{"id":305117,"date":"2019-06-28T06:00:04","date_gmt":"2019-06-28T10:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/%series%\/grace-in-the-valley-2\/"},"modified":"2019-06-28T06:00:04","modified_gmt":"2019-06-28T10:00:04","slug":"grace-in-the-valley-2","status":"publish","type":"podcast","link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/familylife-today\/grace-in-the-valley-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Grace in the Valley"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For Heath Adamson, Psalm 23 is more than a familiar verse. Heath&#8217;s journey included detours through abuse, drug addiction, and homelessness. Kim Anthony explores the riches of Psalm 23 with Adamson.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":91,"featured_media":294104,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","inline_featured_image":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","episode_type":"","audio_file":"https:\/\/web.familylifetoday.com\/fl2019-06-28.mp3","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"00:29:16","filesize":"26.79M","filesize_raw":"28092337","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":""},"categories":[2906,2822],"tags":[2949,5924,6048,5217,6666,6665,6664],"podcast_series":[],"cwp_profile":[9528,9519],"series":[2101],"class_list":["post-305117","podcast","type-podcast","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-becoming-a-christian","category-growing-in-your-faith","tag-abuse","tag-drug-addiction","tag-gods-grace","tag-homelessness","tag-parental-abuse","tag-podcast","tag-psalm-23","cwp_profile-heath-adamson","cwp_profile-kim-anthony","series-familylife-today"],"acf":[],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2024\/09\/FLT-Podcast-Cover-2-508x508-3.jpg?w=508","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2023\/02\/image-scaled.jpg","download_link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast-download\/305117\/grace-in-the-valley-2","player_link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast-player\/305117\/grace-in-the-valley-2","audio_player":null,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"light","subscribeUrls":{"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/familylife-today\/id212174303?mt=2&app=podcast","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0j5UaKdQOHQCuo1bt0ebEm","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"},"youtube":{"key":"youtube","url":"","label":"YouTube","class":"youtube","icon":"youtube.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/feed\/podcast\/familylife-today","embedCode":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"R8bGpjzu9q\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/familylife-today\/grace-in-the-valley-2\/\">Grace in the Valley<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/familylife-today\/grace-in-the-valley-2\/embed\/#?secret=R8bGpjzu9q\" width=\"500\" height=\"350\" title=\"&#8220;Grace in the Valley&#8221; &#8212; FamilyLife\u00ae - A Cru Ministry\" data-secret=\"R8bGpjzu9q\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script>\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/\/# sourceURL=https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-includes\/js\/wp-embed.min.js\n<\/script>\n"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2024\/09\/FLT-Podcast-Cover-2-508x508-3.jpg",508,508,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"kfairris@familylife.com","author_link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/author\/kfairrisfamilylife-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"For Heath Adamson, Psalm 23 is more than a familiar verse. Heath's journey included detours through abuse, drug addiction, and homelessness. Kim Anthony explores the riches of Psalm 23 with Adamson.","meta_box":{"show_notes":"","transcript_url":"https:\/\/transcript.familylifetoday.com\/fl2019-06-28.pdf","transcript_content":"<strong>Bob: <\/strong>We all know Psalm 23. We\u2019ve heard it read or, maybe, even memorized it; but have you ever stopped to think about the circumstances that prompted David to write that psalm? Here\u2019s Heath Adamson.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Heath:<\/strong> David\u2014the one handpicked by God to become king\u2014is running for his life because King Saul is trying to kill David. David, according to historical narratives, is surrounded by Saul\u2019s soldiers, who want to kill him. David is, according to rabbinical tradition, starving to death. It is in that moment\u2014when David is starving; his life being threatened\u2014when he would have [sung] Psalm 23. He opens up the psalm by singing, \u201cThe Lord is my shepherd.\u201d \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>This is <em>FamilyLife Today<\/em> for Friday, June 28<sup>th<\/sup>. Our hosts are Dave and Ann Wilson; I'm Bob Lepine. I don\u2019t know what kinds of circumstances you\u2019re facing today; but whatever they are, I\u2019m guessing Psalm 23 will be able to speak to you in those circumstances. We\u2019ll explore it more today. Stay with us.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tAnd welcome to <em>FamilyLife Today<\/em>. Thanks for joining us. We\u2019re going to get a chance to hear a conversation today that took place, not long ago. Kim Anthony, who hosts a podcast called <em>Unfavorable Odds\u2014<\/em>which is a part of the FamilyLife<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Podcasting Network\u2014she talked with Heath Adamson. They did a deep dive into Psalm 23. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI can tell you guys\u2014Heath is a pretty interesting guy. He gives leadership to a ministry called Convoy of Hope. They\u2019re working to fight poverty and hunger with families all around the world. His own background\/his testimony: he was into witchcraft when he was a teenager; he was doing drugs\u2014I mean, he was <em>way off<\/em> the reservation. There was a girl at his school who saw him and just felt the Lord say, \u201cYou need to pray for him.\u201d She prayed for him; God worked through her prayers, and he married her. It\u2019s an\u2014he tells the story on the podcast. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dave:<\/strong> Wow.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ann:<\/strong> Wow!\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob:<\/strong> We\u2019re not going to hear that; so if our listeners want to tune in and hear the whole story, they can go to FamilyLifeToday.com and find out more about Kim\u2019s podcast with Heath Adamson. But we\u2019re going to dive into Psalm 23. Again, Kim is dealing with stories of how God walks with us through the valley of the shadow. Psalm 23 is a good place to meditate when you find yourself in the midst of life\u2019s difficult circumstances.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dave:<\/strong> Yes; I\u2019ve taught on it, read it, meditated on it many times. I used to think it was only about walking through valleys that are dark. It\u2019s, actually, applicable to <em>every<\/em> mountain and valley in your entire life. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tLet me read it to you; it\u2019s just <em>so<\/em> beautifully written by David. Verse 1\u2014it says \u201cThe Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His namesake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.\u201d\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob:<\/strong> Boy, it\u2019s clear, as you listen to that, why that\u2019s one of the most beloved portions of Scripture; because there\u2019s such encouragement and comfort there; isn\u2019t there?\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ann:<\/strong> I think, as I\u2019ve read that over the years and have been in valleys myself, the one verse that always sticks out to me is: \u201cYou are with me,\u201d \u201cYou are with me,\u201d \u201cYou are with me.\u201d That\u2019s such a good reminder for all of us that, no matter what we\u2019ve gone through\/no matter what we\u2019re walking through, God is with us.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob:<\/strong> Well, wherever <em>you<\/em> are today, I think you\u2019re going to be encouraged by what you\u2019re going to hear from Kim Anthony\u2019s conversation with Heath Adamson as we listen to a portion of Episode 6 of her podcast, <em>Unfavorable Odds<\/em>.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t[Recorded Interview]\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Heath:<\/strong> Well, I devoted about three years to study Psalm 23. I began to discover the goodness of God exists, not just in the green pasture, but in the valley. I will say this\u2014right in the middle of writing this manuscript, I was forced to wrestle with whether or not I was just going to write a book about a concept or if I was going to really embrace the concept. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Kim:<\/strong> Oh. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Heath:<\/strong> I was staring at five different publishing contracts, praying about who to go with; because it was a major decision for me, because I\u2019m somewhat of a new author. Once we decided who to go with, Baker Books published the book. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tAs I was working on the manuscript, we experienced something that shook our family to the core. All of a sudden, my wife Ali\u2014the love of my life\/the most important piece of my existence, to be candid with you\u2014she became very sick. What should have been a routine medical procedure put her in the hospital. She had about a 48-hour window to win or lose, and it was a scary time. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI remember\u2014I\u2019m in the hospital room. It was about one in the morning. Our girls\u2014we had sent them on to be with their Nona. Ali is sleeping; she\u2019s under the influence of pain medicine. She\u2019s not responding much, and I\u2019m just praying. I have my Bible open. I\u2019m reading Psalm 23. Even though I had it memorized, sometimes, you just need to read the words. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Kim:<\/strong> Yes. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<br><strong>Heath:<\/strong> I\u2019m reading the words; and I realize: \u201cWait a second; it\u2019s true. God prepares His table\u2014according to the psalm\u2014He does not prepare His table for us in the green pastures. He prepares a table for us in the valley of the shadow of death, but it\u2019s only a shadow.\u201d \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThat\u2019s when I realized the green pasture and the valley of the shadow of death are actually the same place. Even when God feels far away and we feel like we\u2019re dwelling underneath this canopy of a shadow, a shadow is evidence that there is a bright light that exists just beyond. I learned how to draw near to the Light of the World in the valley of the shadow of death. That\u2019s really where the book comes from.