Power of Music

As a singer I am moved by great music. Sometimes this happens through the lovely lilting melody of an art song, the surges of a symphony or even through the laughter of a child. These moments of music are blessings in my life. Sometimes, though, God surprises me and touches me more deeply than I can imagine. That happened to me recently.

Well known Christian singer and songwriter, Dennis Jernigan, encouraged Becky Wright to call me and get to know the ministry Act of Life. Becky logged on and searched our website and was immediately impacted by the work the Lord is doing through it. Shortly thereafter she was sitting in church when the Lord gave her the lyrics to a new song. She scribbled them down while listening to the sermon and then got home and began charting it out. Once finished she picked up the phone and called me for the first time.

Not knowing I was a singer she told me about the song she named Act of Life. I was speechless. Unknown to her I had been praying for many years that the Lord would prompt a writer to create an adoption song from my perspective, the adoptee. There are songs that describe the joy of adoptive parents and the amazing love of birth mothers who bravely entrust their children to them but no real songs I knew of expressing appreciation from the child to her birth mother for making her life possible. That is, until God moved on Becky Wright.

March 21st at Act of Life's Inaugural Adoption Evening I had the privilege of singing this song for the very first time while accompanied by Becky.



Here are the lyrics to Act of Life.

Verse One
You might keep it secret so the world would never know. You had the chance to end my life but instead, you gave me hope.
Lovingly you placed me with a family to raise me.
No cause for shame or need to blame for the courage that you've shown.

Chorus
It was an act of love, an act of life.
From an ocean of compassion poured the greatest sacrifice.
You made a way for my adoption into my forever family.
It was an act of bravery to do what was best for me.
A picture of redemption and love....an act of life.

Verse Two
Mary had a baby, the sinless Son of God. It tore her heart the day she watched him given up to die.
Moses mother placed him in a basket in a river of tears she cried.
Another mother would raise him just to save his life.

So thank you for giving me life. You gave your all even in your darkest night.
And I'm here today because of the choice you made....

Your act of love, your act of life.
From an ocean of compassion poured the greatest sacrifice.
You made a way for my adoption into my forever family.
It was an act of bravery to do what was best for me.
A picture of redemption and love....an act of life.

Thank you Becky, for using your talent to encourage and bless others. God has truly given you His heart for adoption. It is an honor to sing and to live Act of Life.
Blessings,
Julie Stobbe

Heartstrings

When you hear the word "adoption" who do you think of? Does you mind go to a couple who is struggling with infertility who would make the perfect parents if only they could bear a child? Do you think of orphans in other countries growing up in crowded facilities, or do you perhaps think of children here in the United States waiting for a family while in our foster care system?

When I hear the word "adoption" my mind immediately goes to another word: birthmother. The words (and people) are inextricably linked, for there cannot be an adoption without first there being a mother who gives birth.

These heroic women make difficult decisions out of vast love for their babies. Their plans are made with their children's best interest at the forefront of their minds. Then they entrust their babies into the loving arms of parents who will nurture them daily and equip them with skills for life.

Singers Lisa Bevill and Erin O'Donnell have created a song called Heartstrings that beautifully captures the reality of adoption. Reflected in the lyrics and images we see birthmothers and adoptive parents relying not upon their own understanding, strength and wisdom, but instead ultimately placing their trust in the only One who will ever love their child more.





His love is vast and boundless,
Julie

Formation Generation

Today is the day… March 3, 2009 Formation Generation is finally here.

What is Formation Generation?

Formation Generation is a book focused on bringing about a whole new generation of children formed in prayer. Robert Michael Kurz, has written a fantastic resource for expectant parents, seasoned parents, grandparents, etc. and I have had the honor of writing the foreword for it. With a little help THIS week, it is possible to take this book into the Amazon 100 best seller list. I am asking you to be one of those people who considers helping.

If you are interested go to Amazon.com, type Formation Generation into the search box and order 1 or more copies. Your participation today will change the way hundreds even thousands of people view the concept of praying for children prior to the day they enter the world. Check out Formation Generation for more info.

Thank you for you support and your prayer. May many come to know the tremendous power of participating in prayer... for the next generation!
Blessings,
Julie