Unfortunately time has kept me from getting to this for way too long. I've realized that I need to make sure if you found my blog and really wonder what makes me tick, what allows me to persevere through all I've been through, what makes me smile, and gives me reason to live each day, I should tell you. So many times through our 'process', people at work said I don't know how you make it. Well, I made it then, and make it now, because Christ lives in my heart. If you'd like him to live in your heart to, I have included a post below to help get you started. If you need more help, leave me a comment and I'll do my best to get in touch with you.
Now, to my blogger friends, many of you already have this info available on your blogs, but if you don't, please consider putting a post or link somewhere on your blog. Use something readily available, use a plan you've used before (the Roman Road, F.A.I.T.H., Spiritual Laws, etc.), tell your own story, whatever you're comfortable with. Be creative if you want, be clear.
Colossians 4:5 - Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. (NIV)
-Thanks!
Monday, June 30, 2008
How to become a Christian
Salvation Through Christ: A Matter of FAITH
What do you think it takes for someone to get to heaven? Is it luck? Good deeds? Nothing at all? Or is there something more? The Bible has the real answer to this question. It's a matter of FAITH.
F stands for FORGIVENESS. We cannot have eternal life without God's forgiveness. Ephesians 1:7a says, "In Him (Jesus Christ) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins."
A is for AVAILABLE. Forgiveness is available for all. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." But forgiveness is not automatic. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven," says Matthew 7:21a.
I is for IMPOSSIBLE. It is impossible for God to allow sin into heaven because of who He is and because of who we are. God is loving and just, but His judgment is against sin. James 2:13a says, "Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful." We are sinful people. Romans 3:23 tells us, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
T is for TURN. To turn means to repent. We can repent -- or turn -- from our sin and from ourselves. "But unless you repent, you too will all perish," Luke 13:3b says. We can also turn to Someone. Trust Christ alone. Romans 10:9 tells us how: "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
H is for HEAVEN. Heaven is eternal life. Here, that means life "to the full:" "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10b)." In the hereafter, it means the promise of heaven: "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am (John 14:3)."
So how can a person have God's forgiveness, heaven and eternal life, and Jesus as personal Savior and Lord? By trusting in Christ and asking Him for forgiveness. Take the step of faith described by another meaning of FAITH: Forsaking All I Trust Him.
You do this through a simple prayer reflecting your desire for Christ to change your life. You don't need fancy words--only an honest heart. You can pray something like this:
Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and have displeased You in many ways. I believe You died for my sin, and only through faith in Your death and resurrection can I be forgiven. I want to turn from my sin and ask You to come into my life as my Savior and Lord. From this day on, I will follow You by living a life that pleases You. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen.
Accepting Christ is just the beginning of a wonderful adventure with God! Get to know Him better in a number of ways:
Follow Christ's example in baptism.
Join a church where you can worship God and grow in your faith.
In your church, get involved in Sunday School and Bible study.
Begin a daily personal worship experience with God where you study the Bible and pray.
This information was obtained here.
What do you think it takes for someone to get to heaven? Is it luck? Good deeds? Nothing at all? Or is there something more? The Bible has the real answer to this question. It's a matter of FAITH.
F stands for FORGIVENESS. We cannot have eternal life without God's forgiveness. Ephesians 1:7a says, "In Him (Jesus Christ) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins."
A is for AVAILABLE. Forgiveness is available for all. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." But forgiveness is not automatic. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven," says Matthew 7:21a.
I is for IMPOSSIBLE. It is impossible for God to allow sin into heaven because of who He is and because of who we are. God is loving and just, but His judgment is against sin. James 2:13a says, "Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful." We are sinful people. Romans 3:23 tells us, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
T is for TURN. To turn means to repent. We can repent -- or turn -- from our sin and from ourselves. "But unless you repent, you too will all perish," Luke 13:3b says. We can also turn to Someone. Trust Christ alone. Romans 10:9 tells us how: "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
H is for HEAVEN. Heaven is eternal life. Here, that means life "to the full:" "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10b)." In the hereafter, it means the promise of heaven: "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am (John 14:3)."
So how can a person have God's forgiveness, heaven and eternal life, and Jesus as personal Savior and Lord? By trusting in Christ and asking Him for forgiveness. Take the step of faith described by another meaning of FAITH: Forsaking All I Trust Him.
You do this through a simple prayer reflecting your desire for Christ to change your life. You don't need fancy words--only an honest heart. You can pray something like this:
Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and have displeased You in many ways. I believe You died for my sin, and only through faith in Your death and resurrection can I be forgiven. I want to turn from my sin and ask You to come into my life as my Savior and Lord. From this day on, I will follow You by living a life that pleases You. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen.
Accepting Christ is just the beginning of a wonderful adventure with God! Get to know Him better in a number of ways:
Follow Christ's example in baptism.
Join a church where you can worship God and grow in your faith.
