Podcasts about trail life usa

Have you ever prayed over your son's room? Consider doing this the next time your son is at school or asleep. Standing at your son's bedroom door, pray Psalm 121:8: That the Lord will watch over his comings and his goings. Then, walk over to his bedroom window, and pray Matthew 6:33- that your son will seek first God's kingdom and righteousness. By his bedside, pray Psalm 4:8- That your son will lie down and rest in peace, because the Lord alone makes him dwell in safety. And standing in the middle of the room, pray Phillipians 4:6-7– that your son isn't anxious about anything, but with prayer and petition, makes his requests known to God, so that the peace of Christ fills your son's room and his heart. To learn about the five critical needs of boys, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Has your son ever been afraid?On a coastal night hike, the youngest boys in the group were scared when odd lights began flashing across the sky.  They grew more terrified as they hiked closer until they were directly underneath the lights!Turning the corner, they were delighted to find the source of the mysterious lights was a lighthouse in the distance; the lighthouse beam reflected off a power line and appeared to shoot across the sky.In life and on the trail, following experienced mentors and surrounding your son with other young men to keep him secure is a good plan for success, and a way to find the light at the end of the trail!For more information about raising your son into a godly man, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

What comes to mind when you hear the word reflector?Maybe you think of a car's taillight or those glittery objects that stick up in the center of the road. A reflector takes the light it receives and redirects it outward.In the darkness of today's culture, Christians have a responsibility to reflect the true light of the world. The question is, are you doing that? Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”Be bold in reflecting Christ. As you demonstrate courage in sharing the Gospel, your son will take notice. Then, before you know it, he'll want to be a reflector as well.For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Don't forget to enjoy life with your son. If you're like many parents, you are very concerned with parenting your son well. You work hard to help him succeed in school and learn responsibility. You research the best discipline strategies for him. You pray for him to know the Lord. Those things are excellent. But don't forget to kick back and have fun with your boy, too. Sit on the porch and play fetch with the dog together. Hop on bikes and find a new trail. Make ice cream sundaes. If your son is little, sit with him. Play trucks, color, or blow bubbles. You may only have a few minutes. But those few minutes will fill your son's love tank, and remind him that enjoying God's blessings is an important part of life. To learn about raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Did you charge up your cell phone last night? Mostly likely, you did. That meant plugging it into a power source so that electricity could recharge its battery. Each night, you probably recharge your phone so that it's ready to be used throughout the next day.As a parent, it's vital that you also take time to rest and recharge. This could take the form of physical relaxation, emotional support, or spiritual refreshment. There are many ways to recharge your internal “batteries,” but the key is to figure out what works for you, and then take time to rest.By plugging into God's Word, you'll receive a big boost of strength that will power you throughout the day. For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Is your son destined for greatness?Baroque sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini once said, “If you want to know the extent of a man's ability, give him something difficult to do.”Today's society wants to give everyone a prize for showing up, and award everyone an ‘A' for turning in the assignment.  The temptation to accept the easy ‘A' and the prize with no victory creates a world with no champions.Break the mold!  Challenge your son!  …the cold, early-morning air broken by the crunch of gravel under his hiking boots as he ascends a peak, the crash of helmets as he charges for a tackle, or the roar of a river as he shoots a rapid….Is your son destined for greatness?  Help him find it!For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

If your son flops down on the couch and says, “I'm bored” — take notice. God made boys mentally, emotionally, and physically different from girls. Because of that, they need to engage in activities that they are passionate about . . . activities that involve both mind and body. So, what's your son passionate about? Dad, help him discover his strengths and talents. This might involve trying a little bit of a whole bunch of activities. Take him rock climbing. Sign him up for karate classes. Give photography a chance.Eventually, your son will develop a passion for a certain activity. When this happens, encourage him to develop those skills. The more he does so, the fewer times you'll hear, “I'm bored” escape his lips.For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Are you afraid your son will lose his way?  This world is full of alluring distractions that can lead our children down dark paths, seeking to devour them.In the midst of so many lies, how can they know the truth?Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote in Sherlock Holmes, “...when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.”Against the wisdom of this world, the improbably simple truth of the gospel stands alone.  Teach your son to never touch this world's glittering array of lies by showing him how to cling fast to the word of God.  Give him godly mentors to help train him, and surround him with like-minded young men following the greatest truth: Jesus Christ.For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

