Most New Year resolutions fail because we start with the wrong definition of success.

As Christian dads, we are quick to set goals, chase improvement, and measure progress by outcomes we never stopped to question. But before we decide what to pursue in 2026, we need to ask a better question:
What does excellence actually look like from God’s perspective?

In this episode, I walk through what it means to approach resolutions as a disciple first, not as a man driven by comparison, envy, or cultural pressure. Drawing from Joshua 1:8 and Deuteronomy 6, I challenge dads to rethink success, commit to Scripture, and lead their families with intentional faith rather than unchecked ambition.

If you want to grow as a disciple, lead your home with clarity, and pursue the kind of excellence God actually calls us to, this conversation will give you a clear starting point for the year ahead.

Faith Resolutions for Christian Dads in 2026:

• Commit to reading the Bible from Genesis to Revelation
• Talk weekly with another man about what you are reading
• Read Scripture or a Bible-based devotional with your children most days of the week

Resources mentions:

Tiny Truths - https://amzn.to/4iUZYqa (amazon)

God's Big Picture Bible Storybook - https://amzn.to/4oYvN2O (amazon)

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Get your FREE 7-day devotional to realign your identity as a dad:
https://fatheringourfuture.com/2025/03/22/free-7-day-devotional/

Get your free eBook, Cut the Crap: Direct Tips for Becoming a Dad:
https://fatheringourfuture.com/2024/08/04/free-download-for-new-dads/

Get your copy of Following Our Father: A Devotional for Dads on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/48jD9sH

Support Fathering Our Future and help equip dads who want to lead well:
https://fathering-our-future.kit.com/products/anthony-vandagriff

As we approach 2026, most of us start drafting resolutions. We look at 2025, measure our wins and losses, and try to map out ways to be better. But Christian dads are called to a deeper starting point. Before we write a single resolution, we should first ask God to define what excellence actually looks like in our lives.

In this episode, I share a simple but life-altering shift:
Pray first. Ask God to reveal His definition of excellence for you as a disciple, a husband, and a father.
When our goals begin with God’s perspective, not comparison or envy, we pursue what actually matters.

Resources:
Free 7-Day Devotional → https://fatheringourfuture.com/2025/03/22/free-7-day-devotional/
Following Our Father (Devotional for Dads) → https://amzn.to/48jD9sH
Free eBook for New Dads (Cut the Crap) → https://fatheringourfuture.com/2024/08/04/free-download-for-new-dads/
Merch → https://fatheringourfuture.printify.me/products
Support Fathering Our Future → https://fathering-our-future.kit.com/products/anthony-vandagriff

You’re a Christian dad trying to raise kind Christian children when all of a sudden you find out that your child has stolen something from the store you visited. What do you do?

This happened to my wife and I recently and I am going to honest with you, we handled things great. I want to give you four tips to handle situations like this great as well. I will elaborate on:

• Keeping your cool
• Leading them to confession
• Reminding them of your motive
• Embracing them

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Get your FREE 7-day devotional download:

https://fatheringourfuture.com/2025/03/22/free-7-day-devotional/

Get your copy of my devotional for dads, Following Our Father:

https://amzn.to/45m9ldR

Get your free gift, a copy of Cut The Crap (E-book):

https://fatheringourfuture.com/2024/08/04/free-download-for-new-dads/

MERCH:

https://fatheringourfuture.printify.me/products

Become a financial partner with Fathering Our Future and make a direct impact on dads:

https://fathering-our-future.kit.com/products/anthony-vandagriff

Throughout the month of November we attempt to be thankful. We devote each day to something different to be thankful for. But if we are honest, sometimes it can be a challenge to stay thankful.

I want to open up and share some of the difficulty around constant gratitude and offer a key scripture that helps reframe the way we think.

https://fatheringourfuture.com/2025/11/24/the-key-to-staying-thankful/

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Get your FREE 7-day devotional download:

https://fatheringourfuture.com/2025/03/22/free-7-day-devotional/

Get your copy of my devotional for dads, Following Our Father:

https://amzn.to/45m9ldR

Get your free gift, a copy of Cut The Crap (E-book):

https://fatheringourfuture.com/2024/08/04/free-download-for-new-dads/

MERCH:

https://fatheringourfuture.printify.me/products

Become a financial partner with Fathering Our Future and make a direct impact on dads:

https://fathering-our-future.kit.com/products/anthony-vandagriff

I came across an article that would catch the attention of any parent with young children about 7 ‘magic phrases’ that can calm tantrums instantly. While that sounds too good to be true, something like this is worth checking out just in case there is truth to it.

