What a difference a year makes . . . and a Lenten Devotion

"T" in March of 2013

"T" in March of 2014

Wow!  What a difference 1 year can make.  The first picture was from the very first set of pictures we received of "T".  I will never forget that Easter last year.  Coming out of worship that morning and opening up the email we'd been waiting over a year to see.  Surreal.  Pictures of our youngest daughter!  The second picture is a recent pic of our sweet, sassy, beautiful, funny, loving and kind little girl.  It's hard to believe that she's been home with us exactly 5 months today.  How the time flies. We are so happy and blessed to be her family!

***

And now . . . a Lenten Devotion (from Ray Pritchard's Who Is That Man?  Daily Lenten Devotional)

"Who Gave You This Authority?" (Matthew 21:23)

This is a hard question to write about today.  Jesus was asked by the religious leaders of his day, Who gave you this authority?"  The leaders were running out of things to attack about Jesus so they finally resorted to attacking his authority.  Who gave Jesus the authority to teach, to forgive, to heal, to perform miracles for the glory of God.  All that comes from God because Jesus is God.  Fully God and fully human.  A perplexing situation to many, fully explainable by none.  It just is.  Jesus is the embodiment of God in human flesh on this earth.  God humbled himself to walk among us.  He humbled himself to live among us, to teach us, and be in relationship with humanity.  God humbled himself in order that he might die for us.  Our broken world sought to kill him, yet he lives.  Yet in all of this his we still question his authority.  His authority was questioned as he walked the earth and we question his authority today.  Does God really mean the things that are in the Bible?  . . . Did Jesus really walk on this earth?  . . . Does God really love us?  . . . . 

Whose authority do we recognize in our lives?

"Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" . . . A Lenten Devotion

"Who is my mother?  Who are my brothers?" (Matthew 12:48)

Jesus is speaking to his disciples when his family comes to him wanting to chat.  Jesus has a way of being extraordinarily blunt . . . and this is one of those times.  Jesus bluntly answers, gesturing to his disciples, these are my mother and brothers.  This is one of those examples where we see the community of believers described as a family.  The Body of Christ surrounding us can be compared to a family.  As a community of Christians we may not always agree.  We may not always see eye to eye.  However, we have Christ uniting us as a community.  As a family. 

More than anything I think this hints to what joins us together as a family . . . our adoption into the family of God.  Each of us are chosen by God.  It's not just a circumstance of chance.  God chose each and everyone of us.  He calls us by name to be His children.  He loves us unconditionally and calls us to love others as well.

"Who do you say that I am?" . . . A Lenten Devotion

"Who do you say that I am?" (Matthew 16:15)

Jesus asks his disciples, "Who do you say that I am?"  It initially seems like such a simple question for us today.  However, Peter was the first one who really had to wrestle with this question.  Peter had to answer in a time when there were many people against Jesus.  In fact, in a time when there were people actively plotting against Jesus' life.  So, for Peter to answer with "You are the Christ, the son of the God, the Living One."  That's profound.  It's a profound use of words hitting the mark for who Jesus truly is. 

Yet with this seemingly simple question for us . . . it is yet still profound for us today.  I feel like we take this for granted in so many ways.  We are able to say  that Jesus is Christ, Jesus is the son of God, Jesus is risen.  We are able to say those things so easily.  Yet, to truly believe them.  To truly understand the magnitude of what that means.  And to truly act like it matters.  That is profound. 

I pray that we can let this question place some uneasiness in our lives.  I pray that we can let Jesus' request for our personal answer stir some passion within each of us to live out our answer.  If we can answer like Peter does "Jesus, you are the Christ, the son of the God, the Living One," then I pray that we can serve him with every breath we take and follow him with every movement of our lives. 

"Who touched me?" . . . A Lenten Devotion

So, I had hoped to write for each day of Lent based on the book I'm reading for my own personal Lenten daily devotions.  The book is "Who Is That Man? Daily Lenten Devotional" by Ray Pritchard.  Well . . . it's a good thing we have grace because I failed to write yesterday.  Oops!  But here we go for today.

