"...There was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me--to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness " Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong (2... more

You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up (Deuteronomy 6:7).

Our statewide ad council sponsors messages on TV all the time encouraging everyone to get their five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. However, our children need spiritual food also! Here are some ways to get more Bible into your children this summer:

Summer Reading Programs: Many Christian book stores sponsor summer... more

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance (James 1:2-3)

I've mentioned previously that my daughter is a mermaid – part girl, part fish. She's been tenacious and fearless in the water – until today. She's been swimming so well that her teacher pushed her a little further than her comfort zone allowed for and she absolutely freaked. She was crying really hard and would not discuss... more

So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:6, NIV)

This has been a week of confronting and conquering fears, here at Casa Stro. Awhile back I mentioned that my kids would be swimming this summer as a tribute to their birth mom. I also mentioned that my biological child does not like water. In fact, he's terrified of the pool.

Monday was... more

Today, my daughter danced in her first ballet recital, and to celebrate, we took her to brunch afterwards. As has been the case just about every single time we've dined in public with the kids, someone literally stopped me at their table to tell me (at length!) how well-behaved my children are and pleasant to have around. Wait-staff, too, have commented on this as well, and tell us how difficult it makes their vocation when they must serve children who are less considerate.

Now, we eat out – a lot! We dine out, seriously, at the very least, twice a... more

Would you take time to think about the full armor of God on Memorial Day? First, think about the soldiers protecting freedom all over the world. Pray that the soldiers and their families would gird themselves with the full armor of God to resist the obvious temptations that plague lonely adults. Pray that their children, missing one or both parents, would look to the heavenly Father for comfort in their time of need. Pray for the safety of the soldiers who are protecting freedom so that you may celebrate, read, write, and practice your faith.

Think... more

Romans 8:22-24

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?(NIV)

As I read this verse, it reminded me of our recent adoption of our 10-year-old foster... more

Do you ever watch videos on Youtube.com? This morning, an email from a friend directed me to a Youtube video of John Piper talking. He is discussing his opinion of adoption, which he feels is Biblically grounded, “Adoption is greater than the universe.” He explains himself thoroughly in about five minutes including quotes from the Bible to support his opinion. While I agree with his final directive, I am not in complete agreement with his interpretations. That’s all right though, because he is spreading... more

Chances are that churches all over the country, including yours, had the same topic today, Mother’s Day. Prior to a sermon about Mothers, the senior pastor called all of the children to the front of the church to have a talk with them. It was sort of an informal Bible lesson, where he explained to the children why they needed to obey their parents. He told the children that while they made many decisions everyday, some were not the right choices. He elaborated that while they were acquiring more knowledge everyday, they still lacked the experience required to make some... more

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:26, NKJV)

My oldest has had a rough couple of days. He's going through a growth spurt and every time he has, in his whole short life, there have always been emotional and behavioral “signs” that accompany that physical growth.

I've mentioned previously that he's scared of having another seizure.... more