January 31, 2025 • 12 mins
Ever wondered how playing offense can transform your family dynamics? We dive deep into proactive strategies for fostering unity, drawing insights from Proverbs 3:24 for those restless nights. Discover practical tips like incorporating family exercise routines and setting boundaries at the dinner table to boost your health, wealth, and personal development.
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👉 https://thelionwithin.us/podcast/484-ff-proactive-strategies-for-a-purposeful-family/
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Chris Grainger (00:03):
Welcome to the Lion Within Us, a podcast
serving Christian men who arehungry to be the leaders God
intends you to be.
I'm your host, chris Granger.
Let's jump in.
All right, guys, fun Friday,let's go.
I'm in a good mood.
What can I say?
So Proverbs 3.24 is thescripture of the week.
This week.
It says when you lie down, youwill not be afraid.
When you lie down, your sleepwill be sweet.
(00:24):
So if you have trouble sleeping, fellas, this is a good
scripture to know, right here.
Okay, so go back and listen.
If you missed the last twoepisodes, unpack that verse at
length in the spiritual kickoffepisode this week to give you
some ideas how you can simplifyand apply that to your life.
A quick reminder we do theseevery day, monday through Friday
, within the Lion Withinistcommunity, lionwithinus.
Then also on Wednesday'sepisode, which will be the last
(00:50):
one in your podcast feed, I'llunpack five simple strategies,
five simple ones to fight foryour family.
And reality is you're in abattle, and if you don't believe
you are, you've already lost.
And I just unpack those.
So far as fighting in the carand for walks, and at the
bedtime and at the dinner table,and recognizing that we're in a
battle.
I've tried to give you somegood reflections and some
(01:11):
insights into how to approach,from a green light standpoint,
things you can do, because Ikind of got tired here lately of
just reading about all thedefensive stuff Defense, defense
, defense.
I get it.
Defense, win championships.
Defense, defense, defense, Iget it.
Defense, win championships.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I get itEvery now and then.
I want to play offense, I wantto play some offense, and these
(01:33):
were designed in such a way thatthey're offensive for you.
They're bringing you into thatmindset to where you can take
action and do something that'sgoing to equip your family to
push back.
That's what it's all about, allright, so love to get your
feedback on it.
Also, that was a devotional onYouVersion, the free Bible app,
(01:53):
and if you'd like to connectwith me directly on YouVersion,
head over to thelinewithinus,click on devotions and you'll
see a link directly to myYouVersion profile.
You can friend me right thereon YouVersion and from there we
can connect.
We can do Bible studiestogether.
Love to do that with you.
We do a Bible study every month.
We have them going on.
There's a calendar out there onthe website.
(02:14):
You'll see when our nextstudies start.
You can hop in the app, readalong with this, make comments,
and then me and other peoplewithin the line, within us, will
be reaching out and just comingalongside you.
All right, so now, fun Fridaytime.
We do a health, wealth and aself-tip.
The health tip is how we buildstronger minds and bodies.
The wealth tip is how westeward finances and careers
better and self-tip.
(02:34):
Obviously we want to improve ashusbands and fathers, because
there's just areas to improve.
Let's just face it.
So, from a health tip, okay,embrace a family exercise
routine.
Think about that, because lifecan be so crazy.
It's all your responsibilities,but making time for physical
activity with the family can betransformative.
(02:55):
Or a weekly walk, right, or afamily workout can be more than
just exercise.
It can be just a great time ofconnections.
So, during these activities,leave the distractions, put them
to the side and focus on beingpresent, share stories, talk
about the day or discuss about averse.
So if you have young children,maybe you need to turn this into
(03:15):
an adventure by trying a newtrail or new park, right?
Hey, for teens, this may be atime to listen to some and offer
some encouragement, but make ita family priority, right, you
nurture your physical health,but also your emotional and
spiritual bonds that startstrengthening when we do this
together, like for me and myoldest daughter.
(03:36):
You know we I lift weights.
You want to start liftingweights too.
So you know we're in themornings, we're doing that.
It's just another opportunityfor connection and conversation.
All right, wealth tip Stewardour time wisely, okay, because,
again, time is the most preciouscommodity that God has given us
and we don't know how much wegot.
(03:59):
It starts slipping away.
So, to make the most of our day, reflect on those moments that
go unused, like your commute,okay.
So if you're driving to work orrunning errands?
So if you're driving to work orrunning errands, turn this time
into a space for reflection andgrowth.
