Orphan Sunday - Videos

Anna - "I want you to know someone's searching for a way to get you here."

These two videos (via ABBA Fund blog) are to help gear you for orphan sunday this week. As you know God has given Allison and I the desire to adopt and both of these songs strongly pulled at my heart.

This first video is from Aaron Ivey. He has been in the process of adopting two children from Haiti for the past two years. The video is a song he wrote telling the story of the parents to the child.



This second video takes the view from a child who has been adopted. This takes the music of Cat's in the Cradle and rewords it to tell his story. The artists involved are Darryl McDaniels aka DMC from Run DMC fames and Sarah McLachlan - both of them had been adopted. And yes, this song also made me tear up. You can call me sweet or weak. Whatever, I love the girls God has given and is giving me.

He Loves Us by Kim Walker

Here is another resource to the last two posts. We have sung this song at Reynolda, but it has been awhile. Allow it to sink in. Enjoy.

Marriage Communication Follow-Up

This video is a follow-up to the previous about listening to your lady. Eventually, you wife will want you to respond to what she said, and these are things you don't say to her. The video is by Tim Hawkins. Enjoy!

Listen to Your Lady

I found this video from Central Church in Las Vegas. It has got a catchy tune and as you can see from the title it is about communication in marriage. Enjoy!

Listen To Your Lady from David Tate.

Our Kids Need Us

This video does not relate to our study, but I thought you would like it. Enjoy!

Helpful Advice for Husbands

Gentelmen, do you want to build a marriage that is sturdy, like an oak? Here is some helpful advice from the guys at IgniterMedia.com. Enjoy!

Praying with Your Child

I have recently started a new job writing for a Prayer Blog called, Prayer Coach. I uploaded this video of myself and Rachel to illustrate something regarding prayer. You can go here to see the blog post I wrote about Praying With Children.

I wanted to repost it here just to reiterate the importance of praying with our kids. After posting this video above, I realized that Elizabeth is now the age of Rachel in the video, so she is now in the Bible story and prayer phase. Rachel has requested to join us, but I am having to remind her that this is Elizabeth's time. She is welcome to join, but she needs to let Elizabeth be the focus.

I must admit, these times with the kids increases my time in prayer. But what Allison and I wanting is to create a lifestyle for our kids that focuses them on Jesus. This may look different for you, but prayer together has been foundational for Allison and I in our marriage, and I believe we are already seeing benefits of this time with Rachel. It takes longer to put them down, but we keep remembering it is worth it.

• One last note, record a video of what you do with your kids. It was great to look back at this video with Rachel and see what we did.
• If you do, post it for us to get ideas of what others are doing and be encouraged by each other.

Vacation Bible School - Reynolda

Last week Reynolda had their Vacation Bible School. I think I saw everyone from the class there at some point. I hope that your kids enjoyed it as much as Rachel.

As promised, Pastor Chris Lawson posted the closing video from the week. I think it was hard to find on the Reynolda site, so I have re-posted here for everyone to see again. Or, for the first time, if you are like Allison and could not make it.

...Video was removed... Vacation Bible School from Reynolda Church on Vimeo.

What We Assume Jesus Would Say

This is funny video that shows how so many of us think Jesus speaks to them. You might have to listen closely to some of it because of the sound quality. I found it hilarious because it took people's misconceptions and carried them out to an extreme. Enjoy!

This video was created by Vintage 21, a church in Raleigh.

How to Tell Your Kids About How Babies are Made

On Sunday we discussed about when to tell our children certain things. How babies are made is definitely one of those uncomfortable subjects. Here is a quick video that could help the discussion.

Super Bowl Ad Censored by NBC

The Catholics were no holds barred on this ad especially with his stance on the issue.

I Wouldn't Change a Thing - Bill Bright Tribute

The last video made go search for this one. Dr. Birght has been a great influence on our lives, and I love him for the example he left. He loved God, and he wanted others to know that love. He taught me about faith (having it and sharing it), basic principles of the Christian life, the importance of passing this on to others, and the benefits of fasting. These are just a quick overview of his impact on me. I cannot watch this video without being inspired and grateful at the same time. Enjoy.

Give Me Jesus - Ruth Graham Tribute

I really just want to share this because it is beautiful, but I can stretch it to relate as I am sure we all would like to be honored by our children this way in the end. Love begets love. Knowing that we are loved fills us to fill others with love.

Father of Mine

I will post the notes to the class shortly, but I wanted to put this song up by Everclear, "Father of Mine". It talks about the pain a son had carried when his father left the family. The son focuses more on the hardships of life after the divorce, but their are hints to the deeper pain.

The song starts with the son remebering spending time with his dad. "I remember blue skies walking the block. I loved to hear you talk." Then it shows the father leaving.

At the very end of the song, he mentions having a child of his own, but "I will not let go the pain I have known."

Jesus does not want us to carry around this pain. When Jesus starts His ministry, He states that He has come to preach good news to the poor... to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind... to release the oppressed... [and] to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour (Luke 4:18).

Jesus desires to release the oppressed. When we carry the pain, we live out of the shame. And, then we never know the reality of the abundant life Jesus promises.

Why Super Hero Power Invisibilty Wins

Better superpower: flight or invisibility?

I came across this StrawPoll site at a seminar last week, and this superpower question was the initial question that started off their site. I will not say that this was conclusive research, but it does offer interesting insights. Why would someone choose invisibility? Either they want to hide or they want to do something secret. Both options are birthed out of shame.

Think of Violet from the Disney movie "The Incredibles." In the beginning of the movie, she would become uncomfortable and then hide in her invisibility. God is calling us to bring things out of the darkness and into the light. He wants to bring us out of our shame that we may thrive in who He has created us to be.

Now, these people below have taken the idea of soaring on wings of eagles to a whole new level. Thanks, Tony for forwarding another great clip.

wingsuit base jumping from Ali on Vimeo

Marriage Conference Update!

This slipped up on me, but the FamilyLife Conference is going to be in Charlotte and Concord on February 13-15 and 20-22 respectively. Allison and I are signed up for the one in Roanoke, VA for March 20-22. Go to their website at www.FamilyLife.com/weekend.

Those at Reynolda can get a reduced rate for the conference with a group number – $89/person as opposed to $129. Register by phone and give them the group code: 17954.

While it is not a guarantee to fix your marriage, the conference can go a long way to helping something like the one below.

Is Anyone In the Dog House?

Let's try a dangerous survey of the wives. Was your man able to stay out of the doghouse this Christmas? Leave your answer in the comments, and please be kind.

Sky Angel Cowboy

I am sure by now must of you have seen this. I only saw it once Tony sent it over to me, but this is exactly what we discussed back on the chapter on Shaping Influences for Children. Things are going to happen in life, both the good and bad. We will not always have the answers, but we need to help our children find the answers from God. Truth is whatever Jesus says is true. Here is a boy that is upset and GOD SPEAKS TO HIM. And, this is where comfort comes from. It was not his knowledge of Scripture or just telling himself that God is still in control. God speaks to him and he is comforted. Amazing!