Raising Godly Boys Minute

Latest Episodes:

#568: Out of the Heart Feb 08, 2024

Show notes

It’s getting harder and harder to find programming on TV, movies in the theaters, or books in the bookstore to which we, as parents, feel comfortable exposing our children.

Guarding their hearts and minds becomes infinitely more difficult the day you hand them their first smartphone.

Because boys are typically very visual, in both their learning and what stimulates them emotionally, our “visual society,” with all of its ungodly trappings becomes a literal minefield, slowly destroying their boyhood innocence, one blast at a time.

We know the saying: “Garbage in, Garbage out.” Jesus phrased it like this: “From out of the heart, the mouth speaks.”* What are your boys viewing that will eventually come out as words and deeds? And does the answer to that question alarm you?

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

#567: Belonging Feb 07, 2024

Show notes

Have you ever felt like an outsider? Like you didn’t fit in?

God created us with an innate desire to belong, to connect with others, to be part of a community.

Our sons are no different. Even when they act uninterested, hide in their room, or say they don’t care, they still long to fit it. They want to join with others and experience the thrill of being part of something bigger than themselves. Our job is to steer them toward a group with healthy goals and positive influences. Pray about a place for them to belong.

Encourage your boys to join a Christian group like Trail Life, where they can experience God’s creation, mature into godly men, and accomplish tasks alongside others.

For information about a Proven Process that is helping boys grow into godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#566: JD Feb 06, 2024

Show notes

Does your son know how to succeed?

A young boy was talking to JD, an infectiously happy disc-golf expert who drove trucks for a living.

Eyes crinkling, JD told the boy, “I figured out the secret to making money as a truck driver. Wanna hear it?”

The boy nodded eagerly, and JD answered with a smile, “Keep the left door closed.”

What JD meant was, “don’t stop unnecessarily; keep on driving.”

Whether your son is climbing a mountain, practicing for football or soccer, or learning a trade, the secret to success is often that simple; just keep going. Persistence brings success, and small successes now mean you have prepared him to succeed on a much larger field: in life.

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

#565: Only One String Feb 05, 2024

Show notes

Teach your son to do the best he can with what God has given him.

Violinist Niccolo Paganini was playing a piece in front of an audience when, one by one, his violin strings began to snap. Finally, Niccolo was left with only one single working string. Unfazed, he finished the piece on the single string he had left.

This is a wonderful example of focusing on our strengths. Our Creator has a specific purpose for every young man’s life. But sometimes, it’s easy for boys to only look at their weaknesses and decide that they aren’t equipped to do great things.

Instead, help your son focus on his strengths, and offer those to God. After all, our Lord can create beautiful music with any number of violin strings.

For more ideas for raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#564: Sibling Rivalry Feb 02, 2024

Show notes

Tim Allen once said, “Do you know what causes sibling rivalry? Having more than one kid.”

Worldly speaking, this is true. And funny. However, from a biblical perspective, the cause of sibling rivalry can reside in an “only child” household, too, for the ultimate cause is our sinful nature. The selfish cries of “Mine!” can manifest themselves in the presence of friends or relatives just the same.

Jesus taught us that the entire Law of God can be summed up in two steps: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and Love your neighbor as yourself.* Who’s closer to being a neighbor than a sibling?

For when we teach our boys to have the heart of our Savior, siblings become more than mere flesh and blood with whom to compete.

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

#563: DaVinci Feb 01, 2024

Show notes

Is your son ready to face life?
Would you like him to be?
Giving your son challenges to overcome strengthens him to take on more.
Hiking a misty morning trail, sweating and pushing himself on the football field, or learning the thrill of shooting his kayak down a roaring rapid, powering through the river with eager strokes all build in him a mindset of success to overcome what life brings him.
Leonardo DaVinci once said, “Obstacles cannot crush me. Every obstacle yields to stern resolve. He who is fixed to a star does not change his mind.”
Give your son the opportunity to succeed. Carefully select challenges to push him and show him how strong he really is.
For more information about raising your son into a godly man, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#562: Kinesthetic Learner Jan 31, 2024

Show notes

“You’re not listening.”
Have you said this to your son lately? Maybe he was clicking his pen or fidgeting with a toy rather than paying attention to your words.
He appears to be ignoring you. However, his annoying behavior could be what helps him understand your instructions.
Boys can’t process sentence after sentence after sentence. Typically, they are kinesthetic and learn best when physically engaged in an activity. So, rather than sitting across from your son, try talking with him while participating in an activity together. Shoulder to shoulder, rather than eye to eye.
When you need to correct your son or offer him advice, get moving. Take a walk. Go for a bike ride. Build a fort. He’s more apt to hear your message.
For information about a Proven Process that is helping boys grow into godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#561: Einstein Jan 30, 2024

Show notes

Does your son have a direction? Has he chosen what he wants his character to be?

You can help him do this, you know.

When you do, help him choose a character not based on pleasure or self, but on fulfilling God’s purpose for his life.

Albert Einstein once said, “To make a goal of comfort or happiness has never appealed to me; a system of ethics built on this basis would be sufficient only for a herd of cattle.”

Don’t raise your son as cattle. Raise him to be a godly leader whose first thought is not for himself, but for how he can serve his Savior.

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

#560: Missing Buttons Jan 29, 2024

Show notes

Teach your son to be a friend to all– even to those who are missing buttons.

In the classic children’s book Corduroy by Don Freeman, a little stuffed bear sits on a store shelf. Children see the bear and consider purchasing him. But when they see that Corduroy is missing a button on his overalls, they put him back on the shelf.

One day, a child decides to buy Corduroy, despite his missing button. When she takes him home, Corduroy thinks, “I’ve always wanted a friend.”

Your son is watching the way you treat others. Do you disregard and judge people because of their imperfections? Or, do you forgive and show grace?

Remind your son that Jesus was known for loving the misfits. As Christians, we should be a friend to all as well.

For more ideas for raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#559: Fish Talk Jan 26, 2024

Show notes

Have you ever wanted to talk to your son? Like, really talk? Life can come at them hard and fast in today’s world.

Chris was concerned about his son after cancer took his wife. His son always said he was fine, but Chris wondered.

On a campout with their troop, when all the rock-climbing and tower-building was complete, Chris and his son went to fish. As the sun was setting and Canadian geese circled in to settle on the opposite side of the pond, Chris’ son said simply, “Mom would have liked this.”

Chris was quiet. “I miss her,” his son said, then broke down in tears. Chris dropped his rod and wrapped him up in a big hug, and they were able to talk– really talk. Make space to hear your son’s heart.

For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com

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