Proverbs 24:11-12

I've been studying & meditating on these verses.  Here are a few translations I've read...

 

Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die; save them as they stagger to their death. Don't excuse yourself by saying, "Look, we didn't know." For God understands all hearts, and he sees you. He who guards your soul knows you knew. He will repay all people as their actions deserve. (NLT)

 

Rescue the perishing; don't hesitate to step in and help. If you say, "Hey, that's none of my business," will that get you off the hook? Someone is watching you closely, you know— Someone not impressed with weak excuses.  (The Message)

 

Don't hesitate to rescue someone who is about to be executed unjustly. You may say that it is none of your business, but God knows and judges your motives. He keeps watch on you; he knows. And he will reward you according to what you do. (The Good News)

 

Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done? (NIV)

 

Once our eyes are opened we cannot pretend we do not know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls knows we know and holds us responsible to act. (paraphrase of Proverbs 24:12)

While studying this verse, here's what I've learned so far... (most of this was copied from study sources that are referenced below)

• Neglect of known duty is SIN. (James 4:17)
• God's retributive justice cannot be avoided by professed ignorance.
• It is easy to make such an excuse as this, sufficient to avoid the censures of men, for perhaps they cannot disprove us when we say, We knew it not, or, We forgot; and the temptation to tell a lie for the excusing of a fault is very strong when we know that it is impossible to be disproved, the truth lying wholly in our own breast, as when we say, We thought so and so, and really designed it, which no one is conscious of but ourselves. It is not so easy with such excuses to evade the judgment of God; and to the discovery of that we lie open and by the determination of that we must abide.
• Jer. 17:10, I the Lord search the heart. He keeps the soul, holds it in life. This is a good reason why we should be tender of the lives of others, and do all we can to preserve them, because our lives have been precious in the sight of God and he has graciously kept them.
• He knows and considers whether the excuse we make be true or not, whether it was because we did not know it or whether the true reason was not because we did not love our neighbour as we ought, but were selfish, and regardless both of God and man.
• As his knowledge cannot be imposed upon, so his justice cannot be biassed, but he will render to every man according to his works, not only the commission of evil works, but the omission of good works.
• Consider - That this is only a frivolous excuse.
• God is a God of justice. He hates and despises all injustice.
• While some people might accept ignorance as a valid excuse for failing to act, God knows the real situation and the deep inner motivation behind such failure.
• Never should self-interest be the real reason for a failure to help those facing grave danger.
• Life is valuable, and all means should be taken to save it, and to prevent the shedding of innocent blood; and a man should not forbear or spare any cost, or pains, or time, to such service.
• If any be set upon by force and violence, and it be in our power to rescue them, we ought to do it.

http://www.biblestudytools.com/proverbs/24-12.html
http://www.vbvbc.org/bible-verse/proverbs24-12
http://www.trinitycrc.org/sermons/pr24v11-12.html

God is continuing to speak! Praise Him!

So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us?

Romans 8:31 - 32 (The Message)

I've had several people say things to us in the past few days, implying that we know our appointment date and are just not sharing it with anyone yet. No, not true! One of our facilitators did submit our paperwork to the SDA (Ukraine's adoption officials). But we don't know our travel dates yet. We are still waiting to find out when our appointment in Kyiv will be.

As I mentioned in a prior posts, facilitators are usually told to return in 10 - 14 days of submission to receive approval and the appointment date. It's now been 11 days since our submission. So we think we'll hear something this week, but of course there are no guarantees. And because many Ukrainian offices were closed for holidays on a few different days over the past couple of weeks, they might be a little backed up with paperwork. 

So we wait - anxiously, excitedly, and expectantly...

Chalkboard Paint

The first scripture that we wrote on the new chalkboard paint was one that was of particular comfort to us when we were waiting to travel to meet William.  The idea of God Himself actually going before us and preparing the way made us feel alot better.  We are praying the same prayer this time as we are waiting to meet "Elvis" (the nickname William is calling his brother).  The second one is one that Jennifer and alot of mothers pray.  The third one was a passage that I read yesterday.  I read it first in the Message translation and it reads "May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you". 

Good stuff

The Cross

(two posts in one day - be sure to read the one below this one)

And as I awoke this morning, I was also reminded that today is Good Friday.

