Do you hear voices?

There are many voices in the world competing for our attention, but none can compare to the voice of the Lord. 

God speaks to His children, sometimes audibly, but mostly through His Word, the Bible.

Are you listening for and to God’s voice? Or are you letting worldly voices silence Him?

How can you recognize God’s voice? 

In John 10:27, Jesus said, “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

God’s voice will never contradict His Word. And when we hear God’s voice, we need to obey Him.

Let’s teach boys to recognize and heed God’s voice before any other voices.

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

Rachel’s six-year- old son loves to play t-ball. He admires his coach and enjoys carrying around his bat. But there is one thing he loves more than anything else– his bright green uniform.

There’s a reason for this. As young men grow up and learn to navigate social settings, they are always asking three questions– “Who is with me?” “Who is in charge?” And, “What is our mission?”

On sports teams, the uniform is a symbolic answer to those questions. In life, it’s not always so clear. It’s up to us as parents to help our son find positive peers, such as in a church setting; introduce him to godly mentors and dad-like figures; and remind him to live for an audience of One– and glorify his Creator.

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

Do you remember the last time your child lied to you and how it made you feel?

According to research, parents are the primary victims of lying, with 86 percent of lies being told to them.

Kids often believe they are clever enough to fool their parents, but fathers and mothers usually see right through their lies.

Parents are not as easily deceived as children think. Most of the time, the truth is clear and will come out sooner or later.

We should remind our children that God is omniscient. He knows everything we say and do. 

Telling the truth may be hard sometimes, but honesty, truly, is the best policy.

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

“Do yourself a favor. Take a kid fishing.”

That’s a quote from a man named Frank White, who produced a show called Southern Sportsman. He would say those words at the end of every broadcast.

Psychologists would agree with his suggestion. Fishing gives your son an opportunity to be outside, practice problem-solving skills, and connect with others. One study even found that combat veterans who went to a fly fishing retreat slept better and showed less symptoms of stress.

It’s fairly easy and cheap to get started. Many public libraries have rods and reels to check out for free. Go to your state’s game and fish department website and find a local body of water. Then, cast a line out with your son, and  marvel together at God’s amazing creation.

For more ideas to raise boys to become godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

How can you tell if someone needs encouragement?

If they are breathing, according to Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-fil-A.

Children can easily and quickly become discouraged, especially when tired or stressed, and become negative, self-critical, and depressed.

The Bible mentions “encouragement” a lot, including Hebrews 3:13, which tells us to “encourage each other daily.”

You can create an encouraging environment for your loved ones by building up and encouraging them more than criticizing and correcting them. 

Kids will know it is OK and safe to make mistakes and learn that God can use their failures to help them grow.

Parents should be their family’s CEO — Chief Encouragement Officers.

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

Your teen boy is going through a lot of changes. You might need to change a bit, too.

Of course, the fundamentals of godly parenting and discipline will stay the same. But as your son matures, it’s important to take a step back and prayerfully consider that a change in approach may be helpful.

For instance, a teen boy will most likely pull away from his mom and gravitate towards his dad. This is normal and healthy, and experts say to encourage that relationship. Many high school boys are also extremely hard on themselves and sensitive to criticism, so be sure to ramp up the encouragement and empathy. And finally, teen boys are dealing with a lot of hormones and emotions. Encourage your son to pursue healthy outlets, especially outdoor physical activity.

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

Have you heard the saying, “Life is better together”?

The Bible puts it this way in Proverbs 27:17: As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

Here are five ways you can live out being better together as a family.

Read together. Read the Bible and other books as a family.

Learn together. Share what God is showing you as read His Word. 

Talk together. Talk about what God is doing in your life.

Pray together. Thank God for all He's done for your family and pray for your family and other people.

Memorize scripture together. Like the psalmist, let’s hide God's Word in our hearts so that we will not sin against Him. 

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

What can you give your children and grandchildren that won’t cost you any money and will last forever?

Parents and grandparents who teach their children and grandchildren to know, love and follow Jesus will leave a spiritual inheritance that will last for generations and into eternity.

Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Have you encouraged your children or grandchildren to follow God? Do you pray for them to know and love Him? If you do not have children, are there any kids in your church or neighborhood for whom you could regularly pray?

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

“What does successful parenting look like?”

If you ask a group of parents this question, you would get a lot of different responses.

Most parents want their kids to graduate high school and college, get a good job, get married, have children, and live “happily ever after.”

As a parent, you can easily become focused on worldly success and helping your kids achieve the “American Dream,” but that’s not the goal in Christian parenting.

Your goal should be to raise your kids to know, love, and follow Jesus!

If you raise your boys to love the LORD with all their heart, soul, and strength, you have achieved parenting success.

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

Have you heard this saying? “Don’t major in the minors.”

We can easily get distracted in life and become consumed by things that don’t really matter.

Jesus often condemned the Pharisees for this type of behavior, giving them a stern lecture in Luke 11:42.

“Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.”

Let’s ask God to help us teach our boys to focus on the things that matter most: loving Him and loving our neighbors.

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