Our Journey to Adoption, Part XIII - Name Change

Sarah’s birth name was Serenity. When we first met James and “Serenity,” James couldn’t say Serenity so he called her Sissy. We used that name for her, too, especially after they moved in permanently with us. As we met with our adoption worker, she talked to us about possibly changing Serenity’s name. I was concerned about the affect it would have on the kids, but our worker reassured us and encouraged us to change it to something that would fit with the rest of our family names. Plus, since the kids were young enough, they would adjust quickly. The short amount of adjustment “pains” now would save years of questions she might get down the road.

After using the name Sissy all summer, we finally got word we could start talking to the kids about their upcoming name changes and what that would mean. I was nervous to have the first conversation, but James didn’t blink an eye! In fact, that night at bedtime he asked “so what’s my new name going to be again?” (He got a new middle and last name and “Sissy” got a new first and last name. We called her “Sissy Sarah” for the Fall and we gradually/naturally dropped the “Sissy” over time.)

Jesus gave the disciples a new name, too, to represent their change in status.

John 15:12-17 ¹² My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. ¹³ Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. ¹⁴ You are my friends if you do what I command. ¹⁵ I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. ¹⁶ You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. ¹⁷ This is my command: Love each other.

Has Jesus given you a new name to better represent how you fit into His family? What does Jesus call you and me? Are we His seekers, His followers, His servants, or His friends? His friends know his business, know His expectations, know where He is working and readily join in His cause. We can call Jesus our friend, but can He call us His friend? Do you and I know His Word and His commands and His character well enough to be able to be called His friend? If so, like the disciples, you and I will bear fruit that will last!

Alice

The Bar Of Quality

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.  Philippians 2:1-4

My wife sent me something that said, “Marriage is a gift from God to us.  The quality of our marriage is our gift to Him.”  I immediately felt inspired by those words.  The wording spoke to something far deeper than just a relationship between married couples.  It speaks to our humanity; our need to be connected to our God and to others.  Wouldn’t our lives be so much better if we strived to make relationships with others a gift to God?  In Romans 12:1 Paul says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”  For us as Christians to live our lives looking to please God, we cannot do so without engaging and spending our time with others in healthy and authentic relationships.

What we give of ourselves for God’s sake must include valuing the relationships we have with others.  We can have a great impact giving ourselves selflessly for the greater good of others.  Furthermore, it is in the precious time that we spend with others that our relationship with God is unveiled.  Think of someone who spent time with you in your time of need.  How valuable was it to you?  What did it mean to you?  The times people remember most are not the best of times when all is well.  It is when things are not all together and they are at their worst.  Jesus, when sharing of His Kingdom, spoke of those who would join Him saying, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”  (Matthew 25:35-36)  Quality of a relationship is never about things always being perfect.  It is about embracing all that comes with it sharing the unconditional love Jesus Christ shows us.

Our relationship with Christ is the standard by which all relationships should be based on.  If we do not have a relationship with God where we cannot give as God gives, love as He loves, and encourages as He encourages us, we cannot have healthy relationships with others.  Thus, it is impossible to honor God unless with have fellowship with others that is authentic and looking at the interest of others above our own.  It would only make sense for as 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.”  That’s what He did for us.  Why would you not give to others as He has given for you?  What relationship in your life requires greater selflessness?  How can you honor God more in your relationships with others?  My prayer is that we focus raising the bar in the quality of our relationships with others.  Amen.

Tues Devo: Where love belongs

1 John 2:15-17 “Do not love the world not the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” (NASB)

Hello,

Things all around us call for our time and attention. Family, work, entertainment – and within each of those areas we are pulled in separate directions as well. How do we handle all the pulling? Well, most of us put together some kind of list (mentally if not physically!) and then prioritize based on numerous factors. My question to us today is what is driving priority? I think this section in 1 John is a great check for us against our priority setting. What is motivating us? What are we giving our love to? We know that love is not about words. It is about what is lived out through time and attention. Are we spending too much of our love on the things of the world?

Our love belongs on the things that are not from this world, but of and from God.

Have a blessed day

Will Hill

The best way

Isaiah 55:8-9

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Let me be completely transparent with you for a few minutes.  I am honestly struggling with this lesson right now!  I know that the Lord’s plans are so much better than I could ever figure out.  The hard part is waiting on his timing. 

Have you ever wanted something really bad and thought that the timing was right.  You prayed on it and felt that doors were being opened then all of a sudden, a door gets slammed in your face? 

It is during times like that, that we have to remember that our thoughts and ways, are not his thoughts and ways.  Knowing this is hard however when you truly trust in the Lord, his way will be so much better in the end.

Today I encourage you to pray that you will wait for the Lord to revile his thoughts and ways in your life.