"Who touched me?" (Luke 8:45)

Jesus was on his way to heal a little girl.  Crowds were all around him pressing on him.  Wanting to see him wanting to be next to him.  All of a sudden Jesus stops and turns to speak to a women.  Jesus was on his way somewhere.  He had important business to tend to . . . a healing miracle to perform.  However, Jesus stopped.  He talked with a women, whom upon touching Jesus, had been healed from her long term affliction.  An affliction that made her unclean in that society.  She was essentially an "untouchable."  Any respectable person would not go near her, would not touch her, would not acknowledge her.  Yet, Jesus chooses to interact with her.  He was not upset with her for touching him.  Although according to that society he very well could have been.  He was not too busy with his business to stop and speak to her.  He was very open to interacting with her.  Jesus was not embarrassed to be touched by the untouchables.

What an amazing thing . . . in the realm of Jesus, no person EVER is an untouchable.  Everyone has value, everyone has worth.  Every person no matter their affliction, no matter their social standing, no matter their societal acceptability . . . every person matters to Jesus.  And so, should matter to us.  We should reach out to those that our society may deem "unclean".  This is not just reaching out with our pocket books either.  This means reaching out and developing relationships with others.  It means meeting them where they are.  It means taking a risk that, we too, may seem "unclean" to the rest of society.  We must step out of our comfort zone and into the footsteps of Jesus. 

"How do you know me?" . . . A Lenten Deovtion

"How do you know me?" (Luke 1:48)

Jesus called a man to follow him.  The man asked Jesus . . . how do you know me?  It is a fair question.  Instead of the man asking who Jesus is, he is asking Jesus to relate to him.  Who are you that you know me and what is in my heart?

Jesus knows what is in our hearts and minds before they are there.  Jesus knows us better than we could even imagine.  Jesus already knows the good and bad.  Jesus already knows everything about us.  And he loves us anyway.  God knows everything and he still grants us grace and mercy.  We are each loved children of God!

NEW "M^" PICS, bittersweet news and a Lenten Devotion

We received new pictures of our sweet "M^" today!!!  We are so very excited!  Our social worker traveled to Ethiopia and while there went to visit "M^" at her orphanage.  We were able to send a care package over.  From the looks of some of the pics it looks like "M^" really enjoyed the stuff we sent especially the photo album. 

We are not able to show her face on our blog or social media yet.  When we pass court in Ethiopia we'll be able to use her picture.  Until then we'll have to leave the pink heart over her face.  What we can tell you is that she is a sweet, kind and a beautiful person inside and out!

It looks like she even did a coffee ceremony while our social worker was there.  We are so proud of her!  We absolutely can't wait until we get to bring her home.  We pray that is sooner than later.  That brings us to the bittersweet part of our post today.  We are so happy to hear about how she is doing and receive pictures.  However, we have growing and new concerns about her health.  We are very worried about some of the news we heard.  Please pray that we can get her home with us as soon as possible.  Please pray that her health will not worsen at all and we can get her the needed medical attention here in the US.  We want to get our daughter home!

"Lord to whom shall we go?" (John 6:68)

With all of this news today we have no choice to whom we go.  We have to go to God with our prayers, with our worries, with our lives.  We trust that God is looking over "M^".  She was God's beloved child before she was anyone else's.  We know that He holds her close when we can't be with her.

An adoption prayer and a Lenten devotion . . . "Why did you doubt?" . . . A Lenten Devotion

"Why did you doubt?" (Matthew 14:31)

Jesus asks Peter to step out of the boat amidst a storm.  Peter is invited to do the humanly impossible . . . walk on water.  It may be impossible for humans, but not for God.  Peter gets nervous, sinks and then Jesus asks him . . . . "Why did you doubt?" 

***

Huh, why do we doubt?  Of any point in my life, I feel like the last couple of years and the next year or so have had/will have the potential to be racked with doubt.  I have doubted what God's call is for my life many times.  I have doubted God's involvement in the world.  I have doubted how God can love the world so much and yet there be so much poverty and suffering in the world.  I doubt.  There are times when I doubt.  Yet, at the same time, I feel so blessed with faith.  I feel like every time I have ever doubted God, it has given another opportunity for God to strengthen my faith.  When I have doubted my calling in life, God has answered with a sense of call and blessing.  When I doubt God's involvement in the world I witness people going to the end's of the earth to help a child in need.  When I doubt God's love in the face of poverty and suffering I have witnessed people praising His name in spite of their human suffering.  With every doubt God has found a way to strengthen my faith.  God has entered my life in ways to demonstrate both His goodness and His greatness.  God is good.  All the time. 

