Adoption Info

My wife and I are adoption advocates, and for many reasons. We have supported adoption efforts by others, believing that God has a special place in His heart for the fatherless (the Scriptures are full of references to those without families). We love kids, anyway. And then, as has been mentioned here before, we are adoptive parents. In fact, 5 years ago next week I had the privilege of meeting little “Artyem” in a Russian orphanage, only a month before his adoption into our family was finalized.What a special boy he has been to us!

If you are interested in adoption, here’s a link to a brief video about some of the unique challenges adoptive families face.

And here’s a book by Focus on the Family that can guide you through the adoption process.

If you have a heart for orphans and want to learn more, this Focus on the Family website has some great general info.

Finally, there’s a national conference coming up soon that is well worth your consideration. Unfortunately, I’ll miss this year’s Summit – I’ve had the privilege of attending all of the previous events. I’ll encourage you to take a step of faith and go to this outstanding conference…you’ll be touched deeply and inspired in fresh, new ways!

Stem Cell Dilemma

The public debate over the ethics of such research is sure to become more intense. A few hours ago President Obama signed an executive order lifting limits on human embryonic stem cell research.

Pro-abortion advocates have argued that research using embryonic stem cells is acceptable because it could lead to potential cures for a number of significant diseases and illnesses.  There is, however, considerable opposition to such research by pro-life groups and individuals, who point out that, in addition to destroying life, there has been little concrete progress with existing embryonic stem cell experimentation.

Richard M. Doerflinger, deputy director of the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has observed,

‘The obsession with stem cells obtained by destroying embryos has little to do with evidence of therapeutic benefit, and a great deal to do with being able to manipulate human life.’

What do you think? This is a complex matter, and the spin on funding and research will inevitably go many different directions.  Learn more by reading this informative interview with Mr. Doerflinger.

Germ-Proof Your Home


Scientists have found that most homes have more germs in the kitchen than in the bathrom. Yikes!

Here’s an article offering tips on how to clean things up, and the types of germs you probably don’t have to worry about too much.

Good Day!

I grew up listening to Paul Harvey’s News and Comment program. I recall my Dad coming home from work for lunch, nearly every day.  We sat around the table, eating bologna sandwiches (well, at least that’s what I ate) while Mr. Harvey’s rich voice and unique style bring news about the world and observations about the culture. Every day, or so it seemed, he was our lunch-time guest. I really came to appreciate his ability to inform and entertain. Maybe Mr. Harvey indirectly influenced my decision to become a broadcaster?

Well, my kids have grown up listening to Paul Harvey. Not every day, but often enough to know they needed to quiet down when his program came on the radio. They are third generation fans of that radio icon, and they listened along with me whenever we had the chance to hear his newscasts or “the rest of the story.”

Here’s a great little op-ed piece from the Wall Street Journal about the legacy of Paul Harvey, who passed away last Saturday at the age of 90.

Radio just won’t be the same without him.

On A Wing and A Prayer

They were in a green kid’s wagon, perched at the top of a hill. It was a classic “Calvin and Hobbes” moment, in which the slope was steep and the anxiety was high. Would they survive the plunge?

My daughter Saige looked back at her little brother, and with a somewhat serious tone suggested this was going to be a dangerous run down the hill, so he had better offer a prayer. The beauty of a 5 year-old’s petition in a moment of fear and pending disaster…Zane prayed:

…”Dear Jesus, thank you for this food.”

I love it!

Of course, they survived that perilous adventure, but I’m not sure how much of an effect that particular prayer had on the outcome. A meal-time blessing didn’t exactly match the need of the moment.

Still, it makes me wonder. How often is it that my feeble prayers aren’t quite suited to the occasion? Hmm. I’ll have to ponder that.

How To Survive Financial Crisis

Video here of a two-hour webcast featuring financial expert Ron Blue answering questions and giving a biblical perspective to the headlines. Dr. Bill Maier and Dr. Juli Slattery also joined us for this highly practical and encouraging conversation with listeners and viewers.

Parenting: Making Mistakes

What do you expect from your child? Perfection? Probably not…but maybe you are leading in such a way that your son or daughter thinks it is all about their behavior being picture perfect.

Here’s a good reminder to parents about what is important. Writer Alan Mason intended this advice for workplace managers and leaders, it strikes me that this is very appropriate for the parenting process.

Every parent wants their child to do well in life. Sometimes, though, we forget that kids make mistakes, and lots of them, as we train and coach them toward maturity. We can be discouraged by the failures along the way. “Why can’t this child finally get it? How much longer do I have to teach, and train, and tell them to do better?” After Mason sets the context by noting that we often want better for those we lead and manage, he observes:

Look for progress, not perfection.

Mason’s point: As long as the employee is moving toward the stated goal, they are succeeding. It’s our job to look for movement, even small movement, toward the goal, and applaud it. Without positive reinforcement there will be no progress.

As a father, I need to remember this principle. “Things take time,” as one person observed to me, and that certainly applies to the parenting process. So as I make my way home tonight, I’ll hope to see each of our kids making progress, and I will cheer them on toward maturity.

And I hope my Heavenly Father will do the same with me.

Keeping Up With A Toddler

Notes I found about our challenges keeping up with one of our boys when he was three or four. To protect the dignity of the individual I’ll not identify which of our three sons was the guilty party. On one August day the boy:

The next day was a bit better, by some standards:

If you have a youngster in your home, take heart – this season of life doesn’t last forever! In the meantime, you’ll certainly be burning calories and losing weight by worrying if the kid will make it through these years. Seriously, it’ll be all too soon before you realize this child is about to start shaving and asking for the car keys. Enjoy the journey. It’s a gift from God.

12 Year-Old’s Courageous Speech

Lia didn’t have to take on such a controversial subject, but she did – and what a masterful presentation she gave!

Parents, Will Your Teen Have A Summer Job?

My oldest son received a letter from the city parks department. He had worked for the agency last summer as a “temp,” and had hopes of returning again in May. He has some college costs to pay for! Unfortunately, the city budget has been in decline, and he was notified that there will be no hiring of summer temps this year. So, on to “Plan B!” He will find something, I think.

Unemployment is rising, and it is apparently affecting the summer job market significantly. The Wall Street Journal recently reported on the bleak outlook for teens seeking summer work.

How about your teen? Will he or she be working this summer?

Will your teen have a summer job?

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