In Judges 2, we see what happens after a leader dies and there’s no other leader raised up to keep things moving in the right direction. After Joshua’s death, “there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel.” (Judges 2:10) This sad stretch of the Old Testament goes on to point out, “They forsook the Lord and served Baal and the Ashtoreths.” (‭Judges‬ ‭2:13‬ ‭ESV). Baal was connected to crop production (wealth in that day), and Ashtoreths were connected to sex and fertility. One or two generations, and the people turned completely to wealth and sex. For those of us living in America, we’ve seen this downward slide for a long time. But, the question is not only, “What’s happening to our country?” The question, for us dads, is “What’s happening to our homes?” Are we leading the charge toward righteousness, faithfulness and fear of the Lord? Or, are we worshiping money and sex just as the people of Israel did? It’s incumbent upon us dads (and our wives) to do all we can to hand the baton of faith to the next generation. So much is at stake!

Depression in children: Causes and next steps for parents: Everyone gets the blues from time to time. But informed parents can do a better job discerning when their children are walking a thin line between normal sadness and childhood depression. More importantly, they know how to respond well.

The fatherhood traps of advancement and performance: Last week and this week, we’re discussing four fatherhood traps that each of us can accidentally step into. We dads are powerful, for better or for worse. We can do a lot of damage, but we can also do a lot of uplifting. Let’s be our kids’ biggest fans and support them in everything they do while not letting our insecurities get in the way. No matter where our kids are on their journey, our job is to remain faithful to them and trust the Lord’s plan for their lives.

“This is all the inheritance I give to my dear family. The religion of Christ will give them one which will make them rich indeed.” – Patrick Henry

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” – Corrie Ten Boom

“The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time.” – Abraham Lincoln

“You must be committed as a parent to long-view parenting because change is a process and not an event.” – Paul David Tripp

Ponder the link. If you’d like a humbling, sober moment, just consider your role as the link in the faith chain to your children. And, to others in your orbit. For thousands of years, faith has been handed down and down and down. Now, it sits with you. You’re up next. Soon enough, you and I will be gone. Will we have given our best effort to make sure the faith baton didn’t drop on our watch? Praise God for the glorious opportunity! And, pray to God for the strength to persevere and finish well!

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.