Everyone doubts from time to time.  If we are not questioning the things around us or the faith within us then we are blindly following others instead of seeking a personal relationship with God.  Some believe that doubt translates to a weak faith.  However, if in doubt we seek truth and answers then out of our doubt our faith will grow.  As a youth minister, I never deride young people (or any other people) for expressing doubt.  I think it's healthy to ask questions and seek answers.  Acknowledge doubt, seek answers, and embrace a deeper faith. 

***

As a example of doubt and questions . . . I'm really wondering where God is at in the current state of adoption in Ethiopia.  I know he is there in and amidst the changes that are happening.  My prayers for today are with those in our agency who are working at closing our agency's transition house.  Newly inforced rules are keeping the children in orphanages instead of having them moved to agency's transition houses with plenty of nanny supervision and interaction, plenty of food and water, and plenty of resources and supplies.  So as I type this there are children and babies being moved from the transition house back to their orphanages.  After this move there are also approximately 2 dozen amazing people in Ethiopia that will no longer have jobs as nannies, cooks, housekeepers and guards.  I wonder how God will work with all of these events.  I pray for all of these children.  I pray for all of these people who are now facing unemployment.  I pray for those that are assisting with the closing.  I pray for those who will continue to work on behalf of all the children and families adopting them.  Pray with me.

"Who then can be saved?" . . . A Lenten Devotion

"Who then can be saved?" (Luke 18:26)

In having a conversation with young man and others around Jesus was asked about how to inherit eternal life.  Jesus tells him to follow the commandments.  Then he tells him to sell everything and follow him.  However, the young man doesn't exactly like what Jesus has to say because he has many riches.  Jesus notices and says that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle verses a rich person enter heaven.  The people respond with "Who then can be saved?"

What is the point with this conversation?  I think it boils down to trust.  We are tempted to put our trust in things that we can control.  We can control how we use our financial means.  If we have plenty of money then we may feel that we can rely on that verses God.  We are called to trust in God.  And in God alone. 

"Where are the nine?" . . . A Lenten Devotion

"Where are the nine?" (Luke 17:17)

One day Jesus healed 10 lepers of their illness.  As they went away rejoicing to rejoin their community one of the ten turned around.  He came back to thank Jesus.  However, the other nine did not return.  They neglected to give thanks to Jesus for his graciousness. 

How often are we like the nine? 

While I would like to think that I do say thank you to God, I think there are many times where I more closely fall in line with the nine.   God has done so much for me in my life.  God has done so much for all of us through the life and death of Jesus.  However, do I thank God on a daily basis?  I try.  Do I let every breath exhale with gratitude?  At times.  Do I live my life as a response to the abundance of grace I've received?  I may only know in hindsight. 

I pray that I may be granted a thankful heart.  I pray that we may all live as the one who returned to thank his savior. 

"Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" . . . A Lenten Devotion

"Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" (Matthew 9:11)

Jesus came to earth, lived and died for all people.  However, there were some of his day such as the religious leaders that didn't accept him.  Jesus chose to eat and and associate with 'sinners'.  Primarily because that was the group that recognized their need for a savior and  was willing to follow him.  The ironic part of all of this is that all people are 'sinners'.  However, some chose to put themselves on a pedestal beyond the need of a savior. 

We all do that to some extent from time to time.  We forget that we are human and naturally sin in our everyday lives.  We forget that we are all in need of a savior.  We forget that God offers us his free gift of grace and mercy and that we NEED that in our lives.  We need God's forgiveness and love.  We need a relationship with our creator and sustainer. 

And so God loves us anyway . . . he loves us though we sin, though we forget and though we judge other's sin greater than our own.  God loves us so much that he's willing to reach out to us even when our reach is not towards him. 

"Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" . . . A Lenten Devotion

"Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" (John 9:2)

In today's question Pritchard (Who Is That Man?  Daily Lenten Devotional) addresses a primal question . . . Why do bad things happen?  In the book of John the disciples are asking about a blind man.  Why is the man blind?  Did he do something wrong and God punished him?  or did his parents do something wrong and he's suffering for his parents sin?  There has to be a reason that these bad things happen in the world. 

The disciples are correct that someone sinned.  There is the original sin of Adam and Eve.  There are tragic things that happen in the world because we as humans can't help but be sinful.  While we are all God's children and loved unconditionally, we are not perfect children.  While there will always be brokeness and suffering in the world, God will always walk beside us through that brokeness. 

