2017

The TALK is probably remembered as one of the most awkward discussions ever had with your parents. At fourteen or fifteen, the terminology used was seen as strange and the conversation was uncomfortable. In summary, sex was conveyed as dirty and dangerous so it was…

“One-on-one time with my daughter? She does not even want to be in the same room with me!” But in response to a challenge presented to all the dads participating in the study, Joe agreed to at least ask his daughter out on a date.…

There were three significant spiritual experiences in my life twenty-plus years ago: First was the call to ministry for dads in January, 1996, that would manifest into the founding of Faithful Fathering in 2000; Second was a “Walk to Emmaus” retreat weekend in February, 1997;…

In a conversation with his pastor, the dad was challenged to read the whole Bible. Up to that point, he had stuck with man-sized books – ones that were not more than a half-inch thick. Then the pastor added, “If you do not know the…

It was audition time for honors band and emotions were running high. The assignment required completing a continuous recording of all twelve scales played to tempo. She enjoyed band and had done well across the year. This particular evening, she was determined to raise the…

He grew up in a violent alcoholic home. Evenings could get disrupted in a moment by arguments, outbursts of anger and violence. Being loud and intimidating was his takeaway on how to win an argument. She grew up in a more stable home environment where…

As has been, and continues to be for so many, several feet of water invaded his home for a number of days courtesy of hurricane Harvey. When the water receded enough to enter the house, here they came. Some were friends and some were complete…

Reading, ‘Riting and ‘Rithmetic are the three R’s most parents think of as school starts back up. But the home is and always will be the primary education front for the next generation. As George Will documented so well in his article, “The 9/91 Factor,”…

In 1986, a friend accepted an opportunity to get one-year advanced degree in lieu of being a victim of company layoffs. Upon enrolling in an MBA program, he learned that a lap-top was required for the courses he would be taking. Just five years earlier…

Roll call – A consistent happening every first day of school. Even if the teacher mispronounced your name, the proper response was, “Present.” If you responded with a shy, “Here”, or stayed silent due to the humiliating pronunciation of your name, you got moved to…