A young boy was playing with his pet goldfish, when he accidentally killed it. Scared he would get in trouble, the boy, named David, lied about what happened to his fish. Immediately, he felt guilty. He confessed the lie to his mom as tears streamed down his face. His mom said, “David, Jesus loves you no matter what you have done.” That little boy was David Frey, who grew up to be the lead singer of the Christian band Sidewalk Prophets. He wrote a song about that experience, called “You Love Me Anyway.” As parents of sons, let's follow the example of David's mom. Our son is going to make mistakes. When he does, let's remind him first and foremost that there's nothing he can do to cancel out Jesus' all-consuming, unconditional love. To learn about raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Did you listen to your parents, or did you listen to your friends?Friendships can define a boy's life.  More than that, friendships in a group can provide identity.  There is a reason sports teammates will fight viciously for one another on the field.  It's also why gangs are so prevalent– it gives boys a sense of belonging, and can drive them to do things they know are wrong.How can you help your son choose?  It doesn't have to be left to chance.You can give him godly friends who will inspire him as they help each other along the way.  And who knows?  Perhaps your son is the one the others will listen to and learn from.For more information about raising your son into a godly man, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Show. Don't just tell. In Philippians 3:10, Paul says, “I want to know Christ.” He isn't talking about head knowledge. In both the Greek and Hebrew languages, the word knowledge is experience based. Paul was saying that he longs to experience God in all of His glory. That should be our heart's cry as Christian parents. We can take our son to church and tell him about the importance of a relationship with Jesus. But the best way to teach our boys is to show them. Let your son see you meeting with God, reading your Bible, praying, and sharing Christ with others. Let Christ transform your life. Your son will notice– and no doubt begin to desire to experience Jesus for himself. To learn about a proven process for raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Theodore Roosevelt famously said,“Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.”But how? How do we as parents give our sons the chance for glorious triumphs?Break free of the tyranny of screens!  Go outdoors, and teach your son to test his mettle against a lofty mountain peak, a wicked fastball, or paddling a canoe down a winding river in the early morning mist.Rescue him from the gray twilight, and teach him to truly live!For more information about raising your son into a godly man, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Your son craves four things. First, he craves belonging– to “fit in.” Second, he wants a sense of competence. He needs to feel “good enough.” Third– boys need to know their worth. And the fourth thing that boys crave is a sense of autonomy. They want freedom and independence. The next time your son is upset or angry, it may be a good idea to go through this list in your head. Which craving is your son lacking? Then, once it's identified, help your son find age-appropriate, healthy, ways to fulfill that desire. For instance, if he's not feeling a sense of belonging at school, maybe he could find another group of peers to meet with. This could be a youth group, or an outdoor adventure group like Trail Life USA. For more ideas to raise boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

How can you train your son into good character, character that will last, character that will see him become a man of responsibility and action?The allures of society can drown your son in ease of life, pleasure, and infinite time-wasting.  Many young men simply fail to do anything with their lives.It doesn't have to be this way.Irving Stone wrote of Michelangelo in The Agony and the Ecstasy, “...his own integrity… forced him to do his best, even when he would have preferred to do nothing at all.”There is a way to instill character in your son: give him godly mentors, a high target to aim for, and set challenges for him that will awaken the fire within his soul.For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

