November 1, 2006 7:51 PM
Encouragement for fathers
In my inbox today:
Hi Barbara -You spoke to our MOPS group last Friday. I am now reading The Mommy Manual and I am really enjoying the book. So much, that I have been talking about it with my husband. He is very excited for me, but is wondering where the materials are for the men. He has done some searching on Father and how to be a good Father, but hasn't found any good material. Any suggestions?
I forwarded this to my hubby at work and he hurriedly wrote back:
Honey, I think the best encouragement I found was from Dad, the Family Shepherd....anything from Dennis Rainey (he has had more children than Dr. Dobson) I remember that I enjoyed The Effective Father by Gordon MacDonald..(I think he had an affair later, though). The Father's Topical Bible....All of your books... I have to go, cust. coming in. Love, T
That was sweet of him to say all my books! Heart swelling.
The Father's Topical Bible is a really cool little reference book with Bible verses to instruct, comfort, and encourage fathers. A hundred topics listed under the headings Your Attitude, Your Child, Your Wife, Your Work, Your Daily Schedule, Your Finances, Your church, and Your Personal Needs. There are used copies at Amazon right now starting at $1.73 - a thoughtful and useful gift for your hubby.
Of course, Tripp's references are dated since we were cramming for parenthood in the 90's. When I showed him the website for Dad, the Family Shepherd, he didn't at first recognize it because he was there for its humble beginnings.
I promised Lori I'd post this for reader responses too. Any ideas for resources for encouragement for fathers?
Comments
Barbara,
Unfortunately, I don't have any suggestions. But I did want to say how glad I am to see this post! I can't wait to see what the rest of your readers have to say!
Vida
Posted by: Vida | November 1, 2006 9:45 PM
I think I am going to use your hubby's list and do a little Christmas shopping for my own husband. Thanks for the recommendations!
Posted by: suzanne | November 1, 2006 10:50 PM
Tell him to go to Vision Forum (www.visionforum.com). They have an online catalog (and you can get one mailed, too), and have many resources for fathers. Biblically sound and very good stuff.
Hope this helps!
Kathy F.
Posted by: Kathy F. | November 2, 2006 4:47 PM
Here are two books I highly recommend. They are written for young men (I'd say 12 years and up) but I think parents should read them just because they are so good!
The writing style is just a couple pages per topic and to me it's like walking along having a conversation while this guy imparts good wisdom! He writes about things our children don't always want to hear from us and this way they can read it from someone else!
Boyhood and Beyond:
Practical Wisdom for Becoming a Man and the other is
Created for Work: Practical Insights for Young Men.
They are both by Bob Schultz.
He seems (to me) like a real man's man yet very humble. He has a heart for the things of the Lord.
Posted by: Leigh | November 2, 2006 7:31 PM
