Raising Godly Boys Minute

It’s been said that unforgiveness is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.

When we choose not to forgive, it hurts us, not just the person who has hurt us.

Jesus said a lot about forgiveness in the Bible.

He taught, “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you.” When Peter asked Jesus how often it is necessary to forgive, he replied, “Seventy times seven,” a number to be taken symbolically, not literally, for the never-ending way we should forgive.

Who do you need t...

This Mother’s Day, minister to a single mom of a son.

Every single mom is a hero. And single moms who have boys? They should wear capes. Raising a boy– who needs a ton of exercise, outdoor activity, focused attention, and healthy risk taking– is a joy, but can be exhausting.

If you don’t know a single mom, ask a local church about their single moms ministry– they will be able to give you some names. Then, pray about the best gift to give. Some ideas are an anonymous check, a grocery gift card, or a...

What’s the first thing you do when you or your child is struggling with something?

Is it to pray?

Prayer should be our first response, not our last resort.

There is power in prayer.

Stormie Omartian (stor·mee ow·maar·tee·uhn) writes this in her book The Power of a Praying Parent:

“When we pray, we bring that power to bear upon everything we are praying about, and we allow the power of God to work through our powerlessness. When we pray, we are humbling ourselves before God and...

When it comes to toilet paper placement, do you prefer the paper to flow over or under the roll? Well, according to recent surveys, around 70% of Americans prefer the toilet paper to roll over the top.

This may not seem like a big deal, but for some people, toilet paper placement causes controversy, chaos, and conflict.

We laugh at such pettiness, but the truth is we often major on the minor things in life. Do you get bent out of shape if your son taps his foot at the table or chews too loudly?
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If you don’t give your son a challenge, he will challenge you.

Julie was frustrated that her teenage son, Tyler, wouldn’t help with any chores around the house. But when Tyler’s dad asked him to repair the fence in the backyard, Tyler jumped at the opportunity. Why?

Boys are uniquely wired to crave adventure. So much so that they often lose motivation when things are too easy or simple. This is why many extremely intelligent children often struggle in school– simply because of boredom.

If your son is being defiant with you...

Have you watched the track and field events at the Summer Olympic Games?

The training that goes into running a marathon is much different than what a runner needs to do to prepare for a 100-yard dash. 

Raising godly boys is more like a marathon than a sprint.

Parenting is a lifelong process filled with seemingly insignificant moments.

We must take advantage of every opportunity God gives us, whether it’s the car ride to and from school or tucking them into bed at night.

“These commandments that I give...

Is social media hurting your son’s self-esteem?

Social networks often create unreasonable expectations of what a man is. And because of that, boys may look at their flaws and failures and think that they’re not good enough.
 
As a dad, remind your son that even great men from the Bible experienced physical and spiritual weaknesses. Moses stuttered. Jacob was a cheater. Elijah wrestled with depression. And the apostle Peter had a temper. The list could go on and on.

Fortunately, 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made...

No one wants to think about death, but if you’re a Christian, you know that Christ has conquered the grave. Still, at some point, physical death will separate us from our loved ones. The question is: What kind of legacy will you leave behind. How will your children remember you?

Billy Graham, one of the most widely known evangelists of the 20th century, said, “The greatest legacy one can pass on to one’s children and grandchildren is a legacy of character and faith.”

There’s nothing wrong in being remembered for your work accomplish...

Have you ever asked yourself, “What does God want my son to see that he is not seeing, and how can I help him see it?”

Because sin is deceptive, it can blind your son to the sin in his own heart. Let’s look for chances to be a tool to help him see it.

When you help him see what motivates his desires and actions, you are doing what God has called you to do as a parent.

Parenting is not about getting your son to do the right thing, but helpin...

Have you ever found something you thought you had lost forever? How did it feel?

Imagine completing a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle, except for one missing piece. You could look everywhere until you give up hope of ever finding the piece, only to have it turn up when you aren’t looking for it a few weeks later. Imagine how excited you’d be to finally complete the puzzle.

In Luke 15, Jesus talks about several lost things – a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son – that were all found.

I’m thankful that God n...

Did you know that 3,160 tons of water flow over Niagara Falls every second?

