Showing posts with label Christian Services of Oklahoma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian Services of Oklahoma. Show all posts
Monday, January 31, 2011
Christian Services of Oklahoma
I found this video about adoption and foster care on the web site of Christian Services of Oklahoma (http://www.christian-adoption.org). Christian Services of Oklahoma helped us through our adoption process.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Giving to Save Lives
At http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2009/12/29/why-i-made-a-small-year-end-gift-to-a-crisis-pregnancy-center-and-you-should-consider-doing-something-similar/, Kevin DeYoung explains why he made a year-end donation to a pro-life pregnancy center and why we should consider doing something similar.
If anyone is interested in making a donation to a pro-life ministry, I would like to recommend two possibilities:
1. Christian Services of Oklahoma (our adoption agency)
501 E. 15th St. Suite 500A
Edmond, OK 73013
Read about Christian Services' pro-life alternative to abortion at www.christian-adoption.org/Abortion-Alternative.
2. Contact Life Ministry of the Contact Church (our church)
1529 W. 49th St.
Tulsa, OK 74107
Read about this aspect of the Tulsa urban ministry at www.contactchurch.net/Contact_Life.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
One Way to Support Adoption
You may not be in a position to adopt, but you would like to help Christian families who are preparing to adopt a child. One way to help would be to send a little (or a lot of) money to a Christian adoption agency. If that option appeals to you, please consider Christian Services of Oklahoma. You may find out more about this ministry by going to www.christian-adoption.org. You may call the ministry at 1-888-397-7202. You may contact them by writing to:
Christian Services of Oklahoma
501 E. 15th St. Suite 500A
Edmond, OK 73013
Thanks for considering this opportunity to help Christian families through the adoption process.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Choosing Life
Today we received a newsletter from Christian Services of Oklahoma (www.christian-adoption.org). Since the people at Christian Services were so helpful during our adoption process, it has become one of our favorite ministries. Here is an excerpt from the most recent newsletter:
"We received a phone call one day from a Christian professor who had a student, Emily, who was considering aborting her unborn child. When she told him her plans, he opened up and told her his adoption story and how if he had not been adopted he would have more than likely died. He began talking to her about her options and told her about the option of adoption.
"He gave Emily my phone number and asked her to call me. She called me that evening and we talked about her options and how that child growing inside of her deserved a chance at life. Emily met with me and it was obvious she really did not want to abort her baby, but felt like she had no other options. Emily told me that her appointment with the abortion clinic was that afternoon at 3 pm but was not sure she would go. I prayed with her before she left and asked her to call me if she needed anything.
"I spent time in prayer from 2:30 to 3:30 the day of her appointment, praying for Emily. I prayed that God would guide her heart and give her the courage she needed to make the best decision for this unborn child. Emily called me four days later and asked if we could meet. We met for coffee again. She sat across from me crying. She said she pulled up to the clinic that afternoon but could not get out of her car. She said she sat there for 30 minutes trying to force herself to get out of the car, but could not go in. She knew that she could not abort this child and wanted to know what she could do to give this child the life he or she deserved.
"Emily and I talked a few more times after that day about her options. She found some family members that were able to help her out and might even adopt the baby. We prayed together and she said that she knew God was leading her even though her faith in Him was not strong.
"At Christian Services, we have the privilege of working with women who are considering abortion and we are able to support them and pray for them as we counsel them to choose life!
"Tracy Gambill
Family Support Specialist"
I love that ministry!
"We received a phone call one day from a Christian professor who had a student, Emily, who was considering aborting her unborn child. When she told him her plans, he opened up and told her his adoption story and how if he had not been adopted he would have more than likely died. He began talking to her about her options and told her about the option of adoption.
"He gave Emily my phone number and asked her to call me. She called me that evening and we talked about her options and how that child growing inside of her deserved a chance at life. Emily met with me and it was obvious she really did not want to abort her baby, but felt like she had no other options. Emily told me that her appointment with the abortion clinic was that afternoon at 3 pm but was not sure she would go. I prayed with her before she left and asked her to call me if she needed anything.
"I spent time in prayer from 2:30 to 3:30 the day of her appointment, praying for Emily. I prayed that God would guide her heart and give her the courage she needed to make the best decision for this unborn child. Emily called me four days later and asked if we could meet. We met for coffee again. She sat across from me crying. She said she pulled up to the clinic that afternoon but could not get out of her car. She said she sat there for 30 minutes trying to force herself to get out of the car, but could not go in. She knew that she could not abort this child and wanted to know what she could do to give this child the life he or she deserved.
"Emily and I talked a few more times after that day about her options. She found some family members that were able to help her out and might even adopt the baby. We prayed together and she said that she knew God was leading her even though her faith in Him was not strong.
