On this Good Friday may we reflect on its full meaning and give thanks for the immeasureable love that prompted this unequaled sacrifice. The thorns, the nails, the spear, the blood, the shame, the sin, the tears, the sorrow, the pain, the forgiveness, the love...oh the LOVE!
Blessing to you and yours,
Julie
Behold the Savior of Mankind
Behold the Savior of mankind
nailed to the shameful tree;
how vast the love that him inclined
to bleed and die for thee!
Hark how he gorans! while nature shakes,
and earth's strong pillars bend!
The temple's veil in sunder breaks,
the solid marbles rend.
"Tis done! the precious ransom's paid!
"Receive my soul!" he cries;
see where he bows his sacred head!
He bows his head and dies!
But soon he'll break death's envious chain
and in full glory shine.
O Lamb of God, was ever pain,
was ever love like thine?
Written by Samuel Wesley (1662-1735) father to John Wesley
Friday, April 10, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
The Ultimate April Fool
Let the record show it is 9 a.m. on the morning in question. School began one hour ago.
Today began like any other day. I felt my way through the darkness of her room, sat upon her bed and rubbed her back as I gently cooed my good morning. When sufficiently awake I ventured, “It snowed last night.” Rubbing sleep from her eyes she sat up with tremendous excitement and gasped, “REALLY? Then we must have no school!” She giggled then the hammer fell. “April Fool!” I whispered feeling somewhat guilty to be dashing her hopes.
“MOM!” Though it was pitch black I am certain I saw her eyes roll.
Repeat with child #2.
On with the morning preparing breakfast, packing lunches, zipping backpacks, you know the school day drill. I looked up at the clock realizing my daughter had not made it to breakfast yet. With time quickly evaporating I barked an order for her to report promptly. She called back in a cheery voice, “Coming!”
Sipping my steamy cup of coffee and adjusting my glasses I had no idea what lay in store. She snuck up behind me and in her sing-song voice said, “Morning Mamma!” She wrapped her arms about my waist and gave the biggest hug. My heart warmed. Then I turned around. Big mistake.
Were those truly her sparkling blue eyes peering from amidst purple dots? She was covered in them. Let’s be clear: my daughter is thorough. When she takes on a project she does so wholeheartedly. Eyelids, ears, lips, down her neck, palms of her hands; any exposed skin was sufficiently covered with spots. My heart gave quite a start and then the peals of “April Fool!” rang out. My son laughed and pointed at me as they high-fived each other. They got me good. We had a great laugh remembering the preschool years when both kids pulled this same prank as a duo explaining they had the chicken pox. Washable markers are fabulous inventions…. Nothing a little soap and water can’t tackle, right?
Happily eating our breakfast I decided it was time to remove the spots. Katherine confirmed that indeed she had used a washable marker. Great – no sweat. However, as I began scrubbing her cheeks the spots were rather stubborn. Not wanting to rub her raw I paused and inquired, “When did you draw these?” “Oh, last night! And you didn’t even know!” Yeah, but what she didn’t know was the longer she allowed that washable marker to sit on her porcelain skin the more opportunity said skin had to absorb the color and lock in it in.
They were not coming off. We tried 2 soaps, creams, anything we could think of and only the smallest amount was coming off. Can I really send her to school like this? I thought. My inner conversation immediately switched into the justified Well, THIS-will-teach-her-a-lesson-she’ll-never-forget mom voice. Stay calm my mind screamed at me. Stay calm!!
By this point I am bracing for the worst. I am now visualizing answering the telephone as the Principal describes for me in disturbing detail how Katherine has punched out a little’s boy’s front teeth because he made some remark about her new look.
Back to the hear and now... Kate disappears to the bathroom to try new tactics and exact a bit more elbow grease. Meanwhile I have to keep Connor from coming unglued with satisfying belly laughter. He thinks this is just hilarious. To his credit he quickly collected himself. Growing up my mother always used to say I could slay anyone with my looks. My eyes must have been in top form this morning.
A few minutes later Katherine emerged from the bathroom with most of it diminished significantly. However, there were still tell-tale signs of something that had gone terribly wrong. Worried that this could launch her into an epic emotional spin I silently prayed, God, please …. She looked at Connor and me and stated matter-of-factly, “I’m not going to let a few spots get me down. If someone asks me what my spots are for I’ll simply tell them I was involved in a messy art project.”
I want to be just like her when I grow up. Hang on a second, I hear the phone ringing. Do you suppose it is the Principal???
Today began like any other day. I felt my way through the darkness of her room, sat upon her bed and rubbed her back as I gently cooed my good morning. When sufficiently awake I ventured, “It snowed last night.” Rubbing sleep from her eyes she sat up with tremendous excitement and gasped, “REALLY? Then we must have no school!” She giggled then the hammer fell. “April Fool!” I whispered feeling somewhat guilty to be dashing her hopes.
“MOM!” Though it was pitch black I am certain I saw her eyes roll.
Repeat with child #2.
On with the morning preparing breakfast, packing lunches, zipping backpacks, you know the school day drill. I looked up at the clock realizing my daughter had not made it to breakfast yet. With time quickly evaporating I barked an order for her to report promptly. She called back in a cheery voice, “Coming!”
Sipping my steamy cup of coffee and adjusting my glasses I had no idea what lay in store. She snuck up behind me and in her sing-song voice said, “Morning Mamma!” She wrapped her arms about my waist and gave the biggest hug. My heart warmed. Then I turned around. Big mistake.
