tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6870833890508968862024-03-13T20:34:03.227-07:00Warrior ArrowsLike arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.
Psalm 127:4-5 (NKJV)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687083389050896886.post-79369788136200529092016-04-25T08:24:00.000-07:002016-04-25T08:25:29.907-07:00 DOUBLE EXPOSURE: The Passover Story and a Revelation of Messiah.<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Last September I wrote in our blog about the Jewish Feasts and why they have taken on a special meaning in our family. You can read that blog at</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><a href="http://www.boysinthebulrush.blogspot.com/2015/09/why-do-we-care-why-jewish-holidays-and.html" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer; font-size: medium;" target="_blank">Why Do We Care?: Why the Jewish Holidays and Feasts are Relevant to Christians.</a><span style="font-size: small;"> Today, I want to follow up a little on those feasts and what they mean to our family as well as believers throughout the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: small;"> Before I talk a little about the Jewish holidays and feasts, I want to say a little bit about God. Everybody has their ideas of God and who He is and what He is about. I guess I’m no different. My experience of God throughout my years is that He is the most loving, patient and concerned being that I have ever met. In my worst moments in life, those moments when I bowed up my back in rebellion and decided that I knew better than He how to run my life (big mistake BTW), He did not waver from His commitment to me, His love for me and His hand upon me. That’s how I’ve come to know Him. That’s why when I pray about decisions now and I don’t get what I want, its okay. I understand God to have my best interest at heart and accepting that truth is much easier than in my younger days. </span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: small;"> That said, the ways in which God has spoken to me through the years have been many and as I’m sure it has been for you. I am convinced that God has gone to great lengths to provide us with snap shots of Himself and there are places in life where these snap shots are like double exposures. Let me explain.</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> I know this is the digital age and I get that we don’t have the problem of double exposure very often. Some may not even know what I’m talking about. But back in the day we used to take pictures, rush down to the drug store where the film would be processed and then an hour later we would return to retrieve our pictures. It was not unusual to flip through the pictures and find some of the film was what was called “double exposed”. Basically </span><i>Double Exposure occurred when 2 separate pictures became superimposed on one another telling two stories simultaneously</i><span style="font-weight: normal;">. In most cases, one picture was more prominent and made its way to the forefront of perception while the other picture was somehow relegated to the background. Like these pics that were double exposed, the Jewish Feasts and Holidays are God’s double exposure. In the foreground, we have the Jewish story and tradition running. In the background, a second picture tells of the Messiah and the Heavenly Father (remember Jesus said if you’ve seen him you’ve seen the Father)! </span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: small;"> One of the most spectacular double exposure pictures occurs in the Passover story. The Passover story is about the Hebrew nation being set free from 400 years of slavery and suffering. But emancipation from slavery is not the only story here. It is a story of rejection and broken relationship that includes a plan for God to repair and restore the relationship. The plan was the quintessential Father’s heart in action. God and Abraham entered into a covenant whereby God promised this old man that he would be the father of a great nation. Abraham wouldn’t see it on earth but he saw it in his spirit <i>and he believed God. </i>The story proceeds to tell of a famine that forced Abraham’s offspring, later renamed Israel, to live in Egypt whereby they could be fed. Israel became overrun with blessing and multiplied to the point that the Pharoah’s power base was threatened so he ordered them into slavery. </span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: small;"> Fast forward 400 years. So much oppression, intense labor, denigration of the Jews and suffering have become the modus operandi. The prayers and cries of the Jewish people have mounted and God finally intervenes with a “savior”. His name is Moses and 10 awful plagues later the children of Israel, the progenies of Abraham, are summoned in the middle of the night and walk out of Egypt as free men, women and children. A miracle of God and one incredible story that has been told for centuries!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: small;"> Now look again. If you look closely enough, you’ll see a second photo pasted in the background. Yes, Passover is the celebration of the deliverance of the Jews from tyranny and slavery. It is also the story of God guiding this incredible nation into a land that He reserved for them. Passover remembers the tears of heartache (the salt water), the bitterness of slavery and suffering (the bitter herbs) and the intense labor inflicted in slavery (the cheroset apples, walnuts and red wine). But it is also a revelation of God’s motivation to restore a broken relationship with all mankind and His plan to send a Messiah, through the seed of Abraham, that all might live free throughout eternity. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: small;"> The story of the Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus), like the background photo in a double exposure film, runs constantly throughout Passover. Here are some of those images:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: small;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal;"> </span>FOREGROUND: The promise of timeless covenant with Abraham</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: small;"> BACKGROUND: The promise to create a people unto Himself for all eternity</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: small;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal;"> </span>FOREGROUND: The fall of nation into slavery</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: small;"> BACKGROUND: The fall of man into the suffering of life without God</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: small;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal;"> </span>FOREGROUND: The emergence of a deliverer – Moses</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: small;"> BACKGROUND: The emergence of a deliverer – Jesus the Messiah</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: small;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal;"> </span>FOREGROUND: The sacrificial blood of a lamb applied to the doorpost that causes judgment to pass over</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: small;"> BACKGROUND: The sacrificial blood of the Lamb applied by faith to the heart, Jesus that allows judgment to be lifted from our lives</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: small;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal;"> </span>FOREGROUND: The journey to Israel was led by God</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: small;"> BACKGROUND:The journey to heaven is led by God through His Spirit</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: small;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal;"> </span>FOREGROUND: The Promised Land to the Jews, that is the land of Israel (hasn’t changed by the way!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: small;"> BACKGROUND: The promised land to whosoever would believe, that is heaven.</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: small;">These are just a few of the double exposed images. The more you look at the details, the clearer the double exposure becomes. The Passover was a dress rehearsal of sorts. It was revealing what was and is to come. It was speaking not just of a nation being set free from tyrannical rule but an entire kingdom of people being set free from oppression to live in freedom and to do that throughout all eternity. </span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: small;">This is why we get excited about the Jewish holidays. Its like your spouse leaving notes around the house reminding you of their love and commitment to you: the double exposures found in the Jewish feasts and holidays are like God’s love notes reminding us of how much He loves us!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: small;">Its not just Passover. On June 12<sup>th</sup>, 50 days after Passover, we will celebrate Pentecost. Be looking for my next blog post around then as I discuss the Double Exposure of Pentecost. </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687083389050896886.post-80307240756503872842016-01-01T14:03:00.004-08:002016-01-01T14:03:55.862-08:00SUMMARY OF 2015<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: small;">
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I wanted to share a few thoughts as we shut the books on 2015. I have heard many of us (both in the family and our friends) say that 2015 was a rough year and they are glad to get through it. I have to admit, I have had similar feelings. 2015 will go down in the annals of odd. Words like excitement, disappointment, faith, doubt, loving embrace, emptiness…I could go on but all these words describe 2015. We've noticed several people posting to their facebook pages in recent days how that 2015 was a difficult year. It was not all bad. Rather, the good somehow seemed to be constantly followed by the bad. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">It was a real paradox and particularly so for those of us who live by faith. After getting excited about adding 2 little ones to our clan this year it all came to a grinding halt in February and it didn't happen. Some would say it was for the best but our emotions didn't necessarily agree. Excitement followed by disappointment. We continue to wonder about that one. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We made 2 wonderful additions to our family this year via marriage. Karen & I labored to prepare for the March wedding only to have a complete gully washer of a day. I was bent out of shape and disappointed. Everyone else just seemed to just go with it and that helped me temper my emotions. And of course, 2015 made us all say goodbye to someone special and whom we miss terribly. I was 100% convinced, as many of you were, that we wouldn't see that day. It still makes no sense and can't be explained to satisfaction. Excitement followed by extreme disappointment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">In 2015 questions have been followed not with answers but invitation. "Will you trust?" are the words that continuously pound in the deep places within. <i>Trust</i>, did you say? It's too risky and the safer way is to look after your own well-being. But trust is not an attribute, its <i>a choice</i>. And this isn't some mega church preacher begging for money. Its not give and you'll get. Its a personal invitation, issued by a personal God followed by a personal choice. Its a question whispered quietly in your heart but somehow cuts through all the noise of life and those hyper drive emotions that scream when life is unexplained.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">And looking outside of our own little worlds it doesn’t get any better. "Where are you Lord?" is the tempting prayer of the day. "Why are your children, literally children, being beheaded, stabbed and raped?" I read this morning in Revelation 6 the same question. After the Lamb breaks open the fifth seal and there are those underneath the altar who have been martyred for their faith their question was the same...“How long [i.e., where are you?, i.e., why?]?” It is our question too. “How long, Oh, Lord?” How long will it be until life settles down? How long will it be before people can just get along? How long before You fix all this stuff and life stabilizes? How long will it be before my wounded heart heals and life <i>feels</i> right again?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I hate to say it, but the answer is one I don't like: "<i>they were told to wait a little longer..." </i>So <i>that </i>was 2015! Wait a little while longer and it will make sense, feel better, and the blessing will flow again. In the meantime, the times demand a faith, that just like the scripture says, goes well beyond our sight and even our ability to understand. It is a faith that tries to take it all in but when the dust clears invites us to believe without understanding the full picture. You can call it good or you can call it bad…and you’d be right! But in the end, the question doesn’t change. "Will we trust?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I thank God everyday for each and everyone of you. I pray for each of you often that you'd be blessed beyond your wildest dreams. Say what you will, but 2015 brought us all closer to each other and that goes a long way to calming the inward parts that are uncertain. My prayer is that we will continue to draw from one another's strengths and press on to those things that God has placed in our hearts to do. Our strength is in our unity and our ability to encourage one another. And lest I be accused of preaching now, I will stop there and say goodbye to 2015 and we look forward to great things in 2016!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687083389050896886.post-8632600137233287472015-09-12T11:51:00.000-07:002015-09-12T11:51:49.831-07:00Why Do We Care?: Why the Jewish Holidays and Feasts are Relevant to Christians.<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">
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<i>Galatians 3:14 <span style="font-size: 10pt;">He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to </span><span class="highlight" style="font-size: 10pt;">Abraham</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><i>Galatians 3:29. If you belong to Christ, then you are <span class="highlight">Abraham</span>'s seed, and heirs according to the promise</i></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">. </span></span><br /><div style="font-size: 10pt;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Sometimes when you receive a blessing, particularly when it excites you in the deeper parts of your being, you want to share it with others...think the dude in Acts 3 who had never walked and then received the gift of ambulation. The guy was pretty excited to share that with others as he went "walking and leaping" all about the church building! A few years ago Karen & I began to feel something. It was a nudge our hearts and an interest in our minds that began to connect the dots between what we knew as Christians and the foundation of our faith, and Judaism. Along our journey and as we have attempted to express what we were learning, others have perhaps thought us either crazy or coming under the legalism of the Old Testament law. While I won't argue the crazy part, we do take exception to the legalism and we'll try to explain why. Admittedly we have probably been guilty at times of letting our zeal outweigh our knowledge with the end result being obnoxious but the time has come to share the wonderful blessings that are found in understanding our Jewish roots. The blessing lies in understanding that everything that we've been taught through the years within our Christian heritage comes into a much greater focus and takes on a new life and </span>enthusiasm<span style="font-size: 10pt;"> as we understand that everything we've done and taught as Christians has its prophetic underpinnings in Jewish tradition and practice. </span></span></span></div>
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To begin to understand the connection between Judaism and our Christian faith one only needs to understand one thing: Jesus was a Jew. He lived as a Jew, practiced Jewish law and custom and even said that He had no intention or purpose to abolish the law (Matt 5:17). One of the most unfortunate teachings that ever came into this world is that of "Replacement Theology". That is, that Jesus did away with the idea of a Jewish nation unto Himself and that this nation was replaced by the New Testament church. This is a dangerous teaching and totally ignores almost all prophetic words about the times in which we now live, i.e., getting closer to the coming of the Messiah. </div>
