Well I am certainly "late" with a Thanksgiving Post. There are so many things that I could share with regards to what I am thankful for. But instead I want to share with you the "list" of my sweet little boy, Levi. I hope to share with you what his "list" means from his heart and the brutal reality of where his thanks come from.
Every year the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving our church has a "Thanksgiving Eve" Service. It is a great service that we look forward to each year. We sing songs of praise and worship to our Father and then there is a time for personal sharing. Usually one person from each family steps up to share what their family is thankful for. There are some sweet messages of thanks and there are some amazing stories of people being healed physically that bring much emotion and thanksgiving as well.
We had briefly shared at our dinner table before attending service what each of us was thankful for. Most years we don't have a family representative because my sweet husband gets too choked up and cannot speak when he gets up there. I am ok with that... God knows! But this year Levi was so excited to see that people got to go up there and say thanks to God for things! He kept asking me "mom, are we going up there?" "Mom, can I go up there?" I said "are you sure?"... So I went up there with him and he spoke.
He said, "My name is Levi. I am thankful God, that He loved me and rescued me. I am thankful that I don't have to worry about not having enough food to eat anymore. And I am thankful for that I am safe!"
Now for most people there hearts are touched...they may even cry a few tears. But to this mom it is way beyond that. You see, for Levi those words are not textbook. Those words are extremely literal! For a child like Levi being rescued, having enough food, and being safe are a big big deal. We live every day with expectations that we will have food and be safe. Some of us have been "rescued" for so long that we can forget what it "feels" like to live needing a rescuer. Not so for Levi and many other orphans.
The Food..... most of us can see this need. We see the need for feeding the poor in the media every day. There is no shortage of those in need of food. Not just in other countries but in the US as well. We see it... we donate to local pantries... we give money to help. All good things! God calls us to share what we have.... to be generous and to care for the orphan and the widow in their time of need. ( James 1:27) We all see the commercials of the children in other countries with extended bellies and bone thing arms and legs from disease and poor nutrition. But most of us haven't experienced what it is like to go hungry. I know I whine when I have to fast for lab work..or when I am fasting for prayer. The truth is we don't know. We don't know what it is like to eat without stopping until the kettle is taken away. We don't understand how any child could "save" food in their cheeks or their pants pockets to take to bed with them so just in case there isn't food tomorrow...they will have some. We don't get it that children who don't eat 3 meals a day every day will literally "lick" their plates with their tongues to get every last drop. We don't scrounge through week old garbage desperate to find something to fill out bellies. We don't know what it is like to drink water so dirty you can't see through it just to wet our tongues and lips. We don't know......
But, Levi does! Levi knows...
Feeling Safe..... We all have our little "secret fears". Spiders...crowds...birds... guns... water..etc. We each have something. There are other things that we fear... Some of us even have fears of certain people in our lives. I am so so sorry for anyone to have fears of another. But I wonder what it would be like to be afraid all of the time!? Every minute of every day. Every night when the lights go out. Every morning when a new day dawns. Every time you go to church. Every time you go to a store. Every time you meet new people. Every time the family you live with leaves... to fear if they will come back or not. Fear of these people who say they love you...just wondering when they will turn on you...and begin to hurt you, 'cause everyone does! While I am sensitive to those who have suffered abuse at the hands of other. Most of us just do not know these fears and on a daily basis.... every minute.
But, Levi does! Levi Knows all of these fears.
Being Rescued... Perhaps this is the one that cuts me to the core. When Levi said he was thankful that God rescued him. Seriously! We all know that we have a rescuer in Jesus! He rescues us from our sin and alot of times, from ourselves. Most of us probably don't know what it is like to have a "superhero" in our lives. One who saved us from a car wreck...or saves us from stepping out in front of a car or moving vehicle. Maybe someone in your life saved you from making a bad choice in a boy/girl to date.
I don't want to downplay or negate any of those life saving experiences. But I want to share what it means to Levi.