"At Christian Services, we have the privilege of working with women who are considering abortion and we are able to support them and pray for them as we counsel them to choose life!
"Tracy Gambill
Family Support Specialist"
I love that ministry!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
National Foster Care Month
In January 2009, Oklahoma had 10,674 children in foster care. Children under the age of 4 accounted for 4,293 of those in foster care. At that time, Oklahoma had only 1,473 foster families.
Children need safe and nurturing families.
Recently, Christian Services of Oklahoma entered into an infant foster care contract with the state. If interested in training to become a foster family for an infant or in supporting the new program, please check out www.christian-adoption.org.
"...learn to do good;
seek justice,
correct oppression;
bring justice to the fatherless,
plead the widow's cause" (Isaiah 1:17, English Standard Version).
Children need safe and nurturing families.
Recently, Christian Services of Oklahoma entered into an infant foster care contract with the state. If interested in training to become a foster family for an infant or in supporting the new program, please check out www.christian-adoption.org.
"...learn to do good;
seek justice,
correct oppression;
bring justice to the fatherless,
plead the widow's cause" (Isaiah 1:17, English Standard Version).
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Infertility Options
"When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she became jealous of her sister. So she said to Jacob, 'Give me children, or I'll die!'" (Genesis 30:1).
Every infertile couple who wants children understands Rachel's emotions and words. Here are a few options for husbands and wives who face infertility and a desire for children:
1. Artificial insemination. In this procedure, the woman's ovulation is regulated by medication in order to help. The man's sperm is taken. Any defective sperm is removed so that it will not hinder good sperm from reaching its target. Then the sperm is inserted artificially into the woman's womb. This often works well. However, after several attempts, it did not work for Janet and myself.
2. In vitro fertilization. In this procedure, the woman's eggs are taken from her body and fertilized with the man's sperm. Then the children are placed in the womb with the hope of implantation and growth.
This option has a few ethical concerns, but it can be done without violating one's pro-life ethics.
The primary concern centers on what to do with unused embryos that have been made but never implanted. In order to avoid unused embryos, a couple can limit the number of eggs to be fertilized. Also, a couple should not implant more embryos than the mother can safely carry so that the physician does not attempt to talk the mother and father into aborting some of the children.
Finally, if a couple has embryos that they cannot implant, they can place those embryos for adoption through the Snowflakes Adoption Program at www.nightlight.org/snowflakeadoption.htm.
Janet and I did not attempt in vitro fertilization because of the ethical concerns, the cost (which was not covered by our insurance), and the failure rate.
3. Adoption. This was the best option for us. We used (and highly recommend) Christian Services of Oklahoma (http://www.christian-adoption.org/). Janet told our story about the adoption process on my blog at http://adisciplesthoughts.blogspot.com/2007/05/hope-fulfilled.html.
Thanks for reading. I hope this helps a couple going through infertility.
Every infertile couple who wants children understands Rachel's emotions and words. Here are a few options for husbands and wives who face infertility and a desire for children:
1. Artificial insemination. In this procedure, the woman's ovulation is regulated by medication in order to help. The man's sperm is taken. Any defective sperm is removed so that it will not hinder good sperm from reaching its target. Then the sperm is inserted artificially into the woman's womb. This often works well. However, after several attempts, it did not work for Janet and myself.
2. In vitro fertilization. In this procedure, the woman's eggs are taken from her body and fertilized with the man's sperm. Then the children are placed in the womb with the hope of implantation and growth.
This option has a few ethical concerns, but it can be done without violating one's pro-life ethics.
The primary concern centers on what to do with unused embryos that have been made but never implanted. In order to avoid unused embryos, a couple can limit the number of eggs to be fertilized. Also, a couple should not implant more embryos than the mother can safely carry so that the physician does not attempt to talk the mother and father into aborting some of the children.
Finally, if a couple has embryos that they cannot implant, they can place those embryos for adoption through the Snowflakes Adoption Program at www.nightlight.org/snowflakeadoption.htm.
Janet and I did not attempt in vitro fertilization because of the ethical concerns, the cost (which was not covered by our insurance), and the failure rate.
3. Adoption. This was the best option for us. We used (and highly recommend) Christian Services of Oklahoma (http://www.christian-adoption.org/). Janet told our story about the adoption process on my blog at http://adisciplesthoughts.blogspot.com/2007/05/hope-fulfilled.html.
Thanks for reading. I hope this helps a couple going through infertility.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Help for Unplanned Pregnancies
"For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb" (Psalm 139:13).
Every once in a while, someone will approach me with a question.
"My son's girlfriend is pregnant. What can I do?"
"Do you happen to be looking to adopt another baby? Because I have a friend who is pregnant and doesn't know how she can take care of her baby."
