Treasure Box Books | Dads Building Relationships, Reading Great Books, Preparing Children for Life

Hey Fellow Dads,

What’s on your Father’s Day wishlist? It’s pretty easy to find items for ourselves . . . but what if this year we chose some gifts for our family? Here are a few suggestions—and they don’t even cost a thing!

—Nathan

📖 Hebrews 5:1-2

📖 Proverbs 23:26

📖 Deuteronomy 11:19

📖 Ecclesiastes 3:4

📖 John 19:25-27

📖 1 Cor. 15:3-8

📖 Mark 7:24-30

📚 How to Be Your Wife’s...

Hey Fellow Dads,

Many of us enjoy reading war stories—and I’ll recommend some great ones in today’s episode—but have you ever considered what needs and roles we might have in common with the heroes of those stories? Specifically, what principles can the history of D-day teach us for our roles as dads? That’s what I’ll discuss in today’s episode. —Nathan

📖 Ecclesiastes 9:10

📖 Proverbs 24:6

📖 Psalm 127:4

📖 Proverbs 13:22

📖 Proverbs 14:15

📖 1 Samuel 12:23

📚 Three Days in January, by Bret Baier*

📚 The Boys of Pointe du Hoc: Ronald Reaga...

Hey Fellow Dads,

This year marks the 500th anniversary since William Tyndale began publishing the first edition of his translation of the New Testament into English. Why should we celebrate William Tyndale and his 1525 English New Testament? In this episode, I want to pass along seven reasons we should become familiar with Tyndale, emulate his character, and appreciate his translation of the New Testament.

—Nathan

Hey Fellow Dads,

What comes to your mind when you hold your baby? In this episode, I’ll share six lessons we can learn from holding our little ones.

—Nathan

📖 Isaiah 40:11

📖 Psalm 139:13-14

📖 2 Peter 1:10

📖 Ephesians 5:16

📖 Colossians 4:5

📖 Jude 3

📖 Exodus 33:11

📖 Proverbs 8:17, 34

📖 The Holy Bible

📚 Witness, by Whittaker Chambers

Note: I have not read Witness, so I can’t recommend the book. I heard the quote in another book which I’m currently listening to and found the quote onlin...

Hey Fellow Dads,

How can you prepare to be a father to a new baby? What do your wife and older children need before and after the birth? Is there a book that could help you prepare to be a new dad? And does the Bible say anything about this? Join us for today’s podcast and find out!

—Nathan

📖 Ephesians 5:25
📖 1 Peter 3:7
📖 Galatians 3:26
📖 Psalm 119:105
📖 Psalm 18:6
📖 Hebrews 12:2

Hey Fellow Dads,

This coming Lord’s Day is Easter—Resurrection Sunday—when we who follow the Lord Jesus Christ celebrate the fact that nearly 2000 years ago, after a brutal death by crucifixion, He literally, physically, victoriously walked out of His grave. Do we dads have any special role to play in how our families celebrate this event?

As Christian dads, it’s our responsibility to lead our families to appreciate the importance of Jesus’ resurrection. Here are five ways you and I can do that for our families.

—Nathan

Hey Fellow Dads,

Whether or not we grew up building happy memories of home and family, one of our goals as dads should be to help the next generation to remember and rejoice in God and His blessings. How can we do that, and what are some good books that help us build those happy memories? Join us for today’s episode and find out!

—Nathan

📖 Deut. 6:12

📖 1 Chron. 16:11-15

📖 1 Samuel 17:37

📖 Prov. 10:7

📖 Prov. 22:1

📖 Prov. 5:18

📖 Prov. 23:24 -25

📖 Heb. 6:1

📖 Eph. 4:15

📖 1 Thes. 4:3

📖 ...

Hey Fellow Dads,

Last time we looked at some disadvantages of audiobooks as compared to printed books. Today’s episode will discuss six advantages of audiobooks, along with a list of some of my favorite audiobooks—I hope you enjoy many of them!

—Nathan

📚 🎧  The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom

📚  💻  Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Mark, by J.C. Ryle, available to read online here in its original text:

https://archive.org/details/expository-thoughts-on-the-gospel-of-mark-j-c-ryle-scan/page/6/mode/2up?view=theater

📚  Jotham’s Journey, by Arnold Ytreeide

📚 🎧 💻  This...

