Steadfast Love for Sad Days

Tomorrow…

She turns 8 months old.

Will be one month since we said goodbye.

The waiting is not getting any easier, but we continue to put our trust in the Lord. He is good and He does good (Ps. 119:68).

I will sing of your strength;
I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.
For you have been to me a fortress
and a refuge in the day of my distress.

O my Strength, I will sing praises to you,
for you, O God, are my fortress,
the God who shows me steadfast love.

Psalm 59:16-17

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Our dire need for God’s grace doesn’t get smaller after God saves us—in one sense, it actually gets bigger. Christian growth, says the Apostle Peter, is always “growth into grace,” not away from it. Many Christians think that becoming sanctified means that we become stronger and stronger, more and more competent. And although we would never say it this way, we Christians sometimes give the impression that sanctification is growth beyond our need for Jesus and his finished work for us: we needed Jesus a lot for justification; we need him less for sanctification.

The truth is, however, that Christian growth and progress involves coming to the realization of just how weak and incompetent we continue to be and how strong and competent Jesus continues to be for us. Spiritual maturity is not marked by our growing, independent fitness. Rather, it’s marked by our growing dependence on Christ’s fitness for us. Because we are daily sinners, we need God’s daily distributions of free grace that come our way as a result of Christ’s finished work.

Christian growth involves believing and embracing the fact that, even as a Christian, you’re worse than you think you are but that God’s grace toward you in Christ is much bigger than you could ever imagine.

~Tullian Tchividjian in “Are Christians Totally Depraved?“

Photo: OBMonkey

Live the Gospel, Love Your Husband, Reach Your Children

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.”

Ephesians 5:1

If our children look to our marriages for proof that the Gospel is true, will they find the evidence they need?

In his book Gospel-Powered Parenting, William Farley provides a valuable perspective on the importance of Christlike testimonies within the home…

Jesus taught by example. “In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach” (Acts 1:1). Notice the sequence. First Jesus did, then he taught. Every effective parent does likewise. Children seldom internalize the teaching of hypocrites. But the teaching of those who live what they preach pierces deeply into our children’s hearts.

Jesus is the only person who did this perfectly. He told his disciples to take up their cross because he took up his cross (Matt. 16:24-25). Jesus told his disciples to humble themselves because he humbled himself (Phil. 2:5-8). Jesus told his followers to obey the Father because he obeyed his Father (John 8:29; Phil. 2:8). There was a perfect correlation between what Jesus taught and what he did. He was God’s only perfect leader.

“Whatever the leaders are, the people become,” notes John MacArthur. “Biblical history demonstrates that people will seldom rise above the spiritual level of their leadership.”

…Here is my point: Parenting is the most important leadership position in the church. And example is also the first principle of parenting. Parents lead the family, the smallest and most important cell in the local church. Archbishop Tillotson (1630-94) said, “To give children good instruction, and a bad example, is but beckoning to them with the head to show them the way to heaven, while we take them by the hand and lead them in the way to hell.”

I have said all of this to bring us to this point: Our marriage is the most powerful example that we possess. To the degree that the gospel makes our marriage attractive, God will empower us to reach our children…

What is our marriage telling them about Christ and his bride? They see it all. They hear our fights. They absorb our attitudes. They know who or what really sits on the throne of our lives. They watch how we handle resentment. They hear the way we talk to each other. They know when we hear the Sunday sermon and apply it. They also know when we ignore it.

The message that our marriage preaches either repels or attracts our children. God wants your child to watch your marriage and think, “I want a marriage like that, and I want the God that produced it.” 

[Gospel-Powered Parenting, pp. 107-108, 110-111]

If you’re married to a man who is unwilling to love you like Christ loves the church, let me encourage you to remember that your children can still see the power of the Gospel in your testimony as a wife. Don’t underestimate what God can do through the example of a godly woman! 

Photo: Pal Csonka

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My father, the quintessential athlete, was a platform-diving champion. He taught me for years always to check the depth of the water, and never to dive into cloudy or murky areas. But I didn’t listen, and I paid the price with a broken neck. Life’s like that, isn’t it? We sidestep the counsel of older, wiser people that know better and, sadly, we end up paying the consequences.