Maybe you need to listen tofaith-based podcasts where you
are right now, or audio books orscripture to align your heart
(04:23):
with God's purpose, or scriptureto align your heart with God's
purpose.
Use this time just to be quietin prayer.
Right, it's to connect withothers, so this doesn't mean
just boosting productivity.
I want you to think about howdo you invite God into the
ordinary, how is he going tocome into the ordinary stuff in
your life, from the mundane tomeaningful.
(04:46):
That all happens when we thinkabout stewarding our time wisely
.
Now, we've already talked aboutthis a little bit, but just a
quick reminder.
A good self-tip is to establishif you want to reclaim that
dinner table we've alreadyestablished.
The dinner table is underattack.
We want to reclaim it.
You better establish somedinner table boundaries.
(05:07):
Okay, again, it can be one ofthe most sacred places on your
home.
Table is under attack.
We want to reclaim it.
You better establish somedinner table boundaries.
Okay, again, it can be one ofthe most sacred places on your
home Connection, laughter,conversation.
But distractions phones,screens, tvs they rob families
of this precious time.
Create a no device rule andthen you may have to do some
(05:28):
pruning of the area or justredesign the area completely to
get the devices out and thenstart encouraging each member of
your family to share somethingabout their day or challenge
their facing, and then use thistime as well as they start
talking, model active listening,follow up with thoughtful
(05:50):
questions and follow ups andaffirmations to each other.
Because if you set this as aboundary, as a non-negotiable at
the dinner table, it's going tostay right and it's going to
strengthen your role as a leaderof the home.
It's going to create deeperrelationships and a rhythm of
gratitude and connection, justby you being intentional here.
(06:12):
So there you go.
There are your three tips,fellas.
Give you some three really goodones.
Embrace that family exerciseroutine, stewarding that time
wisely and establishing thosedinner table boundaries.
Okay, now, book of the week.
This week we didn't have anauthor, but I want to pull this
one up.
This is a Screwtape LetterStudy Guide.
Okay, by Alan Vermeule.
(06:33):
I actually reached out to Alan.
I told him I had some amount oflove to get a copy of this,
because I love the ScrewtapeLetters and this would be a good
study to work through with someguys, and he sent a copy to me
for free.
So this is pretty awesome.
So definitely go check it out.
We'll have a link in the shownotes for you guys to go check
that out.
I asked well, you could come onthe show.
He's like well, I'm justsending you a copy so he may be
(06:53):
on the show at some point, but Ijust want to thank Alan for
that.
Definitely, guys, get a copy ofthis book.
Again, if you've never readScrewtape Letters, it's a great
book.
It and it's two demons talkingto each other.
He had an older demon and ayounger demon, and it's just a
conversation between the two onhow they're attacking their
(07:15):
enemy and the enemy, is youright?
So it's a wonderful insightthere to think about.
All right, so, guys, we've gotour dad jokes right here.
Let's get into those for funtimes here.
So the dad joke number one whydon't dads like bedtime battles?
Because they're always going tolose some sleep over it.
Get it, there you go, numberone.
(07:35):
Number two why did the dad lovehis family walks?
Because he thought that theywere taking steps in the right
direction.
So here there are two thingsyou could do right now, at
bedtime and on family walks, tothrow in a dad joke.
Courtesy of the lion within us.
Okay, number one why don't dadslike bedtime battles?
Because they know they alwayslose sleep over it.
Number two why did the dad lovefamily walks?
(07:58):
Because he thought of them assteps in the right direction.
So there you go, fellas Again,if you like a dad joke, if you
have a dad joke we haven't usedyet support at thelinewithinus,
send us an email.
We'll give you some swag andjust a big shout-out for helping
out the show.
Okay, question of the week.
This week is what's onedistraction you can eliminate
(08:18):
during your family time thisweek?
You've had all week to thinkabout it.
Now here's what I'm going tochallenge you.
You need some accountability.
Go do it, go do it, go do it.
Whatever that one thing is, andyou doggone it.
You know what that one thing isTime to go do it, lean into it.
Anyone doesn't want you to doit.
Anyone wants you.
Oh, you can do it next week.
(08:38):
Oh, it's going to be okay.
Then, as you know, it's fiveyears, bro, take action today.
Lean in, choose your heart,lead your family.
God handpicked you.
He didn't handpick anybody else, okay, so don't miss that for a
second.
There's not someone else, alittle fairy out there just
running around, that can leadyour family.
No, it is you guy.
You, bro, like, pull the mirror.
(08:59):
If you're in a car or a truckright now, look at the mirror
Like that dude looking back.
