The Big Ol' Egg Drop 2008

Man, I wish I could've been there...The Easter Bunny still scares me. Thanks to Cleve Persinger for putting the video together! And thanks to all the volunteers for organizing this amazing benefit event!

Happy Easter from Russia!

My wife and I are spending another holiday in Russia. Just this past Christmas, I wrote in my blog about our visit to the orphanage on Christmas Day. And once again, we find ourselves in Russia—this time during Easter. It’s a snowy Easter morning here in Russia (although Russia celebrates Easter sometime in April). Here’s a picture from our hotel room this morning…

On this snowy Easter Sunday, I woke up and read my Bible, reflecting on what God has done for me. God sent his Son to die for me. Jesus came up out of that grave 3 days later, and He’s been changing lives ever since. He’s changed my life. And because adoption is on my mind, I cannot get over the fact that God has adopted me. The Bible says:

“God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. . . . He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.” (Ephesians 1:5, 7)

That’s good stuff! This process of adopting our little boy is bringing us great pleasure as we think about giving a child a loving family. As we continue this adoption process, I understand more and more how God feels when another person comes into His family.

That’s why God loves Easter. He loves it when people receive forgiveness and eternal life. He loves it when people choose to love and follow Him. As millions of people around the world flock to Easter services and hear about the hope found in a personal relationship with Christ, I’m praying that many more will be adopted into God’s family today.

Our Adoption Blog

Carrie and I are in Russia once again. This adoption journey has been long, but we hope we are nearing the end. We really do believe God is control. Here’s an encouraging verse that Carrie keeps mentioning:

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:8, NLT)

We have our major court hearing on Monday, so please pray for us! If all goes well, we will bring our little baby home with us in just a few weeks. Please pray that we would continue to trust God. By the way, you can read updates on our adoption blog: http://www.oneal-itsasmallworld.blogspot.com/.

BigEggDrop.com

Check out BigEggDrop.com for more information about how Peace Community Church is working with others in the community to create a fun-filled event that will benefit families in need. Why not forward this website to anyone and everyone you know?!?!

Please beware of the "Egg Drop" game on the website. It is addicting!!

By the way, if you'd like to volunteer to help with this event, please email us: info@PeaceCC.org.

I'm 31 Today...

The older I get, birthdays aren't so much "happy" as they are "reflective." So today, I reflect on some lessons learned and on how I can make the most of my short time here on earth. I also reflect on God's amazing grace, how He's forgiven a selfish, rebellious kid (me) and given me a passion to pursue a growing relationship with Christ. God's still working on me! So on this birthday occasion, here is my prayer from Psalm 39:4-7--

4 "LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away. 5 My life is no longer than the width of my hand. An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath. 6 We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth for someone else to spend.
7 And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you."