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Kim:<\/strong> As you were walking with Ali through the valley of the shadow of death, how did God bring you to that place of realizing that the valley and the pasture could, indeed, be the same thing?\u2014[Emotion in voice]\u2014because when I read that in your book, it was hard for me to grasp that\/to accept that\u2014because when I started your book, I was actually sitting by the bedside of a friend\u2014my 46-year-old friend\u2014who was nearing the end of her battle with cancer. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI was in hospice; and I would think to myself, \u201cShe\u2019s serves a God; I serve a God\u2014we serve this God, who is able to bring healing\/who is able to make this valley go away; but He\u2019s choosing not to do so.\u201d There were times when I wrestled with: \u201cHow can the valley also be the pasture?\u201d\u2014that green pasture that we look for. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Heath: <\/strong>Yes; yes. Kim, it sounds trite; and it sounds like, \u201cOh, that\u2019s something a television preacher says, who hasn\u2019t necessarily experienced a lot of trial or difficulty in his or her life.\u201d It sounds like just another quip or quote that comes from a self-help book or a Christian website, but it\u2019s in the Word of God.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI\u2019ve found that, when you walk through the valley, you can\u2019t always believe everything you think; and you can\u2019t always believe everything you feel. What do I mean? Well, the Bible is clear that the heart is deceitful above all, and the greatest misunderstandings in life are not intellectual. The greatest misunderstandings, I would suggest, are spiritual. We don\u2019t think with our mind. The Bible says, \u201cFor as a man\u201d\u2014and I will add \u201cwoman\u201d\u2014\u201cas we think in our heart, so are we.\u201d So, when we think with our heart\u2014if our heart is planted in the presence and grace of God, and the truth of God\u2019s Word, then, we can trust how we feel. We can trust what we think, because how we feel and what we think is in alignment where God is. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tGod feels; if anybody understands how these paradoxes go in life, it\u2019s God. Remember the story in John\u2014I think, it\u2019s John 11\u2014when Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead? \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Kim:<\/strong> Yes. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Heath:<\/strong> When you read that story, I don\u2019t know about you, but I just\u2014I catch a glimpse of a God who walks up to this tomb, and He says\u2014in the text\u2014\u201cLazarus, come forth.\u201d The Bible says, in the Song of Solomon, that love is stronger than death. I believe that it was the love that was in the voice of Jesus that raised Lazarus from the dead, but what does Jesus do before He raises Lazarus? The Bible says, in John 11:35, that Jesus weeps. That Greek word for wept is to cry vehemently; He is travailing. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tWhy would Jesus weep, knowing He is about to raise the guy from the dead? It shows me that God is okay with our feelings. He\u2019s a feeling God; He\u2019s a thinking God, and He is okay with that. When we find ourselves in a situation\u2014like you were in hospice\u2014where we\u2019re like: \u201cGod, wait a second. Why aren\u2019t You healing my friend?\u201d and your heart is overwhelmed with emotion\u2014I know how I felt in the hospital room; I know how my family feels when we\u2019ve walked through our particular, specific valleys. God is okay with our questions; God is okay with our feelings\u2014there\u2019s nothing wrong with that. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tBut sometimes, what we think is a spiritual attack is often an invitation by God to sit at His table and feast. We\u2019ve got to remember that, even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, it is only a shadow; and eternity is a long time, and this life is but a vapor. God understands our pain; He understands our questions. We\u2019ve got to remember this life is not all that there is; and in that, we take comfort\u2014in Him, we take comfort. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Kim:<\/strong> Absolutely; Heath, you mentioned identity a little earlier. There is a chapter in your book called \u201cDoes God Recognize You?\u201d What effect can being in the valley have on our identity? \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Heath:<\/strong> Oh, boy, I tell you what\u2014we can lose our identity; and we can lose, not only who we are, but we can lose who God is to us, as well. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tDavid starts off the psalm this way\u2014he says what?\u2014\u201cThe Lord is my king\u201d?\u2014 not what he says. Does he say: \u201cThe Lord is the mighty warrior\u201d?\u2014no\u2014\u201cThe Lord is the one who killed Goliath\u201d?\u2014that\u2019s not what God\/God\u2019s Word tells us. David says, \u201cThe Lord is my shepherd.\u201d \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tNow, remember\u2014David recites the psalm\u2014Psalm 23\u2014when he is going through a situation that does not line up with God\u2019s goodness. David, the one handpicked by God to become king, is running for his life because the earthly king, named King Saul, is trying to kill David. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tDavid is, according to rabbinical tradition, starving to death. David, according to historical narratives, is in a forest\u2014the forest of Hereth\u2014surrounded by Saul\u2019s soldiers, who want to kill him. There is every reason in the book for David to doubt the fact that God handpicked him to become king. It is in that moment\u2014when David is starving, going through a very difficult season; his life being threatened\u2014when he doesn\u2019t say, but he would have [sung] Psalm 23. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tHe opens up the psalm by singing, \u201cThe Lord is my shepherd.\u201d In the midst of a situation that was heartbreaking and devastating, David harkened back to what it was like when life and faith was simple; and he says, \u201cThe Lord\u2026my shepherd.\u201d \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tHere\u2019s what we learn about David\u2014when he is walking through the valley of the shadow of death, he reminds himself, first and foremost, of who God is and who he is. He says, \u201cThe Lord is my shepherd.\u201d Therefore, David acknowledges that he is merely a sheep in the valley and in the green pasture; because sometimes, the green pasture is more dangerous than the valley. We can lose our identity if our identity becomes more associated with our situation, but our identity should come from our relationship with God. When that happens, it\u2019s amazing how our identity remains secure, regardless of what we think and feel. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Kim:<\/strong> Now, you do a great work with the Convoy of Hope. A few years ago, you talk about how you were in this impoverished nation, and you were taken to this prison that was filled with women to minister there. First of all, what were your expectations, walking into that place\/that space? Then, what was the reality you found? \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Heath:<\/strong> Yes; shortly before I joined the Convoy of Hope team, I went on this trip. In many ways, this is one of the experiences that was used to bend my heart towards Convoy of Hope\u2014I discovered later. But yes; I walked into a country\u2014I leave the country unnamed\u2014and my expectations were this: \u201cI\u2019m getting ready to go to a prison in a third-world country.\u201d It happened to be a prison for women. My expectations were\u2014I expected to see poverty. I expected to see some suffering. I also expected to see an opportunity to, maybe, share the love of God with other people. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tWhat I expected was certainly\u2014it certainly paled in comparison to my experience. I remember walking in\u2014it was <em>devastating<\/em>. I walked into a prison for females. And the rule was, when you were sentenced to prison, you had to pay to be there. If your family members could not bring you food to eat, you had to pay to be there. It was a corrupt prison; and what I found out\u2014as soon as I walked into this prison, after signing in and talking with the warden, a mob of little children\u2014most of them naked, filthy dirty, covered in feces and urine, and everything else\u2014they just ran toward me. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Kim:<\/strong> Wow! \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Heath:<\/strong> I remember having the thought: \u201cWhere in the world did all these kids come from? What crime did these kids commit?\u201d \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Kim:<\/strong> Right. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Heath:<\/strong> I had never seen anything like it. I asked some questions; what I found out was\u2014the women, who had to pay to be in prison to serve their sentence: \u201cHow do you pay, if you come from poor families, and nobody can pay for you?\u201d Well, many of them, unfortunately, resulted to a lifestyle of prison prostitution. The children, who ran up to me in the prison, were a product of that lifestyle. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThese kids were born within the confines of a prison\u2014didn\u2019t know what life was like outside. All they knew was: \u201cI wake up every day; and one after another, an individual comes in the little cell.\u201d That was their experience; it was <em>horrible<\/em>. These kids were hungry, malnourished; they were filthy. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tWhen all of these kids came running up to me, I\u2019ll confess to you\u2014and it\u2019s\u2014I\u2019m frankly embarrassed and ashamed of what I was thinking and feeling\u2014but all these children came running up to me. After thinking, \u201cWhere did these kids come from?\u201d the second thought I had was: \u201cThese kids are filthy. They\u2019ve got to be covered in parasites and diseases,\u201d and they ran up to me. They started grabbing onto me, and I was nervous. I thought: \u201cI may get sick. I may\u2014I certainly don\u2019t want to take home a disease.\u201d \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tWithin probably a few seconds, I quickly realized how ridiculous that was. I quickly realized how: \u201cHere I am, coming to this space to love these people\u2014to give them some gifts\/to share the love of Christ in a tangible way\u2014and here I am, doing the very thing that the love of Christ wouldn\u2019t do.