I’ll be at the Nebraska football game today against San Jose State. I think Joe Ganz will have another 300+ pass yard day. I have a feeling that San Jose will have their fair share of big plays, but hopefully the Husker defense will be able to keep them out of the end zone.
Prediction: NU 45 SJSU 20.
By the way, happy birthday, to my sister Amy. Congrats on 22, Ames!!!!
I just got home from my 28-day trip to South Africa. It was a thrilling experience and the Lord certainly did a lot of great things. I’ll be able to post more in the coming days as I get adjusted to being back home.
grace and peace,
james
One of the most glorious truths in the universe is that God is a loving, compassionate, gracious, and merciful Father who went down to slums of the world and adopted the most spiritually orphaned babies he could find. We find a glimpse of this in the old covenant, for it says in Romans 9:11 that God chose Jacob over Esau “though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad.” The same is true for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord.
But the truth of adoption is greater than God’s choosing Jacob. Why? Because it is grounded in Christ! Galatians 4:4-5 says, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” Without Christ’s redemption on the cross, none of us would have been adopted. As adopted children into God’s family, we are given the Spirit, so that we might not be slaves to sin but heirs in Christ (Gal. 4:6-7).
But right now, we are still in our dirty, torn, thin clothing that the orphanage provided. At times, God’s adoption of us seems incomplete. That’s because it is. Romans 8:23 says, “We ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” In Roman society, a man would adopt a child and could keep it private for a long time. The “second adoption” happened when the child was brought before the authorities and his old clothes were taken off and he was given royal garments to show his new condition of life.
In the same way for us, we will one day be rid of the dirty garments of the flesh and will be clothed with glory as the full adoption is revealed in heaven with Christ. Charles Spurgeon wrote, “We are waiting till we shall put on our proper garments, and shall be manifested as the children of God. We are young nobles, and have not yet worn our coronets. We are young brides, and the marriage day is not yet come, and by the love our Spouse bears us, we are led to long and sigh for hte bridal morning.” O, that we would faint for the day when we will be joined to our great King! On that day we will be finally and fully adopted as heirs to his kingdom.
This should result in worship, praise, adoration, joy, and satisfaction. Aside from those, what is our application? Should our adoption as sons and daughters simply be a spiritual reservoir that we keep to ourselves without spreading it to others? Should the truth of adoption simply be head knowledge that never changes our hearts, minds, and actions as believers? No! What better way to spread the gospel of Jesus and the great truth of adoption than to adopt an orphan? I used to be opposed to this idea, thinking that I wanted my own kids, but if the Lord went so far as to come to earth to suffer and die for me, then I know that it’s a challenge worth considering.
I’m not married yet, and won’t be for a while, but I can pray about it. I hope all the married couples who read this will pray about it too. You can find out more about adoption from the LYDIA Fund, Bethany Christian Services, and Shaohannah’s Hope.
Every year when I go to the College World Series, it brings back memories of growing up in Omaha and loving this week more than any other week of the year. It reminds me of why I like baseball. It reminds me that a long day in the sun at the ’Blatt with friends means more than simply watching baseball. It makes me look forward to the day when I can take my kids to the ballpark and enjoy the sights and sounds of this great game.
Because today is my Dad’s 24th Father’s Day, here are 24 reasons I love my dad.
I love you Dad! Happy Father’s Day!
1. He loves Jesus.
2. He loves my mom.
3. He unwaveringly leads, provides for, and protects our family.
4. He understands that God’s will for my life is not always what he wants.
5. He supports me in ministry — financially, prayerfully, and emotionally.
6. He taught me how to swing a bat, throw a baseball, and shoot a basketball.
7. He works hard on the job and at home.
8. He prays for Mom, my siblings, and me every day.
9. He’s very clean and organized, and he showed me how to be like that.
10. He plans amazing vacations and makes them fun.
11. He takes me out to lunch (and pays) whenever he visits Lincoln.
12. He didn’t give up on me when I was probably worth giving up on.
13. He’s never made me do one thing in my life; he simply gives strong advice to do what’s right.
14. He’s laid back and fun-loving.
15. He tolerates us when we get a little crazy during family game time.
16. He exercises and eats well.
17. He’s excited that I want to be a pastor and writer.
18. He continually seeks the Lord for direction in his job and personal ministry.
19. He enjoys music (and musicals!).
20. He’s not obsessed with making a lot of money, and he knows the importance of living practically.
21. He serves without expecting to be repaid.
22. He loves the outdoors, but is a city-slicker at heart (as am I).
23. He knows that he is far from perfect and freely admits it.
24. He makes me want to be a great husband and father to my wife and kids.
On June 10, 1983, my parents were wed. They went to the Rocky Mountains on their honeymoon. This week, they went back there to celebrate the beautiful life and marriage that God has blessed them with. Not too many people stay married for five years and certainly not 25. I’m proud to call them Mom and Dad. I don’t have many heroes in life, but certainly my parents are at the top of that select list.
Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad. You are a complete undeserved blessing from the Lord. Your guidance, counsel, encouragement, and support is absolutely incredible. I cannot dream of two better parents in the world. Thank you for praying for me (even when I didn’t want it) and persevering in your prayers that the Lord would direct me in his steps. Thank you for being faithful to each other and to the Lord. I am amazed that after 25 years, you love each other more than you did than the day you married and that you both are closer to Jesus now than when you first met him. I pray that the the next 25 years, or whenever the Lord returns, is better than the first 25.
I love you!