Like water flows over the Falls, the words and actions of your son flow out of what is in their hearts.

To raise godly boys, we need to remember the advice the wisest man who ever lived, King Solomon, gave to his son: “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23

Your son’s behavior problems are heart problems. Thankfully, Jesus came to give us a new heart. Pay attention to the deeper issues...

Has the grumble monster invaded your home?

You may not see him, but he leaves everyone feeling grouchy and grumpy. These emotions often lead to frustration when life is hard. Perhaps your son struggles in school, or maybe he’s hanging around friends that aren’t a good influence. You wish life didn’t have so many trials and troubles.

During these times, it’s easy to complain. That’s why Philippians 2:14 reminds us to do all things without grumbling.

So, if the grumble monster has invaded your home, fight back with an attitude o...

What comes to mind when you hear the words “mercy” and “grace”?

Pastor and author Paul Tripp defines mercy as “tenderheartedness and compassion toward someone in need.” John Newton wrote about God’s “Amazing Grace” in his beloved hymn.

I like this definition: Mercy is not getting what you deserve. Grace is getting what you don’t deserve.

“Therefore let’s approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need.” Hebrews 4:16

Thank God for his amazing grace and mercy toward us...

When was the last time your plans were suddenly ruined?

Maybe you had organized the perfect family road trip. But then, the day before leaving, one of your kids got really sick.

Life doesn’t always go according to plan. There are countless variables outside our control. But we can control how we react when receiving bad news.

When disappointment strikes, be intentional in teaching your kids an important life lesson. Remind them that nothing is outside God’s knowledge. Even though we often don’t understand why certain things happen, we can know t...

What comes to mind when someone mentions a chameleon?

Most people think of the scaly lizard that changes color based on its surroundings. These cold-blooded reptiles blend into their environment by camouflaging their appearance. They can even adapt the brightness of their skin for strategic purposes.

Chameleons are fascinating, but they’re NOT an example of how Christians should act in today’s world. Even though society is often fake and hypocritical, believers should demonstrate genuine behavior.

If you’re a dad, realize that your son is watching you. Are your values, actions, and sp...

Do you have a smartphone? If so, in addition to making phone calls and sending text messages, you probably use it to take pictures.

Of course, when kids are young, parents often take thousands of pictures. But as those same kids enter middle school and high school, life becomes so busy that parents sometimes forget to take pictures.

Be intentional in capturing both the big and small moments of life. After your son’s team wins a baseball game, stand next to your son and snap a selfie. Or when you’re on vacation at the...

What are some things that rise? Maybe you’re thinking about prices, or helium, or a hot air balloon.

But by far, the most amazing thing that has ever risen is the Lord Jesus. If he had stayed dead, people would have no hope and no future. But after three days in the tomb, Jesus conquered death and rose victoriously. And because of that, we can be redeemed.

Have you and your son accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior?

This Easter, make it a point to spend one-on-one time with your son. Together, gi...

As Easter approaches, what comes to mind?

For many kids, Easter involves egg hunts, bunny-shaped chocolate, and goodie-filled baskets.
But the real meaning of Easter is so much more than this.

As a parent, don’t allow the commercialization of Easter to distract you from the true meaning of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice. Teach your son that the Easter story is more than a story. It’s the real-life account of Jesus sacrificially giving his life on the cross. Fortunately (and here’s the incredible part), after three days in the tomb, Jesus conquered death by...

Ever thought about having your son help you decorate your home for Easter? 

We all decorate for Christmas. But as Christians, shouldn’t we show our boy that there’s just as much– if not more– to celebrate at Easter? 

Spend some time this year putting up some decorations representing Christs’ sacrifice. These don’t have to be fancy or expensive– display a cross, and frame a verse like Matthew 28:6- “He is not here, for He has risen!” If your son is young, put out some childrens’ books about the Easter story. You can even have a resurrecti...

This day celebrates the fact that Jesus is not dead, but is alive. This is what separates us from all other religions. Since Jesus has been resurrected, He offers a resurrected life to us.

Romans 6:4 says, We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

This “newness of life” should be a way of life for all believers. Jesus took us who were dead because of sin, and resurrected us!<...

A surefire way to pique your son’s interest? A snack!  Here’s a snack mix recipe to help you discuss the true meaning of Easter.

