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Our son’s name, Lent Tree & One Year Bible Reading

02.23.2010

Our Son’s Name…

Yes, we’re on both lists—for either a boy or a girl…BUT I feel pretty certain being #19 on the boy list and #30 on the girl list that we’ll get to #1 first on the boy list. You NEVER know…BUT—I’m excited to be able to tell you our son’s name…if in fact, we get a boy. Can you guess what the husband said YES to today??? OK, if you’ve been reading for awhile you already know. ISAAC.

This name has continued to rest on my heart. And yesterday as we pulled the ram out for the Lent Tree ornament, I really felt the Lord saying, “I am not going to ask you to give up your son either.” The story of Isaac and Abraham has been repeatedly put on my heart—and I have always wanted to name one of my children a Biblical name. I just have been praying for the right one. Here are just a few reasons (other than it remains on my heart) why I love this name…

…Isaac was the LONG awaited for son of Abraham and Sarah.

…he lived a long life (180 years)…the longest lived patriarch

…his sustained life reflects God’s constant provision and God’s desire for us to follow Him no matter what

…academic scholars describe him as a legendary figure—-while others describe him to reflect tribal history

…his name in Hebrew means “may God smile”

The husband said YES—that he loves it. Something changed I guess;). And although we may technically be farther away–I feel so much closer having a name to hold on to. NOW…if we end up with a girl, don’t worry it will not be Isaac-ette. But we’ll think of that if the numbers get really close. For now, I’m holding on to Isaac.

I will wait for you Isaac. No matter how crazy the wait may seem to be. No matter how crazy this momma ever looks. I will keep my eyes of Jesus…the sacrifice who stood in your place and mine…and I will rest knowing you are in His care RIGHT now. And one day…I will hold you in MY arms. And God won’t be the only one smiling:). May God smile down on you now, sweet Isaac.

The Lent Tree…

IMPORTANT to read if you are doing the Lent Tree with us! My dear friend Kelly who is Catholic reminded me today that we DO NOT do an ornament on Sundays during Lent! There are 40 ornaments—and there are 40 days of fasting between Ash Wednesday and Lent *IF* you don’t count Sundays! If you were like me and you were doing an ornament EVERY day—we need to just skip a day (I’m skipping today to get on the right day) so day 6 should actually be today. Because did you know…

“When observing fasting or abstinence during Lent, regard must be paid to the fact that Sundays are Feast Days, so there is no fast or abstinence. The days from Ash Wednesday to the day before Easter Sunday, excluding the Sundays, are forty, corresponding to the number of days Christ spent in the wilderness.” So…technically you fast for 6 days and then Sunday is a Feast day where you get to have what you fasted. Did ya know that??? I didn’t. Lent is a custom not a Biblical requirement–and traditionally you fast for 6 days and on the 7th day you celebrate the resurrection with a Feast day. OK…I may be 33 but I seriously didn’t know this until now. I thought people gave up someone on Ash Wednesday and didn’t get to have it again until Easter. I think different denominations teach and celebrate it differently…or don’t even teach Lent at all. I don’t even call myself a “denomination”…UM…well, I guess that makes me non-denominational;). We go to a Bible church…where we believe the Bible and what God’s Word says. And because Lent teaching isn’t in the Bible, we don’t teach it or *have* to do it. We do practice fasting like the Bible does, and I think many give up something for Lent like Jesus did in the dessert…but really I had no idea for this Lent tree that we would skip Sunday’s. SOOOO…all that being said…to make it to the end of Easter on track…SKIP SUNDAYS with the ornaments. And forgive my ignorance;). And thank you for bearing with me!

One Year Bible Reading: Leviticus 20-22:33

Leviticus 20 – The Lord is very clear and spells out disobedience here. Most of these offenses seem pretty obvious…yet in our culture—these offenses take place more often than we might realize…

20:2-5…the Lord warns about worshipping another god…giving up our children to another god…What are some things that our culture worships? Sports. Celebrities. Status. Acceptance. Do you think we struggle today with giving up our children for these? Think about it. What does God say He will do here if we put these things before Him?