I would like to help anyone who comes to this blog with similar questions.
If you live in the Tulsa area, the Contact Church of Christ can help through our Contact Life ministry (www.contactchurch.net/contact_life). Through this program for new mothers, expectant and new mothers can learn how to care for their new babies. They will receive necessities like baby formula, diapers, baby clothes, maternity clothes, high chairs, and cribs as they learn.
If you live in Oklahoma, Christian Services of Oklahoma (http://www.christian-adoption.org/) can help with adoption. A maternity home is available for women without a safe place to stay.
In addition, some of the organizations affiliated with the Christian Child and Family Services Association (www.ccfsa.org/members.htm) can help with a variety of needs in several states.
You do not need to face your challenges alone. Caring people are willing to help.
you knit me together in my mother's womb" (Psalm 139:13).
Every once in a while, someone will approach me with a question.
"My son's girlfriend is pregnant. What can I do?"
"Do you happen to be looking to adopt another baby? Because I have a friend who is pregnant and doesn't know how she can take care of her baby."
I would like to help anyone who comes to this blog with similar questions.
If you live in the Tulsa area, the Contact Church of Christ can help through our Contact Life ministry (www.contactchurch.net/contact_life). Through this program for new mothers, expectant and new mothers can learn how to care for their new babies. They will receive necessities like baby formula, diapers, baby clothes, maternity clothes, high chairs, and cribs as they learn.
If you live in Oklahoma, Christian Services of Oklahoma (http://www.christian-adoption.org/) can help with adoption. A maternity home is available for women without a safe place to stay.
In addition, some of the organizations affiliated with the Christian Child and Family Services Association (www.ccfsa.org/members.htm) can help with a variety of needs in several states.
You do not need to face your challenges alone. Caring people are willing to help.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
On the Anniversary of Roe v. Wade
"Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous--how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed"
(Psalm 139:14-16, New Living Translation).
On the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion in the United States, I want to honor a couple of special pro-life ministries.
The Contact Life ministry of the Contact Church is an important part of the larger urban ministry. Pregnant young women and girls are receiving good training, wise spiritual counsel, dependable friends, and physical necessities as they begin the process of motherhood. You may read about it at www.contactchurch.net/contact_life.
Christian Services of Oklahoma offers adoption services, foster care, and a maternity home for young mothers who need a home. You may read about it at www.christian-adoption.org.
Both ministries are special to us. Janet and I are members of the Contact Church, and we have adopted through Christian Services of Oklahoma. We appreciate everyone who helps in those great ministries!
Your workmanship is marvelous--how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed"
(Psalm 139:14-16, New Living Translation).
On the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion in the United States, I want to honor a couple of special pro-life ministries.
The Contact Life ministry of the Contact Church is an important part of the larger urban ministry. Pregnant young women and girls are receiving good training, wise spiritual counsel, dependable friends, and physical necessities as they begin the process of motherhood. You may read about it at www.contactchurch.net/contact_life.
Christian Services of Oklahoma offers adoption services, foster care, and a maternity home for young mothers who need a home. You may read about it at www.christian-adoption.org.
Both ministries are special to us. Janet and I are members of the Contact Church, and we have adopted through Christian Services of Oklahoma. We appreciate everyone who helps in those great ministries!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Ideas for Christians Who Want to Help Orphans
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world" (James 1:27).
World Magazine contains an interesting article this week about churches that provide matching funds and no-interest loans to families who want to adopt. It may be read at www.worldmag.com/articles/14558.
Jenna Marie Howard of World Orphans left a comment on my blog this afternoon at http://adisciplesthoughts.blogspot.com/2008/09/influencing-powerful-on-behalf-of-weak.html. She works for a group that helps churches provide homes for orphans in countries that have been devastated by the AIDS crisis, famine, war or other factors that have left the communities with large numbers of orphans. Churches may be interested in using the services of World Orphans at http://www.worldorphans.org/.
Finally, I can recommend Christian Services of Oklahoma (http://www.christian-adoption.org/) for families wanting to adopt children. The cost is about half the normal cost of an adoption because Christians from Churches of Christ donate enough money to keep expenses down. We used Christian Services of Oklahoma during our adoption process.
Thanks for reading!
World Magazine contains an interesting article this week about churches that provide matching funds and no-interest loans to families who want to adopt. It may be read at www.worldmag.com/articles/14558.
Jenna Marie Howard of World Orphans left a comment on my blog this afternoon at http://adisciplesthoughts.blogspot.com/2008/09/influencing-powerful-on-behalf-of-weak.html. She works for a group that helps churches provide homes for orphans in countries that have been devastated by the AIDS crisis, famine, war or other factors that have left the communities with large numbers of orphans. Churches may be interested in using the services of World Orphans at http://www.worldorphans.org/.
