Lead Your Children

"Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6

This evening, I gathered my family for some quiet time and we spoke of the importance of meaningful prayer. The sound of their voices praying directly to the Lord will forever be embedded in my memory. This gives me hope in teaching them something new tomorrow, incumbent in my duties as a father.

Resolutions

Resolutions

Yesterday, I called for a family meeting. The topic of discussion was "resolutions."

Not sure where the conversation would go, nor the outcome, what I did know is that God is GOOD.

And, He has blessed us plentiful by our obedience to Him as a family.

This said, I prayed and asked Him to show me the way.

Leaning on my bible, I referred to a verse which I have relied heavily on this past year...

"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."

Philippians 4:13

Ironically, this same verse was used in a Christian-based movie entitled Soul Surfer which we watched just a couple of weeks ago. Great movie, by the way!

This year, I want to introduce my family to traditions. As such, resolutions are now added to the bucket.

This year, we will SUPPORT one another in striving to attain our goals.

This year will be a year of strengthening, of bonding, of memory-making for God's glory.

We decided that this year, we would each choose three goals with three areas of focus.

Spiritual

Physical

Personal

The secret in attaining our goals will be to lean on one another and to remind one another that God is the One who gives us strength through the power of his Grace.

We spoke in detail about materialistic, earthly possessions which hinder us in becoming closer to God.

We discussed the meaning of happiness versus joy.

In Philippians, Paul expressed the importance of being content with our blessings; how it is within our nature to want more and never be completely satisfied until we realize that we can never win the rat race.

That in order for us to find true peace within our lives, we must admit to this human ideal and…

let. it. GO.

If you always want more, and if you ask God to remove that desire and teach you contentment, you will be a step closer to reaching inner peace.

As the spiritual leader of MY home, I will trust in the Lord and pray daily for His guidance.

2013 will be a year to remember.

Praying.

The Bridge

Yesterday was very special.

We finally found a church home.

“The Bridge” is ideally located near the Deception Pass Bridge here in Oak Harbor, Washington. It is nestled in the woods at the end of a gravel road laden with colorful maple trees and faces a beautiful, pristine pond. The congregation meets in a large, red barn and plans for a larger structure are in works.

To be a part of this growing body of Christ is something quite special.

To recognize that God has placed me in a position to lead my family as the spiritual leader of my household is even MORE special (talk about the biggest responsibility in life!).

This day, and every day, I thank God for my family and for giving me the strength to stay strong in faith.

Bible Study (Series: Courageous Living)

Many of you in the local Lemoore area have inquired about a bible study on base. As such, I have decided to lead one commencing next week.

Details are as follows:

1. Dates & Times (1830-2030):

Wednesday, 9 May: Movie Night (Courageous DVD)
Monday, 14 May: Session 1 (Courageous Call: fighting for your family)
Thursday, 17 May: Session 2 (Courageous Priorities: valuing what matters most)
Wednesday, 23 May: Session 3 (Courageous Legacy: impacting future generations)
Wednesday, 30 May: Session 4 (Courageous Faith: standing for Christ)

2. Location: inside NAS Lemoore Base Chapel

3. This study is for the:

- father who is always working and feels somewhat disconnected at home
- service member who has been deployed for months and can’t wait to engage with his wife and kids
- dad who is home on weekends but flies out every Monday morning to work out of town
- young guy whose relationship went too far too quickly and who became a dad too young
- divorced dad who becomes a full-time dad every other weekend and one month during the summer
- stepdad who lives full time with step kids
- single mom raising three children while wearing both parent hats every day
- young man with a new wife waiting for the arrival of their first child
- mature father who looks back on his life with regrets and wants to now impact his grandkids
- dad who never knew his father and longs to discover how to lead his family well
- ANYONE is welcome!

4. Notes:

- dates and times are subject to change with short notice so please be flexible
- food and drinks are not allowed inside the church; however, these times should allow for everyone to enjoy dinner with their family prior to arriving
- childcare is not provided (adults only please)

If you would like to attend, please forward me the following information:

1. Name of person(s) attending
2. E-mail address
3. Telephone number

I look forward to seeing you there.

Kind regards,
J. Garcia
E-mail: courageouslegacy@gmail.com

A Call to Serve

South Valley Community Church

~ C O N N E C T I N G ~

~ G R O W I N G ~

~ S E R V I N G ~

~ S H A R I N G ~

These four core values are what my church believes in.

As a member of South Valley Community Church located in Lemoore, California, Pastor Jeff Kristenson and his team have been blessed by the Holy Spirit year after year and have brought thousands of people to know Jesus Christ.

For me personally, I have learned what it means to be a Christian and I do my best to follow Him but like everyone else on this earth, I stumble daily. And, knowing this… realizing that I must not stay down, I pick myself right back up each and every day and thank the Lord for having patience with me.

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

During my tenure as a Youth Ministries volunteer with Student Pastor Ron Tuman and his team, I learned a great deal about not only the sacrifices it takes to serve, but that the return on the investment is well worth the effort. Ironically though, probably the single, most important lesson I learned was from the youth… about myself. The SPIRITUAL maturity these kids exuded was incredible. I looked up to many of them… as an example of who I wanted to be.

I reflected on…

the man I had been in the past;

the man I was that day;

the man God wanted me to be.

Since then, the path has not always been smooth; yet, I am here.

Still standing.

With God continuing to light my path.

. . .

Still seeking answers on my own walk along this path, I am ready to move on to the next chapter in my life - to teach others the story that I know in hopes that their stresses in life are more tolerable. Praying that, they too, may find peace in their heart by allowing God to do His work in them, through me as His servant, so one day we can all be where we were meant to be.

C O U R A G E O U S

"God is calling us to fight for our Faith and for our Families.

He is calling us to follow Christ and live a life that is Courageous."

It's Time To Answer The Call

{ Photo taken in March 2012. Just a few months after I almost lost my family to Divorce. }




2012
Deep into a new year.


April 22nd, 2012.
Deep into a new day.


And so it begins...




Many of you know I have been leading a men's bible study off the Christian-based movie Courageous from the creators of Fireproof (watch movie trailer here:  Courageous).


If you haven't seen the movie, PLEASE stop and take the time to watch the trailer. It is POWERful.


Lately, I have been feeling the Lord tugging at my heart.


To Follow Him and stop being selfish, stubborn and ignorant.


To Listen to Him by softening my heart and allowing His will to be done; not mine.


And to Lead.


Although I have led thousands of men and women in my earthly career, the calling to lead on a spiritual level is what I am most looking forward to. Along those lines, I am humbled, scared, confused and doubtful. Yet, I know that this is not about me. It is all for His glory. And…


It is for those who are waiting for God to reach out to them.


I encourage you to take a walk with me. Follow my story as it unfolds and with the Lord's blessing, I am confident that the seeds will be planted and we can all watch as His will allows them to blossom into many other miraculous stories; maybe even one of your own.

Credits:  Courageous Living Bible Study