I stole this from you Lisa, do we owe you $5...?
*******
Before the earthquake there were 143 million orphans. That number has greatly risen in the past two weeks. Most of us, if we look around at our lives have the room and the resources for one more child. We can all fit one more. Even me. I can fit one more. I can feed, clothe, and love one more. And I already have ten.
Did you know that if only 7% of Christians took in one orphan, there would be no more orphans in the world?
Imagine a world without orphans.
People think adoption has become popular, fashionable even. That could not be further from the truth. I believe it is the product of an outcry of prayers from those of us who desire to see every orphan have a home. It is a movement in the body of Christ sparked by a spiritual awakening. It is so much more than saving a child's life. It is evangelism in it's very simplest form. Think about it. A child is taken into your home. He once lived in a place where the gospel was not preached. He lived in darkness and oppression. In your home he comes to understand salvation. Think of all of the lives that will be changed from his testimony. It is so much more than saving a life.
Supporting orphanages is not a solution. While orphanages serve a purpose, they do not solve the problem. God's best for a child is a family. A mother and a father. Not growing up in an orphanage. Most orphanages are over crowded. They turn away children because they cannot meet the need. And don't get me started on the foster care system. That is most certainly not a solution. Children need families. God's best for a child is not foster care or an orphanage. It is a family.
More now than ever before we need to come forward. We need to take action. We cannot stay silent and turn a blind eye. In the coming weeks, more and more Haitian orphans are going to need families. But, they aren't just in Haiti. They are in Russia, Africa, and right here in your city. They are all over the world. You can make room for one more. I am sure of it. If I can, you can too. This isn't about waiting until you have all of your ducks in a row. This is about taking action.
Love is an action word.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Fly Right
A reality check from 1 Peter 1:13-22
Fly right, or you are going to crash, a message from James MacDonald that uses four gauges, found in the cockpit of an airplane, to help our walk with Christ.
A good pilot, a family man, will refer to these indicators frequently.
Hope. Hope is the fuel gauge of the Christian life -- is the the equivalent to the fuel gauge in your air plane. No hope means that your plane is going to crash quickly. Hope is the confident expectation of something better for tomorrow.
5 Things that believers place their hope in, but shouldn't.
1) Health, beauty, physical fitness, nutrition
2) My situation, my setup, finances, houses, home, your lawn, stuff of this world
3) Church, the fellowships and the friendships.
4) Family, or marriage, or children.
5) Abilities, smarts, talents, hard work, being a man of action
These are all worthwhile...but the Bible says:
v.13 -- set your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Holiness. Holiness means "set apart." If someone asks you a spiritual question like, "what you are you working on in your life?", Holiness, that's what you are working on. Holiness is the altimeter which tells you "where you are" when you are working within the two parameters essential for flight: 1) outerspace, and 2) the ground.
Written to mean an on-going process, you have to ask yourself what can I do differently so that I'm not conforming to this world? (Romans 12:2)
v.15 -- but, like the Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in all of your conduct
Fear. This is more than respect for the authority of God. Fear seeks a right relationship, a favorable outcome with the fear source. The attitude display indicator in an airplane similarly tells the pilot his position with respect to the horizon. Are your wings level? Is the nose up? Or, is the nose down?
v.17--If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;
Love. As the air speed indicator tells the pilot how fast they are traveling, check how you are loving. Peter is prescribing to put some effort into it. This is more that just being a good person, for anyone can be a good person! He says to love earnestly (NET), fervently (KJV), intensely (NLT) and deeply (NIV).
v.22 -- So love one another earnestly from a pure heart.
Fly right, or you are going to crash, a message from James MacDonald that uses four gauges, found in the cockpit of an airplane, to help our walk with Christ.
A good pilot, a family man, will refer to these indicators frequently.
Hope. Hope is the fuel gauge of the Christian life -- is the the equivalent to the fuel gauge in your air plane. No hope means that your plane is going to crash quickly. Hope is the confident expectation of something better for tomorrow.
5 Things that believers place their hope in, but shouldn't.
1) Health, beauty, physical fitness, nutrition
2) My situation, my setup, finances, houses, home, your lawn, stuff of this world
3) Church, the fellowships and the friendships.
4) Family, or marriage, or children.
5) Abilities, smarts, talents, hard work, being a man of action
These are all worthwhile...but the Bible says:
v.13 -- set your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Holiness. Holiness means "set apart." If someone asks you a spiritual question like, "what you are you working on in your life?", Holiness, that's what you are working on. Holiness is the altimeter which tells you "where you are" when you are working within the two parameters essential for flight: 1) outerspace, and 2) the ground.
