins -A Net Bag -Gloves -Pole Spear -Fishing license Now, you might be thinking, “What about a spear gun?” Well, it is definitely best to start with a pole spear. This will help you learn the mechanics of spearfishing as well as how to approach the fish, aim, and a host of other beneficial lessons. It is sort of one of those, ‘You need to learn to crawl, before you learn to walk.’ things. If you are in South Florida there are quite a few dive shops, like the Boynton Beach Dive Center, where you can take classes to learn everything you need to know and connect with a group of people to go out with.

PROTECT YOUR FEET by Justin Gaynor

I’ve got a few buddies that served in Vietnam and one of them, Joe Trapani, was a communications guy. He had to carry around this big back-pack radio with a huge antenna sticking up and he was responsible for making sure the combat teams and the command center stayed in contact. So, of course, he was highly targeted by the enemy forces. One thing he always taught me was, ‘Protect your feet’. A man being pursued by the enemy without shoes that keep his feet clean and comfortable simply will not get very far. KEEN’s Men’s Mid-Hikers are one of the most comfortable pair of boots I have ever owned. They are waterproof and made from the highest quality materials. Now, for full disclosure I haven’t really broken them in with any serious trail hikes since I have been in South Florida this season. It’s been all flat-land walking; however, the sizing was true to fit. I did not experience any significant ‘breaking-in’ time for them to become comfortable like so many other pairs of boots I have been through. Priced at around $150, they aren’t inexpensive, but when it comes to protecting your feet with some well made, durable footwear, the expense is justified.

TRAVEL

Delray Beach, FL boasts white sand beaches, clear blue waters with great sailing, scuba-diving, and other water sports.

Boca Raton, FL is a center for business and culture.

South Florida – At Home on Permanent Vacation by Justin Gaynor

I love spending time in South Florida. Having grown up in the suburbs outside of Daytona Beach, I was somewhat used to the Island vibe. It did not compare to what I discovered in the diversity of Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale though. The water is clearer. The palms seem to be brighter green and there is a strange sense that life is good. So, if you are thinking of heading to South Florida for a little vacation or possibly acquiring a second home, let me share with you some great destinations. A Freshwater Oasis The Anchor Inn is a freshwater oasis in the middle of Palm Beach county. This little gem is located on one of the freshwater canals that connect Lake Osbourne and Lake Eden. If you want an evening of fine dining, call ahead, and make reservations for their dining room. It will be a comfortable, yet classy dining experience. Make no mistake though, this is a local hot spot. Step into the Caribbean style tiki hut towards the northside of the property and you will find some of the best priced tropical frozen concoctions and local micro-brews in all of Palm Beach county. Karaoke nights, corn-hole competitions and various other fun events often keep locals and visitors alike enthralled in a good time. Do not feel bound though, you are free to walk down to the water and chill lakeside in the lush green grass with a blanket and enjoy some relaxing family time or a little one-onone romance. If you are in South Florida, you don’t want to overlook the Anchor Inn. A Night at the Theatre Ready for a full dose of art and culture? The Kravis Center in West Palm Beach is an amazing venue that offers everything from Broadway shows to opera and more. Not only is this the venue that where I walked down the isle to receive my undergraduate degree, but it was where I first saw ‘Showboat’ live. What an experience. Do not arrive hungry though. After you get your tickets online, make sure to schedule time to walk around City Place for some shopping and perhaps dinner at Ruth Chris Steakhouse or one of the other award-winning restaurants. The Beach Not all beaches are the same. There is a little sea-side town called Briny Breezes / Gulfstream. It can be found nestled between Lake Worth and Delray Beach along the Atlantic coast. It may be what they call a ‘one-horse town’, but it is without question one of the best beaches in South Florida. There is a little public park called Gulfstream Park where you can park free of charge, cook out on one of the many picnic sites, watch the kiddos play on the huge playground set, complete with swing set. In the mood to relax? Bring your hammock and chill with a book as the palm trees sway overhead. I know, I know, we haven’t even gotten to the beach yet! Take the wooden deck down to the white sandy beach. Let the sense of security resonate as you notice that there is a lifeguard station right there to the South side. Set up your beach chair and umbrella and you are all set. There are some exposed rocks just beneath the crystal-clear waters, so step wisely. Occasionally, some great swells come through and you can catch some nice glassy 3 to 6-foot waves. For the most part though, snorkeling, paddle-boarding, and surf-fishing are on point all day every day.