Finally, I can recommend Christian Services of Oklahoma (http://www.christian-adoption.org/) for families wanting to adopt children. The cost is about half the normal cost of an adoption because Christians from Churches of Christ donate enough money to keep expenses down. We used Christian Services of Oklahoma during our adoption process.
Thanks for reading!
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
An Opportunity to Help Children in Need
Yesterday, we received the following letter from our adoption agency (Christian Services of Oklahoma) and thought that someone reading my blog would like to help with this need.
Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me. Mark 9:37
Dear Friend,
In December 2007 there were FIFTY INFANTS in the Oklahoma City shelter at one time. The Department of Human Services did not have a place for these children so the babies stayed in twenty-four hour daycare until foster homes became available. This was not the first, or the last time this has happened.
It breaks my heart to think of tiny children being left in a shelter or a daycare with changing attendants every eight hours. They were taken from their homes by the Department of Human Services, due to suspected abuse or neglect. These little ones have been through great trauma. The best place for them is with loving families.
I have a dream to provide loving Christian foster homes for these children until they are reunited with their families or placed for adoption.
I am writing to ask for your financial support to allow Christian Services of Oklahoma to start a foster care program to provide homes for the state's children. We need $50,000 to get started.
We already have a $10,000 pledge from a generous donor. We need $40,000 to make it a matching gift.
If you can send a special gift of $12 today Christian Services of Oklahoma will be able to raise the $40,000 which is needed. Your gift is tax-deductible, since Christian Services of Oklahoma is a non-profit organization.
We also need prayers as we embark on taking care of more children for God. Adding another program to our existing programs of adoption and our maternity home will be challenging.
Please pray for us and send whatever amount you can to help us help children.
Yours in Christ,
Devonne L. Carter, LCSW
Executive Director
If you would like more information about Christian Services of Oklahoma, please go to http://www.christian-adoption.org. Their mailing address is:
Christian Services of Oklahoma
1300 E. 15th St. Ste. 140
Edmond, OK 73013
Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me. Mark 9:37
Dear Friend,
In December 2007 there were FIFTY INFANTS in the Oklahoma City shelter at one time. The Department of Human Services did not have a place for these children so the babies stayed in twenty-four hour daycare until foster homes became available. This was not the first, or the last time this has happened.
It breaks my heart to think of tiny children being left in a shelter or a daycare with changing attendants every eight hours. They were taken from their homes by the Department of Human Services, due to suspected abuse or neglect. These little ones have been through great trauma. The best place for them is with loving families.
I have a dream to provide loving Christian foster homes for these children until they are reunited with their families or placed for adoption.
I am writing to ask for your financial support to allow Christian Services of Oklahoma to start a foster care program to provide homes for the state's children. We need $50,000 to get started.
We already have a $10,000 pledge from a generous donor. We need $40,000 to make it a matching gift.
If you can send a special gift of $12 today Christian Services of Oklahoma will be able to raise the $40,000 which is needed. Your gift is tax-deductible, since Christian Services of Oklahoma is a non-profit organization.
We also need prayers as we embark on taking care of more children for God. Adding another program to our existing programs of adoption and our maternity home will be challenging.
Please pray for us and send whatever amount you can to help us help children.
Yours in Christ,
Devonne L. Carter, LCSW
Executive Director
If you would like more information about Christian Services of Oklahoma, please go to http://www.christian-adoption.org. Their mailing address is:
Christian Services of Oklahoma
1300 E. 15th St. Ste. 140
Edmond, OK 73013
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Punished With a Baby?
"Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
children a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one's youth.
Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their enemies in the gate" (Psalm 127:3-5, NIV).
Recently, presidential candidate Barrack Obama was explaining his support of abortion. Mr. Obama said that if his daughters were to become unexpectedly pregnant, his response would be: "I don't want them punished with a baby."
Mr. Obama and I have completely opposite views on this issue. He sees babies as punishment. I see them as gifts from God. He would encourage the needless killing of his grandchildren. I would encourage his daughters to keep them or to place them for adoption.
The Contact Church of Christ has a pre-natal and post-natal program to teach new mothers how to care for their children. New mothers can receive necessities like food, diapers, maternity clothes, baby clothes, and cribs in the program. Mary Lasarsky runs the program. More information may be found at http://www.contactchurch.net/contact_life. Christian Services of Oklahoma can help with adoptions at http://www.christian-adoption.org/. If no adoptive parents are available, my wife and I would be willing to go through the adoption process again to provide for the child.
Children do not need to die in such situations. Christians are willing and eager to help everyone involved.
children a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one's youth.
Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their enemies in the gate" (Psalm 127:3-5, NIV).