It was just three simple words. Evangelical Louis Palau was fighting terminal lung cancer. During that time, someone asked him, “After you pass away, if you could send a message down from heaven to all believers, what do you think you would say?” Palau thought for a moment, then responded with three simple words: “Go for it.” That kind of God-rooted courage is one of the most important traits to instill in our son. When he's little, this looks like letting him climb and explore in age-appropriate ways. When he's older, this means stepping back to allow him to attempt things and fail big.And when our son expresses a dream to us, let us be the first one to echo Palau's encouraging words– “Go for it.” For more ideas to raise boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

What is your son afraid of?In today's world, there is a lot to fear.  School, friends, teachers, and classes are just a few.  Social media and today's culture pile on enough to scare most adults, let alone children.But the bible says, “God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”Anchor your son in the word of God.  Lead your children to godliness by example.  Give them righteous mentors that will train them in the way they should go, and help them find friends to support, inspire, and uplift them.Raising a child in today's world can be scary, but God is with you!For more information about raising your son into a godly man, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

“Raising boys is an extreme sport. That's why I wear workout clothes every day.” That's a lighthearted quote from the blog Simply Well Balanced, but it sure has a lot of truth in it! Raising a son is a good way to rack up the steps on your fitness watch. But let me affirm you— if you're letting your boy be wild– you're probably doing it right. Let him run around like crazy outside. Show him how to make mud pies. Watch him do tricks on his bicycle. Go fishing together, and let him hold the fish while you snap a picture.Sure, it can be exhausting. But if your son ends the day making muddy footprints across your floor– I bet he'll also have a smile on his face. For more ideas on raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

In today's directionless culture, how can a boy know which way to go?As a boy, Luke climbed a 13,000-foot peak.  It was terrifying and exhilarating!    Just below the summit, the path went through a channel cut into the rock by ferocious winds.  Protecting him from being swept off the rock face were steel cables mounted deep into the rock, secured there by the forest service.  Confident of the steel cables' protection and seeing the summit, heI forged ahead and reached the top, a memory he'll never forget.Give your son guidelines, steel cables set in rock, to protect him from being swept away, let him see the reward ahead of him, and there is no mountain he cannot climb.For information about raising your son into a godly man, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

A perfect parent would raise a terrible son. If you're like many of us, when your head hits the pillow at night, your mind buzzes with the ways you could have been a better parent to your son. But Ali Worthington, author of the book Remaining You While Raising Them, says to stop beating yourself up. She says even a perfect parent can raise a son who doesn't know how to apologize or deal with a friend's bad day. Our creator God is so kind and powerful that he can use even our weaknesses as parents to teach our sons valuable life lessons. So the next time you feel you've messed up as a parent, apologize to your son, and know that God can use even your worst days for good. For more ideas on raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

How do you feel about your son's friends?Do they make him a better person?  Do they encourage him to do the right thing?  Do your son's friends show him how to serve selflessly?  Scripture says “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” This is doubly true for boys, who are still moldable clay, waiting to be formed by whatever-- and whoever-- is around them.  More than listening to the same music and watching the same movies, boys learn from each other, and shape each other's values.Help your son to choose good friendships-- boys he can learn with, play with, and serve with.For information about a Proven Process that is helping boys grow into godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Disciplining your son takes courage. Whether your son is a toddler with a squeaky voice or a teenager with floppy hair, disciplining him can be quite a challenge. You may be met with a tantrum, eye rolls, or even the dreaded “I hate you!”  Sometimes, the response from your son might be so harsh that you wonder if discipline does more harm than good. But don't lose heart. Saying no and laying down consequences is an act of love. When your son hurts your feelings with his response, ask God for wisdom and courage. Remember the truth in Hebrews 12:11- “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” To learn about the five critical needs of boys, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Here's a simple language shift that can reach the heart of your son.  When your boy is bickering with a sibling or a friend, your instinct might be to say “Son, you need to be kind.” But author Dr. Emerson Eggerichs says that you might need to say something else. Dr. Eggerichs is widely known for his writings about how a man's deepest desire is for respect. He says that desire starts when boys are very young. So much so, that if you tell your son to be kind and loving – that concept may not resonate very deeply with him. If you, however, tell your boy to be respectful to others— he may listen more closely. Young men crave respect so much that they understand why another person would need it, too. For more ideas on raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Why does your son need to learn courage?Does he need to stand up for himself?  Stand up for others?  Stand up for what is right?In today's world, he will need to do all of these and more.English poet and playwright Sameul Johnson said, “Where courage is not, no other virtue can survive except by accident.”Lead by example.  Give your son godly mentors. Provide opportunities for him to test himself with the rush of a downhill bike course, a hard-fought game of sports, or a whitewater rapid,  and he'll push his own boundaries to new heights.  Once he gets a taste of courage, he'll find new horizons awaiting him.  He may surprise you by what he can become.For more information about raising your son into a godly man, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

