Heart for the Fatherless
"In this world you are an orphan; eagerly anticipating your adoption as God's child. In this world you are a widow; longing for reunion with your Bridegroom. In this world you are a stranger; a pilgrim waiting to become a citizen of heaven. And in this world, God has called you to care for the orphan, the stranger, and the widow," writes Tom Davis, author Fields of the Fatherless: Discover the Joy of Compassionate Living (David C. Cook).
http://www.amazon.com/Fields-Fatherless-Discover-Compassionate-Living/dp/0781448476/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1225249181&sr=8-1
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
adopting a change of heart
Today I read an article in Homelife, November 2008 issue, by Marie Armenia. An excerpt is below:
Orphans matter to God. What are you doing about it?
In the past several weeks, God has been messing up my paltry little life plans by giving me a writing assignment that's tearing my heart out. Here I am, 'Little Miss Bible Teacher,' and I seem to have overlooked the numerous verses that clearly, emphatically, and repeatedly drive home the truth that God wants me to care about orphans. He does. He really, really does.
and this...
The United Nations estimates that there are 300 million orphans worldwide. Every day 5,760 more children become orphans -- that's 240 children an hour.
Four children every single minute, of every single hour, day and night for every day.
God says...
Defend the poor and fatherless. Psalm 82:3
And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts. Malachi 3:5
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1:27
See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
1 John 3:1
From Mrs. Armenia:
"You are a helper of the fatherless. LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their hearts. You will listen carefully, doing justice for the fatherless and the oppressed, so that men of the earth may terrify them no more" (Psalm 10:14b, 17b-18, NIV)."
And this from Jim Daly's article, entitled "Growing up as an orphan" in Focus on the Family...
"In the United States alone, 127,000 kids go to sleep at night dreaming of the day when they might be adopted. They crave real homes where Mom and Dad tuck them into bed and where hugs, laughter and acceptance abound. Although 127,000 is a big number, it's important to note that more than 300,000 churches grace this country. Think about it--that's less than one child for every two churches. One of the best ways God's people can demonstrate Christ's love is by adopting these children.
A ministry we consider worthwhile to support is All God's Children, International. http://www.allgodschildren.org/ .
Orphans matter to God. What are you doing about it?
In the past several weeks, God has been messing up my paltry little life plans by giving me a writing assignment that's tearing my heart out. Here I am, 'Little Miss Bible Teacher,' and I seem to have overlooked the numerous verses that clearly, emphatically, and repeatedly drive home the truth that God wants me to care about orphans. He does. He really, really does.
and this...
The United Nations estimates that there are 300 million orphans worldwide. Every day 5,760 more children become orphans -- that's 240 children an hour.
Four children every single minute, of every single hour, day and night for every day.
God says...
Defend the poor and fatherless. Psalm 82:3
And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts. Malachi 3:5
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1:27
See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
1 John 3:1
From Mrs. Armenia:
"You are a helper of the fatherless. LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their hearts. You will listen carefully, doing justice for the fatherless and the oppressed, so that men of the earth may terrify them no more" (Psalm 10:14b, 17b-18, NIV)."
And this from Jim Daly's article, entitled "Growing up as an orphan" in Focus on the Family...
"In the United States alone, 127,000 kids go to sleep at night dreaming of the day when they might be adopted. They crave real homes where Mom and Dad tuck them into bed and where hugs, laughter and acceptance abound. Although 127,000 is a big number, it's important to note that more than 300,000 churches grace this country. Think about it--that's less than one child for every two churches. One of the best ways God's people can demonstrate Christ's love is by adopting these children.
"'Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world' (James 1:27). What does keeping oneself from being 'polluted by the world' have to do with caring for widows and orphans? I think part of the answer lies in the fact that as sinful creatures, we are amazingly selfish. Our American culture embraces a me-first mentality that rejects self-sacrifice. We enjoy limitless opportunities to entertain ourselves with sports, movies, hobbies and an assortment of consumer goods. Those things aren't inherently wrong, but when the pursuit of them distracts us from loving and caring for those who are hurting, we have allowed the world to pollute our core values."
Whew. That is some to reflect upon...
For more information on adoption or caring for orphans in their distress, go to www.icareaboutorphans.org.A ministry we consider worthwhile to support is All God's Children, International. http://www.allgodschildren.org/ .
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Keeping it clean.
I have been wanting to find some "recipes" for safe cleaners for my family. Today, I found this neat list here--
http://www.eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_solutions.htm
I feel I must add, I have not completely explored this site and cannot vouch for everything there, however, I think I'm going to try some of that "All-Purpose Cleaner"!
http://www.eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_solutions.htm
I feel I must add, I have not completely explored this site and cannot vouch for everything there, however, I think I'm going to try some of that "All-Purpose Cleaner"!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
My goal.
My aspiration. My desire. My aim.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace that surpasses every thought , will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable--if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise--dwell on these things.
Philippians 4:4-8
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace that surpasses every thought , will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable--if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise--dwell on these things.
Philippians 4:4-8
Something to consider.
