Love for Orphans Transforms- from Catalyst Monthly

July 15, 2010

I’m leaving in a few hours to go back to Casa Hogar Elim, an orphange in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico that I have been visiting for 14 years. I can’t wait to be there. I miss these children and look forward to every opportunity I have to spend time with them. I’ve often wondered myself why I’m so taken by this place and these kids. This morning I woke up to a monthly email from Catalyst and it contained the following article. The timing was perfect. I think Jedd Medefind says it better than I ever could so I included his article below. I hope you’ll take time to read it, and I pray that you have a transformational experience as well.

Shaun

Love for Orphans Transforms

Unwanted infants in ancient Rome were often disposed of via the practice of “exposing.”  Whether undesirable because it was malformed, female or simply inconvenient, the child would be left alone, outside the city walls, without defense before glaring sun, icy winds or roving animals.

In 374 AD, the Christian emperor Valentinian banned the practice.  But for centuries prior, a marginalized group gained a reputation for rescuing these children:  Christians.  The early church was known, even among many who despised it, as a people who defended the orphan.  Believers went outside the city to find infants abandoned there, taking them in, and often raising them as their own.  This witness was one powerful factor in the vibrant life and growth of Christianity in its first 300 years, and at other high points in history as well.  It can be that way again.

Last month, 1,200 Christian orphan advocates from across America and beyond gathered in Minneapolis.  At moments, the ethos and interactions felt almost electric.  As one band leader expressed, “It felt like that was the first time I’d been worshipping and every person in the room was really a Christian.”   I understood what he meant.  From families with adopted HIV+ children, to foster parents, to individuals serving the fatherless around the globe, the spirit of that community carried the feel of the early days after Pentecost.  As best I can discern, here are four key reasons why:

Caring for orphans reflects the heart of God. From Isaiah’s call to “defend the cause of the fatherless” (1:17) to James’ placement of orphan care at the heart of “pure and undefiled religion” (1:27), the biblical mandate is clear.   But this is not merely God’s expectation of us; it is a mirroring of His own character.  “He defends the fatherless,” declares Deuteronomy 10:18.  Describes the Psalmist, “He places the lonely in families.”  To be like our heavenly Father, we’re invited to do the same.

Caring for orphans makes the Gospel visible. At the heart of the Christian story is the God who pursued us when we were destitute and alone.  He adopted us as His children, and invites us to live as His sons and daughters.  Perhaps nothing makes this truth more tangible than when Christians follow in their Father’s footsteps, opening heart and home in unconditional affection to the child that has no claim upon them but love.

Caring for orphans defies the gods of our age. Darwinism’s sole ethical imperative is to ensure one’s own genetic material carries forward.  So like Gideon tearing down his father’s idols (Judges 6), we assault this dictate when we seek to ensure the survival, and thriving, of a child that does not share our genes.  Meanwhile, the purposeful sacrifices required to love this child flout the demands of other gods also, from materialism to self-actualization to comfort.  The cost must be counted.  But—compared to the depth and richness found along the path of caring for orphans—these false gods are shown to be as lifeless and unsatisfying as statues of bronze or wood.

Caring for orphans invites a journey of discipleship. “I see these kids changed,” explained a woman who helps Christians get involved with foster care, “But I think the parents are changed even more.”  It’s true.  Every family I know that’s opened themselves to parentless children has not gone unaltered.  And though the road can be hard, even painful, virtually always it leads closer to Jesus.  Expressed one adoptive mom recently, “People have said, ‘Oh, aren’t they lucky, you rescued them from whatever.’  And I think, Are you kidding?  I’m the lucky one.  I get to be their mom.  And I get to be daily rescued from my selfishness, and my impatience, and things that are just as disease-ridden in my soul.”

Ultimately, here’s the result I see again and again:  love for orphans transforms.   It transforms children as they experience love and nurture they’ve come to live without.  It transforms individual Christians, as we encounter Jesus deeply and personally in a destitute child.  It transforms the broader community of believers as well, pulling us corporately beyond a religion of self-development to a costly-but-muscular faith.  Finally, love for orphans transforms a watching world, as it sees—perhaps for the first time—the Gospel embodied.

Close friends from Washington, DC, Tom and Leah, adopted a little boy from an African nation two years ago.  He’d been found, abandoned, at the edge of a forest, umbilical cord still attached.  “He was left for the hyena,” described the old woman who discovered him when the newborn’s cry startled her milk cow.

When I heard that story, I couldn’t help thinking of the early Christians, going outside the city walls to take in abandoned infants.  I feel the same about what’s going on in Colorado, where so many Christians have adopted from the foster system that the number of children waiting for adoption has been cut from nearly 800 in 2008 to just 365 today.  The same goes for countless partnerships between U.S. Christians and churches abroad to care for orphans within their home countries as well.

Christians are again becoming known as a people who defend the cause of the fatherless.  As we do, the world won’t be left unchanged.  Neither will we.

Daraja Children’s Choir of Africa

June 23, 2010

Wow! That pretty much sums up this past weekend for me. I’m still riding the wave of excitement. For those of you who were not able to attend Beachside this past Sunday we had 20+ kids from Kenya, Africa lead us in worship. The singing, dancing, costumes, and drums were awesome, but it was the smiles that did me in. The joy that was oozing out of these kids was unbelievable. I can truly say that I worshiped our Lord, and I think I was among hundreds of others who were able to do the same. Our God is really amazing. He transcends oceans, languages, and cultures, and I love the way He uses children in such a powerful way.

