God is love - God is perfectly perfect - so how can God be colorblind?
The following was written by Tracie over at wearegraftedin.com. What an awesome rant from this mama's heart.
"On to the phrase that set me off on this little rant to begin with…though I have used it in times past, just as other well-meaning folks will likely continue to do: ”True love is colorblind.”
True love is NOT colorblind! The Bible teaches me that God is love. God? colorblind?? I don’t think so! God created us to be diverse, colorful, beautiful! He sees our colors and diversity and celebrates it! I’m thinking certainly a better phrase to spread would be, “True love celebrates color,” because that is the TRUTH!
Not for one second would I want to be colorblind! Who would, either literally speaking or metaphorically? Aren’t colors beautiful? Aren’t they what give life visual pizazz and spice? Imagine your wardrobe or your home devoid of color! I want to see those things in full color! I want to see and love people in full color!
So, let it be declared by me right here and right now: MY LOVE IS NOT COLORBLIND! I see color! I celebrate it! I LOVE IT!
As a matter of fact, I just want to openly say, “Thank you Jesus for allowing me to be part of a colorful family! Thank you for helping me to celebrate the rainbow of skin tones and hues that you so lovingly and beautifully created! Help those out there that are afraid of our differences and blinded by the lies of fear and hatred to see and love in full color!”"
Resting in the SON,
~s
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
WHY NOT?
I am honored to have Kim Young from Journey 2 Ethiopia to write an awesome blog about reasons for adoption.
In the book of James we are told that it is our responsibility to care for the widows and the orphans. It doesn’t say that some are to care for orphans it says that all are to care for them. We could all find a reason, excuse or exception if we allowed ourselves to. I thought we could delve into some of the reasons for not adopting an orphan.
The problem
The problem is that there are over 147 million orphans in the world. 147 million children who are lonely, hungry, thirsty, and have nothing, but the only thing they really want is a family to be part of. If only 6% of Christians adopted one child then there would no longer be any orphans. So if only 6% of Christians followed the command in James 1:27, then there would not be a need for the other 94% of Christians to adopt. Will you be one of the 6%?
The Reasons
It’s just not something my family is called to do...We are all called to care for the orphan, not some of us, not those of us with money, all of us. Now your family might have another calling to how to provide for the orphan (by supporting adopting families or perhaps foster care), but we are all called to care for them.
We don’t have the means to adopt...Do you have a family? Is there one or more of you who has the means to love another person? Well, then you have the means to adopt. In addition to foster care adoptions - which are free - there are grants, scholarships, no interest loans, tax credits, fundraising programs, and many other ways to come up with the funds for adoption fees. Do you think God would call you to it and then not provide the means? Is your family covered in luxuries? Perhaps you can cut them back to find money for an adoption.
I would rather have my children biologically...Well, I guess it is a good thing Christ extends his love and adoption into his family beyond the Jews and his biological family - or we would all be doomed and fatherless. Your child is your child, whether by bone and blood or by love and miracles. Every child born is a miracle whether God plants the baby in our womb or our heart. Beyond the physical - there are no differences. And go ahead and have biological children - but that shouldn’t stop you from making room for a child without a biological family to care for them.
It’s not the right time...Far be it from me to encourage you to move before God asks you to move. But is the timing a legitimate thing you are waiting on - or is it an excuse to not follow God’s command for us to all care for the orphan? If you are not sure of your answer to that question, you should figure it out, and pray for the right timing.
I have too much going on in my life right now...This goes along with the timing aspect. If you have too much going on in your life right now, you will probably always have too much going on in your life. Are those things that God has called you to, or things that you have busied yourself with to avoid God’s direction in your life? I invite you to rid yourself of the distraction of busyness. Focus on God and rescue His orphans.
My husband would not want to adopt a child...This is one of the most common cries of a woman whose heart is yearning for the orphan. Our husbands love us, and feel the weighty burden of providing for us - whether they are the primary earner or not. They are cautious with their passions and often need God to gonk on their head with a frying pan before they yield to God’s direction for the orphan. In most circumstances that I have seen - the husband comes around often as passionately if not more than the woman. If you want to adopt but your husband doesn’t - pray for him, talk to him, find out his concerns. I read a blog recently addressing this where the author encouraged those women to look within. Is your husband seeing you complain and gripe about your current circumstances and responsibilities? It reminds me of when I was younger and had to prove to my parents that I could handle what was on my plate before they would allow me to add to it. This wasn’t because they were punishing me, it was because they loved me and wanted to make sure I didn’t overwhelm myself. Perhaps in some cases, the husband is hesitant because you already complain about finances or how much work your current children are. If so, he loves you and is trying to protect you and your family. Focus instead on caring for your current responsibilities with joy and peace and praying for an opportunity and the resources to chase God.
