It isn’t what you think it means

What comes to your mind when you hear the word “adoption”? Like most of the rest of the planet, you probably think adoption means to permanently place a child within the home of another family. But, I’m here to tell you, it isn’t what you think it means. Biblically speaking, adoption means much more than child placement.

The Greek word from which “adoption” is derived is actually a compound of the words that mean “son” and “to place”. So, yes, adoption IS about child placement, but when we look at it from a Biblical perspective, it doesn’t end there. Adoption is also about renewal of creation. (See Romans 8:19-23) Where the Bible is concerned, when you have “adoption” you also have “renewal of creation”. You never have one without the other.

Dan Cruver, from Together for Adoption tells us, “God’s work of adoption will one day result in the comprehensive restoration of all creation so that it becomes the happy home of all of His children. One awe-inspiring day creation will be restored to a home of unceasing communion and fellowship with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In that day we will enter into the overflowing and never-ending peace and joy and gladness of our Father.”

It is important to remember that the Christian’s adoption is vertical before there can ever be a horizontal adoption. Once we are welcomed into the family of Christ through adoption, we must then, as a church family, “care for the orphans and widows”, according to Scripture. There are so many ways to do this; to place a child in a home and to create renewal.

One way to discover how to do both is to participate in the National Orphan Sunday, which will be held on November 7, 2010. Visit the link below to find a church in your area that is participating and learn how you can get involved. Check back here often this week as we will discuss more Biblical implications of adoption and how we can all care for orphans in preparation for Orphan Sunday.

 

www.orphansunday.org

 

 

As Iron Sharpens Iron

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17

Five of the eight women in my church small group just returned from a weekend at Mahseh Center, a Christian retreat and study center. Our purpose was to simply spend time together; nothing structured or organized. We shared meals, laughter, stories, quiet time and meditation and encouragement. It was exactly what we all needed.

One of the ladies shared the above verse, which extended into conversation about friendship in general. According to Scripture, a friend is one who challenges you to become all that God intends and, through that friendship, draws you closer to Christ. They “sharpen” you and motivate you to do what is right. I can say without reservation that we all experienced that this weekend. It is such a blessing to be able to be who you really are in the midst of friends.

As we shared from the heart, one person mentioned that appearances can be deceiving and that it is easy to look at people and think they have it all together. Despite what it looks like on the outside, you never know what a person is going through on the inside. That’s why it’s so important to examine the kind of friend you are to others.

“A friend loves at all times.” (Proverbs 17:17a)

It’s easy to get wrapped up in our own desires and wants in a friendship. We forget to consider the needs of others and subsequently fail to strive to be the kind of friend that helps others become more like Christ. We forget to love at all times.

The next time you’re with a friend or acquaintance, stop and consider what might be going on behind closed doors. Then ask yourself if you’re being the friend God needs you to be.

What kind of friend are you? How do you sharpen iron?

For: Amber, Kara, Hope and Liz
(Val, Tracy and Liz – we missed you)

Laugh Again

I always appreciated the sentiment behind working for a Christian organization, and the same was true when I worked for CBN News in Washington, DC as a producer. That warm, fuzzy feeling was quickly put in its place once I realized they (the people who work there) are forgiven, not perfect. Yet, every once in a while, true agape love was shown in meaningful and often simple ways.

In the days and weeks after 9/11, I walked around much like the rest of the residents in DC and NY – like a zombie. One of our photogs noticed the deep depression washing over me. After another long day on Capitol Hill, we made our way back to the office. I wrapped up my duties and headed for the door when Jeremy caught up with me and said, “I’m really concerned about you. Take this and read it. Maybe you’ll discover how to laugh again.”

I looked down and found in my hand a small book – no bigger than an iPod – called “Laugh Again” by Chuck Swindoll. It’s about how the Apostle Paul found reason to laugh, or at the very least, smile, through every circumstance, even the trials of life. I mumbled my thanks and left.

The book remained cupped in my hand as I entered the Metro, which was typically packed. I noticed a few empty seats even though there were plenty of people standing. I found myself oddly drawn to sit next to a young man who had the kindest looking face. Once the train started moving, the man said, “How do you laugh?”

“Great,” I thought. “I had to sit next to the only quack on the train.”

Without looking at him, I said, “What?”

“How do you laugh? You’re holding that book called ‘Laugh Again’, and I just wondered how you laugh.”

“I don’t have much of a reason to laugh anymore,” I said, still not making eye contact.

“Not many of us do,” he replied. “But, while those men meant to harm us, God meant it all for good.”

I nodded half-heartedly. He paused for a minute or two, then said, “Do you know that God thinks you’re beautiful, and He’s going to do amazing things through you.”