Written to mean an on-going process, you have to ask yourself what can I do differently so that I'm not conforming to this world? (Romans 12:2)
v.15 -- but, like the Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in all of your conduct
Fear. This is more than respect for the authority of God. Fear seeks a right relationship, a favorable outcome with the fear source. The attitude display indicator in an airplane similarly tells the pilot his position with respect to the horizon. Are your wings level? Is the nose up? Or, is the nose down?
v.17--If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;
Love. As the air speed indicator tells the pilot how fast they are traveling, check how you are loving. Peter is prescribing to put some effort into it. This is more that just being a good person, for anyone can be a good person! He says to love earnestly (NET), fervently (KJV), intensely (NLT) and deeply (NIV).
v.22 -- So love one another earnestly from a pure heart.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Leukemia
Matthew 14:
And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.
My friend's wife will spend this Christmas in the hospital. I have tried to imagine redeeming this moment a number of ways, and have even made a suggestion or two, but I guess the truth is that her immune system will be so broken that any kind of community blessing is out of the question.
As I consider it again and again, my heart winces at the mere idea of not being at home with my family to celebrate the birth of my Jesus. I pray that her bone marrow transplant is successful, that her body does not reject it, and that her family will continue to be broken before a mighty God and awesome Healer.
Lord Jesus, let this be the gift of not just life -- but Life.
And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.
My friend's wife will spend this Christmas in the hospital. I have tried to imagine redeeming this moment a number of ways, and have even made a suggestion or two, but I guess the truth is that her immune system will be so broken that any kind of community blessing is out of the question.
As I consider it again and again, my heart winces at the mere idea of not being at home with my family to celebrate the birth of my Jesus. I pray that her bone marrow transplant is successful, that her body does not reject it, and that her family will continue to be broken before a mighty God and awesome Healer.
Lord Jesus, let this be the gift of not just life -- but Life.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Your Children
I can remember this moment vividly. A turning point in my life. Come with me into the recent past where Jennifer and I had been attending the 10 week course of foster-to-adopt training. Every Friday night was like a date-night where we’d race from our work life, quickly drop the children off to a babysitter, and with coffee and sandwich already in hand, we would eat AND drive to the class. This was necessary to get there on time. And attending class meant we’d be qualified foster parents. And man did we WANT more children! Our driving and eating and drinking reflected a certain enthusiasm – you can imagine.
So the tenth week of class: There’s some teaching, some cake and some celebration for making it to the finish line. We’d be certifiable tonight.
Let me describe for you one of the most awesome teachers you may ever meet. She was there that night, and when she spoke about children, foster children, you’d laugh with her. Big laughs and you’d cry with her. Big tears. You’d get angry with her as she described what people do with their children and to their children. She was GOOD and her stories of children were compelling and heart-breaking. The work she did and still does -- very good, by ANY definition.
Around this point, children in need, this is where she caught me off-guard. I can’t remember how we got to this point in the conversation, but I remember distinctly that she said “I don’t understand so much the needs of children in other countries because I think you should take care of your own children first.”
I think she meant well, but it bothered me. She was certain, maybe even smug. She was advocating foster care for children, which IS a great ministry. But that night…that night during her talk, I knew what I HAD to do. I HAD to bite my tongue. Either that, or bite HER. It was a tough choice. You see, Jennifer and I were already committed to adopting from Ethiopia -- not fostering to adopt through the state.
How do you tell someone living in the United States, that children in those other countries are dying? And that “yours” are living?
Scripture has a word to describe what we do, people. Pure. Faultless. Loving these children -- These are the greater works that Jesus speaks of when He goes to the Father. Greater works shall you do when I go to the Father.
That teacher DOES greater works, but when we screw them up, whether in our words or actions – Scripture has a word to describe that too. Grace. Perfect, everlasting, forgiving grace. I’m thrilled to have it, and excited to extend it. What a great lesson, Father, thank you. Thank you.
So the tenth week of class: There’s some teaching, some cake and some celebration for making it to the finish line. We’d be certifiable tonight.
Let me describe for you one of the most awesome teachers you may ever meet. She was there that night, and when she spoke about children, foster children, you’d laugh with her. Big laughs and you’d cry with her. Big tears. You’d get angry with her as she described what people do with their children and to their children. She was GOOD and her stories of children were compelling and heart-breaking. The work she did and still does -- very good, by ANY definition.
Around this point, children in need, this is where she caught me off-guard. I can’t remember how we got to this point in the conversation, but I remember distinctly that she said “I don’t understand so much the needs of children in other countries because I think you should take care of your own children first.”
I think she meant well, but it bothered me. She was certain, maybe even smug. She was advocating foster care for children, which IS a great ministry. But that night…that night during her talk, I knew what I HAD to do. I HAD to bite my tongue. Either that, or bite HER. It was a tough choice. You see, Jennifer and I were already committed to adopting from Ethiopia -- not fostering to adopt through the state.
