Dad needs to be home more often than not. His wife and children need him to be present and available. The majority of the profound father/child moments that happen aren't planned; they are a result of dad being there when the good and memorable conversations and experiences break out.

Dad is called by God to be a bold father and husband. He is to boldly love, protect, and serve his wife and children. The words "weakling" and "wimp" are nowhere to be found in the definition of the word "dad".

Maybe kids won't always see their dad as being cool, but nonetheless, he should strive to love, discipline, and relate to his kids in such a way that someday they'll look back and say, "You know what? My dad is one pretty cool guy!"

Dad must be a man known by his dedication to his Lord, his family, his friends, his church, and his job. His children are watching, and they will learn this trait not by what he tells them about it, but by how he lives it in front of them.

Many adults tend to look down on teens. "They're spoiled. They're up to no good. They're lazy. They're directionless." Dad needs to be the man who identifies the good in his teens, and he needs to make it his mission to shower them with encouragement and love.

Dad must be a source of fun and excitement in the home. When he is home, there needs to be an anticipation among his kids that something fun - a practical joke, a quick wrestling match, a family board game, an unexpected dinner out, a car wash gone wild - might happen.

A dad's relationship with the Lord through Jesus Christ must be his number one priority. Out of this relationship will then come the strength and courage to be a strong and committed father and husband.

No! I'm not talking about being fat! I'm talking about being strong. Dads must allow the weight of who God has created them to be (as a man, a husband, and a dad) to be felt by everyone aroundthem.

There is nothing worse than a "deadbeat" dad. I'm not talking about the kind that doesn't pay child support (they're even worse!). I'm talking about a dad who doesn't take initiative. He comes home from work and sits in front of the tube or computer, totally ignoring his wife and kids. Good dads initiate family connection no matter how tired they are.

The American Heritage dictionary sums it up perfectly: "Honorable and fair in one's dealings and actions. Consistent with what is morally right."

Men aren't always known for this. Most have a reputation for being "get-it-done" kind of guys who have little patience for those who aren't like them. However, dads must strive to show kindness and patience, recognizing that they will have much greater influence in their homes if they do.

Dad must be steadfast in allegiance and faithful to his wife and children. His loyalty and faithfulness is the solid foundation on which his home is built and on which society stands.

God has wired all dads to be men. We bear His masculine image and must "play" the role of man in our homes. Our sons especially need to see us play the man in order to better understand who God is and who God has made them to be.

Dads are desperately needed. Girls without dads are two and a half times more likely to get pregnant and 50% more likely to use alcohol and tobacco. Boys without dads are 63% more likely to run away and 57% more likely to use drugs.

Dad needs to be honest and open with his kids about who he is, what he thinks, what he feels, and what makes him tick. His openness serves as the key to opening the hearts and souls of his kids.

Batting cages and a burger with your son: $30. Dinner and a movie with your daughter: $40. Being a dad who loves the Lord, delights in his wife, and adores his kids: priceless.

Quick to listen. Quick to love. Quick to learn. Quick to lead. Quick to hug. Quick to laugh. Quick to forgive.

It's not easy being a dad. Our teens are hard to figure out, and sometimes they do and say things that hurt us to the core. However, we must be resilient - able to spring back, recovering readily from adversity and able to continue to lead our families as God intends.

Not as in wretched, poor, or useless, but as in being sorrowful or grieved. If you're anything like me, you blow it a lot! Therefore, we must be willing to admit it and be quick to ask our children and our wife for forgiveness.

I'm not talking about the kind who locks himself in his study and parses every participle of every verse. I'm talking about the kind who studies and knows God's Word to the point of where it impacts the way in which he lives his life and leads his family.

Dad should always be pointing his family upward toward God. His lifestyle, disciplines, attitude, and actions should reflect the fact that he relies solely on the Lord for his strength and direction.

Dad needs to be the one who casts vision and purpose for his family. He is the one who must then lead the charge as they set out to accomplish this purpose.

"Deep in his heart, every man longs for a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue. This is how he bears the image of God; this is what God made him to be." - John Eldridge, taken from Wild at Heart

Dad needs to be able to see through the outward behaviors and attitudes of his kids and see into their hearts. This type of x-ray vision can only be developed by him spending a lot of time hanging out with them.

This doesn't mean that dads need to necessarily do what teens do, but they do need to understand who their teens are and where they're coming from. Dads should be students of teens and the youth culture.

Zealous for God. Zealous for his church. Zealous for his wife. Zealous for his children. Zealous for his personal holiness.