Dad Talk blog

Young Dads and Love Family

Young Dads and Love

The speaker at a recent men’s breakfast said that when he got married, he meant the words, “I do,” more than anything he had ever said. He was committed to the marriage and thought that commitment would convey his love for his bride. But looking…
Rick Wertz
January 15, 2026
Young Dads and Stress Family

Young Dads and Stress

The way we hug as husband and wife, the way we smile or scowl, the tone of voice and content of our speech and even the way we move are all statements on what really matters to those around us. Young couples are often hard…
Rick Wertz
January 8, 2026
New Year 2026 FamilyHolidays

New Year 2026

Best wishes to you in this new year. May the light of our Lord continue to shine brightly in your marriage and family. As you make resolutions for the new year, spend time reflecting on the high points of the past year, what I call…
Rick Wertz
January 1, 2026
CHRISTmas 2025 Holidays

CHRISTmas 2025

Merry CHRISTmas from my family to yours. As we celebrate the greatest Gift of all-time, I praise the Lord for the gift of you and your partnership in the ministry of Faithful Fathering. May the Lord bless you and keep you, and may His light…
Rick Wertz
December 25, 2025
Live into Shalom Holidays

Live into Shalom

In scripture, "shalom" is most often translated to peace. Per Webster’s dictionary, peace is defined as “freedom from disturbance; tranquility.” I guess you could have ear buds in, or noise-cancelling headphones on and be oblivious to the world around you. The experience would be undisturbed…
Rick Wertz
December 23, 2025
Real Joy Holidays

Real Joy

Joy to the World may be easy to sing but joy in this world can be elusive? What does it even mean to be joyful? One example is King David’s celebration when the ark of God was brought to the City of David as depicted in…
Rick Wertz
December 18, 2025
BUSY Faith FamilyHolidays

BUSY Faith

This is a BUSY time of year. There are the year-end deadlines and reports to wrap up. And there is the holiday busy-ness – office parties, cards to get out, tree and house decorating, travel plans and gatherings with relatives. Are the kids catching a…
Rick Wertz
December 11, 2025
Be Hope-Filled Holidays

Be Hope-Filled

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…
Rick Wertz
December 4, 2025
Thankful for You Spiritual Growth

Thankful for You

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…
Rick Wertz
December 2, 2025
Thankful for Jesus Spiritual Growth

Thankful for Jesus

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…
Rick Wertz
November 26, 2025
Man Up Seasons of Fathering

Man Up

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…
Rick Wertz
November 20, 2025
Ramping Up Holidays

Ramping Up

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…
Rick Wertz
November 13, 2025
Being vs Doing Life Balance

Being vs Doing

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…
Rick Wertz
October 30, 2025
Be Patient Spiritual Growth

Be Patient

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…
Rick Wertz
October 23, 2025
Not About Balance Life Balance

Not About Balance

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…
Rick Wertz
October 16, 2025
Example to Follow Spiritual Growth

Example to Follow

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…
Rick Wertz
October 9, 2025
Be Intentional Seasons of Fathering

Be Intentional

“He was a good dad but now he is an intentional dad.” This was a validating comment from a mom whose husband had been involved in a fathering initiative for a number of years at their church. It reflects the difference between ‘doing’ dad and…
Rick Wertz
October 2, 2025
Keep Talking Family

Keep Talking

When we stop talking, bad things happen. Dads and moms of teenagers know it is critical to keep the conversation going on whatever is happening in the kids’ world. The home has to be a ‘safe place’ for any questions and honest dialogue. If it…
Rick Wertz
September 18, 2025