20:6-8…think spiritual prostitution doesn’t exist??? That people don’t put their trust in mediums or seek spirits of the dead? Well, I was just invited to a “angle party” last week where “an angle of light” will let you meet your angel and you can consult someone that you love that is dead. DON’T WORRY…I’m not going. But someone from church invited me. Someone next to you at your next service may think this is okay. This still happens today.

20:9…ever dishonor your parents. Even as an adult, no longer under their care—do you bring honor to them even in the many ways you disagree with them? How can you honor them even when you don’t agree?

The list goes on…and although I can shake my head at first and say…well of course all of that is bad—I want to reflect on my heart and ask the Lord ot make me holy. To live holy. To stay SO CLOSE to Him and His truth! Chapter 21-22 reminds me that the Lord wants us to present ourselves before Him in holiness. I am reminded where my heart should be when I come to His table. Is there someone I need to ask forgiveness from? Is there someone I need to forgive? Have I confessed my sins? Help us Lord to live holy lives and to trust You to be our Redeemer. You, O LORD, are enough.

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14 comments

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Leigh - February 23, 2010 - 2:49 pm

LOVE the name Isaac! Love the meaning you have behind it!

Andrea - February 23, 2010 - 2:55 pm

Thank you Leigh. I’m in love with that name so much already:)

julie@Flitterbugs - February 23, 2010 - 3:30 pm

I am sure your little Issac will fill you with Laughter when he is finally in your arms!

Dawn - February 23, 2010 - 4:06 pm

Love your post! Love the name too.

Hey, I have grown up in the church and didn’t realize that about the Sundays….hmmm….makes complete sense, just didn’t know it. Like you I don’t think of myself as a certain denomination either….we are CHRISTIANS 🙂

Kim - February 23, 2010 - 4:46 pm

I did not know that about Sundays in Lent either. I love that we can always learn something new. I also learned the other day that “Alleluia” is to be hidden during Lent until Easter Sunday. The kids can make a banner, hide it, and then it appears along with their Easter baskets. Oh…and super love the name Isaac!

Trudy - February 23, 2010 - 5:48 pm

I love how you said that the story of Abraham and Isaac has repeatedly been placed on your heart. I felt the same way about the Visitation when Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth. We named our baby we lost through miscarriage Elizabeth. We have been in the fost/adopt program waiting for a match. We got the call on my husband’s birthday that we were matched with twins. What are there names? – John and Marie. When were they born? -on the feast of the Visitation.

When we are open, God prepares us for His perfect plan. Hope you will be welcoming Isaac home soon!

Jenny - February 23, 2010 - 5:57 pm

L.O.V.E the name Isaac! great choice!!!! and glad to hear if it’s a girl, she won’t be Isaac-ette 🙂

Jenn - February 23, 2010 - 11:26 pm

Love the name here too! We are leaning towards Eli 🙂 I really like the significance of the pairing of Samuel (our littlest) and Eli. There are some cool correlations with his priesthood…plus the name “fits” well with our other kiddos I think 🙂

Hang in there girl!!!!
Jenn

Jenny - February 24, 2010 - 12:23 pm

Love the name and love your heart!!!! Thanks so much for the e-mail yesterday. Made my day! Praying for you on this journey. So excited for what God is doing in your family!

Renea - February 24, 2010 - 12:41 pm

Habakkuk 2:3
“For the vision is yet for the appointed time;
It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail
Though it tarries, wait for it;
For it will certainly come, it will not delay.”
♥♥♥

Megan - February 24, 2010 - 1:38 pm

I have to admit…I’ve fallen behind on the reading. 🙁 Trying desperately to catch up.
LOVE the name Isaac and the meaning behind it!

Angie - February 24, 2010 - 9:19 pm

Oh Andrea I am smiling too 🙂 I know God is smiling over your sweet Isaac right now. Precious.

