Identity ADOLESCENCE…is defined as the years from puberty to adulthood, roughly divided into three stages. Early adolescence is generally from 11 to 14; middle is ages 15 to 17 and late is 18 to 21. In addition to physiological growth, there are several key intellectual, psychological and social developmental tasks that are squeezed into these […]
Responsibility FATHERS…are primarily the male parents of a child. Most are biological, but there are adoptive, surrogate, stepfathers and even putative (a man whose biological relationship to a child is alleged but has not been established). There are also priests in the Catholic and a few other denominations that are called Fathers. We have ‘fathers […]
Director of affairs STEWARDSHIP…is defined as the office, duties and obligations of a steward. So, what is a steward? One employed in a large household or estate to manage domestic concerns. Primarily, it is ‘one who directs affairs’. Scripture addresses this in numerous places. I Corinthians 4.2 sets the standard of conduct. “Moreover it is […]
Many of us have had that boss, the one who micromanages and nitpicks details that are insignificant to the overall task at hand. He or she gives you a task and then checks in several times along the way and then tasks you with minute changes that have little impact. Have you become that kind […]
School shootings What’s The Cause? What’s The Solution?…seems like the appropriate questions to ask in light of the seventeenth school shooting in America this year, and it’s only early March. Seventeen or more families each have their own opinions down in Florida. That is, after they get through grieving and dealing with why, and why […]
Zechariah SURPRISES…are things or events that come into one’s life that were not planned or expected. I love to give and receive them. They add a zing to life. Of course, not all are positive. No need to list those. Some can be devastating. Kids are full of surprises, in what they say, do or […]
In our pursuit to be better dads, we looked at habits of financially successful people as well as resources from those who, as Theodore Roosevelt said are “…actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who come short again and again, because there is […]
Being an effective father requires being intentional. Intentionality starts with the basics and is best displayed by living a simple life. In a world that is hectic and hurried and a culture that encourages selfishness and excess, minimalism does not. And in a society that is rushing to gain more, satisfaction with less is counter-cultural. […]
Be aware SIX DEADLY D’S…hang around in most every life, haunting and challenging each of us in many ways. But they are especially daunting to young people trying to maneuver into adulthood. Dads need to be especially conscious of these in their children’s lives. So, what might these be? Discouragement…not receiving affirmation, fearing failure Disillusionment…all […]
Nothing much of what I’m going to say is original to me and so it’s a case study. I copy and steal everything. It’s proved helpful as most of us journey along and learn from our churches or our schools, or our mentors or friends. A lot of what I’m going to say is borrowed […]