DESTINY CALL TO ACTION :::

 ::: THIS FATHER’S DAY, REACH OUT TO YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER 

                by Rev. Linda J. Ivey, MSW & Founder of YDH

God, our Heavenly Father, loves us   with an everlasting love, so much so, that He sacrificed His only Son to   redeem us. This Father’s Day, re-examine and strengthen your relationship   with God as your Heavenly Father. Ask yourself what does that look   like and does it mirror your relationship with your earthly father?    What are your behaviors that demonstrate you trust, love, identify, are   influenced, and seek advice from God as you would a father? These are   challenging questions that may have us reassessing if we are truly treating   God like a Heavenly Father.

Has your growing up in a female   headed household with little or questionable contact with your biological   father, shaped your perception of fathers? Does growing up with an absentee   or challenging father impact your interactions with your Heavenly Father?   Truthfully, our personal experiences with our earthly father often 

affects the way we view God as a Heavenly Father. Many mistakenly treat God like an ATM, inserting a prayer request and expecting Him to dispense a blessing. Is that the same or different from your relationship with your earthly father?

The Bible is clear in 2 Corinthians 6:18 that God is a good Father.  When we fail to recognize and experience the fatherly side of God, we miss out on all the advantages, status, protection, and inheritance that comes from having a prominently wealthy Father.

Here are three easy steps to separate you from the negativity of your earthly father and strengthen your positive experiences with God, your Heavenly Father.

1.  Read your bible daily because it explains how God protects you,  provides for you, and wants to prosper you.

2.  Commit to private daily communication with God in the form of: 

  a. Giving thanks (saying thank you without asking for a blessing) 

  b.  Praying (asking for a blessing)

  c.  Worship (telling God what He means to you without asking for a

       blessing) 

  d.  Meditating (listening for God to speak to you with instruction, 

       direction, praise, and correction)

3.  Practice words or acts of kindness, towards others in Jesus’ name, which will demonstrate to others that God lives in you, and in return, God will give you the desires of your heart.

God wants you to succeed through a positive, loving, and meaningful relationship with Him, because He loves you, just as a good father loves their child. 

by Ashanti Raysor

The celebration of a parental figure, whether that be a mother or a father, serves as a reminder of the importance of presence, love, and togetherness in our lives. The people who support us most are often those who consistently show up emotionally, mentally, and physically—not only during moments of celebration, but also during life’s most difficult challenges. Their guidance, encouragement, and willingness to simply be present can leave lasting impacts that shape who we become.

For many, this time of year is also an opportunity to reflect on and appreciate loved ones who are no longer with us. Grief and gratitude often exist side by side, reminding us to cherish the connections once held. In these experiences, we can look within and around ourselves to truly value the lives that have shaped us into who we are today—through both the challenges and the joys they brought into our lives.

At its core, this season is about appreciating togetherness: the conversations shared around tables, the support found within families and communities, and the importance of showing up for one another in meaningful ways. Presence, in all its forms, remains one of the greatest gifts a person can offer.