What If Your Daughters Weren't Soccer Players?

I'm so thankful Rose and Grace like to play the sport I grew up playing. I like taking them to summer soccer camps, teaching them how to perform sweet soccer moves, and watching soccer videos on YouTube with them. Occasionally, people ask me how I would feel if my daughters didn't enjoy playing the beautiful game. Of course, soccer provides me with an extra connection with Rose and Grace, but I would be totally fine if my daughters weren't soccer players. Contrary to what some t-shirts say, soccer isn't my world. I'm thankful Rose can even run, considering she was born with spina bifida. I'm thankful Grace doesn't tell her coaches they suck like her dad did when he was in elementary school. I want Rose and Grace to pursue healthy activities that interest them - activities in which they can give the Father all the glory. I don't care if they race go-karts, show pigs, or build LEGO sets. I just want them to live a life pleasing to Him. Having daughters who play soccer is just icing on the cake. There will be a day when we'll no longer be able to kick a ball, but I'm confident that soccer will be alive and well in our new home. I look forward to that day, when we'll play spectacular soccer with our glorified bodies.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

This summer, we saw Indy Eleven compete against the New York Cosmos.

Six Deep Questions My Sixth Graders Ask Every Year

I earned my educator's license in 1995, and although I've taught elementary and high school students, most of my teaching experience has been with sixth graders. I really, really like this age group. Why? Sixth graders still have some elementary in them, so they often get easily engaged in the classroom, and they have some critical thinking skills that I can help shape. I also like how sixth graders never get tired of toilet humor. It's the best of both worlds - a year of change and transition that is both challenging and fun.

Every year, my sixth graders ask some enormous questions that most are afraid to ask or don't think to ask. Below are six of those questions. I am so thankful to be in this super important position to tackle hard questions with young people. I ask that you would lift me up as I assist parents in training up their children. It's not something I take lightly, and I need all of the help I can get.

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. James 3:1

1. Did God choose us, or do we choose Him?
2. How can Judas be held responsible for betraying the Son of Man if this was part of the Father's plan?
3. What happens to those who never hear about the Son of Man?
4. Why doesn't the Father just force us to love Him?
5. Why doesn't the Son Man end all suffering and come back right now?
6. Why were Adam and Eve created if it was known they would sin?

Reviewing John Seyfarth's Human Resource Leadership For Effective Schools

Human Resource Leadership For Effective Schools was one of my required M.Ed. textbooks at CIU. It consists of 14 chapters, which are outlined below.

1. Human Resources Leadership and Effective Schools
2. Planning for Staffing Needs
3. Evaluating and Selecting Applicants
4. Selecting Administrative and Support Personnel
5. Motivation of Personnel
6. Induction
7. Professional Development for Educational Personnel
8. Evaluating Employee Performance
9. Compensation and Rewards
10. Creating Productive Work Environments
11. Legal Issues in Human Resources
12. Collective Bargaining in Schools
13. Managing Conflict in Schools
14. Termination and Reduction in Force

This 300-page book uses the latest research, provides real-life applications, and emphasizes the relationship of the decisions of human resource leadership to student learning effectiveness. The end of each chapter contains a nice summary, a few suggested activities, several online resources, some case studies, and numerous references. Although the book is an excellent resource for school principals (e.g., classes, meetings, workshops), it's ridiculously overpriced. I recommend purchasing a used copy, renting the book, going to the library, or locating a foreign or online edition that could be much, much cheaper.

Reviewing John Piper's Does God Desire All To Be Saved?

Does God Desire All To Be Saved? That is an absolutely massive question that many have pondered over the years, but few have grappled with the question with others. We often simply want light-hearted conversations and have a fear of offending people. The question begs to be addressed, though, and the answer is available to us.

Chancellor Piper helps us see it in the Scriptures through his short book, Does God Desire All To Be Saved?. Does our Heavenly Father desire for all of mankind to be saved from His holy wrath and a life of eternal torment in Hell, despite choosing only some to be saved unconditionally? Yes. Isn't that a contradiction? No. How is that even possible? Many tough questions are addressed throughout the book, and regardless of your theological bent, you'll do plenty of thinking.

When you don't include the table of contents, acknowledgments, a note on resources, and the Scripture index, John Piper's Does God Desire All To Be Saved? is only 45 pages. The book is divided into an introduction and four chapters entitled:

1. My Aim
2. Illustrations of Two Wills in God
3. How Extensive is the Sovereign Will of God?
4. Does It Make Sense?

If you've read Piper's The Pleasures of God or Schreiner and Ware's books, The Grace of God and Still Sovereign, you might recognize portions of Does God Desire All To Be Saved?. This book is a revised and expanded version of material published in those books. Chancellor Piper handles the sensitive topics with grace and truth, and if you are up for grappling with the God of the universe, I recommend getting the book.

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:3-4

Reviewing Collaborative Marriage Skills ( Couple Communication I)

Collaborative Marriage Skills is a 143-page book that Megan and I used in a small group several years ago. This fifth edition was published in 2007 and consists of five chapters:

1. Choosing Communication Styles
2. Identifying Issues
3. Using Your Awareness Wheel
4. Applying the Listening Cycle
5. Mapping Issues

The book contains many charts and diagrams and is organized well. Keywords are often italicized, have bold red or black letters, or are part of a bulleted list. We used a version of the book that doesn't have Scripture; however, everyone in our group was Christian, so we integrated the Good Book into our discussions.

Collaborative Marriage Skills is very practical and can be used by both Christian and non-Christian couples. You'll get the most out of the book by taking notes in it and reading and discussing the material with others. Although Collaborative Marriage Skills did not solve all of our marriage problemos, I recommend it if you desire to better resolve conflict and enjoy your spouse.

Reviewing Stephen Altrogge's Game Day for the Glory of God: A Guide for Athletes, Fans, and Wannabes

With my increased role in coaching this past year, I decided to read Stephen Altrogge's Game Day For the Glory of God. Stephen Altrogge blogs at The Blazing Center, a blog I frequent from time to time, and is the author of several books, including Create and My Friend, My Hero, My Dad.

I enjoyed Game Day For the Glory of God more than Create (4.5/5 stars - 66 Amazon reviews). I found it to be solid, making me smile at times, much like Altrogge's blog. Game Day For the Glory of God is 128 pages and is divided into the following seven chapters:

1. A Life for the Glory of God
2. The Source of All Talent
3. The Joy of Sports
4. Game Day Priorities
5. Winners and Losers
6. Parents, Children, and the Glory of God
7. Tying It All Together

The book was published in 2008, and Altrogge is from Pennsylvania, so you may not recognize all of the sports references if you are young and from a country outside the States. Regardless of that, I recommend the book to any Christian who desires to have a biblical understanding of watching, playing, or coaching sports. Game Day For the Glory of God is a theologically sound and enjoyable read that is sure to bless many coaches, athletes, and sports fans.

Reviewing John Piper's The Dangerous Duty of Delight

John Piper's The Dangerous Duty of Delight is a condensed version of his classic, Desiring God (1986). Those who know me will not find it surprising that I highly recommend both books (I've read more than 15 of Chancellor Piper's books). The second edition of The Dangerous Duty of Delight was released in 2011 with the following subtitle: Daring to Make God Your Greatest Desire. I read the original edition (2001), which was released with this subtitle: The Glorified God and The Satisfied Soul. The 2001 edition consists of fewer than 100 pages that are divided into the following nine chapters:

Chapter 1: Treating Delight As Duty Is Controversial
Chapter 2: Glorify God by Enjoying Him Forever
Chapter 3: Affections Are Not Optional
Chapter 4: Pursuing Pleasure Undermines Pride and Self-Pity
Chapter 5: Pursue Your Joy in the Joy of the Beloved
Chapter 6: What Does It Mean for Worship?
Chapter 7: What Does It Mean for Marriage?
Chapter 8: What Does It Mean for Money?
Chapter 9: What Does It Mean for Missions?

In The Dangerous Duty of Delight, Piper reminds us how all of us have a longing that can't be satisfied by coaching victories, praise from our colleagues, traveling to international locations, or even spending time with our loved ones. Our hearts are restless until we fulfill our duty to delight in the one true Object of human desire - God Almighty. If we fulfill this duty, our attitudes toward church services, our mates, homes, and our very purpose in life can radically change.

If you're a Christian looking for a solid book that is easy to understand, check out The Dangerous Duty of Delight. If you're not a Christian but are open to reading a short book not short on Scripture, check out The Dangerous Duty of Delight. Outside of the Bible, no author has blessed me more than John Piper, and perhaps he can do the same for you.

Happy Patrick of Ireland Day IV

Tomorrow is March 17th, so that means it's St. Patrick's Day. Like most Americans, I grew up not ever knowing who St. Patrick was and why we celebrate the Feast of St. Patrick. I just made sure I always wore something green on March 17th so I wouldn't get pinched. Odd. If you're interested in learning about this great man of God, click one of the links below or watch the short video. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Patrick: Missionary to Ireland by George Grant (Ligonier Ministries)

Patrick of Ireland by Reid Monaghan

Remember St. Patrick by David Mathis (desiringGod)

St. Patrick Knew All About Human Trafficking by Clint Humfrey (National Post)

The Life and Mission of St. Patrick by the Crossway Staff

Who Was St. Patrick? by Kevin DeYoung (The Gospel Coalition)

"Three Adoptions? You're So Good, Wick."

"You're So Good, Wick." It's something I hear from time to time. Typically, I'm told this when people find out I've adopted three children. Although I'm tempted to tell others that they're so right, that I'm really a nice guy, I usually tell them that I'm actually bad - downright wicked bad. If others knew all of the evil things I've thought of, said, and done, I would never want to show my face anywhere. Any good seen in me isn't me; that is the Spirit's work in me. He's good, and He's the one producing the good.

I've adopted three Chinese children, not because I'm good, but because this is what I've been called to do. It's a beautiful calling that God has blessed me with tremendously. Although I taught at a children's home in Indiana and occasionally visited orphans in Korea before Megan and I got married, little did I know how much adoption would impact my life. Not all are called to adopt; however, all believers should be involved in adoption in some way or another. Some are called to visit orphanages, foster children, donate finances to adoption causes, intercede for orphans, and/or read adoption material. Believers should all be involved in adoption care to point to the Father who adopts us and to bring Him the glory.

If you're interested in learning more about adoption, below are some great links that can get you thinking about how you can help children who are without parents. Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Psalm 82:7

Adoption Guide
Adoption Resources
Financing Your Adoption
Tianjin ICCO

My children - Grace Noel, Josiah Lee, and Rosalie

Reviewing Ella K. Lindvall's The Bible In Pictures For Toddlers

The Bible In Pictures For Toddlers contains 70 Bible stories (36 from the Old Testament) and is designed for children ages 1-4. Award-winning author Ella K. Lindvall certainly has the credentials to write such a book. She is a mother, has taught kindergarten and first grade, and has written other Bibles for children. There are many positives to the 144-page book. They include...

• It's a small book that a toddler can hold.
• It has a slightly padded cover.
• A foreword and table of contents are included.
• The colorful pictures are very kid-friendly and are found on every page. Almost everyone is happy - even the monkeys during the flood.
• The stories and their titles are short and use simple words (e.g., God Makes People, Ruth is Kind).
• Every story has Bible references.
• Many of the stories ask questions (e.g., Do you share?, Where is the lady?).
• Difficult topics are gently addressed (e.g., sacrificing animals, disobedience, the destruction of a city, war, Satan).
• It shows the birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of the Son of Man.

There are several aspects of the book that some people may not like, such as...

• Only on one page do we see people of different ethnicities. Apparently, Adam and Eve, Egyptians, angels, the children the Son of Man loves, and the people He feeds are all white. I really do love white people (I'm married to one, and I'm half white); however, updated illustrations would make this book much better.
• The author states that God no longer talks out loud to people.
• Only three magi are shown.
• John the Baptist is pouring water on the Son of Man's head during His baptism.
• The Son of Man turns water into juice and not wine. Because I'm a little boy, I'll take juice over wine any day, but let's not change what the Bible says.
• The book ends with Acts 16:25-31. What about Romans to Revelation? 
• There is no mention of Hell.

Despite what I've mentioned above, I have absolutely no problemo reading this book to my Chinese son. I believe The Bible In Pictures For Toddlers will bless us tremendously, and any theological differences or literary criticisms I have can be addressed as we discuss the contents of the book. 

to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. Romans 16:27

Reviewing Charles Spurgeon's All of Grace

Charles Spurgeon, the "Prince of Preachers," was a Reformed Baptist preacher who lived from 1834 to 1892. All of Grace was his best-selling book and was written just seven years before his death. Although the wording in the 20-chapter book is clearly not that of today's American, All of Grace is a gospel presentation that can be easily understood. Despite being a believer for nearly 14 years, it was good for me to be reminded of how I am not saved by my works, but by the Father's grace alone. I must preach the gospel to myself on a daily basis, and Spurgeon helps with that. Spurgeon provides excellent illustrations, logic, stories, and Scripture in an effort to reach people for the Son of Man. I am thankful to have read this book and must do a better job of reading books that have stood the test of time. I wholeheartedly recommend this classic to both mature believers and inquisitive nonbelievers. Below are the chapter titles.

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

1. To You
2. What Are We At?
3. God Justifieth The Ungodly
4. "It Is God That Justifieth"
5. "Just and the Justifier"
6. Concerning Deliverance From Sinning
7. By Grace Through Faith
8. Faith
9. How May Faith Be Illustrated?
10. Why Are We Saved by Faith?
11. Alas! I Can Do Nothing!
12. The Increase of Faith
13. Regeneration and the Holy Spirit.
14. "My Redeemer Liveth"
15. Repentance Must Go with Forgiveness
16. How Repentance is Given
17. The Fear of Final Falling
18. Confirmation
19. Why Saints Persevere
20. Close

Reviewing R.C. Sproul's The Lightlings

I purchased The Lightlings through Amazon China, and it's the second book by R.C. Sproul that I've read to my children. In The Lightlings, Dr. Sproul tells us the biblical story of redemption in a way that is both enjoyable and deep. It's an allegorical tale where a grandfather tells his grandson about fairylike creatures who shine brightly. One day, these creatures disobey their Creator and King, which brings them into a great darkness and shows them their need for the Light. The story ends with the boy and his grandfather having a conversation.

The Lightlings consists of 30 pages with more than half of the pages being illustrations that are a mix of fantasy and realism. The last three pages consist of 13 questions with Bible references that children can be asked in an effort to help them better understand the story. Although the book is meant for elementary students, I believe many of my sixth-grade students would enjoy hearing me read The Lightlings to them. It's a meaningful book, and I recommend it to anyone who desires to help young children better understand what life is all about.

God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5

Reviewing R.C. Sproul's Can I Be Sure I'm Saved?

I thought I was saved when I was a teenager, and for about a decade, I told others I was a believer when it just wasn't true. I was baptized at a small Southern Baptist church when I was 22, but it wasn't until I was 26 years old that my hunger and thirst for the things of God really grew. I was confused about my salvation for many years, but the Father does not want us to be confused. The god of this age does. The Father wants us to be clear about whether we belong to Him and if we're going to Heaven when we pass away (or when His Son returns).

2 Peter 1:10 states, Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. Confidently knowing where you stand with the Son of Man and what He'll say on Judgment Day can be known right now. If you struggle with doubts concerning whether you truly know the Prince of Peace, whether you have eternal life, or whether you'll be going to Heaven, I recommend reading R.C. Sproul's Can I Be Sure I'm Saved?. In this 70-page booklet, R.C. Sproul once again provides solid teaching in a logical fashion. Below are the titles of the five chapters and simple summaries.

1. The Struggle for Assurance - What is assurance?
2. Four Kinds of People - Two are saved and two are not
3. False Assurance - What are the dangers?
4. Gaining True Assurance - How can we get assurance of salvation?
5. The Source of Full Assurance - Do you love Him?

Don't be confused about whether you're going to Heaven or Hell. If you are, spend an hour reading Sproul's Can I Be Sure I'm Saved? and hopefully, you can have that peace that surpasses all understanding.

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, John 1:12

The Story of the Wickersham Adoptions

For the most part, the post below was written 1.5 years ago by Megan.

Our Father has blessed us with three pretty cool kids, all brought to us by the miracle of adoption. Their stories are different, and yet through each story, we see clearly our Father’s faithfulness and care. 

Our middle child, Grace Noel, was the first to join the Wickersham clan. In September of 2005, Grace was brought to her county’s orphanage as a newborn, and she lived in foster care until the day we traveled to Hubei Province to meet her. Grace was nine months old when we first met her and seemed to have been well cared for by her foster family. She was developmentally on track, emotionally resilient, chubby, and alert. Although Grace was quite reserved in her first few days with us, by the end of our first week together, she was already giggling and wrestling with me. In the following months, she bonded quickly with us, and her transition seemed nearly seamless. Grace is now nine and in the 3^rd grade. She is bright and creative, forever performing skits for her family to watch. She enjoys school and playing outside on her scooter or on rollerblades.

Our oldest daughter, Rosalie, was brought to the Tianjin orphanage when she was just two months old. Not long after, she underwent surgery to repair spinal meningocele. She spent most of her early years in foster care, and then in December of 2006, she joined our family as our own foster daughter. She was four and a half. Because the circumstances of her arrival in our family were unusual, the legal process of the adoption itself was complex and lengthy. Dad truly moved mountains during this period of time, removing obstacles and granting us favor in the hearts and minds of those in positions of influence. He also graciously made a way for her to remain in our care for the entire duration of this process! In May of 2010, when Rose was eight years old, her adoption was completed. Finally, the law reflected what we had felt in our hearts and been experiencing as a family for years; she was our daughter. Rose is now 12 and one of my 6th-grade students. She is fun-loving and hangs out with a diverse group of people. Rose especially enjoys sports and participates in soccer, volleyball, and basketball.

Our youngest child, Josiah Lee, joined our family in January of 2012. Josiah spent the first year of his life in an orphanage and was 14 months old when our family traveled to Henan Province to meet him. Although he was a bit out of sorts in our first hours together, it wasn’t long before he began to show his charm! In those early weeks, we saw a boy ready to laugh, entertain, and make friends wherever he went.  He is truly a performer at heart, happiest when he has the attention of an adoring crowd, which he’s found in his two big sisters! He’s been with us for two years now, and it’s impossible to imagine life without him.

Our family has been shaped, blessed, and transformed by adoption. We have certainly been blessed and changed through the gift of our three children, as well as through the responsibility and joy of parenting. Our family has experienced the joy-filled side of adoption. However, it is the loss and pain inherent in each adoption story that has been the place of seeing the good news more clearly. As parents, we are thankful for the way that our children’s stories have caused us to enter into shades of loss and pain that we never experienced in our own childhoods. We are humbled at the way our Father has used us to be a part of His restoration and redemption. Through the gift of these three beautiful children, we have been given countless opportunities to reflect on earthly adoption and its parallels in the spiritual realm, as Christians are all, by his great mercy, adopted children in the family of God.

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James 1:27

2014 Indy Eleven Soccer Camp - Westfield/Grand Park

The Beautiful Game: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

I first began kicking a soccer ball as a seven-year-old when living in São José dos Campos, Brazil. Since that time, the beautiful game has contributed to countless wonderful memories for nearly thirty-five years. It has been a great deal of fun competing against such talented players and teams both as a player and coach. I truly hope to continue to add to those memories for many years to come.

Kicking a ball has also resulted in numerous serious injuries for me - head contusions, sprained ankles, hairline fractures, and torn ligaments and cartilage. I have never played professionally, and I really don't know how professional athletes do it game in and game out. I had a second ACL reconstruction this past summer, and it certainly hasn't always been a rip-roaring time.

Although my right knee feels slightly funky and I've lost the afterburner speed I once had, I'm thankful I can still step on the field (albeit a less competitive one) and make some things happen. I'm thankful that I can make my sixth-grade boys laugh when I whiz a ball by one of them or make third-grade girls clap when I juggle a ball with my head, shoulders, and knees. I look forward to the day when I will be able to do these things without any kind of pain or fear of injury. I look forward to the day when I can play the beautiful game in that brand-spankin' new body playing in that brand-spankin' new home. It's going to be nothing short of awesome.

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. 2 Corinthians 4:17

U13 TIS Lady Eagles - Fall 2014 (7 wins, 3 losses, 6 ties)

I'm So Thankful My Son Josiah Only Has One Hand

I'm so thankful my son Josiah only has one hand. If Josiah were born with two hands, he wouldn't be my son. Josiah was probably born to Chinese peasant farmers who didn't know what was wrong with their son. Amniotic bands severed his left hand, and that makes life a little more challenging for Josiah. I'm thankful for the way our Father designed Josiah, and I'm especially thankful that He chose me to be Josiah's father. Sometimes Josiah is a big pain in the butt (literally, like the time he bit my butt), but I can't imagine what life would be like without him. I love how Josiah always wants to watch monster truck shows on YouTube, how he loves to dance to my pathetic beatboxing, and how he wants to use my electric razor whenever I'm shaving. I never thought I wanted to have a son, but I'm so thankful my Father changed my heart. I'm so thankful my Father created Josiah with only one hand.

learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause. Isaiah 1:17

Josiah is always ready to ride on daddy's motorbike (with a helmet, of course).

