Raising Godly Boys Minute

Latest Episodes:

#288: Walk the Talk Jan 12, 2023

Show notes

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 sure what you say is backed up by what you do. Consistency in speech and action are a winning combination that your son will want to imitate.
For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#287: www. Jan 11, 2023

Show notes

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, when your son is old enough, have a heart-to-heart talk with him about how to react when the world wide web tries to tempt him.
Through careful instruction, you’ll help your son use technology wisely, without getting trapped.
For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#286: Laugh a Lot Jan 10, 2023

Show notes

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 encouragement within the home, your son will learn to relax and trust you for guidance and instruction. Plus, when you smile and laugh together, life is a whole lot more fun.
For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#285: Capture the Flag Jan 09, 2023

Show notes

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 even though we’ll have to combat sin as long as we’re alive, placing God first in our lives will help us overcome temptation. When we allow God to capture our heart, we’ll be victorious in life.
For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#284: Brr! Jan 06, 2023

Show notes

Do you like cold weather? When the temperature dips into single digits, does the frosty air make you shiver?
Regardless of whether or not you like cold weather, make sure your relationship with your son is anything but frosty. At times, your son will annoy you, causing an icy chill to develop between you. When he doesn’t obey your instructions, the bitter cold of irritation may blow in.
Don’t let chilly words or frigid actions freeze the love you feel for your son. Even during challenges and frustrations, love will thaw even the coldest of hearts and bring warmth and life to your relationship.
If you need a little help and encouragement, check out Trail Life USA. They have a bunch of fun and exciting programs that are helping boys grow into godly men. For more information, visit RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#283: Scars Jan 05, 2023

Show notes

Can you point to a scar on your body? Perhaps, as a kid, you cut your arm when falling off your bike, or scraped a leg while climbing a tree.
Some boys think scars are cool because they tell an exciting story. But not all scars are visible.
Emotional scars often hurt more than physical wounds. When correcting your son, what kind of words are you using? Hateful speech can scar a boy’s spirit and enthusiasm. Even a person’s tone of voice can cause deep wounds that may not easily heal.
When correcting your son, ask the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts and words as you train and instruct. By doing so, you’ll leave your son with valuable lessons instead of invisible scars.
For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#282: Twist on Golden Rule Jan 04, 2023

Show notes

Here’s an interesting parenting twist on the golden rule.
Psychologist Dr. Joshua Straub suggests that, when it comes to your son, you replace the word “treat” with the word “understand.” So the golden rule then becomes “understand your son the way you want to be understood.”
Now, understanding your son may seem like an impossible task– especially if he’s a teenager! But here’s some ideas to start. When your son gets upset over something that seems unimportant to you, instead of saying “there’s nothing to be mad about,” put yourself in your son’s shoes. Most likely, there’s an underlying fear or insecurity behind your son’s anger.
Seek to understand. And in turn, your son may begin to understand your side, as well.
For more ideas on raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#281: Emotion Surfing Jan 03, 2023

Show notes

Surfers don’t try to avoid the waves or control them– they learn to glide over them.
In the same way, family psychologist Dr. Joshua Straub has developed three steps to help your son “surf” over his emotions, instead of stuffing them down or using them to hurt others.
First, empathize with your boy’s feelings. Second, address the behavior. Explain the difference between healthy and unhealthy ways to deal with emotions. And third, problem solve together. Help your son come up with coping strategies, like walking his dog when he feels angry or reading at night when he feels anxious.
Remind your son that emotions are a normal part of life that will ebb and flow. As one professor said, “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.”
For more ideas on raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#280: Turn Towards Him Jan 02, 2023

Show notes

Johnny dropped his bat to the ground, embarrassed that he had just struck out again. But when he glanced at the crowd and saw his dad give him a reassuring nod and smile, he felt his shoulders relax.
It’s easy as a parent to feel like you’ve “struck out” with your son when you lose patience or make a mistake. When this happens, you may start thinking that you’re a terrible parent, or that you’re destined to repeat the mistakes of your own parents.
Instead of letting negative thoughts take over, turn to God. Repent. Ask your Heavenly Father for reassurance. And, as Numbers 6:26 says, “may the LORD turn his face towards you and give you peace.”
To learn about the five critical needs your son has as he grows up, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#279: Tummy Time Dec 30, 2022

Show notes

Have you given your son any “tummy time” today?
“Tummy time” is a fairly new concept in the parenting world, in which parents of infants are encouraged to let their baby spend time on their stomach. Babies often protest and find it very uncomfortable. But without this valuable time, they will not strengthen critical muscles or eventually learn to crawl.
No matter your son’s age, he still needs one small challenge each day. This could be saying his own order at the restaurant, calling the vet to make an appointment for his dog, or completing a puzzle– anything that he would not normally choose to do himself. He may protest and find it uncomfortable, but it will strengthen his resilience muscle and build his self confidence.
For more ideas on raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

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