Today, as we pray for foster children and orphans, I’m also praying for a teen boy whose world just fell apart—a precious young man who unexpectedly became a key player in a family tragedy that is shaking the world.
The young man, son of adoption advocate, and award-winning Christian singer/songwriter, Steven Curtis Chapman, ran into his youngest sister, five-year-old Maria, when driving his car in the family’s driveway. Maria later died.
Little Maria Sue was adopted from China, as were two of her sisters, also adopted by the Chapmans. The Chapmans' heart for adoption is depicted by the work of their nonprofit organization, Shaohannah's Hope, which serves to help Christian families to adopt by offering financial aid.
Read the entire story in the Nashville Tennessean.
Or read it on FOXNews.com."
See this moving video of Steven with two of his adopted daughter-—including little Maria-here.
url - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-eXJM4vVmQ
Ironic that this tragedy took place the same exact week that has been dedicated to praying to foster children? (See www.FamilyLife.com.) No, not ironic. Perhaps God will use this tragedy to make our prayers more powerful, to wake up the sleeping giant—the church—to grab hold of her responsibilities and reach out to orphans. Perhaps God will use this to raise up families to adopt and foster.
Yes, this tragedy will shake the world. But let’s pray that it will also wake it up. Let’s pray the world will be stirred so that the tears of a young man crying over the loss of his sister—tears mingled with sorrow, confusion, perhaps senseless all-too-human guilt—are not in vain. And let’s pray for this boy also.
May God use this calamity to open our eyes to those in need, to the beauty of adoption, and may He probe our hearts constantly so that we all do our part in helping the fatherless.
Janey L. DeMeo, MA © May 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
United We Stand
In my last blog post, I shared about the Battle of Kruger. That impactful video has not left my mind. I feel strongly that God has something to tell us. It’s all about being willing to fight for what is right, for what is biblical—by dropping our differences and being united.
I recently wrote an article on Tom Tancredo and how he fights for what he believes in—sometimes going against the status quo. (I’ll let you know when and where the article is published.) Tancredo, a friend, is brilliant. An inspiration.
Reading in the book of Judges recently about how the people of Laish were defeated confirmed my thinking. These people who lived peacefully, without contention, also lived isolated, without having direct connections with people around them (Judges 18:7 & 28). Thus, when they were attacked, they were easy prey because they couldn’t call on help. Isolation was their problem. It is often ours.
Foolish are we when we think we can live this life alone, isolated from others. And while I understand that people are often disappointed with church, I encourage anyone who knows Jesus to connect with His people in some way—on a regular basis. It’s the only way we’ll make it against the oncoming onslaught. And with elections as coming—and the feeble choices before us—the onslaught is surely coming.
Chapter 18 in my book, Heaven Help Me Raise These Children! focuses specifically on spiritual warfare: https://www.carepointministry.com/parenting.html. And it applies to every area of our life.
For those interested in Orphans First, please read the recent prayer requests as we consider partnering with an orphanage in Romania which was founded by Richard Wurmbrandt. Check out Prayer Chain: www.orphansfirst.org And, since this coming week, Prayer Vigils for Foster Children & Orphans will be held all over the country, let’s join together pray for orphans foster children this coming week: www.fostercareprayervigil.org. May all find godly forever families.
***I’m organizing a Prayer Vigil for Children at Risk on June 6th at North Coast Calvary Chapel for anyone in the area.
Janey L. DeMeo, MA © May 2008
www.orphansfirst.org / www.JaneyDeMeo.com
I recently wrote an article on Tom Tancredo and how he fights for what he believes in—sometimes going against the status quo. (I’ll let you know when and where the article is published.) Tancredo, a friend, is brilliant. An inspiration.
Reading in the book of Judges recently about how the people of Laish were defeated confirmed my thinking. These people who lived peacefully, without contention, also lived isolated, without having direct connections with people around them (Judges 18:7 & 28). Thus, when they were attacked, they were easy prey because they couldn’t call on help. Isolation was their problem. It is often ours.
Foolish are we when we think we can live this life alone, isolated from others. And while I understand that people are often disappointed with church, I encourage anyone who knows Jesus to connect with His people in some way—on a regular basis. It’s the only way we’ll make it against the oncoming onslaught. And with elections as coming—and the feeble choices before us—the onslaught is surely coming.
Chapter 18 in my book, Heaven Help Me Raise These Children! focuses specifically on spiritual warfare: https://www.carepointministry.com/parenting.html. And it applies to every area of our life.