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It is dangerous because it is backwards. Paul talks about this in Galatians 3 when he speaks of the promises of Abraham, that promise being that his offspring would be as many as the stars in the heavens and the sands of the sea and share in the blessings of God. Lest we stop there and conclude that Paul is referring to those who are born again, consider what he said in Romans 11: "Did God reject His people? [the offspring of Abraham]. By no means!" What am I trying to say here? God in no way, shape or form has rejected His people, that is, the literal offspring of Abraham which is Israel. No, no, no! Quite the opposition! God grafted us [Gentiles] into that deal not the other way around! As Jesus stated, He didn't come to do away with it but to complete it. Let me explain a little further exactly what God did for us [Gentiles].</div>
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I don't think that Karen and I ever fully understood this truth and exactly what God did when we got saved until we adopted. In 2010 when we adopted, we already shared 6 wonderful children. They carried our blood in their DNA. They were ours and legally, everything that was ours is available to them <i>inheritance</i>. Our children were heirs to our stuff! That included our estate but it also included our heritage. They would not escape the Phillips disease (i.e., laughing uncontrollably about rather trite and trivial things), admonitions to "don't speak oppression [things that aren't consistent with God's word]", "swallow the frog [when dining in another home and you don't like what they serve!]", communion and yes, now family dinners on the farm. Our children inherited all this stuff for better or worse.</div>
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But what about our adopted children? Prior to 2010 they weren't part of the deal. They wouldn't inherit a dime of ours, knew nothing about Phillips disease, never knew about swallowing a frog (at least as far as we taught it!), communion, family values, or family dinners on the farm. They were outsiders drifting to their own winds [or in their case, DSS winds]. But then one day we found them and they were grafted in. We initiated their grafting and we made it possible (just like God did for us through Jesus). All of a sudden, they became of legal, equal status with our other children, i.e., they became <i>heirs</i> <i>through Russell & Karen Thomas, </i>to everything that was ours to give them! They became participants in our family and began to inherit all that our family has. But what about our biological children? Did we replace our other children who came through our loins with these new, grafted children? Absolutely not! Did our other children somehow loose their place in our family, life and "kingdom"? To quote Paul, "By no means!" They <i>all</i> share in our heritage now and they <i>all</i> receive the benefits of our "kingdom" and they <i>all</i> will share in things to come in our family.</div>
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There is one more question to answer in regards to this adoptive process: <i>Did we, Russell & Karen, throw away all the family roots and foundations that we had built through the years with our "natural" children at the point in which we adopted the new children?</i> Of course not! We still pray with them, laugh with them, hug them, correct them, have cookouts at the fire pit and do all the foundational things that we have valued and practiced in order to build a strong family. So here's the clincher: <i>why would we think that when we Gentiles got saved, i.e., grafted into the Kingdom of God with the blessings and promises that He made to Abraham and that materialized in Jesus, that God would throw away all those foundational things that He had built His family on for centuries?</i> The answer: <i>HE DIDN"T</i>! Again, consider Matthew 5. <i>He came to fulfill not abolish [put an end it, annul, make void] the law!</i> It was never Jesus' intention to make the law go away!</div>
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So there's the foundation for observing the fundamental elements of our faith found in Jewish law, custom, holidays and feasts. They are the foundational truths and practices of the family so to speak. Jesus certainly altered the deal and gave a new perspective to the law. Why didn't He just say, </div>
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"Ok, guys. Here's the deal. The old stuff, well, it wasn't working too good. You guys just can't get it right and well, quite frankly the Father would have to send the whole bunch of ya to hell if we go by that stuff. So we worked out a new deal. Just forget all that stuff. Here's the new deal". </div>
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The reason lies in the mystery. Paul talked about Romans 11:25 when he said,</span></div>
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<i>I do not want you to be ignorant of this <span class="highlight">mystery</span>, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. </i> </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">and again in Ephesians 3:6</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
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<i>This <span class="highlight">mystery</span> is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. </i> </blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Debate as we will, but I don't see anything here that says God did away with anything. No, the idea is much more along the adoption lines (also see Romans 8:16) and that now all of us kids, Jews & Gentiles, share in the promised blessings of Abraham!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">So by now your seeing the connection and the truth that we are in this thing <i>with the Jews</i> not <i>instead of the Jews</i>, but why celebrate the Jewish feasts and holidays? Isn't that legalism and the law that nobody can live by? The answer: <i>it depends</i>. If one is holding the feasts and holidays thinking that they will somehow save them or even somehow position them in greater favor with God, then the answer is yes, that's legalism. However, if you understand that God, in all His wisdom, set up this entire deal as a way to commune and promote healthy relationship with His creation, then the feasts and holiday celebrations take on a different meaning. That meaning being, that they become events that remove us from the usual cares and concerns of everyday life and place us in an environment with God where we can enjoy His presence. If you've ever done anything with your family, like 4th of July cookout, a Birthday dinner, or even attend church, then you understand this principle. It is a time to be together, share life and in some cases, learn what the patriarchs are planning in the future....think, W<i>hen are we doing reunion next year</i>? <i>When are we drawing names for Christmas? </i>or on another level, <i>I need to let you guys know what will happen should the Lord take me home".</i> The feasts are simply a revelation of Jesus and a reflection of the mystery. They are the foundations of the family and to not participate in them is to miss an opportunity to understand what's going on in the family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;">There you have it. Long-winded I know and I apologize for that. But that's why we observe the feasts each year. I look forward more and more to these special times. For those who might be reading this and wonder what the feasts are and when they happen, I will posting again in the next few days specifically about the spring feasts and the fall feasts. In the meantime, L'Shanah Tovah Tekatevu...<i>May you be inscribed for a good year!</i></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687083389050896886.post-72534921720599026282014-12-18T07:25:00.000-08:002014-12-19T06:41:37.971-08:00WILL YOU TRUST ME? <div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;">Since Karen & I adopted our boys in 2010, we have become keenly aware of the core of God's heart and love that He expresses through adoption. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;">After all, when it comes to the Kingdom of Heaven, we all got grafted in! (see Romans 8). So many times now as I read scripture, I see the miracle of adoption playing out. Today, I noticed something. In Matthew 21, The Complete Jewish Bible uses the word </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">trust</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"> where all my life I have heard the word </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">faith</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;">...</span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">if you have faith you can ask what you will </i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;">vs. </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">you can ask what you will provided you have trust (vs 21).</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"> This seems to put a slightly different slant on the deal. It moves it from a much broader concept of faith to a much more relational idea of trust. I can't always wrap my cerebral processes around the notion of faith but now </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">trust</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"> is a different story. We are confronted with this issue virtually every day. Who can be trusted? Can we trust what our clients are telling us or what the preacher is saying or the government or the media? Recently, while watching a post-game interview with a well-known college basketball coach, I was surprised when the commentator asked him what was the most important thing to instill in his players. Without hesitation he replied, "Trust!" The issue of trust is all around us and it is a relationship issue.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In Matthew 21, Jesus' words challenge a man or woman with a somewhat camouflaged message, “Do you trust me?” Its a question that takes me to the single most important issue with of our adopted children. We have asked the question constantly for the past 4 years: </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">will you trust us? </i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Unfortunately, our children came to us trusting no one but themselves. If you've ever adopted my guess is the light bulb just came on and I've caught your attention. You know what I'm talking about and you're near-desperate to see if I have any answers. It is amazing how quickly a child learns that the world is not worthy of their trust. It is equally amazing how deeply this belief resides within the thought processes and behavior of these children. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“I must take care of myself” is more than an idea, it is a mandate that is seared into the mind and heart designed to insulate against all meaningful attachments to others. And by meaningful I mean “in any type of trusting way”. Positive attachment is built on trust and without it relationships are simply a way to get what I want in this world. Never mind consequences because after all, relationships only exist to give me what I want. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">But trust is a much bigger problem that strikes at the very essence of relationships including our relationship with God. To not trust sends us on our way to do our own thing… “misbehave” if you will. It leads to sin which is, in essence, man’s way of saying “I’ll do it my way”. The process reminds me of our experience with our grafted children and many stories that I have read about others who have adopted. Jesus understood this dynamic well. His teaching in Matthew 21 is easily misunderstood as an invitation to make out your "Christmas list", give it to the Man Upstairs and presto, you got the instant gratification! But when it doesn’t happen as we thought it should, we conclude that God is not listening and even worse, cannot be trusted. A second look at Jesus’ words here suggests that it’s the other way around…the <i>trust comes first!</i> Ohhhhhhhh! ...</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">I’ve got to trust <i>before</i> I ask? </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">I've got to trust <i>before </i>I attach! </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">I've got to trust <i>before </i>I receive! </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jesus offers these words as an invitation to ask but that was only a smoke screen for the real issue: <i>Will you trust?</i> Make no mistake about it, Jesus caught our attention with the "<i>and you will receive everything you ask" </i>part. But then, attention isn’t really what he was looking for …<i>Will you trust when you ask?</i> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">For the past 4 years Karen & I have been asking our children the same question. They came to us with this not-so-little voice screaming in their heads...</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">“No! I will not! Adults, parents, people are not to be trusted! I am in this thing for myself!” </span></i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Oh, they don't say it with their words. They say it when they don't follow house rules that we've gone over with them 40 gazillion times. They say it when they destroy their toys or property and just like relationships, it doesn't really matter because, well, we'll simply move on to the next one. They say it when they obsess about, hoard and gorge their food as if they will never be fed again. Make no mistake about it, Karen and I constantly work to win and establish one simple thing with our grafted children: <i>trust!</i> Just like the crowd that was in ear shot of Jesus’ words that day, our younger children are focused on the <i>you will receive everything</i> while missing the "<i>but you must trust" </i>part. On the surface, its aggravating to feel like you're offering something good over and over and over only to be ignored. The rejection stings. But then sometimes it runs through my mind: I wonder what happened in those days before we got them that generated this level of inability to attach and trust? Surely therein lies the answer to understanding their overriding skepticism towards everyone in their world. At other times I retreat to a quiet place where I hear my Heavenly Father whisper in my ear...."I know how you feel, son!" </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Somehow I am strengthened when I realize He was talking about me! </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Until we talk again, I will leave you with this... </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"> </span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687083389050896886.post-47426910144057449962014-11-26T11:44:00.001-08:002014-11-26T11:46:04.925-08:00A Nation of Good News?<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Today we wake up to bad news in this nation. Its a common thing if you make it a habit to tune into the mainstream news. One day its Washington politics, another day its the economy. Seems like somebody is always mad about something. Today, its Ferguson, Missouri. B</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">ut its not just Ferguson. Its </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">everything that reminds us of our nation's wounds that run so deep and so poignant that it threatens to split this country wide open like a pumpkin dropped off the end of a pickup truck! People are choosing up sides like a playground pickup game. It seems that this great nation finds itself with bad news upon bad news. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>But today, I read something that inspired me</b>. A read about a nation defined not by the latest political scandal or riot or body count or an illness that drives us to the Internet to purchase hazmat suits. But rather, talk about a nation bearing "Good News <i>and </i>healing". Hey, we need some of that! I'm in! I'm tired of all this bickering, finger pointing and chaos. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>So what is this nation of</b><b> Good News?</b> Well, here's what I know. This nation once sent its best representative to us sometime about this time of year. Every once in a while you still see signs and decorations commemorating this representative. But what about this nation is<i> so </i>good<i>?