Holding on to Hope

Hope Makes You Not Ashamed

Romans 5:5, “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Well it is 4:00 in the morning February 20, and it is my turn to have baby duty! Yes, I said baby duty! Some of you are saying to yourself, “What!!!” Trust me, I said the same thing and more over the last three days. But this story starts a few months back.

In December Kasie and I talked honestly about adopting another child after watching a Steven Curtis Chapman video about adoption. We both thought we were crazy for even talking about it. We prayed and decided that if God wanted us to adopt AGAIN we would but He would have to bring it to us. In other words we were not going to pursue this with our emotions. If this feeling was from God He would direct us. Oh, one more thing:  my wife threw out there that she wanted a baby and it had to be a girl! We talked with our kids and they agreed that if God showed us we would do it.

Let’s fast forward to a couple weeks ago. I get an email from a co-worker saying there is a young lady (we will call her Sarah) who is looking for an African-American family to adopt her baby. Now remember, my beautiful wife is a few shades lighter than the rest of the familyJ

Kasie and I talked and we decided that maybe this is God, and we should follow through as long as He leaves the door open. So I called the adoption agency and got information about fees and what they were looking for. That conversation scared me half to death. However, we decided that if God opened a door we would walk through. So I sent pictures and a very short biography profile of our family to the agency and they shared it with Sarah (this was Monday, February 14). I was told on Wednesday that they had shared our profile along with two others to Sarah, and we made the first cut. We would have an answer by Friday. Both of us were afraid if it happened, and we were afraid it wouldn’t happen

Thursday, February 16 - Kasie is fighting with herself and God about this adoption. “We are getting old!  I am going back to college. Our life just calmed down!”  Then it happened! God told her to trust Him. Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” So at 10:45 pm she surrendered her heart to do whatever He said!

Friday, February 17- During my morning devotion I decided that no matter what I would praise God. If we were picked I would praise Him and if we were not picked I would praise Him! That afternoon I received an email from the agency saying call us ASAP she picked you and it is a baby girl! I almost passed out. I went to tell Kasie so we could call them together (she was shocked). When we called we found out that Sarah was in the hospital and would be there until the baby was born. She was due March 1, so I am thinking she is going to be in the hospital for a few weeks. Not so! She was in labor right NOW!!! I was in shock. The adoption case worker told me we would have a baby today! So a week and a half ago we are praying about the opportunity to adopt a baby and in less than twenty-four hours I would have a daughter.

Saturday February 18 – Hope Gabrielle Waters was born at 1:45 am, she weighed 7# 2oz, and was 19 and ¾ inches long. We met our new daughter and Sarah at 11:00 am. Wow!! Kasie asked Sarah why she waited so long to decide on adoption. Sarah said, she had one child and thought about keeping this one but a few months ago decided that she couldn’t give the baby the life she wanted for her and felt it was best if she picked out a suitable family for her baby. Do you see the time frame? That was around the same time God began to work on us about another child! God had orchestrated the whole thing and we stand amazed in His presence. This is not about the Waters this is about the Waters’ God!

The kids are excited and they have fallen in love with her. She has Cameron and Noah wrapped around her little finger. Nick keeps saying “Mommy, Daddy, I am so happy!” and Faith? well let’s just say she hasn’t stopped smiling or talking since Friday! Kasie, well she has the biggest smile I have seen in years. As for me, let’s just say she has her daddy wrapped around her little finger. Boy, am I in trouble!

New Things!

January 5, 2012

Isaiah 43:19, “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, [and] rivers in the desert.”

We are several days into the New Year and the question is are you ready for the Lord to do a new thing?We are expecting God to do great and mighty things, but are we expecting Him to do a new thing?

The phrase, “now it shall spring forth,” in the Hebrew means a simple action that is used to express the "future", referring not only to an action which is about to be accomplished, but one which has not yet begun. Simply put, this is an easy thing that God will do for us! He will help us love in a different manner, get us out of our comfort zone, give us a building for Middle School and High School, and heal broken hearts and bodies.

