Well what is little Johnny going to sleep with between the hours of 7:30 and 9:30 at night? It ranges from hard-sell advertisements to programs full of sexual and violent behaviors. You are giving this invited, non-regulated "guest" permission to enter your family and feed your children whatever garbage a pervert producer deems fit for so-called "adult" programming.

If your children watch TV two or three hours every night, that adds up to 14 to 21 hours each week. This box-shaped "guest" invades and influences the behavior and morality of your children - the internet is another familiar "guest" these days. Add 30 hours a week of school teachers and school kids and you have up to 51 hours of external influences on your children. How many hours per week of wholesome, loving parental influence do they get to balance out the others? It's your responsibility to set limits and be consistent about them.

6. Pray for your children and yourself.

It's vital that dads take spiritual responsibility by praying for their kids, their marriages, and their life. You should be constantly asking God for His protection over your family. He'll listen. He'll respond. It is absolutely vital.

If you don't know how to ask God's favor on your family and friends, give us a call. We'll put you in touch with someone who will help. I cannot overstress the importance of a father praying for his family. When Dad's praying, Heaven moves and hell shuts up.

One thing I'm constantly surprised by is the myth that women are more spiritual than men. People who make these sorts of comments must think the Bible is complete fiction. The Bible is predominantly about the spiritual journeys of men as they battle to establish the Kingdom of God and redeem their families.

God created you, a man, first, because He wanted to establish a divine order - you in close relationship with Him, prepared and equipped to take care of the family He has given you. Christ is Prophet, Priest, and King to the Church. A father is the same thing to his family.

Materials from Helping Guys become Men, Husbands, and Fathers, by Dr. John King, copyright 2006 used by permission of Destiny Image Publishers, 167 Walnut Bottom Road, Shippensburg, PA 17257 www.destinyimage.com