That's the dude that God said.
That's the guy I want to putthat guy in charge.
I want him to teach these kidsabout growing as disciples.
I want him to teach these kidsabout the fruit of the Spirit,
(09:20):
about love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness,self-control.
That's the guy.
I want him to love his wife,just relentlessly pursue her and
just passionately just showeverything he has as her partner
in marriage.
One man, one woman for life.
I want him to be that ethicalleader at work and showing up,
(09:43):
making these moral decisionsthat are aligned to God's
purpose and his path, becausethat is what he's called me to
do.
You, you guys, you're the one.
If you need some moreencouragement, I'm telling you,
boys, if you need some moreencouragement here, if you still
feel like you're not equipped,the lionwithinus, the
lionwithinus.
Join the community today.
(10:04):
Doggone it.
I'm just going.
If there's one listener outthere and you know who you are,
take some action.
Go to the lionwithinus rightnow.
Click on the button to join thecommunity and let's get started
.
I'll see you inside.
So, guys, have a great weekend,get after it.
Thank you so much.
Give us a rating or reviewAgain the lion within that us
(10:26):
and how you get all ourresources, all the things we're
building to help equip you be aleader God intends you to be.
So thank you again.
We'll see you next week afterthe good little willing, and
remember to keep unleashing thelion with it.
(10:46):
I don't know about you, but Iused to find Mondays really
rough.
I would find myself trying toreset for work, trying to get my
bearing on the family calendar,trying to find time for my own
spiritual growth and development, and often I found myself
overwhelmed or just flatlyignoring aspects of my life that
I know are meaningful to me.
What I learned was that if I hadimmediate access to important
and impactful spiritual topicsand reflections to start my week
(11:09):
well, after the allure of aSunday sermon has passed, I
would set my whole week up to bemore meaningful and for the
opportunity to make a trueimpact.
If you think that getting sucha boost would help your week to
get started on the right foot,we would love for you to sign up
for the Weekly Roar, which isour newsletter that is produced
(11:31):
by the Lion Within Us.
Each week will deliver apowerful reflection and
practical steps to help youapply scripture with clarity and
purpose, all being rooted inlight and truth.
So in just a few minutes, wehope to arm you with insights
for living out biblicalleadership with confidence and
(11:52):
strength, and maybe even have alittle extra bounce in your step
.
If that sounds useful, headover to thelionwithinus slash
ROAR to sign up today.
That's thelionwithinus slashROAR.
To get your weekly ROAR today.
Welcome to the Lion Within Us, a podcast
serving Christian men who arehungry to be the leaders God
intends you to be.
I'm your host, chris Granger.
Let's jump in.
All right, guys, fun Friday,let's go.
I'm in a good mood.
What can I say?
So Proverbs 3.24 is thescripture of the week.
This week.
It says when you lie down, youwill not be afraid.
When you lie down, your sleepwill be sweet.
(00:24):
So if you have trouble sleeping, fellas, this is a good
scripture to know, right here.
Okay, so go back and listen.
If you missed the last twoepisodes, unpack that verse at
length in the spiritual kickoffepisode this week to give you
some ideas how you can simplifyand apply that to your life.
A quick reminder we do theseevery day, monday through Friday
, within the Lion Withinistcommunity, lionwithinus.
Then also on Wednesday'sepisode, which will be the last
(00:50):
one in your podcast feed, I'llunpack five simple strategies,
five simple ones to fight foryour family.
And reality is you're in abattle, and if you don't believe
you are, you've already lost.
And I just unpack those.
So far as fighting in the carand for walks, and at the
bedtime and at the dinner table,and recognizing that we're in a
battle.
I've tried to give you somegood reflections and some
(01:11):
insights into how to approach,from a green light standpoint,
things you can do, because Ikind of got tired here lately of
just reading about all thedefensive stuff Defense, defense
, defense.
I get it.
Defense, win championships.
Defense, defense, defense, Iget it.
Defense, win championships.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I get itEvery now and then.
I want to play offense, I wantto play some offense, and these
(01:33):
were designed in such a way thatthey're offensive for you.
They're bringing you into thatmindset to where you can take
action and do something that'sgoing to equip your family to
push back.
That's what it's all about, allright, so love to get your
feedback on it.
Also, that was a devotional onYouVersion, the free Bible app,
(01:53):
and if you'd like to connectwith me directly on YouVersion,
head over to thelinewithinus,click on devotions and you'll
see a link directly to myYouVersion profile.