Jennifer - February 24, 2010 - 10:01 pm

Love the name! Of course…you are talking to a mom with a Samuel and Josiah:-) Ya know the adoption road can be long and hard, but keep your eyes of Jesus. Don’t look to the left or right..but keep looking up! God’s plan is good! Sorry if I told you this already, but my Josiah has frequently said, “If we would have gone to Ethiopia, we would have our baby by now” (we started Aug. 08). I remind him that God didn’t call us to Ethiopia (this time) but our Abby is in India and that she NEEDS US TO WAIT! God is so good…still have his peace even through all the mess we are in now. One day we will have our Abby in our arms and you will have your Isaac!! That’s a great picture!!! Blessings to you!

Melissa Lazzara - February 25, 2010 - 2:54 pm

I LOVE the name, Isaac is so lucky to have you all for his forever family!

Along for the ride…

02.23.2010

free-pictures-rollercoaster-superman-SpacePotato First…I want to say to those of you reading along this year with me the One Year Bible reading…thank you for your PATIENCE these last few days. I must warn you, you are taggin’ along with a momma in the midst of her adoption journey. It’s one of “ebs and flows” they say…and being in a looong eb, invites the downhill stretch of one of the parts of the adoption roller coaster. BUT…let me also say that TODAY’S POST will be one I come back and read AGAIN and AGAIN and AGAIN on my journey and wait…so bear with me.

First—if you can’t read between the lines in my last few posts, I’ve been discouraged. Yes, it’s true. As a write I can make even the dimmest days seem flowery, but I’ve never been a good faker. So it’s true. I’ve been discouraged. (BEAR WITH ME.) Some of you may be adopting yourself and many of you reading may be specifically with our agency, so you know we’re in the midst of a wait…with little or no movement. When you wait—or you feel like you are at a standstill in life—it’s often easy to look around.

My friend Addie said to me the other day as I confessed my discouragement, “Andrea what is it you always say? Don’t look to the left or right. Look straight ahead at the race the Lord has called you to. Don’t give up on what His plan is for you.”

Um. Right. Ad, you sure that’s what I always say? Truth spoken. Didn’t listen. Looked to the left and the right. BUT–my eyes are up now…bear with me some more.

We started our process in August and when we turned in our dossier our agency told us conservatively we could plan on a referral by May–but this was being conservative. So, my heart thought May—but secretly thought MAYBE March. As there has been no movement, I realized March and April were out…but so was May. After talking with my caseworker, we realized late summer was a more realistic month to get a referral—which would mean we may possibly get caught in court closure in August and September—so the hopes to have a baby home by Thanksgiving…maybe a little more of a reality. Longer than I had hoped—so I look to the left and the right.

Aren’t there little ones out there that NEED me RIGHT now? Pick up phone. Call local agency. Lady says YES! We need families RIGHT now. Get excited. Tell husband when he comes home. Husband looks at me and says—honey, that isn’t what I feel the Lord saying to us. I feel our child is in Africa. We have to wait. Check my email. Reread email from caseworker confirming late summer more realistic. Richard leaves to go to bed. All alone in the quiet. Tears. Just had to get that out. Then I prayed—and the Lord brought rest to my soul and spoke clearly again to my heart.

DID I WAIT ON YOU ANDREA?? DID I EVER GIVE UP ON YOU?? NO. I did not. Because you were MY child. I KNEW you would be mine. And you, my daughter, I knew you were worth the wait. I wanted you sooner. I longed. I even cried. But you were worth every bit of the wait. And I refused to give up on you. So then…I tackled what I always tackle when the Lord speaks to my heart…the big questions: What is true of this situation?

Do I believe the Lord led me to my agency? Yes.

Do I feel the Lord led us to Africa? Yes.

Did He specifically confirm through scripture His plan just a few weeks ago? Yes.

Do I trust the Lord with His plan for our family even if it means waiting longer and being a harder road? Ummmmm…pause…DEEP BREATH…YES

I became a believer when I was 18. I believe the Lord persued me RELENTLESSLY for 18 long years. I am SOOOOO thankful He never questioned like I did, “Isn’t there a little one out there that needs me RIGHT NOW?!” Nope. Instead, He said, “That one…she is mine. And I will wait for her as long as it takes.”

I believe He called us to this journey. I believe He led us to AGCI. I believe He is good. I believe He knows what is best for Parker, Laney and Frank…AND OUR CHILD IN ETHIOPIA. And I ALSO believe He is using YOUR prayers to sustain us and carry us through this journey.