It was just three simple words. Evangelical Louis Palau was fighting terminal lung cancer. During that time, someone asked him, “After you pass away, if you could send a message down from heaven to all believers, what do you think you would say?” Palau thought for a moment, then responded with three simple words: “Go for it.” That kind of God-rooted courage is one of the most important traits to instill in our son. When he's little, this looks like letting him climb and explore in age-appropriate ways. When he's older, this means stepping back to allow him to attempt things and fail big.And when our son expresses a dream to us, let us be the first one to echo Palau's encouraging words– “Go for it.” For more ideas to raise boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Have you ever had a mentor or teacher that you wish you had listened to?In a whitewater course, two seasoned veterans taught  the intricacies of draw strokes, pry strokes, reading a rapid, and the joy of eddy turns.But five minutes onto the river, one boy panicked, ignored the calls of his mentors, and ended up capsizing his canoe in the middle of a rapid and wrapping it around a large rock, while everyone else eddied up safely on the other side of the river.Teach your son to listen to the voice of his leaders.  This life can be a swift river with dangerous rocks at every turn.  A good mentor can make all the difference in the world.For information about raising your son into a godly man, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

What is Black Friday, really?  What is it about?Pursuing hard-to-find items only available for a short time is a treasure hunt to many.How can you use Black Friday to teach your children about faith in Christ?The bible says few find the path to salvation, and this short life is the only time we have to find it.  In some ways, Black Friday is like the man who found a hidden treasure in a field and sold everything he had to get it.Give your children every opportunity to know the love of Christ.  Teach them to cling to their faith as the most precious, hard-to-find treasure they'll ever know by living that faith in your own life for them to see.For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

What is your son thankful for?The Pilgrims were thankful to be alive.  They fled from religious persecution, faced the terror of the North Atlantic in a tiny ship and potential starvation when their supplies ran out.Today, your son faces new and harsh challenges to his faith and even his identity as a male.  How can you help him navigate past his obstacles into godly, thankful manhood?Model Christ for him.  Live out your faith.  Teach him to love the word of God.Also, give him godly mentors and surround him with others on the same path.  Provide carefully selected challenges to strengthen him.The joy of his journey and his success as a godly man will make you both thankful.For more information about raising your son into a godly man, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

“I guess I haven't learned that yet.” That's a phrase coined by author Shauna Niequist.  After her two sons, Henry and Mac, had lived in a small town their whole life, Shauna and her husband moved the family to New York City. As her sons struggled with the transition to city life, Shauna pinned a piece of paper to the wall with the phrase “I guess I haven't learned that yet” on it. She reminded her boys that everyone is growing and learning, and that it's fine to not know everything. Your son might need to hear that, too. When he makes a mistake, reassure him that it's a normal part of growing up. Remind him that God's grace is sufficient to cover every last one of the things we haven't learned yet. For more ideas to raise boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

One educator said we live in a day of hurried loneliness, with hundreds of Facebook friends but not two with whom we think and share deeply.  Families rush from one activity to another.  To some people, the idea of a family sitting down together and leisurely sharing a meal is an idea from a Norman Rockwell painting.Parents, we must plan to make meaningful conversation happen.  We can embrace intentionality. Without it, family devotions, meaningful conversation, and spiritual practices won't happen.  We will just stay busy.  As Thanksgiving approaches, stop for a few moments and make a plan.  Ask, “How will I intentionally help my family practice gratitude the next two weeks and have meaningful conversations?That will produce beauty greater than autumn leaves.For information about raising your son into a godly man, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

