PRAY: Prayer for Those Waiting to Bring Their Children Home
Do the words God speaks in the quiet ever scream? More and more, He’s reminded me about the thousands of children across the world who have no home. But He’s also burdened my heart for the many parents awaiting those children—parents with open arms, homes, and hearts. Parents who, for now, are waiting. I pray this prayer today (and many other days) for them. Join me? Lord God, I know You care about little ones. Your Son—who came to earth as a little one—told us that in Your kingdom, they matter. You honor the ones who honor them. For this and more, I praise You. Today, Jesus, I pray for these precious little ones by lifting up their parents-in-waiting. So many of them have watched as You worked to move them toward a specific child: a child who’s never lived with them, who wouldn’t recognize them but is already someone with a name, a purpose, a plan, and a destiny—someone these precious parents already call their own. Lord, when we knew You not, You called us Your own. When we turned away, You drew us toward Yourself in love. And when we were yet a long ways off, You ran to embrace us. Almighty King, we ask You now to allow these mommies and daddies to embrace their little ones. We ask You in Your abundant mercy to break the bonds, replenish the bank accounts, circumvent the red tape, and overcome the system. Great Redeemer, we ask You to buy back the time that has been lost to the enemy, to fill it and fuel it as only You can. Smooth out the rough places. Make the paths straight. Direct each detail. And God, I ask You to go before these parents. I know You as a Father to the fatherless. Touch these children with Your love. Hold them when their parents cannot. Wipe their tears before their parents can. And—because I know You’re never too busy—will you wipe the tears of the parents, too? Help each one, in the waiting, to know You more and to grow more like You. For each hour of waiting, make the resulting celebration sweeter. In Your Holy name I pray, AMEN. Do you have an adoption story to share or someone who needs prayer regarding adoption? I’d love to have your comment.Bonus: Enjoy this precious video by my friend, worship artist, and adoptive mom-now-and-in-waiting Cindy Foote (and check out her No Double Yellow Line EP written for the adoption community). And visit One Child Campaign‘s orphan initiative, too—a great place to learn more about the least of...
read moreYA Friday: READ Review, Pure Love, Pure Life by Elsa Kok Colopy
Another book about purity? Seriously? That may be the lie the enemy plants in your mind when you read the title of Elsa Kok Colopy’s new book, Pure Love, Pure Life: Exploring God’s Heart on Purity. How do I know it’s a lie? Because I know teens. Because I know adults. Because I know the stories of broken hearts and bad relationships, of fear and failure, of marriages set on a shaky foundation because of past sin. And because I believe God intends us to have so much more. As a MOPS author and former editor for Focus on the Family’s Thriving Family magazine, Elsa Cok Colopy has a direct line to the impact purity—or the lack of it—has on marriages, families, and personal life. She also knows how to speak to teens and young adults. As she opens her heart, readers reap the blessings of her transparent, encouraging style. Instead of focusing on checklists or rules, Colopy points readers towards God’s desire that our lives express His heart. Since true purity comes from within, she helps readers focus on the attitudes behind their actions, adding plenty of practical tips and real-life examples along the way. Freedom shines through this book which covers more “what-if” questions and individual situations than I anticipated. Each chapter ends with a set of discussion/journal questions appropriate for individual and/or small group study. I especially loved the final chapter, which sets forth all kinds of appropriate ways readers can pour out their passion as part of the pure life God intends. Another book on purity? One that both challenges you and equips you to live the life you long for? Check it out! FROM THE AUTHOR: Wednesday, January 18, 2012, is your day to take a stand! This is way more than saying “No” to all the things you need to avoid. Pure Life Day is all about the amazing things you can say “Yes” to—your incredible God, good friends and loving other people with a crazy-generious heart. Visit www.purelovepurelife.com to sign the Pure Life pledge, joining others who have already committed to this exciting vision for pure living. Signing the pledge will also enter you into a drawing to receive a Pure Life T-shirt and a signed copy of the Pure Love, Pure Life book. Find a local Christianbookseller Read a copy of this book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or at Christian Book Distributors (FTC disclaimer: I received an electronic advance reading copy of this book free from the author. I was not required to post a review or a positive...
