It was just three simple words.

Evangelical Louis Palau was fighting terminal lung cancer. During that time, someone asked him, “After you pass away, if you could send a message down from heaven to all believers, what do you think you would say?”

Palau thought for a moment, then responded with three simple words: “Go for it.”

That kind of God-rooted courage is one of the most important traits to instill in our son.
When he’s little, this looks like letting him climb and explore in age-appropriate ways. When he’s older, this means stepping back to allow him to attempt things and fail big.

And when our son expresses a dream to us, let us be the first one to echo Palau’s encouraging words– “Go for it.”

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

Have you ever had a mentor or teacher that you wish you had listened to?

In a whitewater course, two seasoned veterans taught  the intricacies of draw strokes, pry strokes, reading a rapid, and the joy of eddy turns.

But five minutes onto the river, one boy panicked, ignored the calls of his mentors, and ended up capsizing his canoe in the middle of a rapid and wrapping it around a large rock, while everyone else eddied up safely on the other side of the river.

Teach your son to listen to the voice of his leaders.  This life can be a swift river with dangerous rocks at every turn.  A good mentor can make all the difference in the world.

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

David Thomas, a psychologist, was attending an elderly grandpa’s funeral.

David watched as two of the man’s grandsons approached the casket. One boy, who was six years old, cried loudly. Beside him stood another boy– fourteen years old– who was  holding back his tears.

David overheard some adults express concern about the crying six year old. But David was more worried about the silent older boy. While the six year old was clearly processing his emotions, the fourteen year old was bottling up feelings that would have to be dealt with eventually.

When your son goes through a loss or something difficult, be sure to help him process his feelings. Let him know that it’s more than OK for men to display emotions– after all, Jesus cried openly, too.

For more ideas on raising boys to be godly men, go to TrailLife USA or Raising Godly Boys.com.

What is Black Friday, really?  What is it about?

Pursuing hard-to-find items only available for a short time is a treasure hunt to many.

How can you use Black Friday to teach your children about faith in Christ?

The bible says few find the path to salvation, and this short life is the only time we have to find it.  In some ways, Black Friday is like the man who found a hidden treasure in a field and sold everything he had to get it.

Give your children every opportunity to know the love of Christ.  Teach them to cling to their faith as the most precious, hard-to-find treasure they’ll ever know by living that faith in your own life for them to see.

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

What is your son thankful for?

The Pilgrims were thankful to be alive.  They fled from religious persecution, faced the terror of the North Atlantic in a tiny ship and potential starvation when their supplies ran out.

Today, your son faces new and harsh challenges to his faith and even his identity as a male.  How can you help him navigate past his obstacles into godly, thankful manhood?

Model Christ for him.  Live out your faith.  Teach him to love the word of God.

Also, give him godly mentors and surround him with others on the same path.  Provide carefully selected challenges to strengthen him.

11The joy of his journey and his success as a godly man will make you both thankful.

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

“I guess I haven’t learned that yet.”

That’s a phrase coined by author Shauna Niequist [knee-kwist].  After her two sons, Henry and Mac, had lived in a small town their whole life, Shauna and her husband moved the family to New York City.

As her sons struggled with the transition to city life, Shauna pinned a piece of paper to the wall with the phrase “I guess I haven’t learned that yet” on it. She reminded her boys that everyone is growing and learning, and that it’s fine to not know everything.

Your son might need to hear that, too. When he makes a mistake, reassure him that it’s a normal part of growing up. Remind him that God’s grace is sufficient to cover every last one of the things we haven't learned yet.

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

One educator said we live in a day of hurried loneliness, with hundreds of Facebook friends but not two with whom we think and share deeply.  Families rush from one activity to another.  To some people, the idea of a family sitting down together and leisurely sharing a meal is an idea from a Norman Rockwell painting.

Parents, we must plan to make meaningful conversation happen. 

We can embrace intentionality. Without it, family devotions, meaningful conversation, and spiritual practices won’t happen.  We will just stay busy. 

As Thanksgiving approaches, stop for a few moments and make a plan.  Ask, “How will I intentionally help my family practice gratitude the next two weeks and have meaningful conversations?

That will produce beauty greater than autumn leaves.

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

For what are you thankful?

Author Jerry Bridges called unthankfulness one of our “respectable sins,” easily accepted as normal.

The Bible exhorts believers to live a life of habitual thanksgiving. In our day of consumerism, we are wise to practice the habit of gratitude and teach our families to do the same.

Don’t lose the spirit of Thanksgiving.  Claim it, prepare for it, and practice the art of that holiday.
Regardless of our circumstances, we can give thanks.

Father figures can thank the Lord for our abundant blessings. Even the giving of thanks in difficult or disappointing circumstances can be done based on God’s promises.

As we move through November, let’s practice gratitude, and influence the boys in our lives to do the same.

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

Ralph Waldo Emerson opined, “Life is not so short but that there is always time for courtesy and chivalry.”

Have you ever been encouraged by the smallest courtesy?  Holding the door, bringing a glass of water, or any small thing is enough to brighten our day.

Has anyone ever risen to your defense?  Stood up for you?  Told others you were right?  It is a great feeling.

There is great power in acts of courtesy and chivalry, and you can give that power to your children.  They can brighten others’ days, stand for what is right, and make a difference.  Give your children the power to lift others up.

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

Do girls feel more emotions than boys?

David Thomas, a psychologist and author, says this common belief is not true. He says boys feel just as deeply as girls, but often don’t know how to process those feelings as well as girls do.

As parents of boys, it’s important that we help our sons put words to their feelings. One way to do that is to simply discuss emotions out loud. When you’re watching a TV show with your son, discuss what  characters seem to be feeling– are they embarrassed? Frustrated?

You can even find charts of feelings words online and put them on your fridge. Help your son find words for his feelings, and you might be surprised to discover the range of emotions he goes through each day.

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