This time I looked at the young man. His face still presented gentleness, his eyes filled with loving compassion. Inexplicably, every person on the train seemed to disappear, and there wasn’t a sound to be heard, save for our conversation. It was just me and that young man.

“What?” I asked again.

“God thinks you’re beautiful. He is going to do amazing things through you.”

I collapsed into the arms of this stranger, sobbing uncontrollably. His words – and the truth of them – pierced my heart with profound conviction. He held me as I cried and kept reminding me how much God loved me.

As I eventually pulled myself together and out of his embrace, our surroundings returned to normal. I looked around to see if anyone was starring. No one seemed to notice my meltdown, and I was thankful.

“This is my stop,” said the young man, whose eyes were as brown as his hair. “Don’t forget what I have told you. And you will laugh again.”

With that, he stepped off the Metro, disappearing into the crowd. I never saw him again. But I have never forgotten his words. They were the beginning of intense sadness and pain and healing, and yes, eventual laughter.

How do you laugh in the midst of trials and tribulations? Are you able to laugh at all?

Summit VI – Christian Alliance for Orphans

If you or your church have ever wanted to get involved in an orphan ministry, this is a wonderful opportunity!

You and individuals from your church community are invited to attend the Christian Alliance for Orphans’ national Summit VI!   This national conference is designed to help Christians start and grow orphan ministry in the local church, including adoption, foster care and international orphan initiatives.

Summit VI on April 29-30 in Minneapolis, MN will bring together grassroots advocates, pastors, orphan experts from across America and beyond—as well as many new to the issue seeking to learn how to engage.

Featured speakers include national champions of orphan care and adoption, including John Piper, Doug Sauder, Mary Beth Chapman, Jedd Medefind, Tom Davis and Al Mohler.  Compelling voices from the global church will address attendees as well, from Africa and Eastern Europe to Central America.   Music will be led by Steven Curtis Chapman and other artists.  Meanwhile, more than fifty workshops will deliver practical know-how for orphan ministry—from supporting families with post adoption challenges, to effective models for church foster care programs, to partnerships with indigenous churches for overseas orphan care.   In addition, families in the adoption process will have the opportunity for five “Hague Hours” from national experts such as Dr. Karyn Purvis at no additional cost.

If God has stirred hearts in your church for the plight of orphans, Summit offers the biggest and best opportunity of the year to learn how to act upon your convictions.  Many churches will send multiple individuals in order to fully access the full range of resources, workshops and other opportunities available.  To learn more and register now, visit the Christian Alliance for Orphans website at www.christianalliancefororphans.org.

A Change In Course

People who know me know that I’m a driven, goal-oriented person. When I jump into something, I give it my all. As a Christian, I believe that giving your best in anything you do is the right thing to do. And, as a Christian journalist, I have always felt that it was my calling to communicate truth.

I have also never been one to shy away from the spotlight. We could psychoanalyze that for a while but it wouldn’t make a difference. The older I get though, the less I feel the need to be the center of everything. And the older I get the better I listen – to God!

There has never been any doubt that God called me to become a writer/journalist. As I look back on the past 10-plus years, I can see His hand clearly in everything in my life, including 9/11. Today, I am a better person because of all of it. I have struggled for the last year or so with the whole writing part of my life. There have been times I simply didn’t want to write. I felt anxious, pressure to write and to write well. For the longest time, I couldn’t figure out why I just dreaded doing what I love to do so much.

And then I listened! God has changed my heart! He hasn’t completely taken away my desire to write but He has shown me what I need to be doing with my life instead of building a business centered on writing. Today, my greatest desire is to be a mommy. That is how I will leave my greatest legacy.

Today, I no longer desire to be a successful business woman. In fact, I don’t even want to be in business! I no longer desire to be in the spotlight with my award-winning, best-selling book. I no longer feel the need to prove everyone else wrong about their politics and religion (even if they are wrong!) through my writing. I do still want to tell everyone about Jesus Christ, but perhaps I’m just the seed planter, or the water-er.

These days my life is filled to the brim with hopefullness in the adoption process. We’re planning our garage sale which will be our first big fundraiser. We’re painting the guest bedroom and preparing it to become a nursery. We’re reorganizing other bedrooms to accommodate for guests, an office, and Kurt’s man-cave. We’re thinking of baby names and wondering how the dog and cat will react with a newborn in the house.

I haven’t entirely shut the door on Fletcher Communications or on the writing world. I still have a couple of clients but I will no longer be actively building the business or seeking out new projects or clients. I’m still available to lend a hand to my networking and social media buddies. But there’s a change in course now. This is my life, and I am well pleased!