My family will think I had lost my mind**Newsflash** - if your family is not Christian - they already do. And if they are Christian - then they probably will be some of your biggest encouragers. Lots of people will think you’re nuts for adopting, especially if you go international. This is not your concern. In fact it should be your goal.
So Why Not?
So - why not adopt? Why not find the country with the most orphans or need and adopt from there? Why not ask God where He would have you adopt from? If you can think of any other reasons not to then post them in the comments so we can talk them out. Feel free to leave us comments with any questions about how to get started.
Why Not?
In the book of James we are told that it is our responsibility to care for the widows and the orphans. It doesn’t say that some are to care for orphans it says that all are to care for them. We could all find a reason, excuse or exception if we allowed ourselves to. I thought we could delve into some of the reasons for not adopting an orphan.
The problem
The problem is that there are over 147 million orphans in the world. 147 million children who are lonely, hungry, thirsty, and have nothing, but the only thing they really want is a family to be part of. If only 6% of Christians adopted one child then there would no longer be any orphans. So if only 6% of Christians followed the command in James 1:27, then there would not be a need for the other 94% of Christians to adopt. Will you be one of the 6%?
The Reasons
It’s just not something my family is called to do...We are all called to care for the orphan, not some of us, not those of us with money, all of us. Now your family might have another calling to how to provide for the orphan (by supporting adopting families or perhaps foster care), but we are all called to care for them.
We don’t have the means to adopt...Do you have a family? Is there one or more of you who has the means to love another person? Well, then you have the means to adopt. In addition to foster care adoptions - which are free - there are grants, scholarships, no interest loans, tax credits, fundraising programs, and many other ways to come up with the funds for adoption fees. Do you think God would call you to it and then not provide the means? Is your family covered in luxuries? Perhaps you can cut them back to find money for an adoption.
I would rather have my children biologically...Well, I guess it is a good thing Christ extends his love and adoption into his family beyond the Jews and his biological family - or we would all be doomed and fatherless. Your child is your child, whether by bone and blood or by love and miracles. Every child born is a miracle whether God plants the baby in our womb or our heart. Beyond the physical - there are no differences. And go ahead and have biological children - but that shouldn’t stop you from making room for a child without a biological family to care for them.
It’s not the right time...Far be it from me to encourage you to move before God asks you to move. But is the timing a legitimate thing you are waiting on - or is it an excuse to not follow God’s command for us to all care for the orphan? If you are not sure of your answer to that question, you should figure it out, and pray for the right timing.
I have too much going on in my life right now...This goes along with the timing aspect. If you have too much going on in your life right now, you will probably always have too much going on in your life. Are those things that God has called you to, or things that you have busied yourself with to avoid God’s direction in your life? I invite you to rid yourself of the distraction of busyness. Focus on God and rescue His orphans.
My husband would not want to adopt a child...This is one of the most common cries of a woman whose heart is yearning for the orphan. Our husbands love us, and feel the weighty burden of providing for us - whether they are the primary earner or not. They are cautious with their passions and often need God to gonk on their head with a frying pan before they yield to God’s direction for the orphan. In most circumstances that I have seen - the husband comes around often as passionately if not more than the woman. If you want to adopt but your husband doesn’t - pray for him, talk to him, find out his concerns. I read a blog recently addressing this where the author encouraged those women to look within. Is your husband seeing you complain and gripe about your current circumstances and responsibilities? It reminds me of when I was younger and had to prove to my parents that I could handle what was on my plate before they would allow me to add to it. This wasn’t because they were punishing me, it was because they loved me and wanted to make sure I didn’t overwhelm myself. Perhaps in some cases, the husband is hesitant because you already complain about finances or how much work your current children are. If so, he loves you and is trying to protect you and your family. Focus instead on caring for your current responsibilities with joy and peace and praying for an opportunity and the resources to chase God.
My family will think I had lost my mind**Newsflash** - if your family is not Christian - they already do. And if they are Christian - then they probably will be some of your biggest encouragers. Lots of people will think you’re nuts for adopting, especially if you go international. This is not your concern. In fact it should be your goal.
So Why Not?
So - why not adopt? Why not find the country with the most orphans or need and adopt from there? Why not ask God where He would have you adopt from? If you can think of any other reasons not to then post them in the comments so we can talk them out. Feel free to leave us comments with any questions about how to get started.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
CALLING ALL MEN - IT'S TIME FOR WAR
This post was written by Pastor Dwight, you can read the original and see the photos at http://onelifeonelegacy.blogspot.com/2010/10/calling-all-men-its-time-for-war.html. He's asking our husbands, all men, to step up to the plate and enter the battle with him.
You Go Dwight!! Rock On For The Orphan!!
Calling All Men - It's Time for War
I want to put a call out to men everywhere.
A call to respond! A call to step up! A call to action! A call to war! Where are we anyway? Where have we been? What have we been doing?
Why are we standing on the sidelines watching the game when we know that we are created to be fierce competitors?
Where have we been when it comes to the orphan? Take a look at most of the blogs, most of the non-profits, most of the strategies, most of those leading the battle on behalf of the orphan. You will discover woman after woman with a passion for these forgotten children.
This is a war for the health and soul of the orphan!
Yet where are the men? This the first war in the history of the world where the men are standing on the sidelines cheering… “you go girl… if that’s what you feel…. you go!”
We’ve become cheerleaders on the sidelines instead of warriors in the battle.
There are exceptions, of course, but for the vast majority of men – we have remained mostly behind the scenes.
But when my perspective changes, I change.
A woman, like Linny, has a mother’s heart that just will not quit. She will do whatever she can from a mother’s heart for these children. It’s just in her nature – the nurturer!
Now men, we aren’t by nature nurturers. We are protectors. We are warriors at heart. We protect those we love without hesitation. If it means laying down our lives we will do so without hesitation.
So here is the perspective change we need regarding the orphan. Men, the battle for the orphan is about providing protection from the enemy’s plans for their lives (starvation, abuse, no love, despair, hopelessness, and alone with no family) and introducing them to Jesus’ plan for their lives (food, clothed, protected, hope, nurtured, relationship with Christ, loved, and a forever family).
We need to be a “Father Warrior” for these children without moms, dads and families. We must become the voice, the protector, and the provider for these children.
Our battle cry must be: “Not On Our Watch!”
Will you pray with me?
Will you obey with me?
Will you be a warrior on the orphan’s behalf with me?
Ask God what that looks like for you. But in any event – get in the game – take off the cheerleading skirt – put down the pom poms.....and let’s go to battle for the orphans of the world.
You know God has put something of a fire in your heart for these kids. Let’s link up, let’s do battle, let’s go to war on their behalf!
We will win!
Semper Fi M
Monday, December 6, 2010
Will We Grieve For God's Children?
"God rescues the weak and the vulnerable THROUGH HIS BODY. Heroes are made because they are MOVED in their HEART. It's not the head knowledge, it's the life abandonment to the lives around us. Will we grieve for God's children who are hungry, unloved, and waiting for someone to rescue them?
Christianity is taking the behavior and nature of Jesus Christ and transplanting it into the heart of men and women on earth, so they behave not like this world, but like Heaven. They are different! "
by Meredith - cornishadoptionjourney.blogspot.com
Resting in the SON,
~s
Christianity is taking the behavior and nature of Jesus Christ and transplanting it into the heart of men and women on earth, so they behave not like this world, but like Heaven. They are different! "
by Meredith - cornishadoptionjourney.blogspot.com
Resting in the SON,
~s
Friday, December 3, 2010
CHECK THIS OUT!! FREE GIVE AWAY!!
There is a free give away going on right now. All you have to do is write a blog post and/or a facebook post about the minus1project.blogspot.com.
Team One Less Broken Heart is having a free give away to help spread the word for the Apisa family. Hop on over to onelessbrokenheart.blogspot.com and get entered into the give away.
Here's a great way to help spread the word, and all it will cost you is a few minutes of your time!
Resting in the SON,
~s
Team One Less Broken Heart is having a free give away to help spread the word for the Apisa family. Hop on over to onelessbrokenheart.blogspot.com and get entered into the give away.
Here's a great way to help spread the word, and all it will cost you is a few minutes of your time!
Resting in the SON,
~s
CHOSEN
Beautifully written by Rachel from Embracing Africa - theorens.blogspot.com
"We are extremely convicted by the truth that the Gospel is tied to adoption. It is. You can't argue it. You can't debate it. You can't put it into the box of "God's will" or "not God's will." You just can't.
But while so many Christians sit around and chat about the common phrases of "God's will," "His timing," and the like, millions of children sit... and wait, and wait. Especially the older children, those children who are less likely to ever be welcomed into a family. Those children who are less likely to ever be "chosen."
Adoption can't be sought merely for compassion's sake or for a massive tug on your heart strings, or because you think it will be all rainbows and unicorns, because it's not. It's more than that. My mind replays the words "chosen," and being "bought with a price" in relation to Jesus choosing me!
It certainly wasn't convenient for Him- He left a perfect heaven where he was perfectly adored to come after me, to choose me.
It certainly was costly- it cost Him everything! It cost Him His life.
It certainly is difficult- I am sinful. I am stubborn. I often refuse His love. I often think I know better than Him. I often neglect His perfect and sovereign wisdom in my life.
But still... he chose me and would choose me again in a heartbeat. I am His. I have been CHOSEN. "
Resting in the SON,
~s
"We are extremely convicted by the truth that the Gospel is tied to adoption. It is. You can't argue it. You can't debate it. You can't put it into the box of "God's will" or "not God's will." You just can't.
But while so many Christians sit around and chat about the common phrases of "God's will," "His timing," and the like, millions of children sit... and wait, and wait. Especially the older children, those children who are less likely to ever be welcomed into a family. Those children who are less likely to ever be "chosen."
Adoption can't be sought merely for compassion's sake or for a massive tug on your heart strings, or because you think it will be all rainbows and unicorns, because it's not. It's more than that. My mind replays the words "chosen," and being "bought with a price" in relation to Jesus choosing me!
It certainly wasn't convenient for Him- He left a perfect heaven where he was perfectly adored to come after me, to choose me.
It certainly was costly- it cost Him everything! It cost Him His life.
It certainly is difficult- I am sinful. I am stubborn. I often refuse His love. I often think I know better than Him. I often neglect His perfect and sovereign wisdom in my life.
But still... he chose me and would choose me again in a heartbeat. I am His. I have been CHOSEN. "
Resting in the SON,
~s
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
RELUCTANT HUSBAND SYNDROME PART 2
This incredible post was written by Amy over at buildingtheblocks.blogspot.com. I hope it touches your heart the way it has mine.
Reluctant Husband Syndrome Part 2
In Reluctant Husband Syndrome Part 1 we ladies took a good honest look at ourselves and the part we play in our Husbands reluctance to adopt. I have prayed about Part 2 for a long time now, seeking God over how to word this. What I have found however, is that there is no easy way to say it.
In Reluctant Husband Syndrome Part 1 we ladies took a good honest look at ourselves and the part we play in our Husbands reluctance to adopt. I have prayed about Part 2 for a long time now, seeking God over how to word this. What I have found however, is that there is no easy way to say it.
So, I'm going to make this straight forward and simple- and hope that our guys are "man enough" to take it. Yet not only man enough to take it- but man enough to be willing to take a good long look at yourself- and the condition of your heart.
Over and over I have heard women say "My husband is just not sure he could love someone elses child or a child who does not share his blood".That actually cracks me up- because he loves you doesn't he? And I am certainly hoping YOU are not his blood relation. ;0) So I am pretty sure it has nothing to do with loving someone elses child who is not 'blood related' and all about simply LOVE...Of self.
Often times, without even recognizing it, we become protective over our lives. Protective over the things we place the most value on. Our time, our finances, our stuff, our desires, our wants, our needs.
We fear these things will somehow be taken from us- so we cling to them in desperation and become reluctant to let go and trust God to give us something even better.
And before we even realize it...
LOVE of this...
or this..
or this...
means more to us than this....
Now I want you to understand I am not saying there is anything wrong with watching football, hunting, golfing, money, relationships or going fishing- but when any of these things stand in the way of us following Jesus-there is a problem.
I also want you to know I am not saying everyone is called to adopt. But I do believe that often we cannot even get to a place where we will earnestly seek God's will on adoption for our lives because we cannot get past the fear that it is going to cost us something...Something that we are not willing to give up for Him.
But I want you to remember is that God doesn't only care about the orphans- He cares about you too. He cares about the condition of your heart. As the head of your family you have a big responsibility to live your life as an example and lead your family in faith. True faith will result in a changed life style.
Can I ask you something? When you take a good long look at your life - can you see evidence God is there?
One day you will stand before the God... whether you believe in Him or not- and He will ask you what you did with the things He blessed you with - your time, your talents, your finances- your life. The bible is very clear when it say: "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." Luke 16:13
It's black and white.
Either or.
No in between.
You are either going to live your life like it's all about you- or all about God.
Which one have you chosen?
Resting in the SON,
~s
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