You can friend me right thereon YouVersion and from there we
can connect.
We can do Bible studiestogether.
Love to do that with you.
We do a Bible study every month.
We have them going on.
There's a calendar out there onthe website.
(02:14):
You'll see when our nextstudies start.
You can hop in the app, readalong with this, make comments,
and then me and other peoplewithin the line, within us, will
be reaching out and just comingalongside you.
All right, so now, fun Fridaytime.
We do a health, wealth and aself-tip.
The health tip is how we buildstronger minds and bodies.
The wealth tip is how westeward finances and careers
better and self-tip.
(02:34):
Obviously we want to improve ashusbands and fathers, because
there's just areas to improve.
Let's just face it.
So, from a health tip, okay,embrace a family exercise
routine.
Think about that, because lifecan be so crazy.
It's all your responsibilities,but making time for physical
activity with the family can betransformative.
(02:55):
Or a weekly walk, right, or afamily workout can be more than
just exercise.
It can be just a great time ofconnections.
So, during these activities,leave the distractions, put them
to the side and focus on beingpresent, share stories, talk
about the day or discuss about averse.
So if you have young children,maybe you need to turn this into
(03:15):
an adventure by trying a newtrail or new park, right?
Hey, for teens, this may be atime to listen to some and offer
some encouragement, but make ita family priority, right, you
nurture your physical health,but also your emotional and
spiritual bonds that startstrengthening when we do this
together, like for me and myoldest daughter.
(03:36):
You know we I lift weights.
You want to start liftingweights too.
So you know we're in themornings, we're doing that.
It's just another opportunityfor connection and conversation.
All right, wealth tip Stewardour time wisely, okay, because,
again, time is the most preciouscommodity that God has given us
and we don't know how much wegot.
(03:59):
It starts slipping away.
So, to make the most of our day, reflect on those moments that
go unused, like your commute,okay.
So if you're driving to work orrunning errands?
So if you're driving to work orrunning errands, turn this time
into a space for reflection andgrowth.
Maybe you need to listen tofaith-based podcasts where you
are right now, or audio books orscripture to align your heart
(04:23):
with God's purpose, or scriptureto align your heart with God's
purpose.
Use this time just to be quietin prayer.
Right, it's to connect withothers, so this doesn't mean
just boosting productivity.
I want you to think about howdo you invite God into the
ordinary, how is he going tocome into the ordinary stuff in
your life, from the mundane tomeaningful.
(04:46):
That all happens when we thinkabout stewarding our time wisely
.
Now, we've already talked aboutthis a little bit, but just a
quick reminder.
A good self-tip is to establishif you want to reclaim that
dinner table we've alreadyestablished.
The dinner table is underattack.
We want to reclaim it.
You better establish somedinner table boundaries.
(05:07):
Okay, again, it can be one ofthe most sacred places on your
home.
Table is under attack.
We want to reclaim it.
You better establish somedinner table boundaries.
Okay, again, it can be one ofthe most sacred places on your
home Connection, laughter,conversation.
But distractions phones,screens, tvs they rob families
of this precious time.
Create a no device rule andthen you may have to do some
(05:28):
pruning of the area or justredesign the area completely to
get the devices out and thenstart encouraging each member of
your family to share somethingabout their day or challenge
their facing, and then use thistime as well as they start
talking, model active listening,follow up with thoughtful
(05:50):
questions and follow ups andaffirmations to each other.
Because if you set this as aboundary, as a non-negotiable at
the dinner table, it's going tostay right and it's going to
strengthen your role as a leaderof the home.
It's going to create deeperrelationships and a rhythm of
gratitude and connection, justby you being intentional here.
(06:12):
So there you go.
There are your three tips,fellas.
Give you some three really goodones.
Embrace that family exerciseroutine, stewarding that time
wisely and establishing thosedinner table boundaries.
Okay, now, book of the week.
This week we didn't have anauthor, but I want to pull this
one up.
This is a Screwtape LetterStudy Guide.
Okay, by Alan Vermeule.
(06:33):
I actually reached out to Alan.
I told him I had some amount oflove to get a copy of this,
because I love the ScrewtapeLetters and this would be a good
study to work through with someguys, and he sent a copy to me
for free.
So this is pretty awesome.
So definitely go check it out.
We'll have a link in the shownotes for you guys to go check
that out.
I asked well, you could come onthe show.
He's like well, I'm justsending you a copy so he may be
(06:53):
on the show at some point, but Ijust want to thank Alan for
that.
Definitely, guys, get a copy ofthis book.