Hey Fellow Dads,

Have you ever wondered whether listening to audiobooks instead of reading is “cheating”? Today’s episode will cover six disadvantages of audiobooks, along with workarounds for each one. Enjoy, and stay tuned for next episode, when we’ll discuss six advantages of audiobooks!

—Nathan

These stories ar...

Hey Fellow Dads,

Today we conclude a three-episode series introducing both true and fictional stories from Alaska—tales of heroism, survival, and faith that can inspire you and your family to follow wherever God leads.

In this episode, my sons Matt and Sam share their own stories of recent trips to Alaska, and I give ten reasons we all love the “Adventures of an Arctic Missionary” series of books. Don’t miss it!

--Nathan

📖 2 Cor. 1:8

📖 2 Cor. 1:9

📖 2 Cor. 4:3-5

📖 2 Cor. 4:6

📖 1 Cor. 6:11

📖 2 Cor. 4:16-18

📖 1 Cor. 1:2...

Hey Fellow Dads,

Today we continue a three-episode series introducing both true and fictional stories from Alaska—tales of heroism, survival, and faith that can inspire you and your family to follow wherever God leads.

In this episode, my friend Pastor Jonathan Fisher shares how God called him to be the answer to his own prayers for needy communities in Alaska. He also talks about how serving the Lord is a privilege and joy—yes, even fun—and how we as husbands can lead our wives and children to know that joy in service to Christ...

Hey Fellow Dads,

Today we begin a three-episode series introducing both true and fictional stories from Alaska—tales of heroism, survival, and faith that can inspire you and your family to follow wherever God leads.

In this episode, my friend Pastor Bruce Hamilton introduces his first book—God of the Brooks—before I give a few excerpts to whet your appetite. We also briefly discuss God of the Aurora, a modern missionary autobiography adventure, and give a preview of next week’s episode.

--Nathan

📖 Romans 1:16

Hey Fellow Dads,

“A man’s home is his castle”—so goes the saying. But what does the Bible say about dads presiding in their homes? How can we do that well—and how might it benefit our families if we do?

In this episode, my friend Wesley Waddle, a pastor and dad for over 20 years, shares lessons he’s learned from Bible examples and personal experience, offers us realistic hope, and suggests practical tools to do this job right. Hope you enjoy it!

--Nathan

📖 Genesis 12

📖 Genesis 13

📖 Genesis 21<...

Hey Fellow Dads,

Have you paused to think through the lessons you learned in 2024? In this episode, I’ll share several of mine, along with some goals to pursue and promises to hang onto as we follow God in 2025. And don’t miss out on my Top 10 Books from 2024!

Nathan

📖 Psalm 23

📖 1 Thessalonians 4

📖 1 Thessalonians 5:18

📖 Luke 10:39

📖 Luke 7:38

📖 Luke 8:41-42

📖 Luke 17:16

📖 Luke 8:35

Ancient History

📚 Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire That Rescued Western Civilization, by Lars Brownworth, published by Three R...

Hey fellow dads,

Many Christian books have been published in recent years about moms praying for their families, but does God expect us as dads to pray for our spouse and children as well? What might it mean to be a “priest” in our own home . . . and how do we fulfill this role practically, in the day to day? In this episode we talk about where to start, examples from Scripture, and some books that can grow our faith for prayer.

Nathan

Hey fellow dads,

How do you “start where you are” to lead your family even when you know you aren’t the dad you ought to be? What hope do we have when greater men than us have not been able to raise godly children? Or is that even our goal? Join us today as we learn from my friend William Maricle about being the spiritual leader (teacher or prophet) for our families.

And, starting at 34:54, I have a special Thanksgiving weekend treat for you—an excerpt from Of Plimoth Plantation that the whole family can enjo...

Hey Fellow Dads,

Have you ever wondered if you’re providing enough for your family? What kind of provider is God for us, and how should we illustrate Him in the way we provide for our wives and children? What pitfalls do we need to be careful to avoid? Join us as my friend Daniel shares how we need to provide for our children in more than just financial ways, and gives some great book recommendations to help us partner with God in providing for our families.

Nathan

📖 Full Time: Work and th...

