Let's do this!

I was recently reading one of our "lifesong family's" blog and came across this great post which talks about how we are all called to care for the fatherless... ALL of us.  That's some scary terminology right there... "ALL".  It doesn't leave much space for translation, does it.  But here's the reality.  God tells us specifically that...

Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we MUST care for orphans and widows in their troubles...

side note: this is NLT... i chose it cause it sounds the most urgent :) ...and rightly so!

Wow.  Now, I know we use this verse a lot in the orphan care scene, but stop. and really think about what that means?  Obviously we can't all adopt, but we can ALL come up with creative ways to advocate for orphans.  Brothers and sisters, it is what we as Christians are CALLED to do!  It is the purest form of our faith.  If we as Christian's don't rise up and change the way the world cares for its orphans... who will?  Boy, that's a scary thought, isn't it?

But how do we go about finding ways to advocate for orphans?  We do it through collaboration... through working as the body of Christ was designed to work.  We do it together.

In fact, (wink, wink) I even have something you can do now!  It doesn't involve thousands of dollars or a lifelong commitment to parent a child.  It doesn't even involve any planning or a lot of time!

Here's what you do... share with us your ideas.  Leave a comment... maybe about a ministry your church is involved in... or a family you helped support financially to adopt.  Maybe you have this aMAZing idea that has been just waiting to get out and be put in action.  Here's your chance!  Let's inspire each other to rise up on behalf of orphans!

Dark to Dawn

Imagine being a foster child… graduating from high school, being on your own, and having no family to support you?  

Dark to Dawn, a ministry based in Thousand Oaks, CA, is organizing an event to support foster youth in Ventura County, where about 40-50 kids age out of the foster care system every year.  Their goal is to rally the Christian community together to embrace the local foster youth. 

This event will tell the story of 4 young people who've transitioned from foster care into independent living.  They’ll share their experiences and struggles, allowing the local community to meet them, learn about them, and love them, as the Lord loves them.

What an inspiration to reach out to the foster youth in our own communities?  What about you?  Have you been a part of a recent foster youth outreach?  We'd love to hear from you!  As Christ's hands and feet lets encourage each other to change how our communities love orphans!

To learn more about Dark to Dawn check out there website at www.darktodawn.org

"well done" OR "safely done"?

When our life is over, and we are reviewing our life together with our Father....

Which will it be for you and I?

Andy