​“Fathers, don’t irritate your children and make them resentful; instead, raise them with the Lord’s kind of discipline and guidance.” - Ephesians 6:4, CJB

We can never really know the outcome after raising our children what their lives will be like. We have hopes and dreams for them, but God alone directs their paths and their futures.

That being said, I want to address the subject of mental illness. It’s very easy to love a child who’s well behaved but challenging to love a child who isn’t. Raising a mentally Ill child can be very taxing at times and can cause stress in the family. I know this very well; there’s constant chaos in the household. As taxing as it could be, they are still capable of learning the Bible, and we can still raise them in the way they should go. Just as we keep Yeshua in the center of our marriages, we need to also keep him in the center of the family. God saw fit for us to have all our children, so they should all be loved unconditionally, just the way he loves us. We are all children of the Lord, and we should all be raised as such.

Be a Blessing and Be Blessed!

Morning Inspirational
By Rebbitzen Kathleen Rantz
May 26th, 2022 | 25th of Iyyar, 5782

​“For everything there is a season, a right time for every intention under heaven — a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance…” ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4, CJB

There are many dynamics to family life, just as there are those within congregational life. The way one grows up, reflects who they are as adults. Those that grow up within congregational life (depending on the traditions of those communities) are told to always be serious, and to act accordingly; that there is no crying or laughter allowed. If they misbehave, they are punished. There’s no singing, dancing, or even playing of instruments in some congregations, because it may be a distraction from God’s word. Interestingly however, throughout God’s word you see weeping and rejoicing. You see singing, dancing, and even the playing of musical instruments. God is to be worshipped and praised!

God is a God of love; he shows us how to love one another. He gave us his son Yeshua, who laid down his life so that we may live a life of joy. He gave us times and seasons. He gave us feelings and emotions. He’s given us discernment to know when, where and how to use these emotions. He has shown us how to act accordingly. He’s given us gifts to use for his will. So, praise him in the storms; delight in his Shabbat’s, walk in his ways, and love the life he’s given you. Be sad, be angry, be joyful, be glad, sing and dance. Do all the things he instructs you to do, cause it’s okay to do these things.

Be a Blessing and Be Blessed!

Morning Inspirational
By Rebbitzen Kathleen Rantz
May 12, 2022 | 11th of Iyyar, 5782

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” – Ya’akov/James 1:12, ESV

We all go through various trials in our lives. Some trials are worse then others; some will take you to a breaking point. We can’t let ourselves get lost in the breaking. Breaking takes our focus off God and onto the circumstances. Breaking causes us to make decisions that can cause severe consequences. What if we focus on the making, not the breaking? What new thing is God doing within us? Life is a test, and just like in school, when we pass the test, we go to the next level. For every trial we go through, when we press into God, we come out better, stronger, and wiser. He’s done it in us before and he will do it again. Our focus may sway, but we need to bring it back to him. Our trust should always be in him; he is where our help comes from. So let us stay steadfast through the trials and see God’s blessings through them. Ask him what new thing is he doing in you?

Be a Blessing and Be Blessed!

Morning Inspirational
By Rebbitzen Kathleen Rantz
May 4th, 2022 | Third of Iyyar, 5782
18th Day of the Counting of the Omer