Hey Fellow Dads,

Do we really have a Scriptural mandate as fathers to protect our families, or is that just a Western cultural idea? How does ego play in? What if we’re not naturally strong or tough? What do we need to keep in mind as we learn to be protectors? What books can help? Listen in as my brother-in-law Pete, a very experienced protector, shares helpful principles for protecting our families both physically and spiritually.

Nathan

When Christ “gave himself” for the church, the word implies hazarding his life. Protecting others...

Hey Fellow Dads,

To be the husbands and fathers that God created us to be, we have to play the roles God has entrusted to us. What are those roles, and how do we face these ofttimes overwhelming responsibilities, especially when failure is so possible? What books can help?

Nathan

Hi, Fellow Dads,

Have you ever noticed that God delights in children playing and wants His people to have “merry” hearts? How can we foster a happy atmosphere in our homes? And how might books play a part?

Nathan

💡 See the show notes at https://refreshpublishing.com/049-foster-a-happy-attitude-at-home-and-helping-flood-victims, including...

🎙️Please subscribe to the podcast so you can listen again nex...

Hi, Fellow Dads,

Are you or a family member looking for a new Bible? Here are a few different editions I’ve used, along with my thoughts on each…and a few other tips for dads from a recent pastor’s roundtable I attended. Hope they’re helpful to you!

Nathan

Be sure to see the show notes page for photos and links to our favorite KJV Bibles. There's also a brief summary of my takeaways from the pastors' roundtable I recently attended.

💡 See the show no...

Hi, Fellow Dads,

If you had just a few minutes to speak on national television, what would you say? What if you had only five words? Come with us as we meet several men whose biographies show that they had a clear, brief, put powerful message for which they are known. This episode includes book recommendations as well as tips for finding your life message.

Nathan

1 Corinthians 14:19

John 3

Psalm 119:12, 26, 33, 64, 68, 124, 135

Hebrews 12:2

Ephesians 2

Hebrews 11

“Because, ‘Ye must be born again.’”—George Whitefield...

Hi, Fellow Dads,

A few weeks ago, something special happened in Washington, D.C.—and it’s probably not what you’re thinking!

A new statue was unveiled in the Capitol, engraved with a most unusual title: Preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

If someone were to make a statue of you, Dad, could they put the same title on it? Should they be able to? What is the gospel, anyway—and what books can help us and our families ground our lives in it?

Nathan

Hi, Fellow Dads,

Every Christian dad has been appointed by God to be the shepherd of his own home. Does that thought overwhelm you as it does me? But God hasn’t left us alone in this! He has given us wise counsellors to walk alongside and share the wisdom and experience He’s given them. Join us today to hear from one of those wise counsellors—our guest, Pastor Darin Kelsey—as he shares some tips that helped him lead his children to love the Lord, and of course some book recommendations as well!

Learning...

Intro

Hey Fellow Dads,

Imagine a bookshelf full of all the great stories you’ve ever read or heard about. What do most of them have in common? Once you’ve found that mystery link, how can you use it to strengthen family ties and lead your family to walk by faith?

Nathan

The Odyssey, by Homer

Pilgrim’s Progress, by John Bunyan

Undaunted Courage, by Stephen Ambrose (contains some material not suitable for youth)

Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret...

Hey Fellow Dads,

Are the struggles of life and the decline of society getting you and your family down? About 2500 years ago, a group of men in similarly troubled circumstances once led their families to rejoice in God——and we can still learn from their example. Today’s episode discusses how they did it and what books we might use to help our families on our journey to joy.

Nathan

Hey Fellow Dads,

How should we relate to our authorities? What does the Bible teach us? Are we modeling these right attitudes and actions for our families?

Nathan

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. That...

Hi, Fellow Dads,

Is the USA an ordinary country, or is there something special about her? Does it matter? Should we care? In this episode, my firstborn joins me to discuss five misconceptions many Americans believe about our country, along with five books that answer those misconceptions.

Leaning on Jesus,
Nathan

Romans 13:1-2
1 ¶ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and t...

Hi Fellow Dads,

At some point, we will all endure the loss of a loved one. How will our families make it through and maintain confidence in God and faith in His word? Here are some truths God has been teaching me to teach my family as we have been mourning the loss of a precious loved one.

Leaning on Jesus,

Nathan

James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what [shall be] on the morrow. For what [is] your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and...