</i> Well how about this? It starts with the fact that everyone is welcome. Seriously? Yeah, this nation boasts that "all who will come are welcome". Its arms are wide open to <i>everyone! </i>There is no distinction between race, gender, socio-economic status or any other label that keeps us locked into our prides and prejudices and all the anger, malice and angst that go with it. It is a nation where a man will take a beating before knowingly wronging another and even give up his life if it means that another will live free of tyranny and oppression. This nation is a place where everything you ever did that was wrong can be forgiven and wiped away. No more guilt...no more condemnation. Its like all those heavy emotional bags that we humans lug around simply fad into obscurity! It’s a nation whose citizens are loved, cared for and even blessed. A nation that has its own economy where interest and dividends are guaranteed in direct proportion not to your gathering, but to your <i>giving</i>! Law and order are its guiding principles while at the same time all citizens of this nation are soaked in grace. It’s a nation where healing is available and health is promised. A powerful lion fiercely guards the nation and stands ready to drive back any and all foes who threaten its citizens. But at the same time it’s a nation so gentle, so kind, so imbued with peace that a lion and a lamb can be found napping together. Abundance flows in its valleys and fruitful herds roam its countryside. Wow! Now <i><b>that is Good News!</b></i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">So where did I find this inspiration this morning? It was in the Bible in the book of Matthew (4:23). Jesus is that representative who came not only to tell us about this Good News but to show us this Good News with His very life. He walked about healing the sick, letting the oppressed go free, and declaring innocence to those who were guilty as sin. Everything He touched found new life and everything He taught inspired others to live the life. And if that wasn't enough He did something unheard-of-crazy! Remember that part about the nation where one would even die for the freedoms of another? Well He did it!. Jesus offered up His very life in order that each citizen of this nation may flourish. And in doing so, He made a way that all who chose to believe may have citizenship with all its benefits!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">So today, as you read about all that's wrong in this world, remind yourself that there is something left that is <b><i>Good!</i> </b> Until we talk again...</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687083389050896886.post-52282501394000020952014-09-02T05:37:00.000-07:002014-09-02T06:13:35.917-07:00One of Those Moments<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">I've always been drawn to the passage of scripture where Jesus went to the garden to pray the night before "the plan" was to unfold. Obviously He knew the time and He knew the incredible importance of the moment. It was a process in full motion that intensified the moment He entered the garden.<br /><br />There are many aspects of this moment in the garden that speak to me. But for just a minute, let me focus on a few words He uttered: "</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">" (Luke 22:42 Complete Jewish Bible). Willing? Why did Jesus say this? You can't really say that He thought the Father would take Him up on this one. After all, it was <i>their</i> plan. No, I think this is a moment that Jesus was having in the process. Its a process that had become so arduous, so intense, that the soul is exposed and for a brief moment purpose is lost in a forest of overwhelming emotion. It was a moment, a brief, fleeting moment, where something rose up in Jesus that wished that the whole deal didn't have to be this way. It is one of the moments that reassures us that Jesus was, in fact, fully man as He carried out His divine mission.<br /><br />I identify with this type of moment. Karen & I have had many of them over the past few months. You've had them too. Those moments when it just seems overwhelming and something slips out of your soul that wishes for it to all go away. We have met our "moments" in our current process of adoption. We have not written much over the past few weeks partly because of technological challenges while in the mid-west and partly because, well, we've had our share of "moments". But by way of update, I'm going to take a brief minute to let everyone know where we are these days. I supposed all adoptions have their struggles. Ours mostly come in dealing with the system.<br /><br />Two weeks ago we returned from the mid-west with the 2 new children. We had to leave a couple of days early after receiving word that Karen's grandmother was struggling to live and may not make it through the night. After leaving the mid-west we realized that the new children did not know what they were doing with us. They had not been prepared for who we were and what we were doing in their small town (i.e., they did not know we were there to welcome them into our family and that our plan was to adopt them). As we got closer to NC it became more apparent that this was a significant issue as the 4 year girl cried herself to sleep each night. Sometimes this has been better and sometimes worse. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">To give some background, our children have been in the same foster home for 3 years. We thought this would make their little lives better than children who are moved around from home to home while awaiting adoption. And while this may be true in some regards, it does not translate into smooth transition for the children. They have only known one "mom" and when that "mom" has told them she will always be their mom the idea of moving on to their permanent family must feel a little more like kidnapping than the love and security of a forever family. But the truth remains, she chose not to adopt them and for whatever reasons did not prepare them for being grafted into our family. I could write a book on the things we experienced in dealing with the foster mom but I will save that for another time.<br /><br />To add to the drama of the transition, no more had we arrived home that we learned that Karen's grandmother had, in fact, passed away. We returned to the western part of NC to attend the funeral and by the time we did so, 6 of the 8 of us had acquired either cold or flu-like symptoms. It has not been until the past 3-4 days that we have actually settled into any type of routine. The routine has been fruitful. The new children are enjoying themselves and seem to be feeling safe and comfortable here. We have not had tears at night and we have had lots of laughter during the day.<br /><br /><br /> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><br /><br /><br />Now is where it gets dicey. The social workers devised a plan whereby the children would stay with us for a couple of weeks before returning to their previous foster home for a few weeks before coming back to us for a few weeks before returning to their foster home for a few weeks before coming to our home permanently! Yes, read that last sentence several times. It says it all! Just reading the plan will make your head spin! But that is the plan under which we currently operate. We've pleaded with the social worker to simply leave them with us but so far to no avail. Karen & I are sweating great drops of our own, feeling like this plan is a setup for failure and ultimately will lead to incredible mistrust, insecurity and confusion in the children. After all, broken attachments are tough to heal in a child and we're just going to keep ripping them apart over the next few months? We really don't have to speculate about the impact of this plan as it has already generated significant confusion, anxiety and frustration in the new children as well as our other children.<br /><br />But rules are rules, right? At least that's what we're told. Forget whether they make sense for the children or not, the paperwork has to be done. And to some extent I get it but when bureaucracy trumps common sense it doesn't set to well with me and I promise you somebody looses. In this case, its the children.<br /><br />So where are we? Honestly, we're not sure. We've got at least one child who is lost and confused right now, a system that seems dead set on stamping in insecurity and stacking the deck against successful transition all in the name of paperwork, and hearts that hurting. We've passed Phase I which is simply to meet them but it sure seems like we are walking through a field full of emotional landmines that could detonate at any moment and send this entire adoption into oblivion.<br /><br />Oh that this cup would pass!<br /><br />I could write much more but perhaps I should stop at this point. We will try to post a few times this week to update our situation. Karen & I wish to thank all of you who have been such a wonderful support over the past few months. You have truly been a blessing to us. If you have adopted and have a story to tell, we would love to hear it.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687083389050896886.post-78198895492214099712014-08-07T08:00:00.000-07:002014-08-07T08:01:26.606-07:00Reflection<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">Today's blog focuses on reflection. I'm not talking about reflection as in looking back at your life and gleaning some insight about why you are what you are and why you behave as you do. No, I'm talking about reflection as in what you see when you look into a mirror. I am a firm believer that everything we see here in this world is a reflection of something in another world. That other world is a spiritual dimension where something beautiful radiates its goodness, light and divine plan into this world. I often refer to this phenomenon as a "parallel process" between heaven and earth. It is what drives Karen & I in adoption.<br /><br />Let me explain. Recently I was looking out the kitchen window and saw something reflecting off the windshield of my van. The reflection sparked my attention and I began to look for what was reflecting. Did I continue to examine the windshield of the van? Of course not. I was looking around the sky, the positioning of the street lights and anything <i>but </i>the windshield. You don't look at the conduit, you look for the <i><b>source</b></i>!</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Adoption works in a similar way. When you look into the eyes of a child, especially those who have no parents, there's a flash. Even in the most obnoxious (just being honest!), unruly, provocative child its there. That flash. Sometimes its quick, sometimes you have to be really attentive, but its there. But what is it? Its a reflection and like the windshield you don't search for it in the conduit, but rather you look for it in the <i><b>source!</b></i> And its a beautiful thing when you realize that the source is something so loving, so kind, so pure and so innocent that it captivates your senses and melts your tendencies to think only of yourself in this world.<br /><br />I have heard people say they wanted to see God or have a visitation from Jesus and I understand this desire. But until we behold Him face to face, perhaps He gives us "flashes" of Himself. Its a flash in the eyes of a young girl, or the smile on a little boy's face or maybe its the toddler's deep sense of security as they flourish in the safety of a home that is committed to their welfare.<br /><br />Karen & I saw "the flash" 4 years ago when our children came bursting through the doors of the social workers office. They were wild as a spring calf kicking up its heels but it was there in their eyes. It reflected a divine being that overcame any of our fears of trying to parent these children. We saw it again in the eyes of 2 children who got off to such a rough start in life and wondered if anyone would ever welcome them into their home and heart forever. When you find the source you find the words "<i>if anyone opens the door, I'll come in</i>". Its the <i><b>source</b></i>, not the conduit, where you plug in your heart. Its the <i><b>source</b> </i>that drives you, not the need. When you tune into that source something magical begins to happen. It is as if all of heaven pours out into your soul and you want more.<br /><br />I hope this speaks to the hearts of many readers. Do you hear what I'm saying? Yes, Karen & I might be crazy and we've got the video to document it. But there's a flash. Can you see it? Its in the eyes of the child. Its in your spouse's embrace. Its in your prayer closet. But don't get stuck on the flash. Let it drive you to seek the <b><i>Source</i></b>!<br /><br />And by the way, thanks to the kindness and prayers of many it looks like we are finally going to meet our new children in the very, very near future.<br /><br />Until we talk again....</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687083389050896886.post-20625659531416151532014-08-06T06:51:00.000-07:002014-08-06T06:51:19.634-07:00Its More Fun if You Raise Your Hands!<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">Today is August 6th, 2014. If you had told me that we would not yet have traveled to meet and bring home our new kids I would have thought you were kidding. As you know, we started out 2 weeks ago in an RV to head to the mid-west and only made it an hour down the road before the transmission began to fail. Ever since that time I (Russell) have been working daily to find a suitable RV for us to take. And when I say working, its the kind of work that has taken priority over all other things. Things like work, play, the yard, the house, and yes, even having a lucid, meaningful conversation with other human beings that does not involve an RV! At this point, we are exhausted and emotionally spent with the process. Giving up is not an option but tell that to a set of stretched emotions that are screaming at you 24/7 and physical body that mediates the emotional pressures of the moment. <br /><br />Just when things reach a zenith of pressure something nice happens. God shows up with an encouraging word usually delivered by one of His kids. Like, reconnecting with </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">an old friend</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"> who happens to be well-versed in the virtues of RVs and provides wonderful counsel to help you avoid mistakes as you navigate toward that calling in your life. And then, you go to a church to speak about adoption and the special place that God has in His heart for widows and orphans. You're going to bless and educate a group of people but then something strange and wonderful happens. Everything in the service seems to be designed to strengthen <i>your</i> feeble knees and encourage <i>your</i> weary heart. You walk away refreshed and understanding that God hasn't forgotten you, He isn't hiding or withholding from you, and that all things "are as they should be" even though everything in you wishes to just settle this whole thing ....<i>right now!</i> <br /><br />That's where we are at today. Still can't tell you when we're traveling. As of this minute, still don't have an RV. Still are about $4,500 short of our goal to raise the $20,000 it took to do this adoption. But we're getting close and we know it. God has shown up in so many crazy ways in the past 6 weeks that its hard to even express it all. Maybe someday we'll put this entire, crazy ride into a coherent story. Right now, its like being on one of those monster roller coaster rides at Disney or Busch Gardens...you just hold on, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">smile, laugh, raise your hands (because after all, the Lemur said it was more fun if you raise your hands...think <i>Madagascar</i> movie!) </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">let out a few screams when it gets really, really scary, and otherwise grab your spouse, hold on tight and enjoy the thrill that comes with the ride! <br /><br />We'll be writing again really soon...right now the ride just went 90 miles an hour through a dark tunnel and I've got my hands raised & screaming like my pants just caught fire!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687083389050896886.post-37319387049998794702014-07-25T08:58:00.000-07:002014-07-25T08:59:32.446-07:00Eden Restored<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Today is the 3rd day since we were forced to abandon our trip to the midwest to meet and bring home our new children. We spent the first day just trying to figure out what just happened and the 2nd day trying to climb back on the horse! We've now had a chance to rehearse things and a chance to regroup. And the result? Climb back on the horse and find a way! I now want to share</span><span style="background-color: white;"> with you something from the prophet Ezekiel in chapter 36. I think there's something here for us.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;"><br /><i>Ezekiel 36:33-38 Adonai Elohim says, “When the day comes...</i></span><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">I will cause the cities to be inhabited and the ruins to be rebuilt.