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

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, 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.

by Joey Watkins, Friday, August 29, 2008

I was walking across my bedroom toward the bathroom when a thought occurred to me…

“Am I just living WITH my family, or am I LEADING my family?”

There is a huge difference…

A dad who just lives WITH his family simply co-exists with them under the same roof.  He may share meals with them, drive in the same vehicle, watch the same tv shows, and sleep in the same house at night.

But in reality, his focus, his time, his thoughts, and his attention are primarily given to matters unrelated to his family such as his work, sports, hobbies, and other interests.

A dad who LEADS his family is entirely different.

His thoughts are daily on his children and his wife. He prays for his wife and children.

His work does not dominate his life, even though he works with all his heart when he IS working.

He values and priortizes time with his family. He blesses them with his words. He serves them in love.

He is intentional about personally instructing his children in the ways of God: teaching them about love, faith, truth, forgiveness, evil, and more.

Dad, carefully examine your daily patterns. Determine if you are just living WITH your family or LEADING them.

Your children desperately need their dad to LEAD them. Your wife desperately needs her husband to lead the family.

Your feedback: Give your feedback or input below to encourage or challenge other dads on this topic.

R E S O U R C E   for   D A D S

Raising A Modern-Day Knight

A Father’s Role in Guiding His Son to Authentic Manhood

Looking for a tool to guide your son into transitioning from boyhood to manhood? This book by Robert Lewis is perhaps the most popular on the topic. Lewis looks at what it means to be a man and then gives ideas and practical ways you can guide your son with confidence to authentic, Biblical manhood. Learn More

Click Here to Order This Resource

by Joey Watkins

Today’s message is dedicated to all dads everywhere who have children still living at home. I pray this message will penetrate our hearts and impact our actions.

As tempting and overwhelming as it is, we must not let our work consume us. It is so passively easy to get wrapped up in our work, be absorbed in thoughts and actions to get our work done, take on more projects, try to bring closure to existing projects, focus our effort and energy on our work, and give constant attention to our job/career/business to generate more income or because our identity, purpose, or calling are falsely tied to our work.

All at the expense of our family… our wives and children. They crave time with us. They desperately need our time. They need us to simply spend time with them. Often. Daily.

They need our influence. They need relationship with us. And this cannot happen if our work consumes us.

Are our wives and children not the most important people on earth in our lives?

Do we not cherish them greater than everyone else?

Let us then be committed as dads to prioritize them. Every day. Not just on the weekends when we “unwind” from our work.

“But my work is my sacrifice for my family and my way of providing for them.”

The Bible says in 1 Samuel 15:22 that “…to obey is better than sacrifices.” God has called each of us dads to obey Him and His Word in raising our children and loving our wives. And that involves our TIME and proactive involvement in their lives.

As a husband and dad with 4 young children, I constantly remind myself of this message. I pray it stays at the top of your thoughts too.

R E S O U R C E S   for   D A D S