And the church will wonder why it is dying when all it can do is pass on judgement and clique-ism. We want more from church than what today's church offers. We are out of church right now as are both of our 20-ish sons -- too much hurt and judgement for those who don't quite fit the box. One son is not quite with the Lord and the other is growing closer each day. But we know that God does not leave us, we leave Him. But I can be close to him and out of church. My wife's line is "I should not have to wear my spiritual armor to attend church." Amen, Sweetie.

I, too, was that dad who was never popular or a jock. But, my guys are now 23 and 20 and they are themselves (which is a good thing). The shy one is now the out-front he-man jock who understands people very very well. It was not handed to him; he worked hard to get where he is. My other son has had a very hard life due to some medical issues which reset his life just as he entered college. He, too, knows how to think and he is his own person. So, buck up and know that you will be a great Dad by being "there" (where ever that takes you) for your kids. We do not have to "be" anything but the person that God wants us to be as examples. My Dad died when I was young but taught me that the number one thing I could do for my sons is to love their Mom. Do that and love God and things will work out their own ways.