</span></i><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;"> The land that was desolate will be tilled, whereas formerly it lay desolate for all passing</span></i><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;"> by to see. Then they will say, “<span style="color: red;">The land that used to be desolate has become like</span></span></i><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: red;"> the </span><span style="color: red;">Garden of Eden</span>, and the cities formerly ruined, abandoned and wasted have been fortified</span></i><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;"> and are inhabited!” Then the nations around you that remain will know that I, Adonai,</span></i><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;"> have rebuilt the ruins and replanted what was abandoned. I, Adonai, have spoken; and</span></i><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: red;"> I will do it!</span>” <span class="versetext" id="eze36-38" style="display: inline;">...So will the ruined cities be filled with flocks of people. </span></span></i><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Whenever you feel that God has called you to follow Him and you accept that call, a strange journey will always follow...always! Certainly Moses got more than he bargained for when the enemy pinned him in at the Red Sea. Abraham must have been a bit dazed when God was asking him to offer up the promise of a great nation on the altar. I'm quite sure that the disciples sat there the day of Jesus' crucifixion in something of a mental stupor, questioning the whole deal and wondering why they had given the last 3 years of their life for this outcome. <span style="background-color: yellow;">These are moments of desolation.</span> They lend themselves to feelings of total abandonment...much like when your stranded on the side of the road in an RV that won't run, 2 little children anticipating meeting their new family and the guy at the dealership says they have no other available replacements and you must cancel your trip!<br /><br />But look what God says about such things. At the end of ourselves a beautiful transformation happens. Its a restoration of Eden. Things that were ruined, hopes that were abandoned and things that have lost their energy will be inhabited and have new life breathed into them! But this time its God's life not yours. It was the Lord’s doing. He's showing off and demonstrating His great love and compassion towards us. He's causing the trees to yield fruit and the fields to increase their production, the grains to abound (vs. 29-30) and your sheep to increase (vs. 37)!<br /><br />What is it that has been ruined in life? What hopes have been abandoned and have wasted away in their lifeless energy? The Lord has spoken 4 powerful words: I WILL DO IT! So we will go back to square one, await further instructions and abandon ourselves to faith & trust in Him all over again. What we learned here is that when God calls you to something the most unfruitful question to ask along the journey is "why?" when along the way things don't go like you thought they should. That one word only leads to an empty, vacuous silence. The more productive question is "what now?" It is from this place that you hear all over again the voice of God.<br /><br />Until we speak again...be blessed!</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687083389050896886.post-69990506184264660882014-07-23T05:25:00.000-07:002014-07-23T08:07:47.224-07:00Perplexed.......But Not Abandoned.....<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This morning we expected to wake up in an RV somewhere in western NC on our way to the mid-west. But instead, I woke up in my own bed here in Southeast NC wondering what just happened. But here it is in a nutshell: Sunday the RV dealership called us to say that the RV had been turned in over the weekend per schedule "with the oil light on". I insisted that they take Monday to thoroughly check out the unit and that we would push our leave date back by a day. On Tuesday morning I picked up the RV, we packed and headed out.<br /><br />We didn't make it far. About 100 miles into the trip we received a revelation: it wasn't the oil light that came on over the weekend...it was the transmission light warning. The transmission malfunctioned and we found ourselves on the side of the road wondering what to do. We called the RV dealership who instructed us to return to Wilmington with the unit if possible.<br /><br />We were able to limp home in the RV and fell into bed a little after midnight. But what now? We can only think of the disappointment of 2 little children who already have enough disappointment for a lifetime. There were no other RVs available and we are at a loss as to what to do now. At this point we are mentally exhausted and are retreating to our prayer closet today to try to sort things out. I understand the words of the Apostle Paul in II Corinthians 4 when he said, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="versetext" id="2co4-8" style="display: inline;">We are hard pressed on every side,<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="14" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: underline;"></a> but not crushed; perplexed,<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="15" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: underline;"></a> but not in despair; </span></i><span class="versetext highlightThenFade" id="2co4-9"><i><span class="versenum"></span> persecuted,<a class="highlightThenFade" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="16" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: underline;"></a> but not abandoned;<a class="highlightThenFade" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="17" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: underline;"></a> struck down, but not destroyed.</i><a class="highlightThenFade" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="18" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: underline;"></a> </span><span class="versetext" id="2co4-10" style="display: inline;"><span class="versenum"></span></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />We will keep you posted...</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687083389050896886.post-78573565482810321782014-07-21T08:45:00.000-07:002014-07-21T08:45:07.514-07:00Good things come to those that wait...<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't you just hate that saying! I don't know about you but waiting doesn't really flip my switches. Recording artist and minister Jake Hamilton has a song that says "The King of Glory always comes at midnight..." But why for crying out loud? I wish I could explain it with a brilliance that would reflect an incredible pool of wisdom residing in me. But I can't. Such a pool does not exist. Not in me anyway. The only thing I know is that He is in control and that He promised. <br /><br />I'd be lying if I said I wasn't anxious. Here we are less than than 24 hours before we are to leave and we remain about $5,000 short. I keep throwing that anxiety back to Him (I Peter 5:7) but like mud on a wall it doesn't seem to stick very long. So I wind up and throw it again! And while I find myself on the edge of agitation with the whole thing, I know that He works all things to good and that many, many inner thoughts and yes, fears, have surfaced in me that without the pressure, would never get addressed. Things like...<br /></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do I really trust or is my trust limited to things that if I fail its no big deal and the disappointments are small and easy to digest?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is my faith strong enough to head out to the mid-west state with only $200 in my account? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is my faith in God or is it in others...or even worse, myself? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Does all this speaking the truth in love, declaring His word and clinging have an effect?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do the fervent prayers get heard?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then the granddaddy of them all...What if I missed it completely and am in the flesh?</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These thoughts swirl in my head like a tornado over open land. Its one thing to sing and sway in the comfortable confines of my home and church but what about when God calls you to step out of the boat and walk on the water? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I can't explain all the why's and what-abouts, I can say this: there is a refuge and a hiding place just like David claimed there was (Ps 25:20; Ps 32:7). It is found not in what you see but in that place in the soul that is occupied by Him. It is He who has authored and finished the deal. So in the midst of pressure, facing an unknown and uncertainty that is not years or months or even weeks away but is right here, right now...I can lift my hands and proclaim <i>"</i><i><span class="versetext" id="ps103-1" style="display: inline;">Praise the LORD,<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="1" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: underline;"></a> O my soul;<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="2" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: underline;"></a> all my inmost being, praise his holy name.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="3" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: underline;"></a> </span> [He]<span class="versetext" id="ps103-4" style="display: inline;"><span class="versenum"></span> who redeems your life<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="8" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: underline;"></a> from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="9" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: underline;"></a> </span></i><span class="versetext" id="ps103-5" style="display: inline;"><i>who satisfies<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="10" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: underline;"></a> your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="11" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: underline;"></a> like the eagle's.</i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="12" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: underline;"></a></span><span class="versetext" id="ps103-5" style="display: inline;"><i>" (Ps 103).</i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="12" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: underline;"></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />So we continue to wait for God to show up and show off. I do as the old Native American prayer says, and Paul proclaims in Romans 12:9..."cling to that which is good". So I hug Karen extra tight this morning and take a lesson from my younger children as they excitedly await our departure to meet their new brother and sister. They aren't worried about a thing: Dad's got it all under control!<br /><br />Let me close today by saying that it now seems really appropriate that we introduced this entire adoption thing to others with Billy Joel's "You might be right, I might be crazy" playing in the background. <br /><br />But even in the tenseness of the moment I'd rather be found crazy attempting to walk on water at His beckoning, than be found sane in the "safety" of my own logic, playing it safe and living life only for myself!<br /><br />Keep praying for us. Until we talk again...</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687083389050896886.post-78010848287961734162014-07-20T12:50:00.001-07:002014-07-20T12:50:53.638-07:00Update on Bringing Our New Kids Home!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here we are. 24 Hours away from beginning the process to meet our kids and bring them home with us. Leaving the farm behind is stressful but knowing our police officer son will be here to house and animal sit while we're gone is comforting. Anxiety mounts, but its a good anxiety...at least most of it. Will our new children like us or will they be disappointed? Will they take to us quickly or will it take a while to capture them? What will our other young children think? What will they do? What is going through their little minds as they watch 2 other children being grafted into our family?<br /><br />While it is difficult at times to determine what our 3 youngest boys are thinking, I think its safe to say they are both excited and nervous. True to their history, they handle emotional stimulation with regressive behavior. All kinds of things are popping up this week that we haven't had to deal with much over the past 6 months. This is somewhat predictable and it is why we knew that we could not travel to meet our new children and not take them with us. It would have ignited their worst fears in life and we simply could not do that to them.<br /><br />In spite of the increased anxiety, the boys have also shown amazing resiliency and compassion for our new children. Each evening at the dinner table they ask "when do we leave to get our new kids?" They are genuinely excited and this adoption has served to help them expand their worlds beyond themselves in order to think of others. We are proud of the progress our boys have made and especially proud of the acceptance that they have already demonstrated for our new children.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">We can't fathom how little children comprehend how this works. It is so unnatural for kids not to have a home and family </span><span style="background-color: white;">from the start and to see them getting excited about getting a family or adding to our family in this way is still so strange. </span><span style="background-color: white;">We are g</span><span style="background-color: white;">lad that they are excited, it is just amazing that they can come to any kind of understanding in their little minds about it. </span><span style="background-color: white;">To our boys, families just add more people/children at different times and to them "getting" these two is normal. They are </span><span style="background-color: white;">not phased by that part at all. They are definitely more excited than anything.</span><br /><br />I think there is a spiritual lesson here. When one is born into God's kingdom, isn't one of the things that He asks of us is that we share His love and good news with others? In other words, think of somebody else long enough to help them in life?<br /><br />That's where we are today. We wait expecting, excited and, yes, anxiously for the rest of God's provision, which as of today is $5,000. We continually remind ourselves to not get sidetracked by what we see in the natural and re-focus on what we see in our mind and spirit's eye...and we break out all over again with thanks and gratitude to be a part of something so special as to take care of His little ones! We are reminded of Pillar 12 (see my book, <i>12 Pillars & a Prayer</i>) and we join with the Apostle Paul in "being anxious for nothing, but by prayers and petitions, <i>with thanksgiving</i>, make your requests known to God...and His peace will guard your hearts and minds" (Philippians 4:4-8).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can go to <a href="http://www.simplesolutions4.com/" target="_blank">www.simplesolutions4.com</a> and scroll down to donate to help us bring our 2 children home!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687083389050896886.post-58422402548983283892014-07-15T08:20:00.002-07:002014-07-15T08:20:58.427-07:00Smooth Sailing or Walking on Water?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyone who has followed our blog for awhile will know that it is no secret we have had struggles in our adoption process. some may even think we are crazy to do what we have done. There have been times that we might have agreed with you. However, when God calls you to do something it isn't always easy and it doesn't always work out like you planned. We have learned this over and over and all we can do is keep moving forward. We have also learned so much about God through this process and how much He loves us and is with us all the way through all the struggles.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white;">As most of you know, in 2010 we adopted 3 severely neglected children, ages 2, 3 & 4 at the time. It has been the ride of our life!...absolutely one of the most challenging things we've ever done and at the same time <b>absolutely one of the most meaningful things God has ever asked us to do!