FINALLY–as if His revelation couldn’t get any bigger…today is the 6th day of Lent. I chose the ornament for Day 6 (the day I had no idea a month ago as I put it together how much it would mean!) to be the story of Isaac and Abraham. There are TWO stories that the Lord has pressed on our hearts about our child—1. The story of Moses (I feel the Lord wants us to reach out in a different way to our child’s birth mother if she is still living) and 2. The story of Isaac…so much so…Isaac is one of the names I have been trying to convince Rich to consider for our son! BUT it’s the STORY that God has pressed on my heart from the beginning…and today when I was in the valley of discouragement…He REMINDED me of His LOVE through MY CHILDREN’S LENT TREE!

You can imagine how crazy we looked filling out adoption papers with a 4 year old, 3 year old and 7 month old last summer. Yes, crazy. So crazy–that a few folks asked us if we were. Some times I wondered. BUT THEN…one night–the Lord specifically put Isaac and Abraham on my heart…

Do you think Abraham looked CRAZY taking little Isaac up the mountain to be sacrified? Do you think his servants who trailed behind thought he had lost it? Do you think Isaac, his beloved son, questioned His father and thought he was nuts?! YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT! BUT…the Lord was faithful and wanted to see if Abaraham would do anything that He called Him to. AND the Lord also provided. A ram in Isaac’s place. That story I have carried in my heart when I have gotten comments “Oh that’s nice”…”How interesting to adopt a baby from Ethiopia”…”You sure are going to have your hands full”…but the Lord always says, REMEMBER ABRAHAM…BE FAITHFUL…FOLLOW ME…YOU MIGHT LOOK CRAZY TO THE WORLD…BUT I WILL PROVIDE…DON’T LOOK TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT…TRUST IN ME!!!

So today…when I needed the reminder the most—the Lord had my little Laney pull this out of the bag…

He will provide. He will guide. And like Him, I don’t want to give up. I will fight the good fight until the end…and if you are still hanging around when we get to the end…you are invited to come to the airport and see me bring home my son. Because…HE IS WORTH IT!

Dear Babe of my Heart,

Your momma wants you home so badly, that some times I get so impatient and these last few days…I have taken my eyes off the One who matters most. I have looked around at my circumstances and the need around me. BUT—I know the Lord has called me to YOU. I am not perfect—and you should know that about your momma from the very beginning. This will not be the first time that I let you down. BUT—just as the Lord never gave up on me, I will not give up on you. He waited 18 years on me, and I will wait for you. Tears stream down my cheeks right now as I type wanting to have you home so badly. You must be SOOOOO SPECIAL and the Lord loves you SO MUCH to make my heart ache so. BUT…you are worth it. And I will NOT give up fighting for you. There is a mommy who carried you in her belly, but you are in my heart….and I even hope to be able to tell your first mommy how I longed for you, fought for you and will NEVER give up on you. I can’t wait to have you home. And if you think I’m crazy now, you’re going to really think I’m crazy when I won’t put you down or let anyone else hold you;). Just as the Lord said of me…she is mine—I will wait on her and not give up! I say that about you. I can’t wait to have you home forever.

Momma.

Today’s reading: Leviticus 17:1-19:37 (Today’s post was about all I could commentate…so I’ll be picking up on Tuesday’s scripture reading tomorrow:).

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by admin

9 comments

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Nikki - February 23, 2010 - 1:21 am

Amen. Praying for you tonight.

Shannon - February 23, 2010 - 2:22 am

I’m continually amazed at the beautiful posts you write and even in the midst of discouragement you continue to encourage others. I’m so glad you heard Him tonight and can take comfort in following His plan. As we were doing our reading tonight my 8 year old said “No way, would I sacrifice my son if God asked.” Such honesty…and I will never be able to fully comprehend this part of the bible myself but I believe you’re right on…it’s about obedience and being obedient often looks crazy to the world. What could look more crazy then sacrificing your own child? But Abraham was obedient and God met him there. I want to live my life in obedience but it is so easy to look to the right and left. Thank you for the reminder to keep looking straight ahead~I will be praying for your family and the baby that will be so blessed to join you!

