Parenting.  The word may bring up all kinds of emotions.  While there is great joy in parenting, there are plenty of frustrations.  Most of us parents can recall moments when we were at a loss of what to do next.  We pull from our resources; our own upbringing, God’s Word, prayer, books, counselors, and friends.  Yet sometimes we just wing-it!  Parenting is complex, challenging, and ever changing with the ages of our children and society in general.  Hopefully, the joys outweigh the concerns; the moments our child achieves a goal, learns to play an instrument well, uses his/her talents to bless someone else, memorizes Scripture, prays for a loved one, or simply warms our heart because of child-like innocence.  All in all, parenting is a BIG deal!

In Deuteronomy 6:1-9, God’s Word teaches us to obey his commands and “then you, your children and their children after them will have respect for the Lord your God as long as you live.”  “The commandments I give you today must be in your hearts.  Make sure your children learn them.”  As parents we are mandated by God to raise our children in the way they should go for the present and the future generations to come.  This is our responsibility and privilege!  Our children will live as active, God-fearing, Kingdom-minded adults longer than they live their years with us.  How we invest now, brings a return for the future, the future of God’s story.

The heart is the center of who we are.  Parenting affects the heart of a child and the heart must be protected and nurtured.  “Above everything else, guard your heart.  It is where your life comes from,”  Proverbs 4:23.  The National Center for Biblical Parenting has great resources to help with your parenting journey.  You can sign up for weekly email encouragement and parenting skills, view book resources, and be alerted to upcoming seminars.  Please follow this link to seminars coming to the San Diego area in February.  You may want to sign up to attend one of the seminars.  I have read their resource, Parenting is Heart Work, and it is excellent.  Every parent should read it, no matter the ages of their children.

May God lead and bless you as you labor in love for your children and for generations to come!

With loving support of you,

Pastor Laurie

It’s with so much excitement that we welcome the people of The Neighborhood Church in Bishop, California to the Crossroads family!  We’ve been “doing life” with The Neighborhood Church for over two years now, and it has been a wonderful journey which converged into a new partnership.  Together we will have a greater impact in the projects and ministries which God has called us to.  In addition, we celebrate the amazing milestone of the congregations 60^th anniversary!  So again, we say “Welcome”; as we rejoice in what the Lord has done.

One of the most exciting things in life is to be used by God! This past week and a half our church was represented by a team of people who did an incredible job at being God’s hand extended. This weekend we will share some stories from Romania but even more importantly we will share what God desires from each and every one of us!

See you on Sunday
Pastor Scott