</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="background-color: white;">Our boys are flourishing now and just when we thought we had smooth sailing, </span><span style="background-color: white;">God has again called us get out of the boat and provide a home for 2</span><span style="background-color: white;"> special needs children, ages 2 & 3. There are prominent medical needs involved secondary to severe neglect, starvation</span><span style="background-color: white;"> and hypoxia (the 2 year old literally starved to death but was revived)</span><span style="background-color: white;">. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />The only piece of the puzzle left now is the funding. At this time, we still need to raise $10,000. We should be nervous but we're not! We are confident that God is calling us and believe that He will provide. We are keeping our eyes on Jesus and walking on water to meet Him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><b>He asked were we willing? and we put our Yes! on the table.</b> He has challenged us to abandon ourselves to faith & trust that the need would be met. We are simply to put our need out there to various groups, churches and individuals. We believe somewhere in this process is a miracle of provision on behalf of these 2 little children. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />We are asking you be a part of helping us raise these funds by praying for us, donating if you desire and sending this need on to others?<b> We only have one week to do this! </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b>We should be nervous...but strangely we're not. There is a deep overwhelming peace and excitement that somehow goes beyond our circumstances. It is a special time. Never before has our faith been so tested and so much "blind trust" required. It is a strange feeling knowing that you're doing everything you can but understanding that no matter what we do its not enough. We must have something bigger, something greater, something supernatural operating in order to give these 2 children the home they deserve. And somehow we understand that this is not about us. And Its not <b>just</b> about the 2 children getting a home. There are others at stake here too. We believe that others will not only participate in our adoption process and <b>be blessed</b>, but that still others will step up and say "well if the Thomas' can do it, we can do it too". We know not everyone is called to adopt. We are <b>all </b>called to take care of widows and orphans. James 1:27 but that doesn't mean that everyone is called to parent an orphan. It may that be that you are called to help others adopt, or serve and support missions to orphans. There are so many ways to serve God and<b> we all are in this together</b>. It is to this end that we recognize that this is not our adoption. It has the feel of something bigger than us. I've always heard that everybody needs a "why" in life in order to motivate them. Ours is coming into focus. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />We have 2 ways set up for people to get involved with these children's future. First, people can go to <a href="http://www.simplesolutions4.com/" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">www.simplesolutions4.com </a>and scroll down on the home page to the donate button. Second, people can go to <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/air1K4" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">http://www.gofundme.com/air1K4</a> and donate. Both sites are secure. I'd like to <b>thank you</b> in advance for any help, prayers, donations and ask that you please pass this one to anyone that you may think is appropriate. </span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687083389050896886.post-39108235406947583732014-03-30T07:26:00.000-07:002014-03-30T07:26:17.921-07:00Looking for Answers in the Easy Places<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
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This morning I heard my wife comment in the other room followed by a couple of emails she forwarded to me. Both were CNN breaking news feeds that read as follows:</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 20px;">The new search area for Flight 370 is hundreds of miles closer to the Australian coast, which will give planes more time to spend over the area, an Australian official says. Planes may also encounter better weather there than in the previous search area.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 20px;">Aircraft first arrived at the new search area Friday, an Australian official said. So far, authorities have not found anything they would classify as debris, he said.</span></i><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.5px;">After reading the 2 emails, It brought to mind the story about the boy who was frantically looking for something behind the family home. It was late at night and the boy was down on all fours, brushing his hands back and forth in the grass and near the point of tears when his father came looking for him only to find him in their back yard. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.5px;">“What are you doing, son?” the father asked.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.5px;">The boy replied, “I’m looking for my watch” to which the father inquired further, “Where did you last see it?”</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.5px;">“In the front yard!” he quickly responded. Puzzled by his son’s response, the father ventured again, “Then why in the world are you looking in the <i>backyard</i> for the watch?”</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.5px;">Slightly annoyed and obviously distressed the boy responded without hesitation “<i>Because that is where the light is!</i>”</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><b>The CNN news search struck me as similar logic</b>. While I’m sure there is more to the story, it reads as if the search was moved to a new location because the weather was better there! Of course the follow up news released indicated that the search team had come up empty! </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.5px;">What really strikes me about this story is in the details. <b>How many times do we “look for answers in the easiest place to look”?</b> For example children...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; line-height: 19.5px;"></span><i><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"> Why do they continue to do the things we’ve asked them not to do even after we’ve preached this sermon over a 1000 times? </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; line-height: 19.5px;">Ø </span><i><span style="line-height: 19.5px;">Why do they ask for the very thing that wasnt offered? </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; line-height: 19.5px;">Ø </span><i><span style="line-height: 19.5px;">Why do they lie about insignificant things? </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; line-height: 19.5px;">Ø </span><i><span style="line-height: 19.5px;">Why do they terrorize the other kids in sunday school?</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;">Its easy to search in the comfortable places…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Wingdings; line-height: 19.5px;">Ø </span><i><span style="line-height: 19.5px;">They’re oppositional…</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Wingdings; line-height: 19.5px;">Ø </span><i><span style="line-height: 19.5px;">they’re defiant,</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Wingdings; line-height: 19.5px;">Ø </span><i><span style="line-height: 19.5px;">they’re ungrateful,</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Wingdings; line-height: 19.5px;">Ø </span><i><span style="line-height: 19.5px;">they’re detached…</span></i></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.5px;">But searching for debris in the comfortable places doesn’t pay off very well. The search must move to the uncomfortable places…in such places the search team is pushed to discover the truth. <b> The secrets of the soul are not easily discovered and healing is never found in the label.</b> It requires something of a sacrifice from the search team and in the case of a child’s heart parents are that search team. </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;">And if we’re talking about children who have been grafted into the family it’s difficult to know where the plane went down!</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;">The search begins with asking a different set of questions.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;">If it’s not defiance, then what is it?</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;">If it’s not detachment, then what?</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;">What is my child </span><i style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;">feeling </i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;">when he abandons all logic and consequence to do his/her own thing?</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.5px;">Recently, I had an interesting meeting with a young man. During our meeting he began to tell me that his father abandoned the family when he was 6. Literally, his dad went to the grocery store and never came back! The young man tearfully recounted what it was like for him and that he now can relate to kids because he “knows what it feels like”. I stopped him at that point and asked a pointed question, “So what <i>does </i>it feel like?”</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.5px;">I sat there for a moment and as tears welled up in his eyes. He then looked me in the eyes and said “FEAR! I was all alone and figured that I had to take care of myself…nobody was going to be there for me!” </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;">What had been an academic-like meeting suddenly became a sobering moment filled with emotion,</span><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"> as I got a glimpse of the injury in his soul. His story represents the heart of too many <span style="font-size: x-small;">teens</span> and <span style="font-size: x-small;">children</span> who carry the burden of their own survival. We get caught up on the opposition and disobedience because after all, the weather is safer there. </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;">To search elsewhere requires that we fly headlong into the storm while suspending our need for comfort and/or realize that our intense desire for reciprocal love may not be realized…at least not right now.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;">The search requires that we keep trying to attach with no guarantees that it will ever happen.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;">Granted, it is easier to search where the weather is good.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;"> </span><b style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;">Otherwise I am forced to admit that this unconditional love thing is very hard</b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;">.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;">I am confronted with the reality that on my own, I am inept at this “laying down my life thing” in order for my child to thrive and feel the warm embrace and security of love.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><b>So how do you look in the right places even though the weather there is terrible, maybe even treacherous?</b> I know of only one model for doing so. Its found in these words, <i>“</i></span><span class="versetext"><i>Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who…made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant…He humbled Himself and became obedient…</i>” (Phillipians 2:5-8). The model also teaches that “<i>while we were yet sinners, He died for us</i>”…which translated means that while we were doing all that crazy stuff to try to hide our fears, <i><b>He still loved! </b></i> <span style="background-color: white;">And there’s the model.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">The denial of one’s own self in order that others may prosper. </span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">It’s the right place to search.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">Its not as comfortable as where blue skies prevail or street lights shine into a frightening darkness…but then there are no plane parts or watches to be found in those places and there are no children to be saved from their fears there either.</span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687083389050896886.post-18016437437922605042014-01-31T16:04:00.000-08:002014-01-31T16:05:18.641-08:00Understanding Adoptive Parents<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">As we have previously written, our experience parenting children that we have adopted has brought with it many surprises, challenges and yes, its bizarre moments! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">One of the things that we’ve noticed over the past few years is how the entire adoptive experience has had an isolating effect on us. If we would have had a nickel for every time we’ve looked at each other and said, “they [meaning friends and even family] just don’t understand” our financial status would be dramatically altered! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">One thing we admit is that it is hard to talk to about these things. There have been those who tried. It often feels like others are wondering if we’ve lost our minds, not to mention our parental touch. Attempts by those around us to help us out by saying something that they think is either instructive or inspirational often seem shallow or even worse, judgmental and condemning. Admittedly, it’s a tough line to walk. I’m not sure I could say something all that wise to me if I were in my friends’ shoes! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So that’s why we’re posting these links! We came across several other blogs recently that say it all and to be honest really make us feel like we are not alone and there are people out there that do understand. There really are people out there that are living the life we are living to some degree or another. We are thankful for these posts that have encouraged us and spoken to our heart. We hope you will enjoy them as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This blog tells it all, exactly what we feel and experience daily. We are not saints but Warriors fighting for these children and all children who need homes and families. Please click on the following link: <a href="http://sherific.blogspot.com/2013/11/adoption-month.html?m=1" target="_blank">http://sherific.blogspot.com/2013/11/adoption-month.html?m=1</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This blog explains so much truth about special needs adoption and although our boys are not diagnosed with any physical special needs they do, in fact, have very special needs. The impact of loss, abandonment and neglect took its toll on our boys and the result is that our family has a very difficult time doing even simple, perfunctory activities like driving 30 minutes to eat out or an hour and a half to visit family. Such routine events result in chaos, destruction of property and frustration that even Mother Teresa would have a difficult time managing! The result is a feeling of isolation and even though this has been one of the hardest things we have ever done, we wouldn't change a thing. It has also been one of the most rewarding things we have done and in spite of our struggles we feel totally blessed to have our boys. Please click on the following link: <a href="http://www.ellenstumbo.com/are-special-needs-families-isolated-by-erin-loraine/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EllenStumbo+%28Ellen+Stumbo%29">http://www.ellenstumbo.com/are-special-needs-families-isolated-by-erin-loraine/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EllenStumbo+%28Ellen+Stumbo%29</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This blog offers a nice mix of humor and truth. It is a list of the 10 things that you don’t say to adoptive parents. Please click on the following link: <a href="http://africatoamerica.org/2014/01/24/ten-things-not-to-say-to-adoptive-parents/" target="_blank">http://africatoamerica.org/2014/01/24/ten-things-not-to-say-to-adoptive-parents/</a>. My favorite part was the 7 things to say to an adoptive parent. So true and encouraging. Lets all try to say some of these things to the families you know that are adopting or have adopted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We are truly not offended by others attempts to encourage us.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In fact, we’ve said a lot of the same things to others too.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We recognize that ours is a unique and difficult situation and we are eternally grateful for friends and family like you that have stood with us and encouraged us!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">With that said, enjoy and we’ll talk again soon…</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687083389050896886.post-32982834437559889932013-08-12T08:55:00.000-07:002013-08-12T08:55:57.814-07:00Taking Care of What Has Been Given to You: Parenting Adult Children<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
