Raising Godly Boys Minute

What does a cactus have to do with your son?

The saguaro cactus is an amazing desert plant. It stretches high into the air like a telephone pole, reaching heights of 40 feet or more.

But did you know that this colossal cactus grows slowly? It isn’t unusual for it to be 2-inches tall on its 10th birthday. Soon after, the saguaro begins growing faster and keeps up this steady growth until eventually towering over other cacti species.

Maybe your son is like the saguaro. Maybe he’s a slow learner at home or at school. Sure, it’s fine to get your son extra tutoring help, but it’s important to realize that we all have different rates of physical, mental, social, and even spiritual growth. The key is to continue growing—little by little and day by day.

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

How do YOU feel about … puzzles?

When putting together a 500-piece puzzle, you don’t normally complete it all at one time. You work on it a few minutes here and a few minutes there. But gradually, the pieces start coming together until—at long last—you see the entire puzzle in all its glory.

Too often, we expect our children to mature faster than what is realistic. We wish to see the entire picture of their youth from the very start. But the growth process doesn’t work that way. God’s picture for our children’s lives is assembled one piece at a time. Clear communication fits into instruction, and quality time fits into encouragement.

As we rely on God for guidance, He transforms the pieces of our children’s lives into a beautiful masterpiece.

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

How’s your balance? And I'm not talking about your checkbook!

In June of 2012, Nik Wallenda walked from the United States’ side of Niagara Falls to the Canadian side. Sounds easy, until you realize that he walked high above the raging waterfalls on a 2-inch tightrope.

Even though Wallenda held a 40-foot balancing pole in his hands, gusts of wind and swirling spray made the long crossing mentally and physically exhausting.

At times, parents feel almost as much stress as a daredevil on a tightrope. We have to balance jobs and home responsibilities with our children’s academic studies, sports programs, and other activities.

When you start feeling off balance, remember Ecclesiastes 3:1. It says, “To everything there is a season.” This reminds us to take one task at a time, and to rely on God for continued strength and balance.

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

What do Grammy-award winning artist Jay-Z, former President George Washington, and Olympic medalist Michael Phelps all have in common?

All three men were raised by single parents. 

Today, about forty percent of boys are also raised solely by their mother– an epidemic that continues to grow. If you’re one of those hero single parents, do not lose heart. God sees you and knows the challenges you face.

If you’re not a single parent, look for young men in your life who need a father-figure. A game of catch, a fishing trip, or encouragement from the stands at a track meet can make a life-changing difference.

Who knows? You might just be cheering on a future music star, president, or Olympic medalist.

To learn about the 5 Critical Needs of boys, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

A battle rages—and boys are on the front lines. They are daily bombarded by anti-Christian philosophies:

Relativism—disrupts truth and biblical morality,

Humanism—teaches that a person must depend on himself, not God, if this is true, then why do we even need God?

And evolution—teaches that we evolved by mere chance, the very existence of a loving Creator is ridiculed.

Don’t let these worldly philosophies destroy your son’s faith in Christ. Teach him to stand on the solid Word of God.

Training your son in today’s secular culture isn’t easy. It requires time and attention. Learn about a Proven Process that can help you accomplish this. Visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com for free downloadable resources.