I had almost forgotten about this blog and can not believe that it is approaching six months since I last posted any update. For our five readers (maybe more?), I apologize.
We are in the waiting stage of the adoption journey. Our home study is done, our profile book was created, and now we just wait.....and wait.....and wait. We know that the Lord is in control and are trusting Him. One huge praise is that the Lord provided all of the funds for the adoption. This is a huge answer to prayer. Early on, we felt strongly that we didn't want to go into debt for the adoption. It has been so awesome to see how He answered and provided. Please pray for patience for each of us, as well as a match.
We are stepping back from most junior high ministry involvement this summer. We need a break and a time to pray and seek the Lord in the direction that He would have us. We don't want to continue in junior high just because we've always done junior high- we want to make sure that the Lord wants us there. We will continue teaching Sunday school this summer but will reevaluate our involvement towards September. Please pray for wisdom and leading in this area too.
Hopefully more regular updates will follow....in less than six months!
Saturday, June 05, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Adoption Update
Amazingly, another month has flown by. This has been an exciting month as Danielle and I completed our adoption "portfolio" or profile. This is what the birth-mothers will see as they consider adoptive families for their baby. It was a tedious, yet fun experience as we put together the book to show who we are. We ordered the books from Shutterfly and they will be delivered to the agency next week. After that, the official "waiting period" begins. We continue to trust that the Lord will provide all of our needs and the funding for the adoption, which may occur in two months or two years. It is all in the hands of our glorious God.
Here is the link for the online previous of our profile photo book. Take a look and let us know what you think.
Jeff and Danielle's photo book profile
Here is the link for the online previous of our profile photo book. Take a look and let us know what you think.
Jeff and Danielle's photo book profile
White as Snow
Originally published on December 26, 2009 on Facebook.
Isaiah 1:18 Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they should be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool.
As I sit at my desk and watch the snow fall outside, this verse came to mind. Although not scarlet, the white snow falling now is replacing the dirty snow that covered the ground for the past couple of days after all of the rain and melting. Everything is made fresh again.
The context of the Isaiah verse is startling. The prophet Isaiah is addressing Israel: God’s chosen people. The people have turned against the Lord, laden with sin and iniquity (1:4). The Lord compares them to and calls them Sodom and Gomorrah (1:10), the wicked cities destroyed with fire from heaven as recorded in Genesis. Yet, it appears that Israel continues to the do the outwardly religious activities, by offering sacrifices to the Lord and even calling out to the Lord in prayer (1:11, 16). Yet because of their sin, the Lord considers their empty sacrifices an abomination and will not listen to the prayers offered in sin (1:13, 15).
Isaiah then calls for repentance, a turning from their evil to do good and seek the Lord (1:16-17). Then the Lord will cleanse them and make them as white as snow and pour out His blessings on them. If not, consequences and judgment await for their sinful disobedience (1:19-20, 28-31). In the chapters that follow, Isaiah will expand on the pronouncement of judgment against their sinful disobedience, but also points ahead 700 years to the redemption of sin for all men who call on the Lord in the coming of the promised Messiah- Jesus Christ. His birth will be prophesized (chapters 7 and 9) and His sacrifice on the cross for the sins of man will be detailed in chapter 53. How marvelous!
After study this chapter I find myself considering several things. First, I must consider my own life, as one redeemed from my sins through the shed blood of my Savior Jesus Christ, and as one instructed in Scripture to be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1). While I do outward actions in service to Him, are there still areas of sin in my life that He finds offensive which is affecting my relationship with Him and even my prayers? Are there areas that I need to repent of? Sins of worry and pride come quickly to mind. How I long to be conformed more into the image of my Lord and Savior! Second, my heart breaks for those relying on their outward religious activities in their effort to be approved by God, for He finds them an abomination and unacceptable apart from Jesus who: was wounded for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities; upon whom was the chastisement that brought us peace, and by his stripes were we healed. For we have all gone astray and turned his own way, but the Lord laid on Him the iniquity of us all (Is 53:5-6). Only by calling out to the Lord for the forgiveness of their sins through Jesus Christ’s perfect sacrifice can they be made acceptable to God, despite their best efforts.
As I watch the snow fall this Christmas weekend, I am so thankful to the Lord who sent His Son Jesus, born as a baby in a manger over 2000 years ago and went to the cross for my sins and bodily rose three days later so that while by my sins were as scarlet, He has made me as white as snow.
Isaiah 1:18 Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they should be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool.