Becca Harley - February 23, 2010 - 6:11 am

oh – I needed that this morning! Thank you so much for opening up through your frustration – what an encouragement! We are also dreading the wait – and we are not even on the list yet! But we did feel God calling us to AGCI, and definitely to ethiopia, so….eyes forward! Praying for you today.
Hugs from NY, becca

angie - February 23, 2010 - 7:40 am

my heart breaks for you andrea. i have been were you are a million time during our 2 year wait for silas. but! know that God is working on you and shaping you during this time. i didn’t know it at the time (i was stubborn and didn’t want to be molded…i wanted my baby). BUT…He was right (why do i question Him?!). i needed it BIG time and i would not be the person i am today without the wait.

plus, it will make the homecoming THAT much sweeter. believe me, it is amazing to bring a baby home after a short wait…but just imagine the JOY and REJOICING of bringing home a child that you (and everyone) has prayed for and waiting for for SO long. it is incedible. i still have no words to describe silas’ homecoming.

i know this is crazy…but i am thankful for the wait. once i was past it, i could see all the blessing that God had planned for us that we would have not experienced on my time frame. being on the other side, i can say with confidence that EVERY detail was beautiful orchastrated by God…even if it took A LOT longer than i ever expected and took many turns that i did not expect to take.

hang it there, friend. i know it is impossible…and there is not much that anyone can say to comfort you (well, except for how much it STINKS to wait).

i love you and am here for you.
…and i promise to never say “told you so” again 🙂

Jenn - February 23, 2010 - 10:14 am

quick comment as I rush my kiddos out the door for school…but I AM HERE IN IT WITH YOU 🙂 If nothing else…misery loves company right 🙂 I feel your pain and know exactly what you are going through…I’m here anytime you need to chat! We WILL get through this!!

Jenn

JonesEthiopia - February 23, 2010 - 10:33 am

I know… The wait is SO hard. Painful. My heart ached for my girls when we were waiting. And, I know that AGCI is always very conservative in their estimated time frames. We didn’t think, when we got on the list this 2nd time in May 2009, that we’d have a referral for 10 months to a year…. And we got our referal a little over 5 months after being on the list! And there were months of very little movement for us, too. I know this isn’t all that helpful right now, but I just wanted to share that I know how you feel and hope that the referral comes sooner rather than later!

Dawn - February 23, 2010 - 12:09 pm

I am with you on this! My heart wants a child so desperately….my heart wants…..TO NOT WAIT ANY MORE!!!!! hanging in there with you!

Sara - February 23, 2010 - 12:22 pm

The wait. OH, the wait. It is so so hard. I feel your pain. Your writing is beautiful. Amen.

P.S. I have been trying to convince my husband of the name Isaac, too….he’s not biting. 🙁

kristi johnson - February 23, 2010 - 2:36 pm

so beautifully written..I can SOOOOO feel your pain!! Been there done that one!! AND, crazy, but i can’t wait to be back in your shoes some day!! 🙂 wonderful post…kristi

Granola & Rest

02.22.2010

Guess what was cookin’ in my oven this mornin’?GRANOLA!
Here’s the recipe:

Homemade Granola Bars
2008, Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics, All Rights Reserved
Prep Time: 25 min Inactive Prep Time: 3 hr 0 min Cook Time: 40 min Level:
Easy Serves:
12 to 16 bars Ingredients
2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal
1 cup sliced almonds
1 cup shredded coconut, loosely packed
1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2/3 cup honey
1/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup chopped pitted dates
1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
1/2 cup dried cranberries
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 8 by 12-inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper.

Toss the oatmeal, almonds, and coconut together on a sheet pan and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl and stir in the wheat germ.

Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F.

Place the butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir for a minute, then pour over the toasted oatmeal mixture. Add the dates, apricots, and cranberries and stir well.

Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Wet your fingers and lightly press the mixture evenly into the pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until light golden brown. Cool for at least 2 to 3 hours before cutting into squares. Serve at room temperature.

