As we wind down 2008 and shift our focus to the new year ahead, I’d like to give you what I consider to be a very, very important “Dad Tip.”

Here it is:
Create a list of “must-read” books that you believe will benefit you greatly and help you improve in the area of being a better husband and dad this year.

Then, start reading those books, one at a time. And keep your list on your night stand beside your bed.

Now, depending on how much of a reader you are will determine how many books will be on your list. But I suggest at least one book a month.

There are a surprisingly growing number of books out there that have been written just for us dads on fatherhood and marriage.

One book that I STRONGLY recommend you put at the top of your list — to read at the beginning of the new year and not later on — is a quick but very helpful book by Andy Stanley called “Choosing To Cheat: What Happens When Work and Family Collide.”

I would give a copy to every FamilyDads subscriber if I had the financial means to do so. That’s how strongly I feel about this book.

I know from personal experience after reading and applying to my own life and family how radically transforming the truths in this book are.

The basic premise is that we all cheat. That is, we all make decisions every day to give up one thing in order to gain something else that we consider is of greater value.

Sometimes we cheat in a “good” way, like when we cheat our tastebuds and say no to dessert for the benefit of our waistline.

But all too often, when we apply “cheating” to the arena of our schedule, we are faced with a variety of choices and opportunities that are each competing for our attention — our most valuable resource — our TIME.

Work… Family… Hobbies… House Projects… Sports…

The list is endless.

Andy Stanley has spent hundreds of hours with dads who have cheated their families for the sake of their career goals.

One decision after another to work late at the office and cheat family time. Or cheat our children’s ball games and activities because of workloads and work deadlines.

But without making significant changes, cheating our family has the potential to erode the foundations of even the strongest marriages — and damage our relationships with our children.

The solution, strangely enough, is similar to the problem. Both involve cheating.  Simply put, we must choose to cheat at work rather than at home.

Choosing To Cheat is ultimately a book about establishing priorities — those things we say “yes” to even when it means saying “no” to other important things. It is a principle that is already at work in our lives.

When we choose to cheat in accordance with God’s priorities for our lives, it is an invitation for Him to bless us and our family in ways we never dared to imagine.

What will be your priorities in 2009? What will you choose to cheat?

Learn More and Order “Choosing To Cheat” for yourself, or as a gift for a fellow dad, co-worker, or friend, at DadResources.com, the bookstore that supports FamilyDads–
http://www.DadResources.com/product.asp?itemid=15

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

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.