Thank God It's Friday: Thank God for Adoption

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

Ephesians 1:4-6

I am truly thankful that God has adopted me into his family. He did this out of love for me that I didn't deserve. Yet, I happily receive it. I did not choose Him, He chose me. At home, my wife and I have a stack of papers that we are starting to fill out to begin the process of adopting a child. Our two sons are excited about the possibility of bringing another into our family. My younger son is especially excited about the possibility of being a big brother. I am excited about the opportunity to love another like God has loved me. I am excited about the process and the wait - it may take a couple of years before the child is with us (it all depends on choices yet unmade). If we decide on an international adoption, I am excited about learning about the country our child will come from. I can't say that I'm excited about all of the paperwork, but I know that needs to be done and I suppose I should be excited to get it started. Yes, today I truly want to thank God for adoption!

Thank God It's Friday: Thank God for Spring Training!

Today in Viera, Florida, Washington Nationals pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training. Many were already there as were some of the position players. Yesterday, Baltimore Orioles pitchers and catchers reported. It's Spring Training time! It is a time when the bleakness of winter is replaced witht the hopefulness of spring. I am hopeful for the 2010 season. I think both the Nationals and the Orioles will be improved this year. I am excited to see which new acquistions will stick with the team. I am curious to see how the much hyped prospects perform as they hit the big time. I am wondering who's game is improved and who took a step backward. I am fearful of who's going to get hurt right as they are hitting their stride...

I am also wondering how I can personally approach spring training in my life. I just noticed how nicely spring training and Lent overlap. During spring training, baseball players are preparing themselves for the glorious joy of Opening Day. During Lent, Christians (at least those who observe Lent) are preparing themselves for the glorious joy of Easter. Before the end of spring training, players fear getting cut and that their chances for a major league career are dead (at least for the moment). Before the end of Lent, we remember the crucifixion of Jesus where our Savior died (at least for the moment!). On Opening Day, fans and players alike are filled with joy and hope as their teams have returned from spring training full of potential (and hopefully correctly spelled team names on their jerseys). On Easter, Christians are filled with joy and hope because Jesus has conquered death!

So where do I stand as far as spring training goes? Well, I think I've made some improvements during the offseason. I've been more diligent in reading - both for fun and for self-improvement. I've recently been writing songs again - it's been far too long. I am hopeful for the coming year - I sense God beginning to work some wonderful things in my family. So, it's time to be more diligent in my workouts and prepare for the cry of "Play Ball!" and "Well done my good and faithful servant!" For now, I say with gratitude and expectation, "Thank God for Spring Training!"

Thank God It's Friday: Thank God for the office

Today, I am not thanking God for the TV show "The Office," I am thanking God for my office - you know, the one I haven't been in for a week because of working from home because of the snow. Yes, it seems weird to not have my kids running around and high fiving me as I'm trying to get some work done, but this is the first time I've been past the cul-de-sac that I live off of in a week. A change of scenery is good every now and then. So today, I thank God for the office.