CHILDREN OF DREAMS AND THE GOD OF HOPE: Devotional by Lorilyn Roberts

When I took the introductory class for my Master’s in Creative Writing, one of the books I had to read was Writing for Story by Jon Franklin. The fourth chapter in the book, “Stalking the True Short Story,” was based on two famous stories he wrote, one of which was his Pulitzer Prize-winning entry, “Mrs. Kelly’s Monster.”

Because everybody would love to win a Pulitzer Prize, his comments are worth noting. To quote Jon Franklin on page 81: “One of the best ways to teach positive lessons while entertaining at the same time is to write stories about how people successfully cope with the world, endure, and even sometimes win.”

I have thought a lot about that. Much of what I report as a television captioner is mundane news to a world that hardly blinks an eye at the everyday, run-of-the-mill, shoot ‘em up, rob-him blind, dope-addicted, shoddy moral, or over-spending bureaucratic figure news story which people scoff and ignore if it doesn’t affect them directly.

In contrast, Jon Franklin dug deep for the motivations, the conflicts, the resolutions, and the redemptive endings in his books and articles. 

In the same vein, when I wrote Children of Dreams, I wanted to share a part of me that no one else knew. I risked being vulnerable, revealing traits and values that I knew some would not understand. I am not perfect, and did I really want to reveal my failures, confess my doubts, and admit my flaws?

Our lives, particularly if we are memoir authors, must be real, or we will come across every bit like the superficial news stories that I alluded to above—irrelevant to the reader. Too much of our time is lived at a frenzied pace with quick posts on Facebook and Twitter, or text messages written in code, risking little, and only recognizable enough to make us feel we have value in the world of cyberspace.

If you have been forsaken by your family, hurt by others, stuck in a job you hate, gone through a divorce, experienced major health issues, sacrificed your own lost dreams, or struggled in your 

Christian walk, I share unabashedly with profound honesty how God helped me through these tragedies. 

This is the “true story” within the story in Children of Dreams. There is no superficiality—only raw emotion and truth. I had to get permission from my kids and family. There are still open wounds that God will have to heal. There was a price to pay and I am still dealing with it now. Do I regret it? No. I know God will eventually redeem all which is broken.

The typical reader, much like a typical reporter, will see Children of Dreams as another adoption story; give it a cursory glance, and move on. The sensate reader, who reads for deeper meaning, will experience God’s profound love and redemptive hope, knowing without any doubt, that God is the fulfiller of dreams.

My desire is that the reader will be stirred—emotionally renewed and batteries charged, believing if God can do the impossible for me, he can do the same for him. God can heal infected wounds, redeem broken dreams, and convince the skeptic to believe in miracles. None of us should live as though we have no hope, and Children of Dreams is a testimony to God’s grace, reassuring the reader that where there is God, there is always hope.

Lorilyn grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, and currently lives in Gainesville, Florida. She is pursuing her Master of Arts in Creative Writing from Perelandra College.

Lorilyn is a media professional, providing broadcast captioning for television, but makes time to pursue her passion for creative writing.

She has homeschooled her daughters for the past fifteen years.  

Lorilyn has published two books, The Donkey and the King and Children of Dreams; is president of the Gainesville, Florida, Word Weavers Chapter; and the founder of the John 316 Marketing Network.

Lorilyn's personal website can be found at http://lorilynroberts.com 

JOHN 3:16 MARKETING NETWORK GUEST POST: Lorilyn Roberts Interviews Kimberley Payne About Her New Book: “Fit for Faith,” and Shares Her Battle with Healthy Living

 

The health of ourselves, our loved ones, and our friends, next to salvation, is probably the most important thing to each of us. Check out the prayer chain at any church; many of the prayer requests will be for health-related issues. And certainly, in the news, we are bombarded every day with the importance of exercising to lose weight.

But what if you don’t need to lose weight? What if you are otherwise healthy? I didn’t need to lose weight, have diabetes, or high cholesterol. Last year, feeling guilty exercising when I had so many other things to do that seemed more important, I told myself I would get back to swimming regularly in a few months when I didn’t feel so overwhelmed.

Of course, the time went by quickly. While I got out of the positive addiction psychologically, my body was still conditioned for those daily workouts. I knew that, but felt conflicted—should I really indulge myself with those laps in the pool or turn in the latest assignment for my Masters's class?

A few months later, I was overly anxious and over-committed to a long list of to-do’s. Faster and faster I worked, but I still could never accomplish everything I wanted. Anyone who is a work-a-holic can relate; and even if you aren’t, feelings of anxiousness are likely to creep in because you aren’t “burning” off those pent-up emotions in a constructive and healthy way.

A few months into my “no exercise” solution for getting more done, after a particularly stressful week, I woke up with female bleeding. In someone who is past that time, it can signal very serious medical issues, including uterine cancer.

