Now that US elections are over, what does it mean for us dads with families?

As it quickly became evident who the next US President would be, I actually got excited.

What?!?

No, not excited about who the next President will be.

After all, Barack Hussein Obama has the amazing non-partisan rank of 3rd most liberal Senator based on his actual voting record after only two years in office!

Knowing that a significant portion of the American people actually voted for someone with this record as their leader is very revealing of the true condition of the United States.

And that is what excites me — I see opportunity ahead.

Yes: Opportunity.

Opportunity for light to shine in darkness.

Opportunity for those of us dads who have found true life, hope, peace, and power in Jesus Christ to love people and offer real answers — real solutions — to their problems.

Because dark indeed will be the days ahead.

And the darker things become, the brighter true light will shine.

“You ARE the light of the world” is what Jesus said to His followers in Matthew chapter 6.

Not “TRY to be light” or “You SHOULD be light.”

So from one family dad to another, let me encourage you today to press on with greater hunger, desire, and resolve…

* To know God, study the Bible, and walk by faith

* To prioritize your family like never before

* To master your finances instead of be mastered by debt

* To improve your physical fitness without slacking

* To build strong, encouraging friendships with other dads

I believe these are the five core areas for dads with families to focus on: Faith, Family, Finances, Fitness, and Friendships.

In the midst of the darkness, great opportunity lies ahead to share abundant life with those who will be hurting, deceived, or facing hard times.

“I have come that they might have life, and have it abundantly” said Jesus Christ in John 10:10.

Blessings to you and your family,
Joey Watkins
Founder, FamilyDads

PS - Know a dad who is “bummed” about the election results? Send him to this blog post to encourage him about the opportunities ahead.

After serving as operations and marketing manager for a “workplace ministry” from 2004 to early 2008, I stepped down earlier this year so that I could give greater focus to prioritizing my family and discipling my children, as well as to launch a business/ministry to encourage other dads like you to prioritize your family and disciple your children. I believe this is one of the most important aspects of our lives as dads.

Every week, we men are tempted to consume ourselves with our work at the expense of our family — to make our work the highest focus of our lives. This is because of the amount of time we spend at work, the challenges we face at work, the level of responsibility we perceive in our work, and the money we receive in exchange for our time, our services, and our skills. And for many men, it is also because of the level of “calling” we believe we have in our work.

However, this focus on our work often results in neglecting the greatest influence we will ever have — in the lives of our children. Especially while they are young and still living in our homes.

This influence is our FATHER POWER. It is the level of influence we have in the lives of our children and their destinies simply because we are their fathers. It is the result of our relationship with them and our position of authority in their lives. Our relationship with each of our children will last for the remainder of our life, as well as impact them long after we are gone. And potentially for eternity.

Many of us dads miss this as we busy our lives with our work — week after week – month after month — while our children grow up receiving dominant influence from sources other than their dad.

If work is a higher priority in your life than your family, make a commitment to change that starting today. The FamilyDads emails are written to help you prioritize your family and disciple your children, to be encouraged as a dad, and to give you recommendations of helpful dad resources. Please forward these emails to other dads you know. And find one or two other dads to meet with regularly who share this desire to prioritize our families.

Two outstanding resources on today’s topic which I have personally read and give my highest endorsement are Father Power by Todd Wilson and Choosing to Cheat by Andy Stanley.

Your purchase of these books at www.DadResources.com
provides direct financial support to FamilyDads so we can reach more dads
with these critical messages of fatherhood.

I just created a new webpage of a video interview with John Eldredge that I highly recommend all men watch. Click here to watch. In this interview, John talks about several critical areas that we dads need to hear:

- The two fundamental questions every little boy is asking his dad

- The two core needs of every daughter that her daddy can meet

- Healing from the wounds we received from our own father

- The power a father has in the lives of his children

- God wants to be our father

- How to build true masculinity in your son

- The stages of a man’s life as illustrated by men in scripture

John is a New York Times best-selling author, speaker, and counselor. He is well-known for his popular books Wild At Heart, Way of The Wild Heart, and You Have What It Takes.

     

Your purchase of these books at www.DadResources.com
provides direct financial support to FamilyDads so we can reach more dads
with these critical messages of fatherhood.

Given the economic news in the headlines, let’s take a look at what we dads should be worrying about right now.

Just to be clear, Webster defines worry as “a mental distress or agitation resulting from concern usually for something impending or anticipated; anxiety”

So, with that in mind, as the fearless leaders of our families, what should we dads have anxiety over right now as we see the economic horizon before us and the dropping financial markets around the globe?

Should we worry most about how we’re going to pay our bills this month? How we’re going to pay for our children’s education? Marriage issues with our wife over our finances or other areas of stress? Concerns about keeping our job or making a profit from our business if we’re self-employed? The outlook of the economy of our country? Our savings? Health issues? Who will be the next President?

Oh, the list could go on and on…

Pressing issues can seem so huge and “in-your-face” when you’re a dad with a family.

But guess what?

The Bible says that there is absolutely NOTHING that we dads should be worrying about… NOTHING!

“Do not worry over things, but always by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding,  shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.”  — Philippians 4:6-7

Instead of worrying about whatever is trying to scare you this day, this week, or this month…

Instead, do what the Bible says:
1. Go to God in prayer
2. Ask Him specifically for your requests
3. Give Him thanks for hearing and answering your request
4. Focus your thoughts and your confidence in His provision

Peace from God will be your result — not worry.

Notice we are do to this *always*!

If you know a dad who is worrying about anything in his life or family, forward this email to encourage him with the Biblical solution for his worry.

You have such an important role to play in your family, dad. I pray God’s richest blessings on you today, protection from temptation, and a sense of urgency to proactively lead your family in all things.

Fixing The Money Thing

Author Gary Keesee’s past included massive debt, loans, liens, bounced checks, and much stress. Today he is completely free of all debt, owns several profitable businesses, and teaches people how to “fix the money thing” by applying spiritual laws in the area of finances.Learn More and Order