For what are you thankful?Author Jerry Bridges called unthankfulness one of our “respectable sins,” easily accepted as normal. The Bible exhorts believers to live a life of habitual thanksgiving. In our day of consumerism, we are wise to practice the habit of gratitude and teach our families to do the same.Don't lose the spirit of Thanksgiving.  Claim it, prepare for it, and practice the art of that holiday. Regardless of our circumstances, we can give thanks.Father figures can thank the Lord for our abundant blessings. Even the giving of thanks in difficult or disappointing circumstances can be done based on God's promises. As we move through November, let's practice gratitude, and influence the boys in our lives to do the same.For information about raising your son into a godly man, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Ralph Waldo Emerson opined, “Life is not so short but that there is always time for courtesy and chivalry.”Have you ever been encouraged by the smallest courtesy?  Holding the door, bringing a glass of water, or any small thing is enough to brighten our day.Has anyone ever risen to your defense?  Stood up for you?  Told others you were right?  It is a great feeling.There is great power in acts of courtesy and chivalry, and you can give that power to your children.  They can brighten others' days, stand for what is right, and make a difference.  Give your children the power to lift others up.For more information about raising your son into a godly man, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Do girls feel more emotions than boys? David Thomas, a psychologist and author, says this common belief is not true. He says boys feel just as deeply as girls, but often don't know how to process those feelings as well as girls do. As parents of boys, it's important that we help our sons put words to their feelings. One way to do that is to simply discuss emotions out loud. When you're watching a TV show with your son, discuss what  characters seem to be feeling– are they embarrassed? Frustrated? You can even find charts of feelings words online and put them on your fridge. Help your son find words for his feelings, and you might be surprised to discover the range of emotions he goes through each day. For more ideas on raising boys to be godly men, go to Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Are you sure your son has what he needs for this life?One mountain hike, a boy showed up without a ground pad to go under his sleeping bag.  The nights only dipped into the mid-40's, but without a ground pad, the cold earth underneath him would have drained heat off his  body, leaving him shivering (and not sleeping) all night long.Check in with your son.  Talk to him.  Listen to him.  Make sure he has the tools he needs for success.  Is there something that is draining him every day?  Oftentimes, a boy might not tell you what is wrong– he may not know himself, just like the boy who was missing a ground pad. For more information about raising your son into a godly man, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