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<span class="versetext"><i> John 17:9,12</i></span></div>
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<span class="versetext">Our <i>Warrior Arrows</i> blog was created to talk about our experience with adoption and parenting our adopted children. But as time has gone by and the boys are assimilating into our family and hearts, we find ourselves speaking more as simply parents. The past 2 and a half years with our “grafted” sons have been the experience of a lifetime. On one hand its the most difficult thing we’ve ever done, while on the other, its one of the most meaningful things we’ve ever done in life. But today, we write about our other children. The ones that are now adults. We want to share some of our heart as parents of adult children. </span></div>
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<span class="versetext">The article begins as an afterthought to a recent conversation I had with a colleague at work about our experience as fathers. The crux of his comments was something along the lines of when his children were young he felt the responsibility of fatherhood, but now that they are adults, he can relax and be more of a spectator in their lives. I responded that “to my adult children, I feel more responsibility now than ever to parent them”! I went on to explain that I felt more responsibility to make good decisions in life in order that my children may have a good path to follow and that someday, they will inherit not only an estate, but a legacy of decision making they observed in every one of mine and Karen’s deeds, enterprises and relationships in life. I spoke of how some of my older children are currently facing health challenges, financial pressures and career choices, and how, as a parents, we bear every single one of our children’s challenges in life. While my colleague smiled and agreed with me, the look on his face said otherwise. I’m not sure that he understood what I was saying. Perhaps I can explain now what its like for Karen & I to parent adult children.</span></div>
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<span class="versetext">You see, its easy to have faith when everyone has perfect health. Its easy to preach <i>The Blessing</i> of Deuteronomy 28, i.e., “<i>God will grant you abundant prosperity…”</i> when you have a good, well-paying job. And its easy to worship when your young children are living safely in your shadows. But now, as adult children, they have grown up problems. You know what they are because you’ve been there. The game has changed. God is more than a concept or a mystical being conjured up to somehow pacify your fears when the lightning cracks next to the bedroom window in the midst of a fierce thunder storm. This is real life and we <i>knew</i> how tough it could be at times. We worked hard at creating a culture at home that sheltered our kids from the harsher parts of life. But it’s time. <i>Their time!</i> Like my friend, we wish it was as easy as “well now they are 18 and on their own and I’ve done my part …” as if this inevitable life maturation somehow absolves us of any further parental responsibilities. But its not that easy. Not for us anyway. We want to fix everything. That’s what we do in life. That’s what parents do. Fix it…Kiss it…there, its all better and life is good again! However, life is now chiseling out its next champion of faith and we have different roles. Not less important or free from responsibility, but different. </span></div>
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<span class="versetext">The different role contains several desires. <b>There is a desire to continue to protect our children</b>. We still don’t want them hanging out with questionable characters and the desire to clean off skinned knees doesn’t subside. I suspect this desire to protect your children is the root cause of many an adult child and parental conflict, i.e., parents trying to control how their children will live their lives. It’s a delicate balance between constructive input and destructive denial of their adult responsibility to choose a meaningful path.</span></div>
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<span class="versetext">Then <b>there is a desire to fix our children’s lives</b>, particularly the parts that are a source of distress or pain for them. It’s a real struggle for a parent when an adult child becomes sick or they are laid off from their job or they can’t find a way to get to their next step in life. The parental impulse is to jump in and fix it but its more like running a race with your feet tied together! Make the greasy haired, foul-mouthed, agnostic, mess of a kid stay away from your teenage son or daughter! But now the rules are different. Different because the greasy haired agnostic grew up, became an atheist and is your son’s supervisor! The situation is more complex and requires a different response from you as a parent. Its not just “go away” or “because I said so” or “hey, I pay the bills around here”. No. This requires a more sophisticated form of protection that is firmly based in life principles, core values, and Godly wisdom. It is the response of a seasoned parent.</span></div>
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<span class="versetext">Finally, <b>the role of parenting adult children is characterized by friendship</b>. There I said it. We want to be our children’s best friends. We want them to trust our counsel. We want them to have confidence in our life decisions. We want them to maintain that “my dad can fix anything” and “mom always knows best” attitude even though such a thought is laughable and irrational.</span></div>
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<span class="versetext">How the Trinity works is a bit of a mystery to me. I get the basic idea and Jesus certainly expressed more than once that He and the <i>Father</i> where One. As such, Jesus knew the heart of a parent. The words found in John 17 are an example. The words express what its like to be the parents of an adult child. Paraphrased, Jesus was saying that He looked after them right up to the end; that those given into His care continued in His care beyond the crib, beyond toddlerhood and adolescence and into full maturation as adult believers. You can feel both His connection and sense of responsibility that He feels when He says: <i>those whom You have given me, not one of them is lost!</i> This, my friends, is the heart of a parent! It doesn’t stop when they stop living under your roof, but rather, when you breath your last. And at that moment the pride of every parent is to say the same thing that Jesus said: <i>Father, I’m coming home. I took care of those that You gave me right up to the very end…and not one of them is lost!</i></span></div>
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<span class="versetext">Until we speak again, look after the ones that He has given you and count yourself among the most fortunate to do so…</span></div>
<br /><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687083389050896886.post-19143394241598793112013-05-23T08:40:00.000-07:002013-05-23T08:48:47.558-07:00Bunk Room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Since adding the boys into our family we have done a lot of rearranging in the house. Rearranging bedrooms has been the biggest of changes we have made and we have rearranged numerous times to get just the right fit for everyone. Space is not a problem. We could put everyone in their own room but that hasnt been the best option. We have tried individual rooms, and different combinations of pairing up and finally we came to our current set up and it has been wonderful.</div>
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In the beginning this room was inspired by Pinterest. I kept seeing bunk rooms and they were so cute. We had two sets of bunk/twin beds in different rooms so to move everyone in the same room for sleeping was not that big of a risk. The joke around our house is Karen shows Russell a picture and he makes it. It works out very nicely. So I got the picture and he began working on it.</div>
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We chose a room to make into our bunk room. This room would be for sleeping and clothes. Another room will be the play room with all the toys. The first task was to paint the room. I began that while Russell began the construction of the bunk bed frames.</div>
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This room has a chimney going up through it makes a strange little box area in the middle of the main wall so we had to build around that. The over all size of the room is about 13 x 17 ft. It just so happened that the beds fit perfectly on either side of the extension.</div>
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Then we painted the beds to match the walls to create a built in feeling.</div>
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The boys love the bunk room! Everyone has their own bed and there are no distractions during the night. Everyone sleeps much better together and then there is the play room for all the playing. That will be another post coming soon.</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687083389050896886.post-66406364947560875812013-05-03T05:13:00.000-07:002013-05-03T05:14:50.909-07:00Sibling Rivalry<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, Serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, Serif;">So this morning I'm minding my own business, enjoying a little quiet time and reading from the Good Book when I come across a scripture in John 21 that makes me laugh. Now I don't often see scripture as a discourse in comedy, but I couldn't help myself this morning. The dynamic was all too familiar. This exchange records the 3rd time He has appeared to someone since His resurrection from the dead. He is having a nice little conversation with Peter on the seashore. Just the 2 of them strolling down the coastline enjoying a special little one-on-one friendship time that Peter must have found infinitely rewarding when he notices something. "The disciple whom Jesus loved" is following along behind them. Its a real Raymond and Robert moment if you know what I mean</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, Serif;"> (think <i>Everybody Loves Raymond</i>).</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, Serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, Serif;">Now understand that Jesus had just encouraged Peter to take the lead, me "the man", feed the sheep, garner the troops...well, you get the idea. But when Peter catches a glimpse of this disciple... <i>whom Jesus loved</i>...following along looking all the world like he was trying to crowd in on his private time with the risen Savior, he can't help himself. Peter knows better than to question the disciple's right to be there or on a more primative level, even exist. After all, he had seen Jesus in action and was aware that one of His most defining mantras was "let them come". So in that moment, filled with what I suspect was irritation, Peter blurts out, "<i>Well what about this guy, Jesus? What</i><i>'s in it for him?</i>" (paraphrased by me...you might want to read it for yourself at John 21:21!). I close my eyes and hear the words of Robert as he concedes in his dejection, "<i>everybody loves Raymond"! </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, Serif;"><i></i></span>And Jesus' reply? </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, Serif;">"If I want him to live to remain until I come, what is that to you?" I think another translation here would be something like: "<i>Whatever Peter! If I say he lives until I come back, that's nunya</i><i>!...</i><i> none-of-your-business!</i>" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, Serif;">It was a classical moment! A vintage sibling rivalry moment! It struck me as funny because we've had this same moment with our boys...so, so many times!</span></div>
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<li><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, Serif;">“Don’t worry about what your brother is wearing! Just worry about what you have on!"</span></i></li>
<li><i>“Don’t worry about what your brother got for his birthday! You play with your toys and be happy for him!”</i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, Serif;">“Don’t worry about what he’s got on his plate! You eat what’s on yours!” </span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, Serif;">"You are not your brother's keeper. Just mind your own business!"</span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, Serif;">"What is that to you if he got a piggyback ride!"</span></i></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, Serif;">I suppose that foolishness is bound in the heart of a child and only through considerable effort and discipline is it tamed. Jesus had to deal with it and so have we…hundreds of times! Its immature, its misguided, its aggravating and its selfishness in its rawest form…but its life and intricately wound up in the heart of a boy or girl, man or woman. Its called, “<i>who’s getting what?</i>” and “<i>hey, I got the short end of the stick!</i>” Its more that just petty jealousy or simple selfishness. The issue stems from a fear that I will not have what I need and an anxiety that I will not be taken care of. It is a basic question that each of us must answer: <i>do we really believe that our Father in Heaven will provide for us, on a personal, intimate level, what we need and do so in abundance as He promised to do?</i> (see Jesus' other words earlier in the book of John, chapter 10 verse 10). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, Serif;">The good news is that our boys are learning and so do we as sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. So until we talk again...<i>hey Lord, I saw a brand new BMW in front of John's house...!</i></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687083389050896886.post-39245098146655356132013-04-07T10:33:00.001-07:002013-04-07T10:33:46.643-07:00Memorandum of Understanding©<br />
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<o:p><span style="background-color: white; color: #004db4; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">While praying for America last fall, I had a bit of a "moment" if you will. I suppose that I am one of the more fortunate people in that I had a good relationship with my father. While not perfect, I knew he was invested in my life. My relationship with my earthly father made it easy to believe in a Heavenly Father who is invested in my life. But not just me, His investment extends to all mankind and particularly to this country. For a moment, I saw a Father's heart. I quickly moved to write it down at that time. Now I'd like to share that moment. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #004db4; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Memorandum
of Understanding©<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">M.
Russell Thomas, PhD<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Excuse me, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Liberty</st1:place></st1:city>,
could you step into my office for a minute”.
I heard the Father’s voice as I hurriedly rushed down <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Gold Street</st1:address></st1:street> heading for Cloud 268. I was in a hurry for a meeting with the East Wing
Angels Association but had come to understand that an opportunity to spend a
little time with Father must be seized, for in that time refreshment and
revelation for the soul follow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But today Father was in a solemn mood. All business as He gazed out over all His
creation. If I didn’t know any better I
would say that he had been crying. His
eyes were swollen and ruddy although never failing to communicate a deep,
piercing compassion that melts the deepest of fear and worry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes sir. What can I
do for you today, Father?” I asked as I stood in the large, ornate doorway of
Father’s inner chamber.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Please get your laptop.
Sit down. I’d like to dictate a
memo and need your help”, Father said in a rather businesslike fashion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I quickly skirted down to my office and retrieve my small
computer before returning to Father’s office.
