In Praise of God

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him.

In love He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved.”

Ephesians 1:3-6

Dave and Stacey (friends of ours) recently adopted a little girl from China.   For many months now, we have had the privilege of praying for them as they have sought the Lord’s will for their family, completed all the paper work, and waited patiently for the time to come when they would make the trip to China, meet two-year-old little Anna for the first time, and bring her home as their daughter.

When the time arrived, friends and family kept up-to-date through a blog set up to chronicle their 17-day trip.  We read of their first meeting:

We arrived to a very crowded building and they brought Anna in.  As soon as they said her name, she started screaming and arching her back-she clearly understood part of what was happening.  I picked her up and she continued to scream louder and smack me with her sunglasses several times . . . She refused to eat anything . . . She’s also refused drinking anything . . . . So much for a 2 year old to comprehend-it’s heart breaking to see how hard it is on her and how she clings to a cheap pair of sunglasses-it’s all she has now. . . .Oh what love God has given us for her-she is beautiful in our eyes.  I am anticipating the day when we can calm her tears and fears, but that will take time.  For now, we comfort and hold her and try to show her we love her as much as we can.

We read of their days of getting to know one another:

Today we went to a local park . . .  She ran and ran.  The problem is that she thinks it’s funny to run away from us . . She is learning not to hit even though she means it to be funny.  Also we got a kiss on the cheek today . . . Grossest moment of the day was this afternoon-we went to get her passport processed at the Police Department.  She thought it was funny to run and grab and then, gulp, eat those little white pebbles that sit on top of the cigarette discarder.  She is not a picky eater by any means.

We read of the culmination of all their plans and prayers

It’s official-Anna is (our daughter) . . . We will receive Anna’s visa in a sealed envelope tomorrow.  Then, she will be a US citizen when the plane touches US soil.

In many very powerful ways, Anna’s adoption is a picture of God’s adoption of us.  This became even more clear to me as I made a list of all the ways Dave and Stacey set their love on a little girl that didn’t even know them. 

They chose her before she ever knew them

 

They pursued her (adoption papers, forms, airline tickets)

 

They prayed for her (physical needs and spiritual needs)

 

They planned for her, preparing not only for her adoption, but also her arrival in their home

 

They waited eagerly for the time of her adoption

 

They thought about her (wondering what her little toes and hands looked like, anticipating her first smile)

 

They made known their love for her

 

They wrote letters to her, even before they had met

 

They sacrificed for her: 

Money

Time

Personal comfort (Dave does not enjoy flying!)

They anticipated and lovingly bore her anger and

     abuse (hitting, screaming, kicking, crying)

 

They were patient with her (long-suffering)

 

They fully committed to her (entering into a forever commitment)

 

They visited the orphanage where she had stayed and the place where she was abandoned (helping them to know, understand and sympathize with her)

 

They desired for her to know them (time with her, pictures and videos from other family members)

 

They provided her with earthly comforts (a bed, shelter, food, clothing)

 

They gave her gifts (a new hat, new pajamas)

 

They helped her feel secure (carrying, rocking and holding her)

 

They provided things to give her joy…and delighted in her smiles and laughter

 

They experienced life together (Dave and Stacey never leaving her, always watching over her, as they explored the world together)

 

They desired to communicate with her

Teaching her new words

Listening to her sing in her own language

Telling and showing her about the greatest love:  the love of God in Christ

 

They took care of her physical health (medical appointments, caring for her when she was sick)

 

They kept her safe

            Pursuing her when she ran away from them

            Warning her of danger

            Keeping her from eating foul things

 

They bathed her

 

Their heart experienced great joy when she made known her love for them (by way of kisses and smiles)

 

They acted on her behalf, giving her a future and a hope (a future which she did not have and had no way of attaining)

 

They were willing to cause her temporal and temporary pain in order to give her future happiness and security

 

They recorded her tears (hating to distress her, but willing to do so for her good)

 

They sealed the adoption (making it official, legal and binding)

 

They welcomed her into their home

 

They gave her an inheritance (which she will only slowly begin to know and appreciate)

 

They involved others in her adoption (particularly in praying for her)

 

They openly loved and appreciated each other (giving a solid foundation for the family)

 

They continually intercede for her before the throne of God

The point is this:  As astounding as it is, the love parents display in adopting a child is but a small illustration of the amazing love God displays in adopting us as His children.

Anna is not yet in a position to give thanks for the abundant love that has been shown to her.  We are.

Elijah has been very excited for snow.  He thinks that because snow comes down out of heaven, and so will Jesus when He comes, that when it snows for the first time (that he can remember) Jesus will be coming back!

It snowed for the first time the other day.  Sadly, Jesus did not come that day.

But Elijah said to me in the car yesterday, “I’m ready for Jesus to come back,” (in a very excited tone).  We talked about what “being ready” means, and I was reminded by this conversation with my 4-year-old that Jesus is ON HIS WAY!!

My heart is desperate for the return of Christ, BUT even more desperate for more to be called to serve Christ, especially (for me) our children, some of our dear friends who are hearing the gospel and getting Bibles for the first time in their life these past few weeks, and family members who we have prayed would repent and believe the Gospel.

