We talked with my friend Mac Powell on the FoP Podcast recently. His song “River of Life” is so good. Give it a listen. It reminds me of John 4:13-15, Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.” We’re given two options; or should I say, two wells to drink from. Well #1: Drink and stay thirsty. Why do we keep sipping from the wrong, worldly well—and wondering why we feel empty. You feel empty because this world’s well is dry. Like drinking salt water, you’ll get more thirsty if you drink it—and if all you do is drink more of it—it ultimately leads to death. Your thirst will never be quenched with this well. C. S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters explained the devil’s strategy here—to point you toward a self-destructive path that makes you crave fleeting, fake pleasures, instead of genuine, lasting joy found in a relationship with God. Option 1 is constant work…constant busyness. Work, work, work…drink, drink, drink. Well #2: Drink and never be thirsty again. The other well to drink from is Jesus. This well does not run dry. You rest in Him, knowing all that matters is Him. For the believing husband and dad, you no longer need the world’s promises. No, you’ve tasted the freeing well of Christ that brings rest, joy, peace, selfless love, and other life-giving fruit. Your thirst is quenched. Option 2 may not always feel easy, but there are no burdens here. You no longer have to serve a million bosses, only God.

7 Bible Verses About Responsibility: Responsibility and accountability are central to living with integrity. Just as companies have codes of conduct, the Bible outlines our spiritual responsibilities—worshiping God, leading our families, trusting Him, and guarding our words. Teaching responsibility from Scripture starts with understanding our calling and setting the right example. It’s not just about external actions but begins in the heart. By embracing God’s expectations and allowing Him to transform us from the inside out, we reflect His character and fulfill our responsibilities in faith and daily life.

Lesson in Lyrics – River Of Life by Mac Powell: For the next few weeks, we’re going to be exploring some fatherhood and discipleship principles found within the lyrics of some of our favorite songs. We’re calling this series “Lessons In Lyrics.” In today’s episode, we kick that off with a song by Mac Powell, called “River Of Life.” This song crams so many worthwhile topics into it, we couldn’t wait to unpack some of them. While we do have a few more ideas up our sleeve, let us know if you have any songs you’d like us to tackle! Send us your song ideas here: info@manhoodjourney.org.

“Never forget that when we are dealing with any pleasure in its healthy and normal and satisfying form, we are, in a sense, on [our Heavenly Father’s] ground… It is His invention… He made the pleasures… All [Satan and his devils] can do is to encourage… humans to take the pleasures which our [God] has produced, at times, or in ways, or in degrees, which He has forbidden. An ever-increasing craving for and ever-diminishing pleasure is the formula… To get a man’s soul and give him nothing in return—that is what really gladdens [the heart of Satan and his devils].” ― C.S. Lewis

Still thirsty? If you’re constantly craving more—whether it’s money, success, or perfect kids—you’re drinking from the wrong well. Reflect on your relationship with Jesus. Do you have one? Are you satisfied in Him? As a husband and dad, you show your family what you trust in by rejecting the world’s empty promises. Instead of chasing temporary fixes, choose the well that never runs dry—the one that brings rest, purpose, and lasting fulfillment. Lord, help us seek Jesus, not the world—so we never thirst again. And, we don’t keep drawing from the wrong well.

Kent Evans
Author of Don’t Bench Yourself, co-founder of Manhood Journey

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.