O.J.A-Y, these are the truths your father lives by. Keep them close. Test them. Live them.

12 Principles

1. Fear God, not man. Reverence produces wisdom; popularity produces compromise.
2. Guard your mind. Attention is stewardship. Protect it from cheap stimuli and lazy thinking.
3. Honor your mother. Strength never requires disrespect.
4. Tell the truth. Even when it stings. Especially then.
5. Choose your brothers. Community builds or breaks destiny. Pick men who sharpen you.
6. Work before reward. Excellence is sowing first, harvest later.
7. Own your mistakes. Repent quickly. Don’t hide—heal.
8. Discipline your body. Sleep, movement, food—habits build a future your feelings can’t sabotage.
9. Master money. Save, give, invest. Never worship what you’re called to steward.
10. Protect the vulnerable. Use strength to cover, not control.
11. Build altars at home. Pray, read, sing, and talk—presence beats performance.
12. Live sent. Your life has assignment; don’t drift—decide.

A Father’s Promise

I will lead you by example; I will apologize when I miss it; I will never stop showing up.
When the world shouts new definitions, we’ll open an old Book and find the ancient paths.

I’m raising a man, not a brand.

Want these principles as a printable one-pager for your home? Send a note and I’ll share a clean PDF.