Any athlete worth his salt knows that once you get off the bench, you never want to go back. Your goal is to stay in the game. Our God-given purpose as men of faith is to stay off the sidelines and to serve our wives, kids, co-workers, and friends with integrity and intentionality. But we can't do that if we refuse to be honest about our mistakes. We have to be able to call it out. As we start the second half of our Don't Bench Yourself series, we're going to look at four ways we can choose...

"Hurry up!" How many times have you said this as a dad, maybe to your kids, your wife, or even to God? Patience is something that every single one of us struggles with as a father. It's so easy to give up when we don't see the results we're wanting, when we want them. "I'm still angry." "My kids still feel lonely." On and on the list can go. The bench can look really comforting when we're feeling like no matter what we do, we're not getting anywhere. However, we can't always rely on key...

We've all heard that words can never harm us. We also know that nothing could be further from the truth. While sticks and stones can do a lot of damage, nothing is more devastating to the nurturing of manhood than a steady barrage of painful criticism. In a world built on a foundation of negativity, it's vital for guys to learn how to embrace the constructive criticism that makes us better—and to reject the harmful judgments that tend to keep us on the bench.   Buy Kent's new book Don't...

This week, we tackle one of the biggest hurdles dads face: shame. Mistakes can bring us down, and it's easy to succumb to shame in these moments. However, these are some of the best opportunities for us to grow as dads. We miss out on these opportunities when we let shame keep us on the bench. Shame is one of Satan's trickiest and most clever tools that he has to use against us, but in today's episode, we cover what shame really is, where it comes from, and some of the ways to fight it....

As guys, we often pride ourselves in being fearless. We never want to appear weak or unsure of ourselves. But the truth is, we all wrestle with fear to some degree. It's a universal affliction that's impossible to escape, especially on our own. That's where God comes in. Through His Word, he commands us to “fear not” and reminds us that we can face the things we dread in a godly, biblical way. Then, once we get a handle on those fears, we can teach our kids how to overcome their anxieties....

Have you ever felt the pull to check out and warm the bench while you let the rest your family step up and take care of business? Do you struggle with the insecurities of feeling like you're not good enough, letting fear and shame hold you back from being the husband and father God has called you to be? Well good news, we're going to tackle all those issues and more in the coming weeks. Join us as we embark on a new series we're calling "Don't Bench Yourself." For the next nine weeks, we'll...

As husbands and fathers, we all want to leave an enduring legacy for our families. One of the greatest gifts we can provide is wisdom in dealing with money. Our personal finances have the power to build us up or tear us down, so it's impossible to overstate the value of embracing biblical stewardship. Author and speaker Matt Bell spends his days helping people understand God's words and God's ways in relation to money. His practical approach to managing what God places in our hands might be...

The challenges and struggles of being a godly husband are real. That's why it's important to seek help and encouragement every step of the way. Since its publication in 2011, The Meaning of Marriage by the late pastor and author Tim Keller has provided insight and guidance for men seeking to make their marriage all God wants it to be. Today, we discuss three key quotes from The Meaning of Marriage and some related Scripture verses that point us in the right direction as husbands and fathers....

Life’s challenges can push us to confront our fears and reassess our beliefs. We’ve all faced moments when fear feels insurmountable, leading us to question our paths and choices. We often find the keys to our liberation in these struggles. Orv Kimbrough shares his journey of overcoming fear and the transformative power of faith in Christ. He discusses how shifting our perspective can guide us toward forgiveness and optimism, revealing that our fears don’t have to define us. Discover how to...

Sometimes, the Bible doesn’t just comfort us—it challenges us to rethink our attitudes, actions, and beliefs. We’ve all encountered challenging Bible verses that are hard to accept, passages that seem too difficult to follow or that make us uncomfortable. These verses often stir up resistance, leading us to wrestle with God’s commands. In this episode, we dive deep into what happens when we come face-to-face with these challenging Bible verses. We’ll explore the common reactions we have when...

Our culture seems to have plenty of males running around, but it suffers from a lack of genuine men—guys who will lead with courage and stand in the gap when things get tough. Podcaster and author Jim Ramos has recognized that problem and addressed it in his new book, Dialed In. As a man longing to experience your full God-given potential, Jim's lessons from Paul's letters to Timothy and Titus could be just what you need to up your manhood game and dial into His plan for your life. Pick up...

On the outside, it looked like Jeff Zaugg had it all together as a family minister and a dad. But a deeper dive convinced him that he needed to do more—for himself and for other dads who were struggling to make meaningful connections with their kids. As the founder of DadAwesome, Jeff now gets to see God at work among fathers and gets to share his story of encouragement with others. You can learn more about Jeff and his ministry at https://www.dadawesome.org.  Want to live a life filled with...