In your church, get involved in Sunday School and Bible study.
Begin a daily personal worship experience with God where you study the Bible and pray.
This information was obtained here.
Monday, June 23, 2008
What's this?
That's right, a 2 for 1 special tonight. One click, two posts. The other just didn't fit here, but was something I wanted to say. The rest also probably doesn't fit together either, but oh well, here goes.
First, keep praying for our sweet boy and for us as his parents, and A as his sister. Really, we are doing very well, but at the same time, we are still struggling. Some things are subtle. You might not see them, but we do. It seems like lately some of it I would describe as peeling back layers, a little at the time. Some of what we see now, if I think back, was there all along, but because there were more obvious things needing immediate attention, I couldn't really see it yet. As we take positive steps here, I see more needs there. It's also not a steady forward progression either. Just like the process before (and really life in general), we still have the ups and downs. Sometimes it seems like one step forward, two steps back. But, I love him more than I could describe. Eating dinner tonight, I was just struck again with how beautiful he really is, and what great children I have. A is such a great sister. She's loving having someone to teach things to, and he follows her lead so sweetly more often than not.
Second, please pray for so many families still struggling right now in the process. Their stories cover the entire range of possibilities. Several dear friends have known for months they wouldn't bring children home from Guatemala under the old processes. Others are in complete limbo as people needed to complete the process are missing. If they aren't found, no one really knows what might happen. Others are stuck here and there in various different parts of government bureaucracy. Perhaps worst of all, though, is that many of these have to live through this in fear. Not fear of the process itself, but fear of the ones who were and are supposed to help them along this path. Fear of the ones who they are paying so much money to be their guides. Fear of the care their children are getting because some decisions seem to be based more on money for those people or their other plans than what is best for the children. Fear of people who call themselves Christian, but very often do not show it in their actions. Fear of what those people might do if you simply ask a question and certainly what might happen if you stand up to them. It's a tough place to be. I was there, and to some degree still am at times.
That obviously isn't a popular thing to say. Guess what? I was never really that popular anyway. I'm used to it. I have done some 'soul-searching' for lack of a better term recently about if and what I should talk about lately regarding all that happened to us and things still happening. I'm still working it out, but after some personal fervent prayer during Sunday School prayer time yesterday, our lesson crossed over this verse. Acts 4:20.
Friends, my prayers are with you. You're not alone.
First, keep praying for our sweet boy and for us as his parents, and A as his sister. Really, we are doing very well, but at the same time, we are still struggling. Some things are subtle. You might not see them, but we do. It seems like lately some of it I would describe as peeling back layers, a little at the time. Some of what we see now, if I think back, was there all along, but because there were more obvious things needing immediate attention, I couldn't really see it yet. As we take positive steps here, I see more needs there. It's also not a steady forward progression either. Just like the process before (and really life in general), we still have the ups and downs. Sometimes it seems like one step forward, two steps back. But, I love him more than I could describe. Eating dinner tonight, I was just struck again with how beautiful he really is, and what great children I have. A is such a great sister. She's loving having someone to teach things to, and he follows her lead so sweetly more often than not.
Second, please pray for so many families still struggling right now in the process. Their stories cover the entire range of possibilities. Several dear friends have known for months they wouldn't bring children home from Guatemala under the old processes. Others are in complete limbo as people needed to complete the process are missing. If they aren't found, no one really knows what might happen. Others are stuck here and there in various different parts of government bureaucracy. Perhaps worst of all, though, is that many of these have to live through this in fear. Not fear of the process itself, but fear of the ones who were and are supposed to help them along this path. Fear of the ones who they are paying so much money to be their guides. Fear of the care their children are getting because some decisions seem to be based more on money for those people or their other plans than what is best for the children. Fear of people who call themselves Christian, but very often do not show it in their actions. Fear of what those people might do if you simply ask a question and certainly what might happen if you stand up to them. It's a tough place to be. I was there, and to some degree still am at times.
That obviously isn't a popular thing to say. Guess what? I was never really that popular anyway. I'm used to it. I have done some 'soul-searching' for lack of a better term recently about if and what I should talk about lately regarding all that happened to us and things still happening. I'm still working it out, but after some personal fervent prayer during Sunday School prayer time yesterday, our lesson crossed over this verse. Acts 4:20.
Friends, my prayers are with you. You're not alone.
I love you E
To my dear wife: I love you sweetheart. You're the best. I love you bunches. You're so strong, so beautiful, and my everything. I'm glad we've walked and are walking this road together. You're a wonderful mom to our beautiful kiddos. Thanks for enduring all it took to get both of them here. Thanks for loving me so much. -T
Saturday, June 21, 2008
A healing day...