For Levi, he really needed a rescuer. He literally needed to be rescued from his old life. ( anyone else relate to that?) (Colossians 1:13-14) He has been a victim for most of his life. From the very beginning he needed to be rescued. We all need rescuing. But the difference for Levi and other orphaned children, is that they didn't make those choices. They didn't do anything to bring on the sin that has shaped their little hearts, minds and bodies. HE needed rescuing from those who sinned against him! He has been, and still is in some ways, in bondage to the sins that others committed against him. HE needed to be rescued. IN every sense of the word. He needed to be saved in every sense of the word. He needed to be "lifted out of the slimy pit and have his feet set on a rock" (Psalm 40:2)in every sense of the words! He has suffered much in ways you and I could not even imagine. HE needed to be rescued from that! HE is thankful to be rescued... from that old life of his and to be brought to his new life...here and in Christ!
You see, adoption is salvation. For these children this is their salvation. In every sense of the word. This is what I have learned in this past year. There is so much more to adopting a child than "getting them out of there 'bad circumstances'". Yes God calls people to adopt. But it doesn't end there. It doesn't end when you get off the plane and unpack the suitcases. It doesn't end when you stop "cocooning" with them at home. People...this is 100% about their salvation. This is about God's plan for their lives and ours, and Him working out their salvation. Like all of us, when we surrender to Christ...we open ourselves up to pain and then healing, to the truth of lies that kept us in bondage, to change... scary change. We are giving up all that is familiar to us in order to "begin" again with Him and His ways. We leave the old behind for the new. We see things that we never saw before... we don't understand things as we did before. NOTHING seems familiar.... but yet it does... Giving our lives to Christ sets us up to do things that are not about ourselve...but about something much bigger than we are. We see this world and this life as "temporary" and a step to what will be eternal! We have to step out and speak up to things that we once felt completely comfortable with... that now we see harmful. Adoption is the gospel As we ourselves are adopted into God's family... we adopt these children into our families and God begins to heal and call them. There is lifetime work and committment to adoption. There are hard days and there are easy days. BUT... it really isn't any different than our lives with our Heavenly Father! He loves every day...He doesn't leave us as orphans without direction... He walks us through to deliverance and salvation in Him!
Ephesians 1:4-6
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In Love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will, to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
Everyday there is work to be done. Everyday there is healing taking place. (Philippians 1:6)With the Father leading the charge we are blessed and privileged to watch his salvation and redemption before our very eyes. We get to see God's love heal him. We get to model God's love to him. We get to be his parents. We get to love him! We get to enjoy him! We get to! We get to! Many days we feel so unworthy... we feel so simple... but God, in His goodness, reminds us that we are who He chose. We are who He called! For that We are thankful!
Please pray for all of the orphans in the world. They each have their own "slimy pit" that they need rescuing from. Each of them suffers. Each of them needs to be rescued. Not only by having a forever family, but each of them needs Jesus' rescuing love, grace and mercy. They need the rescuing gift of salvation. They need Jesus!
Thankful to be....
In His Embrace
Psalm 61:3-5 For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. For you, God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
My Blog List
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Preparing Hearts....
Please ponder the messages of these videos.........
The least of these..
this first one is from a new but dear friend I met on this second adoption journey
love it!!
http://childers.org/2012/11/04/whatever-you-do-for-the-least-of-these/
this next one is what was put together for the Both Hands:Building a Bridge of Hope
the serving the orphan and the widow student minitries event at our church
http://vimeo.com/53090285
The least of these..
this first one is from a new but dear friend I met on this second adoption journey
love it!!
http://childers.org/2012/11/04/whatever-you-do-for-the-least-of-these/
this next one is what was put together for the Both Hands:Building a Bridge of Hope
the serving the orphan and the widow student minitries event at our church
http://vimeo.com/53090285
Monday, November 12, 2012
Please See WHY
Ok...another post already!?!....
I couldn't sleep so rather than toss and turn and wake up my 12hour shift working husband I decided to get up! Honestly..so much is running through my head! So much... The blessing of our friends and family who love us...and the children we bring home...the blessing of a job that allows for me to stay home with all of our kids....the wood that keeps our home warm on a day of 20 degree weather....and all that goes with adoption.... I think about the orphan all of the time... I think about God's Word...and what He calls us to do for not only the orphan, but for the widow and for the helpless and for each other! How can we make that alive in our house? How can we live that out in our lives? What is our personal role in this big beautiful family, Christ's Church?.... Speak to me Father! Please tell me what I am suppose to do!