read moreREAD: Review, Cooking the Books by Bonnie S. Calhoun
Author Bonnie S. Calhoun’s “Snark &Suspense” tagline makes a perfect description for her debut novel, Cooking the Books (releases 3/29/12). But I think “expect the unexpected” would work almost as well. The story of cyberinvestigator-turned-bookseller Sloane Templeton delivered the opposite of almost every expectation I have for the average author’s first novel. And yes, you’re right, Calhoun, publisher of the Christian Fiction online magazine, is far from an average author. I Expect: I Received: One-dimensional or stereotypical Real people who “got issues” as characters well as love, joy, and the hope found in Christ Predictable plotline Tangles, twists, and turns that kept me reading (and laughing) Dull dialogue Captivating conversations and snappy retorts Lack of focus A multi-layered story that pushed, pulled, entertained, and inspired Add more than a pinch of the author’s godly wisdom and edgy humor, and you’ve got Cooking the Books: a recipe to die for. I’m eager for more of the quirky-yet-believable Sloane Templeton and of course from Bonnie Calhoun. Expect the unexpected, and enjoy a delightful, thoughtful read. Also, in case you missed it, the winner of last week’s New Year’s Prize Pack was reader Rachel (I met her via phone a few years ago when I interviewed her for one of my first book projects, so I’m delighted to give something back). Feel free to leave a comment about an author or book that delivered something unexpected. Don’t spoil any stories, but do share the joy. Find a local Christian bookseller. Purchase this book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Christian Book Distributors. (FTC disclaimer: I received an electronic advance reading copy of this book free from NetGalleys. I was not required to post a review or a positive...
read moreREAD: Review, The Husband Project by Kathi Lipp
(To win this book and two more that will help you start 2012 off right, check out the New Year’s Prize Pack information below my review.) At our home, we’ve had an extended holiday celebration. Our final set of visiting family leaves this morning. I’m sad to see them go but excited to get back to the normal-and-necessary routines of school and writing work—and blogging, too. Most of the books I review here at Read. Write. Pray are new or not-yet-released. But I want to start this New Year with a review of a book that released on January 1—three years ago. I missed it back then but am grateful to have read it now. The other day, I bought a special dessert for my husband. Because I love to bake, I don’t normally buy desserts. But our family was celebrating a special event in my husband’s life, and I decided to purchase a rare treat as a way of honoring him. The surprise was not the purchase, however. The surprise came in my husband’s unexpected gratitude. He thanked me several times—not for the dessert itself (although he loved it), but for taking time to celebrate him. His gratitude blessed me. And his surprise made me realize how often I take him for granted. Routine is (for the most part) easy, or it wouldn’t become routine. But a large part of marital joy comes in little packages: the surprise desserts, the private celebrations, the picked-you-up-a-movie and more. And sometimes we need a reminder. In The Husband Project: 21 Days of Loving Your Man–On Purpose and With a Plan, popular speaker and author Kathi Lipp gives readers that reminder: three weeks’ worth of practical tips and thoughtful encouragement wrapped in wisdom and tied with a bright bow of humor. She shares with engaging candor about her own marital bliss and blunders, preparing the way for readers to examine their own. The book’s user-friendly format makes a great match for busy wives whose marriage relationship could use a refresher. The Husband Project moves from foundational principles (including a helpful section on adapting the projects to whatever unique situations readers may face) to day-by-day project instructions to a planning/overview sheet and glossary. The projects themselves range from the simple (praising your husband in front of other people) to the more involved (planning a B & B experience at home). No, the author doesn’t suggest you wrap yourself in Saran and meet your husband at the door (although if it works for the two of you, I’m sure she’d approve). Instead, she sets forth a challenge to allow God to change your marriage by changing you. She also encourages you not to go it alone but to find two friends/accountability partners who will agree to work through the book along with you and meet (online, on the phone, or in person) for regular updates and mutual encouragement. Are you up for such a challenge? Are you ready for a marital renewal? Then grab two friends, get the book, and get going. It may be time for a surprise dessert at your house, too. NEW YEAR’S PRIZE PACK: Would you like to win this book and two others chosen to help you start 2012 right? Leave a comment below between now and the end of Saturday, January...
read morePRAY: New Year’s Prayer
Father God, I know You make all things new. I thank You for making 2012 and for allowing me to witness its arrival. I praise You that You are Lord over the old year and the new one and that You’ve allowed me to see and know You in both. My King, as I look back, I ask Your forgiveness for the moments and days I’ve failed to honor You. Forgive my selfish thoughts and careless words. Forgive the actions that reflected my own will rather than Yours. Forgive my return to old ways, so out of place with Your new creation in me. In this New Year, Lord Jesus, help me to die. I have no power even to do that in my own strength, so I ask for Your grace to lay myself down. I ask You to raise me up in Your power for Your glory. Use me as Your vessel to pour forth Your love and truth. Use me as Your tool to mend and restore what is broken. And use me as Your servant to willingly follow You no matter the cost. Thank You, Father God, for the gift of this New Year. Thank You for the people and events of the old one that have helped me see and know You more. In the year to come, I ask that You would bring us all into a deeper understanding of You and of Your truth. Bless us with Your presence, guide us with Your Spirit, and renew us with Your holy love. In Jesus’ name I...
read moreWelcome
I've asked God to use my writing and speaking to count for eternity. I'm passionate about relationships and creativity.
