From Steve’s Library 6/08/2006

Guys, let me put my cards on the table.  Fathers who are overly strict are lousy fathers.  Men who are rigid, authoritarian, suppressive, tyrannical, domineering, and legalistic are usually men who turn their own kids away from Jesus Christ.

Men who are too strict are usually trying hard to force their kids into the Christian life.  Unfortunately, kids don’t want to be around oppressive people.  Nobody does.  No matter how noble their intentions, men who establish and maintain a repressive, legalistic and harsh atmosphere run the risk of destroying their own kids.

Guys, you don’t get a second chance at raising kids.  It is imperative to get it right the first time.  And in order to do that, we have to walk very, very closely to Jesus Christ.  It takes more courage to lovingly establish boundaries than it does to be arbitrary.

—Steve Farrar

Steve Farrar was the author of many books, including the best-sellers Point Man, Finishing Strong, and Battle Ready: Be Strong and of Good Courage in These Troubled Times.