A Christian Dad's Guide to the Zoo

If you're taking your kids to the zoo this summer, remember some advice from David Mathis of DesiringGod.org. In his article, "A Christian Guide to the Zoo," Mathis said, "The zoo is a wonderful opportunity for the Christian — both for personal worship and worldview formation." He shares some ideas and conversation suggestions to make your trip to the zoo fun, educational and most of all, Biblical. I'm posting it below verbatim: (Source: DesiringGod.org)

1) Prepare ahead of time. The day before, or morning of, you may want to re-read Genesis 1–2, Psalm 8, or other biblical texts that address animals (like Isaiah 11:6–9, James 3:7, or Job 38–41 below). Pray that God would make the zoo a rich, spiritual experience as you have a chance to observe up close some of his creatures you typically don’t see. Parents may want to consider rallying the troops for a short Bible reading and explanation and prayer time before hitting the road. Set the tone early that the zoo can be a profound spiritual experience of learning and worship for the children of the Father who made the animals. Perhaps check the website of the zoo the week before. Most will have some feature to help plan your day and a zoo map to give you the lay of the land.

A Military Dad Reunites with His Family. Thank you Dove Men + Care

You've probably seen military family reunions on YouTube all the time, but let's be honest: They never get old. This new campaign video from Dove Men + Care is exactly one reason why I use their products. Thank you Dove Men for such a beautiful tribute that properly honors the sacrifices our military families make. They deserve it! See John's family reunite just outside of his U.S. military base. John is one of 300 service men to travel home for Father's Day, thanks to the "Mission: Care" campaign. (Click video below).

Faith and Fatherhood: What Are Fathers For?

Interesting debate over at The New York Times: What Are Fathers For? In almost half the American households with children, mothers are the sole or primary breadwinners. This victory for working women shows evolving family economics — or maybe, two very different types of families. So what is the purpose of men in modern families? We’re approaching the holiday that celebrates dads, but do fathers bring anything unique to the table?

My answer... yes they do! Fathers, whether primary bread winner or not still matters. Their presences and involvement are always valuable. In study after study, the absence of fathers is linked to a host of what social scientists call “adverse outcomes” in the lives of children. These adverse outcomes affect all of society—increased crime, substance abuse, and dropping out of school, to name but a few. The “adverse outcomes” can also be more “personal,” although just as devastating: increased incidents of mental illness, sexual promiscuity, and an inability to form stable and lasting relationships.