The Difference a Father Makes, by Ed Tandy McGlasson, is one of the best parenting books that I have read that is specifically aimed at fathers.  I would like to introduce you to the book and some of the key points that I found as I read. 

Mr. McGlasson presents the principles in this book in an easy to understand, practical way.  He is real and straight-forward.  As I am embarking on raising a godly young daughter, my Grace, I appreciate the insights that point me to becoming a model of how she should relate to her heavenly Father.

"When our hearts are filled with security and trust in a dad who loves us, we stop living FOR our father's approval, and begin to live FROM his approval."  I have been blessed to have a godly father who has affirmed me many times.  His love and pride have helped launch me into becoming a man of God.  When a child does not understand that security he relates to his heavenly Father in a performance-driven relationship that results in stress and short-falling.

God has placed in each of our hearts a desire and instinct to provide for and lead our families.  Many fathers get lost in the daily grind of trying to make a living and provide the best to the point that they lose focus of their primary responsibility.  "Kids dont want bigger houses, faster cars, or more money in the bak.  What they really want to know is this: What does my dad really think about me?"

Ed McGlasson points to Jewish traditions of providing young men and young women with a specific time where they are launched into adulthood, a right of passage.  There should always be a time when we give our children permission to grow up.  We mark a line in the sand saying, "You are now responsible for your actions and for who you become."  It is important to build a strong foundation for our children, but they become responsible for building the house/life that they become.  The whole reason we build structure into our children's lives is to provide the foundation for adulthood.

In providing this experience the author points to Jesus' public affirmation experience as his cousin, John, baptized him.  God clearly released a public declaration of His love for His Son.  He also articulated that this was a goal line.  This was the time when he would be launched into his true purpose and fulfillment on earth.  We should create a specific time whether in public or simply a public place, like a restaraunt, where we publically affirm all of the wonderful things about them, how much we love them, and then articulate that they are now a man/woman and no longer a child.

However, your rites of passage experiences are not the things that catapult your children into success.  The most important part of fathering is "to connect them to the voice of their heavenly Father who can lead them into their destiny."

"As fathers, we must be diligent to instill in our children the difference between living under the smile of their Father versus feeling the need to earn His smile.  We do this by modeling God's love for them -  your love for them is not based on what they do, but is based simply on the fact that they are your son or daughter ... Children who don't know the smile of their fathers have a hard time hearing God's call for their lives.  They don't know how to make sacrifices, take risks, and obtain all that their dreams entail."

I don't know about you, but I am always looking for practical tools to have at my disposal.  Mr. McGlasson gives several of these.

1. Speak blessings over your children's lives in front of them.
2. Affirm your children in front of your peers and their peers.
3. Date you daughter so you don't lose their hearts when they are older.
4. Extravegantly love your wife to show them how a wife is supposed to be loved.
5. Develop traditions that highlight shared values and commitments.
6. Don't assume you know what they need, ask them.
7. Give your child a token (ring, chain, prized possession) to symbolize a covenant of purity between him/her, you, and God.

I knew when I read this book that I must include some of the principles for you to view.  I hope you are blessed by reading some of these.  Of course, please read the book, The Difference a Father Makes, by Ed Tandy McGlasson.  The heart-warming stories and ideas will stir you toward biblically raising your most important responsibility on earth.  Devotionals are also included on the book's website, www.thedifferenceafathermakes.com.

Blessings!