As you probably know, the US stock market had its largest single day drop in history yesterday. Many politicians at the federal level are trying their best to dump $700 billion of bad debt onto the US taxpayers. And all across the news headlines lately are stories of declining economies and financial uncertainty.

However, for us family dads, it does not have to be a season of financial despair and discouragement.

Earlier this year, my wife and I were sitting in a large church gathering when the pastor took a quick “diversion” from his sermon to make a very heart-felt and urgent plea. He said “Do whatever you have to do to get completely out of debt as soon as possible.” And then he returned to his sermon topic. My wife and I both looked at each other and felt very clearly his instruction was directed specifically to us.

Fellow dad, I want to strongly encourage you with these same words.

Debt is when we buy things we don’t currently have the money on hand to purchase. It is the result of either a failure on our part to delay a purchase until provision exists. Or it is simply used in complete ignorance of the spiritual power behind debt.

When we use debt to buy something, we are willingly placing ourselves in bondage to both the financial lender as well as in the spiritual realm. I believe it is a form of idolatry. We are replacing God by presumptuously satisfying our desires or needs through borrowing money to pay for something, instead of awaiting His provision in His timing.

Author Craig Hill says that “there is a spirit behind personal debt, which will hinder the flow of finances in one’s life.” The weight of paying back money you don’t have, along with the pile of interest that builds up, creates a form a slavery –  and YOU and your family become the slaves. This is NOT what we want for ourselves nor for our family.

So again, let me pass on to you the words that so strongly resonated within me when I heard them…

“Do whatever you have to do to get completely out of debt as soon as possible.”

A helpful resource on the topic of the spiritual power behind money is Living On The Third River by Craig Hill. Two very practical resources on debt, provision, and spiritual laws relating to money are Your Financial Revolution 5-CD Audio Set and the book Fixing The Money Thing by Gary Keesee. All of these resources and more are available in the “Money” section at www.DadResources.com

by Joey Watkins, Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Tom and Jeff are two dads I meet with regularly. Tom and I live across town from one another and our children are about the same ages. We have common beliefs and convictions about many aspects of life, and when our two families get together, we typically spend hours talking, praying, and enjoying each other’s company.

Jeff is another friend of mine whom I’ve known since high school. He lives about an hour’s drive away, and we intentionally meet for lunch about once a month and catch up on each other’s lives, families, work, and other matters on our hearts.

I can’t stress enough how important it is to have guy friends in your life whom you meet with regularly. Not just casual friendships to discuss your favorite sports or hobbies, but close friends with whom you can honestly share your challenges, concerns, struggles, and life stories.

Friends who not only encourage you and give their input into your life, but whom YOU also encourage and are a blessing to.

“Iron sharpens iron; so a man enlightens the face of his friend.” -Proverbs 27:17

Maintaining close friendships with other dads can be tough. It’s challenging to fit that quality time into your busy schedule month after month. It requires a resolve to maintain the friendship even when inconvenient. And we men don’t typically value relationships as highly as women do because we are wired more for performance and activity than relating.

But we MUST do it. Meet with at least two other dads regularly. If you don’t know any, pray and ask God to bring two to three men into your life in the near future whom you can develop close friendships with. And then watch carefully to see who He brings.

Don’t be an isolated dad. It’s too difficult to do life that way. And your children don’t need to see that modeled by their father. Even Jesus had Peter, James, and John as close friends.

When Dad Speaks
by Joey Watkins, Friday, September 12, 2008

One of the most powerful aspects of being a dad is the words you say to your children.

I’m not talking about casual words like… “go take the trash out” or “time for dinner” or “good night.”

I’m referring to the words of LIFE or DEATH you speak to them, like when you tell them you’re proud of them, or you love them, or they are a blessing to you.

Or when you speak negative words to them that are degrading, discouraging, humiliating, or
hurtful.

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Proverbs 18:21

The very words YOU speak can build up or tear down your son or daughter… at any age.

The words you speak can encourage your children… or destroy them.

The most powerful true story I’ve ever heard told about the “father power” of a dad’s words is by
singer/songwriter David Meece.

His story about his relationship with his father is incredibly impactful and full of many truths helpful to all of us who are dads.

You may even find parts of David’s story similar to your relationship with your own dad.

David has been gracious enough to make available a recording of his story at no charge. Download David’s story here and then take time to listen to it in the next couple days–

http://familydads.com/blog/david-meece-father-power-story/

Your thoughts? Encourage and challenge other dads with your input at the FamilyDads
blog.

Is there financial pressure in your home?

Financial tension with your spouse?

Is your primary focus on making more money?

Is there anxiety in your life over your financial condition?

Does earning money make you feel “successful”?

From one dad to another, I strongly encourage that you read
“Living On The Third River.”

It’s a quick, easy read that will radically change your thinking about money.

It begins with a story of three men who live on the side of a mountain along three rivers and how each man uses the water flowing down his river. The water represents money, and the way each man responds to the flow of water in his river reveals his true beliefs about provision.

You will quickly spot which river you are living on.

This book is about the spiritual power behind money and it’s influence on people.

Although it’s not a “kid’s book”, this is also an excellent resource to teach your children the truth about money, the spiritual power behind it, and the true source of financial provision.

I’ve read the story aloud with my children and will continue to do so regularly. I will even make this required reading for them on their journey to adulthood.

But don’t be mis-led. This book is for YOU, Dad.

It’s message can totally transform you in your understanding of money, the spiritual power behind it, the true source of provision, and how to become a financial blessing to others.

Get your copy of Living On The Third River.

by Joey Watkins, Thursday, September 4, 2008

In less than 60 days, many people across the United States will go to their local polling location and cast their vote for the next U.S. President. Predictably, the news media is fixated on John McCain and Barak Obama. Many, if not most, people look to the President as the individual who will solve the pressing problems facing the country.

However, there is a FAR more important and powerful leader than the winner of the upcoming presidential election.

That leader is YOU and me, Dad!

As dads, we are the most powerful person in our children’s lives. What do I mean by that? I’m talking about the level of INFLUENCE we have with them.

We influence them with our words, our actions, the time we spend with them, the time we don’t spend with them, what we teach them, what we model to them, how we relate to our children and our wife, our attitude toward our work, what we spend money on, what we do with our “free time,” and so on.

We have this unique influence JUST BECAUSE WE ARE THEIR DAD.

And it is FAR greater influence than the President has — both in this life and for eternity.

Dads who are committed to leading their families, demonstrating true loving fatherhood, praying for their spouse and children regularly, and instilling their values, faith, skills, and character into their children are the foundation for solving any country’s problems.

John McCain, Sarah Palin, Barak Obama, Joe Biden, or any other politician is NOT the answer… nor the problem.

Your thoughts? Encourage and challenge other dads with your comments below.