I am reading the book “The Jesus Priorities” for a book study at church. The book is about eight recurring themes from the Gospels.

The eight themes or priorities are:

• Heal • Love • Pray • Spread the Word • Build Up Treasure in Heaven • Seek God’s Will • Accept Children as Precious • Live with Humility

Each week we discuss a chapter and how it plays in our own lives. I was reading the chapter on love and it was very hard... more

I am part of a bible study group with some good friends. We started out taking Lay Ministry classes together and we have decided to continue our gatherings apart from our classes. In our last class we read a book called “Power Surge” by Michael Foss.

The premise of the books is that there are six ways that you can change from being a church member to a disciple in the way that Jesus wants us to live. ... more

Bryan is a good friend of our church and has nothing to do with adoption except that he was able to reach my son.

Bryan is a Christian musician who has played at our church many times, as well as different venues across the country. Bryan has a song called “The Cold Shower Treatment” that has touched my son very deeply. The song is about a boy named Cory who gets in trouble often and hear the familiar refrain, “Why did you do it?” He then goes to a church camp where the Pastor/Camp Counselor hears Cory’s prayers and frustrations at night when he thinks no one else... more

The two passages for our sermon yesterday were both related to complaining.

In Exodus 16:2-15 we heard about the grumbling Israelites who had escaped the Egyptians when God helped Moses to part the Red Sea.

In Matthew 20:1-16 we heard about the vineyard workers who complained because some workers worked all day and others worked a shorter day but all were paid the same wage.

How many times when it comes to our adoption process, or our kids, do we act like the Israelites or the vineyard workers? Why is my home study taking so long? Why hasn’t... more

Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her rejoice who gave birth to you. (Proverbs 23:25)

In this day and age, respect and manners have fallen by the wayside in pursuit of higher academic standards and materialism. We emphasize athletic ability and good grades, and reward such with more “stuff.” What about basic common courtesies?

My oldest son has been involved with robotics competitions for the past three years or so. For the last year, these classes have been held in my home. The most recent semester has been... more

Recently, I blogged about the fact that my oldest has been asking to do more things independently online. One of my suggestions was to educate your child about your internet usage rules, but that advice can be expanded to apply to any "sensitive topic."

That said, here are some tips for handling “difficult conversations”:

• Pray: Ask that God give you wisdom, courage and that your child will have an open and receptive heart.

•... more

Yesterday, I wrote about our dilemma in choosing a birthday present for our son who will be 10 tomorrow. What did we decide?

After I posted my blog entry yesterday, the hubby read it. It convicted him, just as it convicted me in writing it. So, we decided to let things ride. Our local toy store had a huge clearance sale last week, and had hubby stocked up on a few things to hand out as rewards. Turns out he had quite a cache that will make for an exciting birthday for someone tomorrow!

He... more

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly (John 10:10)

I grew up living in public housing most of my pre-married life. I was always well fed, well clothed and had neat toys, same as the next kid. The only time I felt any “lack” was when I visited the homes of the kids I went to school with in the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program back in the 70’s. Because GATE was “experimental,” the classes were usually offered in schools located in affluent neighborhoods,... more

And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body (Romans 8:23).

In today’s mail, I received a lovely surprise – our daughter’s amended birth certificate! After opening the envelope and seeing the contents, I called my daughter in the room to see it as well. We were both so excited to see my name as her mommy and my husband’s name as her father. She just kept hugging me and kept pointing to the names... more

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me (Matthew 18:1-5).

My youngest son really made his older brother... more