Recently, presidential candidate Barrack Obama was explaining his support of abortion. Mr. Obama said that if his daughters were to become unexpectedly pregnant, his response would be: "I don't want them punished with a baby."
Mr. Obama and I have completely opposite views on this issue. He sees babies as punishment. I see them as gifts from God. He would encourage the needless killing of his grandchildren. I would encourage his daughters to keep them or to place them for adoption.
The Contact Church of Christ has a pre-natal and post-natal program to teach new mothers how to care for their children. New mothers can receive necessities like food, diapers, maternity clothes, baby clothes, and cribs in the program. Mary Lasarsky runs the program. More information may be found at http://www.contactchurch.net/contact_life. Christian Services of Oklahoma can help with adoptions at http://www.christian-adoption.org/. If no adoptive parents are available, my wife and I would be willing to go through the adoption process again to provide for the child.
Children do not need to die in such situations. Christians are willing and eager to help everyone involved.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
A Convergence of the Civil Rights and Pro-Life Movements
Today, I am sharing a few links about the civil rights movement, the pro-life movement, and ways that my readers may help save a few babies' lives.
John Ensor makes the case that African Americans and Hispanics need to take leading roles in the pro-life movement in order for the movement to reach a tipping point in making social and legal progress at http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2008/2578_Pray_for_the_Third_Wave/.
Alveda King, a niece of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is a leading pro-life advocate in the black community. You may read about her activities and message on numerous web sites (including http://www.texlife.org/docs/niece.shtml) by doing a search of the Internet.
If you would like to help a pro-life ministry, please check out the Contact Life ministry of the Contact Church of Christ (our home congregation) at http://www.contactchurch.net/contact_life or Christian Services of Oklahoma (our adoption agency) at http://www.christian-adoption.org.
John Ensor makes the case that African Americans and Hispanics need to take leading roles in the pro-life movement in order for the movement to reach a tipping point in making social and legal progress at http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2008/2578_Pray_for_the_Third_Wave/.
Alveda King, a niece of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is a leading pro-life advocate in the black community. You may read about her activities and message on numerous web sites (including http://www.texlife.org/docs/niece.shtml) by doing a search of the Internet.
If you would like to help a pro-life ministry, please check out the Contact Life ministry of the Contact Church of Christ (our home congregation) at http://www.contactchurch.net/contact_life or Christian Services of Oklahoma (our adoption agency) at http://www.christian-adoption.org.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Actively Pro-Life
"For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well" (Psalm 139:13-14, NIV).
In 1990, Chuck Swindoll produced a book titled Sanctity of Life, in which he made the case for being pro-life. Then he offered these suggestions regarding how to put pro-life convictions into action:
1. "First of all, volunteer your time, energy, and financial resources." Many crisis pregnancy centers and adoption agencies could use volunteers and additional finances. I recommend Christian Services of Oklahoma (http://www.christian-adoption.org) since it helped us to adopt.
2. "Second, make your home available to unwed mothers and/or be of support to homes that are open to them." This is an excellent idea. We volunteered to do this once when the need was mentioned during church services, but someone got ahead of us in line and was able to meet the need before we could. Now we could not do it, because we do not have the spare room. However, others may be able to do it.
3. "Third, write letters and make phone calls." Occasionally, I have written to leaders in our government, asking them to help protect the lives of children. Congressman John Sullivan has been exceptionally responsive, whether I have asked him to vote against abortion or to vote for funding AIDS drugs for poor pregnant women in Africa. Others have not been so responsive. Also, local newspapers will print pro-life letters to the editor every once in a while.
4. "Fourth, participate in demonstrations of your personal preference." I attended a couple of pro-life rallies at the state capitol building while in college, but I have not done anything like it in many years. I have not found it to be something that fits me personally.
5. "Fifth, participate in community projects." I am not sure what Chuck Swindoll had in mind with that suggestion, since he did not give examples. However, I hear about the Walk for Life or pro-life banquets every once in a while, but we have never been involved (except for a banquet for our adoption agency).
6. "Practice in your private life what you claim to believe publicly." Mr. Swindoll suggested that we practice sexual morality, refuse the option of abortion when the possibility arises in our own lives, and consider adoption.
He also wrote, "It is extremely important that you (1) select one with which you are comfortable and (2) refrain from judging another person for not choosing the option you prefer. Great grace is need here. I know whereof I speak! It hurt when I was told over the phone recently that because I chose not to participate in a certain way as the caller told me I should, he responded angrily by assuring me I would 'answer for it in the day of judgment.' Such an exclusive, judgmental attitude polarizes an otherwise united front that various meaningful involvements provide. People need to be given the freedom to respond as God leads them." Those are good words. We are not all the same, and we can work in different ways toward the same good goal without judging each other (as long as we are not working against each other). However we choose to get involved, let's contribute to saving the lives of some children.
