Walking with Jesus

. At some point in the past I've read this book before. So, why did it all seem so new to me this time? Olivia and I (and Gracey) finished listening to the audio version of this title from Christian Audio last night. We listened to most of it on our drive to and from Albuquerque, but weren't quite done. It is perhaps the best Christian testimony I have heard resulting from the Holocaust. (If you live in Iran: Yes, the Holocaust was real.) If you've never read it, or even if it has a prominent place on your shelf, the days we find ourselves in are exactly the sort of days when we need to be reminded of: 1) the destructive power of the socialist/humanistic (Obama) world view, 2) the even greater power of the Gospel, 3) the call God has placed on all of His children to live a countercultural life, and 4) the reality of Jesus as Mighty Fortress, our Hiding Place. .

. It's been two weeks since Josiah was born. Someone suggested that while we no longer feel Josiah in our arms, we will always feel him in our hearts. I like this idea. It's sweet, and the image is good. But, it isn't what I feel. What I feel is the hot-cold sting of acid forming a hole in my chest where my son's face should be. That sounds rather dramatic, but that's what I feel. However, what I know is much better than what I feel . What I know is that Josiah is with Jesus, along with his (at least) 4 brothers and sisters. What I know is that he is worshiping at the feet of the Father. What I know is that he knows who I am, and waits for me as only a loving son can. What I know is that God is good, and somehow, he is going to use this satanic attack on our family to reveal his love to us and advance his Kingdom. What I know is that satan hates us, because we believe in God. What I know is that I will continue to believe what I know over what I feel . ...

I just finished this book on audio, and I found it really encouraging. It provides not only a practical encouragement for adoption, but a theological basis for adoption as a ministry of Christian families and an example of the Gospel of Christ. I recommend this book for any Christian, whether they personally feel called to adoption or just know someone who is adopted or called to adopt. Romans 8:14-16: "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children." (NIV)

.  The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald Have you ever wondered what you favorite author has on his bookshelf? Have you ever thought about what he or she might be reading in their spare time? Have you ever considered whether their reading appitite was similar to your, and whether you would like what they like at all? One of my favorite authors (if not the favorite) of the 20th century is C.S. Lewis (Jack to his friends). I love reading his work: Mere Christianity , Til We Have Faces , The Great Divorce , and of course, The Chronicles of Narnia . In fact, I did my thesis on The Chronicles , examining how each book proports a specifically image of Jesus and then showing how that image was shadowed in each of the other books. It was in doing research for that paper that I first considered the issue of what Lewis (or 'Jack' to take a little liberality) liked to read. One of Jack's favorite authors was George MacDonald , who wrote various stories including one...