Don't Lose Focus

Do you ever feel frustrated with life? Even as Christians our lives are not always as smooth as silk. We experience seasons of frustration, wondering, and dismay. The Biblical principal is related to the children of Israel wondering around in a barren desert. Knowing where you are going, knowing that God is in control, but not knowing how in the world you are going to get there.

This has been my life for the past three years. Yes ladies and gentlemen, count them with me, 1, 2, 3. Three long years of searching and waiting. I wish I could tell you today that this blog is all about the answers finally coming. That would be so up lifting, but it's not about that. I wish I could tell you that I have everything figured out, but that will never happen. I wish I could tell you that God sent an angel to me to reveal His perfect will and direction to me, but He has not.

No, rather this is a blog to encourage you! "Yeah right", you say. "How is this going to encourage me?" I don't want to wait 3 years. Last night I was reminding God (as if he needs me to tell Him anything) that I have been waiting for three very long...I'm talking loooonnnnngggg years and still have no answer. I reminded Him that during that time  I have been obedient (insert halo here) to do what He has been clear on. I have started Mission 1:27, I have finished my Masters degree, and my wife and I have begun the process of adoption. On all these points I have felt, "maybe this is what I have been waiting for". In the end it may be. But still I am left with the feeling that there is oh so much more and so much bigger things I am supposed to do for God.

As I was reading the Psalms, as I do each night before bed, I felt the Lord impress upon me to read Esther 4. Now my being such a wise and noted Biblical scholar (insert sarcasm here) I knew That Esther 4 contained the popular words spoken by Mordecai, "But if not". Still I felt I should read it. So I did and this is what jumped out at me.

Esther 4:11 "All the king's officials and even the people in the provinces know that anyone who appears before the king in his inner court without being invited is doomed to die unless he holds out his gold scepter." NLT

Huh...ah...That's right ladies and gentlemen, read it again for the full effect of the what in the world does this have to do with me thought.

So I prayed, "God how in the world does this apply to me." Suddenly God answered. In the words of Gru, "light bu-lb". You see this is what we do in life, we lose focus. Esther went boldly into the throne room to make her request before the king. It could have spelled her death. Yet, she found favor with him and in the end he granted her request. Are you ready for it....wait for it...Yes! I get it. I can go boldly before the KING of the UNIVERSE without fear of death, but knowing that I always have favor with Him. I make my request known to Him.

It is so obvious, but we don't do it. We busily sulk and complain, we try to make things happen in ourselves or through other people (see Abraham for an illustration). All we need to do is not lose focus. So to day be encouraged. You may not get the answer you want when you want it, I still have not realized mine fully. Focus on the KING and maybe just maybe He will hold out His scepter and grant your request. After all He is the only one who truly has the power to change your circumstances.

Fundriaser

Jenna and I are going to sell t-shirts to help with the cost of our adoption.

T-shirts will be pre-ordered at a cost of $17 per shirt. I know this is a higher price than normal, it is more expensive to print shirts in small runs.
I can get them in Youth sizes –3XL (2XL and above are $20).
Email me back with sizes and quantity if you want... to order.
Shirts must be paid for in advance. Write checks to Mission 1:27. (PO Box 99086, Louisville, KY 40269) Add $2.00 per shirt for shipping.
Thanks for helping to bring our child home!
Darren

Thank You God

It is so awesome when we see God's hand move to confirm the call He has placed on our lives. My wife and I had a moment like this last night. When I got home from the office a letter was waiting in the mail box. Upon opening it, we found that the Show Hope organization had awarded us a $4,000 grant for our adoption. We have somewhere around $10,000 left to raise. With one envelope that amount was cut down to $6,000.  Our God is an awesome provider. I have no doubt that the other $6,000 will come in as we need it.
Just a quick note today to remind you, my readers, that God is faithful.
It is also to let you, our child know, God is continuing to our story a master piece.

Love,
Daddy

You Will Have the Best

Dear son or daughter,

Proverbs 31 describes a Godly wife and mom. I want to assure you that you will have the best. I may not know you or when you will join us, but I do know that you will be joining a loving Christ centered family. Because Christ is at the center of our lives, we know that we are in step with His will. I want to assure you that I will love you with all my heart, as i do your sister and brother. Your mom will also love you. She will nurture you and provide for your needs. She will do your laundry, until you are old enough to do it  yourself :). She will be with you when your sick and love you when you are being a royal pain...as all kids are sometimes.

Though I'm sure I don't tell her often enough, I love her with all my heart and am thankful that she is a Godly woman both in public and in private. You will have the best.

Looking forward to the day we receive the call or email. Praying for you everyday.

Love,
Daddy

Dossier Complete

The next great step in your adoption is finished. Friday afternoon we received the last form for our dossier. It was forwarded to the agency that night. After a quick review by them it will be headed to the Philippines by the end of the week. What a relief it is to have that part completed. No more mountains of paperwork.

Even with this finished, challenges remain. The real waiting begins. During this time we need to raise around $10,000. Country fees are due at referral and then travel expenses. It seems like a huge mountain that we are not equipped to climb; however, we know that God has already climbed that mountain for us. As has been during this entire process, the money will be there when we need it.

Your homecoming is closer now than ever. Many minor details are left to be figured out. And they will be in time. We pray that God will send you to us soon. We'd really rather not wait another 2-3 years.

All of our family and friends are praying with us for a time miracle.

Love,
Daddy

The Urgency of Love

2 Corinthians 5:14 says "For Christ's love compels us". The word compel means, to force or drive, especially to a course of action. There is an urgency in Christ's love. It is and urgency to seek forgiveness through the sacrifice of Christ. It is also an urgency to share that same love that we have experienced through our faith In Him. We share that love by telling others about what He has done in our lives or by touching someones need. We also share that love through adoption.

Second only to giving your life for a friend, adoption is the greatest act of love; to take a child that is abandoned, hurting, and fatherless to a life of wholeness peace and forgiveness. That is a great and daunting calling. Yet, God does not call us to do anything without equipping us for the task.
There is an urgency of love. Fell the urgency and act upon it. Consider adoption today. For more information about adoption or for helping those who are, go to www.mission127.com.
.
Darren

What if I Miss God?

Tucked somewhat obscurely in the book of Jonah is a short verse that simply says, "The sailors were awestruck by the Lord's great power, and they offered him a sacrifice and vowed to serve him." 1:16 Have you ever thought about that verse. What does it mean within the greater story?

If Jonah had not disobeyed God and ran. The storm would not have come. If the storm had not come Jonah would not have been thrown into the sea. If Jonah had not been thrown into the sea the storm would not have stopped. If the storm had not stopped the sailors would not have acknowledged the one true God as God in their lives.

Now it was not God's intention for Jonah to sin through disobedience, but it does show that God can bring good from any situation. If Jonah had not sinned against God, God still would bring those sailors to Him; however, in His wisdom and sovereign will He chose to move in the way that He did. See our God is big enough to use our disobedience and negative experiences for His glory. Even when I miss God, remember He is big enough to set me back on track and bring Himself glory at the same time.
God did not allow Jonah to drawn in the sea, but prepared a way to put him back on the right track. In the process some unknown sailors turned their life over to God.

When you miss God, ask for forgiveness, let God place you back on track. Then see how God uses your mistake for His glory.

Adoption can be a very scary process, filled with many opportunities to make wrong decisions. Have peace in knowing that God will keep us on track in spite of ourselves.