I can say that in somewhat of a "big picture" I believe I know what I/we (Roger and Laurie) are suppose to do... we are some of those ordinary, previously unqualified people who God calls to adopt. The saying goes " God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called". At the Both Hands fundraiser/service project kickoff on Sunday, we were asked to share a bit of our adoption story. I can tell you that my husband lost sleep over the thought of speaking to this in front of people! I tried to encourage him all week.... he kept asking..."why can't you just speak"?.... I said, "because God is telling you to" Roger is a wise man... he is a deep thinking man...he is a sensitive man. But like most guys, he would rather keep that "stuff" to himself or share those moments with just me in the quiet of home. Well last Sunday that was not to be.... God clearly had other plans! Roger's biggest fear in public speaking, especially with regards to our adoption of Levi and pending adoption of David and Jonathan, was that he would get choked up and not be able to get the words out. That is exactly what happened. After a few times of pulling it together after high emotions... I took over. Not escaping that same depth of emotion. Roger said afterwards that he couldn't even remember what he said. Not surprising as we know the Holy Spirit interceded for us in our weakness! It is moments like this... when we come to the end of ourselves that God shines through the brightest! God had a message to share that day. He had people that needed to hear our story, not for us but for them. There were teenagers there. Parents there. Young children there. They all saw the rawness and vulnerability of a grown up man. A man who admits... it wasn't what I wanted to do! But stepped out in obedience and faith to what God had put before him. He was overcome with the emotions of a father for his son. He would be the same way for our other boys...and for David and Jonathan. AS our Father is overcome with love for each of us!
As we move forward in this next adoption journey I am more and more passionate about the plans of the Father for each and every one of the orphans out there! If you would have told me 6 months ago that I would be adopting twins with special needs... I would not have believed it. It just wasn't what we thought we would/could do. Both Roger and I said, well we could do minor correctable conditions...like heart stuff, clef palate...things surgery in our country would resolve. But what we didn't know was what God was already doing in our lives that would prepare us for this next journey.
See what allot of people don't know is what we have been doing with our Levi. He is an amazing little boy. Most people that meet him are amazed at how well adjusted he seems to be... it has been a year after all. But while on the outside he looks so together...we found out that on the inside...he was a mess. Last summer he started to share his life with us... in many ways. In the ways of attachment...in the ways of emotions, in the physical ways of hugs and kisses. But there was a part of his life that he tried so hard to keep hidden... so hard to keep a secret. Parts of his life that have been taken from him...that have been unfairly hurtful by people that should have protected him. Parts of his life that would be better off forgotten. But God is in the business of Redeeming Lives! In time since then Levi asked Jesus to be his rescuer! He loves Jesus and God and wants to know what heaven is like.... he is forever asking me when we will go there! (I think he really just wants to meet Samson and Jonah!) There have been long hard days! Lots of them..but along with that there have been days and years of his life Redeemed! His adoption was really his salvation.... He is a brave little boy who will one day I am sure, do great things for the Kingdom! God has equipped us to parent this little boy with things in us we didn't even know we had! Things that we know are only from Him!
Isaiah 42:6-8
“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles,
7 to open eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
So...... this is why. His life is why. Why we love those who are hard to love. Why we obey when it seems crazy. Why we take one step at a time when we are too scared to move at all! Why we love those who can't love us back sometimes. Really there are so many others like us who are just answering the call that He puts on their lives and hearts. Just saying yes. In return, we don't ask why. We don't need to. We can see the unspoken why in the eyes of those little ones. We can see the why in the smiles and even in the tears. To us, it is obvious as to the "why".
Our yes might not be your yes. We are not all capable or called to adopt...but we can all help others who are called. I think the most important thing is that you say yes to what or where He is calling you! And you won't ask why.... when others do! You will know!
So this is long.... but one last thing! PLEASE PLEASE take a little time to check out the links to some of the blogs I follow. There are some amazing stories that are shared. More families that are working to bring home some of these special ones.... and pray pray pray for them! Pray for those little lives to be redeemed! Not only over the oceans...but in our own neighborhoods and back yards!
Always learning to Settle In His Embrace,
laurie
I couldn't sleep so rather than toss and turn and wake up my 12hour shift working husband I decided to get up! Honestly..so much is running through my head! So much... The blessing of our friends and family who love us...and the children we bring home...the blessing of a job that allows for me to stay home with all of our kids....the wood that keeps our home warm on a day of 20 degree weather....and all that goes with adoption.... I think about the orphan all of the time... I think about God's Word...and what He calls us to do for not only the orphan, but for the widow and for the helpless and for each other! How can we make that alive in our house? How can we live that out in our lives? What is our personal role in this big beautiful family, Christ's Church?.... Speak to me Father! Please tell me what I am suppose to do!