He offered the seat at His large, cedar desk while He stood looking out
over all of His creation. His eyes peered
on a particular land just off the horizon and west of the Jasper Gate. It was a land I knew well: <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><i>America</i></st1:place></st1:country-region><i>.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Remember when I assigned you to <st1:country-region w:st="on">America</st1:country-region>,
<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Liberty</st1:place></st1:city>?”
Father asked with a notable tone of concern in His voice?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes, I do Father!
You said they needed a little of me, ah, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Liberty</st1:place></st1:city> that is. I was pleased to help them find their
freedom”, I replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Take this down, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Liberty</st1:place></st1:city>”
Father launched right in to executive mode. “A Memorandum of
Understanding. Put it in Memo form from
me. To: America. RE: A
Recent Misunderstanding.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Got it sir,” I quickly replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Dear <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region>. It has recently come to my attention that
some of My prophets, teachers, evangelists, apostles and pastors are spreading
the word that I am angry with you. These same department leaders have cited the
senseless shootings, a rash of wild fires, and economic calamities in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region> as
evidence of my anger and displeasure with you.
Furthermore, these same department leaders have been forecasting a
barrage of Heavenly judgments on <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region>. I’ve heard everything from Hurricanes to
earthquakes to famines to biological calamities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I am writing to set the record straight. <b><i>NONE OF THIS IS THE TRUTH!”</i> <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Um, put
that in big, bold letters, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Liberty</st1:place></st1:city>”,
Father said as He repeated himself…NONE OF THIS IS THE TRUTH!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“What I would like to say to you, <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region> is this”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“And emphasize these words for me, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Liberty</st1:place></st1:city>”, Father spoke as a side note to His
missive. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>“<i>Please do not mistake
my anger that you think burns against
you, for my love that burns for
you!”</i></b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You see <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region>,
I remember when we first started our relationship. How you sought my advice and how I sent <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Liberty</st1:place></st1:city> to you in your
quest to be free from the bondage of tyranny.
The whole Tea Party thing in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Boston</st1:place></st1:city>
was a hoot and I remember how we sat for hours together fashioning your
Constitution. And that Declaration of
Independence was ‘Divinely’ crafted if I may so say myself! I remember how we rode off into the Wild West
together to settle unchartered territories and rope a few Doggies
together. How you rose up to my call to
drive Hitler back from destroying innocent lives. I have always been impressed with you, <st1:country-region w:st="on">America</st1:country-region> and the way that you’ve supported My
people, <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Israel</st1:place></st1:country-region>. How you’ve poured out of your resources to
help the poor and needy around the world and were the first to arrive on the
scene in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Sri Lanka</st1:place></st1:country-region>
after the Tsunami. <st1:country-region w:st="on">America</st1:country-region> it has made me proud every time you’ve
hollowed out the words “with <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Liberty</st1:place></st1:city>
and Justice for all”, for I have always loved those precepts. I remember when you trusted me for all your
needs and how you honored me when you decided to put the words, “IN GOD WE
TRUST” on your money. Yes, while it is
true that our relationship has been strained of late and that it did hurt my
feelings when you no longer wanted Me in your children’s classroom or when you
wanted to take down My commandments in your buildings and as you have taken the
lives of your young in the name of choice, I want you to know that there is
absolutely no desire on My part to pass judgment on you now”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Father stopped. I
waited while He turned to look back out towards the west. I could see His Adam’s apple flutter violently
in his throat as He fought back the tears.
In a few minutes Father regained His composure enough to utter a few
last words and with a quivering voice said,… “<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region>, all I want is for you to
come back to me again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687083389050896886.post-76081410882802932322013-02-26T07:24:00.002-08:002013-02-26T07:24:13.269-08:00Good Health Naturally!Today's post is a little different. We wanted to draw attention to and explain the links to other sites on the side of our blog. You will see several other sites listed. Two are for other blogs we write that focus on our other interests. One for <a href="http://12pillarsandaprayer.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Faith and Finance</a> and one for P<a href="http://partyplansforall.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">arty ideas</a>. Two links are for Health products that we firmly believe in. So much so that we have joined the companies and built a business with them. This is our story with those companies.<br />
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In 2000, Karen had just had our fifth child and was tired all the time. Naptime was not just for the baby, Karen had to rest daily too. We knew we needed more energy and better health. We took vitamins but we never felt any difference from any of the pill form vitamins we took and we tried a lot of them. We were constantly looking for something that would be good for us and give us the energy we so needed. In fact we looked and tried products for 2 years before we found the best supplements on the planet and knew we had found the ones that really work.<br />
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A friend of ours, who happens to be a world reknown nutritionist introduced us to the <a href="http://russellandkarenthomas.mybiolink.com/main" target="_blank">Biometics </a>products. They are liquid nutritional supplements and the only ones that are Micellized for maximum absorption and results. We knew immediately that these products were different. We immediately felt the difference! They taste great and you can feel the energy go all through your body as you drink them. 2002 began our lifelong relationship with the products and the company.<br />
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Since being on the products we have many stories of results to share and those stories built a business for us that is still growing. Joint pain-gone, blood pressure lowered, energy levels raised, never being sick, rashes and allergies cleared up. As we got personal results we also learned more about nutrition and health and that if we give our bodies what it needs it will heal and repair itself. This led to seeing results with friends, family, neighbors and even clients. ADHD improved. Behavior issues improved, Autism improved.<br />
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As a psychologist, Russell was captured with the results that ADHD children (and adults) were reporting as a result of a unique blend of the Biometics products. He started recommending the products to some of his patients and coaching them using the products. The results were more than impressive. After several years of seeing result after result, Russell felt that he needed to share his experiences working with the products and ADHD in written form. In 2008 he published <a href="http://www.simplesolutions4.com/">Turbo Charged Childhood</a> and has continued to work with families and their children, combining traditional counseling with a unique blend of liquid nutritional supplements.<br />
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When we first brought our adopted children home, they were malnourished and sickly. We began giving them Biometics and they began to heal. One of our sons had chronic ear infections and had been on and off antibiotics his whole life. Another was born premature and was still using a respirator. Within weeks, the premature son no longer needed his respirator and both responded incredibly to the Biometics products with drastically improved health. No more antibiotics. No more respirators. All are growing stronger everyday!<br />
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The other link is for Essential Oils from <a href="https://www.youngliving.org/kalenaleigh" target="_blank">Young Living</a>. We just recently found these products and have been equally impressed in just a short time. We believe in taking care of our bodies and using natural resources to heal and help with everyday issues. In using these products we have been able to stay healthy and off of medication. We have experienced relief from headaches, toothaches, back & neck pain, sore muscles, and eczema. The oils have a lovely aroma that is both soothing and relaxing, generating a calming effect in your home. The are also effective in promoting a good nights sleep!<br />
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We love natural results and healthy lives. We love to share our results with others and help them get the same great results we have gotten. We love learning more and more about healing the way God intended it. Please feel free to click on the links and try our products. We would love to hear from you and help you navigate your health and healing as well.<br />
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Our journey down the health path has been exciting and we have shared our experiences and results many times in a variety of venues. As a result, we have developed a variety of training opportunities including on site seminars/ workshops, webinars, and phone consultations. If you, your church group, or support group are interested in having us speak at your event or simply have questions, please feel free to contact us. We would be honored to share with you what we have discovered for ourselves over the past 10+ years!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687083389050896886.post-76153142761763410262012-12-18T08:56:00.000-08:002012-12-18T08:56:50.298-08:00The Habakkuk Story HOT OFF THE PRESS! BRAND NEW RELEASE<table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" id="content_LETTER.BLOCK4" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
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Karen & I are so excited about our new release, <em>Did You Ever Wonder Where the Swaddling Clothes Came From?: The Habakkuk Story.</em> This delightful story began 25 years ago when I was trying to comfort an 18 month old colicky daughter and innocently asked, "Do you know where the swaddling clothes came from in the manger"? To my amazement she stopped crying and waited in anticipation of a story. On the spur of the moment the story of Habakkuk, an undersized sheep dog with a big heart and special purpose in life, was born. It was a hit with all our children as well as dozens of other children in preschools throughout our community.</div>
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Several years ago Karen persuaded me to put our popular story in writing. Through her beautiful artistic illustrations, she has masterfully made the story come alive as she has captured the characters of the story. There's the playful essence of Habakkuk, the dastardly Willie the Wolf, the pompous and rotund Shelly the sheep, the enigmatic Ms. Feedell Kloddeshopper, and of course, Mary and Joseph.</div>
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<em>The Habakkuk Story</em> will warm your hearts and capture the imaginations of your children as they discover 7 important life lessons or principles. We've embedded the principles in the story and will be revealing them after the holiday season. <br /><br />In addition, Karen has added special little creatures in many of her illustrations that will hold your child's attention and peak their interest in the story. These little creatures are placed in the pictures quite by design in order to enhance your child's ability to scan his/her visual field. This ability is highly correlated with positive, creative problem solving and social skills. You and your child will have fun trying to find the ants marching, crawling spiders and butterflies fluttering!<br /><br />To preorder your copy, Go to www.Simplesolutions4.com and be one of the first to own this timeless treasure. Orders are expected to ship 12/21/12.</div>
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<tr><td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: white; font-family: Garamond, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;">Karen & I sincerely wish all of you the most peaceful of holidays and blessings to you and your families.<br /></span><div>
<span style="color: black;">Warmly,</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><br /><span class="ccFontUpdated" style="font-family: 'French Script MT', 'Bradley Hand ITC', 'Monotype Corsiva', 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18pt;">M. Russell Thomas, PhD</span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687083389050896886.post-85375373524367516472012-12-15T05:54:00.000-08:002012-12-15T05:54:15.567-08:00A Note of Thankfulness<br />
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">On July 23<sup>rd</sup> of this year, we wrote about our oldest son Jason and his wife, Becca (<a apdtc_preview_processed_65="1" class="apdtc_removeattr_65" href="http://www.boysinthebulrush.blogspot.com/2012/07/true-beauty-and-real-super-heroes.html" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">True Beauty and Real Super Heroes!</a>). Specifically, we wrote about the couple’s approach to dealing with a diagnosis of breast cancer. We wrote about their strength and refusal to be victimized by the dreaded words, “the lump is malignant”. Jason and Becca taught us something about a deep, abiding sense of well-being at a time when many would simply cave under the temptation to accept self-pity. If they weren’t already, they became our heroes.</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">Now, six months later we would like to update our readers on Becca’s health. A couple of months ago the doctor uttered the words, “all the cancer cells are in remission”! In the spirit of the 1 leper who returned to say thanks (see Luke 17:7…a<span class="versetext">nd one of them [leper], when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, </span><span id="lu17-16">and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks.<span style="font-size: x-small;">)<span style="font-size: x-small;">, <span style="font-size: small;">we stop, return to the He</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">aler, and shout out</span>, </span></span></span></span></span>“<i>Hallelujah! Thank You, Jesus!” </i></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">Until we talk again…</span></span></h3>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687083389050896886.post-44316315409701142392012-09-08T12:24:00.000-07:002012-09-10T14:31:29.457-07:00Family Moments...They're Getting More Popular<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">As we look back over the past 21 months and our experience with adoption, it often feels like we've been overly critical, disillusioned and perhaps even disappointed with our decision or even worse, our children. Well today we'd like to set the record straight.