For those interested in Orphans First, please read the recent prayer requests as we consider partnering with an orphanage in Romania which was founded by Richard Wurmbrandt. Check out Prayer Chain: www.orphansfirst.org And, since this coming week, Prayer Vigils for Foster Children & Orphans will be held all over the country, let’s join together pray for orphans foster children this coming week: www.fostercareprayervigil.org. May all find godly forever families.
***I’m organizing a Prayer Vigil for Children at Risk on June 6th at North Coast Calvary Chapel for anyone in the area.
Janey L. DeMeo, MA © May 2008
www.orphansfirst.org / www.JaneyDeMeo.com
Friday, May 09, 2008
What can the Battle at Kruger teach us?
The task of rescuing helpless children from the clutches of predators often seems hopeless. The enemy’s tactics to inflict pain on the little ones through abandonment, neglect and fear seem so powerful. Like lion’s teeth.
Many foster children are caught in the grips of a cruel system, dragged from one home to another, and viciously tugged away from any sense of home or belonging. They might as well be clamped between the teeth of lions and crocodiles, awaiting their doom. But we can change this. And there’s a video out there that shows us how.
Yep, I saw it on YouTube—an authentic safari video of the Battle at Kruger, where lions and croc fight over a baby buffalo using their bare teeth. Since the devil roams around like a lion ready to pounce and devour the innocent (1 Pet.5:8), the analogy is flagrant. The message couldn’t be clearer. The little ones are the devil’s primary target, and there’s only one way to release them from his clutches. Together. The battle is won as we join hands and fight together.
Before I say more on this, I highly recommend you watch this 8 minute YouTube for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU8DDYz68kM
Or here: http://www.BattleAtKruger.com
What is God telling us?
This spontaneous video of nature reflects God’s thoughts. A pride of lions chases a troop of buffaloes. The baby buffalo, the obvious target, flees to escape and falls into the nearby water. Gripping him their teeth, the lions attempt to drag him out. As they try to extract him from the water, an enormous crocodile lunges at him, clamping deadly fangs around the baby buffalo’s legs. Then the torturous battle begins as lions and crocodile pull and tug together—each side greedy to devour the tender prey.
The lions manage to yank the little buffalo away from the croc’s grip, and then encircle the now-listless creature ready to devour him.
When all looks lost, out of the blue, the lions find themselves surrounded by a troop of buffalo. Together the burly beasts surround their foe, waiting (you’d almost think this was a prayer vigil). Some move to the back of the circle, as if afraid. Still, they remain together. United.
Suddenly, swat! One huge buffalo moves forward and kicks a lion. Another throws a giant feline up in the air. Some lions run away, pursued by angry buffalo. Others saunter into the background cautiously, but their distance only enrages the buffalo who chase after them with attitude: You will not take one of our little ones. For as long as we’re alive, we’ll fight for him.
Who could withstand such determination? Little by little, the lions withdraw. They are vanquished and forced to abandon their prey. But surely, it’s too late. the baby must dead by now.
As the video rolls, you can hear the cameraman’s friends saying, “It’s too late. They’re way too late now.”
But they were wrong. It was not too late.
Against all odds, the little one wobbles to his feet and scrambles back to his family. Everyone is stunned. Thrilled—and stunned. The situation had seemed hopeless, but a victory was won. A victory echoing the heartbeat of God.
God is speaking loudly through this video. He is telling us it is never too late. We should never give up. Never, no never. Not when it comes to a suffering child. (Chapter 18 of my book, Heaven Help Me Raise These Children!—biblical direction for practical parenting issues, is reveals how to fight so that the little ones will be delivered from the enemy’s territory. See here: https://www.carepointministry.com/parenting.html)
The struggle at Kruger dramatically depicts the message prevalent at the Orphan Summit I attended in Ft. Lauderdale recently. What God is sharing with us, the body of Christ, is that if we work together to help the little ones who are caught by lions and crocodiles—in foster systems, abused families or other seemingly desperate situations—then we’ll win the battle. We must band together, unite and fight. We must rise up and surround our enemy in prayer. And then we must act. No matter what it costs us. If we want to win the battle for the children, here’re some keys to implement:
Work together,
Surround the enemy together (in prayer)
Never give up, remain determined to go forward,
Be bold and fearless, even when we’re scared,
Be willing to give up our lives so the children might have theirs,
Lay down our agendas, logos and labels for a Higher Cause—that of saving the little victims,
Pray, pray and pray some more.
Prayer is a key component to usher in victory. To pray specifically and regularly, you can join the Orphans First Prayer Chain and receive prayer requests in your mailbox by going to www.orphansfirst.org and clicking on “join.” You can also be part of an upcoming Prayer Vigil this. Find out more here: www.fostercareprayervigil.org. There you will find materials to help you, as well as a registration page and map displaying local vigils throughout the nation. You can also participate or organize a prayer vigil during the first weekend of June, the National Day of Prayer for Children at Risk! Find out more here: www.viva.org.