How do you tell someone living in the United States, that children in those other countries are dying? And that “yours” are living?
Scripture has a word to describe what we do, people. Pure. Faultless. Loving these children -- These are the greater works that Jesus speaks of when He goes to the Father. Greater works shall you do when I go to the Father.
That teacher DOES greater works, but when we screw them up, whether in our words or actions – Scripture has a word to describe that too. Grace. Perfect, everlasting, forgiving grace. I’m thrilled to have it, and excited to extend it. What a great lesson, Father, thank you. Thank you.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Long time, no see
Yes, I do know that it has been nearly a month since I have posted a blog. I have absolutely NO excuse and I never lack for something to say, so I'll work on stepping it up a bit. As for an update on the adoption front, our court date in Ethiopia was November 20th, but unfortunately, we did not pass on the first round. Apparently, there was a missing document, a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Women's Affairs in Ethiopia (MOWA). Our court date has now been rescheduled for December 18th. We are praying that we pass the next time. If we do, travel will likely be at the end of January, beginning of February timeframe. Please pray that MOWA gets our recommendation letter to the Powers That Be and that the judge doesn't find anything else that would stop our case from passing. We really want to get the kids home!
Since I posted last time, we had a book sale fundraiser. A wonderful family donated 10,000 books to us! That is still such an incredible number to me! Unfortunately, I missed the whole thing because I was in Texas for a conference. Thankfully, we made a little over $1400. We split the proceeds with some very good friends of ours who are also adopting two children from Ethiopia. God's blessings are so good!
We are now about to embark on our 3rd fundraiser - t-shirts!! My nephew is a very talented and well-respected graphic designer in Baltimore. He created a very cool design for us. I ordered a bunch of shirts and now we're just waiting for them to printed. We will be "hocking our wares" anywhere we can over the next few weeks, trying to raise some travel money. I will upload images of the t-shirts, and possibly add a utility allowing readers to order one if they would like - as soon as I figure out how to do that. :)
I would just like to leave you with a scripture (on Korbet's suggestion): So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. Romans 8:15-16
Hope everyone has a wonderful, joyful Thanksgiving.
Since I posted last time, we had a book sale fundraiser. A wonderful family donated 10,000 books to us! That is still such an incredible number to me! Unfortunately, I missed the whole thing because I was in Texas for a conference. Thankfully, we made a little over $1400. We split the proceeds with some very good friends of ours who are also adopting two children from Ethiopia. God's blessings are so good!
We are now about to embark on our 3rd fundraiser - t-shirts!! My nephew is a very talented and well-respected graphic designer in Baltimore. He created a very cool design for us. I ordered a bunch of shirts and now we're just waiting for them to printed. We will be "hocking our wares" anywhere we can over the next few weeks, trying to raise some travel money. I will upload images of the t-shirts, and possibly add a utility allowing readers to order one if they would like - as soon as I figure out how to do that. :)
I would just like to leave you with a scripture (on Korbet's suggestion): So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. Romans 8:15-16
Hope everyone has a wonderful, joyful Thanksgiving.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Welcome to my blog!
Well, here I am. First blog post. Monumental, right? Actually, it is pretty monumental. We are in the process of adopting two siblings from Ethiopia. A 6-ish year old girl and a 2-ish year old boy. We found out yesterday that the court date for our case will take place on November 20th. That's a little over 3 weeks from now! If all goes well and our case "passes" court, we will be traveling to get the new Finleys about 5-6 weeks after that. My mind is racing, my heart is all aflutter, my tummy feels a little sick! I'm absolutely THRILLED to meet the children; they consume my thoughts much of the day to be honest. I am constantly wondering what they are like, if they will like us, if they are missing their birthmother, if they're being treated well in the orphanage, if they're getting enough to eat, and sometimes even if we must be CRAZY for adopting two more children?! I mean, we have two absolutely beautiful, wonderful children now. Grace is 5 and Jack is 3. They're a handful! But they're the best thing going. I cherish every moment that I get to spend with them and love being their Mommy. Why do we want to go and "mess that up?"
Well, basically it all started with a little stirring way down deep in the pit of my stomach. I started feeling an ache to expand our family. Every once in awhile I'd mention it to my husband and he would nervously laugh it off. Our family was perfect just as it was. We're filled up to the top! And I thought he could be right, but the stirring just kept getting bigger. Since God decided for us that adoption was the way that we were going to build our family instead of the "homegrown" way, I tried to stay involved in the adoption community. I read Adoptive Families Magazine, perused Rainbow Kids regularly and prowled adoption agency websites. This spring, I started reading blogs, mostly of adoptive families, or those who were about to become adoptive families. Some of those blogs crushed me to the pit of my soul. These families were doing God's work, not only adopting children, but adopting A LOT of children, or adopting children who other families might not even consider, like children who are HIV+. I LOVED what I read, but kept thinking, "Man, Jesus is really demanding, isn't he?" And the longing to add another child to our family just kept getting stronger and stronger for me.