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">While it is true that we do not believe that anything could have prepared us adequately for the adoption of these children and the impact that they would have on our home and lives, we also recognize that this has been a blessing beyond description. Sure, we've endured some difficult times and had moments that made us wonder if we were inhaling some strange gas through the air vents of our house! We've wondered what in the world our children were thinking when they turned somersaults in mud puddles or cracked farm fresh eggs on their forehead or touched the electric fence surrounding the pasture just to see if really was on! We've had our moments of wondering if we were parents or group home managers and if we were becoming totally different human beings than we'd been all our lives. But one thing has been driving us: </span></span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">God called us to adopt <u>these</u> children and without us they would be lost in a system that would never make decisions solely in their best interest, tuck them in bed each & every night and make sure that they understood their intrinsic, God-given value in this world and that without them we would live the rest of our lives with a sense of emptiness and a feeling that we somehow missed something special that we were suppose to experience.</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">So we've talked much in our past blogs about the bad and the ugly of dealing with a system that tries its best to meet the needs of children such as ours but miserably fails as parents. We've talked about our feelings of being in this alone and wondering if they would ever be able to love us back and we've talked about all the challenges involved in trying to assimilate a sibling group into our family. But now its time to talk about the </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><b>good!</b></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"> Its time to talk about Family Moments. You know, those moments that you experience as a family that are uniquely different than any other moment you will experience outside of your home. Those moments that indicate you belong to something permanent and that informs you that you will never be alone as you walk through this life. These are the moments that later anchor our souls and allow us the necessary resiliency to function and thrive in a world that's lost its collective mind and heart.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">So here's to those moments, which by the way are becoming more frequent. Some of them are serious and some are humorous. They are defined by Jonah, the 4 year old, climbing up into a dinner chair and "washing dishes" while Karen & I make dinner only because he wants to be in the same room as Mom and Dad. Then there is the recent breakdown by Judah, our 6 year old, who subsequently crawled up into Karen's lap for comfort when he usually works real hard to hide his disappointments, vulnerabilities, and avoid affection at all costs. And then there's the faint voice that came this morning from the front our house. It was Jaden, the 5 year old, whose quivering voice could be heard declaring that "Oh, no! I'm going to be stuck in these bushes </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">for the rest of my life!"</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"> and then pleading desperately for help! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And then there is the time when the 2 youngest were actually playing together in the play room and the night that they all went to sleep without any significant parental interventions...it was short-lived but a breakthrough moment, nonetheless! We all gathered around the dining room table recently to share a meal that was eaten in relative peace while on another occasion all the boys were playing on our playground together without incident.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">Yes, we continue to bump into stubborn wills and collide with dysfunctional behaviors, but overall, we are beginning to notice moments of family and flashes of parent-child ways of relating that seem to be coming our way more frequently. We raise our hands to the air and say, "Thank you Jesus!" while thinking deep down inside that "</span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">This is what we signed up for!"</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> <br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Until we write again...</span><i style="background-color: white;">a longing fulfilled is a tree of life (Proverbs 13:12).</i><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687083389050896886.post-16274796145253165502012-07-23T11:37:00.000-07:002012-07-23T11:47:40.388-07:00True Beauty and Real Super Heroes!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">This is blog about some very special people...our handsome oldest son, Jason; our beautiful daughter in law, Becca and our adorable first grandbaby, Kimber. As you can see in the pic below, they are a lovely family. With natural beauty. So full of life and love. What you can't see in the picture is just how deep that strength and beauty goes. We're writing about them today to pay tribute to that strength and beauty that has never before been so radiant, so apparent and so very much on display in their lives as it is right now. Let us share with you a piece of their story. Please excuse us if we come across a bit braggadocios in the process...we are guilty as charged and we readily admit our pride and our respect for these two beautiful people and our wonderful granddaughter.</span>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Their story began way back in their freshman year of college. They weave their way through their respective Bachelor's degrees, decide they want to spend their lives together, hitch their wagons in April of 2005 after completing their college degrees. Jason works as a police officer, while Becca is our family computer whiz taking her talents to work each day and making the world a better place for all of us to log on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="background-color: white;">Fast forward the clock 6 years since the wedding. Jason & Becca decide its time to expand their family. In September of 2011 they welcome into the world the beautiful, talented, intelligent, full of life & personality, Kimber Rose (ok, ok, remember we're the </span><i style="background-color: white;">grand</i><span style="background-color: white;"> parents here!). To say that she was an instant hit is an understatement. She brought joy and pride to her parents, while grandparents have been pretty near out-of-control ecstatic with the addition of little Kimber to our lives.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">In May of 2012, after having some concern about a lump discovered, Becca goes to the doctor to have it checked out. In a whirlwind of appointments, tests, examinations and questions, and after only a few days, she is told that the lump discovered in her breast is malignant and that she now has a new enemy named invasive ductal carcinoma. The diagnosis alone is intimidating for most people. But Jason and Becca chose to believe for the best, embrace life and one another, and begin the fight...together. It is predictable that at such a time as this most will have a plethora of thoughts in the privacy of their prayer closets and alone that begin with a simple "why?". Most would assume the worst. But we never once heard a negative word out of either one of their mouths. Jason was strong and focused while taking on the logistics of situation, e.g., scheduling appointments, baby sitters, re-figuring finances, filling out a mountain of forms, etc. Becca on the other hand, <b>might</b> have wrestled with the more ephemeral, spiritual questions that tend to arise at moments like this, but we never knew it. She was focused on the task at hand, i.e., winning the war in which she had been cast without her permission.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">So the doctors armed Becca with chemo and radiation as her weapons of warfare. Complete with prognostications and pamphlets explaining the side effects and adverse reactions, off to war the two of them went. Jason to the desk to fill out the insurance papers, and along side Becca while she took her place in a recliner chair positioned beside an IV drip. Initial results have been extremely encouraging and both have engaged the battle as courageous soldiers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">On other fronts, friends and family have also taken up arms. We are all aware that there is another weapon of warfare that the physicians could not provide...prayer! While we could not fight the battles within the doctor's office or the drip of an IV, both Becca's family and ours understand that there is a war in the spirit realm that now includes us as well. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> Now all the theology classes don't mean a thing. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> All the sermons preached and statements of belief suddenly are real. This isn't some preacher on TV making promises, this is real life. Was Jesus' blood shed for salvation only? What did Peter mean when he said, "by His stripes you </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">were</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> healed"? All of us made a decision that Becca's diagnosis </span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">must</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> bow and Jesus' sacrificial beatings, death and resurrection provided all the firepower Becca and Jason need for </span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><i>life</i></b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="background-color: white;">Now to the best part of the story to date. Jason, Becca and baby Kimber came to visit us this past weekend. It was the first time we have seen them since she has been undergoing chemo. It is the first time we have seen Becca since she has lost her hair. We were not quite sure what to expect. Would she be sensitive about her hair loss? Would our boys say something embarrassing and inappropriate that would trigger emotional buttons? How are Becca and Jason </span><i style="background-color: white;">really </i><span style="background-color: white;">handling all of this challenge and how can we provide </span><span style="background-color: white;">some solace and encouragement for their world that has obviously been rocked over the past few months? What we found was astonishing to us and our questions were quickly answered as the 2 entered the house.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Jason and Becca, with Kimber in arms, entered our home with a radiant glow about them. Becca was not wearing a hat or scarf or any type of apparel that may somehow hide her battle wounds. No, quite the opposite! She entered the house and began talking to us immediately as a confident, poised, and secure young woman. Throughout the weekend she spoke openly and frankly about her life and challenges. No hesitations, no self-pity and no pessimism. There was a notable presence of inner strength that dismisses "the normal" in favor of grace and the security of love. I'd even say that she had a glow about her that seemed to radiate in much the same way that a woman does during the second and third trimester of pregnancy. Instead of giving into what the world would say she should hide, Becca has embraced her own thought process. It is a thought process that is defined by positive self-esteem, a beauty that goes well beyond how long her hair may be, and a security in one's self, spouse and God that goes way deeper than most of us will ever experience. Rarely have we seen such a display of security and peace with one's self. In a world defined by its 97 pound supermodels with painted makeup faces and self-esteem directly linked to their near-anorexic appearance and airbrushed hair, it was down right inspiring and refreshing to witness Becca's strength, confidence and true beauty.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Jason, on the other hand, </span><b style="background-color: white;">could</b><span style="background-color: white;"> have been subject to the "there's-nothing-I-can-do" pity party. No one would question that. Only thing is, he has decided not to attend! He, no doubt, has had his moments of speculation. Such moments make or break a person. Jason, like Becca, has found an inner strength. Part of it may be his strong, unshakable faith. Part of it maybe the strength that spouses find when they realize that one can put 1000 to flight, while two can put 10,000 to flight (Deut. 32:30). Part may be that he understands the love and strength of family. Whatever it may be, Jason has embraced the challenge, stands strong with Becca and maintains the positive faith necessary to navigate choppy waters.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">We just wanted to say</span><span style="background-color: white;"> how very proud we are of them. Not everyone could travel the path as they are. There is no sense of heaviness, only cheerfulness, optimism and life. We sit here this morning after they left last evening, with a sense of peace, renewed optimism, faith and love that only God can provide. But lets not forget that while He provides, God delivers the goods through people like Jason and Becca. We are thankful for all that God is doing in their lives, as well as, ours. We cannot wait until we hear the words, <b>"You're cancer free!"</b> We know that Jesus has provided for that. We were privileged to spend time with these 2 unique people whose inner strength and beauty transcends all worldly expectations and an energy that we found to be completely contagious! Until we talk again, we'll just be busting at the seems!...</span></span></div>
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</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687083389050896886.post-39416687526338536182012-06-08T09:58:00.000-07:002012-06-08T09:58:59.538-07:00Team Thomas!<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: x-small;">Last evening Jeffrey (our 12 year old son) was just wanting dad to do something with him. "So will it be basketball or archery, Dad?" he asked with a forced-choice quiz that let me know he was not going to be denied a little father-son time. Of course I'm going to choose the basketball (although later we actually did shoot the bow and arrow). So here we are playing a little one-on-one complete with dad's play-by-play commentary highlighting our every move. Before we know it, the other 3 boys are interested in what we are doing and want to join in. While to some degree it was stealing the moment, it also seemed to be a moment to teach a little something about teamwork, playing together, having fun as a family unit...you know, a bonding moment to some degree.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: x-small;">For the next 20-30 mins all 5 of us frolicked around with a basketball, occasionally even hoisting the ball towards the basket. The other 95% of the time boys were tackling each other, tucking the ball under their arms and running away at top speed, and just laughing and having fun. A real moment! And for that moment we felt like a family. We don't get a lot of those yet, but yesterday was one of them. Boys just laughing, rough-housing a bit, competing and enjoying life. If only for a few minutes, the frustrations, neglects, speculations of diagnosis, and all the weirdness were suspended. It was just sons playing with dad, safe in the security of a loving environment and secure in the confines of family. Mom provided the cheering section as each boy had his "One Shining Moment". Hugs were all over the court as mom also provided the media frenzy, snapping pictures. It was as close to normal as it gets! And it felt good!</span><br />
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<br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: x-small;">It was somewhat uncanny, perhaps even prophetic that we had this family moment on the basketball court. Just days before, I mentioned to Karen that it sometimes feels like God has given us a little basketball team of our own. Kinda like there's going to be this basketball tournament coming up, I've been selected to coach a group of boys in that tournament and its my job to get them ready to play as both individuals </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: small;">and a team</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: x-small;">. But here's the catch: </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: x-small;"> They are cute, energetic and intelligence, but they have absolutely no skills in which to compete in the game of basketball!" And what's worse, they have little motivation to learn how to play basketball, no desire to operate as a team and are even resistance toward the whole process!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: x-small;">How does a coach take a team like that and win the tournament? Just get back to the basics. The fundamentals. Teach! Teach! Teach! And when we've taught everything we can, teach again! </span><br />
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<br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: x-small;">...and today's practice objective: just see if we can have a little fun together!</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: x-small;">...and it worked! </span><br />
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<br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: x-small;">Until we talk again...</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0