I think it was actually the first time I’ve been on the receiving end of a mission trip. Well, I always receive more than I give when I go, but you know what I mean. The Sunday service was amazing, but I think the best part was spending time with Betty, Grace, and Hannah (and Collett, their leader), who stayed in our home for the weekend. My girls and I learned so much from them. I don’t think we ever imagined hosting them would be so special. We had so much fun going swimming, tubing, watching them dance and sing, and just having great conversations with them (did I mention they’ve only been in the US for about 3 weeks!), but I really enjoyed looking at their pictures of home. It was humbling to see what an incredibly simple life they live: Dirt floors, no electricity, cars, or running water. Yet they are genuinely excited about life. I think the simplicity helps them see life for what it really is.

I have actually been trying to work out a trip to Kenya for about a year. Now, I’m more determined than ever to go see what God is doing over there. We’ve always said we didn’t start a new church so church people would have another option on Sunday. We have a mission and a purpose, and when we work TOGETHER we can help others connect to a God that loves them, both here, in Kenya, and who knows where else. Thanks Daraja Choir for raising the bar for us. I hope we can do for others what you have done for us!

Rock the Beach

June 22, 2010

This Sunday evening, June 27th, was our scheduled Beachside at the Beach night. However, due to the current oil spill crisis, Okaloosa County has scheduled a last minute concert at the same time and location as our event to promote tourism in our community. Therefore, we would like to encourage you to support our community and enjoy a great FREE concert by the Doobie Brothers and Kenny Loggins at 5:00 pm at the Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island. We will reschedule our beach event at a later date.

So, instead of an official Beachside beach day, let’s Rock the Beach!

And don’t forget about part 2 of Everybody. Everybody’s Included Sunday at 10:30am.

Sarah Canterbury Joins the Beachside Team

May 13, 2010

We have great news! Kim Neel has done an amazing job of creating  our Family Ministry environments here at Beachside, but she recently decided it was time to step back from her staff role and find a new role as a Beachside volunteer. So, as usual, God has provided in an incredible way! I want to introduce you to Sarah Canterbury and her husband Ryan. Sarah is now the newest member of our team of Beachside staff, and she will be serving as our new Children’s Director. Rather than me telling you about her why don’t we ask Sarah some questions:

Q: Tell us a little about Sarah Canterbury. Where are you from, where have you been living, are you married, kids, etc…? Read more

Beachside Meets Weekly!

April 7, 2010

So, we’ve finally arrived! Beachside Community Church officially began meeting weekly this past Sunday, Easter, April 4^th 2010! Services will now be held every week at 10:30 am at the Boys and Girls Club on Denton Blvd, in Fort Walton Beach!

As incredible a day as we had together on Easter, and as excited as we are that we will finally have weekly services, we have to admit that we really haven’t yet arrived. Actually, we know we never will. This is just another step in an ongoing process. Our goal was never to just start a new church in Fort Walton Beach. We want to be a catalyst that helps change what the church IS in Fort Walton Beach. We know there are already plenty of places where church people can go on Sunday, but our desire is to create opportunities for us to BE the church TOGETHER. What this community needs are environments…

• that are engaging, relevant, and helpful
• for people who don’t like church
• where you don’t have to be an insider to fit in
• that are easy to come to and easy to invite friends
• where you can ask honest questions about faith and life
• where you can build meaningful relationships
• where you aren’t judged
• where you are cared for and prayed for
• that challenge people to live out God’s Word
• that expect and facilitate life change
• that lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ

Sound interesting? You can see what it’s all about THIS SUNDAY!

This is Your Chance!

March 17, 2010

One of the partnerships we’ve formed at Beachside Community Church is with Casa Hogar Elim in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. Casa Hogar Elim is an amazing orphanage that provides for about 100 children. The orphanage was started in the home of “Mama Lupita” and still survives solely on the support of individuals and churches. Read more

Obligation

March 13, 2010

“Not too far from us, a few blocks away, there are kids without enough to eat and without parents who care. A little farther away, hours by plane, are people unable to reach their goals because they live in a community that just doesn’t have the infrastructure to support them. A bit farther away are people being brutally persecuted by their governments. And the world is filled with people who can’t go to high school, never mind college, and who certainly can’t spend their time focused on whether or not they get a good parking space at work.

And so the obligation: don’t settle. Read more

Measuring Success

February 19, 2010

I recently read a great blog titled “Consumerism vs. Community”. This might be a little off the subject, but I’d like to share the thoughts it brought up in my mind. Read more

Christmas Presents

December 16, 2009

My community group is meeting tonight, and we’re having a Christmas party. I love parties! I love party food! As a part of the night, we’re all bringing presents for a girl in our community whose family has had a difficult time and can’t provide presents for their children this year. It was awesome to watch people respond to the need. It didn’t take hardly any prodding. The email went out and people instantly responded. I really do love to see people give generously, and I really enjoy being able to help out others. It makes me feel good. It’s fun! I also think this is a GREAT way to share the love of Jesus with others. We can meet a need in Jesus’ name. However, this also got me thinking. Read more

What Can I Do?

December 2, 2009

I’ve been asked this question a million times, “What can someone like I do to make a difference?”. The easy answer- a  million things! There is so much opportunity for you. I may or may not know you personally, but I know that God created you just the way you are, and He did so for a purpose. He gave you a passion for something as well as gifts, talents, abilities, whatever you want to call them. I’d love to talk with you about your role in His story, but if you’re looking for something you can do right now then here you go. Compassion International makes it really easy for you to have a significant impact in the Kingdom of God. I had the privilege of traveling to Peru this past year with Compassion, and I was able to see first hand how incredible this organization is. If you want to see for yourself then click on the image to watch this video. Just make sure you watch it all!

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