***We left out the dates and just added more cranberries and apricots. YUM!

REST…this week I am really trying to rest in the Lord. Rest in the plan He has for us. Rest in the waiting for our child. Resting should come easy while you are waiting…right? I have to be honest though, and say that I am not resting well. Another of my confessions. When we came in to our adoption the one question we asked our agency was “Where is the most need?” Their answer–Ethiopia. So…there we went. We felt called to go where there was most need. We now sit on a waitlist with lots of families without much movement, so it’s easy to feel like where we are there isn’t the need we thought. I spoke with a local Christian adoption center today who told me they really need families to adopt African American and special need children. This is just where I am today–questioning and wondering if the Lord wants us to take a turn. Until He shows us—we will sit here and wait. I think back to such WOW reminders of Him showing us Africa and feeling certain this was His will. I know He had led us thus far…so I will continue to wait on Him…

Matthew 11:28 says: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

The ONE thing I am most sure of is our work in Zambia with Wiphan. I long to go over and see the children there. But because we always have to purchase our tickets early, and we are now planning a May and July trip—I am uncertain if I could even plan to go as I don’t know where we will be in our adoption process. It’s likely we could still be waiting, and if I knew that we would be I could go over and be with our children there and love on them like my heart longs to do. But…He has me waiting here for now—so today I will try to find rest in Matthew 11:28. For those of you also in waiting or a time of uncertainty…won’t you seek to find rest with me that the Lord gives rest. Let us take His yoke and learn from Him…for He is gentle and humble in heart…and He promises that we will find rest for our souls. Take this doubt Lord and help us to trust in You…for your yoke is easy and Your burden is light.

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Amy - February 22, 2010 - 3:58 pm

I have wondered the same thing about the African American program. I prayed about it and didn’t hear a no, but a not now. So we wait right along with you and I have peace and know that my son is in Ethiopia no matter how hard it is to be patient right now.

Tracy - February 22, 2010 - 5:01 pm

I made these last summer and my guys gobbled them up in no time! I added a lil bee pollen and flaxseed and they didnt even know:)

Shelley - February 22, 2010 - 7:11 pm

Hey, I am typing my first comment on a blog. I read yours and Melissa’s everyday so here goes. I know how hard it is to wait and wait for what God has for us. I am not a good person to wait. I am a planner. I like everything planned. I am feeling the need to wait and listen to what God is telling me in all area’s of my life. I am not adopting but I am waiting with you on what God wants for me.

admin - February 22, 2010 - 8:09 pm

THANK YOU SHELLEY for your comment and words of encouragement! REALLY what I needed tonight! Yes, I’m not good at waiting either…it means SO MUCH to know others are walking the path of waiting on Him with me. Thankful you are here in Atlanta—it will be sweet to meet you one day…maybe at an airport with my little one FINALLY in my arms!!!!!

kristi johnson - February 22, 2010 - 10:10 pm

AFter losing our referral I questioned too..it is natural…BUT looking at LL…I know I was suppose to get to Ethiopia…And, with the number of orphans in Ethiopia..your son/daughter needs you to hang on…i promise things will pick up soon…I remember the frustrations..I really felt them when we hit the 6 month mark of waiting…praying your child is revealed soon 🙂 kj

Kim - February 23, 2010 - 8:25 am

YUM! Will be searching the market shelves to see if I can find all these ingredients in Hong Kong!
Love & Blessings,
Kim

Kim - February 23, 2010 - 8:27 am

Your strength will rise as you wait upon the Lord!

Megan - February 27, 2010 - 2:30 am

I so admire your heart! Praying you get to “meet” your baby soon!

The Sabbath Day… (Leviticus 14:33-16:34)

02.21.2010

Today is the Sabbath! A sweet day of rest to spend with the Savior and family.

