How is one to be hope-filled in the midst of the 24/7 bad news cycle? Remember that news is news because it is news. It is the exception, not the rule. While Christians cannot ignore the media, we can maintain a hope-filled perspective by keeping our eyes focused on Jesus. Advent is a great time for dads to provide the right perspective, to focus on the hope that is the Reason for the season, the Christ-child’s birth.
Advent, starting four Sundays before CHRISTmas, provides a good model to ...read on
THANK YOU for your support of Faithful Fathering. You have blessed us across 25 years of Encouraging and Equipping Dads to Be Faithful Fathers. Our vision is for every home to have a faithful father, leading in Christ. As we reflect on our history and look ahead, we praise God for how He has worked through Faithful Fathering to help thousands of dads turn their hearts toward Him and to their children.
We covet your continued support spiritually through prayers for the ministry, and physically in helping ...read on
One of my favorite movies is Braveheart. In one powerful scene, William Wallace rides up on a horse to address his troops. The men are looking across the field at an English army that greatly outnumbers them. Some are overwhelmed and express a desire to go home versus facing certain death. Wallace says, “Aye, you can return to your homes and live but what kind of life will it be without freedom?” He proceeded to call out to the “Sons of Scotland!” He said, ... read on
His teenage son walked in the room and said, “Dad, can we talk? I have been struggling with pornography for over two years and I need your help to quit this.” Ken’s first reaction was anger but he kept it in check. The second emotion experienced was embarrassment because he had struggled with pornography as well. His inclination was to hide his embarrassment with anger toward his son. That would give him cover and shut down the conversation he did not want to have. But Ken was convicted to do better than that.
Ramping up to Christmas seems to start earlier every year. Thanksgiving used to be the marker on the calendar to start shopping and get the decorations out. Nowadays, it seems to be pushed up to November first.
Churches ramp up as well. Many are in the throes of ...read on
As a kid, it seems dad knows everything and can do anything. In the teen years, the reality that dad doesn’t know everything begins to register with the child and by the late teens he wonders if dad knows anything about anything. In his twenties, an adult child appreciates dad’s availability to talk about career choices and marriage. And in his thirties, the young man realizes his dad actually knows a lot about life.
Just as fathers and sons can drift apart, older and younger generations can ...read on
Men are built to do work. Accomplishments are recognized and celebrated from an early age. On the farm, young men were paid by the bail when they put up hay. Chores were expected to be done as part of the family responsibilities. That manifested into a work ethic that had a man willing to put long hours in doing the work before him.
Wayne Huizenga was a successful businessman. He was known for ...read on
A friend I have played tennis with for years always admonishes me to remember the p-word, patience. I have played serve-and-volley tennis through my college years. If I had to hit the ball more than once after a serve or return of serve, I lost the point. The objective was to get to the net and put the ball away. Patience never entered my mind.
At a recent study presentation, a young dad asked, “What is the best way for me to effectively balance work and family?” Great question! He was anticipating a problem as he struggled to prioritize right things in the midst of busy-ness. And it gave me an opportunity to discuss the myth of ‘life balance’.
It starts at a young age. You see a buddy get away with stealing a candy bar and it is tempting to try to steal one too. In school, a friend cheats on tests routinely and then brags about his grade-point average. It can be tempting to follow that example as well when you struggle to make good grades.
It can continue into adulthood. Some people seem ...read on
How is one to be hope-filled in the midst of the 24/7 bad news cycle? Remember that news is news because it is news. It is the exception, not the rule. While Christians cannot ignore the media, we can maintain a hope-filled perspective by keeping our eyes focused on Jesus. Advent is a great time for dads to provide the right perspective, to focus on the hope that is the Reason for the season, the Christ-child’s birth.
THANK YOU for your support of Faithful Fathering. You have blessed us across 25 years of Encouraging and Equipping Dads to Be Faithful Fathers. Our vision is for every home to have a faithful father, leading in Christ. As we reflect on our history and look ahead, we praise God for how He has worked through Faithful Fathering to help thousands of dads turn their hearts toward Him and to their children.
One of my favorite movies is Braveheart. In one powerful scene, William Wallace rides up on a horse to address his troops. The men are looking across the field at an English army that greatly outnumbers them. Some are overwhelmed and express a desire to go home versus facing certain death. Wallace says, “Aye, you can return to your homes and live but what kind of life will it be without freedom?” He proceeded to call out to the “Sons of Scotland!” He said, 
His teenage son walked in the room and said, “Dad, can we talk? I have been struggling with pornography for over two years and I need your help to quit this.” Ken’s first reaction was anger but he kept it in check. The second emotion experienced was embarrassment because he had struggled with pornography as well. His inclination was to hide his embarrassment with anger toward his son. That would give him cover and shut down the conversation he did not want to have. But Ken was convicted to do better than that.
Ramping up to Christmas seems to start earlier every year. Thanksgiving used to be the marker on the calendar to start shopping and get the decorations out. Nowadays, it seems to be pushed up to November first.
As a kid, it seems dad knows everything and can do anything. In the teen years, the reality that dad doesn’t know everything begins to register with the child and by the late teens he wonders if dad knows anything about anything. In his twenties, an adult child appreciates dad’s availability to talk about career choices and marriage. And in his thirties, the young man realizes his dad actually knows a lot about life.
A friend I have played tennis with for years always admonishes me to remember the p-word, patience. I have played serve-and-volley tennis through my college years. If I had to hit the ball more than once after a serve or return of serve, I lost the point. The objective was to get to the net and put the ball away. Patience never entered my mind.
At a recent study presentation, a young dad asked, “What is the best way for me to effectively balance work and family?” Great question! He was anticipating a problem as he struggled to prioritize right things in the midst of busy-ness. And it gave me an opportunity to discuss the myth of ‘life balance’.
It starts at a young age. You see a buddy get away with stealing a candy bar and it is tempting to try to steal one too. In school, a friend cheats on tests routinely and then brags about his grade-point average. It can be tempting to follow that example as well when you struggle to make good grades.