May our hearts be drawn to plead even more fervently for hearts to bow in submission to the God who made us and believe in His Son, Jesus Christ who came in humility to save our souls!

Jesus is returning!  Father, make us eager, make us ready!

“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  Now to our God and Father {be} the glory forever and ever. Amen.”  Philippians 4:18-19

Little boys need more pairs of jeans than three adults I’ve discovered!  They dirty them, get them soaked, wear holes in the knees, grow out of them in a matter of a few days sometimes.  Such is the story of my little four-year-old, and I finally had to face the fact that we would need a few pair for Elijah after my husband stated such on Sunday morning (you guessed it, no clean pants for church, yikes!)

Yesterday I made a visit to the on-campus “attic” where I have NEVER found a single thing for Elijah, (because boys are hard on their clothes, very little of it makes it to donation) but it’s free, so I had to check there before I dropped a few twenties for two or three pair of pants, just in case there were some there.  In the children’s room, I pulled out a box on the floor labeled “4T Boys” and opened it.

There sat neatly folded in the front of the box, THREE PAIR size 4t SLIM (Elijah’s exact size) jeans in good condition!

I don’t think I’ve ever felt so specifically provided for in my life.  There was no way any human could have put them there (unless driven to BY GOD, of course).  It wasn’t the kindness of a friend giving us a gift, it wasn’t me in my strength making the extra money to purchase what we needed.  It was purely and simply God’s provision.  Nothing more.  Nothing of me.  Nothing of someone else.

In hindsight, I realize I had no reason to be so shocked that there were three pair of jeans Elijah’s exact size.  So I give glory to God who has promised to provide for us. . .to the God who owns every pair of jeans out there.  He is all-knowing, all-powerful, EVERYTHING!!  What’s three pair of 4T SLIM jeans to such a God?

If you are a regular visitor to our blog, I am sure you have noticed that this time of year is busy. (In other words: it has been awhile since any of us have posted!) For days now, I have been thinking “I have got to write something for the blog.” Then today, as I was checking e-mail and once again thinking, “I really have got to write…,” I ended up reading a blog by Tim Challies.

Challies’ thoughts were on parenting, but they served a further purpose. I was reminded of what a precious privilege it is that believers get to come together and share thoughts about God, whether in person or through the means of a blog.

No matter what activity you are thinking you have got to do, I think you will find encouragement and challenge from Challies’ blog post today (September 24: “Got To’s and Get To’s” at http://www.challies.com). I know his thoughts have impacted the way I will think about many things…but especially about what a gift it is that I get to blog about the works and ways of God!

Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another,

And the LORD listened and heard them;

So a book of remembrance was written before Him

For those who fear the LORD

And who meditate on His name.

Malachi 3:16

Our family recently experienced our sixth geographic move in 11 years of marriage.  This has given us a wide range of opportunities for church hunting, 33 opportunities to be exact!   We don’t think this makes us experts in the field, that’s for sure, but since it is part of our days right now, I thought it might be interesting to share what “church shopping” has evolved into for our family.

Prayer and internet research start the process; Jeremy utilizes a few sites including:

• www.9marks.org

• www.founders.org

• Master’s Seminary Alumni Map

If possible, Jeremy also likes to listen to sermons and read about a church’s beliefs before we attend a worship service.

Next, we start making visits using two simple non-negotiables: Biblical preaching/teaching (1 Timothy 4:2 & 1 Corinthians 9:16)  and love from the Church.  (John 34:13-14)  Of course, these two are not exhaustive, but if a church does not meet this criteria, then usually a second visit will not be warranted.

Children’s activities fall into the “preferences” category along with music style, congregation size, location, cultural mix and other “negotiables.”  If during our visiting we find more than one church that meets our two top criteria, then we pray for further for discernment and allow ourselves to consider “preferences” in our final decision.

We ask God to lead us to the church He wants us to minister our gifts in and be ministered to in.  We believe that unless HE directs our path or “builds a house” for us, all our methods or ideas are in vain.  So I can truly say that it has been by the grace of God that we have been able to be parts of some amazing churches in our lifetime, NOT a method we have developed.

Praising God for the blessing of the Body of Christ, and praying that we would “. . like newborn babes, long for the the pure milk of the Word, that by it (we) may grow in respect to salvation. . .” (1 Peter 2:2)

In May I traveled with my family to the Grand Canyon. It was awesome!  It is truly breath taking!

As you stand there at the rim and look at the magnificent colors and the absolute vastness of this “Natural Wonder” you can not help but think of the Creator.  This amazing canyon is there for all to see and to declare His greatness.  I was content to just stand and look and think.  (I don’t stand still very often!)  I was grateful that my thoughts were of our amazing God, and even more thrilled to hear my children declare His wonders.

 In his book  The Joy of Fearing God, Jerry Bridges explains that acknowledging God in creation is one way to increase our fear of the Lord.   Bridges gives Isaiah 40:12-31 as an example of an Old Testament passage that “especially emphasizes the greatness of God and is thus designed to stimulate our fear of Him.”  This passages contains a number of questions and figures of speech describing God’s immense greatness in creation and history.    