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well" (Psalm 139:13-14, NIV).
In 1990, Chuck Swindoll produced a book titled Sanctity of Life, in which he made the case for being pro-life. Then he offered these suggestions regarding how to put pro-life convictions into action:
1. "First of all, volunteer your time, energy, and financial resources." Many crisis pregnancy centers and adoption agencies could use volunteers and additional finances. I recommend Christian Services of Oklahoma (http://www.christian-adoption.org) since it helped us to adopt.
2. "Second, make your home available to unwed mothers and/or be of support to homes that are open to them." This is an excellent idea. We volunteered to do this once when the need was mentioned during church services, but someone got ahead of us in line and was able to meet the need before we could. Now we could not do it, because we do not have the spare room. However, others may be able to do it.
3. "Third, write letters and make phone calls." Occasionally, I have written to leaders in our government, asking them to help protect the lives of children. Congressman John Sullivan has been exceptionally responsive, whether I have asked him to vote against abortion or to vote for funding AIDS drugs for poor pregnant women in Africa. Others have not been so responsive. Also, local newspapers will print pro-life letters to the editor every once in a while.
4. "Fourth, participate in demonstrations of your personal preference." I attended a couple of pro-life rallies at the state capitol building while in college, but I have not done anything like it in many years. I have not found it to be something that fits me personally.
5. "Fifth, participate in community projects." I am not sure what Chuck Swindoll had in mind with that suggestion, since he did not give examples. However, I hear about the Walk for Life or pro-life banquets every once in a while, but we have never been involved (except for a banquet for our adoption agency).
6. "Practice in your private life what you claim to believe publicly." Mr. Swindoll suggested that we practice sexual morality, refuse the option of abortion when the possibility arises in our own lives, and consider adoption.
He also wrote, "It is extremely important that you (1) select one with which you are comfortable and (2) refrain from judging another person for not choosing the option you prefer. Great grace is need here. I know whereof I speak! It hurt when I was told over the phone recently that because I chose not to participate in a certain way as the caller told me I should, he responded angrily by assuring me I would 'answer for it in the day of judgment.' Such an exclusive, judgmental attitude polarizes an otherwise united front that various meaningful involvements provide. People need to be given the freedom to respond as God leads them." Those are good words. We are not all the same, and we can work in different ways toward the same good goal without judging each other (as long as we are not working against each other). However we choose to get involved, let's contribute to saving the lives of some children.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Sage
"Lord, when did we see You...?" (Matthew 25:37, NASB).
In November 2001, Janet received a phone call from Sarah, an employee of Christian Services of Oklahoma. It had been 10 months since we had completed the paper work for our adoption, but we had not seen any progress in finding a child. With Sarah's call, we believed that things were changing.
In Oklahoma City, a little boy had been born. The original adoptive parents had backed away from adopting him. The birth mother was heart-broken. The adoption agency that had been handling the adoption was contacting other agencies, seeking at least 4 couples who would like to adopt baby Sage so that the birth mother would have a good group of potential parents from which to choose.
Baby Sage was a little black boy with problems. He had a very rare condition similar to Down Syndrome, but less was known about it since only a few cases had occurred in the United States. Sage had 6 fingers on each hand, 6 toes on each foot, a cleft palate, webbed fingers and toes, and maybe a few other cosmetic problems.
When Janet called me at work, both of us were excited about the possibility of adopting Sage. We said, "Yes! We want to be on the list for the birth mother to choose us!" I walked away from the phone to share the good news, and to prepare to take some time off from work to care for our new child.
A few days later, Sarah called Janet with the bad news. We had not been chosen. When Janet called me, I had a hard time finishing my job that day. I was frustrated, sad, and a little confused. I came to believe that God had chosen another family for Sage because he knew that it would be better for the boy. But why had he put us through this? Why had our hopes been raised and then dashed?
I discovered the answer a few years later. A co-worker had been paying attention to our ordeal. She had seen my excitement at finding out that we might be adopting Sage. She noticed the frustration and disappointment when we were not able to adopt him. She told me, "After seeing how you and Janet were willing to adopt a little boy like that, I will never tell anyone to have an abortion again! I never knew that there were people like you two who wanted a baby so much."
Sometimes we do not know the impact of our lives...especially when we are living in disappointing moments. In Matthew 25, Jesus judged the sheep, and they were shocked to discover that the little unnoticed things that they had done for others had been noticed and appreciated by the Lord. On judgment day, I want to be among the surprised sheep, the people who have cared about others without thinking much about the attention that it might bring to themselves.