Our Journey to Adoption, Part XII - Premature Peace

On June 17^th, the day before we were scheduled to get permanent placement of the kids, I got a text from the current foster mom about schedule conflicts with transferring the children. My heart sank as I wondered if they were changing their minds about transferring the kids. I wrote back and offered to pick the kids up that afternoon if it would help! After several texts back and forth, it was agreed I would meet them at 4:30 pm that afternoon!

As my sister said, children often arrive at an unexpected and unpredicted time and sometimes premature! We can think we aren’t ever ready for the drastic change they bring, but as we rely on the Holy Spirit inside us, He gives us what we need when we need it! Plus, getting our kids a day early gave us premature peace that the current foster family wasn’t going to change their mind and keep the kids.   

Jesus gave premature peace to His disciples. A few hours before Jesus was arrested, He gave His disciples wonderful words of wisdom and peace (John chapters 13-17). They had no idea they would need this a few hours later.

John 14:25-27 ²⁵ “All this I have spoken while still with you. ²⁶ But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. ²⁷ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Whether we know or have no idea about the challenges we are about to face, we have access to the Holy Spirit for wisdom and peace. He can help us choose to not be troubled or fearful. How will you and I allow Him to train us now so we can have premature peace? Then, no matter what personal, professional, physical, or parental challenges come our way, we can continue in peace, experiencing the permanent peace Jesus offers!   

Alice

This Is Me!

But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
    Cush and Seba in your stead.
Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
    and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
    nations in exchange for your life.
Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
    I will bring your children from the east
    and gather you from the west.
 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
    and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring my sons from afar
    and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
everyone who is called by my name,
    whom I created for my glory,
    whom I formed and made.”  Isaiah 43:1-7

Most people would say that if you are socially liberal like me, it means you’re not Christian.  Now people want to get into long discussions on each stance that is represented, but in reality, here is what matters.  I am a firm believer that Jesus lived, died, and was born again freeing me from my sins.  I live for Him because of it, and I fight vehemently to live a life that He would be proud of.  I get a lot of grief from both Christian and non-Christian.  There is nothing perfect about me, and have failed at times to live a life God would be proud of.  But I keep trying and growing each and every day.  I get up, and I pray that I do better today than I did yesterday. Furthermore, God knows my heart for Him.  It’s the one thing that’s always been steady in my journey.  I truly love God, and most people see that in what I say and how I act.  He’s been so good to me!  He’s proven multiple times how real He is real in my life, and this year, He even reminded me that He’s known me all along.  So I have no shame burdening me.  I have a bunch of people who love me and keep me spiritually connected.  This is me.

God does not make mistakes.  Yes, we make them.  Some of us may make more than others, but there is something beautiful that we sometimes forget.  God is always with us.  It does not matter where we are in our life, and we matter no lesser than anyone else in their journey.  We are all on the same journey trying to find God and praying for clarity on how to best serve Him.  God gave us all a purpose, and it is not for someone to tell us what it is.  It is only the voice God whispers in our ear and His Holy Spirit within us that moves toward it.  This does not mean to follow your heart totally oblivious to His word.  In fact, I would say we must make every step knowing what His word says so as not to deceive ourselves with what just feels right.  And then, pray when your heart and His word are in conflict so that you will find His guidance, love, discipline, and surety.  This is how we grow closer to God.

God loves us unconditionally.  He gives us so much, and the first and most wonderful gift is that thing called grace.  It allows us to learn more about Him, and be encouraged even when we struggle and fall for as Isaiah 40:30-31 says:

Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.

So do not focus on the person you are or who you once were.  Don’t be discouraged by where your path has taken you or what someone says you are.  Be proud of how God made you, and continue to learn more about who God is and what He wants you to be.  What has discouraged you about your journey of faith that you can take to God today?  How can you be reassured of His love for you just as you are?  My prayer is that no matter where you are, be assured of God’s love for you, and embrace the wonderful person God made you by proudly accepting and saying, “This is me!”  Amen.

Tues Devo: The chase ends

1 John 1:1-4 “What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life- and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us- what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father,  and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.” (NASB)

Hello,

This past weekend I spent a good amount of time reading through the book of 1 John, and some things really stood out to me. The first verse that struck me was verse 4, where John talks about his joy being complete. It struck me because like many of you (I assume) I am easily pulled into the mentality of pushing for more. It could be for more responsibility at work, more appreciated by others, more connection with family, more time to do personal things. But we have to watch that push. More is not wrong – but when it becomes the decision point of whether you have joy or not…..then it is wrong. Our joy has a completion point, it is in the person of Jesus Christ and the relationship His work on the cross brings to God the Father.

We can chase after things – but we don’t need to chase Joy, we have it through Jesus already.

Have a blessed day – I pray this reminder is valuable to you as it was to me.

Will Hill

Our Journey to Adoption, Part XI - Clarity After the Fact

As it looked more likely we could be the adoptive family for James and Sarah, Joe and I started looking at bigger homes. We were in a 2 bedroom 1 ½ bath condo that I had owned for almost 13 years. James and Sarah shared a room, but often woke each other up in the night or during nap time.

