Living Hope

Times are rather busy at our house, as I'm sure they are at yours. Last weekend we were very excited to celebrate Hope's (our middle daughter)baptism. She accepted Christ in her heart when she was 5 but due to fear of being in front of people, had not followed up in "believers baptism" until now.


Last weekend I did a lot of thinking and reflecting...thinking about Hope's origins in China, a communist nation. I thought a lot about all the things God has/ and continues to teach me through her life...I thought a lot about Hope's eternal salvation...wondering if salvation would have come to her there in China.

I'm humbled to think of her meager beginnings and now to look at her...she is a "Princess" because she is the daughter of the King! Nothing brings me greater joy than seeing children recognize and accept who they are in Him. It's at that point where the impossible becomes the possible!

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."
-Philippians 4:13

Given all that Hope has had to overcome, her life verse resonated within me all weekend:

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline."
-2 Timothy 1:7

My prayer is that Hope will live a life boldly unto Him. Hope's name came from a particular scripture God led us to just hours after "baby Ruth" died.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living Hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,..."
-1 Peter 1:3

What are you feeling "timid" about today? Claim that "spirit of power"...step out there in faith like Hope has...

Blessings!

Home of the "brave"???

I've got a lot rolling around in this head and heart of mine, so I hope I'm able to articulate without offending anyone...

Last week I went to visit a friend who has just returned from Uganda. She and her husband traveled to adopt 2 children. While visiting my friend, I was able to meet her 2 new additions and view many pictures from their trip. One picture specifically spoke to the core of my heart. My friend pointed out in the picture a one room, dirt floor hut / house and then pointed out a husband and wife, their 1 infant daughter who lived in that hut... along with about 8 other children whom they had taken in as a result of these 8 children being orphans. As I continued to look at pictures and listen to my friend describe the conditions in Uganda, I couldn't help but reminded of the many things we take for granted here in America..."land of the free and the home of the brave".... If that sounds a little sarcastic, forgive me...exactly who are the "brave"?...I would venture to say it is these orphans, NOT us!

The faces of these little orphan children are etched in my mind...they are without a mother, a father, no material "things", nothing! It is only through the compassion of another they have shelter and food..2 basic essentials needed for survival...food they receive once a day (or twice a day if they're lucky!).

However, we on the other side of a vast body of water, move about with cellphones glued to our heads while cruising around in 1 of our 2 (or 3) vehicles, live in homes WAY larger than we need, with closets bursting with several dozens of outfits, 20-30 pairs of shoes and matching purses. We live in a nation where the majority of us must have gym memberships to attempt to work off the extra weight we put on from eating too much food at the local fair, and any other place we choose to recreate.

SO..."Compassion"...how deep does your compassion tank run? Bigger question...does your "compassion" move you to action?

"...for in you the fatherless find compassion." Hosea 14:3

Bless them!