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Blog Series: Identity
From Orphan to Adopted

Who we are now vs. who we were then (Part 2)

Identity: Embracing your new name (Part 3)

 

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Psalm 15:2 beautifully describes the character that we attain in Jesus when we are a child of God: “He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart.” This is the fruit that is visible when God adopts you and I as his children. We run after His identity, choosing to embrace all that it means from accepting His love...
When I was engaged I struggled with the “name changing” decision. Do I keep my last name? Do I completely get rid of it? Do I hyphenate it? I have had my last name for 20-something years. That should count for something, right? How could I completely get rid of it? I earned that name. More people knew me as Victoria Ratliff than would ever know me as Victoria Harris. That was my thought process. It was about me...

Interview on I Am Christian Radio

Click this link to hear all about the adoption of Asa, as well as a few apologetics resources and notes. Victoria was interviewed by Karen Dampier of "Kickin' it with Karen" on I Am Christian Radio on Friday, June 16, 2017.

More Recent Blogs

3 in 3: Controller | Provider | Sustainer

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A few weeks ago it was laid on my heart to write a personal blog about what the Lord is doing now, four months after becoming parents of two crazy, wild, lovable boys…But I just didn’t have the energy. It was all I could do to keep the kids alive until Dad got home.  Now, with a day and a half of some relief, this is what I feel lead to share with you…I guess the Lord has a sense of humor, as we are batting 3 for 3 in 3 years. Yep! If the Lord continues with His plan we will have added three kiddos to the Harris family in just three short years. Whew!  (You can take a minute to gather your thoughts on that. Trust me, it took more than a minute for the parents of these sweet babies to pick each other up off the floor.) With each pregnancy has come a specific lesson learned. He has highlighted one area of His sovereignty to teach me with every child.

Is simply "loving Jesus" enough for our children?

​Yes, absolutely, as long as we completely love Jesus. Let me explain. When Jesus was asked which is the greatest commandment in the Law, he responded: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”(1)

​What does it mean to love the Lord with all your heart? Often times, and in this case, “heart” and “soul” are used interchangeably.(2)  I think it is well worth it to point out that the heart is the center of our personal life. Romans 2:15 tells us that the heart is the seat of consciousness, which where our evil desires arise. Due to the Fall it is naturally wicked and can only be regenerated in the saving work of Christ. Only then will we willingly obey the Lord’s command to love Him with all our heart…soul…and mind....

4 Practical Ways I'm Teaching my 2-year-old to Know (and ultimately defend) Christ

At first glance the title might seem crazy. Chances are you rolled your eyes, thought, "Yeah right, a two-year-old can't do that," or, excitedly you began to read...thinking that you will get the answers you have been looking for for your emerging preschooler. Whatever your reason, I will go ahead and tell you that I don't have all the answers. I have trial and error. Some have succeeded. Some have failed. From what I've learned in the past year, this is what has worked for us. ​
Before we jump in I want to encourage you, Mom, to keep pushing forward. Chances are, if you don't get it they won't either. You need to be a step ahead of your child so that when situations are presented you know how to respond with gentleness, compassion, and wisdom. Fortunately, we are all in this together, learning together, with the Spirit as our teacher. ​​

A Mother's Perspective: Book Review on A New Kind of Apologist by Sean McDowell

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As a mother I am continuously looking for something to help improve my work at this 24/7 job. Parent’s are the primary educators and caregivers to their children. In 27 short chapters this book provides an abundance of resources to make you, Mom, be the best teacher, caregiver, and heart-mind minister for your child. Is it exhaustive? Of course not. It does, however, provide the foundation needed to help you guide your children to an intentional and practical application of God’s word in our current age. 

​Mary Jo Sharp, author of the chapter on Why More Women Should Study Apologetics, says, “A lack of intentional living in the presence of God due, in part, to a profound split in our minds and lives between the sacred and secular has caused us to live as secular people while trying to maintain that we believe in the sacredness of all life” (p. 159-60). She continues, “We cannot merely affirm belief in God as a rational proposition; we must also practice belief in God in our everyday lives in the big as well as small things. Otherwise, we effectively live as atheists, as if there is no God.” As mothers it is of the utmost importance that we practice belief in God. But how, when the secular world is continually battling for our minds and our children’s minds? A New Kind of Apologist can help provide clarity...