Encouragement for Fathers

Memorial Day heralds the beginning of summer. To students, it begins the countdown to summer vacation. Often summer schedules are hectic with family members going in every direction for sports, camps, social activities, or college preparation. Don’t let your summer get away from you!

Our devotion to God is strengthened when we offer Him a fresh commitment each day. Every morning, in a simple, genuine prayer, start fresh with God by giving Him all that you are, all that you have: now, forever, and daily. Lay everything on God’s altar in what one saint of old called the “surrendered life.”

Many fathers are convinced that they aren’t cut out to teach the children, but this is simply a matter of perspective and word choice. Fathers do teach. They simply do so in a manner more respective to...

The words, “honor your father,” appear many times throughout the bible. In fact, it’s one of the ten commandments right alongside, “honor your mother.” In fact, it is the first command that provides a promise, “… so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-4 Honor is defined as, “To highly respect or greatly esteem.”

Wherever and whenever you and your child are together is God’s opportunity for you to teach your child about Him. So take advantage and be purposeful with the gift of such times.

Over the last year, parents have certainly experienced the challenge to rise to a new level with their children where their education is concerned. Our little ones have been taught...

Raising a child can feel daunting at times. I believe the most encouraging wisdom and insight I received as a young, clueless parent was...

Our behavior is heart driven. There­fore, correction, discipline and training, every aspect of parenting, must be addressed to the heart. The fundamental task of parenting is...

A significant number of men are sports fans. Some don’t even care if it is football, baseball, basketball, or racing as long as it is competitive. They become...

DEVOTION: It is a chilling thought to one day realize that your children are observing your life, logging your activities, and repeating your actions, whether good or bad. I know from personal experience that what I observed from my own father’s behavior served as both a positive and negative influence on my role as a husband and father.

DEVOTION: Trust is essential in any relationship. If you want to have friends who are honest with you, then (you guessed it) you must be honest with them, even if it means having a difficult conversation. Honesty is one of the benefits of a true friendship. The Bible puts it this way: “Wounds from a friend can be trusted… and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel” (Proverbs 27:6, 9).

DEVOTION: Commitment, loyalty, and selflessness are so essential in any friendship. David and Jonathan’s friendship was characterized by these qualities even in the midst of adversity. They loved and encouraged each other in the Lord.  They met as young men and warriors, and our last glimpse of their faithful friendship is of David mourning Jonathan’s death. Theirs was a to-the-end-no-matter-what friendship. Choose to be like David and Jonathan.