This week we sift through this article to determine what actually works and what you should not waste your time on. I will also provide some wisdom for tantrums that is so counterintuitive and unnatural but it’s Bible.

Here is the article we are looking at: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/02/ive-studied-over-200-kidsthese-7-magic-phrases-can-calm-any-tantrum-instantly.html

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Get your FREE 7-day devotional download:

https://fatheringourfuture.com/2025/03/22/free-7-day-devotional/

Get your copy of my devotional for dads, Following Our Father:

https://amzn.to/45m9ldR

Get your free gift, a copy of Cut The Crap (E-book):

https://fatheringourfuture.com/2024/08/04/free-download-for-new-dads/

MERCH:

https://fatheringourfuture.printify.me/products

Become a financial partner with Fathering Our Future and make a direct impact on dads:

https://fathering-our-future.kit.com/products/anthony-vandagriff

We live in a world where several voices claim to have the formula to being a good dad. While I understand fatherhood to be an ever-changing complexity that is unique to every dad, I want to offer guidance on how you can be a good dad by focusing on two things.

I want to break down what it means to be the dad your children need you to be and how you can ensure your kids know they are abundantly loved by you.

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Get your FREE 7-day devotional download:

https://fatheringourfuture.com/2025/03/22/free-7-day-devotional/

Get your copy of my devotional for dads, Following Our Father:

https://amzn.to/45m9ldR

Get your free gift, a copy of Cut The Crap (E-book):

https://fatheringourfuture.com/2024/08/04/free-download-for-new-dads/

MERCH:

https://fatheringourfuture.printify.me/products

Become a financial partner with Fathering Our Future and make a direct impact on dads:

https://fathering-our-future.kit.com/products/anthony-vandagriff

We all enter into fatherhood with influences and voices that shape our approach. Maybe your dad was truly the man, or maybe you were inspired by an uncle, coach, pastor, or social influencer. But have you taken time to consider if you approach fatherhood in a way that honors God?

One of the clearest ways we can be God honoring dads is to imitate our Heavenly Father. I want to focus on just two qualities of God that we need to mimic as dads to both bless our kids and honor God — pursuing our kids and always showing up.

https://fatheringourfuture.com/2025/11/03/are-you-a-god-honoring-dad/

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Get your FREE 7-day devotional download:

https://fatheringourfuture.com/2025/03/22/free-7-day-devotional/

Get your copy of my devotional for dads, Following Our Father:

https://amzn.to/45m9ldR

Get your free gift, a copy of Cut The Crap (E-book):

https://fatheringourfuture.com/2024/08/04/free-download-for-new-dads/

MERCH:

https://fatheringourfuture.printify.me/products

Become a financial partner with Fathering Our Future and make a direct impact on dads:

https://fathering-our-future.kit.com/products/anthony-vandagriff

The Bible indicates that we know people by their fruits. Have you ever wondered what your kids know about you based on your fruit?

In Galatians 5:22-23 we are introduced to the fruit of the Spirit. Good stuff but often misunderstood. I remember growing up and learning that these were characteristics and behaviors I had to practice and work on, but now I know that is not the case.

I want to help you better understand the fruit of the Spirit and how it relates to you as a dad. I’ll explain:

• What the fruit of the Spirit is
• Who the fruit is for
• How you can identify the fruit in your life

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Get your FREE 7-day devotional download:

https://fatheringourfuture.com/2025/03/22/free-7-day-devotional/

Get your copy of my devotional for dads, Following Our Father:

https://amzn.to/45m9ldR

Get your free gift, a copy of Cut The Crap (E-book):

https://fatheringourfuture.com/2024/08/04/free-download-for-new-dads/

MERCH:

https://fatheringourfuture.printify.me/products

Become a financial partner with Fathering Our Future and make a direct impact on dads:

https://fathering-our-future.kit.com/products/anthony-vandagriff