I am a parent of two boys and two girls. I discovered years ago that each one is different, and I can see some of their mother and me in each one. Our first child was easy breezy! Because things were going so well, I assumed that my parental skills were tip top-WRONG! With my others kids, I learned what rebellion was all about, and frankly I was ill prepared. I just couldn't handle the level of disobedience that I was confronted with. In desperation I went into my parental power tool box  to use fear, intimidation, and shame to control the situation, and it worked for a while. But, when children consistently cross the line of clear boundaries, and purposely break well established rules, you got a PROBLEM! I am embarrassed to tell you this, but I blamed them. That's right! I blamed my teenagers for my inability to see beyond the short term. I learned the hard way that kids will be kids regardless of my rules and regulations. Looking back, I got a lot to make up for. Today I am a wiser parent with the use of my power tool box. I still spend a lot of time going through it, but not to use fear, intimidation, and shame to control the situation. The Word of God has taught me a better way, an easier way, which allows me to take the long view. I learned that when you can't change the behavior, work on changing the heart. Lavishing grace on your kids when you would rather use fear, and forgiving them, when you would rather judge, will change their heart. A changed heart always changes behavior. Now let me be clear, rebellion don't go away over night. It can keep going on, and on,  like the "energizer bunny." Instances like that, you might need God to change your heart before you can change their behavior. Rebellious kids will teach you a lot about your heart. This is the point: You must take the long view in your parenting. They will eventually grow up, and your wise parenting will eventually payoff. So don't give up or give in. God is on your side, so stay the course.

If you want to look beyond the horizon, you will need to scale something high enough that will allow you to see beyond the obstruction of your view. In the same way, if you want to rise above the average and mundane challenge and reward, you need to set your sight on things above and not the things below. God's promises are out there on the horizon, just beyond the average and mundane. When you decide to scale to higher heights and deeper depths in his Word and with prayer, you will find waiting, just beyond the horizon,  a view that will capture your imagination and you will experience the glory of God on a scale you have not had. Therefore, don't settle for what is in front of you, because that battle has already been won. Set you sights on the highest peak, because that is the place God is calling you to be.

Every serious endeavor is started strong because momentum is your friend. Anytime a person starts something halfhearted or without effort and planning, failure can be predicted. Whether you believe in new year resolutions or not, it is a new season. New seasons in your life demands planning and consideration if you are going to conquer your giants. I have learned that victory is not automatic, and failure can be certain, if I am not intentional about the results that I want. I am leading the church to start their year strong! During the entire month of January 2018, I am challenging the church to seek God for new power. You don't need new things to have a new beginning. Nevertheless, you will need new power to experience new blessings in your life. You don't buy this power at Exxon; you can't charge in on Amazon. This new power comes by fasting and prayer. You see, new power flows around you everyday; you must learn to tap into it for that flow to intersect with your life.

Apply it and live it.

pastor Johnson