Author: ChristianWorks

Warts and All…

Posted on | by ChristianWorks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVKB6Uwq1oo
(Revenge of the Frog)

Poetic justice!  We humans just love it!  We can’t get enough of it.  Books are written, movies made, comic strips illustrated—all depicting poetic justice. Deep inside each of us is this God-driven desire to see justice done.  No one likes a bully (not even the bully!).  We all cheer for the little guy.  Take, for instance, David against Goliath.  No one wanted to see Goliath win, except for his fellow bullies and maybe his mom.  But, David, the skinny little kid?  We were holding our breath, hoping against hope, that somehow God was going to see him through this!  And, you know what, God did.  God didn’t even break a sweat.  David, on the otherhand, probably did, but he was still victorious.

What do David, a frog, and we have in common?  We each have a giant, a tormentor, a messenger from Satan that makes our life difficult at times, and next to impossible at others.  We each face nagging doubts that we are not big enough, fast enough, smart enough or good enough.  Whisperings in our minds that we do not deserve to win, to be loved, maybe even to exist.  Like darts aimed at our hearts poisoned with thoughts that we are weak, covered in warts and unworthy.  Our obstacles—insurmountable.  And on the sidelines (or directly in front of us) are the snickers, the head wagging, the smug laughter of our tormentor.

If we were alone we would indeed be defeated.  But, thanks be to God, we are not alone.  Like David, we have a powerful ally—someone who wants, above all else, for us to succeed.   God has put everything on the line for each and every one of us.  He has gone the distance and brought back the winner’s trophy for us to put on the mantle.  He provides help when we are weary and hope when all seems lost.

The moral of the story?  We will be victorious with the help of God!  And like the frog, we will get the last laugh!

“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”

II. Thessalonians 2:16-17

Improved Knowledge and Skillsets Added to Post Adoption Counseling Program

Posted on | by ChristianWorks

By 4:30 PM on Friday, May 18, 2012. Three ChristianWorks for Children staff were tired, yet excited. Last Friday marked the end of a week-long training held through TCU’s Child Development Institute known as Trust-Based Relationship Intervention (TBRI). Janet Johnston, Heather Ellis, and Kristina Stephens were awarded with $3, 500 scholarships, apiece through Focus On The Family to participate in TBRI at the hands of Karyn Purvis, PhD, and David Cross, PhD, to obtain knowledge and skills to help children who have survived the trauma of abuse, neglect, and/or institutionalization to heal through having connections with their adoptive and/or foster families.

Our staff will incorporate much of the TBRI tools into the Post Adoption Counseling services offered through CounselingWorks to help empower adoptive and foster families to make a genuine connection with children who come from difficult places. One of the coolest parts about TBRI is the infusion of scripture and spiritual compassion, which is the cornerstone of Trust-Based parenting that helps the parent to see their child’s preciousness so true healing can take place.

If you are an adoptive parent, or know of an adoptive family who could benefit from Post Adoption Counseling, or even Pre-Adoption Counseling, don’t hesitate to contact 972-960-9981, to schedule an appointment with either: Melanie Chung-Sherman, LCSW, PLLC, Kristina Stephens, MALPC, Janet Johnston, LMSW-IPR, or Heather Ellis, LMSW. Your relationship with your child is vital to your child’s ability to have healthy relationships as he or she journey’s into adulthood. Why not give us a call today?

Thank God for a Mother’s Love

Posted on | by ChristianWorks

This week, as we make plans to honor and celebrate our mothers, let’s remember to thank God for blessing us with our mother’s love. At ChristianWorks for Children we have the privilege of witnessing a mother’s love through those who give their child life and those who teach them how to live. We thank God for all the mothers we have had the opportunity to work with through AdoptionWorks.

 

Thank God for Mother’s Love

There is no love, like a mother’s love,
no stronger bond on earth…
like the precious bond that comes from God,
to a mother, when she gives birth.

A mother’s love is forever strong,
never changing for all time…
and when her children need her most,
a mother’s love will shine.

God bless these special mothers,
God bless them every one…
for all the tears and heartache,
and for the special work they’ve done.

When her days on earth are over,
a mother’s love lives on…
through many generations,
with God’s blessings on each one.

Be thankful for our mothers,
for they love with a higher love…
from the power God has given,
and the strength from up above.

– Anonymous