\u201d I was concerned about something frivolous. Within a few seconds, I realized how ridiculous I was. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI got down on the ground and let these kids crawl all over me. [Laughter] We had fun; you know? There is nothing like wrestling 50 kids at one time. They are sticking their hands in my nose, and in my ears, and in my mouth. [Laughter] It was the best thing; and at the same time, it was beautiful. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI have to tell you what, Kim\u2014I learned an awful lot about the love of God that day from those kids. I went there to show <em>them<\/em> God. I think I left there, equally, having been <em>shown<\/em> God by them. I was a stranger, and they took me in. We were able to give them some presents and share the gospel with them, but I quickly realized that God is a compassionate God. Sometimes, in order to teach us some truths\u2014sometimes, God takes us into unusual circumstances and situations. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI wish I could have brought every one of those kids home. Obviously, I couldn\u2019t; but I will say this: \u201cWhat they did that day and the love they showed me, I\u2019ll never be the same; but I never looked at God the same either.\u201d \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tIf you think about it, that\u2019s what we are like when we come to God. Isaiah 53 says, \u201cOur righteousness is like filthy rags.\u201d There is <em>nothing<\/em>\u2014and I mean no disrespect against these children, because they were beautiful\u2014but we have <em>nothing<\/em> to offer a holy, and high, and exalted God. When we come to God, we are like those kids, who have <em>nothing<\/em> to offer. They had nothing to offer me. Yet, we\u2019re that way when we come to God; and yet, God says: \u201cYou are beautiful. You\u2019re stunning. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Kim:<\/strong> Yes. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Heath:<\/strong> \u201cI love you.\u201d Whether we\u2019re in the green pasture or the valley, God still loves who we are. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t[Studio]\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob:<\/strong> Well, we\u2019ve been listening to a portion of Kim Anthony\u2019s conversation with Heath Adamson. This is from Episode 6 of her podcast, which is called <em>Unfavorable Odds<\/em>. Again, if you\u2019d like to hear the entire podcast\u2014hear Heath share his testimony, hear what he learned about God from playing Hide and Seek with his kids\u2014and he\u2019s got some pretty good thoughts on the portion of Psalm 23, where David says, \u201cMy cup overflows\u201d and where he talks about his head being anointed with oil\u2014all of that is available when you go, online, at FamilyLifeToday.com. You can subscribe to Kim\u2019s podcast or just listen to Episode 6 with Heath Adamson. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tIt would do all of us good, just to spend a little more time reflecting on Psalm 23; don\u2019t you think?\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dave:<\/strong> Yes; I think it\u2019s interesting what he did with it. He drew out something that often is missed is\u2014when you\u2019re in the valley of the shadow of death, you think God is far away; and you\u2019re there because you\u2019ve disappointed Him, and its sort of judgment. And yet, what we find from the truth of the Word of God, in that psalm and other places, is He is right there. You\u2019re <em>not<\/em> there because of judgment. It\u2019s a broken world; there\u2019s pain\u2014you\u2019re going to be there. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tActually, what I love\u2014he ended with is: \u201cGod is speaking to you, in the valley, of your value and how precious you are to Him.\u201d\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ann:<\/strong> I think, often, we miss that part. We were in such a dark place in the valley that we\u2019re not even listening to God. I love that he\u2019s saying, \u201cGod\u2019s speaking, so listen.\u201d\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob:<\/strong> That\u2019s good. Again, I want to encourage listeners to listen to the entire podcast\u2014Kim\u2019s conversation with Heath Adamson. I think it\u2019s about 45\/50 minutes long. Kim talks with Heath about what David means when he says, \u201cMy cup overflows,\u201d or \u201cGod anoints my head with oil,\u201d\u2014what is all of that about?\u2014and then, Heath talks about what he learned about God from playing Hide and Seek with his kids. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tSo, again, you can download or subscribe to the <em>Unfavorable Odds<\/em> podcast with Kim Anthony. Go to FamilyLifeToday.com for more information about how to subscribe or how to listen to the entire broadcast. We also have copies of the book Heath Adamson has written called <em>Grace in the Valley: Awakening to God\u2019s Presence When He Feels Far Away<\/em>. You can order the book from us, online, at FamilyLIfeToday.com; or call to order: 1-800-358-6329\u2014that\u2019s 1-800-\u201cF\u201d as in family, \u201cL\u201d as in life, and then the word, \u201cTODAY.\u201d\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI was reminded today of why Psalm 23 is such a beloved psalm and the rich vivid imagery in that psalm. David Robbins, the president of FamilyLife<sup>\u00ae<\/sup>, is here with us. There\u2019s a lot for our soul in this psalm; isn\u2019t there?