Father's Day

We were all smiles on father day, getting dad soaked! As I look at the pictures and remember the fun we had I got to thinking about our relationship that we have with each other.

Have you ever wondered what your relationship should be like with your child? In the bible God has some very specific instruction for both the parent and the child.

Ephesians 6:1-4 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first of the Ten Commandments that ends with a promise. And this is the promise: if you honor your father and mother, “you will live a long life, full of blessing.” And now a word to you fathers. Don’t make your children angry by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction approved by the Lord.

Sometimes I had to learn this the hard way… but you can’t parent correctly without being in the word and living the word. Here is some scripture that will help guide you.

Deuteronomy 11:18-19 So commit yourselves completely to these words of mine. Tie them around your hands as a reminder, and wear them on your forehead. Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are away on a journey, when you are lying down and when you are getting up again.

Proverbs 22:6 Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it.

Exodus 10:2 You will be able to tell wonderful stories to your children and grandchildren about the marvelous things I am doing among the Egyptians to prove that I am LORD.

The best way to teach our children God’s ways is to continually live them out ourselves.

Blessings to you!

New Beginnings

Today marks the day of a new beginning for me. I ended a chapter in my life to begin a new one. Have you ever wanted to start something new and wondered “How do I get a new start?” I believe its starts with the desire to want to change but it’s something we can’t do on our own. It says in 2 Corinthians 5:17 Those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun! That’s amazing… When you believe in Christ you are re-created as people. You have a new life. A new beginning! And it doesn’t stop there; it says in scripture that God gives us many opportunities to begin anew. Lamentations 3:23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. God meets us right where we are. We don’t have to wait until we’re perfect that just won’t happen. We don’t have to feel bad about the choices we made yesterday. He loves us and He’s waiting for us to come to Him. One of my favorite verses in the bible is Philippians 1:6 I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again. When we allow God to work in our heart; a transformation occurs deep within us and all around us.

I recently went to a one day seminar with a good friend. On the way there I was telling her that this day marks the day of a new beginning for me. I resigned from my job at the church because God has a bigger plan for me, a plan to go out and reach the lost people in our community. 1 Peter 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. I really felt I could not do that sitting behind a desk. I had some reservations about it until God so gently reminded me where he wants me. Our first speaker was Kay and she was from Texas. I was convicted of a lot of things that day but one thing that will always stand out is the way Kay laid her hands on me that day and prayed. She did not know me personally and our only word exchanged was a polite hello.

This is some of what I remember from that prayer:

Heavenly Father how great you are…
Today is the day of a new beginning for Tara…
Lord you are going to use her and she will see people through your eyes.You are preparing her to go out and cultivate the land…

Now that just sent shivers down my spine and I began to cry.
Right there I knew that was God letting me know what I needed to hear.

I was sharing in church last week that is took me a long time to figure out my “gift”. I really thought that I had made such a mess of my life that I could never be worth anything. But as I grew in my walk with the Lord I began to understand what God’s grace and forgiveness meant for me. Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. If today is the day that marks a new beginning for you, I would encourage you to contact me or seek a pastor or someone you know can help you. God Loves You!

Be Blessed!