Here is the video we plan to show at Calvary Church for Orphan Sunday on November 6th.
I am praying that thru this Sunday and thru our current "Considering Adoption" class we are hosting this fall at Church, we will have 10 families chose to enter into the process of foster care or adoption by the end of the year. God, make the way!
Orphan Sunday 2011 from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.
Blog Link Update
I recently updated my Blog Links (see right hand side bar) and wanted to let you know some details about the bloggers/websites I've listed:
*Disclaimer - Although I recommend each of the following blogs + websites, I do not fully endorse or am aware of all content contained in my following links. Use your own discernment and judgment.
Eric Wakeling (Executive Pastor at Calvary Church Santa Ana - just jumped back into the blog world with a new tumblr account...good, good stuff)
MoreThanDodgeball.com (Saddleback Church's High School Pastor Josh Griffin's thoughts on youth ministry. I love his creativity and passion for God and students).
Catalyst Catablog (Great ministry resources and thoughts from the people who bring you the Catalyst Conferences)
OC Deals (Random Orange County deals from the Orange County Register site. I just found a $655 roundtrip airfare from LAX to Turkey on this site!)
22 Words (Blog from John Piper's son, Abraham. This blog is completely random and mostly a collection of links he finds, but really, really funny.)
Mark Driscoll.tv (Pastor of Mars Hill Seattle's brand new blog/website)
Resurgence (Birthed from Mars Hill Seattle and Mark Driscoll, this is a really great site for Pastors)
Vince Antonucci (Church planter starting a Church in Las Vegas. He has a great heart for people. I don't always agree with his methods, but his writing always makes me think).
Church Leaders.com (Great resources for Pastors)
Phil Cooke (Media Expert, Christian, Speaker, Blogger...He always has something interesting to say)
Vertical Church/James MacDonald (Pastor at Harvest in Chicago, He is becoming a national leader in the Evangelical Christian movement. I really like his thoughts on preaching and Pastoring. Also the guy who created the "Elephant Room" discussion)
Ordinary Pastor (Really Gospel focused, I am challenged in healthy ways by this blog)
Joe Thorn (Blog on Theology, Culture, Life and Church)
Koinonia (Hosted by the publishing company, Zondervan...good theology/pastor nerd blog)
Challies (This has become my favorite blog over the past year. Thought provoking posts from full-time blogger and Canadian, Tim Challies. Excellent links in the daily a la carte section)
Perry Noble (Pastor from South Carolina. Always has an encouraging word for Pastors and for the people of the Church he leads)
Practical Shepherding (Found this blog from Brian Croft thru Tim Challies and it has become a powerful tool of practical advice and encouragement in my role as a Pastor).
The Good Book Blog (Posts from Talbot Seminary Professor's, great ideas on ministry and theology)
Johnny Baker (UK Blogger posting on creative worship experiences, culture, faith and life. I especially like the "worship tricks" regular posts. One of the posts inspired a 2012 Easter Idea we are mulling over at Calvary).
Russell Moore (The Dean of the School of Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and the author of "Temped and Tried." Russell has become a mentor from afar to me over this past year. I love his focus on the Gospel and his love for Hank Williams music. Excellent, excellent writer).
Joshua Harris (Pastor at Covenant Life Church in Maryland and author. I love his thoughts on the Gospel and on being a Pastor.)
The Village Church Pastors Blog (Matt Chandler's Home Church in Texas. I am inspired and encouraged by Matt's passion for Jesus and his Christ centered battle with a brain tumor)
Nate Milnik (My brillant wife's cousin's thoughts on philosophy, God and culture. Nathan is truly the most interesting man in the world as he works for Nick Vujicic and his ministry, traveling all over the world).
Hovivian Herald (My friend Cory's account of his journey to share the Gospel to the wonderful people of Ireleand)
EDL Blog (The blog of our High School group at Calvary Church Santa Ana. I love the team God has placed together to lead our students)
Ed's Journey (Ed Noble, Pastor of the Journey Church in San Diego. I love Ed's heart for God and for the people of his Church. I have learned so much from him over the years).
Francis Chan (Chan's blog about his walk with God and ministry. Every time I hear from Francis, I want to love God with more devotion and passion. One of the most inspiring leaders of our generation.)
Darrell Bock (The expert theologian on the Gospel of Luke and a great professor from Dallas Seminary)
Ryan Whieldon (Pastor at Sunkist Community in Anaheim, Ca. Great thinker and writer and one of my closest friends).
Whit Mitt Designs (My creative and talented Sister-in-law's event design website, check it out!)
A's Nation (My devotion to all things Oakland A's Baseball. Seriously my baseball obsession Bborders on unhealthiness. Here is the blog I go to to read all things Oakland A's).
Any other blogs you recommend I should list on my Blog Links?
*Disclaimer - Although I recommend each of the following blogs + websites, I do not fully endorse or am aware of all content contained in my following links. Use your own discernment and judgment.
Eric Wakeling (Executive Pastor at Calvary Church Santa Ana - just jumped back into the blog world with a new tumblr account...good, good stuff)
MoreThanDodgeball.com (Saddleback Church's High School Pastor Josh Griffin's thoughts on youth ministry. I love his creativity and passion for God and students).