I’m sure that’s why the Bible makes such a big deal about it. Joshua 1 says: “Be careful to obey all the law…do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may be successful wherever you go.” There’s something to be said for doing things God’s way.

What’s God been telling you lately? Don’t shrug your shoulders or turn away from His advice; don’t sidestep His counsel; He knows better. He’s the expert, a champion, at living life the way it ought to be lived.

~Joni Eareckson Tada in “Take Your Father’s Advice“

Photo: OBMonkey

Giving Them a Reason to Smile

“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord,
and he will repay him for his deed.”

Proverbs 19:17

Samaritan’s Purse does so much more than distribute Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes around the world. 

Here’s one more reason why I love this incredible ministry… 

You can learn more about the life-changing work of Samaritan’s Purse and give to support their efforts HERE.
Photo: Samaritan’s Purse

Just Another Birthday

“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, 
   the fruit of the womb a reward.”

Psalm 127:3

I read these heartbreaking statistics in an article at LifeNews.com yesterday…

The roughly 53 million children aborted since 1973 equals about 17 percent of America’s current 312 million-plus population. Nearly one-fifth of us, simply taken out of the equation…

In order to make these numbers more understandable, the author Allan Sears explained that the number of lives lost through legalized abortion in the U.S. is now equal to the combined populations of California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and Arizona. Unspeakable tragedy.

Many churches across the country set apart this past Sunday as Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. Designating one day each year to focus on this vital issue is good, but as Christians, we need to believe and help others understand that the sanctity of human life must be recognized and protected every day of the year.

As we influence our culture with the love and truth of Christ, perhaps many more will be allowed to see and celebrate the precious gift of life.

“Just Another Birthday” A powerful new video by Casting Crowns 

Find out how you can make a difference in the cause of life by reading John Piper’s article “Five Ways to Fight Abortion and Serve the Unborn and Their Moms“ 

Photo: Michael Lorenzo

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Depression can be cruel. It is an emotional state that makes us vulnerable to believing lies. We combat lies with truth. We overpower wrong feelings with right thinking. This is not some naïve approach that assumes a verse or two will do the trick. But how can we underestimate the power of the Word? It is the Word that can revive and give hope.

A depressed person does not need to hear about his or her counselor’s depression; he needs to hear truth. If there is guilt, he needs to hear cross-centered truth and gospel promises (e.g., Rom. 8:1). If there is a troubled heart, he needs to hear Christ’s call to trust him and his Father (John 14:1). If there is chaos and confusion because of various troubles, he needs to hear the peace Jesus promised (John 16:33). There are numerous principles in Scripture that deal with suffering and its purpose (James 1:2-4). There are many psalms that are relevant and powerful and honest. We need to learn that the rock for the depressed is the Word (2 Cor. 10:3-5).

We need to preach the powerful truths of the Word to ourselves. This is what the psalmist does in Psalms 42 and 43. He not only questions himself, but he preaches hope in God to himself. “Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God (Pss. 42:5-6, 11; 43:5).

~Brian S. Borgman in Feelings and Faith, pp. 141-142

Photo: OBMonkey

The Most Important Thing You’ll Ever Teach Your Children

 ”I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.”

Psalm 119:11

The vast majority of Bible passages in my memory were inscribed there during my childhood. As we grew, my parents made sure that my brother, sister, and I were all regularly involved in memorizing God’s Word, and I’m so grateful that they did. 

When I was young, my mind was like soft clay. After only minutes of repetition, Scripture was easily impressed upon my memory and retained for years to come. In the last few years, however, I’ve found that my gray matter has hardened considerably. Memorizing Scripture now requires a bit of hammering and chiseling. If I’d not begun hiding God’s Word away when I was child, my knowledge of Scripture at this point in my life would be quite deficient.

If you have little ones, can I encourage you to make the memorization of Scripture a normal part of your daily routine? If there’s one thing most children can do with ease, it’s to memorize information. And if there’s one thing they should be memorizing, it’s the Word of God. It alone has the power to transform their hearts and guide them in the paths of righteousness. Even though memorization may not be as easy for you as it is for your children, you’ll also be blessed as you continue saturating your own heart in the truths of Scripture. 