Also from M. Wayne Hines:
"In the culture that God set aside for His chosen people, all of the celebrations that God established pointed the people to Him. Most of those celebrations have a prophetic significance. When writing to the Colossians, Paul called them shadows of things to come.
"I wrote all of this to encourage you to be sure that your focus with your family stays on the things of God. Don't spend all of your time and money trying to convince your children that a fat elf in a red suit knows all about them and will reward their good behavior - eventually they will find out. When they do, will they believe you when you tell them that an unseen God knows all about them, loves them and has a perfect plan for their life? Play games with your children, but make certain they realize it is only a game. The integrity of your witness is crucial, don't waste it on candy canes, chocolate bunnies, jelly beans, and certainly not on witches, ghosts, and goblins."
"In the culture that God set aside for His chosen people, all of the celebrations that God established pointed the people to Him. Most of those celebrations have a prophetic significance. When writing to the Colossians, Paul called them shadows of things to come.
"I wrote all of this to encourage you to be sure that your focus with your family stays on the things of God. Don't spend all of your time and money trying to convince your children that a fat elf in a red suit knows all about them and will reward their good behavior - eventually they will find out. When they do, will they believe you when you tell them that an unseen God knows all about them, loves them and has a perfect plan for their life? Play games with your children, but make certain they realize it is only a game. The integrity of your witness is crucial, don't waste it on candy canes, chocolate bunnies, jelly beans, and certainly not on witches, ghosts, and goblins."
Sad Stats.
The following is an excerpt from the November 2008 letter from M. Wayne Hines, of Lanexa, Virginia.
"It is early October and stores are decorated for Halloween. Churches are planning "Fall Festivals" to provide Christians with an alternative to the ancient pagan celebrations that also figure prominently in Satanism. Millions of Americans are spending money on decorations, candy, and costumes. Retail experts are estimating sales in excess of 5 billion dollars. Only Santa Claus spending surpasses Halloween. The Easter Bunny's candy only reaches about 1.6 billion per year. What amazes me is that only about 1.2 billion is spent by evangelicals on missions. The vast percentage of Christianity's financial resources are in the hands of American Christians. how does God view our stewardship of the blessings He has rained down upon us?"
"It is early October and stores are decorated for Halloween. Churches are planning "Fall Festivals" to provide Christians with an alternative to the ancient pagan celebrations that also figure prominently in Satanism. Millions of Americans are spending money on decorations, candy, and costumes. Retail experts are estimating sales in excess of 5 billion dollars. Only Santa Claus spending surpasses Halloween. The Easter Bunny's candy only reaches about 1.6 billion per year. What amazes me is that only about 1.2 billion is spent by evangelicals on missions. The vast percentage of Christianity's financial resources are in the hands of American Christians. how does God view our stewardship of the blessings He has rained down upon us?"
Monday, October 13, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
Glasses for Anna
I have noticed Anna squinting some. Thinking I would do a simple vision screening at home, I kept my eye on her. At the start of September, my mother asked about it. I downplayed it, but became more attentive to her vision. Sunday, the 28th, we were at church together and Anna couldn't read the screen with the scripture reference on it.
Tuesday, we were at the optometrist's office. I was astonished by how little my Anna could see! Yes, my daughter needed glasses. She was elated! I suppose, for girls in particular, glasses are more of an accessory! She has been such a good steward of them, taking great care to keep them clean and safe.
If your child is a friend of Anna's, she would appreciate you not showing him/her this picture or telling them about her new specs!
She loves them!
We are experiencing trouble loading photos at this time. Please check back later to see Anna in her new glasses. Thank you.
Tuesday, we were at the optometrist's office. I was astonished by how little my Anna could see! Yes, my daughter needed glasses. She was elated! I suppose, for girls in particular, glasses are more of an accessory! She has been such a good steward of them, taking great care to keep them clean and safe.
If your child is a friend of Anna's, she would appreciate you not showing him/her this picture or telling them about her new specs!
She loves them!
We are experiencing trouble loading photos at this time. Please check back later to see Anna in her new glasses. Thank you.
Book it!
Our family enjoys Pizza Hut's Book it! program. I love that they are willing for homeschoolers to participate too! October is the first month for this school year.
So...what do I chose for my fifth grader? I want to challenge her, but it needs to be realistic, achievable, if you will. She loves to read. She reads every possible moment! She does not enjoy reading aloud, though she is so expressive when she
reads. She is able to read much faster silently, of course. The goal I set for her is to complete the book Midnight in the Dollhouse, read aloud to her sister. She wasn't thrilled with the idea initially, but she has found it a delight! What fun!
Sarah, who is still in the early stages of reading, has resented her sister's love for reading, wishing her to play imaginative games and stories instead.
Midnight in the Dollhouse is a wonderful story of imagination! http://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Dollhouse-Apple-Marjorie-Stover/dp/0590449249
I did pre-read it and found a few references to voodoo. As they were unnecessary to the plot or the rest of the story, I covered these small sections (maybe 4?) with Sticky Post-Its and they are ready to go!
I suspect this project will result in good fruit for sisters and reading alike!
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