The day we remember our Savior's death. He took all of our sins - all of MY sins - onto Himself on the cross. That includes my sin of selfishness, self-pity, fear, anxiety. He took them all upon Himself.

And He died.

He didn't use His power to get down off the cross. He didn't use it to take His physical pain away. He endured an agonizingly painful and humiliating death. He hung there, and He died.

He did this for love. He loved us so much that He died for us. And not just for us collectively - for each of us individually. He did this for me, and He did this for you.

This is how much God loved the world:

He gave his Son, his one and only Son.

And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.

God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was.

He came to help, to put the world right again.

Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it.

And why?

Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.

John 3:16 - 18

What's even better is the story doesn't end at the cross.  He didn't stay on the cross, and He didn't remain in the tomb.

He endured so much for you and for me. His battle and suffering makes our adoption struggles seem so minor and trivial. But His battle reminds me that I have victory in Him.

And as we seek to raise the children HE chooses for us, we must continually enstill in them the truth of who He is. Who He was. Who He always has been and always will be. Circumstances may change, but God remains the same!

"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am."
John 8: 58

This Sunday, we celebrate our risen Savior!  Death could not conquer the King!

Do you know for SURE where you will spend eternity? If you have questions, you can visit THIS SITE.

I'm also here, and if you have questions about this gift, or would like to learn more about what this all means, please email me here.

Honest

When I look back at posts on our blog, I realize that I don't often get really honest with you guys. But I will today. 

Yesterday was a low point for me. I was whiney, mopey, and feeling defeated. I got home from work to find out that the mail had already run, and once again, no paperwork. And I was so frustrated. When will it ever arrive?

Today, I still don't know where our paperwork is, or when it will arrive. But I woke up this morning and God spoke to me. He reminded me that once again, I'm not giving it over to Him. I'm trying to handle everything myself, on my time table.

My plan might not be His plan. Whatever happens, I should praise Him. It's easy to praise Him when things are going well and I feel like I've got things together.

But I need to praise Him always. When that paper doesn't come, I can praise Him that I have another day to prepare our home and our hearts. Another day to pray for our child. Another day to be an example of what it means to praise Him in all things. 

I have not been a good example of that. But I want to be. I want to change that now.

My moping and pouting only bring me down, and possibly those around me as well. I should rejoice in all things. Praise God for the beautiful weather we have right now. Thank Him for the amazing husband and son I have, the beautiful home we live in, the abundance of all things that we enjoy.

I will praise God in all things.

Hallelujah! Praise God in his holy house of worship, praise him under the open skies;

Praise him for his acts of power, praise him for his magnificent greatness;

Praise with a blast on the trumpet, praise by strumming soft strings;

Praise him with castanets and dance, praise him with banjo and flute;

Praise him with cymbals and a big bass drum, praise him with fiddles and mandolin.

Let every living, breathing creature praise God!

Hallelujah!

Psalm 150

Help Bring ShayleeJoy Home!

Meet Scott & Sharon, an awesome couple we've enjoyed getting to know over the past couple of years.  They are Savannah's parents (Savannah is Josh's girlfriend, Josh is Zack's brother). So they're practically family as far as we're concerned!

This lovely couple has the privilege and honor of parenting four beautiful girls, 3 of which are homegrown, and one who was born in China. And they have a fifth daughter on the way!  They've been in process for more than 2 years, seeking to adopt from China again. Just this past week, this family accepted a referral of a beautiful 2 1/2 year old. They (and we!) are so very excited as they prepare to welcome ShayleeJoy into their family in just a few short months.

You can help our friends bring their daughter home from China!  Sharon is an amazing seamstress, and she's decided to use some of her work as a way to raise funds to bring their sweet girl home this summer.  She'll also be auctioning other items that are being donated to the auction.  They've started an auction blog and you can visit it at http://ajoyfulheartshay.blogspot.com/.

While on their site, you can also read about how God led them to their daughter, and take a look pictures of the precious child waiting for them in China.

Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.

Isaiah 43:5

Proverbs 28

He who gives to the poor will lack nothing,

but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.

Proverbs 28:27

Proverbs 22

Generous hands are blessed hands

because they give bread to the poor

Proverbs 22:9

How many of us have surplus stored up for an "emergency"? Or spend more than we really ought to? Maybe it's an over-abundance of food in our pantry... overly large savings accounts... frequent - or even daily - trips to restaurants...