I can say that in somewhat of a "big picture" I believe I know what I/we (Roger and Laurie) are suppose to do... we are some of those ordinary, previously unqualified people who God calls to adopt. The saying goes " God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called". At the Both Hands fundraiser/service project kickoff on Sunday, we were asked to share a bit of our adoption story. I can tell you that my husband lost sleep over the thought of speaking to this in front of people! I tried to encourage him all week.... he kept asking..."why can't you just speak"?.... I said, "because God is telling you to" Roger is a wise man... he is a deep thinking man...he is a sensitive man. But like most guys, he would rather keep that "stuff" to himself or share those moments with just me in the quiet of home. Well last Sunday that was not to be.... God clearly had other plans! Roger's biggest fear in public speaking, especially with regards to our adoption of Levi and pending adoption of David and Jonathan, was that he would get choked up and not be able to get the words out. That is exactly what happened. After a few times of pulling it together after high emotions... I took over. Not escaping that same depth of emotion. Roger said afterwards that he couldn't even remember what he said. Not surprising as we know the Holy Spirit interceded for us in our weakness! It is moments like this... when we come to the end of ourselves that God shines through the brightest! God had a message to share that day. He had people that needed to hear our story, not for us but for them. There were teenagers there. Parents there. Young children there. They all saw the rawness and vulnerability of a grown up man. A man who admits... it wasn't what I wanted to do! But stepped out in obedience and faith to what God had put before him. He was overcome with the emotions of a father for his son. He would be the same way for our other boys...and for David and Jonathan. AS our Father is overcome with love for each of us!
As we move forward in this next adoption journey I am more and more passionate about the plans of the Father for each and every one of the orphans out there! If you would have told me 6 months ago that I would be adopting twins with special needs... I would not have believed it. It just wasn't what we thought we would/could do. Both Roger and I said, well we could do minor correctable conditions...like heart stuff, clef palate...things surgery in our country would resolve. But what we didn't know was what God was already doing in our lives that would prepare us for this next journey.
See what allot of people don't know is what we have been doing with our Levi. He is an amazing little boy. Most people that meet him are amazed at how well adjusted he seems to be... it has been a year after all. But while on the outside he looks so together...we found out that on the inside...he was a mess. Last summer he started to share his life with us... in many ways. In the ways of attachment...in the ways of emotions, in the physical ways of hugs and kisses. But there was a part of his life that he tried so hard to keep hidden... so hard to keep a secret. Parts of his life that have been taken from him...that have been unfairly hurtful by people that should have protected him. Parts of his life that would be better off forgotten. But God is in the business of Redeeming Lives! In time since then Levi asked Jesus to be his rescuer! He loves Jesus and God and wants to know what heaven is like.... he is forever asking me when we will go there! (I think he really just wants to meet Samson and Jonah!) There have been long hard days! Lots of them..but along with that there have been days and years of his life Redeemed! His adoption was really his salvation.... He is a brave little boy who will one day I am sure, do great things for the Kingdom! God has equipped us to parent this little boy with things in us we didn't even know we had! Things that we know are only from Him!
Isaiah 42:6-8
“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles,
7 to open eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
8 “I am the Lord; that is my name!
I will not yield my glory to another
or my praise to idols.
I will not yield my glory to another
or my praise to idols.
So...... this is why. His life is why. Why we love those who are hard to love. Why we obey when it seems crazy. Why we take one step at a time when we are too scared to move at all! Why we love those who can't love us back sometimes. Really there are so many others like us who are just answering the call that He puts on their lives and hearts. Just saying yes. In return, we don't ask why. We don't need to. We can see the unspoken why in the eyes of those little ones. We can see the why in the smiles and even in the tears. To us, it is obvious as to the "why".
Our yes might not be your yes. We are not all capable or called to adopt...but we can all help others who are called. I think the most important thing is that you say yes to what or where He is calling you! And you won't ask why.... when others do! You will know!
So this is long.... but one last thing! PLEASE PLEASE take a little time to check out the links to some of the blogs I follow. There are some amazing stories that are shared. More families that are working to bring home some of these special ones.... and pray pray pray for them! Pray for those little lives to be redeemed! Not only over the oceans...but in our own neighborhoods and back yards!
