Two Incredible Stories About Life
Hear two powerful stories on Focus on the Family broadcasts this week. Jacqueline Ivel describes how, as a pregnant teenager, she was nearly persuaded to have a partial-birth abortion, but decided to have her baby instead. Find the program online or listen to it on your radio station.
Abby Johnson made headlines last fall when she left Planned Parenthood after having a change of heart about abortion. Hear her explain what led to that momentous decision by tuning into your local station, or listen online here.
News On Haiti’s Orphans
Here’s a helpful site with latest news about the orphans of Haiti.
Listeners Found Hope
We received quite a few comments about the program last week with Rev. Duane Miller. Overwhelmingly, people let us know they thought it offered hope and encouragement. Here are some of the comments our phone team received:
- He loved the broadcast today, and said it should not be so long between the airings of this - many people need to hear it frequently and be encouraged and blessed like he was.
- Caller heard today’s broadcast & felt it would be great to share with some individuals in his church.
- Constituent thought the broadcast about the “inspirational healing” of Duane Miller was amazing. She loves our broadcasts!
- Such encouragement from the broadcast today.
- Mr. Smith called to request the broadcast from today. He said he also has health problems, and it was a great encouragement to him. He says he looks forward to listening again.
- Felt the program was filled with hope.
- Called to say thank you for today’s broadcast. Her faith was strengthened by hearing of this miraculous healing. She now has the faith to start believing in things that she is praying for.
We’re so grateful for the feedback from listeners. If you haven’t called lately, why not listen and let us know what you think? And if you missed the program with Duane Miller, you can listen here.
Haiti Devastation: How To Help
The devastation in Haiti is unbelievable, and I hope you are praying for the millions of individuals and families who are affected by the recent earthquake there.
In a statement, President Obama said, “With just a few hundred miles of ocean between us and a long history that binds us together, Haitians are neighbors of the Americas and here at home.” He called the earthquake an “incomprehensible tragedy.”
As you probably know, Focus on the Family is not a relief agency, but if you want to contribute to trusted organizations which are already providing needed assistance to the people of Haiti, here’s a list to start with:
More Peru Photos
More photos from our family’s service trip, during which we spent several days at an orphanage in Ayacucho, Peru.
It was a wonderful time and God was very gracious to us as we traveled and during the outreach.
We experienced great joy as we tried to live out the admonition in James 1:27, but I can’t help but feel we can - and must - do so much more for these “fatherless” children.
Our daughter Saige with some new friends at the orphanage.
A rural village in the midst of farming country
- We were drawn to children - everywhere we went, we found kids to smile at, play with and shower with love
Work team helped plant fruit trees - future food and revenue source. I'm on the left, and the two tall guys in the back row are my boys.
No Resolutions!
Several years ago I gave up New Year’s resolutions, after determining that good ol’ fashioned discipline is something I can apply to life anytime, not just at the start of a particular month or year. So I haven’t any major changes that need to begin this week, only a list of growth goals that are in process continually. I’m not claiming that I don’t need to change aspects of my life - ask my family, and they’ll give you a lengthy laundry list - only that I’ve found “resolutions” to be an overly hopeful word, and one which becomes less attainable as time goes on. I guess I find it more realistic to live day-to-day with regards to self-improvement.
Still, the temptation, if you will, is to set some fresh goals and pursue those in the coming twelve months. Reading articles like this one cause me to pause and reconsider: Perhaps I’m missing something by avoiding resolutions? Maybe I should think anew about some ways I can develop positive habits in my life, or ways I can leave behind some negative patterns?
If you’ve set one or more goals for the coming year, share your resolution(s) with us. And if you think I should live with some specific 2010 goals in mind, I’m happy to consider your suggestions! I want to make sure I start the new year on the right foot.
Now, off to my morning workout I go…
Paul Harvey’s Heart
Paul Harvey was one of the most gifted communicators ever. An icon, he was heard by and touched millions every day. From what I can recall, there was a period in my early years during which I heard Paul Harvey deliver his “News and Comments” nearly every lunch hour.