In the early summer, I coerced my husband into attending foster-to-adopt training classes. And we were hopeful. We thought we might be able to add to our family through foster-adoption. But, every week we attended those classes, it became more and more apparent to us that it was not the right path for our family. I found it very unlikely that I could welcome a child into my home, get to know them, invest my heart in them, and then release them to return to their birthfamily - even if I knew that it was absolutely the right thing to do. I think those who can do that are incredible, noble people. I have the utmost respect for them - but know in my heart that it would be an impossibility for me.
After much soul-searching, we decided that we probably also didn't want to parent an infant again. I adore children, I truly do, but bottles and diapers and sleepless nights are not my favorite things, so domestic infant adoption was probably out. We also both felt that there was a much bigger need for older child adoption. We decided to turn to international adoption again and landed on Ethiopia. We decided on this country for a number of reasons. First, this country seemed to offer smooth, affordable and fairly quick adoption timelines. Second, the need seemed to be great. We knew that we wanted a toddler girl, not a baby, and so imagined that would be entirely possible for us. Third, we currently have a biracial daughter and a Korean son, so throwing an African child into the mix seemed just fine. I have "researched" agencies for about 6 years, so I had a huge pool of agencies to consider. We decided to use Celebrate Children based upon a recommendation from our homestudy agency. They have been absolutely the best, most supportive and approachable agency that we've ever used. I can't say enough good things about them.
So with all that decided, I thought another little girl to add to our family would be a no-brainer! But somehow, that demanding Jesus of mine got in the way. Instead of a girl, we were led to a sister and brother. And we couldn't be more thrilled about them!!! I know I have gone on WAY to long. Always a problem of mine! But I would just like to ask for prayer for our November 20th court date. Pray that it goes smoothly, that we pass the first time and that we can bring the children home as quickly as possible.
More to come. . .
Well, basically it all started with a little stirring way down deep in the pit of my stomach. I started feeling an ache to expand our family. Every once in awhile I'd mention it to my husband and he would nervously laugh it off. Our family was perfect just as it was. We're filled up to the top! And I thought he could be right, but the stirring just kept getting bigger. Since God decided for us that adoption was the way that we were going to build our family instead of the "homegrown" way, I tried to stay involved in the adoption community. I read Adoptive Families Magazine, perused Rainbow Kids regularly and prowled adoption agency websites. This spring, I started reading blogs, mostly of adoptive families, or those who were about to become adoptive families. Some of those blogs crushed me to the pit of my soul. These families were doing God's work, not only adopting children, but adopting A LOT of children, or adopting children who other families might not even consider, like children who are HIV+. I LOVED what I read, but kept thinking, "Man, Jesus is really demanding, isn't he?" And the longing to add another child to our family just kept getting stronger and stronger for me.
In the early summer, I coerced my husband into attending foster-to-adopt training classes. And we were hopeful. We thought we might be able to add to our family through foster-adoption. But, every week we attended those classes, it became more and more apparent to us that it was not the right path for our family. I found it very unlikely that I could welcome a child into my home, get to know them, invest my heart in them, and then release them to return to their birthfamily - even if I knew that it was absolutely the right thing to do. I think those who can do that are incredible, noble people. I have the utmost respect for them - but know in my heart that it would be an impossibility for me.
After much soul-searching, we decided that we probably also didn't want to parent an infant again. I adore children, I truly do, but bottles and diapers and sleepless nights are not my favorite things, so domestic infant adoption was probably out. We also both felt that there was a much bigger need for older child adoption. We decided to turn to international adoption again and landed on Ethiopia. We decided on this country for a number of reasons. First, this country seemed to offer smooth, affordable and fairly quick adoption timelines. Second, the need seemed to be great. We knew that we wanted a toddler girl, not a baby, and so imagined that would be entirely possible for us. Third, we currently have a biracial daughter and a Korean son, so throwing an African child into the mix seemed just fine. I have "researched" agencies for about 6 years, so I had a huge pool of agencies to consider. We decided to use Celebrate Children based upon a recommendation from our homestudy agency. They have been absolutely the best, most supportive and approachable agency that we've ever used. I can't say enough good things about them.
So with all that decided, I thought another little girl to add to our family would be a no-brainer! But somehow, that demanding Jesus of mine got in the way. Instead of a girl, we were led to a sister and brother. And we couldn't be more thrilled about them!!! I know I have gone on WAY to long. Always a problem of mine! But I would just like to ask for prayer for our November 20th court date. Pray that it goes smoothly, that we pass the first time and that we can bring the children home as quickly as possible.
More to come. . .
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