If you've ever wondered 'why' your theology matters...

...HERE is an example of why our understanding of God is so very critical.

Please join me in praying for this Christian family as they walk this dark path.

Our Adoption Interview Posted At "From Hope to Reality"

Dan Cruver, Director of Ministry Outreach for Carolina Hope Christian Adoption Agency, recently asked to interview us on the subject of our adoptions.

Dan posted the interview today at their blog--you can read it HERE.

To God be ALL the glory--He has been so faithful and gracious to our little family!

Ice Storm ~ Day 2: "It is now a fire hazard..."

That's what we were told by the electrician on day 2 of the power outage--because the downed lines in our backyard and the exposed wires that remained attached to the side of our home were now 'live'.

Naturally, I initiated the "Is God still good when or if..." conversation with our oldest daughter as she and I headed home to see if there was anything we could/should do.

Infertility ~ A Collection of My Poems

These are the poems I wrote while in my mid to late 20's, while I wrestled with God and His purpose in ordaining my infertility. By His matchless grace and mercy He caused me to emerge from that refining fire with not only a greater understanding of Him, a deeper confidence in Him, a growing love for Him, but I came to understand and embrace Romans 8:28!

November 1989

February 1990

April 4, 1990

April 25, 1990

August 1990

Infertility ~ God's Refining Fire in My Life

What has God used in your life to 'refine' you? Many of us can point to at least one 'life-changing' or 'life-challenging' event, situation, or circumstance that God has used to teach and shape us, while some of us may currently be in the midst of those times.

For me, it was our struggle with infertility. There are many facets to our story, but the bottom line and end result has been God taught me about His sovereignty, His immutability, His long-suffering, His love, His goodness--His awesomeness. And quite frankly, it still frequently leaves me speechless.

Like recently when I've chatted with sisters-in-Christ who are not only chronologically younger, but spiritually younger. I remind them that what God is doing in their lives right now will be firmly woven into the 'fabric' of who the are in Christ. It's often uncomfortable, and even confusing. But we have the hope--the assurance--that God is at work and will accomplish His will in each of us, for His glory!

I've recently been reminded of how God has 'woven' infertility into who I am today, as I came across a collection of my 'infertility' poems that I wrote almost 20 years ago! Would you believe that the tears still flow freely and heavily as I read those poems? But they're not tears of hopelessness, they are tears from God's child recalling the 'momentary' and 'light affliction' that He brought me through in order to plant my feet solidly on hope and trust in Him!

Before the Lord saved me, I wrote poems mostly when I was considering suicide. Yes, I did consider suicide many times--sadly it was mostly over a relationship with a boy. I can only recall writing maybe one or two 'happy' poems in my life. So, you can understand how deep and dark the valley was when you read my 'infertility' poems--no suicide thoughts, but very deep in the valley.

It's difficult being in the valley, but as you 'age' in Christ you realize that the valley is where Christ makes us more like Him and shows us our utter hopelessness without Him.

I've decided to share my 'infertility' poems here and now for a couple of reasons. First, I want to show other Xian sisters that God does indeed have a purpose in the trials He providentially brings us. Secondly, I hope my 'transparency' will help other Xian sisters to see and realize that my life is not and has not always been 'rosy'! There's such a temptation among Xians to look at others and become discouraged or deluded--thinking that everyone else has it all together, or that they don't struggle. Nothing could be further from the truth! If you see someone whose spiritual life you respect or admire--ask them to tell you about the 'refining fires' they've already walked through. There are many riches that come from the ashes of those fires!

I'll be posting my 'infertility poems' later today in a separate post--I hope you will give God the glory for His refining fire!

Errr, ahhhhh, did I mention that building our family through "older child" adoption hasn't been easy?

...read my recent post on our adoption blog.

Theology Matters - God and Calamity

If our theology does not include AND embrace the truth set forth below, we must conclude that our theology is not a Biblical theology.

"The One forming light and creating darkness,
Causing well-being and creating calamity,
I am the Lord who does all these."

Isaiah 45:7

God's TOTAL sovereignty...

...is unquestionable and irrefutable.

I offer THIS from Pulpit Magazine for your reading pleasure and humble consideration--it is essential for a Biblical understanding of the gospel.

Read it, ponder it, pray about it, submit to it, embrace it, and by all means, share it!

If God is Sovereign, Why Pray?

I don't know about you, but I live mostly in the world(s) of, "Wish I'd said that", and "Wish I could say it that clearly"!

Truth is, I spend most of my time simply nodding my head as I read and listen to Godly men and women who CAN and DO "say it clearly". With that in mind, I urge you to read the following series of posts on prayer--if you truly consider God to be completely sovereign, this has crossed your mind at some point!

"If God is Sovereign, Why Pray?"

Part I

Part II

Part III

Part IV

Practicing Theology - Decision making and God's word

There's a post over at Pyromaniacs today discussing decision making in light of God's Word.

Ladies, this issue is HUGE!! What you understand and embrace regarding decision making and God's sovereignty in your life (as well as the world around you) will seriously impact how you will respond to the"ups and downs" of this life--all of which have been ORDAINED by God for YOUR good and HIS glory. I'll admit that life and relationships are often painful, and even scary, but your knowledge of God and resulting trust in Him arms you to "fight the good fight" and "press on", and better equips you to minsiter in your calling as a wife, mother, friend, sister, etc.

Dan's post brought to my mind some people I've known over the years who don't have a high view or clear understanding of God's sovereignty (something I definitely plan to cover in my Monday "Theology 101" series). That prompted this comment that I left at Pyromaniacs,

"...Some people tend to wrestle with God's will and decision making in hindsight. By that I mean, if things didn't go well (as defined by them and/or society) for them in a particular area, they assume that they "missed God's will". There tends to be a complete disregard for God teaching/training/growing them through trials/suffering, or the possiblity that they suffered the consequences of foolish and/or selfish motives. This often stands out when chatting and/or counseling women in "unhappy" marriages..."

Then, later in the day when it seemed to me that many commentors were clearly confused or unwilling to embrace the full extent of God's sovereignty, I left this comment,

"I love these posts/comments...cause I get to see/read how others "get" or "don't get" something that presents no problem for me. On the other hand, I more frequently see how others "get" things that simply escape me!!

In my understanding and practice, "coloring in the lines" is merely pointing out that God has given us freedom within the context of His principles laid out in scripture. We are "free" to proceed accordingly--the resulting blessings or consequences are contained within what He has already ordained and set out to accomplish.

I've heard it said that if you want to KNOW God's will for today, wait until tomorrow. :-) Therefore, I can rest in the knowledge that what happened yesterday--no matter how I perceive it--happened according to God's will. I am obligated to make decisions based on my knowledge of God's Word and His ordinances."

I hope you'll spend some time reading Dan's post and the comments left. I find this sort of exchange VERY refreshing, challenging and helpful to grow in my own understanding of who God is as He has revealed Himself in and through Scripture.