I made an appointment with my doctor when I got back into town, but finding the ultimate cause took several months. Following an expensive medical procedure and too much worry, it was determined the root cause was the result of high blood pressure.

I won’t say how high it was because it’s too depressing—but it shook me up. I started doing all the things I should have been doing all along—no salt, less caffeine, getting enough sleep, and most importantly, exercising.

It’s never easy to make time to exercise, but Kimberley Payne has written a book, Fit for Faith, 7 Weeks to Improved Spiritual and Physical Health, which integrates our spiritual and physical needs, focusing on helping us to become the man or woman God created us to be. The book is simple and instructive—and short. I highly recommend it to anyone struggling with how to incorporate daily workouts into a healthy routine that isn’t overwhelming.

* * *

Here is an interview of Kimberly Payne

Lorilyn:  How was the idea for Fit for Faith born?

Kimberley:  Although I was born and raised within the church, it wasn't until I attended a Christian women's retreat that I realized how much I had compartmentalized my life: family in one corner, work in another, finances here, health there, faith over there. I began to see that my faith shouldn't be kept partitioned off from the rest of my life. Instead, it needed to be intertwined with all the parts of my life. If I was going to follow Him as my Lord, God wanted me to include Him in everything and that included my health and fitness.

Lorilyn: What authority do you have to write this book?

Kimberley:  I certified as a Weight Instructor through the YMCA, then went on to certify as an Aerobics Instructor through A.C.E., then went on to certify as a Personal Fitness through Can-Fit-Pro.

Lorilyn:  There are many fitness books on the market. How is Fit for Faith any different?

Kimberley:  Fit for Faith makes no assumptions about the reader’s spiritual walk. All levels, whether a new Christian or a mature Christian, can benefit from this program. It is a program for a new Christian who wants to learn about prayer, journal writing, and Bible study in the comfort of their own home, but a mature Christian can still be refreshed in their faith and recommit to a daily relationship with God.

It is motivating with inspiring reflections included each day and Christian truths set forth in a non-threatening manner. Fit for Faith also makes no assumptions about the activity level of the reader.

All levels, whether a sedentary individual or a seasoned athlete, can benefit from this program. It emphasizes overall health, not just weight loss. Expertise and professionalism are provided throughout the program in easy-to-read “fit tips” and goal-planning assistance. The program includes strategies that empower people to make small changes in their daily routines to improve the quality of their life.

Fit for Faith is a well-rounded balanced program that follows the stages of change and so inspires confidence and builds esteem.

Lorilyn:  What is your purpose in writing this book?

Kimberley:  The purpose of writing is to share knowledge from the health/fitness field and to demonstrate that partnership with God always leads to success, in every area of life. It is designed with the message of the gospel at its heart.

Lorilyn: What is involved in the 7-week program?

Kimberley:  The Fit for Faith program starts with developing an action plan that includes exploring the benefits and success strategies of exercising, healthy eating, and stretching the body and the spirit. Then, the reader moves into implementing the plan through a daily program of prayer, Bible study, and tracking of healthy habits. Each week is capped with a review that is a natural lead into the next week.

Lorilyn: Can the book be used in a group setting?

Kimberley:  Fit for Faith is a simple workbook to support a person through their day. It is designed for individuals to participate at any hour anywhere. However, the workbook is extremely versatile and has proven successful as a group program. Leader’s Notes are available to work within a group setting that can also be used as an outreach program within a church or workplace.

Lorilyn: What are the benefits of the program?

Kimberley:  It’s like having your own personal trainer without the cost. There is a ton of useful information that helps the reader wade through the myths and misconceptions that are out there.

It's an awareness program. The reader is accountable to record their activities, and this helps to recognize where their strengths are and what areas they need to improve.

It’s a lifestyle change. Over the seven weeks, the reader will gain habits that last a lifetime.

Lorilyn:  Do you offer workshops/presentations based on the book?

Kimberley: Yes, my main three presentations are:

Fit for Prayer

Learn how to fit prayer and physical activity into your daily routine

This workshop unites physical health and spiritual health to lose weight and develop a deeper relationship with God. In this highly interactive session, you will gain insight into how to incorporate prayer and fitness into your daily round.

Food for thought

Find out how to nourish your body and spirit through healthy eating and Bible study

Just as eating healthy foods nourishes your body, Bible study nourishes your spirit. You will learn practical suggestions and scriptural guidance to achieve your goals. Feel the joy of a healthier and more spiritually fit life.

Flex your Spirit

Discover a new way to express yourself with God through journal writing and stretching

Taking care of yourself physically is one way to honor God with your body. Your thoughts and emotions directly influence your physical health. Learn how to recharge your physical and emotional health through stretching activities for your body and spirit.

Here is an excerpt from Fit for Faith

“God’s Word, the Bible, tells us that He created you. He loves you and He wants you to love yourself. You are beautiful. He has made everything beautiful. (Ecclesiastes 3:11) I developed this program to help you feel good about yourself, no matter what your size. God wants you to be the most beautiful and useful person you can be. Your value is not found in physical appearance but in being a child of God.

