Did you know that the human heart beats about 100,000 times a day, and the average heart will beat more than three billion times in its lifetime?

Many of the problems boys face today are heart-related — not physically, but emotionally and spiritually.

The heart of the matter is truly a matter of the heart!

As parents raising godly boys, we need to be careful to guard our hearts and help boys guard theirs.

King Solomon said it best in Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

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

Can fear actually be a good thing?

According to the Scriptures, there are two types of fear. The fear of the Lord and the spirit of fear.

Proverbs says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. But in 2 Timothy 1:7 it says God has not given us a spirit of fear.

The fear of the Lord is that voice inside of us that tells us what we’re about to do may cause harm. It’s the feeling you get when you are too close to the edge of a cliff.

The spirit of fear is from the enemy and it breeds confusion, anxiety, and ultimately inaction. It keeps people from being able to step out into what God has called them to do.

Take some time today to teach your son the difference between the fear of the Lord and the spirit of fear.

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

At sea level, water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit. But it probably doesn’t take that much heat to make your blood boil. Does your son pretend not to hear you? Is he repeatedly ignoring your instructions? Does he say sarcastic remarks that irritate you?

Parenting boys isn’t easy. The path toward maturity is often steep and bumpy—twisting and turning in unexpected ways. And because boys have a mind of their own, what they think is funny may actually be incredibly rude.

When you feel hot under the collar, take heart. Even though God never promised that the parenting journey would be easy, he promised to provide you help from day to day. And knowing that God is always faithful will help calm and cool your boiling blood.

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

Have you ever been to a circus or zoo where animals perform tricks? Maybe you’ve seen a seal balance a bright red ball on its nose. Or maybe you’ve seen a monkey ride a tiny bicycle.

Training animals takes lots of work and patience. But even more difficult than taming animals is taming the tongue.

James 3:8 says, “But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”

The tongue gets a lot of people in trouble. That’s why it’s important you train your son to guard his tongue. When he gets frustrated, provide tips on how to calm down. Help him understand that even small words can have big consequences. But also help your son realize that words can bring joy and happiness.

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

Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase, “Grow up. Be a man!”

The rebuke is usually directed toward a boy who is being whiny or acting childish. But being a man involves much more than simply reaching a certain age.

1 Timothy 4:12 says, “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.”

Becoming a man involves physical, mental, and spiritual growth. All three aspects are necessary in achieving a balanced lifestyle that honors the Lord.

So, how are you doing in helping your son in these areas?

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 RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

How about creating a regular meeting time with your son?

For years, every weekday morning, Pastor John Tyson and his son Nate would get up and do a devotional together. They called it their early morning meetings– and Tyson says it blessed both of them immensely.

You can adopt this practice with your own boy. Use your morning drive time to listen and discuss a Bible passage together.  Or, choose a devotional book, and read it together each night before your son goes to bed.

Your son may not talk much during these meetings, especially at first. But I can promise you that God will bless your time together. All you have to do is show up.

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

Ever wonder if your discipline and teaching is really resonating with your son? 

Mandy, the mom of a defiant 2-year-old, had been diligently trying to teach her son to clean with a broom and dustpan. But even after lots of repetition, he didn’t seem to be learning it at all. One night, during a temper tantrum, her son threw food on the floor. Mandy couldn’t believe it when her son got a broom and dustpan and cleaned up his own mess. 

Parenting your son is really just teaching him the same lesson hundreds– if not thousands– of times. It may seem like your boy isn’t getting it. But don’t lose heart. As Galatians 6:9 says, “you will be rewarded…if you don’t give up.” 

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

Your son can learn from your inconveniences.

Jack and his son were driving to football practice when they got a flat tire. By the time they had put on the spare, driven to the mechanic, and replaced the tire, Jack’s son had completely missed his practice. Jack felt bad– but he was grateful his son now knew how to handle a flat tire. 

When you experience things like car trouble or house maintenance issues– make sure your son observes how you handle them. More than just learning the practical skills, he needs to see how you handle the challenges of life. So next time you experience an inconvenience– remember your son is learning from your every move. 

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

You don’t have to get it perfect. But you do have to get it right. 

Raising a son can be one of the hardest experiences of your life. And it’s very easy to focus on all the ways you fall short. Although God never commands you to be a perfect parent– He does give some guidelines.

Ephesians says not to provoke your son. Proverbs reminds you to be diligent in discipline. Deuteronomy encourages you to regularly discuss Scripture with your boy. And of course, we should also pay close attention to the verses about doing all things with love and a gentle spirit.

On the days when you mess up, ask God for grace, ask your son for forgiveness, and keep moving forward. God will give you what you need.

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

Are you raising a “man–ager”? 

Pastor Jon Tyson coined this phrase, which describes a man who is physically an adult but still living like a child– playing video games all night, living with his parents, and not pursuing higher education or a stable career. 

Pastor Tyson says that one of the biggest things that separate a boy from a man is the confidence to pursue hard things in life. 

As your son grows up, be sure to allow him to face difficulties, even in situations when you could easily solve the situation yourself. Your goal is not to give your son an easy, pain-free life– but to give him the skills and confidence he needs to do difficult, worthwhile things, and contribute to society and God’s greater kingdom. 

To learn about the five critical needs of boys, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.