Raising Godly Boys Minute

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#598: Sermon on the Mound Mar 21, 2024

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Have you heard about the sermon on the MOUND?
Baseball manager Tommy Lasorda visited the pitcher’s mound to speak to his young, skinny pitcher who was getting shelled. He looked into his eyes and said, “I don’t see a scared, timid kid. I see a fighter. From now on, your name will be ‘Bulldog.’”
The name of the pitcher was Orel Hershiser, and he would go on to win the Cy Young award as the best pitcher in the National League. To this day, Hershiser credits his turnaround with what he calls Lasorda’s “Sermon on the Mound.”
Words from a mentor are powerful tools in growing confident young men.
Find an organization that emphasizes male mentorship and godly legacy. For more information on how to raise godly boys, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#597: Certainties Mar 20, 2024

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What’s your favorite Benjamin Franklin quote?
He famously said, “The only two certainties in life are death and taxes.”
We laugh at that because we know that life is certainly full of change.
This change is especially obvious in children. As parents, we sometimes wish our adorable toddlers would stay young forever. But they grow—and soon they’re attending kindergarten, then elementary, then high school.
In addition to growing physically and academically, our children also need to grow spiritually. The tragedy is that many boys are being misled by today’s anti-Christian culture that ridicules biblical masculinity.
Despite the winds of social change, stand strong on the foundation of God’s Word. Train your son to honor the Lord through his words, thoughts, and actions—and in this way grow into a godly man.
For fun outdoor activities that inspire boys to grow spiritually, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#596: Focus Your Perspective Mar 19, 2024

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Does your son ever complain? Most likely, yes.
Perhaps he whines about food or chores, or having to study for a test. Maybe he complains about not getting the latest digital gadget—or about not being allowed to do a certain activity.
Complaining is almost second nature. However, as a parent, be intentional in teaching your son to focus on the positives of life, rather than on the negatives.
That’s tough!
But by helping your son follow the Lord, his perspective of what’s important in life will change. And as his heart and mind focus on those things that are eternal, the trivial concerns of life will fade away.
But beware. This isn’t a quick transformation.
To help you along the way, Trail Life USA has fun programs that are helping boys grow into godly men. For more information, visit Trail Life USA or www.traillifeusa.com/raisinggodlyboys.

#595: Biblical Masculinity Mar 18, 2024

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What does it mean to be a man? Today’s anti-Christian culture defines a “real” man as being stylish, popular, and rich. But being a man involves so much more.
Qualities of biblical masculinity include:
Courage
Service
Leadership
Sacrifice
Commitment
Self-control
And unconditional love.
Are you teaching your son these characteristics?
In 1 Timothy 4:12, the Apostle Paul encourages Timothy with these words:
“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
Guide your son in becoming a godly man. Learn about a Proven Process that is helping parents accomplish this. For more information, visit Trail Life USA or https://www.traillifeusa.com/raisinggodlyboys.

#594: Magic Motivation Words Mar 15, 2024

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Do you know the four magic words to motivate your son?
These four words are powerful. These words might help your boy pay attention at school or cause him to clean his room.
Are you ready for the four words? They are:
“Here’s what’s at stake.”
You see, boys are motivated by challenges. And when they don’t know what’s at stake, it’s hard for them to stay focused.
Here’s an example. Maybe your son lacks motivation in his art class. If so, consider this– does he understand why learning about art is important?
Sometimes, the “what’s at stake” will be a natural consequence– and other times, you may have to create a consequence for your son. Either way, use the four magic words “here’s what’s at stake”-- and you just might see your son be motivated.
For more ideas for raising boys into godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#593: Teen Brain Mar 14, 2024

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“What were you thinking?” Most parents ask their son this question at least once.
Preteens and teens often make decisions without considering consequences. There’s a valid reason for this. Teen brains are still developing. The portion of their brain responsible for planning ahead and understanding the if-then effects, the prefrontal cortex, isn’t fully mature until the mid-20's. Until then, they need us to steer them toward healthy choices.
Their brains develop properly as they exercise positive decision-making skills. That means taking some risks, like learning tricks on a skateboard, and reaping the rewards while resisting unhealthy temptations, like staying up late or spending too much time staring at screens.
So, don’t be too hard on your son when his decisions appear impulsive; applaud him when he makes healthy choices.
For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#592: Transformation Mar 13, 2024

Show notes

Do you ever use things around you to teach truth? Jesus did it all the time.
A caterpillar, wrapping itself in a cocoon and emerging as a beautiful butterfly, is a good example of this teaching process. The caterpillar enters its “tomb,” dies to its former life of destroying plants, and changes into something wondrous and beneficial to those around it. We call it “metamorphosis.”
The Apostle Paul used this word Romans 12:2 when he said we were to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind…” By doing so, Paul says, a person dies to a former life, and becomes something heavenly.
As we celebrate Easter Sunday, the truth of the caterpillar is something little minds and hearts can comprehend. That’s why Jesus taught this way. He used simple illustrations, but oh, how profound is the truth.
For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#591: Hike Ultimate Mar 12, 2024

Show notes

How can you get your son to unplug from his electronics and go outside? You know his bones and muscles are atrophying with no activity, but how can you help him become the young man he has the potential to be?
Dane enrolled his son in Trail Life. On his first hike, he thought he might have made a mistake, for it was a long, exhausting trek up the side of a mountain. But when the other boys broke out frisbees and his son was sprinting across the meadow playing a game of ‘Ultimate’ even after a long hike, he knew he made the right decision.
Challenge your son. Give him an adventure. Only God knows what he can become.
For more information about raising your son into a godly man, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#590: Learning to Respect Women Mar 11, 2024

Show notes

Does your son know what it means to respect women?
He certainly isn’t going to learn this by watching society. Best-selling author and father Dave Willis says parents must be intentional about teaching their sons to view the opposite sex in a healthy way.
First, Willis says to have clear conversations. Discuss what behavior is and isn’t OK. Point out that, while Jesus was on earth, he treated women with utmost kindness and honor. Secondly, model respect. If you’re a single mom, seek out a male mentor for your son who you know treats women kindly.
And finally, encourage expressions of healthy masculinity. Help your son find a community of positive peers and male mentors. This could be a youth group, an after school program, or an outdoor adventure program like Trail Life USA.
To learn about raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#589: Peter Mar 08, 2024

Show notes

Life is hard. Is your son ready?

Does he have the tools to come face-to-face with the things you went through– and overcome?

When the disciple Peter stepped out of the boat to follow Jesus, it was a great act of intense faith. But the roar of wind and waves around him took his focus from Christ, and he began to sink.

Teach your son to focus intently on the face of Christ, and seek him with his whole heart. Live out for him the word of God as his map and compass through this life. Give him godly mentors to show him the way, and godly young men to help sharpen his faith to face the tests of life– and overcome.

For more information about raising your son into a godly man, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

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