What your child needs for you to know

The following items are among a list of "need to know" suggestions presented by Robert Lewis in his "Authentic Manhood: Winning at Work and Home" series:
* I need you to know somebody must be there for me in the early years. It is critical for my development!
* I need a balance of discipline, instruction and love growing up.
* I need you to discover my 'bent' and actively support it.
* I need you to show me what to believe by living it.
* I need you to adjust your leadership style to me as I grow (from "coach" to "cheerleader/counselor" to "consultant" (as in wait to be asked).
* I need you to love God and share Him with me.

God, the Creator, is in control

On an afternoon escape to a city park yesterday, I visited a rocky beach, pounded by waves. I was reminded once again of the Creator's power -- His complete, everlasting control over all He has created.

Jeremiah 5:22
"Do you not fear me? declares the Lord. Do you not tremble in my presence? For I have placed the sand as a boundary for the sea, an eternal decree, so it cannot cross over it. Though the waves toss, yet they cannot prevail; though they roar, yet they cannot cross over it."

Jesus is The Truth throughout the Bible

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=76WDLLNX
I received an email with this You Tube link to a heart-warming "presentation" made by an 11-year-old boy listing Old and New Testament references to Jesus Christ, the Messiah. As noted, Jesus was, is, and is to come!

Eternal inheritance

Most Christians, and many non-Christians, are familiar with the story of the "prodigal son" who asks his father for his inheritance BEFORE his father has died. He was saying, in essence, that his father was dead to him and he wanted his share of the family inheritance NOW. The father honored his son's request, likely even as he mourned his callous demands. This inheritance, however, was finite. The young man ran out of money and ultimately swallowed his pride to return to his family home.

Upon returning, the father displayed the more precious inheritance -- a father's love that was unconditional -- a love that could not be "earned."

The fact is, God's idea of "inheritance" is unlike anything the world offers.

Paul wrote in Romans 8:14: "...because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs -- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ..."

And in 1 Peter 1:3, Peter "the little Rock" wrote: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade -- kept in Heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power..."

I give thanks to Jesus, our Redeemer King, The Way to our eternal inheritance.