There are over 145 million orphans in the world. Over 2 million more are orphaned each year because of HIV/AIDS.

You read those numbers and you can’t help but be taken back.  And that’s where it usually ends. Sure you may even think that there’s something you can do about it, but what have you done?

Think about this. Each of those 145 million orphans have a name. They have a face. They have a story. They are real children. Perhaps it’s those very statistics that shock us also de-humanize these orphans. They get lost in the numbers.

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1. What’s the Difference?

The measure of a great teacher isn’t what he knows; it’s what his students know.

- John C. Maxwell

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1. Nugget – Sept 22, 2009

I’ve noticed something about my own faith. I’ve noticed that I’ve found faith where there was tension. I found faith in the unanswered questions. I found faith in the face of conflict. I found faith when things didn’t go my way. I found faith in the uncertain future. I found faith struggling with God.  I found faith in the tensions of life.

Then why in the world does it feel like the pursuit of a Christian is to live without conflict? Why are so many prayers filled with fixing something? Why are all the Christian books out there about how to get your life in order? Why is the good Christian life portrayed like to the one who has everything together?

It’s been good to have faith and I’ve found it in the tensions of life. Then in the tension I will remain.

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It’s the freedom that we have in this country that I’m thankful for. That freedom that I enjoy demands my respect for those who fought to make it possible. It’s freedom that all faiths must fight to keep in this country. For what is faith without freedom to choose?

My utmost respect and gratitude go out to the veterans that fought for freedom.

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1. When There Is Tension

We are nearly done with our home study portion of the adoption process and it feels like we’ve been in the process for a very long time! There’s been lots of paperwork and talking with people to say the least. There’s lots of “white space” too. There’s plenty of time to wait for things to happen such as paperwork processing and appointments, but the best thing about the wait is that I’ve had the opportunity to really learn about adoption in a deeper way. I’ve been reading tons of material on everything from the theology of adoption to how Muslims are working in orphan care and adoption. To say the least, my perspective has certainly broadened and really do see adoption in a different way than I had seen it at the beginning of my adoption journey. So, for the remaining course of our journey, I will be sharing with you the things I’ve learned about the doctrine of adoption, the history, and about the worldview on adoption. Most of all, I hope that you will truly come to understand what it is to be adopted by God.

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1. What’s the Difference?
2. Chimp Nurtures Puma Orphan
3. Cambodia – Center of Peace
4. Orphan Summit – Session 1

Church should be _______________.

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Girls: I want you to WANT to do the dishes.

Guys: I want you to want to DO the dishes.

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Devotion From: Hebrews 2:5-18

Thanks, God, for that reiteration that Jesus has authority over “all things” (Hebrews 2:8), but what does it mean that “we have not yet seen all things put under their authority?” It sounds to me that things are complete, but yet they aren’t. But You point out that  Jesus is the perfect leader — a perfect leader (Hebrews 2:10) made through suffering. Ok, I see where this is going. It’s in my suffering, for Christ’s sake, I am made fit to be apart of bringing things into completion!?!?

God, there’s too much here for my heart to understand. It’s kinda frustrating actually. How come I can’t fully comprehend what it is to be a brother to Christ (Hebrews 2:11-12)? Why is it difficult to feel a part of Your family regardless of the knowledge that You reveal to me? It is amazing that Jesus became like me, in flesh and blood (Hebrews 2:17). It’s amazing that He is before God on my behalf. It’s amazing that I don’t know how much I get of this…

Father God, I read these words and not fully understand them. I read these words desiring to comprehend them in my heart. Would You move this knowledge I have into understanding in my heart. It’s a simple thing to understand in my head, but I confess I don’t fully understand in my heart. As You promise that he is able to help me when I am being tested (Hebrews 2:18), would you help me now. I have heard everything that is religious that is the right answers to what I am going through, but I feel that my heart has not heard what it needs to hear. Amen.

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1. Hebrews 1
2. Hebrews 2:1-4

Devotion From: Hebrews 2:1-4

God, that first verse hit me square between the eyes. Those words “pay much closer attention” are screaming at me. I realize that I don’t “pay much closer attention” because of lack of priority of Christ in my life. When I drift away, I’m not drifting from faith or feeling strong, I’m drifting from Christ himself (Hebrews 2:1).

I’m not sure what You’re trying to say, God, in Hebrews 2:2-4. What are the ways we neglect salvation, other than unbelief? What kind of retributions would we face for neglecting salvation? I suppose it doesn’t really matter as long as I pay much closer attention to the superiority of Christ in my life, above all other areas.

Heavenly Father, today I simply pray, help me to pay closer attention. Help me to pay closer attention to the details of the superiority you must have in my life. Help me to discern clearly the areas that perhaps I am neglecting salvation. Give me the wisdom and clarity of sight to help me pay closer attention. Would you allow people to speak into my life to keep me accountable to paying closer attention to my priorities. Amen.

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1. Hebrews 1
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To often I forget about the big picture. I pursue so many endeavors and I get caught up in all the challenges that I face. I loose sight of the superiority of Christ when compared to all my other pursuits. But why is it difficult to find peace, that I know should be there, knowing that Christ is my mediator who makes things right between me and God (1 Timothy 2:5)? Why is that not soul satisfying? There is truly nothing greater than Christ, I know in my head, but how does that fact work out into my heart?

God calls Jesus his son. Through Christ I know that we are sons of God (Galatians 3:26), but it seems I don’t know what that fully means. Perhaps the angels will help me (Hebrews 1:14).

God, help me to fully grasp in my heart what it is to say that Christ is superior of all things, that Christ is above my challenges, that Christ is above my pursuits. Help me to understand deeper in my heart the significance of being your son. I desire to feel it. I desire to embrace it. I’m tired of just knowing it. Amen.

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1. Hebrews 2:5-18
2. Hebrews 2:1-4