\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>David:<\/strong> Yes; because in a broken world, we will walk through these types of valleys; and God prepares the table for us in that dark valley. This conversation just made me start going through a rolodex of God\u2019s faithfulness in dark times in my life. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tOne that just kind of kept sticking, that I haven\u2019t thought about in a while, was remembering the first ultrasound Meg and I ever looked at. Sure enough, you saw that technician\u2019s face kind of go slowly into a concerned look and, then, there certainly was no heartbeat. She walked out of the room, so that she wouldn\u2019t be the one to communicate it; but the doctor would. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThen, you fast forward a few years; and it was the second ultrasound we\u2019ve ever had. There was a similar look; she left the room. We were like: \u201cWhat is going on this time? Everything looks okay\u201d; but it led to this whole conversation around: \u201cSomething\u2019s showing up that could be this possibility of a disease called Cystic Fibrosis.\u201d Sure enough, our first son was born with Cystic Fibrosis. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tDriving away from that doctor\u2019s office that day, knowing the possibility and all the tests we were about to do to see if that was it, I remember being overwhelmed\/a little numb, wanting to respond in real faith; but what I knew to draw from felt a little shallow. Then, all of a sudden, like out of the blue, verses I don\u2019t think I ever would have known or ever memorized\u2014these verses started being listed off. I spent the next few weeks\u2014and God was just giving me glimpses of Him, glimpses of what He views time as, glimpses of eternal perspective in ways that I, otherwise, would have <em>never<\/em> known.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tFord is thriving right now; doing well, as a 12-year-old. But I look back at that time\u2014and certainly, having my first child was a joy\u2014I really look back at it and go, \u201cI experienced God in ways, in that valley and unknown, more than I\u2019ve ever experienced Him.\u201d\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob:<\/strong> Yes; He had prepared the table for you there; hadn\u2019t He?\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>David:<\/strong> Yes.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob:<\/strong> Yes; thank you, David. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tLet me, again, thank those of you who have made today\u2019s program possible. We have a group of listeners, who, from time to time, will get in touch with us and make donations to support the ongoing work of this ministry. In fact, we\u2019ve got Legacy Partners, who donate monthly so that people in their community and hundreds of thousands of people all around the world can hear <em>FamilyLife Today<\/em>. They help cover the cost of producing and syndicating this daily radio program. If you are one of our FamilyLife donors, \u201cThank you for your support.\u201d \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tIf you are a regular listener, and you\u2019d like to help make <em>FamilyLife Today<\/em> possible for others to hear, that\u2019s what happens when you make an online donation at FamilyLifeToday.com or when you call to donate at 1-800-FL-TODAY. This week, if you\u2019re able to help with a donation, we\u2019d love to send you Scott Sauls book, <em>Irresistible Faith<\/em>. We talked with Scott earlier this week, and we think you\u2019ll find this a helpful book as you seek to winsomely live out your faith in this culture. The book is our gift to you, again, when you donate, online, at FamilyLifeToday.com or when you call to donate at 1-800-FL-TODAY. Thanks for your partnership with us. We hope to hear from you.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tAnd we hope you have a great weekend. I hope you and your family are able to worship together in your local church this weekend. And I hope you can join us back on Monday. Ron Deal will be here. We will hear a conversation he had, not long ago, with a husband and wife from Atlanta. They\u2019re in a blended marriage, and they talk about some of the challenges they\u2019ve experienced trying to forge a strong second marriage. I hope you can tune in for that conversation.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI want to thank our engineer today, Keith Lynch, and our entire broadcast production team. On behalf of our hosts, Dave and Ann Wilson, I\u2019m Bob Lepine. Have a great weekend. We will see you Monday for another edition of <em>FamilyLife Today<\/em>. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<em>FamilyLife Today<\/em> is a production of FamilyLife of Little Rock, Arkansas; a Cru<sup>\u00ae <\/sup>Ministry. Help for today. Hope for tomorrow.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tWe are so happy to provide these transcripts to you. However, there is a cost to produce them for our website. If you\u2019ve benefited from the broadcast transcripts, would you consider <a href=\"http:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/donate\">donating today<\/a> to help defray the costs?\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tCopyright <sup>\u00a9<\/sup> 2019 FamilyLife. 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