For anyone reading this blog who may not know, Janet and I were blessed to be at the hospital in January 2003 when our son Christopher was born. We met his birth mother and were able to take him home from the hospital a day later. We had to wait, but God gave us a great gift on that day.
In November 2001, Janet received a phone call from Sarah, an employee of Christian Services of Oklahoma. It had been 10 months since we had completed the paper work for our adoption, but we had not seen any progress in finding a child. With Sarah's call, we believed that things were changing.
In Oklahoma City, a little boy had been born. The original adoptive parents had backed away from adopting him. The birth mother was heart-broken. The adoption agency that had been handling the adoption was contacting other agencies, seeking at least 4 couples who would like to adopt baby Sage so that the birth mother would have a good group of potential parents from which to choose.
Baby Sage was a little black boy with problems. He had a very rare condition similar to Down Syndrome, but less was known about it since only a few cases had occurred in the United States. Sage had 6 fingers on each hand, 6 toes on each foot, a cleft palate, webbed fingers and toes, and maybe a few other cosmetic problems.
When Janet called me at work, both of us were excited about the possibility of adopting Sage. We said, "Yes! We want to be on the list for the birth mother to choose us!" I walked away from the phone to share the good news, and to prepare to take some time off from work to care for our new child.
A few days later, Sarah called Janet with the bad news. We had not been chosen. When Janet called me, I had a hard time finishing my job that day. I was frustrated, sad, and a little confused. I came to believe that God had chosen another family for Sage because he knew that it would be better for the boy. But why had he put us through this? Why had our hopes been raised and then dashed?
I discovered the answer a few years later. A co-worker had been paying attention to our ordeal. She had seen my excitement at finding out that we might be adopting Sage. She noticed the frustration and disappointment when we were not able to adopt him. She told me, "After seeing how you and Janet were willing to adopt a little boy like that, I will never tell anyone to have an abortion again! I never knew that there were people like you two who wanted a baby so much."
Sometimes we do not know the impact of our lives...especially when we are living in disappointing moments. In Matthew 25, Jesus judged the sheep, and they were shocked to discover that the little unnoticed things that they had done for others had been noticed and appreciated by the Lord. On judgment day, I want to be among the surprised sheep, the people who have cared about others without thinking much about the attention that it might bring to themselves.
For anyone reading this blog who may not know, Janet and I were blessed to be at the hospital in January 2003 when our son Christopher was born. We met his birth mother and were able to take him home from the hospital a day later. We had to wait, but God gave us a great gift on that day.
Monday, June 11, 2007
A Good Father
This is becoming a habit, but another good article appeared on Heartlight's website today. "Thanks Dad!" by Phil Ware may be found at http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200706/20070611_thanksdad.html.
Here are two paragraphs:
Two powerful memories...really stand out in my mind above all the rest.
The first memory is of my dad, extremely ill and weak, going out to stop a guy down the street from beating his kid out front of their house. Other men--physically well and strong men--stayed inside their homes not wanting to risk involvement. Not my dad. No one should get away with beating his kid, especially not in public. On dad's watch, no one did. At that point of my dad's illness, the drunken father could have killed him, but that was a risk my father took. The well being of the child was more important to my dad than his own physical safety. So, dad intervened, protecting the kid until the police arrived on the scene with the abusive man spewing threats and profanities.
Second memory occurred when I was in middle school. The dad of a friend got up front at church. He was holding my friend's adopted baby sister. He told everyone that the home for "unwed mothers" that helped them adopt this little girl was very short on money and needed help. Otherwise, they might not make it. My dad wrote a check for more money than we had in the bank. Somehow we made it financially--actually, my folks received an unexpected check in the mail the next day. It was just enough to cover the gift.
At the end of the article, Mr. Ware makes an appeal to raise money for a couple of his favorite charities that benefit children. I would like to do the same. If anyone would like to help pre-born children find Christian families, please consider supporting the adoption agency that helped Janet and me in adopting our son, Christian Services of Oklahoma (http://www.christian-adoption.org/). Also, please consider supporting the Contact Church of Christ, an urban ministry which reaches many at-risk kids in Tulsa (http://www.contactchurch.net/).
As a disclaimer, I am not on staff with the adoption agency or the church, so none of the money goes to me. However, I have seen both groups at work, and I truly appreciate them.
Here are two paragraphs:
Two powerful memories...really stand out in my mind above all the rest.
The first memory is of my dad, extremely ill and weak, going out to stop a guy down the street from beating his kid out front of their house. Other men--physically well and strong men--stayed inside their homes not wanting to risk involvement. Not my dad. No one should get away with beating his kid, especially not in public. On dad's watch, no one did. At that point of my dad's illness, the drunken father could have killed him, but that was a risk my father took. The well being of the child was more important to my dad than his own physical safety. So, dad intervened, protecting the kid until the police arrived on the scene with the abusive man spewing threats and profanities.