Always learning to Settle In His Embrace,
laurie
A Little Help From Our Friends!
Our family is blessed to have so many wonderful and supportive friends and family surrounding us. This call for our family to adopt is so not just about us! The plans of the Lord are far reaching and so much bigger than we can ever imagine!
God has placed a united desire to help the orphan in many hearts of those we know and love. Specifically one special teenage girl with a heart for the Widow and the Orphan. She has a heart to serve the Father and others. What started out as an idea for a handful of friends has now blossomed into an entire youth group event at our church.
David and Jonathan will be the orphans blessed by her obedience to the promptings God put on her heart. We are humbled by the plans of the Father....and reminded that He is in all of the details. Please read the information regarding the event. Our older boys, Sam and Jacob will be participating as well.
Psalm 33:12-15
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth- he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.
Dear Friends and Family!
Along with the junior high student ministries of Appleton Alliance Church, I am excited to introduce to you a ministry event called “Both Hands: Building a Bridge of Hope”.
The mission of “Both Hands” is to serve both the widow and the orphan. James 1:27 tells us that "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." The purpose of “Both Hands” is to raise funds for orphans while serving widows through home improvement/service projects. Projects may include construction, painting, organizing, cleaning, making meals, etc…
We are asking for your financial support to sponsor our efforts in serving the widow in need. With your support, over the next few months (with some projects scheduled in the spring due to weather), we will serve the needs of these widows and then take the money we have raised and donate it to a local family (that's us!) adopting two twin orphans from Bulgaria with special needs: two boys that without help are left abandoned and forgotten and labeled a burden to society.
Together we can care for the needs of the widow and the orphan, help to bring hope to the hopeless and change to a world in need. What a great opportunity to bless those in need this time of year. For every $25.00 raised, a “hand” with the name of the donor written on it will be placed on a wall representing the bridge of hope being built through helping hands such as yours.
Please consider partnering with us and together we can BE THE CHANGE!
Please email Lisa Schuenke at for more information on sponsoring this event by December 14th: at devoted2god@ymail.com
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Please Pray~
Hi friends!
I know today is a day that many of us will be voting...and for allot of people that has involved much thought and consideration...
I ask today for another consideration..
If and as, you have time please click on the link on the right side of my blog page to The Blessing Of Verity. On there you will read about a family that needs our prayers! They are adopting 2 beautiful little girls from Eastern Europe. The girls need attention...medical but physical and emotional as well. The family needs prayers for the girls' adoptions to be expedited in their home country. They need prayer for the pieces to all come into place to move the process along EXTRA FAST!
Please take a few moments to read the post and then lift them up before the Father!
Even though there is allot to "think" about today with the election.... please make this family a prayer priority!
Praying ..........
laurie
I know today is a day that many of us will be voting...and for allot of people that has involved much thought and consideration...
I ask today for another consideration..
If and as, you have time please click on the link on the right side of my blog page to The Blessing Of Verity. On there you will read about a family that needs our prayers! They are adopting 2 beautiful little girls from Eastern Europe. The girls need attention...medical but physical and emotional as well. The family needs prayers for the girls' adoptions to be expedited in their home country. They need prayer for the pieces to all come into place to move the process along EXTRA FAST!
Please take a few moments to read the post and then lift them up before the Father!
Even though there is allot to "think" about today with the election.... please make this family a prayer priority!
Praying ..........
laurie
Got Trials?
Greetings!
There are so many things bouncing around in my head that I want to write about...all from different places of my heart...
But just quickly for today I wanted to share some of what I read this morning. It is about times of trials and struggling. We all have or will face trials in our lives. All will suffer and some will have a time of suffering along side of family or friends as they walk through some of lifes most hard things. While we cannot know the outcomes of our trials...we can know that we have a Father who is with us. He loves us with an amazing love and He wants to show us that love...
I have someone very dear to me that is struggling to do something that is hard. Something that they cannot even imagine doing successfully. While it is not a life or death matter, it is very hard and comsuming for them! In my trying to "encourage" them, I said... it seems to me that this is really a time of stretching and growing for you....and I added the cherry on top saying... It is all to prepare you for what God will call you to do next! I don't know if they fully embraced what I said... but I know they heard my words and will seek the Father with those thoughts in mind.
