DEEP WATERS

Why do children pay for the idiocy of adults? Today Russian President Vladimir Putin  signed a law  that bans adoptions of Russian children by U.S. citizens. This ban was reportedly developed in retaliation for a US law punishing Russians accused of violating human rights. As the mama of an eleven-year-old boy adopted from Russia  in 2003, my heart breaks for the children that will never be adopted due to this new law.  According to UNICEF  there are approximately 740,000 children without parental care in Russia. "Alternatives to the institutionalization of children are essential, including permanent foster care, domestic adoption and inter-country adoption," said Anthony Lake, Executive Director of UNICEF. "All children deserve an environment that promotes their protection and well-being . Russian children -- indeed all children -- need to be in protective and loving families ..." Amen, Director Lake. Why has it become so hard for adults to get ...

Okay, I'll admit it. I can't say I loved the movie Talladega Nights , but quite of few of the lines made me chuckle. As a matter of fact, the main character Ricky's prayer over the family meal actually has me in stitches every time I think of it. Here's a sampling: "Dear Lord Baby Jesus... Dear Baby Jesus, we also thank you for my wife's father, Chip. We hope that you can use your Baby Jesus powers to heal him and his horrible leg... Dear Tiny Infant Jesus..." In the middle of his prayer, Ricky's wife Carley interrupts. "Hey, um... you know, sweetie, Jesus did grow up. You don't always have to call him baby. It's a bit odd and off puttin' to pray to a baby." Ricky, frustrated with his wife's assertion says, "Well, look, I like the Christmas Jesus best when I'm sayin' grace. When you say grace, you can say it to Grown-up Jesus, or Teenage Jesus, or Bearded Jesus or whoever you want." He later con...

Most of you have heard the news  already. A young man of about 24 entered an elementary school in the small town of Newtown, Connecticut and killed 26 people. I've heard that twenty of those people were mere children. As the news drones on and on and the facts stack up about this heinous crime, many of us are dumbfounded. How could someone enter a school and randomly kill so many young, innocent children? Why didn't someone see this coming? And what can we do to prevent another massacre like this one? Well, I don't have any answers to these questions. But I do want to share what I plan to do in the midst of this national tragedy. Look Up At times like this, no one has any real answers. We debate about gun control and the government setting the example for the rest of the world by getting along. We stress that we've got to be more vigilant about stressing mental healthcare for our family and friends. But really there are no answers. So, at this time I...

Today marks the 30th Anniversary  of King of Pop  Michael Jackson's   Thriller , considered one of the greatest albums of all time. 30 years ago, this album was released and went on to sell over 42 million certified copies (with estimates actually reaching 110 million). With hits like "Billie Jean," "Beat It" and "Thriller," this album is still  the best selling album of all time. I was a young lass when this album hit stores -- back in the day when you had to physically enter a store and purchase an album. (For my younger readers, those were also the days that dinosaurs roamed the earth.) I can't remember exactly who in my household purchased the album, but I'd guess that my sister -- ten years older than me -- made the transaction. What I do remember? For me,  Thriller was love at first hearing. Over the years, I've come to love a lot of music and many artists of various genres, but I don't think anyone's music has be...

You most likely woke up this morning feeling one of two ways: Some of you feel dismayed and discouraged over the election results Others of you feel triumphant and hopeful over the very same results I actually have mixed feelings about the election. I'm happy that an African American man not only pulled off the election one time, but twice. Last night's election proved that Barack Obama's clinching of the country's top seat back in 2008 wasn't a fluke. For an African American woman that has studied our country's sordid past in the area of race, this fact makes me smile. On the other hand, the election results around the country reveal some disturbing trends that give me pause... I. The states of   Washington and Colorado  legalized the sale and recreational use of marijuana for people over 21.  For years, marijuana has had the reputation of being a harmless drug that many claim has desirable health benefits. However, according to a recent ...

Today is Orphan Sunday, and at Mosaic Church , we'll spend the entire morning highlighting the needs of orphans in our country and around the world. The statistics are staggering: there are more than 150 million orphans in the world. In the United States alone, 100,000 children are languishing in the foster care system, while waiting to be adopted. Many are older children. Some have physical or mental disabilities. Most have deep emotional scars. Few are in their situations because of their own fault. Almost all have been grossly neglected or abused by the adults in their lives -- the very people they have trusted to feed, clothe and care for them. This problem can seem so overwhelming, you might be asking, "What can I do?" There are several things YOU  can do for orphans around the world. 1. Pray for orphans in this country and around the world Psalm 68:5 calls God "a father to the fatherless." If He is their true Father -- and ours too -- we mu...

Last year, on September 11th, I published a reminder for us to never forget the nearly 3000 people that lost their lives on September 11, 2001. I remember that day like it was yesterday... Do you remember where you were on that day? Well, if you can remember that day, then obviously you were not counted in the number that died that fateful day. You are here for a purpose . Do you know what that purpose is? I believe we all have a special assignment from God that we were created for. I believe we all have gifts and talents and influence that God wants to use to impact the world. But I also believe that we all have a general calling in life. It may take on different forms and utilize different methods. I believe this calling can be found in the Bible: He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy  and to walk humbly with your God.*  No matter where we live, where we work, who we are, G...