Today we continue another day growing through lent as we do our Lent/Easter tree. Lent Day 5 – Ornament: Farm Tool – Today we will be sharing the story of Abraham and Sarah from Genesis 12. (Can you guess where I got my farm tool? HL of course;)

Today’s Scripture Reading: Leviticus 14:33-16:34

Chapter 13 was a hard read, but 14 brings hope as a lepr can be cleansed and restored. This reminds me of the work of Mother Theresa. My cousin recently returned from spending time in missions in India in one of Mother Theresa’s homes. Oh the stories she told on her return. She lived with an Indian family who didn’t speak English AT ALL. BUT…guess what? Before she left to return the states last summer, the family professed their faith in Christ! Our actions and the way we LOVE will speak so much louder than the words we use! Blaire was there to love the lepers, orphans and care for the poorest of poor. Her assignment was to bath the lepers, change their bedding and help feed them. What a calling! She is now living here in Atlanta serving the elderly at a nursing home after being touched by the elderly in India. Open our hands Lord to care for those who are in need even in our own cities.

Mind if I skip discussing Chapter 15 and bodily discharges? This chapter talks about being ceremonially clean. And are’t you thankful today we don’t live under the threats of judgement. How thankful I am for Jesus and the new covenant!I love this quote…”We must not drift way from the humble works, because these are the works nobody will do. It is never too small. But God, being Almighty, sees everything as great.. Very humble work, that is where you and I must be. For there are many people who can do big things. But there are very few people who will do the small things.” Mother Teresa. It is often opportunities like buying t-shirts to support a ministry or speaking encouragement to a clerk at the grocery that we often pass up. Help us Lord to slow down, listen to you and be used by You in the small things.

Chapter 16 is about Israel’s high and holy day–the day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) when God atoned for all the sins of all the people and gave the nation a new beginning. This day was followed by the Feast of Tabernacles.

Hang in there readers…I know these are tough reads full of history, feasts, cleansing…but how thankful does this make you that Jesus came and we NO LONGER have to live under these restrictions and laws! SO THANKFUL! Now, when it’s said that way it becomes all the more joyful to read as I better understand and I’m more thankful even for the cross! I just don’t think I could measure up…I’d just have to park it at the temple always asking for cleansing! So thankful that Jesus is enough! So thankful today for the cross.

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3 comments

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april - February 21, 2010 - 3:25 pm

oh girl you have SUCH A GIFT at photography..thanks for all the little tips!

Renea - February 21, 2010 - 8:25 pm

Lovin’ the black and white and just to warn you, if I lived closer I’d be stealing your little green chair!!! I have chair envy! Mine are all blue, I want a green terribly bad! lol =)

And I need your address! You won my RAK giveaway! xoxox

Megan - February 27, 2010 - 2:34 am

I can’t thank you enough for all the little photography tips here and there! You know I’m going to have to go back and read through them all once I get my camera! ($250 in the camera account now, yay! Goal is before Africa!) I especially love the pic of Laney in the chair…where do you find locations like that? STUNNING!

One Year Bible Reading: Leviticus 12-14:32

02.21.2010

Thoughts on today’s reading…

Leviticus 12 – Purification after Childbirth Amazing how this purification actually provided the new mom time away to recoup and rest from her daily housechores. Women were also required to bring a sacrifice to be declared ceremonially clean. This served as a reminder that we are born sinners.

There were also instructions to have boy’s circumcised. This was a rite given to Abraham for the people of Israel to have a special mark of the covenant. Warren Wiersbe says of this chapter “Some people equate infant baptism with circumcision…the true believer has experienced an inner spiritual circumcision of the heart and imparts new life (Gal.6:12-16; Phil. 3:1-3; Col.2:10-11). R.K. Harrison wisely states it, “The parallels of circumcision to infant baptism are too superficial and narrow to be entirely convincing or valid.” If you ever want to do an interesting study on church history–infant baptism in the early church and what different denominations believe is fascinating. You might even be surprised the number of believers who follow this tradition but don’t know the history or what it means. It was passed down from the Catholic church (the first infant baptisms took place in the 3rd century). BUT it is chapters like Leviticus 12 that many link infant baptism. A study on it is really enlightening if you ever want a topic of interest to study.

