Abundant Life Church

Family Date Nights

Tomilee Deatherage — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 06:50:16 +0000

Date nights are not just important for Mom and Dad but for the children as well! Taking time out for each other to have one on one conversation is healthy for strong, lasting family relationships.

It’s so easy in our fast world to just run, run, run! I encourage each family to pull out your family calendar today. Put family dates on the calendar for each parent to spend quality time with each child alone.

Find a yogurt shop, Starbuck’s, Jamba Juice or some fun place to just be able to sit across from the table and talk. It will really strengthen your relationship and build trust that is especially important during those teen years.

Stay close to your family by spending quality, precious moments together. If you are finding your family running in different directions and feel a little separated or disconnected, please stop now to schedule dates. It’s extremely vital, fun and will build the trust, memories and friendships that will last forever.

Ps.- Don’t forget…Moms and dads need those dates scheduled as well.

Family focus by Tomilee Deatherage

God Says Enough is Enough

Tomilee Deatherage — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:18:33 +0000

There comes a time, when even God says enough is enough! When God commits to do something, He will do it to it’s full completion.

When God sets His mind on something, NOTHING or No one will stop Him from finishing His will. God is a finisher…He is the “Author and Finisher of our fate”.

God will bring us out WELL, WHOLE, & COMPLETE.

Let’s make sure we have turned and surrendered every part of ourselves over to God so that he may complete what He has started in us.

Not my will Lord, but your will be done in our lives. Teach us to hold on to the promises you have given us and to stand on the only foundation that has stood the test of time…YOUR WORD and create in us a new heart, that is pleasing and acceptable unto you!

Sermon Reflection by April Ternasky

One of the World’s Most Dangerous Places for Children; 6 ways to protect your family!

Tomilee Deatherage — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 06:01:50 +0000

Are your children and teens safely exploring the internet? While computers are a great tool, it can be very dangerous and devastating to our families. Consider the following when there are children or teens in the home using computers:

Do you password protect? We know where our children go when they leave from the house each day, but do you know where they are going and visiting on the internet.
Is your computer in your family room where it is visible to everyone?
Do you know what e-mails they are receiving and are they being read by the parent or guardian?
1. Have their e-mails sent to your inbox.
2. There are programs that offer e-mail sites for children/teens. http://www.zoobuh.com/ , http://www.kidsafemail.com/ , or http://www.safe2read.com/
Check their e-mail periodically, unexpectedly.
Do you have a way of listing only the safe sites they can use?
1. Check out http://www.safeeyes.com/
2. Mac computers have a great “Parental Control” program.
Limit time on computer. Parental control programs allow you to do this.

Set the computer boundary for your family if you have not already done so. You will not be sorry. Our children and teens need us to put up a fence of protection. We love our children! They are a treasure worth protecting! Would we allow them to play along a cliff where there was not a fence just hoping they don’t get to close to the edge of devastation? No way! Not a chance! Let’s be safe, not sorry.

How Can I Talk To God?

Tomilee Deatherage — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 05:07:27 +0000

Have you ever wondered how can I talk to God if I can’t see him? What do I say? How do I start? These are the basics given by Jesus to his disciples. Luke 11:1-4. You will then realize it is easy to pray. Pray for yourself, your family, your church or if you are not currently attending church, pray for direction as to what church you or your family should attend.

We close our prayer in the name of Jesus, and with Amen. The power of your prayer comes from the name of Jesus. Amen is a closing meaning (so be it). There is no telling what a powerful prayer warrior you will become. Just follow your heart and be all you can be for Jesus!

Delightful Devotional by Kimberly Peart

Here I Am Lord

Tomilee Deatherage — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 07:18:05 +0000

There are chapters in our lives that haven’t even been open to us yet.

Always be seeking direction and guidance, in everything we do. We should be saying, “Do what you will with me Lord”.

As we begin our walk with God or maybe even just a deeper walk with God, we will find ourselves being drawn closer to God in our devotion. Casting away things in our lives is another sure way to see the will beginning to be more committed, submitted, and obedient. These new spiritual traits go hand and glove in the ways of God.

Peter wanted spiritual insight in everything he did and in doing so he stood corrected, because he had it in him to do something for God…He wasn’t walking on the water, he was walking on the WORD!

Let’s keep our hearts soft, our minds focused, and our spiritual ears open so God can mold and make us what he needs us to be.

Sermon Reflection by April Ternasky

How to Teach Random Acts of Christian Kindness

Tomilee Deatherage — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 06:03:45 +0000

What do we teach our children daily by our actions?

We were shopping in Costco this week. This store can be quite the workout, especially for ladies. Can I get an Amen! We had made our way over to the bottled, cases of water, use to our routine of bending down and together(my daughter and I) lifting the case into the basket. Just as we started to grab the case an older gentlemen standing next to his grandson said, “Let me get that for you.” Honestly, I was a little surprised. It totally caught us off guard. “Sure, that would be great!” was our response. With his young, maybe 4 year old grandson standing by, he said, “I really need to do my good-deed today. I try to do something everyday for someone.” The little boy was taking every word and action in as he watched his grandpa show such a great act of kindness. I told my daughter, “That is the way to teach a lesson of kindness!”

Consciously looking to make a difference in someone’s day is a great example or reminder to a bystander, a blessing to the receiver, but an even greater blessing to the giver. What act of christian kindness have we shown today?

New blog today

Tomilee Deatherage — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 07:17:53 +0000

We have a new blog effective today! Sign up today to receive our blog post in your e-mail. Thank you! Look forward to hearing from you.