Don’t just endure life, enjoy it! You can enjoy healthy living – physically and spiritually. Taking care of your body and tending to your spirit adds joy to your life. One cannot be separated from the other. You have learned that the body, mind, and spirit are connected and reflected in your overall health.

There is much that demands your time. Where do you want to spend it? Whichever healthy activities you choose to continue with, make it a daily commitment. May God bless your journey towards improved spiritual and physical health.”

📙📙📙📙📙

           

To learn more about Kimberly Payne and her launch of Fit for Faith on Amazon, you can visit her on the following websites:

Website: http://www.kimberleypayne.com

YouTube: Fit4Faith channel http:www///tinyurl.com/3jnjpkp\

***

You may be wondering, what do I do now to get my daily exercise? During the summer, I returned to swimming, which is what I love to do most. Now that it’s gotten cooler and I have to go to the Health and Fitness Center to swim, I have accepted that I can’t swim every day.

On the days I can’t swim, if I am at home, I jump on a small trampoline that I use with my Wii Fit. I listen to John Piper on my iPad as I jump, so I am also feeding my soul. The days I stay in Ocala for my daughter’s gymnastics, I walk on the treadmill, which allows me to watch her as I exercise.

The key is finding what works best for you. Fit for Faith will help you to discover your niche, whatever that might be. Do something rather than nothing. Get started today. CHOOSE to live a healthy lifestyle; you won’t regret it.

A ROAD THAT LEADS TO...: Devotional by Lorilyn Roberts

 

Roads have always fascinated me. I often look at them in paintings and wonder where the artist intended for the road to end.

Back when I was married many years ago and worked long hours putting my husband through medical school, I had a painting I used to admire while I sat at my desk. On one side of the unpaved road was a fence; on the other were overhanging oak trees. The road disappeared over a mountain and faded into the background.

I used to wonder, where will we live when my husband finishes his education? What will he specialize in? And what will our lives be like? As I dictated my court reporting notes, I would stare at that painting, wishing I could be doing something else.

I am glad I didn't know where that road went.  I wouldn't have wanted to travel it. But hindsight knows better than foresight.  That road, my Via Dolorosa, was the best thing that ever happened to me. It’s the hard roads that mold us or break us; it is the journey that matters, not where we end up. That is already decided.

I thank God these many years later I am still here. Many of my friends and family aren’t. Their road was different from mine. But hopefully, when we arrive at the Pearl of Great Price, the journey will have been worth it, and the roads in that wonderful place won’t be paved in sorrow, as our Savior's was, but paved in gold, a road that leads to.....what is your Via Dolorosa? Please share.

UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT OF PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU'S RESPONSE TO THE U.N. FOLLOWING THE PALENSTINIAN BID FOR STATEHOOD: Christian Blogger Lorilyn Roberts

I would encourage you to read this unofficial transcript that I wrote today—an impassioned plea from Prime Minister Netanyahu for peace that should stir the hearts of all Christians and Jews.

☨☨☨☨

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Response to the United Nations on September 22, 2011, following the Palestinian bid for Statehood.

>> ...I extend it to the people of Libya, with admiration for those trying to build a democratic future, I extend it to the other peoples of North Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula, with whom we want to forge a new beginning.

I extend it to the people of Syria, Lebanon, and Iran, with all the courage of those fighting brutal oppression, but most especially, I extend my hand to the Palestinian people, with whom we seek a just and lasting peace.
[Applause]
Ladies and gentlemen, in Israel, our hope for peace never wanes.
Our scientists, doctors, and innovators apply their genius to improve the world of tomorrow.

Our artists, our writers, which is the heritage of humanity.

Now, I know that this is not exactly the image of Israel that is often portrayed in this hall.
After all, it was here in 1975, the age-old yearning of my people to restore our national life and our ancient Biblical homeland, it was then that this was branded shamefully, as racism.

And it was here in 1980, right here, that the historic peace agreement between Israel and Egypt wasn't praised. It was denounced.
And it's here, year after year, that Israel is unjustly singled out for condemnation.

It's singled out for condemnation more often than all the nations of the world combined.

21 out of the 27 General Assembly resolutions condemn Israel, the one true democracy in the Middle East.

This is an unfortunate part of the U.N. institution.

It's the theatre of the absurd.

It doesn't only cast Israel as the villain, it often casts real villains in leading roles.

Qaddafi's Libya shared the U.N. commission on human rights, Saddam's Iraq headed the U.N. committee on disarmament.
You might say that's the past.

Well, here's what's happening now, right now, today. Hezbollah‑controlled Lebanon now presides over the U.N. security council. This means in effect that a terror organization presides over the body entrusted with guaranteeing the world security.

You couldn't make this thing up.