Let’s take the bull by the horns and release him from the lion’s grip. Oooops, I mean baby buffalo. We can do it—together!
Janey L. DeMeo, MA © May 2008
www.orphansfirst.org / www.JaneyDeMeo.com
Many foster children are caught in the grips of a cruel system, dragged from one home to another, and viciously tugged away from any sense of home or belonging. They might as well be clamped between the teeth of lions and crocodiles, awaiting their doom. But we can change this. And there’s a video out there that shows us how.
Yep, I saw it on YouTube—an authentic safari video of the Battle at Kruger, where lions and croc fight over a baby buffalo using their bare teeth. Since the devil roams around like a lion ready to pounce and devour the innocent (1 Pet.5:8), the analogy is flagrant. The message couldn’t be clearer. The little ones are the devil’s primary target, and there’s only one way to release them from his clutches. Together. The battle is won as we join hands and fight together.
Before I say more on this, I highly recommend you watch this 8 minute YouTube for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU8DDYz68kM
Or here: http://www.BattleAtKruger.com
What is God telling us?
This spontaneous video of nature reflects God’s thoughts. A pride of lions chases a troop of buffaloes. The baby buffalo, the obvious target, flees to escape and falls into the nearby water. Gripping him their teeth, the lions attempt to drag him out. As they try to extract him from the water, an enormous crocodile lunges at him, clamping deadly fangs around the baby buffalo’s legs. Then the torturous battle begins as lions and crocodile pull and tug together—each side greedy to devour the tender prey.
The lions manage to yank the little buffalo away from the croc’s grip, and then encircle the now-listless creature ready to devour him.
When all looks lost, out of the blue, the lions find themselves surrounded by a troop of buffalo. Together the burly beasts surround their foe, waiting (you’d almost think this was a prayer vigil). Some move to the back of the circle, as if afraid. Still, they remain together. United.
Suddenly, swat! One huge buffalo moves forward and kicks a lion. Another throws a giant feline up in the air. Some lions run away, pursued by angry buffalo. Others saunter into the background cautiously, but their distance only enrages the buffalo who chase after them with attitude: You will not take one of our little ones. For as long as we’re alive, we’ll fight for him.
Who could withstand such determination? Little by little, the lions withdraw. They are vanquished and forced to abandon their prey. But surely, it’s too late. the baby must dead by now.
As the video rolls, you can hear the cameraman’s friends saying, “It’s too late. They’re way too late now.”
But they were wrong. It was not too late.
Against all odds, the little one wobbles to his feet and scrambles back to his family. Everyone is stunned. Thrilled—and stunned. The situation had seemed hopeless, but a victory was won. A victory echoing the heartbeat of God.
God is speaking loudly through this video. He is telling us it is never too late. We should never give up. Never, no never. Not when it comes to a suffering child. (Chapter 18 of my book, Heaven Help Me Raise These Children!—biblical direction for practical parenting issues, is reveals how to fight so that the little ones will be delivered from the enemy’s territory. See here: https://www.carepointministry.com/parenting.html)
The struggle at Kruger dramatically depicts the message prevalent at the Orphan Summit I attended in Ft. Lauderdale recently. What God is sharing with us, the body of Christ, is that if we work together to help the little ones who are caught by lions and crocodiles—in foster systems, abused families or other seemingly desperate situations—then we’ll win the battle. We must band together, unite and fight. We must rise up and surround our enemy in prayer. And then we must act. No matter what it costs us. If we want to win the battle for the children, here’re some keys to implement:
Work together,
Surround the enemy together (in prayer)
Never give up, remain determined to go forward,
Be bold and fearless, even when we’re scared,
Be willing to give up our lives so the children might have theirs,
Lay down our agendas, logos and labels for a Higher Cause—that of saving the little victims,
Pray, pray and pray some more.
Prayer is a key component to usher in victory. To pray specifically and regularly, you can join the Orphans First Prayer Chain and receive prayer requests in your mailbox by going to www.orphansfirst.org and clicking on “join.” You can also be part of an upcoming Prayer Vigil this. Find out more here: www.fostercareprayervigil.org. There you will find materials to help you, as well as a registration page and map displaying local vigils throughout the nation. You can also participate or organize a prayer vigil during the first weekend of June, the National Day of Prayer for Children at Risk! Find out more here: www.viva.org.
Let’s take the bull by the horns and release him from the lion’s grip. Oooops, I mean baby buffalo. We can do it—together!
Janey L. DeMeo, MA © May 2008
www.orphansfirst.org / www.JaneyDeMeo.com
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