Today was an amazing day. Lots of firsts for J, and lots of fun for all of us. E has pictures up on her blog. Hopefully I'll be writing more soon on some other topics, but thanks for dropping by.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Father's Day
Honestly, I'm still wrapping my head around all that was today. Yes, it was Father's Day, but as wonderful as that was, it was a bit on the backburner since today was also J's dedication day at church. Now, normally I don't make much of parent/baby dedication. Since I'm being honest, it's nice and all, but just something that I have never made much of a fuss over. Sort of one of those things everyone just does just because. And going into it this week, I feared it more than I was excited about it. J just has shown us things over the past few weeks and I wasn't sure how he'd handle it. I was scared we'd have 'the meltdown' in front of the world. And really I didn't want that for him, as I finally feel like this week was the first week I've felt good about our progress here in a while.
So, it went superb. I told my wife, that if I could have imagined it going as great as possible, I wouldn't have imagined him doing that well. Thinking about this day, I went through many variations of what I might like done or said: If I wanted someone to say his verse in Spanish, how much to mention about the adoption, what dates to list, etc. In the end, it was extremely simple, nothing different from any other family, the word adoption never mentioned, and it was perfect. And during the dedicatory prayer, so much emotion filled me that I'm still not sure what it was all about. I held it together, but inside I have to tell you I was swirling. Even after we took the kids out, had a few more pics, and then came back in, I couldn't even sing along with one of the songs for fear of the tears streaming down. Not sad tears, just that uncontrollable emotion that leaks out the eyes because it just can't stay in.
Then, the sermon, with no human coordination at all, because our interim pastor doesn't usually get then info on baby dedications until the day of, came from Galatians 4:1-7. It discussed what else, but our adoption as sons.
Like I said, I still can't wrap my head around all that happened or exactly what I was feeling today. But I'll try to spit some of it out if I can make it make sense.
The now prior Int'l Director (among many others) at our in town agency says that he feels EVERY Christian should at least consider if God may lead them to adoption. I cannot help but agree. It definitely isn't for everyone, but it really should be considered. So many times I've heard people say they just can't understand adoption. If you as a Christian can't 'understand' adoption, how can you really understand God's adoption of us. That is exactly what it is, and those are the Bible's words, not mine.
The other thing I think I'm learning is that just like I'm learning new things all the time about my salvation and life in Christ, and all that really means, I am even still learning more and more about this adoption. It's not something that has happened in the past and is now done, but something that's still developing and growing as well.
Love to you all. Thanks for your continued prayers. Know my prayers continue for you all as well. - T
So, it went superb. I told my wife, that if I could have imagined it going as great as possible, I wouldn't have imagined him doing that well. Thinking about this day, I went through many variations of what I might like done or said: If I wanted someone to say his verse in Spanish, how much to mention about the adoption, what dates to list, etc. In the end, it was extremely simple, nothing different from any other family, the word adoption never mentioned, and it was perfect. And during the dedicatory prayer, so much emotion filled me that I'm still not sure what it was all about. I held it together, but inside I have to tell you I was swirling. Even after we took the kids out, had a few more pics, and then came back in, I couldn't even sing along with one of the songs for fear of the tears streaming down. Not sad tears, just that uncontrollable emotion that leaks out the eyes because it just can't stay in.
Then, the sermon, with no human coordination at all, because our interim pastor doesn't usually get then info on baby dedications until the day of, came from Galatians 4:1-7. It discussed what else, but our adoption as sons.
Like I said, I still can't wrap my head around all that happened or exactly what I was feeling today. But I'll try to spit some of it out if I can make it make sense.
The now prior Int'l Director (among many others) at our in town agency says that he feels EVERY Christian should at least consider if God may lead them to adoption. I cannot help but agree. It definitely isn't for everyone, but it really should be considered. So many times I've heard people say they just can't understand adoption. If you as a Christian can't 'understand' adoption, how can you really understand God's adoption of us. That is exactly what it is, and those are the Bible's words, not mine.
The other thing I think I'm learning is that just like I'm learning new things all the time about my salvation and life in Christ, and all that really means, I am even still learning more and more about this adoption. It's not something that has happened in the past and is now done, but something that's still developing and growing as well.
Love to you all. Thanks for your continued prayers. Know my prayers continue for you all as well. - T
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
God and Roaches
Ahh yes... the 4.5 year old mind at work. Tonight, A and I took quite the trip in her bedtime discussions. There was a bit of a minor thunderstorm going on, and therefore apparently a bit of anxiety. Therefore we discussed God's protection in some detail, before somehow out of her mind came, 'do some people pick up roaches?'. Anyway. I can't say my mind doesn't seem to jump around any less some of these days.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
The Great Jaguar Rescue...
Vamos Diego Vamos! Tonight, we had family therapy. A and J were awesome and loved it (almost as much as I did). We saw Diego live, and it was a blast. We already had the music and have been listening to it pretty much daily for weeks, so even when J appeared to want be scared, he was still singing along. Tomorrow could be crazy keeping them up WAY past bedtimes, with cut short naps earlier today also, but totally worth it.
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