My dad would come home from work around 11:45 a.m. and we’d have sandwiches (in fact, in all humility, it was during those days that I created a special “bologna, pickle, ketchup and potato chip” sandwich). The radio came on and gave us Mr. Harvey’s inimitable voice and delivery. Those 15 minutes were special, and we didn’t talk as a family until after he signed off…”Good day!”
Years would pass, and I found myself giving my own children those kinds of memories, We’d listen to Paul Harvey with some frequency on the weekly drive to the bagel shop. No conversation during those few short minutes…no interrupting Mr. Harvey.
The author of the new Paul Harvey biography joined us for a two-part discussion about the life and legacy of this legendary broadcaster. Listen in, relive some memories, and learn a few things about the man behind the mic.
What You Believe
Do you know what you believe, and why? Can you articulate the historical precedents for your faith? Do you know how to talk with someone who doesn’t share your spiritual beliefs?
Chuck Colson speaks boldly about the core principles of Christianity, and encourages believers to have confidence as they engage others, in this powerful presentation.
His Coming Changed Everything
Every December I think back to many wonderful recollections as a child. I enjoy seeing the “Kodak moments” associated with Christmas which are etched upon my mind. Truly, this is a special time of year, and so meaningful for many.
Invariably, too, every year thoughts about that first noel move me to revisit a favorite author, Frederick Buechner. Many years ago a friend gave me a devotional by this good writer. Listening To Your Life is a compilation of Buechner’s works, broken into bite-size pieces for daily consumption and enjoyment. He is a thoughtful writer and invariably his musings cause me to think more deeply and often differently. That is the case as I consider Christmas.
Here’s one observation (from the December 26) entry in Listening To Your Life, which touches on one profound aspect of the Baby King’s coming:
…when the child was born, the whole course of history was changed. That is a fact as hard and blunt as any fact…Art, music, literature, our culture itself, our political institutions, our whole understanding of ourselves and our world – it is impossible to conceive of how differently world history would have developed if that child had not been born.
I like Buechner’s emphasis on the ultimate result of Christ’s birth: He left an indelible mark on everything. On everyone. Others have written extensively about the impact of Jesus on our world. And they make a similar point:
Believe Him or not, Jesus changed this world, forever.
Jesus came to earth. He lived and He changed the world. Even more, He still lives, and He changes individual lives. I know because He touched and changed me. And Jesus continues to do so, on a daily basis. I’m so grateful for His caring, gracious work in my life.
This Christmas season, I wonder if you’ve thought about that, if you’ve personalized Christmas? A co-worker often says that “God sent His Son into this world for you. If you were the only person on this earth, Jesus still would have come and died for you, to bring forgiveness for your sins.” I like that perspective. And so, I’m curious: how has this Messiah changed your world, your life?
Healed!
Our youngest stepped on a nail the other day. He poked his foot pretty good, although not deeply. And for a day he hopped around the house on one foot. It was pretty noisy - we have hardwood floors, and while he isn’t a very big kid, Zane’s hopping sounded like a marching band was going through the place. He was pretty cute as he made his way from the bedroom to the living room. (And yes, we made sure he is up-to-date on shots.)
Anyway, he started getting better yesterday, and after church took his shoes and sock off. When he did that, the plastic bandage came off, too. He notices these things. He looked intently at his foot and then, looking at his sister standing nearby, said, “I think the Holy Spirit made my foot stop bleeding.”
He repeated that diagnosis to me a few minutes later, and all I could say was, “You are probably right, buddy.” Who am I to argue with him?
As I smiled at Zane’s faith in God’s ability to heal his sore foot, I thought about the innocence and truly child-like quality of his statement. We read a lot of Bible stories to him, and while those are important for Zane to hear and to know, it was mighty pleasing to see that he is internalizing those, and that he related God’s ability to heal with today, with his own need. In his mind, his foot is better, so it must have been God’s healing hand at work.
I also thought about the more adult, sophisticated response to illness and injury - even in Christian circles. I’ll admit that I tend to ascribe physical improvements to medicine or the physical therapist. When I have a headache, I do occasionally pray about it, but I more often grab some pain reliever. And when I get better, I don’t usually attribute my healed wounds and hurts directly to the Holy Spirit.
But maybe I’ll start doing that.