Where You Lead Us....We Will Follow

I just got home from a blessing in my week.  My sweet new friend C got a couple of free tickets to a Brandon Heath/Jars of Clay concert and invited me along!  We had so much fun....let me tell you, we felt old (BUT LOVED IT) when Jars busted out some of their old school hits.

At one point in the evening, I just had to stop and take it all in.  I was in a building full of people singing in one voice,

"Where You lead us
                             We will follow....

Where You lead us
                             We will follow..."

In the crazy hectic-ness of grad school, adjusting to a new city, trying to make sure I get sleep in there somewhere, and all the other things that have been occupying my thoughts and my time lately, it is easy for me to lose sight of why I am here and what my purpose is. 

I am here because Christ led me here.

It is a joy to see where He has led me...from Roscoe and Snyder...to Los Angeles...to Atlanta...to Mexico...to College Station...to Kenya....to Austin...

....from Home....to college...to "teaching"...to missions...to grad school...

....from sinful...lost...wretched...and hard-hearted...
                    ...to forgiven...redeemed...seen righteous before God...and led...

Where will I go from here?  Where He leads me, I will follow.

Back to Kenya...to other nations...to another state...or back to my hometown...

I can't answer where I will be led next, but I am trusting the One I am following is faithful.


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One thing I do know I am currently being led to....the cries of the orphan.

This Sunday is Orphan Sunday.  Will you pray?  Will you ask...Lord, am I too being asked to become a voice for these children?  To help change their status of physical and spiritual fatherlessness?  Or simply tell God that where He leads you, you'll follow.

It's Your Mission

Today, I received an email from Jane Ann - the volunteer director for Buckner saying that they are beginning to advertise the summer internships for 2011. She attached an application and said they are encouraging their past interns to apply again.

My heart wants to return to Kenya. So much.

Please join with me in praying about this. Also, if you are reading this and are 18 (and have completed one year of college or work experience after high school) or older - pray about applying! Maybe God wants YOU to step outside of your comfort zone and spend your summer serving His children.

If you haven't already, you can read about my experience this past summer as an intern for Buckner in Kenya here.

To make it even easier on you....here is the flier! You can find the application on their website here.    ;-)

And yes...I realize the flier kind of takes over the sidebar, but it was the only way it was readable - if you'd like me to email it to you instead, I'd be happy to!

To the ends of the Earth,

T

Why Love?

Your Role in Adoption

You might be thinking - "I don't feel God has called me to adoption" (in the sense of bringing a child into my family through legal processes) or "I'm single...I'm not even married; how could I adopt?" or "I'm just a kid - how do I fit in?"

If you understand the theology of adoption, you see that we are all called to the ministry of adoption and the care for orphans. We are considered the Body of Christ for a reason - it takes all parts and each part is equal and important.

Yes, some of you may adopt. And if you do - we should all gather around you in support and encouragement. It does indeed take a village - or rather the Church!

Practical ways you can support adoption/foster care:

• Are you a photographer? Offer a free photo session for either the family's adoption application or post-adoption to document their new addition.
• Financially savvy? Help an adoptive couple create a new budget in order to prepare for the cost of adoption. Be a resource for them - point them in the direction of organizations that financially support adoption. (www.abbafund.org provides interest-free loans for adoptive couples) 
• Take meals to a family for the first few weeks they have their child in their home. We do this with other families in our church with newborns - regardless of the age of the child, having a new son or daughter in your home can be hectic...who has time to cook?
• Baby-sit an evening a month so the parents can have a date night and continue to prioritize their marriage.
• Consider starting an adoption fund in your church.
• Sponsor a child that is in need of spiritual adoption. www.compassion.com www.worldvision.org
• Become certified to offer respite care for foster families.
• Be an advocate. Educate your church and your community about the plight of the orphan. Is your local church doing anything for Orphan Sunday (Nov. 7)? Great FREE resources are available at www.orphansunday.org
• Be part of the 1K Campaign (http://www.destinynetwork.com), a vision to see 1,000 projects that benefit orphans occur in 1,000 days.
• Pray. Lift up the families and churches all over the world that are attacking the global orphan crisis. 

-t

The Theology of Adoption

***Disclaimer:    

I am not a great theologian. 

I do not claim to have it all "figured out".

In fact, I am currently wading through what God says about adoption, what junk my head and heart believes that I am having to face and re-examine, and what that means for me - as a believer and as an individual. 

The following is an brief overview of teachings of individuals that I admire as well as my personal thoughts....not only that, but most importantly the Word. I only ask that you prayerfully consider the theology of adoption for the glory of God and the joy of the orphan.***
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To echo Mr. John Piper - "Adoption is at the heart of the Gospel."  But don't take his (or my) word on it...let's see what The Word says.

"Even as he chose in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love, he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace."  Ephesians 1:4-7


"They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises....This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring." Romans 9:4-8

"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God." Galations 4:4-7

"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" Romans 8:15

"And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, grown inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." Romans 8:23

If you have have experienced salvation...the acknowledgment you have sin in your life that creates a separation from God that can only be bridged by death, that Christ took the penalty for your sin by offering up His perfection and dying on the cross, and having recognized His love that drew Him to the cross is directed at you by accepting his gift and asking Him to be the leader and forgiver of your life...YOU have been adopted!

You cannot separate evangelism and the Gospel from the plight of the orphan. It is one of the greatest pictures we have of our salvation.

Why is God so passionate about the fatherless? (Exodus 22:22, Deut. 10:18, Deut 14:29, Deut. 26:12, Ps. 68:5, Ps. 82:3, Ps. 146:9, Is. 1:17, James 1:27)

The most recent statistics say that there are 163 Million orphans in the world.  The global orphan crisis is one of the greatest barriers to seeing the Great Commission fulfilled in our lifetime.

Why?

Your relationship/experience with your earthly father strongly colors the way you view your heavenly Father.  What does it say to a child's heart when he has no earthly father?

We need a movement of the Holy Spirit in the Church to change the plight of the orphan and see the fatherless find a home in Christ.
 

 "Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1 John 4:8

The Love Chapter - 1 Corinthians 13

"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." James 1:27


*I'm not sure how fluid my thoughts are today - still processing a lot. I hope this at least pricks your heart and causes you to seek the heart of God on behalf of the orphan and the idea of adoption.*

 
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Some great resources that more eloquently and thoroughly discuss the theology of adoption:

John Piper has a great message on the theology of adoption you can check out here: http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/resources/adoption-the-heart-of-the-gospel

"Adoption Within the Story of Redemption" Dan Cruver

Book recommendation: "Adopted For Life" by Russell Moore

There are also a few organizations/resources you can access on my sidebar!