Love one another

1 John 3:11

For this is the message you heard from the beginning:  We should love one another.

With Valentine’s Day having just passed and heading off to a wedding this weekend, what better topic to talk about than love? 

In today’s age, we are often told that we need to be more accepting of different life styles.  I struggle with this because that is not what the Bible says.  Brothers and sisters in Christ, nowhere in the Bible are we told to accept life styles that are clearly wrong in the Bible.  What we are told however, is that we are to love one another.  When you love someone, you want what is best for that person.  At the same time, you want to protect that person from danger.  Ultimately though, you cannot stop someone from doing something, however you can show them love.

I want to urge you today to love one another, not necessarily be accepting of everything though.  Share Christ’s love today with those who you don’t necessarily agree with all of their life style choices.  Do not condemn them, rather love them.

Our Journey to Adoption, Part X - Opportunities while Waiting

After keeping James and Sarah over spring break last year, we were even more eager to expedite the process of having them placed in our home. After our additional rounds of background checks and interviews cleared, the adoption agency worked with us to get our adoption application filed with the State. We were told that could take some time for the State to approve us as the adoptive family, but once they did approve, the kids would need to transfer homes immediately and then there would still be a 6 month trial period. 

Not knowing when we would be approved, the adoption agency asked the current foster family if they would agree to transfer the foster placement ahead of time so that we could all plan for a set day. Surprisingly they agreed, and June 18^th was set as the official transfer day (the day before Father’s Day). To help with the transition, we gradually increased our length of respite care for the 6 weeks leading up to June 18^th.  After each extra-long weekend with the kids, it got harder and harder to say goodbye and return them to their current foster family.

As we tried to patiently wait for June 18^th, God gave us opportunities to use our last few weeks without permanent children to spend time with extended family out of state. We visited my 92 year old grandfather in Texas, Joe’s family in Ohio, and I visited my sister and her husband and new baby in Virginia. (It ended up being my last visit with my grandfather, as he passed in July.)  

Similarly, as we wait for our day of transfer to Heaven, God has things for us to do. We aren’t to get impatient or frustrated or give up and sit around doing nothing while we wait.

John 14:1-4, 12, 15 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. ² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?³ 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. ⁴ You know the way to the place where I am going.” …  ¹² Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father…¹⁵ “If you love me, keep my commands. 

Are you anxiously anticipating Heaven? Joining Jesus in Heaven will be the most exciting day ever! As we wait, how are you and I wisely using our time here on earth in preparation for that day? 

Alice

Tues Devo: The way out

Hello,

Raising little kids is fun! And interesting! And challenging….

As they start to become able to reason and understand decisions and consequences you begin to hear their rationale for why they did the wrong thing. The connections made between their environment at the time (including the actions of others) and the choices they make are both unique – and said with a great deal of conviction. One of the toughest lessons to work with them on I have found is that they really do have a choice about their actions/decisions – no matter what is going on around them.

Truth is, that pull of what is going on around them is neither new…..nor will it go away. While that may be slightly depressing - there is good news! The good news is found in 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” (NASB)

There is a choice – we can make the right choice. Take heart, look to Him and choose wisely!

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill