Together for Adoption

I've just returned from an amazing (and quick!) road trip.

 

My friend Kathy (from Indianapolis) and I met up south of Cincinnati and drove down to Atlanta to participate in the Together for Adoption conference. 

 

WOW!  What a powerful time with men and women who have a call on and conviction in their hearts to love and care for the orphans of the world, those who aren't willing to just sit back and watch to see who will step forward.  They will - and are - impacting the world for God's Kingdom and His kids who do not know the love of a family.

 

I would not even begin to do justice to the conference - which I encourage YOU to attend next year - by summarizing everything, so I want to just share a few of the thoughts that stuck with me...

 

Dan Culver reminded us that Jesus is...

• the One who cries out "Abba, Father"
• "My beloved son in whom I am well pleased."
• "You are the son of God."
• Prays, "Not my will, but Your will in Heaven be done."  He tells not only us to pray like this, but Jesus prays this, too.

Takeaway/Reminder: If Jesus as God's son is acknowledging that God's will, not his own be done, then I probably need to acquiesce my will to God's, too.

 

In talking about "Mobilizing the Next Generation", the speaker shared:

• 2/3 adults between 18-23 leave the church (according to Lifeway Research)
• 9 of 10 non-believers who are 18-29 see Believers as hypocritical and unkind.
• 66% of young Christians say social action is an important part of life

We live in  broken world - we all know this - but if we believe in an all powerful God - we have hope and something can be done.

 

We must root ourselves in solution-based messages instead of problem-based messages.

 

Takeaway: We need to figure out how to engage others with our words and our actions - both should be chosen wisely.

 

Main Session speaker Tony Carter:
"Most of us seem to think that our Heavenly Father has limitations in what He can do, so we have become bashful in asking Him.  He is a gracious and loving Father who can and will do good for His children."

 

Takeaway/Reminder: I need to be bold as I come before the One who can.

 

Breakout with Herbie & Josh from Lifeline talking about Caring for the (un)Adopted:

We must be intentional to show the Gospel in all we do, in all serving and outreach.

 

Need to remember to show that the hope is in the Gospel and the Church, not in the individual or the ministry or organization.

 

Every 22 seconds an orphan ages out and can no longer be adopted.

 

Fewer than .1% of all orphans will be adopted.

 

We can impact the lives of the un-adopted through transforming all areas of a community.

 

Go>Equip>Facilitate>Sustain!

 

Five things we need to do:

1. Pray
2. Visit
3. Defend
4. Invest
5. LISTEN

It is easy to thing "bigger" and "wider."  Sometimes it is best to think "deeper."

 

God will equip us to what He has called us to.

 

Takeaway/Reminder: God's call and mandate to care for orphans goes far beyond adopting and bringing the fatherless into our homes.  We must be strategic in how we approach orphan care.

 

Main Session - Noel Piper:

All I have is prayer and trusting God with my children.

 

God is the only perfect parent and the only one in control.

 

Every family that has children has challenges.

 

Vent vertically.

 

Takeaway/Reminder: God will give me what I need, and for everything else, I have His grace and forgiveness.

 

You know one of the most special parts of the quick trip South?  (No, it wasn't watching the lovely crack that started in the lower left corner of the windshield and slowly creep up and across our view.)

 

Finally getting to meet face-to-face a precious Facebook Friend.  We first "met" a year and a half ago when I was headed to China to serve at Shepherd's Field.  She was in the process of adopting her sweet son.  I was blessed to capture some fun pictures and videos of him.  She is one of those people that once you meet, you don't want to let go of...so I feel extra special that she loaded up her van of China-babies (none of them are actually babies anymore) to come for a picnic!  How wonderful to see WP home and in the arms of a Jesus-loving family!  Thank you, Sharon!!!  You are a treasure and an inspiration to me in so many ways!

 

THIS is what its about!  Sure it was great to hear the speakers and gain some nuggets of wisdom (much more than captured above).  BUT so much better - and more important (I think) - to see the results of God's love in action as manifested through the love of a family of His children from different places!

 

God is good!  Can't wait to get my little one home!