a father and his son

father and son - Neal Lauron/Promise Keepers

This photograph from Promise Keepers' Stand In The Gap captures a father's heart toward his son. On Saturday, October 4, 1997, Promise Keepers held the largest reported religious gathering in U.S. history, hosting a reported one million men on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. A media person termed it "The largest gathering of Christian men since Moses crossed the Red Sea."

The non-political display of Christian unity called Stand in the Gap: A Sacred Assembly of Men invited men to the nation’s capital to worship God, confess sins before Him, inspire reawakening in the Church, and commit to a change of heart, mind, and way of life.

One of the covenants expressed that day was, "We covenant by your grace to love and serve our wives and children. We commit to give them first priority in our prayers and schedules. Today, each of us declares, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Where we have used our masculinity against others, we now commit to honor all women and value all human life through our words and in our actions."


a man prays for his wife...

On this Father's Day weekend, here's a reminder to turn your heart as a father toward your children:

10 Ways to Be a Better Dad

1. Love Your Children's Mother
Absolutely the best thing you can do...A husband and wife who let their kids know they're in love provide a secure environment for their children.' If Dad and Mom accept each other, then they must accept me, too' is the hidden message...and that's a powerful declaration of security for any child. The best family education? Having parents who love and cherish each other.

2. Spend Time With Your Children
How you spend your time reflects what's important to you. It's a simple truth kids know long before Dads do. No matter what you might say to make up for lost time, if your children feel you are not as concerned about them as you are with work, or some other interest, they'll perceive that they're not valuable. To kids, perception IS reality. Which is why there's no greater love a father can give than giving of himself for his children.

3. Earn The Right To Be Heard
Want your child's first thought when they're facing adversity to be ' I wonder if Dad's available?' Then build the road that will lead them home now. That means taking an interest in their views and their issues. It means being honest, and vulnerable. It also means talking about anything...and often. Children want to be led, but the successful father earns the right to lead."

Read the rest here