The truth is, that when we are suffering, regardless of the degree, we really are longing for something to take the pain away... We try all kinds of things to "ease" our pain, some only lead to more while others can slow the impact or draw it out... What I have found is that in reality is that what we are desiring and seeking and longing for can only be found in the intimate time of resting at His feet....resting in His presence... Only that time of seeking shelter and safety In His Embrace... Dwelling In the Tent of the Father.... quietly sitting in our favorite chair... just before the light of day fills the room.. only then can we start to see what it is that will "heal" our pain. God in the living Word will be that "remedy" or "ease" for us. But, only if we seek Him...
That said, this is part of what I read today ...
Our capacity for knowing God is enlarged when we are brought by Him into difficult circumstances that cause us to exercise our faith. So when difficulties block our path, may we thank God that He is taking time to deal with us, and then may we lean heavily on Him.
more...
In order to receive any benefits from our captivity, we must accept the situation and be determined to make the best of it. Worrying over what we have lost or what has been taken from us will not make things better but only prevent us from improving what remains. We wil only serve to make the rope around us tighter if we rebel against it. No calamity will ever bring only evil to us, if we will immediately take it in fervent prayer to God. Even as we take shelter beneath a tree during a downpour of rain, we may unexpectedly find fruit on its branches. And when we flee to God, taking refuge beneath the shadow of His wing, we will always find more in Him than we have ever seen or known. (love that part!) Consequently, it is through our trials and afflictions that God gives us fresh revelations of Himself.
This is such great news to me! I have been in those places... sometimes I think that we really are in "those places" every day... it just depends on your perspective... if in all things you surrender to His authority then it could.shoud be an everyday occurance...but if we limit our surrender to the seemingly "big things" then we may miss out on an opportunity of another Revelation!
There are so many things bouncing around in my head that I want to write about...all from different places of my heart...
But just quickly for today I wanted to share some of what I read this morning. It is about times of trials and struggling. We all have or will face trials in our lives. All will suffer and some will have a time of suffering along side of family or friends as they walk through some of lifes most hard things. While we cannot know the outcomes of our trials...we can know that we have a Father who is with us. He loves us with an amazing love and He wants to show us that love...
I have someone very dear to me that is struggling to do something that is hard. Something that they cannot even imagine doing successfully. While it is not a life or death matter, it is very hard and comsuming for them! In my trying to "encourage" them, I said... it seems to me that this is really a time of stretching and growing for you....and I added the cherry on top saying... It is all to prepare you for what God will call you to do next! I don't know if they fully embraced what I said... but I know they heard my words and will seek the Father with those thoughts in mind.
The truth is, that when we are suffering, regardless of the degree, we really are longing for something to take the pain away... We try all kinds of things to "ease" our pain, some only lead to more while others can slow the impact or draw it out... What I have found is that in reality is that what we are desiring and seeking and longing for can only be found in the intimate time of resting at His feet....resting in His presence... Only that time of seeking shelter and safety In His Embrace... Dwelling In the Tent of the Father.... quietly sitting in our favorite chair... just before the light of day fills the room.. only then can we start to see what it is that will "heal" our pain. God in the living Word will be that "remedy" or "ease" for us. But, only if we seek Him...
That said, this is part of what I read today ...
Our capacity for knowing God is enlarged when we are brought by Him into difficult circumstances that cause us to exercise our faith. So when difficulties block our path, may we thank God that He is taking time to deal with us, and then may we lean heavily on Him.
more...
In order to receive any benefits from our captivity, we must accept the situation and be determined to make the best of it. Worrying over what we have lost or what has been taken from us will not make things better but only prevent us from improving what remains. We wil only serve to make the rope around us tighter if we rebel against it. No calamity will ever bring only evil to us, if we will immediately take it in fervent prayer to God. Even as we take shelter beneath a tree during a downpour of rain, we may unexpectedly find fruit on its branches. And when we flee to God, taking refuge beneath the shadow of His wing, we will always find more in Him than we have ever seen or known. (love that part!) Consequently, it is through our trials and afflictions that God gives us fresh revelations of Himself.
This is such great news to me! I have been in those places... sometimes I think that we really are in "those places" every day... it just depends on your perspective... if in all things you surrender to His authority then it could.shoud be an everyday occurance...but if we limit our surrender to the seemingly "big things" then we may miss out on an opportunity of another Revelation!