As I sit at my desk and watch the snow fall outside, this verse came to mind. Although not scarlet, the white snow falling now is replacing the dirty snow that covered the ground for the past couple of days after all of the rain and melting. Everything is made fresh again.
The context of the Isaiah verse is startling. The prophet Isaiah is addressing Israel: God’s chosen people. The people have turned against the Lord, laden with sin and iniquity (1:4). The Lord compares them to and calls them Sodom and Gomorrah (1:10), the wicked cities destroyed with fire from heaven as recorded in Genesis. Yet, it appears that Israel continues to the do the outwardly religious activities, by offering sacrifices to the Lord and even calling out to the Lord in prayer (1:11, 16). Yet because of their sin, the Lord considers their empty sacrifices an abomination and will not listen to the prayers offered in sin (1:13, 15).
Isaiah then calls for repentance, a turning from their evil to do good and seek the Lord (1:16-17). Then the Lord will cleanse them and make them as white as snow and pour out His blessings on them. If not, consequences and judgment await for their sinful disobedience (1:19-20, 28-31). In the chapters that follow, Isaiah will expand on the pronouncement of judgment against their sinful disobedience, but also points ahead 700 years to the redemption of sin for all men who call on the Lord in the coming of the promised Messiah- Jesus Christ. His birth will be prophesized (chapters 7 and 9) and His sacrifice on the cross for the sins of man will be detailed in chapter 53. How marvelous!
After study this chapter I find myself considering several things. First, I must consider my own life, as one redeemed from my sins through the shed blood of my Savior Jesus Christ, and as one instructed in Scripture to be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1). While I do outward actions in service to Him, are there still areas of sin in my life that He finds offensive which is affecting my relationship with Him and even my prayers? Are there areas that I need to repent of? Sins of worry and pride come quickly to mind. How I long to be conformed more into the image of my Lord and Savior! Second, my heart breaks for those relying on their outward religious activities in their effort to be approved by God, for He finds them an abomination and unacceptable apart from Jesus who: was wounded for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities; upon whom was the chastisement that brought us peace, and by his stripes were we healed. For we have all gone astray and turned his own way, but the Lord laid on Him the iniquity of us all (Is 53:5-6). Only by calling out to the Lord for the forgiveness of their sins through Jesus Christ’s perfect sacrifice can they be made acceptable to God, despite their best efforts.
As I watch the snow fall this Christmas weekend, I am so thankful to the Lord who sent His Son Jesus, born as a baby in a manger over 2000 years ago and went to the cross for my sins and bodily rose three days later so that while by my sins were as scarlet, He has made me as white as snow.
Top Books of 2009
Reprinted from my note originally published on Facebook:
Once again it is time to post my top five books of 2009. Despite finishing graduate school last May, I haven’t done as much reading as I would have liked. However, I have usually been reading at least one book at all times. These five books are the ones that have impacted me and/or stimulated my thinking greatly
5. YOUthwork by Don Pearson and Paul Santhouse. As a junior high youth ministry leader, I really appreciated this book containing 99 practical ideas for youthworkers, parents, and volunteers. The book was obviously written by individuals with many years of youth ministry experience. I learned much from the book and appreciated their perspective.
4. Living by the Book by Howard and William Hendricks. This book presented many strategies for digging into Bible study. The techniques presented for observation, investigation, interpretation, and application have been integrated into my personal Bible study habits. This is a book that I will need to return to repeatedly as I continue to grow.
3. Why We Love the Church by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck. In a time when many individuals are stating that the church is outdated and must change, this book presented a well researched and stated rebuttal to the arguments being presented by Barna, Viola, and others. In addition to addressing the arguments, the authors were very proactive in stating why they love the church (hence the title): in praise of institutions and organized religion. This book has reminded me why I love the local church that I am blessed to be a part of.
2. Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret by Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor. This was a fascinating biography of missionary and founder of the China Inland Mission Hudson Taylor written by his son and daughter-in-law back in the 1930’s. I was deeply moved by Hudson Taylor’s passion for the people in China and his devotion to prayer and complete trust in the Lord for his provisions. After reading the book, I long for the same passion for those that the Lord has placed in my life, a deeper prayer life, and an unwavering faith in all circumstances.
1. Forgotten God by Francis Chan. For those who know me well, this probably isn’t much of a surprise. Francis Chan has been my favorite “online” pastor for several years and his previous book Crazy Love was my top book for 2008. This immensely practical (and convicting) book about the role of the Holy Spirit (and the tragic neglect of Him) in the Christian’s life is one that I will reread repeatedly for many years to come.
There have been many other good books that I have read this last year; however, these are ones that topped my list.
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