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Archive for the ‘Adoption’ Category

Failing Faith and Lost Hope

Posted on: August 9th, 2013 by Laurie Coombs 8 Comments
Struggles, Wrestling, Wrestling with God, thinking, thoughts, bad thoughts, adoption, faith, failing faith, lost hope, hope, faith, think too much, analytical, prayer, pray, God, Jesus, Christ, Christian, Christian Faith, Real faith, what does real faith look like, need wisdom, clarity, i needed help, God's will, God's will vs our will, our will, free will, discouraged, promises of god, promises, waiting for God, Waiting on God, Waiting God, Waiting, Wait, God faithful, Is God faithful, God's grace, grace, God's not measuring up, God not meet my expectations, great faith, doubt, God is good, God's plan, best plan, God speaks, God always speaks, God is speaking, God talks, be content, content, contentment, Abraham, Sarah, Abraham and Sarah, Abraham and Sarah Wait, How long did Abraham wait for baby, God's promises, real life,

After a long, exhausting weekend, I decided to turn in early. Yet as my head hit the pillow, thoughts began to running away from me. After hearing some news about our adoption––news that most likely won’t negatively impact our adoption at all––I began to think. And what you must understand about me is that I’ve always been a “thinker.” I analyze and reason through everything. This can be a good thing. But sometimes, I have a tendency to think too much, which can lead me down some pretty dark alleys. And that’s precisely what happened this night. An hour passed, full of thought and cries out to God, when I realized I needed help. I needed wisdom. And I needed someone else to pray alongside me for clarity about our adoption. So, I texted my girlfriend and said, Ok. I need some help. Feeling super discouraged about our adoption. Maybe…

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The Day I Met the 80 Year Old Professional Poker Player

Posted on: June 28th, 2013 by Laurie Coombs 5 Comments
unloved, unwanted, Jesus, Jesus saves, Salvation, Save, Savior, orphan, foster care, McDonalds, Providence, Regrets, Poker Player, Simple Life, Never Married, No Kids, Difficult Childhood, Bad Childhood, Adopted, Adoption, If only, Father, Heavenly Father, Father in Heaven, God, Christian, Christ, Witnessing, Death, Give me the words, Murder, Murderer, Forgiveness, Forgive, Christian Forgiveness, Redemption, beauty out of ashes, Pray, Prayer

“Where should we sit?” I question my thirteen year old niece. I have a mind to go right. Emily, my niece, points left. “Right there,” she says with resolve, pointing to a booth next to the window. We sit down, McDonald’s ice cream cones in hand. I have a lot of kids with me. Two, my own. Three, my sisters, including my two month old nephew. At once, all four big kids eagerly take their first lick. Soon, the baby begins to fuss, so I take him out of his infant carrier and stand, bouncing and soothing. I notice the man sitting in the booth next to ours. He looks at me, sees the kids, and smiles a warm, inviting smile. A whisper comes to my soul. Speak to him, the Lord prompts. Tell him about Me. The man looks to be about seventy or so. He has warn skin, but seems to…

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{Lessons Learned} Forgiveness Flows Out of a Changed Heart – Part 1

Posted on: May 9th, 2013 by Laurie Coombs 2 Comments
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Forgiveness––true Biblical forgiveness––requires that we have encountered and experienced the risen God. [Tweet that] It requires a changed heart. Truly, prior to forgiving one another, we need to understand and receive the forgiveness of God. For, we cannot give something we have yet to receive, and we cannot receive apart from understanding. [Tweet that] As I’m sure you know, the term Gospel––which refers to the work of Christ––literally means “good news.” I’ve heard many pastors say that in order for there to be good news something bad would have to be true. And until we understand the bad news, we cannot fully grasp how good the good news is. [Tweet that] This is why we all must come to understand who we are apart from Jesus. We need to understand just how sinful we are so that the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf––and consequently, the forgiveness He made possible––can be understood…

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