To him, it is a big deal. When your teenage son faces rejection or embarrassment, your first instinct may be to say,  “Son, in the scheme of things, this is not a big deal.” But that might not be the best approach. Through MRI scans of teenage brains, psychologists have actually found that a teen's amygdala– the part of the brain that senses negative emotions– is much more reactive than a child's brain or an adult's brain. So instead of telling your son to stop worrying, empathize. Recall a similar situation you've been in and how it made you feel. Suggest he does something like working on his car or walking his dog. Help him find healthy coping mechanisms, and he'll start to learn how to better handle negative experiences. For more ideas on raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Do you remember when you got your first pocketknife?Cody got his first pocketknife as a birthday present from his grinning grandfather under the watchful scowl of his mother.  The first thing he did was cut himself and get a bandaid put on his finger.As he grew in years and maturity, he learned to responsibly handle his knife, and went on to teach other boys how to sharpen, care for, and safely use their knives.  But it all started with a cut.Boys need curated danger– the opportunity to run real risks, albeit small ones, to test themselves against life.  Give your son the gift of risk.  Canoeing, football, and rock-climbing all have their risks, but pay their rewards in character.For more information about raising your son into a godly man, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Have you ever seen a boy transformed?One member of an outdoor youth program was a troubled teen who had spent time in Juvie, and was likely headed for prison.  His leaders worked hard to mentor him, teach him, and praise every effort he gave, no matter how small.From annoyed disinterest to tolerance, he slowly began to listen.  To everyone's surprise, he became one of the most faithful members, showing up for every meeting, and helping out with anything  asked of him.As he grew older,  not only did Luther stay out of prison, but he has a good job and a wonderful family, all because someone invested in his life.For information about a Proven Process that is helping boys grow into godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Is there a storm in your son's life? When your son inevitably faces something difficult in his life, it may feel like a hurricane is blowing through. And when it does, you want nothing more than to end the storm—or at least hold an umbrella over your boy's head. But as hard as we try, we cannot protect our son from every pain in this life. But here's the good news. Whatever storm your son is enduring right now, Jesus is with him. The wind and waves obey Jesus. So when the winds pick up and the rain beats down, point your son to his Savior. Pray that he clings to the only one who can truly calm the storm. To learn about raising boys to be godly men, go to Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Have you ever seen the power of a boy?All that boundless energy is there for a reason.  Steve led a 50-mile hike with a group of boys and began to worry he might have to cut it short.  His son and some of the other younger boys were lagging behind and wanted to quit.Just as Steve  made the decision to turn the entire group back, the older boys took charge, taught the younger ones silly songs and games for the trail, and all the little ones drafted in their wake, inspired to follow young men they looked up to and admired.Give your son excellent young men to look up to, and help him become the one who inspires others.For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Encourage your son to make only one resolution this year: to never give up. The movie A Million Miles Away tells the true story of Jose Hernandez, who grew up as a migrant farmworker and eventually fulfilled his dream of being an astronaut. Part of Jose's story is that he applied to NASA eleven times before he was eventually accepted. While making his twelfth application attempt, the movie shows Jose delivering the application in person to NASA. As he hands his application in, he says, “You can reject me again. But if you do, I'll be right back here next year, applying again.” Jose was accepted, and went to space only four years after that.  Remind your son that, with God, all things are possible. We must never, ever give up. For more ideas on raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

On this last day of the year,  reflect with your son about the 5 critical needs. First, do a check on your son's “compass.” Ask him what he would like his life to look like in 5 years, and what he needs to do now to achieve his dreams. Secondly, ask your son about his “map.” Does he have male mentors to look up to? Third, remind your son that he needs a “guide,” positive peer relationships. Is his group of friends spurring him on in Christ? Fourth, your son needs a flashlight. Does he feel confident in his faith? Remind him that it's more than OK to ask questions. Finally, talk to your boy about the mountains in his life. Does he feel challenged? What new activities would he like to attempt in the new year? To learn more about these 5 critical needs, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

It's easier than you think. In her book Boys Will Be Boys, Dr. Meg Meeker jokingly describes a fictional encounter between a father and a son. The dad says, “Hey son, I'll see you later, I'm going to a seminar on how to be a better father!” And the son answers,: “Oh, that's easy dad, just hammer some nails with me.” Dr. Meeker's brilliant point is that good and godly parenting is a lot more simple than we think. Although a doctor's advice is sometimes needed, ultimately there's only two voices you need to listen to: God's, and your son's. Dr. Meeker says if you pay close enough attention to your son, you will soon see what he truly needs. Combine that with a prayer for wisdom, and you can parent with confidence. To learn about the five critical needs of boys, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

How does a boy know he is becoming a man?Sometimes, life tells them along the way.Late in the dry summer, Robert looked out his back door, and saw smoke billowing across his property. A growing fire crawled across his neighbor's pasture, and threatened to roar into the woods on his land.  He yelled for his two boys, 12 and 15, threw rakes into the truck, and drove toward the fire.Jumping into action, he and the boys beat back the flames, creating a firebreak and saving the woods - and the elementary school on the other side.Grimy, exhausted, thirsty, and hearts racing with pride they performed a man's work that day, those two boys knew they were becoming men.For more information about raising your son into a godly man, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