My sister Niki is doing an amazing job of raising my niece Addison to know and love the Lord through His Word. It thrills my heart to see Addison’s knowledge of Scripture expanding at such a young age… 

Take a few minutes each day to memorize Scripture with your children. I guarantee you; it will be time well spent!

 

Photo: abcdz2000

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The sovereign king of the entire universe is our Father. He has not only created us, but he has also recreated us in Jesus Christ and has provided everything we need. Paul tells the timid Timothy, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7, NKJV). Unbelieving, sinful fear is contrary to what God has put in us at conversion (Rom. 8:15). We overcome the grip of fear by knowing what God has done for us through his Son. We break fear’s grip by realizing God did not give this fear to us; rather, he has given us the spirit of power, love, and self-control.

We also squeeze the life out of fear, worry, and anxiety by utilizing truths such as that found in Proverbs 18:10: “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.” Once again, we return to the oxygen truth of God’s character. When the emotional hurricane winds of fear, anxiety, and worry assail us, we run into God and his character, his nature, and his attributes, like someone would run into a strong tower seeking refuge from a storm.

Our Father has provided all that he is for our safety. When we are focused on him we are assured that we are safe, and we no longer fear. Safety calms our fears. The psalmist reiterates this for us: “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you” (Ps. 56:3).

~Brian S. Borgman in Feelings and Faith

Photo: OBMonkey

Good News from a Distant Land

“Like cold water to a weary soul,
So is good news from a distant land.”

Proverbs 25:25

I received an unexpected email this weekend from someone I’ve never met. The news it contained refreshed my slightly weary heart… 

I had to search you out as I wanted to tell you that I saw your daughter yesterday! I walked up into the baby room…and I immediately recognized your daughter. She was laying on the floor and her dainty little legs were crossed in such a feminine way.   She was completely happy and content and was just looking around and smiling while making little noises. So precious and so beautiful! It is usually a bit difficult to tell the gender of the babies since they weren’t always dressed in gender revealing clothes, but I just don’t see how there is any way she could ever be mistaken for anything other than the sweet little girl that she is. Her face is SO feminine. 

This incredibly thoughtful message came from Rachael, another adoptive mother, who is in Ethiopia with her husband this week to bring their baby boy home. She told me that she has been following my blog recently, and that was how she was able to recognize Evangelle when she visited Acacia Village. 

Rachael’s message is another reminder to me of how great God’s compassion is toward His children. He didn’t have to prompt Rachael to write and share this sweet news with Joseph and me, but He did. Praise the Lord for encouraging us during this time through the words of a friend we’ve never met!

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“Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned? Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched? So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife.”

Those sobering words are from Proverbs 6. I had a chance to see the truth of those words not long ago when a group of friends and I met with a man who was trying to carry fire next to his chest. He was in the middle of an adulterous relationship.

When he first got involved with this other woman, he figured he could break it off at any time. Then he told us, “What I didn’t count on was that I wouldn’t be able to get out.”

Sin had promised this man happiness, but instead, it made him miserable. His thinking was twisted, and he was losing his family and his job. But he was so attached to his sin that he was willing to live with its consequences.

Are you playing with fire in some relationship? I promise you, you will get burned. Let it go before it’s too late.

~Nancy Leigh DeMoss in “Carrying Fire“

Photo: OBMonkey

Words of Beauty

On Facebook yesterday, my friend Jeanne (Noah’s mommy) shared a beautiful design she composed with a neat-o little website called Image Chef. Her design contained meaningful words related to her family’s adoption of Noah.

I liked it so much, I had to give it a try. I love the look and sound of these words… 

I’m thinking of turning this design into a piece of artwork that we can use to decorate Evangelle’s nursery. If I do, I’ll be sure to share the finished product with you.

Thanks for the inspiration, Jeanne!

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Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. —Isaiah 30:18 

I have longed for many things over the years… 

Today’s verse tells us what God longs for: “The Lord longs to be gracious to you.” The word ‘longing’ is only used this way twice in scripture—the other time is when Jesus longed to gather the people of Jerusalem under his wings. Notice something about God’s longings? They are focused not on things, but on people…His heart’s desire is to benefit his people that they might glorify him. 