Are we being good stewards of what God has given us?

I'm not advocating for starving your own family for the sake of others, or emptying out everything you have in retirement or savings. Being prepared is a noble and responsible effort (see Proverbs 21:5).

But at the same time, we have no promise of tomorrow. And I'll bet some of us store a lot more for a rainy day than we will likely ever need.

Some of that extra food in the pantry could be donated to a local food pantry
Some of that money in savings could go to help a needy family or a child waiting for a home
And those restaurant lunches? Maybe buy that day's less-expensive special, switch to fast food once or twice a week, cut out that $2.00 soda, or even brown-bag it from time to time - and put the savings aside for a good cause


I encourage you to examine your own lifestyle, and ask God how you can help those who are less fortunate.

Proverbs 18

When I read from the Bible, I typically use the NIV (New International Version) translation. However, I often like to go back and read the same passage in The Message translation. It is a little more modern and basic, and sometimes just puts things in a way that really hits home for me. This particlar verse stood out to me when I re-read it in The Message.

The tongue has the power of life and death,

and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 18: 21 (NIV)

Words kill, words give life;

they're either poison or fruit—you choose.

Proverbs 18: 21 (The Message)

As a parent, I'm even more aware of the need for an appropriate tone and delivery. I often find myself reminding William to speak kindly, and then I begin to think about what kind of example I'm setting for him. Do I speak with kindness? Is my tone controlled or accusatory? Am I speaking without thinking? I need to ask myself the same things I’m challenging him with, and live what I believe!

Proverbs 17

A man of knowledge uses words with restraint.

And a man of understanding is even-tempered.

Proverbs 17:24

I often let words fly from my mouth without any real thought and care. My tone does not always edify. And at times, my choice of words does not show an even-temper or restraint. This morning I asked God to work in this area of my life. May I use wisdom in my speech, and may my words convey the love of my Savior.

Slava Bogu! (Praise God!)

The vote in Ukraine that was scheduled for today is no longer on the parliament's agenda. No one knows for certain if it will come back up for discussion and vote, but it does not appear to be in the foreseeable future. And for that, I rejoice!

I rejoice for the families that are in Ukraine right now, awaiting court dates. I rejoice for those that were scheduled to travel soon. I rejoice in a God who is Father to the fatherless.

Yesterday, today, and forever, God is in control! Praise Him!

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;tell of all His wondrous works!

Psalm 105:1-2

Please continue to pray for Ukraine, the children there, the facilitators and translators, and for all the families in the process of adopting from there.

Praise the Lord!

There are several significant dates that we remember in relation to William’s adoption:

• Nov 9: Metcha Day – the day we met our son for the first time
• Nov 21: William Day – the day we went to court, legally changed his name, and officially became his parents
• Dec 3: Gotcha Day – the day we sprung him from the orphanage
• Dec 7: America Day – the day we touched down on U.S. soil, William became a citizen, and we finally felt the weight of the adoption stress lifted

So today we celebrate “William Day”! You can read the post below about what happened one year ago today.

Today we will go to his school for the Thanksgiving Play and Feast. We will watch our son as he makes his acting debut as the Pilgrim Minister. And we’ll (hopefully) hear him say his line, “Praise the Lord!”

What a fitting line, as we are definitely praising the Lord on this day. In our own power, we could not have done this. But with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26) and He certainly paved the road that led us to our son.

Adoption Awareness

November is National Adoption Awareness Month. I hope to blog every day this month about topics related to adoption (but no promises). Some days will be general, and quite a few will be specific to what we were doing one year ago on that day. I pray that God will speak to you and lead you to make a difference in the life of at least one child.

God calls us to care for orphans and widows. He isn’t calling some of us, but ALL of us.

During this month, I challenge you to find a way to answer His call:

• If your church has an adoption or orphan ministry, get involved in it
• If you know a family that is trying to raise funds to adopt, support them with prayers and/or monetary help
• If you have a specific country that is close to your heart, find an orphan support organization that you can contribute to financially or through other service

Or maybe you feel called to add to your family through adoption. Every child needs a family. YOU can make a difference in the life of a child.

Please prayerfully consider how you can answer His call.

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
James 1: 27