Guest Post – Stress Center Shooting

Once again, my good friend, J. Doug Settle, is sharing his thoughts with us. Today, the author of “From Stress to Faith Rest”, give us his insight into the recent shooting where one soldier gunned down five fellow soldiers at a stress center in Baghdad, Iraq. We lift up the men and women who bravely serve to protect our freedoms in prayer. And we pray for the families of those soldiers affected. A special thanks to Doug. Visit his web site to learn more: www.jdougsettle.com.

The details concerning the shooting at Camp Liberty in Baghdad, Iraq are still being processed. We can be certain that when all is said and done, when all has been researched and debated, when the professional and media opinions have been amply voiced, the real reasons behind the shooting will remain unexpressed. Granted, the stressors of combat most likely will have had a part to play in what caused the shooter to snap, yet there is a more disturbing reason behind the carnage; a reason that those who determine policy are unwilling to consider let alone accept and do something about.

I remember going through basic training and advanced individual infantry training, coming out of Fort Polk, LA, with a readiness and willingness to kill. We were well trained to do our job and do it efficiently. I was sent to Vietnam where I had an opportunity to express and fine tune my newly learned combat skills. I returned well suited for the job, yet my job duties were no longer required. I returned to the shores of the USA, having laid down my weapons of war, with the encouragement from everyone, “forget your experience and get on with life.” Wishful thinking on their part, but that was never going to happen!

You see, in all the training to kill, not once did anyone teach me how to live. I was never taught the first thing about maintaining one’s morals while successively engaging the enemy on the battlefield. They had not once taught me about the God who is there and who cares about everyone’s life. They had never taught me how to be a good soldier and still maintain one’s faith in God regardless of the circumstances. They had not said one thing about the Sovereignty and Providential care of God when one’s life or a buddy’s life was on the line. They had never once shared about how to apply by faith the spiritual promises, principles and provisions of God’s Word to practical everyday living while engaging the enemy in a hot LZ.

In all the professional training we warriors were provided, the spiritual side, that which we desperately needed to properly harness and utilize the combat skills ethically, remained untaught! Upon returning home, I was like a tank racing down a super highway with a blind man at the controls. As far as I know, the Chaplaincy had to abdicate their shepherding roles, seeking a compromise, to maintain a more general view due to diversity. It was either do that or suffer the consequences. The real answers spiritually were never communicated. The proper Biblical view of man, operating from the inside out, was never mentioned.  The spiritual side must come first for the physical expression to be appropriately demonstrated. Getting the cart before the horse does not work.

It can be argued by some that the moral and spiritual side is never to be the military’s responsibility and that those issues are to be learned at home, during one’s youth. Yes, that should have been the case, but preparing one for combat goes well beyond the benchmark for living life in America!  War includes grown up decisions that need to be made at very critical times while engaging the throes of combat. Training should provide the moral basics so the men going into harms way will have the moral clarity and divine wisdom concerning the job they are being asked to do!

OK, so what do I propose? What could have made a difference at the counseling clinic in Baghdad?

First, how about dropping the political correctness arguments like a hot potato and accept and reestablish the sure footed foundational faith structure that operated in this country at its inception? Contrary to the opinion of some, we were a Christian nation that maintained a Judeo-Christian ethic. It had as its basis the supporting structure of the Ten Commandments; which are recognized by many religions and peoples around the globe as applicable and vital to the life and integrity of any free society. One does not have to be a Christian for these principles to operate.

Second, how about no longer allowing those in opposition to proven moral principles and structures to call the shots? Why must the American people be forced to stand by and watch as the foundation crumbles under their feet? Why allow those without a moral driver’s license to take over at the wheel, thereby determining the direction this country is headed?

Third, how about a return to allowing and requiring men of faith and integrity to truly serve as spiritual shepherds by expressing the foundational spiritual truths to the men they counsel and minister with? Does it really make sense, due to political correctness, to leave the name God out when communicating spiritual truths? Must God continually be referred to as a “higher power” to placate those who do not believe in the one, true God? The minority, through their lawsuits, are forcing the majority to redefine their terms. Someone will be offended, so why not stick with the foundational structure that has made this nation great and let the detractors learn to simply live with it?

Fourth, providing stress centers is a good thing, but refusing to allow books, resource materials and ministers to communicate with those being counseled due to diversity and political correctness arguments, is like telling the patient who has strep throat that he needs antibiotics but being unwilling to provide them.

Doing and providing for the above suggestions would head off many problems down the line.  The impact of PTSD would be tremendously lessened. God stands behind every one of His promises. Failure to heed His rule of life will always cost something; perhaps, just as we have recently witnessed, the lives of six innocent warriors! Are we willing to continue watching our best winning the battles in combat, while being defeated among the many battlefields of life? Back to the basics!