"Isn't this the carpenter?" . . . A Lenten Devotion

"Isn't this the carpenter?" (Mark 6:3)

This question is asked by the people in Nazareth, Jesus' home town.  The people that he grew up among did not value Jesus like others did.  They still viewed him as his dad's carpentry apprentice.  He wasn't more than the local wood smith.  They were trying to put Jesus in a box.  They were trying to contain him in the image that had of him.  It was like they felt as though they knew him so well that they didn't actually know him at all. 

We can run into the same trap.  There are times that we put Jesus in a box.  We want to know that God will behave a certain way in the world . . . the way we want and expect.  We don't want to allow Jesus out of the box we set for him.  We think we know Jesus so well that we can anticipate God's work in the world.  We run the risk of not being aware of God's creativity, spontaneity and God's ever developing and changing call in our own lives. 

"Why couldn't we drive it out?" . . . A Lenten Devotion

"Why couldn't we drive it out?" (Mark 9:28)

The disciples of Jesus had tried to heal a boy from a demon.  They could not.  The father comes running to Jesus for Jesus to do something.  Jesus has no problems healing the boy.  However, why could the disciples not accomplish this?  They asked Jesus "Why couldn't we drive it out?"  Jesus answers them with "This could only happen through prayer."  The disciples did not do the wrong thing, they didn't say the wrong words, they tried hard, their motives were pure.  It just took Jesus' touch.  They had to depend solely on Jesus for that boy's healing.

It's an important lesson.  So many times we put our faith in the means of our faith . . . we put our faith in the way we expect our congregation worship services to go, or the pomp and circumstance of our sacraments.  Maybe we are putting our faith in our doctrine or our tradition.  Maybe we are putting our faith in the hierarchy of the church or the denominational ties we have.  Jesus lets us know that . . . it's all for not.  We can only put our faith in God, we can only depend on God for what we need.  While we may value these other things as an expression of our faith, nothing else truly matters except our relationship with Jesus.  That's the key to living a life of faith and serving the world around us - we must completely depend on Jesus. 

"Do you believe this?" . . . A Lenten Devotion

"Do you believe this?" (John 11:26) . . .

“I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die."  John 11:25-26  This is a very popular Bible verse to learn and memorize.  However, we often leave off the last part of verse 26.  "Do you believe this?” John 11:26b  

Jesus lays it all out there for us in these verses.  It comes at the very beginning of the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead.  It is very real when placed in that context.  Here is Jesus commenting on resurrection and very soon he will do that very act for His friend.  But it wasn't good enough just to tell Martha these things.  He wanted to know if she believed what He was saying.  

There are different ways we consume this information and different things we do with it.  We can hear it.  We can know it to be true.  We can believe it.  We can tell others.  We can share it with others.  If we DO believe it then what does that call us to in life?  We are saved by God's grace alone so we do not have to earn our salvation at all.  However, this belief surely would inspire us to live differently.  What does that look like?

"Do you see this woman?" . . . A Lenten Devotion

"Do you see this woman?" (Luke 7:44)

Jesus was having supper at a house and a woman (a prostitute) came in and was lavishly anointing the feet of Jesus while she wept.  The host, a Pharisee, questioned what this woman was doing and Jesus answered him with a story of forgiveness.  A man forgave two debtors.  One with a small debt and one with a very large debt.  Who would love the forgiver more?  The Pharisee answered with the larger debt.  Jesus quickly answered him with an observation.  As the host of the party the Pharisee should have offered Jesus water and a towel to cleanse his feet.  But he did not.  The woman offered Jesus much more love, care and hospitality than the host of the dinner did.  And then Jesus asks "Do you see this woman?"  Do you see what she has done?  Do you see the love and care she has given while you gave none?  The truth is that the Pharisee didn't want to see this woman and the ruckus she created.  In the eyes of the Pharisee she was just a lowly prostitute that would not amount to much.  However, Jesus she's much more.  He she a loved, forgiven child of God.  And then Jesus points out our human nature. "The one to whom little is forgiven, loves little." and the other end is true too.  Those that are forgiven a great deal, love a great deal.  

The problem comes when we see ourselves too highly, thinking that we are not as sinful as others.  If we are not forgiven of much then our love may not run as deep.  Human nature dictates, the bigger the sin the bigger the sense of forgiveness and love.  The truth is that we are all sinners in need of God's grace and mercy.  None of us are "better" sinners than the next person.  The trap we may fall into is that if we think there is not much to forgive then we are less likely to be appreciative of what God has done for us.

And with that we are reminded by Martin Luther to:

“Be a sinner and sin boldly, but believe and rejoice in Christ even more boldly.”

