He Is My Everything

This morning as I was praying about youth tonight, humility kept coming to mind. This is a foundational trait for believers, but it is also contrary to our nature. We enjoy success and privileges that come our way; however, these are not to puff us up. We are to be humble, acknowledging that every good and perfect gift comes from God. I may be intelligent; if I am it is from God. I may be talented; if I am it is from God. I may be blessed; if I am it is from God.

Paul reminds us that we are to boast about nothing but the cross of Jesus. All that I have need of is from Him. All that I posses is from Him. All that I achieve is from Him.  The old chorus simply says, "He is my everything, He is my all, He is my everything both great and small, He gave His live for me, made everything new, He is my everything, none other will do."

Somewhere on one of the 7,000 islands of the Philippines is a child that will soon be ours. It is not because my wife and I are so great that we adopt. No, it is because of the grace of Christ extended to us that we adopt. It is because we choose to turn our ears to hear His voice. It is because He gave His life for me on a cross 2,000 years ago.

So new kid, whereever you are, without reservation, I say, He is my EVERYTHING.

Love,
Daddy

Awareness

In our busy lives today there are often issues that we see from a distance. They may make a momentary mark on us, but nothing lasting. They are issues that we push to the back of our minds, ignoring that they really exist, or that they truly effect the lives of others. Orphans are often like this. We see a picture of a dirty little naked kid running through the streets and think someone should do something. The next moment we return our focus to the major issues of life, facebook, lunch, or what to do after work.

Awareness allows us to move beyond knowing into action. When I choose to make my self aware of the plight of orphans I also make myself available for God to touch them through me. I may be called to adopt or help someone who is adopting. I may be called to give to a specific cause or go to a specific land. I may simply be called to pray. In whatever way you become aware of orphans, choose to act not to ignore. Very literally their life is hanging in the balance. What can you do to help?

Darren
http://www.mission127.com/

Passion, Peace, and Frustration

Have you ever noticed that in God paradoxes abound? To be truly free I make myself His slave is the best example. In my life God has given me new passion for ministry. To reach the orphans of the world and to adopt one of our own is what I live and breath. God directs me to portions of scripture in His word that highlights His heart for orphans. I see their faces every time I walk into my office. I have 12 pictures of orphans hanging to remind me of what I am called to do.

To see the joy that these kids have on their faces is a paradox. We see them and think, how can they be happy, how can they know joy? They are alone and "unwanted" as the world says. They have scars, both physical and emotional. In our minds no joy could exists. But in reality where Christ is joy abounds. Christ may be in a bowl of rice for the hungry or in a pair of shoes for the unclothed.

This passion at times seems to overwhelm me. I want my son or daughter yesterday! God is faithful to grant peace with the passion that He gives. I know that God is in control and all is accomplished as He sees fit to accomplish it.

Many times passion and peace also give way to frustration. How is that? It is a paradox. I have passion to do what God has called me to do, I have peace that He is in control of my life and situation, but I also have frustration that I am not doing enough or that things are not going quickly enough. I had hopes that our new ministry, mission 1:27 (http://www.mission127.com/) would have enough funding by now that we could be meeting greater needs more often. I have a desire to have my wife on staff with me where we, together with some of our close friends with the same passion, could reach thousands of kids. I want to build homes, I want to write checks to meet needs, I want to travel to foreign lands to lend a hand.

In God timing is everything. I know this, you know this, but we often forget that frustration is a natural part of life...even our spiritual life. It is not frustration that says God can't or won't, but He can but when!
Passion, Peace, and even Frustration guide us toward the ultimate goal that we can have in God...His perfect will for our lives. So son or daughter wherever you are this morning, I love you and desire to hold you in my arms. Kids of the world, I may not know how or when, but we will reach you, we will help provide for you, we will show you love.

Darren

Your Ways are Higher than My Ways

It has been a long time since I have blogged. A few days after Christmas your Grandma got sick. We later found out that the cancer had returned and had spread. My mom, your Grandma, went to be with Jesus March 2, 2011. One of the things that really bothered her about leaving us is that she would never get to meet you. I agree. You wont get to hear Grandma's voice or get hugs from her, but one day you will get to meet her. We know that Grandma is in heaven.

One day soon we will bring you home to a family that will love you unconditionally, a family that loves God with all their hearts, and believes in all that he said. We do not understand why God chose to take Grandma to heaven but we do know that His ways are higher than ours.

With all that has gone on, we have not had time to work on your adoption much. Now that this trial has passed, we will redouble our efforts to get you here with us. Mom and dad loves you very much.

Grandma told your sister and brother, "never forget Grandma loves you everyday, forever." She meant that for you too!

Love,
Daddy