Again, if you've never readScrewtape Letters, it's a great
book.
It and it's two demons talkingto each other.
He had an older demon and ayounger demon, and it's just a
conversation between the two onhow they're attacking their
(07:15):
enemy and the enemy, is youright?
So it's a wonderful insightthere to think about.
All right, so, guys, we've gotour dad jokes right here.
Let's get into those for funtimes here.
So the dad joke number one whydon't dads like bedtime battles?
Because they're always going tolose some sleep over it.
Get it, there you go, numberone.
(07:35):
Number two why did the dad lovehis family walks?
Because he thought that theywere taking steps in the right
direction.
So here there are two thingsyou could do right now, at
bedtime and on family walks, tothrow in a dad joke.
Courtesy of the lion within us.
Okay, number one why don't dadslike bedtime battles?
Because they know they alwayslose sleep over it.
Number two why did the dad lovefamily walks?
(07:58):
Because he thought of them assteps in the right direction.
So there you go, fellas Again,if you like a dad joke, if you
have a dad joke we haven't usedyet support at thelinewithinus,
send us an email.
We'll give you some swag andjust a big shout-out for helping
out the show.
Okay, question of the week.
This week is what's onedistraction you can eliminate
(08:18):
during your family time thisweek?
You've had all week to thinkabout it.
Now here's what I'm going tochallenge you.
You need some accountability.
Go do it, go do it, go do it.
Whatever that one thing is, andyou doggone it.
You know what that one thing isTime to go do it, lean into it.
Anyone doesn't want you to doit.
Anyone wants you.
Oh, you can do it next week.
(08:38):
Oh, it's going to be okay.
Then, as you know, it's fiveyears, bro, take action today.
Lean in, choose your heart,lead your family.
God handpicked you.
He didn't handpick anybody else, okay, so don't miss that for a
second.
There's not someone else, alittle fairy out there just
running around, that can leadyour family.
No, it is you guy.
You, bro, like, pull the mirror.
(08:59):
If you're in a car or a truckright now, look at the mirror
Like that dude looking back.
That's the dude that God said.
That's the guy I want to putthat guy in charge.
I want him to teach these kidsabout growing as disciples.
I want him to teach these kidsabout the fruit of the Spirit,
(09:20):
about love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness,self-control.
That's the guy.
I want him to love his wife,just relentlessly pursue her and
just passionately just showeverything he has as her partner
in marriage.
One man, one woman for life.
I want him to be that ethicalleader at work and showing up,
(09:43):
making these moral decisionsthat are aligned to God's
purpose and his path, becausethat is what he's called me to
do.
You, you guys, you're the one.
If you need some moreencouragement, I'm telling you,
boys, if you need some moreencouragement here, if you still
feel like you're not equipped,the lionwithinus, the
lionwithinus.
Join the community today.
(10:04):
Doggone it.
I'm just going.
If there's one listener outthere and you know who you are,
take some action.
Go to the lionwithinus rightnow.
Click on the button to join thecommunity and let's get started
.
I'll see you inside.
So, guys, have a great weekend,get after it.
Thank you so much.
Give us a rating or reviewAgain the lion within that us
(10:26):
and how you get all ourresources, all the things we're
building to help equip you be aleader God intends you to be.
So thank you again.
We'll see you next week afterthe good little willing, and
remember to keep unleashing thelion with it.
(10:46):
I don't know about you, but Iused to find Mondays really
rough.
I would find myself trying toreset for work, trying to get my
bearing on the family calendar,trying to find time for my own
spiritual growth and development, and often I found myself
overwhelmed or just flatlyignoring aspects of my life that
I know are meaningful to me.
What I learned was that if I hadimmediate access to important
and impactful spiritual topicsand reflections to start my week
(11:09):
well, after the allure of aSunday sermon has passed, I
would set my whole week up to bemore meaningful and for the
opportunity to make a trueimpact.
If you think that getting sucha boost would help your week to
get started on the right foot,we would love for you to sign up
for the Weekly Roar, which isour newsletter that is produced
(11:31):
by the Lion Within Us.
Each week will deliver apowerful reflection and
practical steps to help youapply scripture with clarity and
purpose, all being rooted inlight and truth.
So in just a few minutes, wehope to arm you with insights
for living out biblicalleadership with confidence and
(11:52):
strength, and maybe even have alittle extra bounce in your step
.
If that sounds useful, headover to thelionwithinus slash
ROAR to sign up today.
That's thelionwithinus slashROAR.
To get your weekly ROAR today.
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