Little Ones

I wrote this piece months ago, before the Enemy tried to tear my little church apart at the seams.

He wasn't successful, but we lost some people who I love and respect--friends who helped me with an all-important, God-given task.

I will always be grateful to them, and I pray they will find a new place to touch the lives of little ones.

And for those who stayed, and for those who have stepped up to meet the challenges of a church that's struggling but still breathing, I say thank you, thank you, thank you.

Everything I wrote remains true. Now, more than ever.

Click here: IT TAKES A CHURCH

Those Pesky Red Cups

Donald Trump said yesterday that Starbucks should be boycotted because of their red holiday cups, and that if he is elected president, everyone will be saying Merry Christmas.

Aww. Another appeal to the Christian right by a man living the antithesis of a Christ-like life.

But what about all the decent Christian people out there who just want to keep Christ in Christmas? Some are worried because so many forget Jesus is the reason for the season. They avoid phrases like "Happy Holidays" and "holiday trees" and "seasonal decorations." They make a point of wishing others a Merry CHRISTMAS.

For me, keeping Christ as a central focus of my Christmas celebration is important.

Our family does have fun with the man in the red suit, but we place higher importance on the Child in the manger.

But if you don't believe in Jesus or follow His teachings, I don't mind if you wish me a happy holiday, decorate a holiday tree, or display blow-up yard art of the reindeer with the neon red nose.

In fact, I might wish you a happy holiday. I might send out cards with cutesy snowmen. I might sip a chai tea latte from Starbucks while wearing an ugly Christmas sweater with a green-velvet Grinch trimmed with white faux fur.

(Actually, I won't do the last one. I don't do holiday sweaters.)

It’s not my job or responsibility. nor that of Donald Trump, the cashier at Target, the maker of “holiday” trees, nor the designer of Starbucks cups to keep Christ in Christmas.

Christ was there at the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth. He made EVERYTHING out of NOTHING. (Ponder that for a minute.)

The entire universe is held together by His powerful word. He is before all things, and by Him all things exist. He is the Alpha, the Omega, the beginning, and the end. 

He doesn’t need you or me or any presidential candidate to defend Him, stand up for Him, or proclaim Him by saying Merry Christmas. 

By definition, Christ-mas is a celebration of His birth, but if you replace Christmas with holiday, it doesn't negate His birth.

He was. 

He is. 

And He will be.

So don't worry your pretty little self about Jesus. He'll be OK. I promise.

Instead, go and show His love to someone who needs it. And stop acting like a pious jerk who gets upset because your coffee is contained in a red cup, Menards is selling holiday trees, and/or someone had the nerve to wish you a happy holiday season.

Orphan Sunday

Orphan Sunday was observed this past weekend. It's a day when churches around the world acknowledge that we as Christians are called to defend the fatherless…to care for the child that has no family…to visit orphans in their distress.

Almost three years ago our family decided to adopt internationally, and 1.5 years ago we learned about a sibling set of 3 who needed a family. The moment we learned about them, we knew we wanted them to be our children. We weren't sure how it would all turn out, but God kept saying, "Just take the next step." 

And so we did. We took a lot of steps. And so many of you held our hands as we moved forward. You supported us financially, emotionally, and spiritually. You prayed for us and encouraged us. And you all became a part of our story, a part of our children's story...a part of the story God is still writing.
 
I wish I knew how the story will end. We want M (age 8), M (age 10), and D (age 12-almost 13) to be a part of our family. And they say they want to be a part of our family. But pride (on the part of their government), politics, and corruption have way-laid our best attempts to bring them home.

I'm not going to lie...it's the most frustrating, heart-breaking, complex, confusing, difficult thing we've ever gone through. It makes no sense. And it's possible we will never realize our dreams, nor theirs. But we won't give up until the last door is slammed shut, locked, and bolted. Because three little kids need a family, and we love them with all our hearts. 

Will you pray for our children and the millions of other orphans around the world? I can't even imagine what it would be like to grow up without a mom and dad to love me, care for me, protect me, teach me, and kiss me goodnight. 

Thanks for all your love...on behalf of our family here and across the ocean.

‪#‎FourMillionMinusThree‬