A little something for "M^" and A Lenten Devotion . . . "Do you want to get well?"

We didn't get big news about "M^" . . . HOWEVER, we did get some little news that was exciting.  Our social worker will be traveling to Ethiopia next week.  She will be headed out to "M^"s orphanage and she's taking a package for her!!!  Yipee!!!  We were able to send her a photo album, pencils, pens, a notebook, t-shirt, stickers, headbands, gum, M&Ms, sunglasses and a letter.  A couple of her sisters drew her pictures as well.  It is very special to get to send something to her.  Plus, we are hoping that our social worker will take pictures of her for us and we can get an update on how she is doing.  YEAH!!!

Other than that we are still waiting for news about the paperwork . . . pray with us for the hearts of the officials to be moved so that it gets done quickly.

And now . . . A Lenten Devotion . . .

"Do you want to get well? (John 5:6)

Jesus asks this question of a man sitting beside a pool.  The man was waiting by the healing waters for decades to be healed.  Along comes Jesus and has the gall to ask him if wants to be healed.  Would he want life to change?  I guess if I think about it, it's a fair question.  Any kind of change can be intimidating even if it's change for the better.  We also can't assume that we know what others would want.  We may see brokeness, yet that perceived brokeness is part of what makes that person themselves. 

"Why Do You Call Me Good?" . . . A Lenten Devtion

"Why Do You Call Me Good?" (Mark 10:18)
When Jesus is approached by a rich man with the words "Good Teacher" He doesn't miss a beat in retorting with "Why do you call me good?"  It's a funny question.  Maybe the man was just trying to be respectful to Jesus with the title Good Teacher.  Maybe the man had heard of Jesus and His teaching and felt as though what he preached was good. 

What ultimately happens is this opportunity to bring glory to God.  God alone is good.  Good things are good because God made them so.  And all good things come from God. 

How does this come across in this conversation though.  The man is subtly proclaiming who Jesus is.  If God is good and Jesus is being called Good Teacher, the man is acknowledging Jesus' Deity.  Whether purposefully or unknowingly it creates an acknowledgment of Jesus being the Son of God.  How do we recognize God's goodness?  Do we see His goodness through mountains and valleys of life?  How do we choose to recognize God's goodness when the world around us is less than perfect?

"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" . . . A Lenten Devotional

"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46)

Why do we call Jesus Lord, say we want to follow him and then not do as he command?  Jesus poses this question to His followers.  Talk is cheap.  Easier said than done.  Put your money where your mouth is . . . all of these catch phrases allude to the fact that we need actually do the things that Jesus calls us to not just talk about them.  I remember someone saying "we should be human doings, not just human be-ings."  There is work for us to do in the world. 

So what is God calling us to in the world.  When asked, Jesus says the greatest commandments are these . . . love God with all our selves and love our neighbor as ourselves.  If we truly believe that, we have work to do.  If we love our neighbors as ourselves, we have neighbors around us in need.  There are people around us that are hungry, lonely, grieving, impoverished, unemployed, suffering, ill . . . what is our response to that?  Will we feed people, visit people, comfort people, provide for people?  Or will we discuss how that merely would be a good idea?  We are called to do something.  When we do these things it is the same as doing it for Jesus Himself.  Let's serve God and our neighbor!

"How many times shall I forgive my brother?" . . . A Lenten Devotion

"How many times shall I forgive my brother?" (Matthew 18:21)

In a conversation the disciples are having with Jesus, Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive someone.  Peter doesn't even wait for Jesus to respond . . . he asks 7 times?  Peter might have thought he was being generous.  The teachers of that time encouraged people to forgive 3 times.  Peter was double!  However, Jesus told him not 7 times, but 70 times 7.  Who would keep track of forgiving someone that many times?  And that's the point, there should be no end to forgiveness. 

I have to admit, that's really hard for me.  Forgiveness is a very difficult thing.  But what I have to remember is how much I've been forgiven of.  God forgives us for our sin endlessly.  God doesn't keep track of every little (or big) wrongdoing.  We're human, we sin, God loves us anyway.  It's that free grace that comes through Christ's death on the cross. 

If we are freed FROM our sin what are we freed FOR?  We're freed FOR loving and forgiving others.  It's hard, but if I am having trouble forgiving someone else I need to look at what God has already forgiven me for.

"Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?" . . . A Lenten Devotion

"Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?" (John 11:37)

Lazarus was sick.
Lazarus died.
Jesus wept.

