Waiting…

17 Apr 2011 Leave a comment

by Lori in Adoption, Prayer Tags: , , ,

This past Wednesday, my husband and I went to the USCIS (immigration) to have our fingerprints taken. Again…We are told that it is a 75 day wait for someone to even look at our file. Waiting is not new for us. God told us to look toward China way back in 2006. The difference is we have a child (Di Di) waiting.

Now, let’s take a different look at waiting. Yesterday, our first child “D” decided he wanted to color a picture for Jesus. He wanted Jesus to come get it. Well, we had a discussion about why He could not come get the picture, but He would see it. He would see it before D even colored it. We talked about how Jesus would come back one day. D started to cry. He wanted Jesus to come now. We are all waiting. Waiting for the second coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ. No one knows except God when He will return.

Waiting is hard. Waiting has a purpose. What purpose does waiting serve?

  1. Waiting develops patience.
  2. Waiting develops endurance.
  3. Waiting develops character.
  4. Waiting prepares the way for what is to come.
  5. Waiting softens our hearts.

What do we do while we wait? Well, while the disciples were in the upper room waiting for the Holy Spirit to come, they prayed. Not for a minute. Not for an hour. They prayed for days. DAYS!

Isaiah 40:31 ESV. But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Other versions replace the word wait with trust. If we wait and do not give up, it shows that we trust that what has been promised will come true. What do you do while you wait?

Holy Ground

07 Apr 2011 Leave a comment

by Lori in Prayer

Over the past week, many of my friends have had close family members pass away. Some deaths were unexpected and/or tragic. Some deaths were so peaceful and calm that time seemed to stand still. Almost as if you should take your shoes off, because you are standing on holy ground. Why can’t all deaths be this way? Short answer, so that God may be glorified.

A pastor friend and I were talking about death, and how at that moment the veil is lifted between the world of the flesh and the world of the Spirit. This side of heaven, prayer is the closest we can come to seeing behind the veil. Another pastor that I follow said that he often prays, writes, and preaches barefoot.

There are several prayer postures that I know of:

  1. Kneeling
  2. Bowing
  3. Folded hands
  4. Raising arms/hands
  5. Prostrate
  6. Shoes off
  7. Eyes open or closed
  8. A sweeping of arms, almost like the person is trying to bring a sweet fragrance to their nose

The next time I go into my prayer closet to pray, I believe I will take off my shoes. Hmmm, not sure I will try it at church yet, but I might!

Exodus 3:5. ESV. Then He said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

1 Corinthians 13:12. ESV. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

What is your favorite prayer posture?

Miracles

04 Apr 2011 2 Comments

by Lori in Miracles

I believe in miracles. Where you from. You sexy thing…

Yeah, I am talking about real miracles, not the song by Hot Chocolate. There have been many miracles in my life. Meeting my hubby, the adoption of our first son, the pending adoption of our second son, etc. Mark Batterson of National Community Church says that everybody wants a miracle, we just don’t want to be in a position to need one. Ain’t that the truth? If God would just lay His great plan out there, life would be so much easier, wouldn’t it? But would it be as exciting?!?

Several things have been on my mind and heart about miracles:

  1. No one wants to need one.
  2. Everyone wants one.
  3. To get one, sometimes you have to be willing to look different or silly, risking rebuke/ridicule (like the Israelites marching around Jericho in the book of Joshua)
  4. Marching around the city one time might not be enough.
  5. Sometimes you have to praise God for the miracle, before you see that your prayer was answered. In other words, God can answer your prayer and not tell you for a bit.
  6. You will see miracles everywhere, if you are open to them and look.

Joshua 10:13.  NLT.  So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies.

Praise God!

When have you needed a miracle and God came through?

April Fool’s! Or not…

01 Apr 2011 1 Comment

by Lori in Adoption Tags: , , , , ,

April 1, and I am not fooling. I am blogging! Here is the story of why I started this today.

My husband and I are pursuing the adoption of a little boy (Di Di) from China. We thought we were getting a Mei Mei, but God proved otherwise. Hoop after hoop to jump through. Paper after paper to sign. Here we are, almost ready. Then, we hear the USCIS is 75 days behind sending out appointments for fingerprints. What?!?

Today, we get a notice that China has sent us a letter of acceptance. Once we sign this letter and send it back, the clock starts ticking. At that point we have 3 months to travel to China. We cannot send this letter back until we get fingerprints done. What do I have in my mailbox when I get home? An appointment for fingerprints…

Who is in control? God.

How do we release control to God?

  1. Pray
  2. Study the word
  3. Practice

1 Corinthians 1:18 NASB.  For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

When has God shown you that He is in control?