Gather up the following: Pretzel sticks, to symbolize the cross; craisins, to represent Jesus’ blood; round crackers, for the stone that was rolled away; a marshmallow, since our sins are forgiven; Goldfish crackers, since Jesus said we should be fishers of men; and chocolate chips, because we taste and see the Lord is good.

Sit down with your son, and discuss the Easter story and what each food represents. Send th...

Before GPS, did you ever come to a fork in the road and think, “Which way should I go?”

Each of us eventually comes to a fork in the road – literally and figuratively – where we will have to decide which way to go.

As Christ-followers, we have the perfect navigator in our lives. God knows what’s down each road we travel; nothing surprises him. If we are unsure which way to go, we can look to him, and he will guide us. He will provide for all our needs throughout life’s journeys.

Let’s tr...

Have you ever trusted someone who let you down? Most of us have experienced this. Most of us have broken someone’s trust too.

Yet, life requires you to trust others every day, often without thinking twice about it.

The only One who will never let you down and is completely trustworthy is God. 
“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people.” Psalm 118:8
You must seek to trust and obey God and teach your son to do the same.
“Heavenly Father, thank you for being tru...

With each step he took, the load felt heavier.

Matthew was on a hike with a group of other boys when he realized his backpack was overloaded. He feared that if he asked for help, the other boys would make fun of him.

Finally, he fell to his knees, and confessed he couldn’t carry his load. To his surprise, the boys took off Matthew’s backpack and distributed the heavy contents equally in their own bags.

In a society where being a boy can feel like a burden, young men need help. Make...

Your son needs a place to be a boy.

In 2018, the Boy Scouts of America announced that they would allow girls to join. One scoutmaster was asked, “How do you like having girls a part of your troop?” The scoutmaster answered, “We love having girls because they are so much better behaved than boys!”

That answer broke my heart. Society already deems boyhood and masculinity as something negative– and now an organization that was supposed to champion boys was also insinuating that boys should act more like girls.

Make sure your son knows that who h...

Fire is always destructive, right?

Well, not necessarily. The knobcone pine tree relies on fire in a crazy way. In order for its seeds to escape the hard resin that traps them inside the cone, an intense heat source is required.

That’s where a forest fire comes in handy. After fire melts the cone’s resin away, the cone cracks open. Seeds are then free to flutter to the ground where they can grow tall and strong.

As a parent, you want to protect your son. But don’t forget that trials and tr...

The 4th quarter of a football game is often a nailbiter. Teams battle it out as the minutes tick off the clock. At times, it feels like that 4th quarter will last forever. But then, before you know it, the game is over.

The same is true in parenting. Many boys head off to work or college after high school. That means that if your son is at least 14 years old, then he’s probably in the 4th quarter of his time at home.

Even if you’ve prepared your son for the future, the 4th q...

George Müller—an evangelist who established orphanages in the 1800s—was known for his prayer life. And yet, in addition to his faith in God’s provision, Müller was also a man of action. He wisely said, “Our walk counts far more than our talk, always!”

That’s so true. You may talk to your son about patience, kindness, and self-control, but do your actions demonstrate these characteristics? If a referee makes a bad call, how do you respond? When an elderly neighbor needs help, do you view it as a hassle or an opportunity?

Make...

Here’s an easy question: What does www stand for? If you answered, “world wide web,” you're right!

But if you think about it, that phrase is actually quite descriptive of online content.

We all know that the Internet is helpful in many different ways. And yet, it’s also a web that easily entangles boys in temptations. Violence, vulgarity, and sexuality are trapping boys in sin.

Don’t let your son get ensnared by the sticky filth found on the web. As a father, protect your son by using content filtering software. And then...

See if you can answer this joke: When leaving for work, what did the daddy buffalo say to his son? . . . Bye-son!  [Bison]

Maybe that joke made you groan, but tell it to your son tonight, and you’ll probably get a smile from him—maybe even a laugh.

Dad jokes are corny, but they’re still fun. Of course, you and your son can have fun in a thousand other ways, but the important thing is that you have fun together.

School, sports, and friendships can be stressful. But by creating an atmosphere of enco...