While culture typically paints abortion as a women's health issue, the influence of strong men also can play a role in turning the tide in our nation toward life. Through the Human Coalition, Jeff Bradford is challenging men to step forward and be counted—and protect a generation of unborn children along the way. You can learn more about Jeff and the Human Coalition at https://www.humancoalition.org. Find Jeff's book, "Beauty From Ashes" here. Support the show, check out Range Leather and...

The truth is, none of us gets through this life without some scars. Whether our struggles are physical, emotional, or spiritual, we will experience adversity, and we will have to choose how to respond to these dark moments of life. Pastor Darren Walter understands the reality of adversity. He's been there and done that. Most important, he has come through on the other side. And his insights will encourage you to stand strong during your own storms of life. Get Bring Your Hammer: 28 Tools...

For many years, the names of Alex and Stephen Kendrick have been synonymous with powerful faith-based movies that challenge men to live out their faith as husbands and fathers. Their newest offering, The Forge, places the focus squarely on our roles as mentors. With generations of young men seeking direction and affirmation, the need for godly men to stand in the gap has never been more important. This introduction to The Forge can put you on the path to becoming the mentor some young man in...

When it comes to the Trinity, most of us can understand the Father, and we're pretty plugged into the Son. But the Holy Spirit can be more of a mystery to us. In reality, we need to dig into the role and work of the Holy Spirit because He is the One who empowers us and gives us the wisdom to meet the challenges we face each day as husbands and fathers. So, grab a pen and your journal as we take a quick look at what the Bible says about the Holy Spirit—and the difference He can make in our...

In the Great Commission, Jesus told His followers to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). That imperative, along with many others in Scripture, highlights our responsibility to point others to Jesus and to pour into their lives as men of God. All of your wins, losses, triumphs, and failures are useful tools you can add to your spiritual survival kit. And they just might qualify you to be the perfect guide for another man who's now walking where you've already been. Take the Godly Father...

Stewardship isn't a word we throw around a lot today. But the truth is, as men of God, He has given us so many gifts to use for His glory. Whether it's our time, talents, treasures, or something else, we are called to make good use of the blessings He provides. In a very real sense, we are God's asset managers; and it's a tremendous privilege to embrace. Even more, it’s a valuable tool to have in our spiritual survival kit as men. Take the Godly Father Assessment Get the Survival Gear for...

When you go into a restaurant, you probably give bigger tips for better service. That's because we all appreciate it when we're served well. As men of God, we need to remember that Jesus ultimately came to serve—and that He expects us to follow His example. Serving others is the key to living with generosity and to avoiding the trap of self-centeredness. It also sets a powerful example for the next generation. If you're looking for practical ways to add servanthood to your manhood survival...

The stereotypical man is the lone wolf. He's the rugged individualist, the guy who pulls himself up by his own bootstraps. He doesn't need anyone's help for anything. But that stereotype falls short of what most men see in the mirror each day. The truth is, God created us for relationships, and we're missing something important if we're trying to do life on our own. He made us to need one another. Wise men make life a team sport! They make mentors and mentoring a vital part of their survival...

A lot of times, we make prayer much more complicated than it needs to be. Jesus Himself taught that it's not about fancy words or lofty attitudes. And it’s certainly not about impressing anyone here on earth. It's really just our way as God’s children to call out to our heavenly Father. It’s a vital connection to the One who knows us best and loves us most. Find out more about the true power of prayer and how it can transform your mission as a husband and father.   YouVersion Reading...

One of the psalmists wrote that God's Word is a lamp for our feet and a light to our paths (Psalm 119:105). As husbands and dads, we all could use some more light in our lives; and, thankfully, the Bible has a way of making us seem brighter than we really are. If you're wondering how to make more sense of your God-given role within your family, we've got some practical guidance. Discover how leaning into the wisdom and direction of God's Word can make a huge difference in your life.   Get...

Trust is hard to earn because it's so easy to lose. We've all experienced the pain of putting our complete trust in someone only to end up feeling betrayed or abandoned. Thankfully, as Christ followers, we serve a God who can be trusted in every season of life, even when those closest to us miss the mark. Trusting God is a non-negotiable for living the Christian life well—and for becoming the godly man your kids and wife need.   Support the show and upgrade your fatherhood swag. Shop Range...

Some men are natural fixers. They just know how to connect the right wires or make "Tab A" and "Slot B" fit to perfection. Others struggle--and usually call in a professional for help. Thankfully, whether you're a "do it yourself" man or a "pick up the phone" kind of guy around the house, God has equipped you to make a difference as a dad. He's given you all the tools you need to get the job done right, the fatherhood job He’s assigned specifically to you. You just need to recognize what's in...