So here, in the U.N., automatic majorities can decide anything. They can decide that the sun sets in the West or rises in the west, I think the first has already been preordained.

They can also decide, they have decided, that the Western Wall in Jerusalem, Judaism's holiest place, is occupied Palestinian territory. And yet, even here, in the General Assembly, the truth can sometimes break through.

In 1984, when I was appointed Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, I visited the great Rabbi. He said to me, and, ladies and gentlemen, I don't want any of you to be offended because, from personal experience of serving here, I know there are many honourable men and women, many capable and decent people serving their nations here, but here's what was said to me.

He said, you'll be serving in a house of many lies.
And then he said, remember, that even in the darkest place, the light of a single candle can be seen far and wide.

Today, I hope that the light of truth will shine, if only for a few minutes, in a hall that for too long has been a place of darkness for my country.

So as Israel's Prime Minister, I didn't come here to win applause.
I came here to speak the truth.
The truth is ‑‑
[Applause]
The truth is that Israel wants peace.
The truth is, that I want peace.
The truth is, that in the Middle East, at all times, but especially during these turbulent days, peace must be anchored in security.
The truth is, that we cannot achieve peace through U.N. resolutions, but only through direct negotiations between the parties.
The truth is, that so far, the Palestinians have refused to negotiate.

The truth is, that Israel wants peace with a Palestinian state, but the Palestinians want one state without peace, and the truth is, you shouldn't let that happen.

Ladies and gentlemen, when I first came here 27 years ago, the world was divided between East and West. Since then, the Cold War ended.
Great civilizations have risen from centuries of slumber. Hundreds of millions have been lifting out of poverty. Countless more are poised to follow and the remarkable thing is, so far, this monumental historic shift has largely occurred peacefully.

Yet a malignancy is now growing between the East and West that threatens the peace of all. It seeks not to liberate but to enslave.
Not to build, but to destroy. That malignancy is militant Islam.

It cloaks itself in the mantle of a great faith, yet it murders Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike with unforgiving impartiality.

On September 11, it killed thousands of Americans and it left the Twin Towers in smoldering ruins.

Last night, I laid a wreath on the 9/11 memorial.

It was deeply moving.

But as I was going there, one thing echoed in my mind. The outrageous words of the president of Iran on this podium yesterday. He implied that 9/11 was an American conspiracy. Some of you left this hall, all of you should have.
[Applause]
>> Since 9/11, militant Islam has slaughtered countless other innocence. In London, in Madrid, in Baghdad, in Mumbai, in Tel Aviv, in Jerusalem, and every part of Israel.

I believe that the greatest danger facing our world is that this fanaticism will arm itself with nuclear weapons, and this is precisely what Iran is trying to do.

Can you imagine that man who ranted here yesterday, can you imagine him armed with nuclear weapons? The international community must stop Iran before it's too late.

If Iran is not stopped, we will all face a specter of nuclear terrorism, and the Arab spring could soon become an Iranian winter.
That would be a tragedy. Millions of Arabs have taken to the streets to replace tyranny with liberty. And no one would benefit more than 

Israel if those committed to freedom and peace would prevail.

This is my fervent hope, but as the Prime Minister of Israel, I cannot risk the future of the Jewish state on wishful thinking.
Leaders must see reality as it is. Not as it ought to be.

We must do our best to shape the future, but we cannot wish away the dangers of the present. And the world around Israel is definitely becoming more dangerous.

Militant Islam has already taken over Lebanon and Gaza. It's determined to tear apart the peace treatise between Israel and Egypt, and between Israel and Jordan. It's poisoned many Arab minds against Jews and Israel, against America and the West.

It opposes not the policies of Israel but the existence of Israel.
Now, some argue that the spread of militant Islam, especially in these turbulent times, if you want to slow it down, they argue, Israel must hurry to make concessions, to make territorial compromises.

And this theory sounds simple. Basically, it goes like this.

Leave the territory and peace will be advanced. The moderates will be strengthened, the radicals will be kept at bay, and don't worry about the pesky details of how Israel will actually defend itself.
International troops will do the job.

These people say to me constantly, just make a sweeping offer and everything will work out. You know, there is only one problem with that theory. We've tried it. And it hasn't worked.

In 2000 Israel made a sweeping peace offer that met virtually all of the Palestinian demands.

Arafat rejected it. The Palestinians then launched a terror attack that claimed 1,000 Israeli lives. Prime Minister Olmert, afterwards, made an even more sweeping offer in 2008. President Abbas didn't even respond to it. But Israel did more than just make sweeping offers.
We actually left territory.

We with drew from Lebanon in 2000. And from every square inch of Gaza in 2005. That didn't calm the Islamic storm. The militant Islamic storm that threatens us. It only brought the storm closer and made it stronger. Because Hamas fired thousands of rockets against our cities from the very territories we vacated.

See, when Israel left Lebanon and Gaza, the moderates didn't defeat the radicals. The moderates were devoured by the radicals.

And I regret to say, that international troops like Lebanon and Gaza didn't stop the radicals from attacking Israel.
We left Gaza hoping for peace.
We didn't freeze settlements in Gaza.
We uprooted them.
We did exactly what the theory says.
Get out.
Go back to the 1967 borders.
Dismantle the settlements.
And I don't think people remember how far we went to achieve this.
We uprooted thousands of people from their homes.
We pulled children out of their schools and their kindergartens.
We bulldozed synagogues.
We even moved loved ones from their graves.
And then having done all of that, we gave the keys of Gaza to President Abbas.
Now, the theory says, it should all work out.
And President Abbas and the Palestinian authority now could build the peaceful state in Gaza.
You can remember that the entire world applauded, they applauded our withdrawal as an act of great statesmanship, as a bold act of peace.
But ladies and gentlemen, we didn't get peace.
We got war.
We got Iran.
Which through its proxy, Hamas, promptly kicked out the Palestinian authority.
The Palestinian authority collapsed, in a day, in one day.
President Abbas just said on this podium that the Palestinians are armed only with their hopes and dreams.
Yep.
Hopes, dreams, and 10,000 missiles, and rockets supplied by Iran, not to mention the river of lethal weapons now flowing into Gaza from the Sinai, from Libya, and from where else.
Thousands of missiles have already rained down on our cities, so you might understand that, given all of this, Israelis rightly ask, what's to prevent this from happening again in the West Bank?
See, most of our major cities in the South of the country are within a few dozen kilometres from Gaza.
But in the centre of the country, opposite the West Bank, our cities are a few hundred metres or at most a few kilometres away from the edge of the West Bank.
So I want to ask you, would any of you, would any of you bring danger so close to your cities, to your families?
Would you act so recklessly with the lives of your citizens?
Israel is prepared to have a Palestinian state in the West Bank, but we're not prepared to have another Gaza there, and that's why we need to have real security arrangements which the Palestinians simply refuse to negotiate with us.
Israelis remember the bitter lessons of Gaza.
Many of Israel's critics ignore them.
They irresponsibly advise Israel to go down this same perilous path again.
You read what these people say and it's as if nothing happened.
Just keep repeating the same advice, the same formulas, as though none of this happened.
And these critics continue to press Israel to make far reaching concessions without first assuring Israel's security.
They praise those who unwittingly feed the insatiable crocodile of militant Islam as bold statesmen.
They cast as enemies of peace those of us who insist that we must first erect a sturdy barrier to keep the crocodile out.
Or at the very least, jam a bar between its gaping jaws, so in the face of the labels and the Libels, heed advice.
Better a bad press than a eulogy, and better a press that extends beyond breakfast and recognizes Israel's legitimate security concerns.
I believe in serious peace negotiations, these needs and concerns can be properly addressed.
But they will not be addressed without negotiations, and the needs are many, because Israel is such a tiny country.
Without Judea and Samaria, the West Bank, Israel is all of nine miles wide.
I'll put it for you in perspective, because you're all in the city.
That's about 2/3 the length of Manhattan.
It's the distance between Battery Park and Columbia University.
And don't forget, that the people who live in Brooklyn and New Jersey are considerably nicer than some of Israel's neighbors.
So how do you protect such a tiny country?
Surrounded by people sworn to its destruction and armed to the teeth by Iran?
Obviously, you can't defend it within that narrow space alone.
Israel needs greater strategic depth and that's exactly why security Council Resolution 242 didn't require Israel to leave all the territories it captured in the Six‑Day War.
It talked about withdrawal from territories, to secure indefensible boundaries.
And to defend itself, Israel must therefore maintain a long‑term Israeli military presence in critical strategic areas in the West Bank.
I explained this to President Abbas.
He answered that if a Palestinian state was to be a sovereign country, it could never accept such arrangements.
Why not?
America has had troops in Japan, Germany, and South Korea for more than half a century.

Britain has had airspace in Cypress, or rather an air base in Cypress.

France has forces in three independent African nations.
None of these states claim that they are not sovereign countries.
And there are many other vital security issues that also must be addressed.
Take the issue of airspace.
Again, Israel's small dimensions create huge security problems.
America can be crossed by jet airplane in six hours.
To fly across Israel, it takes three minutes.
So is Israel's tiny airspace to be chopped in half and given to a Palestinian state not at peace with Israel?
Our major international airport is a few kilometres away from the West Bank.
Without peace, would our planes become targets for anti‑aircraft missiles placed in the adjacent Palestinian state?
And how will we stop the smuggling into the West Bank?
It's not merely the West Bank, it's the West Bank Mountains that dominates the Coastal Plains where most of Israel's population sits below.
How can we prevent the smuggling into these mountains?
From those missiles that could be fired on our cities?
I bring up these problems because they are not theoretical problems.
They are very real.
And for Israelis, they are life and death matters.
All of these potential cracks in Israel's security have to be sealed in a peace agreement before a Palestinian state is declared.
Not afterwards.
Because if you leave it afterwards, they won't be sealed.
And these problems will explode in our face and explode the peace.
The Palestinians should first make peace with Israel and then get their state.
But I also want to tell you this.
After such a peace agreement is signed, Israel will not be the last country to welcome a Palestinian state as a new member of the United Nations.
We will be the first.
[Applause]
>> And there is one more thing.
Hamas has been violating international law by holding our soldier (name) captive for five years.
They haven't given him even one Red Cross visit.
He's in a dungeon and darkness against all natural norms.
He's the grandson of (name) who escaped the Holocaust by coming in the 1930s as a boy to the land of Israel.
He's the son of every Israeli family.
Every nation represented here should demand his immediate release.
If you want ‑‑
[Applause]
>> If you want to pass a resolution about the Middle East today, that's the resolution you should pass.
[Applause]
>> Ladies and gentlemen, last year in Israel, at the University, this year, in the Knesset and the U.S. Congress, I laid out my vision for peace in which a demilitarized Palestinian state recognizes the Jewish state, yes, the Jewish state.
This is the body that recognized the Jewish state 64 years ago.
Don't you think it's about time the Palestinians did the same.
The Jewish State of Israel will always protect the rights of all its minorities, including the more than one million Arab citizens of Israel.
I wish I could say the same thing about a future Palestinian state, for the Palestinian officials made clear the other day, in fact, I think they made it right here in New York, they said the Palestinian state won't allow any Jews in it.
They will be Jew‑free, Heathen run.
That's ethnic cleansing.
There are laws today in Ramallah that make the selling of land to Jews punishable by death.
That's racism.
And, you know which laws this evokes?
Israel has no intention whatsoever to change the democratic character of our state.
We just don't want the Palestinians to try to change the Jewish character of our state.
[Applause]
>> We want to give up ‑‑
[Applause]
>> We want them to give up the fantasy of flooding Israel with millions of Palestinians.
President Abbas just stood here and he said that the core of the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict is the settlements.
Well, that's odd.
Our conflict has been raging for ‑‑ was raging for nearly half a century before there was a single Israeli settlement in the West Bank.
So if what President Abbas is saying was true, then I guess that the settlements he's talking about are Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jaffa, and Beersheba.
Maybe that's what he meant the other day when he said Israel has been occupying Israeli land for 63 years.
He didn't say from 1967, he said from 1948.
I hope somebody will bother to ask him that question.
Because it illustrates a simple truth.
The core of the conflict is not the settlements.
The settlements are a result of the conflict.
[Applause]
>> The settlements have to be ‑‑ it's an issue that has to be addressed and resolved in the course of the negotiations but the core of the conflict has always been, and unfortunately remains, the refusal of the Palestinians to recognize a Jewish state within any border.
I think it's time that the Palestinian leadership recognizes what every serious international leader has recognized.
From Lord Balfour and Lord George in 1917 to President Truman in 1948 to President Obama just two days ago, Israel is a Jewish state.
[Applause]
>> President Abbas, stop walking around this issue.
Recognize the Jewish state and make peace with us.
In such a genuine peace, Israel is prepared to make painful compromises.
We believe that the Palestinians should be neither the citizens of Israel nor its subjects.
They should live in a free state of their own.
But they should be ready, like us, for compromise.
And we will know that they are ready for compromise and for peace when they start taking Israel's security requirements seriously, and when they stop denying our historical connection to our ancient homeland.
I often hear them accuse Israel of Judaizing Jerusalem.
That's like accusing America of Americanizing Washington, or the British of Anglicizing London.
You know why we're called Jews?
Because we come from Judea.
In my office in Jerusalem, there is an ancient seal.
It's a Cygnet ring of a judicial official from the time of the Bible.
The seal was found right next to the Western Wall.
It dates back 2,700 years to the time of King Hezekiah.
Now, there is a name of the Jewish official inscribed on the ring in Hebrew.
His name was Netanyahu.
That's my last name.
My first name, Benjamin, dates back 1,000 years earlier to Benjamin, the son of Jacob, who was also known as Israel.
Jacob and his 12 sons roamed these same hills of Judea and Samaria, 4,000 years ago, and there has been a continuing Jewish presence in the land ever since.
And for those Jews who were exiled from our land, they never stopped dreaming of coming back.
Jews in Spain on the eve of their expulsion, Jews in the Ukraine fleeing the pogroms, the Warsaw ghetto, as the Nazis circled around it.

They never stopped praying, next year in Jerusalem, next year in the Promise Land.
[Applause]

as the Prime Minister of Israel, I speak for 100 generations of Jews who are dispersed throughout the lands, who suffered every evil under the sun, but who never gave up hope of restoring their national life in the one and only Jewish state.

Ladies and gentlemen, I continue to hope that President Abbas will be my partner in peace. I have worked hard to advance that peace.
The day I came into office, I called for direct negotiations without preconditions.

President Abbas didn't respond. I outlined a vision of peace of two states for two peoples. He still didn't respond.

I removed hundreds of road blocks and checkpoints to ease freedom of movement in the Palestinian areas. This facilitated a fantastic growth into the Palestinian economy, but, again, no response.

I took the unprecedented step of freezing new buildings in the settlements for 10 months. No Prime Minister did that before, ever.
Once again ‑‑
[Applause]
>> You applaud but there was no response.
No response.

>> In the last few weeks, American officials have put forward ideas to restart peace talks. There were things in those ideas about borders that I didn't like. There were things there about the Jewish state that I'm sure the Palestinians didn't like.

But with all my reservations, I was willing to move forward on these American ideas.
President Abbas, why don't you join me?
We have to stop negotiating about the negotiations.
Let's just get on with it.
Let's negotiate peace.
[Applause]
>> I spent years defending Israel on the battlefield.
I spent decades defending Israel in the court of public opinion.
President Abbas, you've dedicated your life to advancing the Palestinian cause, must this conflict continue for generations?
Or will we enable our children and our grandchildren to speak in years ahead of how we found a way to end it.
That's what we should aim for.
That's what I believe we can achieve.
In 2 1/2 years we met in Jerusalem only once.
Even though my door has always been open to you.
If you wish, I'll come to Ramallah.
Actually, I have a better suggestion.
We both just ‑‑ have just flown thousands of miles to New York.
Now we're in the same city.
We're in the same building.
So let's meet here today, in the United Nations.

[Applause]

>> Who is there to stop us? What is there to stop us? If we genuinely want peace, what is there to stop us from meeting today and beginning peace negotiations? And I suggest we talk openly and honestly, let's listen to one another.

Let's do as we say in the Middle East, let's talk ‑‑ straightforward.
I'll tell you my needs and concerns.
You tell me yours.
And with God's help, we'll find the common ground of peace.
[Applause]
>> There is an old Arab saying that you cannot applaud with one hand.
The same is true of peace.
I cannot make peace alone.
I cannot make peace without you.
President Abbas, I extend my hand, the hand of Israel in peace.
I hope that you will grasp that hand.
We're both the sons of Abraham.
My people call him Abraham.
You people call him Abraham.
We share the same patriarch.
We dwell in the same land.
Our destinies are intertwined.
Let us realize the vision of Isaiah, the people who walk in darkness will see a great light.
Let that light be the light of peace.

[Applause]

FIVE PARENTING DO’S AND DON’TS FOR ADOPTED CHILDREN: Devotional by Lorilyn Roberts

 Now that my oldest daughter is almost 21 and my youngest is thirteen, here are some words of advice:  

Do’s  

1.  Be proactive when it comes to the health, safety and welfare of your adopted child. You know your child’s background and history better than doctors, social workers, teachers, friends, or other adoptive families. Speak up when you think something needs to be addressed. Don’t assume others know better or more than you.

 

For starters, de-worm your adopted child upon arrival from a developing country.

 

2.  Be open with your adopted child about his past. Tell him everything you know. Tuck away special items to remind him of his heritage later—pictures, letters, emails, mementos, a favorite toy, or article of clothing. Let your child decide what he wants to do with these things when he is older and respect his wishes.

 

3.  Be open about adoption with others who are interested. This does not mean you need to divulge the intimate details of your child’s adoption, but it is your opportunity to share the marvelous way God has given us to make families, giving hope to the 150 million-plus orphans in the world. When onlookers see the love shared in your family, they will be less inclined to believe the horror stories that have been perpetuated by Hollywood and negative, prejudicial people.

 

4.  Help your adoptive child to be emotionally, physically, and mentally strong. Young children most likely will catch up on motor and language skills, but be willing to provide speech or physical therapy if needed. Older kids may take more time, but as parents, our job is to do everything we can to help our children reach their potential. Given the right environment, children generally will flourish, and you will be a glowing mother as you see your new son or daughter blossom.

 

This includes finding their “gift.”  Since adopted children come with a different biological code, parents need to make an extra effort to discover their talents.

 5.  Respect your adoptive child’s family, country, culture, and memories. Even if you do not like your child’s birth family or heritage, you would not be an adoptive parent if it wasn’t for a birthmother’s gift of life. Be sensitive and respectful. Let grace begin with you, remembering that your adopted daughter is a gift from God. Love her as much as you can, and then love her some more. Don’t just tell your daughter you love her, show it. And when you screw up, admit it and say, “I am sorry.” 

Don’ts 

1.  Don’t let others discourage you from adopting. If God has put it on your heart or you have thoughtfully made a decision to build your family through adoption, do your research and pursue your dream with passion. Those who are persistent and don’t give up are the ones who eventually hold their “bundle of joy.”

