Save us from a selfish adoption.

No updates yet. So, I'll recommend some articles.

I just ran across this excerpt. The whole article is here.

It would seem nearly impossible for one to make the act of rescuing an orphan sinful. However, as someone recently thrust into the process, I have become well aware that adopting offers a myriad of opportunities for sinful behavior. I have even seen adopting Christians forget about the person they are rescuing because they are only concerned with how the process is affecting them at a given moment of delay or difficulty. Blinded by the deceitfulness of sin, what should inherently mean good for another is devoted to the altar of self. Feeling the natural tendency of my own heart, I have had to pray constantly, “Lord save me from turning the adoption of two Ethiopian orphans into an act of self-serving wicked idolatry.”

...

It is true corruption abounds and many requirements may seem arbitrary to us. The process can be grueling when you are relying on folks who may take the rainy season off or may simply decide not to work on a given day, due to a solar eclipse. But, instead of taking on the persona of a pro-wrestler, thumping our chest and saying, “We deserve them because we are better than you!” should we not first remember what’s at stake. Is it just about us getting our kids? Or is it about rescuing children who desperately need a family. The American in general may not be on board with this, but the Christian should be.

HT: Take Your Vitamin Z

Dr. Moore Hates "Sanctity of Life Sunday"

Apparently, I'm enjoying reading Dr. Russel Moore this morning.

I hate Sanctity of Human Life Sunday because I’m reminded that we have to say things to one another that human beings shouldn’t have to say. Mothers shouldn’t kill their children. Fathers shouldn’t abandon their babies. No human life is worthless, regardless of skin color, age, disability, economic status. The very fact that these things must be proclaimed is a reminder of the horrors of this present darkness.

...

We’ll always need Christmas. We’ll always need Easter. But I hope, please Lord, someday soon, that Sanctity of Human Life Day is unnecessary.

Read the whole article.

Adoption as Cosmic and Missional

Dr. Russel Moore:

Adoption is, on the one hand, gospel. In this, adoption tells us who we are as children of the Father. Adoption as gospel tells us about our identity, our inheritance, and our mission as sons of God. Adoption is also defined as mission. In this, adoption tells us our purpose in this age as the people of Christ. Missional adoption spurs us to join Christ in advocating for the helpless and the abandoned.

As soon as you peer into the truth of the one aspect, you fall headlong into the truth of the other, and vice-versa. That’s because it’s the way the gospel is. Jesus reconciles us to God–and to each other. As we love God, we love our neighbor; as we love our neighbor, we love our God. We believe Jesus in “heavenly things”–our adoption in Christ–so we follow him in “earthly things”–the adoption of children. Without the theological aspect, the emphasis on adoption too easily is seen as mere charity. Without the missional aspect, the doctrine of adoption too easily is seen as mere metaphor.

Dr. Moore is writing a new book for CrossWay, titled Adopted for Life. I'm looking forward to reading it when it comes out. You can pre-order it with that link.

HT: Moore to the Point

Adopted is not an Adjective

I heard about a blog today called "Life Together" and decided to check it out. The very first article I saw was called "Adopted is not an Adjective." It quotes Russel Moore.

Dr. Russel Moore:

In Scripture there is no such thing as an adopted child. Adopted is a past tense verb, it is not an adjective. Those who have been brought into the household and family of God are really and truly part of the household of God sharing with their brothers and sisters everything that it means to be in Christ.

HT: Life Together

The waiting stinks.

I realize that a significant part of this process is waiting. But, the waiting is hard. There's a very big part of us that wants to say "just tell us either way."

But, we've got to remember that there are more people involved than just us. They've got lives. They've got things going on.

The world doesn't revolve around me.

Adoption is greater than the universe.

Piper on Adoption.

I would suggest that you seriously consider not only supporting, but also doing adoption, both spiritually ... and also in terms of finding children who have no mom and dad who could be folded into a family—just like God planned from eternity to fold sinners like us, through Christ, into his everlasting family of joy.

HT: Desiring God Ministries

Embracing the Grief of Adoption

Last night, we had dinner with some new friends. We've known them for a while, but not all that well - we go to the same church. (We are consistently meeting new people, and asking them how long they've gone to our church. Most of the time we hear answers like "four years.") At one point, Kevin said "Adoption is filled with loss."

There's loss for families who give up a child for Adoption. There's loss for adoptive parents who aren't placed with a child. There's loss for the child.

Here's an article from AdoptiveDads.org that raises this issue.

I was reminded last night of something I already knew, though I often try to forget it. It is one of the more sobering realities of adoption – the fact that there is no adoption without loss and pain . . . and grief.

...

Last night I saw through my son’s tears and heard in his words the deep, heartbreaking grief that lurks in the shadows of adoption. It was an intense sorrow caused by the loss he feels and understands now more than ever before. My son’s grief is for that which never was and for what will never be.

Read the whole thing here.

"I want to be wanted."

The teens who do want to be adopted are working on a deadline: age 18. That's when you "age out" and can no longer be adopted.

Think about how many times since you turned 18 that you have seen your family -- the holidays, birthdays, weddings -- or needed them, financially, emotionally or for advice. More than 55 percent of men and 46 percent of women ages 18 to 24 still live with their parents, according to the U.S. Census in 2002. In Boulder County, that translates to more than 11,000 young adults.

Read the whole article here.

HT: Shaohanna's Hope

Roller Coaster

Well, it seems as though life will be like this picture for a while. That's OK.

Be praying for the birth mom. She's got a tough life, and a lot of tough situations.

No meeting today

The meeting between the Case Worker and the Birthmom that was to happen today was pushed back. I can't really go into the details, but it is a situation that needs prayer.

Thanks,