Courage. For me, this is a tricky word. On one hand, it conjures up images of Braveheart, Hacksaw Ridge and Gladiator. Cool. I want to be “that” guy who’d take a bullet or defend a country. On the other hand, those images can mislead. Most likely, I won’t be in a war or fight tigers in an arena. So, I can be desensitized and forget the daily courage I’m called to live with. The kind that resists anger, pride, lust, greed (some of the tigers I actually do battle). I want to be a daily battle dad who’s always on guard, ready for the fight. What do your daily battles look like? Are you fighting them courageously? As Joshua took over for Moses, God commanded him to be strong and very courageous (more than once, read Joshua 1). I notice at least three ways we can be courageous in Joshua 1:8. First, we DECLARE God’s Word (don’t let it depart from your mouth); second, we DWELL on God’s Word (meditate on it day and night); third, we DO it (careful to do according to all that’s written). In this coming year, let’s be dads of daily, godly courage!

5 Christmas movies for kids: Looking for a new(ish) Christmas movie to share with your family? Check out “Klaus.” It’s a new twist on the old story of Santa’s start. It was also nominated for an Academy Award, a rare feat for an animated Christmas film.

 A great gift a dad can give his kids: Our kids don’t need to receive physical gifts from us to feel loved and appreciated. The reality is, our time and focused attention means the world to them (way more than any new gaming console or pair of shoes). And the best part is our kids already have all the fun activities lined up. All we need to do is lean in and dress up for the tea party or gear up for the covert operation to take down Darth Vader.

“Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.” – Billy Graham

“Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.” – C. S. Lewis

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” – Winston Churchill

Be courageous. In our world, courage may not look like bearing a sword, fighting tigers or dragging the wounded to safety. But, it may look like resisting temptation on social media, responding in a spirit of gentleness instead of anger or avoiding destructive backtalk in the office. This week, make a pledge to live courageously by declaring, dwelling and doing. Say God’s Word, dwell on it, and do it. You have what it takes inside you to live courageously!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Kent Evans
Author of The Manhood Journey, co-founder of Manhood Journey and Father On Purpose.

P.S. Was this Mountain Monday helpful? Tell me if you love it, hate it, or if there’s something you’d like in the next one.

Forward this to a dad you know who needs some encouragement.