Oh, how unlike my yearnings are from God’s! Too often my desires are about what I want rather than what I desire to see happen in others. How often do I actually yearn for God to be glorified and his kingdom advanced? 

The journey of the Christian is to strive to be more and more like God. Take a giant step in that direction today by asking the Lord to cleanse and refine your longings. A good place to begin is with James 4:8 where it says, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded” (KJV).

~Joni Eareckson Tada in “God’s Longings” January 16 Daily Devotional

Photo: OBMonkey

Caring for the “Cursed” Children of Ethiopia

“Rescue those who are being taken away to death;
hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.”

Proverbs 24:11

It’s not often you’ll hear me say this, but The Huffington Post published a great article yesterday.

Writing for the Religion section, Candy Chand tells the amazing story of Levi and Jessie Benkert, a Christian couple who gave up the life they knew in America to rescue Ethiopia’s most vulnerable children.

This is the love of Christ in action…

Many of us dream of following our destiny, of making a positive difference in the world. But few are willing, especially if that willingness constitutes leaving our homes, friends, relatives, our very nation, and moving to a remote village in Ethiopia to save children caught in a secret culture of infanticide.

Levi Benkert said a quick “Yes” to his destiny—although he never saw it coming. Levi, a Northern California land developer, was living a 27-year-old business man’s dream when the real estate market collapsed.

Answering his cell, for what he assumed was another banker with more bad news, he heard a friend, Steve, on the other line, asking him to drop everything and fly to Ethiopia. A group of German-based photographers, Steve explained, traveling in Ethiopia, had just rescued a young girl named Bale—a child about to be murdered by elders from her remote village.

But there was more to the story. The photographers had also uncovered a long standing superstition that labeled children “mingi” (unclean or cursed) if they fell into a few categories: Children could be deemed mingi for something as simple as their top teeth coming in before the bottom, being born to an unmarried couple or to a married couple who had not announced, in an elaborate ceremony, their intent to conceive.

Once declared mingi, Steve explained, the children were murdered to protect the village from evil spirits. If not killed, the tribal elders taught, the rain will not come, crops will fail, people will die.

Levi struggled to understand what he was hearing. The youngest of the mingi babies are left in the jungle to starve, or have dirt stuffed in their mouth to cause suffocation, while older children are bound and thrown into the river to drown. The latter was to be Bale’s fate.

Except, in this case, the photographers had intervened, pleading with the elders on Bale’s behalf. They promised to remove her far from the village to “free their people from the curse.” It was not necessary for her to die, they insisted, only be taken away. Eventually, the elders agreed, allowing Bale to be delivered to her rescuers by small boat, traveling safely down the river—the same river where she was to be drowned.

But there were many more mingi children, Steve explained. To be saved, they’d need to establish a place of refuge—an orphanage. Levi’s help was needed. They were desperate. Would he come?

Torn by what he heard, but convinced he had to remain in the U.S. to unwind the last of his failing business, and grieve the recent suicide of his brother, Levi hesitated.

However, the moment Levi told his wife Jessie, she insisted he drop everything and go. Go to Ethiopia. The timing. The need. It had to be God’s calling.

So, Levi left for what he thought would be a 2 week trip. But he was wrong…

Read the entire article HERE.

To learn more about Levi and Jessie Benkert’s current ministry in Ethiopia, visit their blog Bring Love In.

Photo: tim & annette

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I’m afraid that some of the most biblically knowledgeable women in the church can also be the most intimidating. We’re blessed to have so many Bible study opportunities for women. But if our knowledge makes us unteachable or difficult to live with, we’re missing the point.

I think some men feel like they need to go to seminary and get an advanced theological degree to be the kind of spiritual leaders their wives say they want. My guess is that these wives may not have a teachable, humble spirit.

For sure, take every opportunity you have to learn God’s Word. But remember what the apostle Paul said, “Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.”

~Nancy Leigh DeMoss in “Unteachable“

Photo: OBMonkey