What new thing do you need God to do in your life? Watch for it because it is going to spring up. How do I know? Oh, did I forget to mention that Isaiah 43:19 is a promise from our Heavenly Father! Take Him at His WordJ

Corey

Reflections from a Father’s Heart!

Lately I have been pondering a lot of things. Maybe because it is coming up on the end of the year or maybe it is because when you turn forty you start really reflecting on your life. This particular reflection is about being a dad, a good dad.

I remember when my son was little he would walk beside me. I would be so self-absorbed I would not notice his little hand reaching up to hold mine. What a missed opportunity to provide security for his little heart. I remember another time when he woke me up while we were staying in a missionary apartment in NJ. I was so tired and angry that I was ugly to him. Maybe my blood sugar was high. Maybe I was just having a bad morning. Whatever the case, he got something he did not deserve. Lastly, I remember when he was five and I was working full-time and planting Open Arms Baptist Church. I was tired, angry, and frustrated with the world. I tucked him in one night and he said, “Dad, you do not like me, do you?” My response, “Bud, I like you and I love you, Dad is sorry for making you feel this way.”  

That was enough! I decided that I would never, ever hear those words from my child again. I had to make some changes. Over the last six years I have made those changes. I take every opportunity to hold my children’s hands & I try really hard not to take my moods out on my kids (or my wife for that matter). I give myself to them so they have no doubt that the D.A.D.D.Y. not only loves them, but genuinely likes them. How did I do it? One word: Christ!

Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” I sought the face of God and I begged Him to give my wife and my kids a better daddy and a better husband.

I asked God to forgive me and then I asked Noah to forgive me! They both forgave all. Why is it I have had such a hard time forgiving myself? This morning I figured it out. My sin has been covered by the blood of Christ and God no longer sees it. However, the enemy tugs on my past and tries to get me to uncover it with a thick film of guilt.

That is not what God has for me or for you. He wants us to ask for forgiveness from Him and those we wronged, even our children. Reconciliation is God’s plan! Stagnating in a pond of guilt and shame is the devils plan.

God always has His hand ready to grab ahold of ours. Because of Jesus we will never get what we deserve! Finally, He not only loves us, He desires a relationship with us. Do you get it? He likes you and wants you!

Maybe you are like me and are living with relational regrets and are wondering what you do about it.  Humble yourself and seek forgiveness then cover it with the Blood and walk away from it. It no longer belongs to you it belongs to Christ!

Windows to the Soul!

Jude 22, "And of some have compassion, making a difference"

They say the eyes are the windows to the soul! Well, when I first looked into their eyes I saw despair, loneliness, and hurt. They looked as though no one cared for them. They wanted hope so desperately but the world had pulled and tugged on their lives until all they could see was their situations. Then we knocked on the door and something changed.

The sadness in their eyes turned to joy as we  walked in bearing food and gifts. The despair on their faces turned to hope as we shared the love of Christ, and the loneliness in their heart turned into fellowship as we sat and visited with them. I have to believe this is what Christ calls ministry: giving of yourself  to touch someones life!

Concentration camp survivor Corrie ten Boom once said, "The measure of a life is not its duration but its donation." CCA, thank you for giving, not just financially, but for giving of yourselves. We made a difference in the lives of 12 families this Christmas!

Hope

“Hold on to Hope”

Romans 5:3-5, “And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Are you going through something right now? Do you feel like it will never end? Do you wonder where God is in the midst of all your junk? Do you say to yourself its Christmas and where is God? Where was he when I lost my job? Where is he while my marriage falls apart? Where is God while my love one suffers from cancer?

He is there! Hold on to Him! The beautiful baby whose birth we celebrate on Christmas day is the same Savior who gave His life for our sins. Where was God at His death?  The same place He was at His birth, and the same place He is right now in your life. Right by your side! Giving you the strength to endure. When you get to the other side of your trial will you be ashamed? Or, will you be able to say I held on to hope?

Corey

Reflections of Thanksgiving

25 Things I am Thankful For!

1.       My Salvation – The fact that Jesus would die for a sinner like me leaves me speechless!

2.       My Wife Kasie- I have not always been a good husband or even friend to her, but she never gave up on the man I could be! I love you, Babe, more than there are grains of sand in the desert!