The point that Isiah makes is that even though creation (including the Grand Canyon) is great, nothing compares to the greatness of God.  As we think about the truths scripture teaches about creation, we should grow in our fear and awe of Him.

Enjoy creation this summer.  Even if you don’t go to the Grand Canyon, be amazed by blooming flowers, powerful rain storms, and cute lightning bugs!! 

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Graduation ceremonies abound this time of year! You can even see them on the news right now!! This past Saturday I attended the graduation ceremony at my children’s school. Because my children go to a small Christian school, we know most of the high schoolers pretty well, and it is especially meaningful to watch them grow and go out in to the world. My own son is a junior this year, so I watched and listened this year with extra interest, knowing that it would be my family celebrating this time next year.

This ceremony was different than the ones I’ve seen clips from on the evening news. Our students were not encouraged to “reach for the sky” or to “follow their dreams.” Rather, the speaker exhorted them to be submissive.

He explained that this was not a popular concept in the world today, but if they would be submissive to the Lord, then they would be successful in their next phase of life–whether that be college, a job or military service. He gave them sound Biblical advice on being a good student, employee or soldier, and he explained that putting the Lord’s ways first would indeed make them successful.

I thought he gave them very good advice and that it was applicable to all of us in the audience that day. I look forward to watching those young adults and hearing from them in the future.

O LORD, how many are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all; The earth is full of Your possessions.  Let the glory of the LORD endure forever; Let the LORD be glad in His works.  Psalm 104:24, 31, 34

As a mommy of three, I have been recently amazed at the raw joy, hearts of worship and innocent awe toddlers can have about creation.  This weekend we went to the beach and I watched as they ran down the beach with unbridled glee, splashing, looking amazed at the waves, as they collected treasures.  “OOOH!  Look at this Momma!”  My Elijah who’s almost four says to me repeatedly, followed quickly by, “What ‘dis?”  He has no idea what it is - he’s never encountered anything like it before, but somehow it’s awe-inspiring to him (to us it’s a wet yucky piece of driftwood or a squishy sea cucumber.)

When did I get too old to gasp in wonder at what God does?

Lord, teach me to notice Your greatness, change my rituals to worship, and teach my heart to stand again in awe of all You are and all You do.

On a different reading note, our family has struggled to find a good “children’s Bible” that keeps the attention of toddlers and preschoolers once they are moving around.  We long for our children to grow to love the Bible, so are careful to expose them to it heartily and with great joy ourselves, but also with variety and at their level of understanding, in the hope that we do not overwhelm them, or give them so much repetition that they become numb to it.

We read aloud scripture in our home at various times (babies especially LOVE to have the Psalms and other poetry books of the Bible read aloud to them, I have found) and talking about it as we go along with every day life, but are concerned about getting them into the regular habit of meditating on the Bible so that it is second nature to them as they grow up.   Some families call this “family devotions” or “family worship” or “family Bible time” or “family meditation,” whatever the name, we have not found any one thing that seems to sink into their hearts effectively 100% of the time. . .but here are two that we have found engage them and teach the gospel in the stories.

We have read through each of these multiple times  (a little bit each night before bed, working through the book from beginning to end) over the last few years and recommend them for families with children age birth to 4 years old.  Of course, these books are not used in a vacuum - natural discussion and teachable moments should be pounced on by mom and dad!

The Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes (1971 or 1975 versions)

The Big Picture Story Bible by David Helm and Gail Schoonmaker

Reading is a major hobby in our house.  We feel it is vitally important for our children as they grow - we want them to love reading, especially God’s Word.  As I was reviewing my school goals for the children, I thought I’d check on how we were really doing on one goal, “become familiar with at least 30 different children’s stories” (repeated readings assumed).  So. . . here is my list - and it leaves out SO many great books - perhaps I will add to it as the year progresses.  I tried to order them from birth to what Elijah (almost four years old) is now enjoying, but all of these are also soaked up by Merry, who is just two years old.

Faces by First Focus Publishing

Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt

The Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown

All the I Spy books by by Jean Marzollo and Walter Wick

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

Dogs Go. . . by Annie Horwood

Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? by Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss’s ABC by Dr. Seuss

Chicka Chicka ABC by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault

Jamberry by Bruce Degan

One is 1 by Tasha Tudor

Olivia Counts by Ian Falconer

Go Dog. Go! by P.D. Eastman

ABC A Child’s First Alphabet Book by Alison Jay

It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Charles G. Shaw

I Like it When by Mary Murphy

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do You See? by Bill Martin Jr and Eric Carle

The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss and Crockett Johnson

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff

Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson

Harry the Dirty Dog Treasury by Gene Zion, illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram

You Are All My Favorites by Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram

Is Your Mama A Llama? by Deborah Guarino, illustrated by Steven Kellogg

Schnitzel vonKrumm Forget-Me-Not by Lynley Dodd

Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy by Lynley Dodd

What Do People Do All Day? by Richard Scarry

Cars and Trucks and Things That Go by Richard Scarry

Strawberry Shortcake Treasury by various authors