Were those truly her sparkling blue eyes peering from amidst purple dots? She was covered in them. Let’s be clear: my daughter is thorough. When she takes on a project she does so wholeheartedly. Eyelids, ears, lips, down her neck, palms of her hands; any exposed skin was sufficiently covered with spots. My heart gave quite a start and then the peals of “April Fool!” rang out. My son laughed and pointed at me as they high-fived each other. They got me good. We had a great laugh remembering the preschool years when both kids pulled this same prank as a duo explaining they had the chicken pox. Washable markers are fabulous inventions…. Nothing a little soap and water can’t tackle, right?
Happily eating our breakfast I decided it was time to remove the spots. Katherine confirmed that indeed she had used a washable marker. Great – no sweat. However, as I began scrubbing her cheeks the spots were rather stubborn. Not wanting to rub her raw I paused and inquired, “When did you draw these?” “Oh, last night! And you didn’t even know!” Yeah, but what she didn’t know was the longer she allowed that washable marker to sit on her porcelain skin the more opportunity said skin had to absorb the color and lock in it in.
They were not coming off. We tried 2 soaps, creams, anything we could think of and only the smallest amount was coming off. Can I really send her to school like this? I thought. My inner conversation immediately switched into the justified Well, THIS-will-teach-her-a-lesson-she’ll-never-forget mom voice. Stay calm my mind screamed at me. Stay calm!!
By this point I am bracing for the worst. I am now visualizing answering the telephone as the Principal describes for me in disturbing detail how Katherine has punched out a little’s boy’s front teeth because he made some remark about her new look.
Back to the hear and now... Kate disappears to the bathroom to try new tactics and exact a bit more elbow grease. Meanwhile I have to keep Connor from coming unglued with satisfying belly laughter. He thinks this is just hilarious. To his credit he quickly collected himself. Growing up my mother always used to say I could slay anyone with my looks. My eyes must have been in top form this morning.
A few minutes later Katherine emerged from the bathroom with most of it diminished significantly. However, there were still tell-tale signs of something that had gone terribly wrong. Worried that this could launch her into an epic emotional spin I silently prayed, God, please …. She looked at Connor and me and stated matter-of-factly, “I’m not going to let a few spots get me down. If someone asks me what my spots are for I’ll simply tell them I was involved in a messy art project.”
I want to be just like her when I grow up. Hang on a second, I hear the phone ringing. Do you suppose it is the Principal???
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
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.
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
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
Monday, March 9, 2009
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
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
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
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
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
Friday, February 13, 2009
State of the Heart
It is Valentine's Day ~ a day when many folks rush to determine what that perfect gift is to express their love for their special someone. People sift through shelves stocked with heart-shaped items: giant hunks of chocolate, greeting cards, stuffed animals and those little boxed candies called 'sweethearts'. You know, the ones with a different message stamped on each heart.
But maybe Valentine's Day is a day of pain for you. Perhaps it brings back sad memories, or is marked by the brokenness of a relationship or loss through death. Maybe you are still waiting to find your soulmate in life and it simply has not happened yet.
Let's stop a moment and deliberately turn our thoughts away from ourselves or other people. Instead, let's think about searching for just that right gift to express our love for our Lord Jesus.
What kind of heart does He want to receive?
Psalm 51:17 describes just the type He is looking for. "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise." Contrite means crushed or broken. Does this describe your heart? While human love is a great and marvelous gift from God, it is not the deepest form of love for us to know and share. The purest love we can experience is the love of God.
And why?
"...so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fulness of God." Eph. 3:17-19
So, however you choose to spend Valentine's Day I pray you will carve out extra time to reflect on God's love for YOU. He's not looking for a lace-laden manufactured heart. Your open, honest, contrite heart will do just fine.
If Christ were handing out sweetheart candies, the one placed in your palm would be stamped with three simple words, "I love you."
For Him,
Julie
But maybe Valentine's Day is a day of pain for you. Perhaps it brings back sad memories, or is marked by the brokenness of a relationship or loss through death. Maybe you are still waiting to find your soulmate in life and it simply has not happened yet.
Let's stop a moment and deliberately turn our thoughts away from ourselves or other people. Instead, let's think about searching for just that right gift to express our love for our Lord Jesus.
What kind of heart does He want to receive?
Psalm 51:17 describes just the type He is looking for. "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise." Contrite means crushed or broken. Does this describe your heart? While human love is a great and marvelous gift from God, it is not the deepest form of love for us to know and share. The purest love we can experience is the love of God.
And why?
"...so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fulness of God." Eph. 3:17-19
So, however you choose to spend Valentine's Day I pray you will carve out extra time to reflect on God's love for YOU. He's not looking for a lace-laden manufactured heart. Your open, honest, contrite heart will do just fine.
If Christ were handing out sweetheart candies, the one placed in your palm would be stamped with three simple words, "I love you."
For Him,
Julie
Monday, February 2, 2009
John Piper on Adoption
Several times people have asked me to write about the spiritual aspects of adoption. It is certainly a passion of mine, but why should I write when you can read, listen to and learn from master communicator John Piper?
In this brief video Piper shares the reasons behind his actions of adopting his daughter. He also explains point by point the theological basis for adoption. At 50 years old, Piper opened his heart and his home to a little girl in need of receiving a father's love. In doing so, he not only provided her with a picture of an earthly father's love but more importantly, he provided her a glimpse into a more profound love that we all can find through the Heavenly Father.
Did you know salvation is adoption?
There is only one begotten (born) son of God: Jesus, the Christ. The rest of us, whether Jew or Gentile, are brought into the family through adoption. Isn't that phenomenal? And, God had it planned before the foundation of time!
Humbled and grateful all over again,
Julie
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