Just a quick briefer–Roman Catholicism practices infant baptism because they follow two sources of authority—the Bible and tradition (magisterium). So, if you ever wondered by Roman Catholics hold tightly to infant baptism although it isn’t in the Bible–this is why. I, on the other hand, am a bit of a Martin Luther girl and chant “scripture, scripture, scripture”. I became a believer later in life (my first year in college) and for me, my baptism was one of the most impactful things in my walk. And because scripture says to repent and be baptised, that’s just what I did. I want my children to have this same life-changing experience. I think it’s very important to understand every single detail of what you practice in your church, why you participate in some traditions and what it means. Understanding your faith deeply and what traditions you might choose to follow will either make it more meaningful, strengthen your faith or it may press your need to dig further into what YOU really believe. Communion for example, when you study it deeply, will bring you to a deeper understanding of what needs to take place before your come, the miracle of what happens while you are there and the power that you take from it. I encourage you to DIG in scripture and seek to understand ALL you can about His sovereign Word!

Levitcus 13 and 14 deals with diseases—God was concerned not only about their spiritual health, but also their physical health. HE IS THE GREAT PHYSICIAN!!! He was wounded so we might be healed!!!

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Asher Collie - February 21, 2010 - 9:23 am

Andrea-it is so very interesting to me that todays post you talked a lot about baptism, and our church service today will be about baptism. This is a topic I have been digging DEEP in since I was 13 and still don’t feel like I have a clear understanding of! Also interesting that you referred to Martin Luther because the Lutherans practice infant baptism. But, they do something called confirmation in which a teenager(ish) aged child stands in front of the church and tells the church why they believe what they believe in their own words. Oh, and the Lutherans hold fast to infant baptism as being scripturally based because Jesus talks about baptizing whole house holds. And in those times whole households included anyone from infants to grandparents. Lutherans also talk about how infant baptism is like being adopted unto Christ. Just like a baby is adopted into a family and does not choose his or her family, that is the family they will grow up in and when they are older they will still have the name of that family. Now they can choose to go leave the family and change their name but it is like a mark that is on their life.
I can understand this side but I also totally understand how the scriptures talk about making the choice to repent and be baptized.
All this being said, neither one of my children were baptized as infants and the church we go to believes in baptism like you talk about Andrea…but my dad is a Lutheran pastor and really makes a good case (better than I have explained here) for infant baptism-all scripturally based.
This will be the FIRST question I ask God when I get to heaven.

Andrea - February 21, 2010 - 9:45 am

Asher,
I love that you dig deeply to know and understand what scripture says and to follow after Him. I mentioned Martin Luther not for his take on baptism that matters. For it’s not what he believes that matters. I love Martin Luther for questioning everything like you are doing. My encouragement in today’s post is to know deeply what you believe and why. And to always take what you believe back to scripture.

Marci - February 22, 2010 - 1:25 pm

The baptism in our Roman Catholic faith is an infant baptism usually and yes, Asher, it is just as the Luthern church believes…the family saying that they have commited this child as God’s…we would like to believe ours but, we are all belonging to our Lord. It is our promise to raise that infant in the church to know ,love and serve our Father and the Church body to be apart of that spiritual walk. To know Christ ,to lay our hearts and troubles and joys at the foot of the cross…this is our promise to our children through baptism. It is a sacrament. Holy indeed ! Confirmation is about age 16…Shockley is going through a year preparation to walk on his own from the baptism that was given to him as an infant and announce publicly that he is apart of his inheritance to belong to the royal family of the KING ! Jesus Christ. All things are possible through Jesus ! Some are not ready for this step and postpone this journey. As a Catholic…we accept all faiths and the way they were baptised. As long as they have been baptised at any age. I was at Emory Catholic Church and at Easter Vigil watched a precious graduate student be fully emerged in water for a very special baptism (we do full immersions also)sp? At any rate…it is never too late and so exciting to see the power of the Holy Spirit in the New Life !

Megan - February 27, 2010 - 2:39 am

My husband and I were both baptised as infants and have a “Profession of Faith” when we were teenagers. After joining our church here, we found out in order to be members we need to be baptized as adults and make the conscious choice. We still haven’t done it yet…need to. For our kid we have made the decision to dedicate them as infants and let them make the choice of baptism. I have some family who strongly disagrees with our decision, so its great to hear everyone’s perspective on it.