Hey Fellow Dads,

How should wise, godly men relate to their mothers, mothers-in-law, and grandmothers? How do we lead our children—especially our sons—to do so? In this episode we'll think about four scriptural guidelines, along with a handful of helpful books, to help us relate to these important women as God intends us to.

—Nathan

“When all is said and done, it is the mother, and the mother only, who is a better citizen than the soldier who fights for his country. … The mother who does her part in rearing and traini...

Hey Fellow Dads!

Why should we bother with history? Isn’t it just facts about dates and dead people? Or is there some actual, as well as practical, value to learning the stories of the past?

In this episode, I share five reasons we as dads should know history ourselves, and then pass it on to our children!

—Nathan

Intro

Hey Dads,

Nothing can replace your voice speaking truth and stability into your children’s hearts, and no one can replace you being present in their lives. But is there a way they can continue to hear your voice when you have to be away for a time?

In this episode I discuss one way we can reach out to our children—even from afar—to influence them with truth, bind our hearts together with theirs, and simply show them we’re thinking about them and love them. This small project can be fun for you...

Hey Dads,

Do you sometimes find yourself or your family becoming self-absorbed, forgetting the suffering of imprisoned and persecuted Christians around the world? Or do you even know how to find out about those who are suffering?

Today’s episode lists books and resources to keep your family informed and gives ways to take your stand for Christ and help them. Let’s follow God’s command to “remember them that are in bonds”—our brothers and sisters in Christ!

--Nathan

Hebrews 13:3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; a...

Hey Dads,

What are your plans for this Resurrection Sunday? Are you helping your family rejoice in Jesus’ victory over death? In this episode, we first explore what Christ’s death and resurrection mean for us today, then list ideas for Scriptures, books, music, and more to help your family celebrate the true meaning of this Easter season.

He is risen—let’s rejoice!

--Nathan

📖 Simple Sermons on the Savior’s Last Words, by W. Herschel Ford

📖 ...

Hey Dads,

We believe that God created the natural world . . . but how often do we get out in it? And are we leading our children to learn about nature as a way of growing their faith in the Creator? Tune in today to learn why and how nature stories can be an important part of your family culture and education.

--Nathan

Hey Dads,

You want to stock your family’s bookshelves with great books, but your time (and likely your budget) are limited. With so many millions of books to choose from and seemingly thousands of possible places to buy them, how do you decide where to look? Listen in for twelve of our favorite book sources. I'll also share some of the treasures we’ve found at each!

--Nathan

Betterworldbooks.com (Better World Books)

Free shipping on most books.

Thrift stores (Salvation Army, Goodwill, Save...

Hey Dads,

What books might your child (especially those around the preteen years) enjoy reading alone or with the family--books that could both entertain and encourage them in their Christian faith?

In this episode my favorite daughter joined me for a conversation about an inspiring story she read recently, how we have weekly Daddy Times, favorite books, and a few favorite book series we hope you can enjoy, too!

Aloha,

Nathan

📖 Stories of America, by Charles Morris (published by Simply Charlotte Mason)

📖 Amy and Her Brothers, author u...

Hey Fellow Dads,

Have you ever wondered if the Old Testament is really relevant for today? Is it worth studying with and reading to our families, or should we “unhitch” ourselves from the O.T. and focus only on the New? Today we ask ten questions about the Old Testament—and find the answers mostly in the New Testament.

Aloha,

Nathan

💡 For a full outline including Scriptures for each point below, see the show notes at https://refreshpublishing.com/031-read-the-old-testament

Hey Dads,

As Christian dads, we long for our children to follow God’s path with joy-filled hearts. We pray they will delight in God Himself. But is there something we need to make sure we ourselves are doing first?

In Ep. 30, my longtime friend Jonathan Ballou talks with me about how we as dads need to “secure our own mask first” to guide our families in the right way.

With Much Aloha,

Nathan

Hebrews 7:27

"The journey of missions has always had a strong connection to adv...

Hey Dads,

Do you have certain books that are so good you want everyone in your family to experience them? If you have multiple children in different age brackets, it’s easy to assume that what you’ve shared with one, they all should know. How do we record and remember our reading so that no one misses out on their part of the feast? Tune in today and find out!

Nathan

Psalm 23:5
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my c...