Today is Karsten's 3rd spiritual birthday...the day he was born (adopted) into God's family by trusting Jesus as his Savior. Karsten was 4 years old at the time. Karsten has had many questions about heaven since he was 2 when his brother went to heaven. He has watched his mom and dad shed many tears over the last almost five years. When Karsten turned 3 he began asking all sorts of questions about heaven. Some things we couldn't answer, but we shared with him what God says in the Bible. We told him that Kyler went straight to heaven because he was a baby and God holds babies and children so precious in His sight. We were able to share with him how we know that we are going to heaven some day. Salvation is a gift from God. Jesus did all the work when he died on the cross. All we have to do is admit that we are sinners, ask for His forgiveness, and make Jesus the Lord of our lives. The minute we confess Him as Savior the Holy Spirit lives inside us forever.
On Wednesday, February 22, 2006, as we were driving home from the funeral home on our way to church Karsten said, "I want Jesus to live inside me." So we pulled over in the Kroger parking lot and as he talked to God, he trusted Jesus to be his Savior. That was such a sweet time. It's all about God's grace, His undeserved kindness.
The "22nd" has always been a hard day for Brad and me each month since Kyler went to heaven on March 22. We miss him terribly. It isn't ironic that God saved Karsten on the "22nd" of February...that is God's perfect timing and something He wanted to give to us so we can also celebrate and rejoice on the 22nd.
Speaking of Kyler, Karsten is wanting another brother. We've been praying for God to give him another brother the last 4+ years. Karsten asked this past Friday if we could adopt a brother for him. Wow! That is something Brad and I have talked about and prayed about, but the financial part of it is so expensive. However, we serve a mighty God and all the finances are in His hands. None of it is ours' to begin with. Please pray for us that not only we bring Kylie home this year, but also we would step out in faith again and begin another adoption journey for our third son, Karsten's other little brother. As Ephesians 3:20 says, "God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work in us."
I want to close with this quote from the Daily Bread devotions.
Have you thought of where you're going ,
When this earthly life is past,
Will the seed that you are sowing,
Bring a harvest that will last?
Live for Christ,
Jennifer
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
While We're Waiting
My husband and I watched the movie "Fireproof" last night, which I recommend every couple seeing. There was a song on the movie titled, "While I'm Waiting" and I love the lyrics. It tied in so well with our waiting for our daughter and sister.
Happy Valentine's Day!
**Don't forget to scroll down to the bottom to pause the music.
Happy Valentine's Day!
**Don't forget to scroll down to the bottom to pause the music.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Spiritual Growth
Hi everyone! I hadn't realized it had been 3 weeks since I last blogged. When I started this blog in the summer I was posting a new entry every week, but I had more free time then.
As I was having my morning quiet time with the Lord, I was thinking about where I am spiritually. I don't want to just go through the motions, which I know I have been guilty of doing before. I thought back to this past weekend when we were in Chattanooga visiting my parents. My mom and dad still have the game Twister that my brother and I used to play with our friends. In the last few months I have only played that game a few times because my sweet son REALLY wants to play. Whew...let's just say that I didn't last as long as I used to. I'm not as limber as I used to be and I'm a lot older =).
Fifteen years had probably passed since I had last played Twister. If I was playing it on a regular basis I would be more fit. Well the same is true in our spiritual walk. We must train diligently for the Christian life. In other words, we must steadily repeat spiritual exercises to be spiritually fit. Here are a few things from God's Word:
In Isaiah 27:11, our spiritual growth is compared to a tree. From my Life Application Bible, here is what the commentary says, "Isaiah compares the state of Israel's spiritual life with dry twigs that are often broken off and used to make fires. Trees in Scripture often represent spiritual life. The trunk is the channel of strength from God; the branches are the people who serve Him. Tree branches sometime waver and blow in the wind. Like Israel, they may dry up from internal rottenness and become useless for anything except building a fire. What kind of branch are you? If you are withering spiritually, check to see if you are firmly attached to God."
Time alone with God is vital everyday. Matthew 14:23 says that Jesus had alone time with God. That time needs to be prayer time, including thanking God and praising Him, and being diligent in reading the Bible. If we don't then we are never going to grow spiritually and 15 years from now I don't want to be in my spiritual life as I was in my physical life with the game of Twister.
John 4:13-15: Jesus is our Living Water and the Bread of Life (John 6:51). Just as our physical bodies need food and water so do our souls. We need to feed our souls everyday with God's Word for He alone satisfies our hungry and thirsty souls. As Christians, let's remember to train diligently--"we do it to get a crown that will last forever" (1 Corinthians 9: 25b).
Sorry no pictures from our wonderful Twister game, but I thought I'd share several pictures from the Aquarium.
That was such a beautiful weekend!
As I was having my morning quiet time with the Lord, I was thinking about where I am spiritually. I don't want to just go through the motions, which I know I have been guilty of doing before. I thought back to this past weekend when we were in Chattanooga visiting my parents. My mom and dad still have the game Twister that my brother and I used to play with our friends. In the last few months I have only played that game a few times because my sweet son REALLY wants to play. Whew...let's just say that I didn't last as long as I used to. I'm not as limber as I used to be and I'm a lot older =).
Fifteen years had probably passed since I had last played Twister. If I was playing it on a regular basis I would be more fit. Well the same is true in our spiritual walk. We must train diligently for the Christian life. In other words, we must steadily repeat spiritual exercises to be spiritually fit. Here are a few things from God's Word:
In Isaiah 27:11, our spiritual growth is compared to a tree. From my Life Application Bible, here is what the commentary says, "Isaiah compares the state of Israel's spiritual life with dry twigs that are often broken off and used to make fires. Trees in Scripture often represent spiritual life. The trunk is the channel of strength from God; the branches are the people who serve Him. Tree branches sometime waver and blow in the wind. Like Israel, they may dry up from internal rottenness and become useless for anything except building a fire. What kind of branch are you? If you are withering spiritually, check to see if you are firmly attached to God."
Time alone with God is vital everyday. Matthew 14:23 says that Jesus had alone time with God. That time needs to be prayer time, including thanking God and praising Him, and being diligent in reading the Bible. If we don't then we are never going to grow spiritually and 15 years from now I don't want to be in my spiritual life as I was in my physical life with the game of Twister.
John 4:13-15: Jesus is our Living Water and the Bread of Life (John 6:51). Just as our physical bodies need food and water so do our souls. We need to feed our souls everyday with God's Word for He alone satisfies our hungry and thirsty souls. As Christians, let's remember to train diligently--"we do it to get a crown that will last forever" (1 Corinthians 9: 25b).
Sorry no pictures from our wonderful Twister game, but I thought I'd share several pictures from the Aquarium.
That was such a beautiful weekend!
Also, please continue to pray for Kylie and us as we wait to have her. Currently, the CCAA is working on March 2006 dates, where we are July 2006. Believe and pray with us that God will make a way for us to have our daughter this year. Thanks so much for your prayers!
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