I impersonate Tobymac quite well, don’t you think?

Click Here…you be the judge.

Johnny impersonates Tobymac on a Shine.fm promo

Stealing kids from Haiti

So maybe you’ve heard the news story today or yesterday…ten Americans have been arrested in Haiti for trying to “sneak” Haitian orphans out of the country.

These people say they are missionaries (actually Baptists from Idaho) who only wanted to get the kids to a safe orphanage in the Dominican Republic (right over the border).  They were attempting to leave the country with 33 Haitian children, with no adoption documents and without authorization from the Haitian government, according to the news. These “missionaries” are being charged with child trafficking, the same charge that people get when they’re selling children into slavery

Adoption and helping are good things.  My wife and I have very much considered being open to being adoptive parents.  I have to be honest that the first thing that jumped into my mind (sadly) is wondering whether these people are among those who are trying to take advantage of the Haiti disaster to “get a kid” for their own household.  Adopting from Haiti can normally take 2 years and $30,000 or more, and as a person who has been to Haiti, I am sad that some people will stoop so low to be “looters” in this way.  Please don’t misunderstand, I am an advocate of adoption and foster care.  I am even a licensed foster parent, though no kids are currently placed with us.  But when adoption becomes more about the parent “wanting a kid” than the child who needs a home, this becomes an issue of the heart.  That applies domestically, internationally, or even as you decide to have biological kids.

I can’t judge these people because I don’t know their intentions or their hearts, but they are Americans.  And a lot of us Americans are all about instant gratification.  Even in a good way.  As if it’s OK to say, “I don’t care what that corrupt Haitian government says, God wants me to go take those kids.”  Sorry…nope…that’s not right.

A lady named Judy called up our morning show today as we talked about this issue and wanted to remind people of two things regarding adoptions.  One, you obviously always have to OBEY THE LAW.  (Umm…yeah).  And two, a lot of American kids need families too.  Find out about that here.

Silence

Just thought I’d mention that I have found profound benefit and connectedness lately by utilizing the “silence” and “listening” aspect of our prayers.

Too often, we think prayer is either a list or at least a time where we “bear our souls to God” and talk to him.

Yep, that’s half of it.  The other half is listening.

Call it meditation, reflection, or what you like.  I’ve learned from a wise pastor in the last couple of weeks that you would do well to start, include, or end your prayer time with several minutes of silence.

He said one guy said, “I don’t like to get silent while I pray because I don’t like what I hear.”  I can relate to that.  But it’s worth a try.

OK, be honest

Please take a moment and do this

I have been in contact with friends from Haitian Support Ministries, the organization I went to Haiti with this past summer. They have immediately responded to the earthquake(s) and are on the ground there now.  They have no idea how they are going to get back.  I would ask that you just take a moment and pray for them in the following ways.  These are Americans who have a passion for Haiti and travel there regularly, but as you can imagine, this time it’s very different:

• Please pray for protection from disease for all our healthcare providers.
• Pray that there will be food and drinking water that is safe for them to consume.
• These will be hard days both physically and emotionally for the entire team. Pray for their well-being.
• We do not yet have a plan for getting them home. We will need divine intervention for this as well.

Here are some of the videos we took while there this past summer:

So, how exactly DOES prayer work, anyway?

I was asked this week to answer the following question:

Share your beliefs and uncertainties concerning intercessory prayer.

My response: Ah, that is a good one.  I have heard many viewpoints on it. The first one that comes to mind is that it’s best to pray your heart out and accompany always with the phrase “your will be done,” thereby being sure to pray what’s most important.

But this brings into question what God’s “will” is.  Is it pre-determined?  I tend to think so, though some may disagree.  I believe God does know the future.  Still, it seems that there is more to intercessory prayer than just “another reason to connect with God.”  That is part of it, but I also believe that prayer can and does change the outcome of events.  I tend to view prayer as a command first, a connection second, and all the other purposes and effects after that.  But the interesting thing is that many or most of us will spend 75-90% of our prayer time interceding for someone or some situation, so we functionally believe that it’s having some kind of effect.

But when I do intercede in prayer, I must admit that I do feel at times as though it’s a “shot in the dark,” questioning whether my one prayer could ever change the course of history in some situation or someone’s life.  I want to say I believe that it could or will.

I almost get caught up in viewing intercessory prayer like elections and voting sometimes.  If God is going to move in situation X, he’ll need to have at least “Y” number of votes, or nothing real is going to happen.  But then you factor in all of us Christians who “say” we’ll pray for someone and never do, then sometimes I wonder if I’m the only one praying for a given situation.

So those would be some of my beliefs and uncertainties about intercessory prayer. What about you?

Beatles Rock Band

Been having a bit too much fun with this game since Christmas…

We got the band back together at Jimmy the Cosmetologist’s house a few nights back…

Happy New Year…Have a PLAN

Daily Bible Readings – For the New Year

Ever tried to read the whole Bible in a year?

I’ve tried it several times, and failed, but I think it was because I approached it from a wrong perspective. It was all about what I could accomplish…even about what I could learn (rather than practice) and so that I could have the personal satisfacation of getting through it.

But that’s not what reading the Bible is about…and it’s sure not what faith is about.  It’s more about treating the Bible as something you live with…it’s not just a book of wisdom for life (although it is that)…there’s something about how the Bible is INSPIRED that actually can carry you through life, you know?

Whether you want to do the whole thing in a year (or two or three) or follow some other idea, the point is…in my humble opinion…you need a PLAN.  Check out a few different plans HERE .  John Piper and I (good buds, you know) are using the one called “The Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plan”

The point is…do something.  Have a plan.  When I have seen some success in Bible reading, it’s typically been because there was a plan involved.  Thanks for listening.

Merry Christmas…and…I’m sorry if you watch this

My wife went to go get her hair done and I decided to do this:

Really, I am sorry.

Thanksgiving Weekend

Yeah…this is one of those weekends that just seems to keep going. Just when it seems like it’s time to go back to work in the morning…

Ah.  It’s only Saturday afternoon!  (Don’t you love that?)

Has anyone seen The Blind Side yet?  This movie starring Sandra Bullock?

Some friends on twitter over the weekend told me:

MalachiCrane

@johnnymornings dude just watched it. Awesome!!!

joshlauritch

@johnnymornings just saw the blind side today. awesome movie! really good.

ShannonSteele

@johnnymornings incredible movie! and im a tough critic of films. enjoy

mlbfan81

@johnnymornings Haven’t seen “The Blind Side” yet, but it looks REALLY good! Hope to see it b4 it leaves the theater.

And balance that of course with mainstream critics who say the acting is good but the message is weak.  Of course, what they mean is that the movie isn’t full of junk and actually pushes a decent view of the world and positive stuff.  I’m definitely looking forward to this one.