Prayer Walking is...intercession on location, with information, in cooporation, against opposition, for glorification.
Intercession...Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.- Luke 18:1
On Location...Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.- Matthew 5:16
With Information...But, as it is written,
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him”––
these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.- 1 Cor 2:9-10
In Cooperation...All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer- Acts 1:14
Against Opposition...For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.- 2 Corinthians 10:3-4
For Glorification...For all the peoples walk
each in the name of its god,
but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God
forever and ever.- Micah 4:5
(taken from A Journey of Faith, Prayer Walking- Crawford & Miller)
7.16.2010
7.15.2010
oh. we. must. be. crazy!
Well, at least I've felt that way a few times this week. Today...as Micah pitched a royal fit in Target. Last night...as Micah pointed and called out China, London, Bill, Frank (executive and missions pastors at our church) as our London Team was being commissioned during HSBC's Wednesday evening service.
We leave tomorrow night for London, and I am convinced in my heart that going as a family (ie-taking Micah) is right. But, the logic portion of my brain says we're doing what??
I know Micah won't remember this trip, and that's OK -- but I do want him to be able to always have memories of our family serving God together!
We're excited about the week and the work God has prepared for us! It's going to be a long, exhausting seven days...prayer walking from early a.m. to late p.m...but we trust completely that God will sustain us...and especially Micah!!
I hope to update our blog during the week - so check back for stories & pics!!
You're prayers would be greatly appreciated!!
Romans 10
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”
12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.
13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
We leave tomorrow night for London, and I am convinced in my heart that going as a family (ie-taking Micah) is right. But, the logic portion of my brain says we're doing what??
I know Micah won't remember this trip, and that's OK -- but I do want him to be able to always have memories of our family serving God together!
We're excited about the week and the work God has prepared for us! It's going to be a long, exhausting seven days...prayer walking from early a.m. to late p.m...but we trust completely that God will sustain us...and especially Micah!!
I hope to update our blog during the week - so check back for stories & pics!!
You're prayers would be greatly appreciated!!
Romans 10
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”
12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.
13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
7.13.2010
funny little boy
Thought I'd share with you some of Micah's latest, cutest happenings!!
We participate in Dolly Parton's book club (free books each month), and a favorite of Micah's is a book about brothers. It's actually photos of real brothers...doing all the silly things that brothers do together. We read it and talk about how he'll get to do all the same things with Judah. However, one of the pictures shows two brothers picking flowers for their mommy. Well, guess Micah has realized that's one activity he doesn't have to wait for Judah to do. So now he loves to pick flowers for mommy from a vase in our hallway filled with artificial flowers.
In the photo below you can see an oil painting that we purchased while in Ethiopia. I fell in love with it because of it's vibrant colors, and because it captured so well the streets of Addis Ababa...lots of people, cabs, and buses! Some how Micah realized that there is a yellow bus in the scene (I don't think we ever pointed that out to him). Well, in his little almost-two-year-old mind, he's decided he wants to drive the bus. Yes, the very bus in the painting. So, he pushes a stool to the wall...climbs on...and...drives the bus. Of course I explained the painting to him -- that it's a bus on the streets of Ethiopia (he has some comprehension that he was born there) -- so here he is, cruising the streets of Addis Ababa!
We participate in Dolly Parton's book club (free books each month), and a favorite of Micah's is a book about brothers. It's actually photos of real brothers...doing all the silly things that brothers do together. We read it and talk about how he'll get to do all the same things with Judah. However, one of the pictures shows two brothers picking flowers for their mommy. Well, guess Micah has realized that's one activity he doesn't have to wait for Judah to do. So now he loves to pick flowers for mommy from a vase in our hallway filled with artificial flowers.
In the photo below you can see an oil painting that we purchased while in Ethiopia. I fell in love with it because of it's vibrant colors, and because it captured so well the streets of Addis Ababa...lots of people, cabs, and buses! Some how Micah realized that there is a yellow bus in the scene (I don't think we ever pointed that out to him). Well, in his little almost-two-year-old mind, he's decided he wants to drive the bus. Yes, the very bus in the painting. So, he pushes a stool to the wall...climbs on...and...drives the bus. Of course I explained the painting to him -- that it's a bus on the streets of Ethiopia (he has some comprehension that he was born there) -- so here he is, cruising the streets of Addis Ababa!
7.07.2010
7.04.2010
a day outdoors
Neighborhood Lake...
Botanical Gardens...
come on, mommy
Botanical Gardens...
all the world is a stage...and everything is a microphone (even pine straw)
7.01.2010
finding birth family
This is a much-debated topic in our home. When we received Micah's referral, we were fortunate to receive a good amount of biographical info. When we were in Ethiopia we did not meet Micah's birth family -- however, we did have a surprise opportunity to do so the day we departed for the US...but long-story-short, a meeting did not take place.
Since then, I have thought often about Micah's birth family. But, my thoughts are often more burdened by the questions Micah may have one day about his adoption. It's a little easier for Vince to be naive about future conversations that Micah might need to have, but, not so easy for me. My mom and dad (birth) divorced when I was very young. I stayed in contact with him until I was about 12, but we fell-off each other's map (so to speak) soon after. And, to make another long-story-short, I had questions. But, there wasn't really anyone to help me process or answer those questions.
My heart aches to think Micah may face a similar journey.
But, then again, he might not. Vince and I know several adoptees who sincerely could care less about their birth family.
Regardless, I feel a deep conviction to at be able (if need presents itself) to walk that journey with Micah. And to be able to provide as much grace and information as possible.
So, that conviction takes me back to the topic of finding birth family. I recently stumbled across an Ethiopian company that will do a birth family update, via photos & video, for adoptive families. I think we may have enough info to find someone from Micah's Ethiopian family, but I'm not sure. But I feel like the clock is ticking. By the time Micah is old enough to do his own research, his birth family could very well be dead or missing.
Vince is becoming a little more open to doing some research now, but he's very adamant that we do it ethically - not violating any inter-country adoption laws.
So, I'd be very interested to know if families have located birth-family once returning to the states. How did you find them? Who did you use? How much did it cost? Do you have any regrets?
Since then, I have thought often about Micah's birth family. But, my thoughts are often more burdened by the questions Micah may have one day about his adoption. It's a little easier for Vince to be naive about future conversations that Micah might need to have, but, not so easy for me. My mom and dad (birth) divorced when I was very young. I stayed in contact with him until I was about 12, but we fell-off each other's map (so to speak) soon after. And, to make another long-story-short, I had questions. But, there wasn't really anyone to help me process or answer those questions.
My heart aches to think Micah may face a similar journey.
But, then again, he might not. Vince and I know several adoptees who sincerely could care less about their birth family.
Regardless, I feel a deep conviction to at be able (if need presents itself) to walk that journey with Micah. And to be able to provide as much grace and information as possible.
So, that conviction takes me back to the topic of finding birth family. I recently stumbled across an Ethiopian company that will do a birth family update, via photos & video, for adoptive families. I think we may have enough info to find someone from Micah's Ethiopian family, but I'm not sure. But I feel like the clock is ticking. By the time Micah is old enough to do his own research, his birth family could very well be dead or missing.
Vince is becoming a little more open to doing some research now, but he's very adamant that we do it ethically - not violating any inter-country adoption laws.
So, I'd be very interested to know if families have located birth-family once returning to the states. How did you find them? Who did you use? How much did it cost? Do you have any regrets?
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