Catalyst Catablog (Great ministry resources and thoughts from the people who bring you the Catalyst Conferences)
OC Deals (Random Orange County deals from the Orange County Register site. I just found a $655 roundtrip airfare from LAX to Turkey on this site!)
22 Words (Blog from John Piper's son, Abraham. This blog is completely random and mostly a collection of links he finds, but really, really funny.)
Mark Driscoll.tv (Pastor of Mars Hill Seattle's brand new blog/website)
Resurgence (Birthed from Mars Hill Seattle and Mark Driscoll, this is a really great site for Pastors)
Vince Antonucci (Church planter starting a Church in Las Vegas. He has a great heart for people. I don't always agree with his methods, but his writing always makes me think).
Church Leaders.com (Great resources for Pastors)
Phil Cooke (Media Expert, Christian, Speaker, Blogger...He always has something interesting to say)
Vertical Church/James MacDonald (Pastor at Harvest in Chicago, He is becoming a national leader in the Evangelical Christian movement. I really like his thoughts on preaching and Pastoring. Also the guy who created the "Elephant Room" discussion)
Ordinary Pastor (Really Gospel focused, I am challenged in healthy ways by this blog)
Joe Thorn (Blog on Theology, Culture, Life and Church)
Koinonia (Hosted by the publishing company, Zondervan...good theology/pastor nerd blog)
Challies (This has become my favorite blog over the past year. Thought provoking posts from full-time blogger and Canadian, Tim Challies. Excellent links in the daily a la carte section)
Perry Noble (Pastor from South Carolina. Always has an encouraging word for Pastors and for the people of the Church he leads)
Practical Shepherding (Found this blog from Brian Croft thru Tim Challies and it has become a powerful tool of practical advice and encouragement in my role as a Pastor).
The Good Book Blog (Posts from Talbot Seminary Professor's, great ideas on ministry and theology)
Johnny Baker (UK Blogger posting on creative worship experiences, culture, faith and life. I especially like the "worship tricks" regular posts. One of the posts inspired a 2012 Easter Idea we are mulling over at Calvary).
Russell Moore (The Dean of the School of Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and the author of "Temped and Tried." Russell has become a mentor from afar to me over this past year. I love his focus on the Gospel and his love for Hank Williams music. Excellent, excellent writer).
Joshua Harris (Pastor at Covenant Life Church in Maryland and author. I love his thoughts on the Gospel and on being a Pastor.)
The Village Church Pastors Blog (Matt Chandler's Home Church in Texas. I am inspired and encouraged by Matt's passion for Jesus and his Christ centered battle with a brain tumor)
Nate Milnik (My brillant wife's cousin's thoughts on philosophy, God and culture. Nathan is truly the most interesting man in the world as he works for Nick Vujicic and his ministry, traveling all over the world).
Hovivian Herald (My friend Cory's account of his journey to share the Gospel to the wonderful people of Ireleand)
EDL Blog (The blog of our High School group at Calvary Church Santa Ana. I love the team God has placed together to lead our students)
Ed's Journey (Ed Noble, Pastor of the Journey Church in San Diego. I love Ed's heart for God and for the people of his Church. I have learned so much from him over the years).
Francis Chan (Chan's blog about his walk with God and ministry. Every time I hear from Francis, I want to love God with more devotion and passion. One of the most inspiring leaders of our generation.)
Darrell Bock (The expert theologian on the Gospel of Luke and a great professor from Dallas Seminary)
Ryan Whieldon (Pastor at Sunkist Community in Anaheim, Ca. Great thinker and writer and one of my closest friends).
Whit Mitt Designs (My creative and talented Sister-in-law's event design website, check it out!)
A's Nation (My devotion to all things Oakland A's Baseball. Seriously my baseball obsession Bborders on unhealthiness. Here is the blog I go to to read all things Oakland A's).
Any other blogs you recommend I should list on my Blog Links?
Nice to meet you Seth...
A week ago Sunday, Marie and I welcomed our newborn son, Seth Russell Doan into the world..
He was born in Irvine, weighing in at 6 pounds, 15 ounces and 20 inches. God is good!
The past week has been filled with getting to know this little guy and adjusting to being a family of 5.
Why the Name Seth?
No we didn't name him after Seth Myers of SNL Fame or after actors Seth Green and Seth Rogan.
Nor did we name him after Seth Godin, the Blogger and Marketing genius (although he is a pretty great guy). I do have to say that our friend Seth Beasley is someone I admire and respect a lot and he gave the name some great credibility. As did our family friend Seth Lemons and his amazing 3 year old BMX skills.
The thought of naming our son Seth, first came to us 5 years ago, when I was sitting in a Old Testament History class at Talbot Seminary and we were studying Genesis 4.
In Genesis 4, Eve is quoted as saying, “...And she gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, for she said, 'God has appointed me another offspring in place of Abel, for Cain killed him.” Eve names her 3rd child, "Seth" which means "appointed one" or "substitute one" in Hebrew. Adam and Eve named him Seth to commemorate and remember God's faithfulness to them in providing them with a son after the awful tragedy of losing both of their sons, one to murder and the other to sinful rebellion.
After class that day, I immediately went home and told Marie about the name Seth and what it meant to Adam and Eve and why they named him that and how it would be a great name to someday name one of our boys after.
Fast forward 5 years ahead from that conversation to this past Fall. Last Fall, Marie and I sadly lost a baby to a miscarriage. It was a really difficult and painful experience. Yet God showed his faithfulness and kindness to us in allowing us to get pregnant with Seth only a short time after that! We feel so humbled by God's provision of a new baby. This is one reason we wanted to name him Seth, as a way of reminding us of how God so quickly provided for us after the tragedy of our miscarriage. And as Seth was Adam and Eve's 3rd child, our son Seth, is our 3rd as well.
Adam and Eve's Seth, is also found in the New Testament book of Luke as being in the family line of Jesus. In Luke 3:38, Seth is listed as the son of Adam and Jesus', great, great, great, great x 20 grandfather, in the family tree of Jesus.
Why was Seth listed in this line?
After the death of Abel and the sin of Cain, Seth became the next oldest son and took the place of the firstborn of Adam and Eve, inheriting all of the status and rights of this position. This meant that Adam and Eve's family name was passed down through the line of their 3rd son, Seth. Extra-Biblical Historical accounts also describe Seth as being a man of noble character and wisdom (Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews). Seth is a well respected historical figure by both Christians, Jews and Muslims. There is even a mosque named for Seth in Lebanon and there is a feast day of Seth on July 26th in the Armenian Apostolic Church calendar!
I know I am thinking way ahead, but perhaps God will use our little guy someday in World Missions with this commonly respected name to reach Jews or Muslims with the Good News of Jesus Christ!
So these are some of the reasons we named our son, Seth. Thank you for your many prayers and encouragement for our family as we welcome our new son!
*Also - The middle name "Russell" is from Marie's Grandfather, Russell Hess....
He was born in Irvine, weighing in at 6 pounds, 15 ounces and 20 inches. God is good!
The past week has been filled with getting to know this little guy and adjusting to being a family of 5.
Why the Name Seth?
No we didn't name him after Seth Myers of SNL Fame or after actors Seth Green and Seth Rogan.
Nor did we name him after Seth Godin, the Blogger and Marketing genius (although he is a pretty great guy). I do have to say that our friend Seth Beasley is someone I admire and respect a lot and he gave the name some great credibility. As did our family friend Seth Lemons and his amazing 3 year old BMX skills.The thought of naming our son Seth, first came to us 5 years ago, when I was sitting in a Old Testament History class at Talbot Seminary and we were studying Genesis 4.
In Genesis 4, Eve is quoted as saying, “...And she gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, for she said, 'God has appointed me another offspring in place of Abel, for Cain killed him.” Eve names her 3rd child, "Seth" which means "appointed one" or "substitute one" in Hebrew. Adam and Eve named him Seth to commemorate and remember God's faithfulness to them in providing them with a son after the awful tragedy of losing both of their sons, one to murder and the other to sinful rebellion. After class that day, I immediately went home and told Marie about the name Seth and what it meant to Adam and Eve and why they named him that and how it would be a great name to someday name one of our boys after.
Fast forward 5 years ahead from that conversation to this past Fall. Last Fall, Marie and I sadly lost a baby to a miscarriage. It was a really difficult and painful experience. Yet God showed his faithfulness and kindness to us in allowing us to get pregnant with Seth only a short time after that! We feel so humbled by God's provision of a new baby. This is one reason we wanted to name him Seth, as a way of reminding us of how God so quickly provided for us after the tragedy of our miscarriage. And as Seth was Adam and Eve's 3rd child, our son Seth, is our 3rd as well.
Adam and Eve's Seth, is also found in the New Testament book of Luke as being in the family line of Jesus. In Luke 3:38, Seth is listed as the son of Adam and Jesus', great, great, great, great x 20 grandfather, in the family tree of Jesus.
Why was Seth listed in this line?
After the death of Abel and the sin of Cain, Seth became the next oldest son and took the place of the firstborn of Adam and Eve, inheriting all of the status and rights of this position. This meant that Adam and Eve's family name was passed down through the line of their 3rd son, Seth. Extra-Biblical Historical accounts also describe Seth as being a man of noble character and wisdom (Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews). Seth is a well respected historical figure by both Christians, Jews and Muslims. There is even a mosque named for Seth in Lebanon and there is a feast day of Seth on July 26th in the Armenian Apostolic Church calendar!
So these are some of the reasons we named our son, Seth. Thank you for your many prayers and encouragement for our family as we welcome our new son!
*Also - The middle name "Russell" is from Marie's Grandfather, Russell Hess....
The Most Fascinating Place To Be In Orange County Today
"The Wedge" (Newport Beach, Ca)
photo courtesy of Thomas John Sebourn
Found from Nick Bogardus Twitter
photo courtesy of Thomas John Sebourn
Found from Nick Bogardus Twitter
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