If I were to try to create a formula for destroying a relationship, that would be it. Marriage only works when both spouses work to set aside their own interests and work for the best interests of their spouse. The Apostle Paul said “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit but in humility count others as more important than yourself.” (Phil 2:3) Marriage is the ultimate environment for practicing this.

Most of the time the foolishness of the world’s “wisdom” isn’t so obvious but be careful. It is just as foolish. (1 Cor 1:18-31)

On May 1st, the HFO Institute held the first ever orphan ministry event for Korean Pastors and Leaders.  The event, held at Saddleback Church, drew over 100 leaders and Pastors from as far away as Greece.  A few highlights:

• Pastor Rick Warren calling the 20+ Pastors on stage – hugging and thanking each Pastor and praying over them
• HFO’s Paul Pennington’s hard hitting talk on God’s heart for the orphan and His desire for all of us to be visible gospel for the least of these
• HFO’s Robin Pennington’s moving talk on her personal adoption journey (including three children and one grandchild from Korea) that resonated deeply with the audience
• Video greetings from Kay Warren, our own Dennis Rainey and Dr. Billy Kim (a legend in the Korean Church)
• Two Leading Pastors from Korea speaking on what their church is doing and why it’s a priority for the Korean church
• Reporters from four Korean newspapers/magazines and Korean television station covering the event
• Reading of a “manifesto” from three Korean Pastors and a Korean Adoption Ministry Leader that affirmed God’s heart for the orphan and their commitment to take action.  These four gentlemen read the last parts in unison – an incredibly emotional and Spirit filled moment.  Nearly everyone in attendance came forward to sign the manifesto.

3 John 4

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nice response to the anti-intellectual sentiment that often permeates the church. Because the “intellectual-elite” has forsaken God many have come to believe that intellect is a problem. Piper neatly dispells that notion.

View all my reviews

For much of the past year we have had a team working on totally revamping the popular Passport to Purity resource. This kit provides all you need for a great weekend getaway with your preteen child. During this great time together you will be guided through discussing the thorny issues of adolescence. This has been our personal favorite resource that FamilyLife has created. Now it is totally updated with a great journal for the student and all new music from Seeds Family Worship. Check it out at http://shop.familylife.com/p-1988-passport2purity-getaway-kit-version-3.aspx

SUV Teaser Trailer from John Majors on Vimeo.

More to come soon, including a pretty awesome project I’m doing related to this.

1. The Lord making Heaven more real to me
2. Sabbatical time in Montana
3. Seeing our adult children making good choices
4. Hosting the Art of Marriage at 3 churches
5. Being nominated and approved as a deacon of our church in Little Rock
6. Being given the privilege of focusing on strategic technology direction at FamilyLife
7. Watching my daughter tee off in front of former President Bush
8. CCCI US Staff Conference at Colorado State University with Francis Chan and David Platt
9. Getting to teach an adult class again for the first time in Little Rock
10. Watching a brother in Christ grow in absolutely remarkable ways
11. Seeing the impact that eMentoring is having in thousands of lives
12. Being a Scoutmaster and seeing the growth in the young men that are part of Troop 99
13. Dreaming about new types of digital content that I can help FamilyLife develop in the future

What were your highlights in 2011?

Judy Wall Elliott
‎*****I must let you know what an impact the new book had on my family on Sat Dec 3rd. Spent Saturday here in beautiful SC with my 6 kids and their families.*****
Read the BEST Christmas book to eleven of them: WHAT GOD WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS by Barbara Rainey. My 91 yr old Mother, with mild dementia, occasionally asks who I am, who normally sits quietly on the sidelines of activity, but appeared to be listening intently as I read to the children. She was so moved at the end of the story that she gave an impromptu lecture on the importance of having Jesus in your heart to the 10 of us at the table. – We were spellbound by her voice and the truths spilling from her, her words which never faltered or stumbled and continued at least 3-5 minutes! Amazing & Shocking to all of us, some of them had never heard her say but a few words!
This was a first for her in years…. it wasn’t her it was truly the Holy Spirit using her!!!…. O how blessed we all were and still stand amazed! This book is really inspiring and letting the kids open one of the 7 little boxes and hearing the Christmas story from the view of Gabriel, Joseph, Mary, the Shepherds, the wise men and the Box #7 – made us almost gasp…. !!!
I have sent this message to many of my friends, some things must be shared and this is one of those. THIS is a MUST HAVE for sharing with the family. We loved it. (Possibly only available through Family Life Today for this Christmas.) Thanks to Josh at FLT – overnighted it to me so I could have it for our party on Sat Dec 3rd. It is GREAT!!!

• The HFO team led the first international “If You Were Mine” adoption workshop for those exploring adoption
• HFO partnered with MPAK (Mission to Promote Adoption in Korea) to hold a thank you lunch and discussion for nearly 40 Pastors and their spouses already serving orphans through adoption and orphan ministry (adoption runs counter culture in Korea – these Pastors are truly stepping out in faith)
• Paul Pennington, Hope for Orphans Executive Director, was invited to preach on Orphan Sunday at the Onnuri Church, the largest English speaking church in Seoul.  The re-broadcast and webcast of this service will reach over 100,000 people! (link: http://onnurienglish.podomatic.com/entry/2011-11-07T08_57_55-08_00)
• A highlight was the return of the Pennington children to their birth country.  A touching and tearful moment occurred when Noah Pennington reunited with his foster mother who lovingly cared for him as an infant for 18 months (vimeo.com/32288126 <http://www.vimeo.com/32288126>).  Returning adoptees spoke in powerful ways with nearly everyone we met.
• Paul’s daughter Elizabeth Golic also spoke about adopting Ben from Korea and their family’s journey of faith through Ben’s life and death earlier this year.

The HFO team is humbled and honored that God allowed them to serve on behalf of the orphan in Korea.  They truly believe that He is stirring and preparing the hearts of many Koreans to be the visible gospel in a significant way.

Click here to see a few of the highlights from the trip (works best on full screen mode): <http://www.photosnack.com/slideshows/f609e30b3a036b78934b6f8da2036743>