Jesus was a friend of Lazarus and his family.  One would think that upon hearing his friend was sick that Jesus would rush to his side.  That part of the story can be so confusing.  Why would Jesus wait? Why would He let His friend die when He could have healed him?

If Jesus healed Lazarus it would have been a great miracle.  However, Jesus raising him from the dead was an even greater one. 

Pritchard uses this quote to further explain, Erwin Lutzer from The Vanishing Power of Death:  "The delays of Deity are not because of insensitivity to our present needs, but because of greater sensitivity to our ultimate needs. 

Our ultimate needs are to have God so powerfully involved in our lives that we know we need not fear death.  Our ultimate needs are for God to walk along our side and be with us in our brokenness.  Our ultimate needs were met when Jesus Christ died on the cross and was raised for the dead all for us. 

"Can You Drink the Cup I Drink?" . . . A Lenten Devotion

"Can You Drink the Cup I Drink?" (Mark 10:38)

James and John were wanting a place of honor in Jesus' kingdom.  They were asking to sit at the right and left of Jesus.  Some think of this as on of the most presumptuous questions!  However, Jesus doesn't turn them down or put them down.  But, He does want them to know what it takes to follow Him.  Jesus asks them "Can you drink the cup I drink?"  Can they follow Him to the cross?  Can they suffer for His sake?

We too have to know the cost of of following Jesus.  The cost of discipleship.  It's more than just having our rear ends in worship on Sunday mornings.  It's more than just rushing through table grace before our meals.  It's more than just being Christian in name only.  There is a heavy price to pay for truly following Christ.  Life might not look like the rest of society thinks it should.  Our interactions with others may not be what the rest of society expects.  If we are to truly follow Christ, where ever He leads us then that may lead us down some uncomfortable paths.  We may have to encounter grace more often.  We may have to encounter forgiveness for often.  We may have to put our selves after every other person we encounter.  A life lived for Christ is not a life of our own, but it is a life worthy of living. 

An update on "T" and a Lenten Devotion . . . "Don't you care if we drown?"

An update on Miss "T" . . .

She is doing so very well!  Things at home are going very well.  She's adjusting better than we ever thought she would.  She loves playing with her sisters.

She has mastered the art of living room fort and tent building.  We have had some exciting weekends lately.  Kevin had to travel for work so it was just a girl's weekend!  We missed daddy, but decided to have some fun. 

"T" attended her first theatre performance.  We went to go and see Get Smart put on by a local children's theatre.  The youth did a great job and we were very excited to support some of the awesome youth from our congregation.

All the girls really enjoyed the show.  Afterward it was onto Easter outfit shopping.  Yes, I took all 4 girls by myself to buy Easter clothes.  We found outfits and shoes for all of them that day.  Woo Hoo! 

"T" was so very excited to pick out a new dress herself!  She just kept staring at herself in the mirror, jumping up and down and practically yelling "pretty, pretty" in the dressing room.  She was excited!

"T" loves making silly faces, dancing, pb&j sandwiches, oranges, school, the cat (never would have guessed that), her doll, and watching cartoons.

This weekend the Berg grandparents were back in town.  We were all able to go see the movie Frozen.  Awesome movie!  "T"s first time in a movie theater.  She was really excited!

All of the girls had a great time with Grandma and Bapa.  They played games, baked, walked their dog, and had a lot of fun.

A Lenten Devotion . . . "Don't you care if we drown?" (I'm using "Who is That Man?" by Ray Pritchard for my Lent reading this year)

"Don't you care if we drown?" (Mark 4:38).  The disciples were asking Jesus this when they found themselves in the middle of the Sea of Galilee in a terrible storm.  If we think about the symbolism behind this I think there are many times we ask Jesus questions like this . . .

Do you care that I didn't get that job?
Do you care that I have these health problems?
Do you care if my loved one died?
Do you care if I have financial issues?

If I'm honest with myself there have been many times I've asked God questions like this.  The beautiful thing is though there is more to this story than just scared disciples and a storm.  There is Jesus that is in the boat with his friends.  He is there alongside them.  There is still fear, there is still a storm, but Jesus is there.  Jesus does not abandon them, he clams the storm.

During those storms in our lives Jesus is there with us as well.  He will never abandon us.  He will never leave us.  There still will be fear, there still will be storms.  However, God will always be present with us and most certainly cares for us always. 

An Update on "M^" and a Lenten Devotion . . . "Did no one condemn you?"

An update on "M^":

On Monday we received our 171h!  YEAH!!!  This is good.  This means that the US government has approved us for another international adoption.  Having that form means that we get to file another form to the US government.  Oh . . . so many forms!  The next form (I-600) takes our paperwork from the US and matches it up with "M^"s paperwork from Ethiopia.  Awesome we are all ready to send that in . . . well we are.  There's a problem.  "M^"s paperwork is not completely ready in Ethiopia.  So . . . this is what we're waiting for.  The orphanage has known that "M^" had a family (us) interested in adopting her since September.  6 months later we are still waiting on her paperwork.  Ugh! 

I talked with our social worker today.   She says that word from Ethiopia is "M^"s Ethiopia paperwork will be finished in about 1-2 weeks.  I pray that she's correct!  Here's the process from there . . .

Receive "M^"s Ethiopia paperwork
File I-600 to US government
Wait 3 months
Get PAIR letter from US government approving the match of "M^" and our family
Wait 1 more month for court date
Head to Ethiopia for a court date, embassy date and after about 3 weeks in Ethiopia bring "M^" HOME!

So, there is still a long way to go.  Here's the specific prayers we need right now.  Please pray that "M^"s paperwork gets finished and quickly!  Thanks so much for all the thoughts and prayers.  We can feel the love and support we have on this journey!


And now my Lenten Devotion:

"Did no one condemn you?" (John 8:10) . . .

Jesus was teaching when the church leaders brought in a woman accused of sin in the community.  She could have been stoned, but instead Jesus stood up for her by reminding the church leaders that only someone who had not sinned could throw a stone.  Jesus then asks her "Did no one condemn you?"  He asked her if there was anyone left sinless that could pass judgment on her.  There was none.  Then the most important thing happened . . . Jesus, the only one being perfect that could condemn her, bestowed grace upon her.  Jesus said "I will not condemn you either.  Go and sin no more." 

This question to the woman who sinned . . . "Did no one condemn you?" . . . makes me think about how often we pass jugdement on others.  So often we are quick to quote the rules to others and slow to extend grace.  So often we look at the sins of another and condemn them because, in our eyes, they sin differently - an therefore worse than we do.  We all sin.  We all fall short of the glory of God.  We all NEED Christ and the sacrifice He made for us. 

Tonight I pray for patience . . . patience and grace.  Grace from others and grace towards others. 

"Why have you treated us like this?" . . . A Lenten Devotion

And the Lenten journey continues . . .

"Why have you treated us like this?" (Luke 2:48)  Mary and Joseph ask Jesus this question when he is twelve years old.  On a family trip to the temple Jesus had skipped out on the walk home to stay at the temple talking and teaching the church leaders.  Mary and Joseph, I'm sure in a panic, were looking for him.  I'm sure this question came from a frantic parent that felt totally disrespected by their child.  However, Jesus was no average child. 

Jesus was not predictable, you wouldn't even necessarily call Jesus safe. In His ministry, Jesus would go where the church leaders would not.  Jesus would serve those that society had cast aside.  Jesus asked very hard things of His followers . . . and He asks very hard things of us as well.  What does that mean?  Some times when we look at what God asks of us . . . give everything to God, those who are last shall be first, do unto the least of these . . . we think "God why are you treating us this way?  Why are you asking such hard things of us?  Why does following you have to be so difficult?" 

We need to remember that God has not taken the easy road Himself.  God became human in order to more fully be in relationship with us.  Jesus took average people, taught them, and empowered them to share the Good News of God's love.  Jesus, God Himself, offered His life as a sacrifice to atone for the sins of all.  This is no easy road; it wasn't a safe road.  But Jesus offered Himself out of His goodness. 

I know there are times in life that I will ask God "Why have you treated us like this?"  When those occasions arise I will remember that God doesn't always take the predictable safe road.  There are times that He will ask us to take that same risky path, but it will always be for good, because God is good . . . all the time.

"Who is this man who speaks blasphemies?" . . . A Lenten Devotion

So . . . continuing with my Lenten Devotion out of "Who is That Man?" by Ray Pritchard . . .

"Who is this man who speaks blasphemies?"  (Luke 5:21)  The church leaders were asking this question of Jesus as he was healing people and forgiving sins.  Who is this person who speaks for God.  This isn't the way they expected to see the one who would be their savior, hanging out with sinners and those that were broken.  Jesus, this type of man, wouldn't be the one that God dared to send into this world . . . would He?