3.       My Kids – The fact that God would entrust these precious children into my care amazes me.

4.       My Ministry – I do not look at what I do as a job. God has given me an opportunity to minister to students, parents, and teachers. I am forever grateful!

5.       Denise Waters – For encouraging and believing in me! Clinton Waters - Teaching me not to quit! Our motto in my house is Waters do not quit!

6.       My Brothers – Keyan and Cj, you are a part of me wherever you go.

7.       My Father-in-Law- I love you, Wayne, you are a good man!

8.       My Friends – You know who you are! I could not be where I am without your love and support.

9.       Coffee – Laugh if you will, but it is the little things in life we take for granted. Imagine a life without coffeeL

10.    My Home – To see my kids run and laugh and feel safe and secure in their home brings comfort.

11.    Hal and Bonnie Elrod – Thank you for reaching out to us and loving on us and our kids!

12.    Pastor David Perdue – You set an example of spiritual leadership for me I have never forgotten.

13.     Milford Christian School – You allowed this church planter with no formal teaching experience to invade your world and it changed mine forever! Thank you for never forgetting me!

14.     Fairwinds Christian School – Man, I love you! You allowed me to be used of God in one of my darkest moments. You let me be real and transparent and you in turn did the same. I will forever be grateful for the three years I spent with you!

15.    Cornerstone Christian Academy – You embraced my crazy family with such love that it overwhelms us. You also allow me to be real and transparent. Chad, thanks for taking the time to pray about the Campus Minister position and who would fill it. I am here because of prayer! Thank you, Lord, for this new chapter in our lives.

16.    Trinity Baptist College – It was there I was trained and came out of my shell!  Hard to believe I was once very shy!

17.    Failure – While failure stinks it also allows opportunity for growth! Failing forward hurts like the dickens, however it has been through a veil of tears that I have seen the most spiritual and emotional growth occur.

18.    Open Arms Baptist Church – Our little church plant and the many people we reached for Jesus Christ. While our time together was short ( just four years) I learned a great deal about faith!

19.    Fairwinds Baptist Church - For your love and encouragement!

20.    Dr. Charles Shafer, Bro. John Cash, and Dr. Charles Shoemaker – These men invested in me more than they will ever know!

21.    Bed Time Laughter - Making memories with my wife & kids that will last a life time.

22.    Dr. E.L. Brittain – For following the voice of God and starting the church that led me to Christ!

23.    Phyllis Lemmon and Cindy Armstrong – My secretaries at FCS who had patience with me as I grew into my position and trusted that even if I seemed crazy that I was being led by God!

24.    Adoption – Because of this special gift I have three more precious children!

25.     Grace – Heavenly Father, you have changed my life! You gave me a new life, a new career, and a new passion!

Choices!

Choices!

My father is dying of cancer and I am mad! I am not mad at God. I am mad at my father. Wow, I said it. Some of you will judge me for that statement, but I don’t care. My feelings are valid. My dad chose alcohol, drugs and cigarettes over his family. Sounds harsh, I know because it is. When we make choices to engage in things that are harmful to us despite the pleading of those who love and care for us, we tell them they are not nearly as important as________________ (you fill in the blank).

We can all be guilty. While I am sitting on my high horse of indignation there are things in my life, my family has asked me to give up on behalf of them and I struggle. Maybe the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Maybe I need to inspect what I expect. I expected my dad to love my mom and his children enough to give up the alcohol. My wife and kids expect me to love them enough to take care of my blood sugar! I need to inspect what is in my heart.

The same insecurity and selfishness that caused my dad to sink into a pit of self - destruction for all those years, I see in myself. Man that stinks!  The very character flaws I see in him are in me! What hope do I have? What hope do my kids have? The answer to both of those questions is Jesus! He is my hope, my strength, and my shield! The Bible says in Joel 2:25-26, “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten… And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.

Wow! My God promises to restore the years that were lost and remove our shame. My dad’s sin doesn’t have to be mine! My kids do not have to be held captive to my sins! I choose to change! I choose to love my kids and my wife more than my insecurity and selfishness. I choose to beg God to change me into the man He has called me to be. How about you? What choice will you make?