After looking a little bit, we decided it might be too much change at once! Being able to give James and Sarah their own room was a want more than a need, at least while they are little. We thought we should postpone looking for the time being.

However, a couple weeks later, my Mom got a call from a local family friend who said she was thinking about selling her house but hadn’t put it on the market yet. We looked at the house and liked it! She didn’t give us a price, so we made what we thought was a fair offer. She counter-offered, though, and we weren’t comfortable paying more. After much deliberation and prayer, we were led to walk away. The owner then planned to list the house.

A couple days later, the owner called us back and said she (and her grown children) decided she wasn’t in a position to get her house ready to list and show so she would go with our original offer. I couldn’t believe it! God clearly confirmed He had picked and provided this house just for us! It certainly wasn’t clear in the midst of all the deliberating. I had been confused why He led us to walk away when I felt like He had directed us to the house, but now it all made sense!

Jesus told His disciples many things they would only understand after His death and resurrection. Everything didn’t all make sense initially.

John 14:18-21, 28-29  ¹⁸ I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. ¹⁹ Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. ²⁰ On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. ²¹ Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” …²⁸ “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. ²⁹ I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.

We’re to obey God, even when it doesn’t make sense or we think we have a better idea. He knows bests! Often we can look back and understand what He was doing, but only after the fact. If Joe and I had gone with the counter-offer we would have gotten the house God had for us, but we wouldn’t have experienced the peace and joy of His clear confirmation!

Alice

The Best Man

Two are better than one,
    because they have a good return for their labor:
 If either of them falls down,
    one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
    and has no one to help them up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Over my life, I have had amazing people whose existence has blessed me.  In my family, I have two brothers and a brother in law, and I have these amazing group of men who are like brothers and are always there for and supportive of me.  Some send me scripture, and others give me encouragement.  A few keep my spirits up, and yet another instills in me the confidence to move forward.  One however has been with me since my childhood.  We may not always be around and we are distant from each other, but the comradery we have when we are together is both unmistakable and unshakable.  While he is not directly my brother, he might as well be as he has been with me all of my life.  I pray for him for he has always been there for me, and should he need me, I will be there for him.  Beyond a shadow of a doubt, he is my best man!

We can have no greater friend than Jesus, and He blesses us with people who are always there for us.  For those of us blessed with a spouse, they represent a special kind of relationship that is blessed by God.  As pointed out in Ecclesiastes, there is clearly another type of relationship that is intended by God for our protection.  These are people who God places in our life.  I once read that a true friend is someone who will come over, drive with you, and dig where you can bury the body, and not ask any questions.  Now that is certainly extreme, but it speaks to the kind of loyalty a blessed best friend has for you.  Furthermore, they can be one who is a guide who point out blind spots or be a mentor in your spiritual journey.  Even Jesus had such a friend in Peter.  Even though Peter would deny Him, Jesus turns to Peter asking him to take care of the others and spread the word of the Gospel (see John 21:15-18).  While it is true that God is the only person who will never fail us, He would not have us stay in our own confines like a hermit.  We are to reach out to others trusting God as our protector for as it later says, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12a)

We were not meant to lead a life of solitary confinement.  While the world is indeed a dangerous place run by those who would attempt to bring us down, we have a God who is with us every step of the way.  Along those lines, we must trust Him as we reach out to others with full confidence.  Although we at times will be disappointed, we will find someone God truly intended for us, and it will lead to fellowship with others under Him.  So remove all that may impede on building a lasting Godly relationship.  Trust in God, and trust in a true friend.  Who can you extend your trust to for the sake of building a more Godly relationship?  What friend could use more of the God in you?  My prayer is that we all trust in God to provide us guidance in finding our ‘Best Man.’ Amen.

Tues Devo: Identity

1 Corinthians 3:21-23 “So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God.” (NASB)

Hello,

I have been thinking a lot this past week about the concept of identity. As a believer in Christ I want to say that my main identification point is as a Christian, a follower of Christ. But how is this known? I believe that this is known in our times of stress. When something goes wrong at work, what is the reaction? How long will it put you in a funk? When the kids put on large amounts of stress, how soon and in what manner do you approach Christ in prayer? When friendships hit a wall, where does your mind go (and for how long)?

Certainly we are not perfect. We make mistakes, we stay in the wrong attitude too long. But what I am getting at here is that if our identity is to be in Christ, which should be reflected as the center point of our attention in the midst of stress in other areas. Our identity is something that should come through in all circumstances. It doesn’t mean we don’t struggle through it, but that we clearly hold to Him in the struggle.

I hope that if you have been struggling with things around work, family or friends that this encourages you to step back and look at your identity, and let that identity drive your choices and attitude. As a believer, we belong to Christ – lets hold firm in that identity.

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill