Modern Day Miracles

So...You wanna argue with me that miracles don't happen anymore these days? I dare you. I just wrote up a whole testimony about how God has worked in my life, which is a miracle in itself. People get so hung up on the questions like "Where is our flood?", or "Where are these miraculous healings?".

To date, Wife and I have been blessed with our own modern day miracle. When we agreed to go through and adopt the 3 children in Liberia, we had no idea how we would do it. Where would the money and space and sanity come from? Things have been falling into place at an alarming rate. A rate by human standards that would be considered unbelievable. But God is doing His thing, performing a miracle right before our very eyes. I am humbled by the donations by people who just want to help, but have no idea how powerfully God is using them. It's beyond the monetary donations, it's all about God reaffirming in us that He and only He is in control. It's amazing. God says "Walk in faith, that I will provide", and by golly gosh...He provides.

People are so caught up in looking for miracles, that they happen every day, unnoticed. People want huge Hollywood special effects in the miracles God provides. They want God to give them a good show. It'd be great too if God could have a drive thru window for his miracles. "Hi yea...I'd like one supernatural healing, with a large diet coke please. Oh and hurry up, I've been waiting for about 15 seconds already." Wow me God...amaze me Lord...Bless me Father...Then I'll think about living for you

I have been looking, but I haven't found anywhere in the bible that describes God as being the dealer at the roulette wheel. I don't see where God is described as the guy on the Wall Street Trading floor, slapping his head and making all sorts of hand signs to make the perfect deal with you. Still haven't found where He teaches us to bring our "A" game to the negotiation table.

What I do know is God teaches that "God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19). I think I read once something about bringing it all to God in prayer: "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." (Ephesians 6:18)

This says it best: Galatians 3:5 - Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?

God is Good!

1 Down...How Many More to Go???

So as many already know, and for those who don't know...Augustus, as of right now, will not be coming into our family. As seasoned veterans of the game of adoption, it should not have come as a surprise, which it didn't. BUT surprised or not, the sting is still there. I pray for him and whatever family he has that will be apart of his life.

That all being said, I got to thinking and reading and praying. In doing so my favorite story in the bible "popped" into my head, so I turned to it and read it again. The Prodigal Son has so many great things to it, yet for me right now, it was a perfect call for me to be excited and ready. For those who don't know the story or want to read it again, it's here: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2015:11-32;&version=49;

Reading through it, it doesn't pertain exactly to not bringing home another child. But it did make me think about how excited and happy God is when we return to Him after turning our backs on him. In the same way the father in the Prodigal son parable is looking for his son to return (20But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.), I too will be ready to run to my new son and embrace him and make him an official part of our family.

This story goes on to talk about how the father has the fattened calf killed to eat. I can't promise I'll be busting out the old calf killing...maybe I can make him some grilled cheese or something :)

God is Good people...even when it feels like life is blah...He is Still Good...I'd even go as far to say...He's Perfect. (bold I know...but that's what I am...a risk taker)

God is Good!

Video of Our New Daughters

Galatians 4:4-5 - But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, burn under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

I've talked about my thoughts about adoption and how it is a living picture of our relationship with God, through the sacrifice of Jesus. I found the above bit of scripture while having some quiet time this week. These few verses again, solidified in me, that we have nothing if Jesus did not come and die for our sins. We are adopted into His kingdom through the sacrifice He made for us.

We have been thinking about adoption, again. Anyone who knows me, knows I drop my head, I roll my eyes, I groan and I sigh whenever Wife talks about adoption. But I can't deny the fact that, through Wife's heart for children and her desire to have a large family, God has opened my heart to more kids. I am beyond amazed by how God can change a mans heart, but I can attest he has changed mine.

That being said, we'll be updating the home study, filing the paper work and praying over babies and situations. I have absolutely no idea how in the world we will pay for it, find room for him or her, have room in our vehicle to transport the family. I just know it feels right and if adopting is meant to be, Our savior will figure all that out and let me know about it when the time is right. To me it sounds like such a christian cliche, but I feel like we are taking a huge leap of faith. All I know is He is telling my heart, don't let him or her spend another night alone.

He's opened my eyes to the happiness a family brings to all of it's members. He's also shown me the loneliness and sadness of being alone. He's shown me this in my personal life, but more so through my time at Recas Orphanage in Romania and the Greater Love Children's Home in Liberia. God has blessed me with decent money, shelter, an amazing wife and family, eternal salvation and a fire to spread his word and love to all who will listen. How can I turn my back on a little one, when I have the means to open my heart to him or her.

None of this sounds like anything I have ever said. :) And no, I'm not drunk.
God is Good!

Shut Your Crier

Shut Your Crier. That's what I say to my kids when they are in one of those nonstop crying fits. Usually they are crying about something silly or something that happened hours ago. Parents know, kids will cry about some of the most silly things...usually when they are tired or hungry.

Got to thinking about me...I figure everyone else is, why shouldn't I. But then I remember God commands me to focus my eyes, thoughts and actions on him. It's amazing to me how self centered we are as a human race. Look everywhere and it's about "me". Look at the top 100 songs right now...most are about how you can please me, satisfy me, help me, love me, use me, abuse me...me me me. Magazines, movies, television...it's everywhere, all about me.

It's pretty sad that I sit down to watch a football game with my son and I have to monitor the commercials. TV shows about sleeping with as many women as possible, beer ads making alcohol seem so cool, viagra and cialis, Victoria secret. Sweet Gracious...I just want to watch the game.

Even as Christians we focus on "me" when we cry out to the Lord. God help me with this, Lord bless us, Lord use me, Father open my mind. What makes us any different than the world, if our faith is based on what God can do for us? God wants to hear our desires and needs, but he also desires us to shout out to him our praises and worship.

He promises to provide all we need. He who provides seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. (2nd Corinthians 9:10). Lets rest in the fact the God is our provider...Lets stop focusing on us and start focusing on Him.

None of this is said to remove the fact that God tells us to bring everything to him in prayer. I just wonder how much that we bring to Him, is brought as a heartfelt cry to Him and how much is asked as if he were our magic eight ball.

A Birth, A Death, A Resurrection. That's all that needs to be said. How selfish am I for asking for more than that?
"Shut your crier"...Yes lord, I will.