 

2.  Don’t make excuses for the poor behavior of your adopted child. Address what rears its head and work through it. Seek wise counsel, particularly experts skilled in adoption issues. You don’t want your son or daughter to grow up with a “victim” mentality. Love covers many shortcomings, and what was lacking, in the beginning, can be used for good later—in the form of compassion for others. While an older adopted child will have more scars and come with a history, to overcome his past, he will need to embrace it. Only through acceptance can a child overcome the pain and move on. As a parent, you can help your son or daughter to begin that process of healing.

If your child uses adoption as an excuse for poor grades, low self-esteem, behavior maladjustment, distrust, or a host of other issues that are sometimes found in adopted children, contact a professional. Without intervention, adopted children from deprived circumstances may carry their scars into adulthood, subconsciously gravitating toward familiar dysfunctional behaviors learned from the past. You can stop this destructive cycle by recognizing the need and seeking professional help.

 

3.  Don’t force your adopted child’s heritage on her. Let her choose how she wants to live her life. If your daughter was adopted internationally when she was young, she won’t have memories of her birth country. Her norms will be the traditions and culture in which she has been raised. Even if your daughter has dark skin or slanted eyes, she is now an American, Canadian or Scandinavian. Don’t be discouraged if your adopted daughter has no interest in her roots. Remember, kids want to fit in—with friends and lifestyles. They don’t want to be different. Let them be themselves.

 

4.  Don’t be afraid to parent.  People can be quick to blame the misbehavior of adopted kids on being adopted. More than likely, after a period of time, your adopted son will be going through the normal developmental stages of growing up just like all his non-adopted friends. Your adopted son will need the same boundaries and security that all kids need. Be consistent and let him know your expectations and values. Take time. Don’t be too busy.

 5.  Don’t forget to enjoy the journey of parenting.  Take lots of pictures. The time goes by too quickly; one day you will turn around and the little baby you brought home in your arms will now be a beautiful young lady (or handsome young man). Cherish the memories. There will never be enough. 


 Lorilyn is an adoptive mother (as well as an adult adoptee) of two daughters from Nepal and Vietnam. She wrote their adoption stories in Children of Dreams. Visit her website at LorilynRoberts.com to learn more about her books and blog postings. 

LORILYN ROBERTS BOOK REVIEW: ”A Tale of Two Cities“ by Charles Dickens

A Tale of Two Cities has a complicated plot with twists and turns that eventually unravel the tightly-woven story. The story begins in France, several years before the French Revolution, switches to England, and then returns to France.  

Foreshadowing creates suspense, and as the story progresses, war ensues. Death is always a constant threat or recurring theme. In typical Dickens’ style, every character and scene is fully developed with symbolism playing an important role; i.e., the broken wine cask at the beginning and the reference to blood. The imagery reminds one of the Christian sacrament and the impending war in France.

Of particular interest are the characters; the protagonist, Lucie Manette, discovers her father has been found alive imprisoned in the French Bastille for the last eighteen years. Lucie is the embodiment of love, and her unconditional love restores her father’s sanity.

As the French Revolution draws near, the reader senses the progression of hopeless bloodshed through the continued foreshadowing of events. There is an overarching uneasiness that something evil is going to happen to the main characters. The darkness of one of the main antagonists, Madame DeFarge, and her constant knitting of the names of those condemned to death stands in stark contrast to the loving protagonist, Lucie Manette.

Soon Darnay and Lucie marry, and a few years later, the French Revolution begins.

Dickens shows the intense suffering and affliction of the masses and the arrogant aristocracy, which is portrayed by the heartless Marquis Evrémonde when he runs over a poor plebian child. The impending conflict in France creeps ever so closer to the Manette family in England when Darnay travels to France and is arrested. 

Darnay returns to Paris to free one of his former servants from prison but is imprisoned on false charges. After a year, he is released following a trial, only to be immediately seized again by the evil Madame DeFarge. 

The father, who has been “recalled to life,” teeter-totters on psychosis, reverting to his old shoemaking occupation while in prison when Darnay for the second time is sent to the guillotine.

The tight plot, where nothing is wasted, builds to a stunning conclusion with the eventual escape of Lucie, Darnay, and their young daughter from Paris back to London, thanks to Miss Pross’ killing of Madame DeFarge.

One of the most poignant characters is Sydney Carton. In the beginning, he is an unhappy attorney that has taken to drinking and feels his life has been wasted; yet, he still longs for a meaningful relationship and finds it in the ever-so-compassionate Lucie Manette. Through her kindness, he becomes more than he could have hoped for or imagined. Her love reaches deep, and, in the end, propels him to make the ultimate sacrifice for Lucie and her family, where his purpose in living embodies ultimate redemption.

A Tale of Two Cities reminds me of those books and movies that need to be enjoyed twice; the first time for the overview of the complex plot, and the second time to appreciate the various symbolisms and motifs that make for a magnificent story.

Available on Amazon here.