Writing...

I don't claim to be much of a poet, or a songwriter, but lately, I've been going in both directions.  I've got a few ideas for songs, and if anyone has any ideas or feedback, please let me know.

Here's a chorus for one:

But You were pierced for my sins,

You were crushed for my transgressions

You were punished, I am free

Surely, You have borne my grief,

Your sacrifice has bought my peace

By Your wounds, I am free

Another idea...

Great God of Heaven, Lord of might,

King of Kings, You shine so bright,

You purchased my sin on Calvary's tree,

Full forgiveness, how can it be?

 

Deceived by sin and my own pride,

Always wandering from Your side,

A prodigal I'm bound to be,

Then You came and rescued me.

That part is bolded because I really like it.  I'm not sure I like it with the rest of the stuff in there...

Any thoughts?  Suggestions?  Feedback?

 

Adoption in Russia

From: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-07-10-adopt_N.htm

Russia renews adoption agencies' licenses By Wendy Koch, USA TODAY

Russia has reopened its doors to Americans who want to adopt children, re-accrediting seven adoption agencies based in the USA.

Licenses granted in the past two weeks will enable the agencies to resume helping Americans adopt from among the 700,000 Russian children in orphanages, says Lee Allen, spokesman for the private National Council For Adoption.

As many as 44 American agencies had been working in Russia, he says.

"This is the first positive movement we've seen in a long time," Allen says. "We're very encouraged by it."

Russia has been a top destination for Americans seeking to adopt foreign children, ranking third behind China and Guatemala in 2006, according to the State Department.

Last year, 3,706 Russian adoptees came to the USA, a decline from a peak of 5,865 in 2004.

The number of adoptions began slowing last year as the annual licenses of American agencies started to expire.

The last two licenses expired in April, according to the website of Russia's Washington, D.C., embassy.

The agencies applied for renewal as Russia implemented tighter rules.

Most adoptions were put on hold, although some independently arranged ones proceeded.

"Many thousands of kids may have lost their opportunity" to be adopted when licenses expired, Allen says.

The new licenses have no expiration date but can be reconsidered at any time.

The Russian government did not respond to requests for comment.

"We have some people who've been waiting" to adopt, says John Bentz, president of International Assistance Group in Oakmont, Pa., one of the first seven American adoption agencies to win reapproval. "It will take some time."

"There are plenty of kids who need homes," says Joan Jaeger, spokeswoman for The Cradle in Evanston, Ill., one of the agencies re-accredited.

She says placing a child with an American family can take up to a year. She says the cost is comparable to domestic adoption: about $30,000, including two trips to Russia.

The other agencies re-accredited are Cradle of Hope in Silver Spring, Md.; The Frank Adoption Center in Raleigh, N.C.; Family and Children's Agency in Norwalk, Conn; Catholic Social Services, which is nationwide; and Children's Home Society & Family Services in St. Paul.

The Birdies Flew

I was reminded this morning of the fact that even though I am saved, yet I still sin.  An incident happened this morning that reminded me of that simple, yet important fact. 

I was driving into work, and I happened upon a vehicle that had an Icthus fish on its bumper.  You know, one of those little silver guys that says "Jesus" on it.  They were in the next lane over.  I didn't think much about it, but for some reason, the fact that this blue vehicle had one of these little fish on it made an impression on me. 

Traffic in that lane slowed down a bit, but after a minute or two, it picked up a little.  As I drove past this vehicle again, I noticed that the driver was proudly (and with apparently extreme anger) displaying a bird in my direction.  They then slammed the vehicle into my lane directly behind me.  I can only assume that the bird was directed at me (as well as the anger) because I unknowingly prevented them from occupying the spot in my lane that I had just occupied.  Within a few minutes, they had passed around me again, and were gone.

If nothing else, this was a reminder that even though I am saved, I am extremely prone to sin.  Putting a fish on my car doesn't save me, Christ does.

I don't have a fish on my car.  And, it's not because I drive and flip people off all the time.  I've never done that.  But, I think the main reason that I don't have one on my car is the fact that it doesn't sufficiently explain to a non-believer that they are a sinner who deserves the wrath of God, but that they can be saved from that wrath by putting their faith in Christ.

I know this isn't specifically about adoption, but I wanted to write this down.  Thanks for reading!