Reviewing Theodore J. Kowalski's Case Studies on Educational Administration

Typically, I'm not a fan of textbooks, but Case Studies on Educational Administration can actually make for an interesting read. Theodore Kowalski provides 24 unique case studies that help educators think about possible job scenarios, ways to tackle them, and the solutions that can come about. An introduction identifying key concepts and areas for reflection is provided before each case study, and each study ends with three parts:

1. Problem framing
2. Questions and suggested activities
3. Suggested reading and references

I read this book for a grad class I took at CIU, and it was good for me to discuss the case studies with my classmates. The book helped us formulate important questions we wouldn't have asked, share mistakes we could have avoided, and figure out how to resolve complex matters in the right way. The studies cover a wide range of issues involving weak administrators, maverick school board members, tough students, and more. Each case requires you to:

1. See the situation correctly
2. Devise possible solutions to the problem (s)
3. Use facts to respond to politics and emotions
4. Develop and integrate knowledge as you imagine being in the situation

I recommend this book to any school administrator or anyone who is considering being a principal. The cases are generally only four to eight pages long, and they would be good to discuss amongst administrators and other school leaders.

Reviewing Mark L. Vincent's Speaking About Money: Reducing the Tension

The most popular book of all time has much to say about money. The Good Shepherd talks about money more than any other subject. It is often said that matters concerning money are what couples argue about the most. Money may not be the most important thing we have, but don't tell a poor person that money isn't important. Because money is important, I took a grad course about raising funds and resources. Mark Vincent's book, Speaking About Money, was one of three books I read for the class. The 144-page book is divided into three parts and ten chapters.

Part I. Christian beliefs about money
Chapter 1 - Christian beliefs about money
Chapter 2 - Your life with money
Chapter 3 - Money messages
Part II. Perceptions about money
Chapter 4 - How people construct money perceptions
Part III. Talking about money in the church
Chapter 5 - The leader's role
Chapter 6 - Worship and money
Chapter 7 - Preparing the ground for talking about money
Chapter 8 - Leading people through money decisions
Chapter 9 - Communicating about money management
Chapter 10 - Planning for change

The book's primary audience is faith-based nonprofit leaders, Christian school leaders, and pastors; however, Scripture isn't introduced until page 39. On page 50, there is a quote stating that money is evil, but this is an incorrect view. 1 Timothy 6:10 states that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, not money itself. Despite these observations, Speaking About Money provides practical information and shows us what it means to be good stewards. Additionally, three useful appendices are provided - a glossary, index, and selected bibliography.

The 2014-15 Wickersham Christmas Break

Sometimes, when you think about being away from family in the States or about exotic vacations friends are taking in Southeast Asia, you can start believing your Christmas break wasn't so fun. I wish I could give Satan, the father of lies, a karate chop to the face. That would be cool. Thankfully, I don't need to do that 'cause the Son of Man has already given the death blow to the guy. Below are the ten most excellent things the Wickershams experienced during the Christmas break (and it ain't even over).

1. The kiddos went to a giant play place that was new to us and got their bounce on. Megan and I went on a date at a nearby bench - I brought us McDonald's.
2. Rose and Grace went ice skating with their friends at the Galaxy Mall. No bones were broken.
3. I watched The Hobbit with Rose (I purchased it quite some time ago, but just hadn't gotten around to watching it). Hobbit 2 is playing in our home this weekend, so I'll be ready for #3 when it's released in China later this month.
4. We received a warm greeting at a delicious restaurant we hadn't visited in a while.
5. We spent New Year's Eve at a Holiday Inn in a part of the city we hadn't really explored.
6. Grace and Josiah were super excited to buy some Lego sets with their Christmas money. The prices didn't get me super excited, but their smiles were worth it.
7. We went to a couple of special birthday celebrations (#16 for a TIS student and the big 40 for a colleague).
8. We rode the public bus and subway a few times and have a better understanding of how to get around in this massive city of millions.
9. We sang Christmas carols in our neighborhood and had our annual Christmas Eve gathering in our apartment. Some friends came over the next evening as well.
10. We celebrated the Son of Man's birth, death, and resurrection, and we continue to do so.

Reviewing Ray Pritchard's Let's Go Straight to Bethlehem

I downloaded Let's Go Straight to Bethlehem in late November and used it for our family devotionals last month. I see us using the 51-page book again next year. 25 devotionals are provided, and almost all of them begin with Scripture. The devotionals conclude with prayers of one to two sentences. Each devotional is approximately two iPad pages, and they are nicely organized with spaces between short paragraphs, bullets, number lists, and key phrases are italicized. Although the devotionals were simple enough for my third-grade daughter to be fully engaged, there were a couple of times when I was really impacted by the creative wording or was provided information that I hadn't thought of before. There were three occasions during our devotionals when I changed the wording or elaborated on what was being stated (e.g., prophecy, magi, will); however, this did not take away from the book. If you're looking for a simple but solid Advent devotional, I recommend Dr. Pritchard's book, Let's Go Straight To Bethlehem.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6