Orphan Advocate, Student of Systems, Family Man
It’s the freedom that we have in this country that I’m thankful for. That freedom that I enjoy demands my respect for those who fought to make it possible. It’s freedom that all faiths must fight to keep in this country. For what is faith without freedom to choose?
My utmost respect and gratitude go out to the veterans that fought for freedom.
We are nearly done with our home study portion of the adoption process and it feels like we’ve been in the process for a very long time! There’s been lots of paperwork and talking with people to say the least. There’s lots of “white space” too. There’s plenty of time to wait for things to happen such as paperwork processing and appointments, but the best thing about the wait is that I’ve had the opportunity to really learn about adoption in a deeper way. I’ve been reading tons of material on everything from the theology of adoption to how Muslims are working in orphan care and adoption. To say the least, my perspective has certainly broadened and really do see adoption in a different way than I had seen it at the beginning of my adoption journey. So, for the remaining course of our journey, I will be sharing with you the things I’ve learned about the doctrine of adoption, the history, and about the worldview on adoption. Most of all, I hope that you will truly come to understand what it is to be adopted by God.
Girls: I want you to WANT to do the dishes.
Guys: I want you to want to DO the dishes.
Devotion From: Hebrews 2:5-18
Thanks, God, for that reiteration that Jesus has authority over “all things” (Hebrews 2:8), but what does it mean that “we have not yet seen all things put under their authority?” It sounds to me that things are complete, but yet they aren’t. But You point out that Jesus is the perfect leader — a perfect leader (Hebrews 2:10) made through suffering. Ok, I see where this is going. It’s in my suffering, for Christ’s sake, I am made fit to be apart of bringing things into completion!?!?
God, there’s too much here for my heart to understand. It’s kinda frustrating actually. How come I can’t fully comprehend what it is to be a brother to Christ (Hebrews 2:11-12)? Why is it difficult to feel a part of Your family regardless of the knowledge that You reveal to me? It is amazing that Jesus became like me, in flesh and blood (Hebrews 2:17). It’s amazing that He is before God on my behalf. It’s amazing that I don’t know how much I get of this…
Father God, I read these words and not fully understand them. I read these words desiring to comprehend them in my heart. Would You move this knowledge I have into understanding in my heart. It’s a simple thing to understand in my head, but I confess I don’t fully understand in my heart. As You promise that he is able to help me when I am being tested (Hebrews 2:18), would you help me now. I have heard everything that is religious that is the right answers to what I am going through, but I feel that my heart has not heard what it needs to hear. Amen.
Devotion From: Hebrews 2:1-4
God, that first verse hit me square between the eyes. Those words “pay much closer attention” are screaming at me. I realize that I don’t “pay much closer attention” because of lack of priority of Christ in my life. When I drift away, I’m not drifting from faith or feeling strong, I’m drifting from Christ himself (Hebrews 2:1).
I’m not sure what You’re trying to say, God, in Hebrews 2:2-4. What are the ways we neglect salvation, other than unbelief? What kind of retributions would we face for neglecting salvation? I suppose it doesn’t really matter as long as I pay much closer attention to the superiority of Christ in my life, above all other areas.
Heavenly Father, today I simply pray, help me to pay closer attention. Help me to pay closer attention to the details of the superiority you must have in my life. Help me to discern clearly the areas that perhaps I am neglecting salvation. Give me the wisdom and clarity of sight to help me pay closer attention. Would you allow people to speak into my life to keep me accountable to paying closer attention to my priorities. Amen.
To often I forget about the big picture. I pursue so many endeavors and I get caught up in all the challenges that I face. I loose sight of the superiority of Christ when compared to all my other pursuits. But why is it difficult to find peace, that I know should be there, knowing that Christ is my mediator who makes things right between me and God (1 Timothy 2:5)? Why is that not soul satisfying? There is truly nothing greater than Christ, I know in my head, but how does that fact work out into my heart?
God calls Jesus his son. Through Christ I know that we are sons of God (Galatians 3:26), but it seems I don’t know what that fully means. Perhaps the angels will help me (Hebrews 1:14).
God, help me to fully grasp in my heart what it is to say that Christ is superior of all things, that Christ is above my challenges, that Christ is above my pursuits. Help me to understand deeper in my heart the significance of being your son. I desire to feel it. I desire to embrace it. I’m tired of just knowing it. Amen.
Can you believe it! A Chimp taking care of a puma orphan! Nature is a reflection of the character of God!
Here’s a quote from an article by South African, Bilal Randeree:
Each year, millions of children are orphaned due to war, famine, and diseases. In poor communities, when parents die or a surviving adult is chronically or terminally ill, children face having to care for themselves and their siblings. Losing one or both parents is traumatic for any child in any situation.
South Africa has almost 4 million orphans, children who have lost either a mother or a father or both. There are an estimated 1.8 million orphans in South Africa infected or affected by HIV and/or AIDS. These orphans are living in poverty, and some have lost both their parents and live alone. Most of these orphans in South Africa are between 7 to 17 years old. Even with the expansion of antiretroviral treatment access, it is estimated that by 2015, the number of orphaned children will still be tremendously high.
Many orphans suffer from malnutrition and are forced to drop out of school. They have no money for food, shelter, healthcare, education and clothing. These children face a future of neglect, abject poverty, despair, and often suffer physical abuse. They sometimes seek refuge on the streets, begging or are coerced into crime for survival.
This guy really telling it as it is. Perhaps what he is talking about is moving you. Perhaps the cause for orphan care really breaks your heart.
Here’s the deal though, what’s the difference between orphan care between Christians and countless so many others doing the same thing? You see, the excerpt above comes from a Muslim who is dedicated to orphan care. There are countless number of people who are doing the same thing as Christians (and it’s not just in orphan care but in all kinds of social justice causes)!
So what sets Christians apart? What’s the difference?
In the last couple weeks I’ve been able to work with many village children and children in a particular orphanage. I’ve also visted a couple other orphanages in Phnom Penh. What’s interesting is the different between all the children.
It’s common for people to talk about how the support of orphanages only perpetuates the need for them. More effort is being made to provide resources to the extended families of orphans so that the orphans can live with them.
There is still hope in orphanage though. At the Center of Peace, the children seem far better off than those children with families in the villages. The children at the orphanage are happier, better educated, well mannered, and socially healthy. Much of the children’s progress has to do with the director of the orphanage. Her name is Bophal Yos. As an orphan herself, she made it through college in a country where the average education level is 5th grade. She has so much love. All 70 something kids call her “mother”. She’s legally adopted two of them because they were abandoned by their families. It’s truly an amazing place to experience. These kids know Jesus. They know Jesus as the one and only God.
Orphan care ultimately isn’t about providing them a good place to live, but an opportunity to embrace the hope of the Gospel. It’s about living out the Gospel with these orphans.