Take my life and let it be
consecrated Lord to thee
Take my moments and my days
let them flow in ceaseless praise
Monday, November 5, 2012
We are Free!
Yes... I am still here...
It used to be so easy to write the things on my heart and then just shoot them out in an email to friends! It seems that since I have officially started to blog things are different. Honestly, I have started this next blog post 3 different times. And something just would prevent me from finishing it. It may have been the time of day~actually night... and I was just too tired to think clearly. It could have been that I just couldn't put into words how my heart was feeling or aching. I have come to see this blog as a "responsibility" not just as a place to "share my heart and life and what God is teaching me"! I know for the reader out there who is a seasoned blogger it may seem like a "no brainer" but I am guessing that at one time even the most eloquent, disciplined and committed blogger has come to that place of realization.
The idea of me blogging has been on my heart for actually a few years. It all started when we were in the process of adopting our little boy from Ethiopia. He has an amazing story and God had allot that He wanted me to share with people. From where I sit, looking back I think the whole journey (at least on my end) was to share with all of you, how much God loved me/us through the journey. How much He wanted me to draw closer to Him, not only in the excitement of the journey, but more in the times of waiting, despair, sorrow, confusion, discontent, frustration and feelings of giving up. It was in those times that when I had to explain to everyone how much my heart was breaking I was able to bring Him the glory. It was in those times that He held me and spoke to me...and reminded me of what I know to be true. It was in those times that I grew so much more in love with the Father and Son...and came to a much deeper dependence on Him rather than on my own capabilities.
He is why I am now blogging.
So with that I am seeing a new sense of "purpose". The reasons why people blog are all different. But for me, the main reason is to share Him with others and bring Him the glory for all that He is doing in so many hearts and places around the world. I also want to bring awareness to the cause for the orphan! An awareness that there are some 150 million orphans in the world today! There are statistics that will blow your mind... (a later post) Things that once you read, hear and see will change you forever...
I also hope that in my sharing others will come to know that they are not alone. God has a plan for all of us...for each of us. Maybe in some way, the things that our family goes through can help others along the way. I believe we are meant to share in each others lives..... in many different ways. God made us to love and care for one another. We have seen that love and caring from so many people that we have not even met physically! My prayer is that we can return blessing on someone else!
So.... I am a bit distracted...I will get back on track. This morning there are a few things that are on my mind and in my heart. Things that I would love to share..but I don't have time to write a 4 page post. For now...
I have been reading in Romans chapter 8. Life in the Spirit. The one thing that I have been "mulling" over the past week is Gods grace. God's plan for me to live in the Spirit. You see for me, most of my entire life I have lived trying to "perform" well. Trying to gain the high "attagirls" and words of praise. My young adult life was spent trying to "make up for" things that I had done in my past. I eventually realized that no matter how hard I tried, once I reached the bar, it would always move up! Can anyone relate?.... Always always trying to keep everything in order... keep things looking good...keep the kids in order...keep the people happy! As if! I gave myself some slack. I let myself off the hook... I knew that my imperfections were the reason I need Christ in the first place. But what I didn't know in the beginning was that no matter how hard I tried in ALL areas of my life, I couldn't satisfy the "law". That in fact, the law in itself is weak. The weakness of the laws lies in the fact that we cannot keep it! So I have learned that and studied what God says about our "perfect performance" and how we cannot BE perfect but that He SEES us perfect through the work of Jesus on the cross. Jesus is the righteousness that lives in us and frees us from living by the law and instead we live by the spirit!
Romans 4:13
It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith!
There is so much more....read the entire chapter of Romans 4 here!
So while I am reminded that by faith, through His grace I am free from that burden... there are days/times when it is so easy to slip back into that old way of thinking! That the enemy will remind me of how much I don't measure up and how I have failed or will never be what I desire....I know the truth! I am not bound by my failings and mistakes and sins.... Romans 3:23-24 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God! and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus!
Oh please Father..would you burn that into my mind and heart! 'Cause when I rest there...I am free! The perspective I have changes everything! Even in His goodness and love He knows my weaknesses..and He gently brings this wandering heart and mind back to the place where it will find peace and rest and joy and hope and love and all things HIM.