What does your son think about his looks? The media has been focusing a lot on a positive body image movement for girls. But it's easy to forget that our sons can also feel pressure from peers to have a “perfect” body. How can you help your son have a healthy body image? First, and perhaps most importantly, get your son involved in outdoor physical activity. When he's with friends, sweating, competing, and having a great time, he'll feel good physically. Second, refrain from making comments about his body, whether good or bad. Compliment character traits instead– like how he prayed at dinner or how he was patient with his sister. And finally, memorize verses together about our intrinsic worth in Christ– the true source of ultimate confidence. For more ideas on raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

In a time when boys are struggling to know their purpose and identity, look to the beautiful story of Christmas.  First, Jesus' time on earth gives young men guidance. Jesus embodies Biblical masculinity. He  loves, heals, delivers, and sacrifices. Second, the Christmas story grounds boys. In our society where everything is fluid, the absolute truth of God's word gives young men a foundation to stand on. Thirdly, the gift of Jesus Christ proves everyone's infinite worth. And finally, the Christmas story is inspiring. Boys always want to know what's at stake– and the life and death of Jesus proves that laying down our life for others is the greatest call. May these days of the holiday season remind your son– and you– to thank God for the amazing gift of redemption through Jesus. To learn about raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Is celebrating Christmas really important?  Does it matter?Today's world seems ready to tear down any tradition that reinforces Christianity, family, and morality.  For our children, this can lead to confusion and despair.The simple act of celebrating Christmas, decorating and cooking special food, helping kids choose gifts for family members, anticipating the big day, and spending time together all reinforce the love of family.Explaining the reason for Christmas does even more–it points to God, and the good news that his son Jesus loves us all.So enjoy this Christmas, and know that you are giving your children more than the presents under the tree.  You are mentoring them in how to create a loving family, how to give of themselves to others, and teaching them about the love of God.For information about raising your son into a godly man, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

What sets a boy's heart on fire?Whether it's beating the next level, winning the next game, or paddling around the next bend, boys love a challenge.  And more than that, boys need a challenge.Put a group of boys in canoes, and they will turn it into a race or a competition to turn each other over.  Send them on a campout, and they'll race to see who can set their tent up first so they can go romp in the woods.You can let your son find his own challenges, or you can give him adventures that will build him up, create strong character, and teach him that he is an overcomer, and a force to be reckoned with.For information about raising your son into a godly man, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Who are your families' heroes?Take time in the month of November to teach children about great spiritual heroes - and also remember some of the heroes in your own life. Don't just let these days float by as missed opportunities while the culture is already trying to make money off of Christmas.  Redeem this time and use it as a stepping stone into the holiday season. Spend the month of November leading up to Thanksgiving learning some new spiritual heroes - and being thankful for familiar ones.Talk around the supper table about a godly person from history.  Or, share stories from your own pilgrimage.  The website Christian History Institute is a great resource for learning about people who have gone before us.  For information about raising your son into a godly man, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Now is the best time in history to raise a boy. Michael Reichert makes that claim in his book How to Raise a Boy. At first, it may seem like he is wrong, since boys are falling behind their female peers in almost every area. But Reichert says those statistics are what makes it a great time. Now that we're aware that boys are struggling, it only takes a little intentionality to help. We can make sure our boys have positive and godly mentors. We can steer our sons away from screens and towards outdoor activity. We can get our son the extra help they need educationally. And, most importantly, we can pray to our all powerful God for wisdom, protection, and a full, kingdom building life for our sons. For ideas on raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Mark Hancock, CEO of Trail Life USA, joins Steve to discuss the mission of the nation's largest Christ-centered, boy-focused scouting organization. As the military reevaluates its ties with traditional scouting programs, Hancock highlights the growing need for safe, value-driven spaces where boys can grow, learn, and develop leadership skills. He explains how Trail Life provides mentorship rooted in faith, character, and responsibility, ensuring that young men have the guidance and community they need to thrive in today's world. Want to learn more? Visit TrailLifeUSA.com!

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