Another family reflection

I thought the DVD was excellent!  I felt like I could relate to so much of what was shared by the different families.  I could especially relate to the families that shared about how they wanted to follow God’s plan – whatever that might be.  One family spoke about how difficult it was to love a foster child and have that child leave; but that they needed to trust God’s plan.  They loved and cared for a child because that child needed a loving home – No, it isn’t easy! But how can we turn away a child in need because it might make us sad or be difficult?  I also appreciated the fact that fostering or adopting children may not be the way to serve for every Christian family but that there are MANY ways to support, serve or mentor – I would hope after watching this DVD that each of us; every Christian, would be inspired to begin our search immediately to find our way to serve and support families and children in crisis – there are children are waiting….. 

Judy

Family Reflection 3

The one thing that stuck out to me in the video is the statement about being pro-life.  They pointed out that if we are pro-life then we should be willing to help care for the babies who aren’t aborted.  I had never thought about that.  I guess I always hear about parents who want to adopt but have to go out of the country to do so.  I just assumed that there was a shortage of children to adopt – not a shortage of people willing to care for the children. – Alice

From the Southern Baptist Convention

RESOLUTION NO. 2
ON ADOPTION AND ORPHAN CARE

WHEREAS, In the gospel we have received the "Spirit of adoption" whereby we are no longer spiritual orphans but are now beloved children of God and joint heirs with Christ (John 14:18; Romans 8:12-25; Galatians 3:27-4:9; Ephesians 1:5); and

WHEREAS, The God we now know as our Father reveals himself as a "father of the fatherless" (Psalm 68:5) who grants mercy to orphans (Deuteronomy 10:18; Hosea 14:3); and

WHEREAS, Our Lord Jesus welcomes the little ones (Luke 18:15-17), pleads for the lives of the innocent (Psalm 72:12-14), and shows us that we will be held accountable for our response to "the least of these brothers of mine" (Matthew 25:40); and

WHEREAS, The Scripture defines "pure and undefiled religion" as "to look after orphans and widows in their distress" (James 1:27); and

WHEREAS, The satanic powers and the ravages of sin have warred against infants and children from Pharaoh to Molech to Herod and, now, through the horrors of a divorce culture, an abortion industry, and the global plagues of disease, starvation, and warfare; and

WHEREAS, Southern Baptists have articulated an unequivocal commitment to the sanctity of all human life, born and unborn; and

WHEREAS, Churches defined by the Great Commission must be concerned for the evangelism of children—including those who have no parents; and

WHEREAS, Upward of 150 million orphans now languish without families in orphanages, group homes, and placement systems in North America and around the world; and

WHEREAS, Our Father loves all of these children, and a great multitude of them will never otherwise hear the gospel of Jesus Christ; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, June 23-24, 2009, express our commitment to join our Father in seeking mercy for orphans; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we call on each Southern Baptist family to pray for guidance as to whether God is calling them to adopt or foster a child or children; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage our pastors and church leaders to preach and teach on God's concern for orphans; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we commend churches and ministries that are equipping families to provide financial and other resources to those called to adopt, through grants, matching funds, or loans; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage local churches to champion the evangelism of and ministry to orphans around the world, and to seek out ways to energize Southern Baptists behind this mission; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage Southern Baptist churches to join with other evangelical Christians in setting aside a special Sunday each year to focus upon our adoption in Christ and our common burden for the orphans of the world; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we pray what God is doing in creating an adoption culture in so many churches and families can point us to a gospel oneness that is determined not by “the flesh,” or race, or economics, or cultural sameness, but by the Spirit, unity, and peace in Christ Jesus; and be it finally

RESOLVED, That we pray for an outpouring of God's Spirit on Southern Baptist congregations so that our churches will proclaim and picture, in word and in deed, that “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world.”

Foothills Family Reflection 1

We have so much fear about fostering/adopting. Will it be financially hard? Will we be swamped in paperwork and hoops to jump through?  Will we receive a child that needs more than we bargained for? Right now, I pray for peace and God's plan for our family...

Faultless Video Refections

Dear Friend,

I am excited that you have decided to consider becoming involved in orphan care in America (or take another step in some way).  I am going to pray for you and your family.  Before you watch the movie, go to this site:  http://www.iamfaultless.com/ and check out the group guide/Bible Study.  After you watch the movie, I’d love for you to write a reflection here (can be just one sentence) for me to see and for the next person to check out. I think it will be encouraging to see how different we all react to the same call.  I love that God made us all different and with different reactions and talents to offer Him. I can’t wait to see where our journal takes us together on this adventure with a wild God who loves lavishly and with reckless abandon and who expects us to imitate that crazy kind of love.  

12/5/2013 Jonas and Abby

We have adopted one and fostered one (when I first watched this) so far, but one day I believe that God might bring us to a child to add to our family that is at risk of "aging out of the system" without a family.  Each month when I read the stories of older children in the back of the Bethany Christian services magazine, my heart breaks for them.  Everyone needs a Mama and Daddy, no  matter his/her age.  I am going to pray for that ONE that might need us one day.  For now, we are just happy adventuring with God to answer the calls that come in for short-term placements!  We said yes recently to two little gals that we have had before. Though six kids for 8 days was a lot of work, it was such a blessing. They brought us all so much joy, and our family enjoyed serving them together.