Did you ever play Capture-the-Flag when you were a kid? If so, you know the object of the game is to capture the opposite team’s flag before getting tagged.

It’s one thing to play Capture-the-Flag, but don’t let today’s secular culture capture your son’s heart and mind. The love of money, the desires of the flesh, and the pride of life are all trying to steal his attention. And if they capture it, they’ll imprison him in bondage and despair.

Teach your son that God provides freedom from sin. And eve...

On his first day of preschool my son peered into the classroom and said, “Dad, I don’t want to go in there.”

I dropped to one knee in front of him and put my hand on his shoulder. Meeting him eye-to-eye, I reminded him about the first time he had ridden a pony. At first, he had been scared of the horse. But he faced his fear, and had been so glad that he did.

With that memory in mind, my son walked confidently into the preschool classroom.

When your son is filled...

Have you seen the video of the football player who ran the wrong way?

I heard about a man who is coaching his 6-year-old son’s flag football team.

He told me his biggest challenge is getting the players to head in the right direction when they get the ball.

Often their first instinct is to head toward the wrong end zone.

Boys today are missing the moral compass needed when they leave the playing field and enter the game of life.

Fifty-eight percent of Americans no longer believe th...

Parent the boy in front of you.

Books, websites, and friends can be great sources of wisdom for parenting advice. But as you’re listening to others, don’t forget this profound truth– there is no one else on earth who is exactly like your son.

You have been hand selected by God to be your son’s parent. That means there is no one else– no, not even that parenting expert with several degrees– who is better equipped to be the mom or dad your boy needs.

So yes, by all means, seek out Bib...

Is it more difficult to be a teenaged boy, or a grown adult?

Adult life is stressful. Of course, you have more responsibility than your teen son. But consider this– you also have more freedom, more balanced hormones, and a fully developed brain. Parenting experts say that some of the hardest, most chaotic years of life are between ages 13-18, especially for young men.

Here’s the point. It’s true that your son needs discipline and authority. But don’t forget that what he needs first is love. It’s not easy being a teenage bo...

Have you had to wait for something recently, or are you still waiting?

With seven games left in the 2022 Major League Baseball regular season, New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge tied Roger Maris for the American League single-season home run record.

With the world watching, Judge had to wait for five more games before finally breaking the record in the next-to-last game.

Psalm 27:14 tells us to “wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage.”

Waiting on the Lord doesn’t mean we don’t have our part to play...

What did you have for breakfast this morning? Around 49% of people had a quick bowl of cereal. Popular brands include Cheerios, Frosted Flakes, and Raisin Bran. Across the country, Americans enjoy over a hundred types of cereal.

That’s a lot of variety, but there are even more ways of parenting kids. That’s why when it comes to raising your son, understanding his personality is vitally important.

Many boys have tons of energy. They love the excitement of sports and outdoor activities. Other kids prefer small groups where they receive individual attention.

What...

Life is busy. We all know that. But sometimes it feels as if we have to do everything to keep life running smoothly. We have to drive our kids to sports games, make sure they finish their homework, and tell them for the hundredth time to brush their teeth.

But it’s important to remember that we aren’t the only ones that want to see our kids succeed. Sunday school leaders, classroom teachers, coaches, friends, and many others have our kids’ best interests in mind.

Take a moment to thank the Lord for those people...

A battle is raging—and it’s destroying people’s lives. No, I’m not talking about wars and conflicts scattered across the globe. Rather, I’m referring to the cultural war on gender identity.

Secular activists use words like “toxic masculinity” to shame people into thinking that gender is destructive. But the Bible is clear. God created people either male or female.

As a parent, it’s important you fight back against the bombardment of identity politics. Here’s a tip: Get involved at your school’s Parent Teacher Association. Voice your concern to coaches, teachers, a...

During Jesus’ day, leprosy was an awful disease that caused horrible deformities.

That’s why when Jesus healed ten lepers, they were thrilled. They probably rushed away to tell the exciting news to their family and friends. And yet, only one leper returned to give thanks to Jesus.

We’re quick to blame those nine lepers, but at times, we’re just as ungrateful. We may not have leprosy, but our Lord still helps and strengthens us in many ways. And he often uses people around us to accomplish His will.

So, when was the...