I hope that today you can live in the freedom of the Spirit in all things.... in the roles you have in your life...and mostly..in your relationship with the one who loves you unconditionally! God!
Resting,
In His Embrace
laurie
It used to be so easy to write the things on my heart and then just shoot them out in an email to friends! It seems that since I have officially started to blog things are different. Honestly, I have started this next blog post 3 different times. And something just would prevent me from finishing it. It may have been the time of day~actually night... and I was just too tired to think clearly. It could have been that I just couldn't put into words how my heart was feeling or aching. I have come to see this blog as a "responsibility" not just as a place to "share my heart and life and what God is teaching me"! I know for the reader out there who is a seasoned blogger it may seem like a "no brainer" but I am guessing that at one time even the most eloquent, disciplined and committed blogger has come to that place of realization.
The idea of me blogging has been on my heart for actually a few years. It all started when we were in the process of adopting our little boy from Ethiopia. He has an amazing story and God had allot that He wanted me to share with people. From where I sit, looking back I think the whole journey (at least on my end) was to share with all of you, how much God loved me/us through the journey. How much He wanted me to draw closer to Him, not only in the excitement of the journey, but more in the times of waiting, despair, sorrow, confusion, discontent, frustration and feelings of giving up. It was in those times that when I had to explain to everyone how much my heart was breaking I was able to bring Him the glory. It was in those times that He held me and spoke to me...and reminded me of what I know to be true. It was in those times that I grew so much more in love with the Father and Son...and came to a much deeper dependence on Him rather than on my own capabilities.
He is why I am now blogging.
So with that I am seeing a new sense of "purpose". The reasons why people blog are all different. But for me, the main reason is to share Him with others and bring Him the glory for all that He is doing in so many hearts and places around the world. I also want to bring awareness to the cause for the orphan! An awareness that there are some 150 million orphans in the world today! There are statistics that will blow your mind... (a later post) Things that once you read, hear and see will change you forever...
I also hope that in my sharing others will come to know that they are not alone. God has a plan for all of us...for each of us. Maybe in some way, the things that our family goes through can help others along the way. I believe we are meant to share in each others lives..... in many different ways. God made us to love and care for one another. We have seen that love and caring from so many people that we have not even met physically! My prayer is that we can return blessing on someone else!
So.... I am a bit distracted...I will get back on track. This morning there are a few things that are on my mind and in my heart. Things that I would love to share..but I don't have time to write a 4 page post. For now...
I have been reading in Romans chapter 8. Life in the Spirit. The one thing that I have been "mulling" over the past week is Gods grace. God's plan for me to live in the Spirit. You see for me, most of my entire life I have lived trying to "perform" well. Trying to gain the high "attagirls" and words of praise. My young adult life was spent trying to "make up for" things that I had done in my past. I eventually realized that no matter how hard I tried, once I reached the bar, it would always move up! Can anyone relate?.... Always always trying to keep everything in order... keep things looking good...keep the kids in order...keep the people happy! As if! I gave myself some slack. I let myself off the hook... I knew that my imperfections were the reason I need Christ in the first place. But what I didn't know in the beginning was that no matter how hard I tried in ALL areas of my life, I couldn't satisfy the "law". That in fact, the law in itself is weak. The weakness of the laws lies in the fact that we cannot keep it! So I have learned that and studied what God says about our "perfect performance" and how we cannot BE perfect but that He SEES us perfect through the work of Jesus on the cross. Jesus is the righteousness that lives in us and frees us from living by the law and instead we live by the spirit!
Romans 4:13
It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith!
There is so much more....read the entire chapter of Romans 4 here!
So while I am reminded that by faith, through His grace I am free from that burden... there are days/times when it is so easy to slip back into that old way of thinking! That the enemy will remind me of how much I don't measure up and how I have failed or will never be what I desire....I know the truth! I am not bound by my failings and mistakes and sins.... Romans 3:23-24 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God! and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus!
Oh please Father..would you burn that into my mind and heart! 'Cause when I rest there...I am free! The perspective I have changes everything! Even in His goodness and love He knows my weaknesses..and He gently brings this wandering heart and mind back to the place where it will find peace and rest and joy and hope and love and all things HIM.
I hope that today you can live in the freedom of the Spirit in all things.... in the roles you have in your life...and mostly..in your relationship with the one who loves you unconditionally! God!
Resting,
In His Embrace
laurie
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