The church leaders were putting God in a box.  Their box.  They were wrapping it up and deciding exactly how THEY thought the savior of the world should look.  They wanted to control when they let God out of the box and where they let God out of the box.  They wanted the monopoly on who held the box and who was able to see into the box. 

The problem is . . . you can't put God in a box.  The church leaders back then couldn't control Jesus and we shouldn't try to control Jesus now either.  Sometimes we think that the only place people should expect to see God is in the box 'the church' places Him in.  A sanctuary during worship.  Or at a Bible study in a church building.  However, while God is there in those places, God is going to show up in places outside that box more often . . . in a downtown bus station at 3 am, in the wilderness of the boundary waters, the eyes of hungry children in orphanages. 

Where outside the box do you see Jesus?

"What are you looking for?" . . . A Lenten Devotion

As I was talking with my confirmation students in preparation for Lent this year we discussed the custom of people "giving up" things for Lent.  I encouraged them to consider instead of "giving up" something (like soda, chocolate, or ice cream) to take some time to give to God.  So I was encouraging them take time for prayer, reading their Bible, serving someone, etc. 

So I figure that if I am asking them to do that, I would as well.  I'm reading through a Lenten devotional book called "Who is That Man?" by Ray Pritchard.  I've never read this book before but it looks like an interesting concept.  He takes a question from the Bible to ponder each day.  So, feel free to join me on my Lenten journey if you wish!

Our question for the day is "What are you looking for?" (paraphrased John 1:38)  This question is a very appropriate one as we enter the time of preparation for Easter.  We often seek out God when we have questions about life.  Why do bad things happen to good people?  What happens when we die?  What am I being called to do?  This question from John 1:28 is Jesus asking the men following him what they are looking for.  We always ask so many questions of God.  It's intriguing to think of Jesus asking this of his disciples and us as well.  What are we looking for?  Are we looking for a God that we just have to visit for an hour a week up at a church building?  Are we looking for a God who will make us feel good?  Or are we looking for God to totally come and turn our lives upside down as He calls us to do His will in the world?  To me, this question sounds like an invitation.  In fact, Jesus' answer is simple, "Come and see." (paraphrased John 1:39) 

I invite you to think about what you are looking for.  See what God is up to in your life.

Smoldering Tuesday . . . 2014

Smoldering Tuesday . . . it comes again.  Each Tuesday before Ash Wednesday will always have huge significance for our family.  It was the timing . . . it was the journey that we were beginning . . . it gave Lent such purpose for us.  It was the day in 2012 that God placed adoption on our hearts and forever changed our lives and the way we view the world.

(A side note . . . if you want to read that particular story check out this post from last year . . . 
http://ajourneybutnotalone.blogspot.com/2013/09/smoldering-tuesday.html)

I am so deeply grateful that God has given our family the opportunity to experience this and use our journey, where we are not alone, to show HIS glory in the world.  Kevin and I have the opportunity to shape the lives of the children, God's children, that have been entrusted to us.  This is not a responsibility we take lightly.  I pray that our sweet girls, all 5 of them, grow in faith, hope and love that only God can truly provide.  I think they have a good start.


"S" came to me just a few days ago and we had the following conversation: 

She said, "Mommy, did you know that there are a lot of kids in my class that have their own electronics, like ipods and ipads and stuff." 

Me, "Oh, what do you think about that?"  (Our kiddos have electronics they can use, but nothing that is just theirs.)

"S", "Well, those things seem to be really important to them.  That's sometimes all they talk about."

Me, "How does that make you feel?"

"S", "It makes me feel sad for them.  Because the important thing to me is my family.  Maybe they don't have a family that is important to them."


Whoa!  "S" gets it.  She really gets it.  I see this kiddo someday being a missionary in some remote village in Africa, loving the life she has.  And we will be so very happy for her!  Our relationships are important.  'Things' are not important.  Yes, 'things' can be functional.  We do need certain 'things' to live day to day life.  'Things' can be sentimental.  However, 'things' can't hold our memories, our emotions, our value.  It is our relationships with others that do all of that.  It is the time spent with those around us that birth our memories, that create our feelings.  It is our relationships with others and especially with God that grant our lives value.  Each person has intrinsic value because they are a loved child of God!

That's what this day is about for our family . . . relationships.  How we are engaging differently in the world around us, following God's calling in our lives, to live into relationships with others.