The two passages for our sermon yesterday were both related to complaining.

In Exodus 16:2-15 we heard about the grumbling Israelites who had escaped the Egyptians when God helped Moses to part the Red Sea.

In Matthew 20:1-16 we heard about the vineyard workers who complained because some workers worked all day and others worked a shorter day but all were paid the same wage.

How many times when it comes to our adoption process, or our kids, do we act like the Israelites or the vineyard workers? Why is my home study taking so long? Why hasn’t... more

And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body (Romans 8:23).

In today’s mail, I received a lovely surprise – our daughter’s amended birth certificate! After opening the envelope and seeing the contents, I called my daughter in the room to see it as well. We were both so excited to see my name as her mommy and my husband’s name as her father. She just kept hugging me and kept pointing to the names... more

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me (Matthew 18:1-5).

My youngest son really made his older brother... more

Would you take time to think about the full armor of God on Memorial Day? First, think about the soldiers protecting freedom all over the world. Pray that the soldiers and their families would gird themselves with the full armor of God to resist the obvious temptations that plague lonely adults. Pray that their children, missing one or both parents, would look to the heavenly Father for comfort in their time of need. Pray for the safety of the soldiers who are protecting freedom so that you may celebrate, read, write, and practice your faith.

Think... more

Romans 8:22-24

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?(NIV)

As I read this verse, it reminded me of our recent adoption of our 10-year-old foster... more

Do you ever watch videos on Youtube.com? This morning, an email from a friend directed me to a Youtube video of John Piper talking. He is discussing his opinion of adoption, which he feels is Biblically grounded, “Adoption is greater than the universe.” He explains himself thoroughly in about five minutes including quotes from the Bible to support his opinion. While I agree with his final directive, I am not in complete agreement with his interpretations. That’s all right though, because he is spreading... more

Luke 24:2-6a (NIV)

They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them… “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!”

Why do my husband and I continue to provide a foster home for older children? We serve a risen savior who asks us to provide for orphans and widows in their distress. (James 1:27) Yes, we could... more

While He was still speaking to the crowds, behold, His mother and brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak to Him. Someone said to Him, "Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You." But Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, "Who is My mother and who are My brothers?" And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, "Behold My mother and My brothers! "For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother." (Matthew 12:46-50)

Tonight,... more

But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13; NASB).

There have been some spirited discussions here at AdoptionBlogs.com about the role of charity in adoption. In some versions of the Bible, the above passage is rendered, “faith, hope, charity” and if taken in that context, adoption is all about charity!

As one member eloquently expressed it, “My husband and I would not be in the process of adopting our little girl if we had not first - felt... more

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected... more