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The Opal Grand Oceanfront Resort & Spa is right in the heart of Delray Beach, FL. With its breathtaking ocean views and many amenities, this is a great choice of accomodations while in SoFlo. 1-561-274-3200

The Lost Diamond by Justin Gaynor

The anticipation had been building as my heart looked forward to adventure. Isn’t it like that when we are children preparing to go on holiday with our parents? As we get older, that feeling is still there of course, but it is smothered to one degree or another by all the logistics that used to be managed by the grown-ups. Can we adjust our thinking to re-capture more of that youthful mindset? I remember the smell of that salt air. We had torn into delightfully bright, and festive boxes Christmas morning, as we do each year. This year was different though. Instead of just the normal toys and whatnot there was a gift for the whole family. A cruise to Cozumel, Mexico! This small tropical island would be the destination for one of very few family vacations for my brother and me. The only family vacation, thus far, that took the two of us to a foreign land outside of the United States. We were excited! All the preparations had been made. We had our clothes, towels, snorkeling gear, sunscreen, and so forth. As we were boarding the ship, I could sense the excitement and joy in my mom. She had grown up relatively poor, working in her aunt’s restaurant as a waitress, eventually launching a cleaning business, and parlaying that into owning her own restaurants. Now, she and my stepdad were able to do something for my brother and I that she had dreamed about for years. Finding our cabin was a breeze, yet the sense of anticipation only increased. Our imaginations that had been painting pictures of this for months suddenly came crashing into a reality that was more extravagant than we could have hoped. In the process of getting settled in, our eyes and hearts were darting this way and that, catching glimpses of the fun to come. They had done it. They had officially given us the best Christmas gift ever; we were sure of it. Of course, we wanted to know how long it was going to take for us to arrive. As kids do. I still do not think we quite understood that the journey and the richness that the boat held was a huge part of the adventure. That would quickly be remedied as we discovered the pools and games and … oh, and the food … endless, delicious opportunities to excite the taste buds.

Arriving on the island, we received instructions from the boat’s crew and off we went to discover Mexico. One of the first things we did was rent a little convertible Volkswagon Beetle. A total beach-wagon. Then, we found this huge pavilion on the beach with a ridiculous smorgasbord of local foods for brunch. It almost rivaled the spread they offered at suppertime on the ship. Afterward, we boarded a little boat that took us on an ocean adventure. I looked over the side of the boat as we speed along. What was that! Suddenly, there were more of them. They were everywhere. A whole school of flying fish were escorting us along the way! I had never seen that before… WOW! There were many firsts on that vacation. There were little golf ball sized jelly fish that did not really sting. We saw waves that rushed underneath of us and exploded through these holes in the rock and shot straight up into the air. There were street artists that used cheap cans of spray-paint to create beautiful artwork on canvas. Little watering-holes in the form of huts on the beaches. We drove round the whole island that day. Exhausted, and with our hearts full, we re-boarded the massive cruise ship late in the evening and slept like only content children can. So much more happened on that trip. Not least my mom losing the diamond from her wedding ring and flying into a panic. Given the size of the ship, and all our tromping round, there was no way we were going to find this gem. It was nothing short of a miracle, by the grace of God, that after tear-drenched searching and concern, she walked into our cabin and the glimmer of her lost jewel caught her eye from the floor near the nightstand. It was an unforgettable adventure. Do not neglect such times with your loved ones. Seek them with an open heart, and a child’s eyes.

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