I have a blog that I’ve been working on this spring, and I thought that June 1st would be a good day to let 
people know about it.
It’s called “Revisiting Minnesota State Parks” and in it I have been reviewing and ranking the state parks as visited by my family. It includes stories about my kids.
Go check it out!
As hinted over at my other blog: One of the benefits of living in a family is they can (and will) point out which of the things you do are annoying.
As father, you should (1) make sure this happens, and (2) make sure it happens with Grace and Love.
As I wrote this week’s fighter verse song application post, I starting thinking that there might be a hidden command in it.
Proverbs 6:20-21
My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching. Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck.
So the primary truth in this verse is that kids should consider their parent’s words and teachings to be very important.
But I think there is a message for parents as well: Be careful what you teach them. Because God is telling them to bind these words on their hearts.
If you are not careful, you might drag them down with unhelpful rules and criticism. You might bind them up with legalism or permissivism. You might pull them apart with inconsistency.
Your guidance should serve to lead them, protect them and point them to the Gospel.
Dads, ask your son or daughter to tell you what they think the Gospel is. Ask for clarification when they are vague, encourage them where they have it right and correct them where they don’t.
Dads, let’s say you’re at work and as a part of the celebration for the fact that you’ve worked at your company for fifteen years they give you an ‘Anniversary’ helium balloon. Don’t be like my boss and leave it at work.
No. Here’s what you do: You take that balloon home and let your kids play with it.
Our son Erik was born one year and a day after his older sister Adelyn was born.
He just turned nine.
Here are some things you should know about Erik
1. He likes physical touch. We knew this even before he walked up to Debbie and I one morning (four years ago) as we were saying goodbye and said, “Hug Group!”. He is the one who most often requests that all of us wrestle.
2. For his age, he’s the tallest of our children.
3. He likes to laugh and he tries to make us laugh. And I like it when I make him laugh. 
4. When Debbie asked him what he’d like to do with her, he answered “Make a cherry pie”. Our whole family benefited from the result.
5. We love Erik and we’re glad he’s a part of our family.
Dads, have you told your kids about the Gospel this week?
