17. The Blessing, with Pastor John Leach

As fathers, we love our children. We’re proud of them and see positive attributes and abilities that portend a bright future. We have hopes and dreams for their lives — and, more importantly, believe that God is ordering their paths and desires a fruitful life for them as well. But do they know that? Have we actually said any of those things to our children? Have we blessed them? Pastor John Leach of Jubilee Fellowship Church in Centennial, CO, joins this episode to share the incredible, life-giving benefits that accrue from bestowing The Blessing to our children — and how to do it. He teaches the Biblical underpinnings of The Blessing, recounts his own experience learning about The Blessing and incorporating it into his family, describes a ceremony that he used to bless his own kids and wife and how we can modify it to fit our own needs, and opens up about the healing and next-level connection that flowed to his family — and himself — after imparting The Blessing. Our conversation with Pastor John is inspiring, educational, and practical. If we’re serious about stepping fully into our role as father, embrace what you learn in this episode about The Blessing. It may just unlock new life in your family that you didn’t even know was needed. RESOURCES To learn more about the importance of blessing your children, and how to do it, here are some of the resources referenced in this episode: The Difference a Father Makes, by Ed McGlasson The Prayer of Jabez, by Bruce Wilkinson The Blessing, by John Trent, Gary Smalley, and Kari Trent Stageberg E-mail Pastor John Leach at Jubilee Fellowship Church TEMPLATE BLESSINGS Pastor John has graciously shared two of the blessings he wrote for his kids that we can use as a template and/or for inspiration as we're writing our own blessings. Blessing Written to Amie Leach: I bless you with strength and love, long life and health, peace and prosperity. I loose you from generational curses of promiscuity, divorce, fear, disease, and poverty. I see you like looking at the mountains. You are always stable. Your commitment to God is like Long's Peak, it towers over everything else. I know with you, you will always be there in day, night, and good or bad weather. You are strong, bold, and constant. Your future in Christ is awesome. Your are specially called and chosen. Blessed is the man who calls you his wife. Blessed are the people who will be touched by you. Blessing Written to Daniel Leach: I bless you with peace, joy, long life, health, prosperity, and all blessings. I loose you from wasted years of living without God, from all distractions and plans the enemy would send against you. I see you as a mighty wind, full of energy and life. You make an impression wherever you go and people notice you. You bring a fresh newness to all things, and unlimited potential and excitement. Your presence brings in joy and laughter that comes all of the sudden, just like a wind that blows all of the sudden. Your future in Jesus is awesome. God has gifted you with a likable personality and ability to quickly make friends. Many will be blessed because of your relationship with God and them.  Connect with us: Watch more great content on our YouTube Channel Follow us on Instagram Questions? Comments? Ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at [email protected] Music in this episode is from "Good Ol' Man" (©2022) by Drew Green and reproduced with permission from Drew Green.