Second memory occurred when I was in middle school. The dad of a friend got up front at church. He was holding my friend's adopted baby sister. He told everyone that the home for "unwed mothers" that helped them adopt this little girl was very short on money and needed help. Otherwise, they might not make it. My dad wrote a check for more money than we had in the bank. Somehow we made it financially--actually, my folks received an unexpected check in the mail the next day. It was just enough to cover the gift.
At the end of the article, Mr. Ware makes an appeal to raise money for a couple of his favorite charities that benefit children. I would like to do the same. If anyone would like to help pre-born children find Christian families, please consider supporting the adoption agency that helped Janet and me in adopting our son, Christian Services of Oklahoma (http://www.christian-adoption.org/). Also, please consider supporting the Contact Church of Christ, an urban ministry which reaches many at-risk kids in Tulsa (http://www.contactchurch.net/).
As a disclaimer, I am not on staff with the adoption agency or the church, so none of the money goes to me. However, I have seen both groups at work, and I truly appreciate them.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Hope Fulfilled
This is an article that Janet wrote about our adoption of Christopher a few months after his birth:
On Christmas Eve 1994, a little over a year into our marriage, Terry and I decided to start trying to have a baby. So with excitement and prayer, we set off on our journey.
After 2 1/2 years, disappointed at our lack of success but still hopeful, we talked to our doctor. Next we spent about a year doing tests, treatments, and medication, again with no results. We were referred to an infertility specialist.
During the next year, we were ruled by the calendar--see the doctor on these days, take medicine on other days; and so on and so on, month after month. Through it all I, who hate the sight of a needle coming my way, got more blood tests than I could imagine in a lifetime; and also discovered I could give myself shots. (I never dreamed that possible in a million years!) But at the end of twelve months we had tried artificial insemination five times; I still wasn't pregnant; and we were frustrated, stressed out, and emotionally and physically exhausted. We knew we had to call it quits.
We needed time, as Terry put it, to "enjoy what we had." So, for the next year, we rested, healed, and tried not to dwell on the idea of having a child. (We found out later that we were really mourning the loss of the biological child we were unable to have.) After this period of refreshing, and a lot of prayer, we contacted Christian Services of Oklahoma about adoption in July 2000.
The next 2 1/2 years were spent on a roller-coaster ride of emotions, broken hearts, prayers, and tears. So many times we heard about a possible available child; our hopes would rise, only to be dashed to the ground.
Through one of the most difficult periods, when we had been extremely disappointed and hurt, Terry was reading Hosea. He realized that, just as Hosea saw his love for his unfaithful wife as a metaphor for God's love for Israel, so our longing to adopt a child could serve as a metaphor for God's longing to adopt people into his family.
My key thought through it all was "God in in control; He knows and will do what is best." While I believed that and prayed for God's will to be done, it was hard to submit! So I had to repeat it to myself, day by day, hour by hour, sometimes minute by minute, over and over.
The first part of December 2002, we received a call about a little boy who would be born the next month. We did some checking, but it didn't seem like this one would work out, either. However, we were ecstatic when we received a letter on New Year's Eve 2002 that said we were the chosen family for that little boy.
The next three weeks went by in a blur; until on January 21, 2003, at 6:46 am, we were in the delivery room as our son, Christopher, was born.
In the months since then, we have been blessed beyond measure, both by our wonderful little guy and the lessons we learned in the process of finding him. Now, when our family members say with awe, "You got the right baby. You just had to wait for the right one," I can answer with joy, "Yes, God sent us the right one; He knows what He's doing!"
On Christmas Eve 1994, a little over a year into our marriage, Terry and I decided to start trying to have a baby. So with excitement and prayer, we set off on our journey.
After 2 1/2 years, disappointed at our lack of success but still hopeful, we talked to our doctor. Next we spent about a year doing tests, treatments, and medication, again with no results. We were referred to an infertility specialist.
During the next year, we were ruled by the calendar--see the doctor on these days, take medicine on other days; and so on and so on, month after month. Through it all I, who hate the sight of a needle coming my way, got more blood tests than I could imagine in a lifetime; and also discovered I could give myself shots. (I never dreamed that possible in a million years!) But at the end of twelve months we had tried artificial insemination five times; I still wasn't pregnant; and we were frustrated, stressed out, and emotionally and physically exhausted. We knew we had to call it quits.
We needed time, as Terry put it, to "enjoy what we had." So, for the next year, we rested, healed, and tried not to dwell on the idea of having a child. (We found out later that we were really mourning the loss of the biological child we were unable to have.) After this period of refreshing, and a lot of prayer, we contacted Christian Services of Oklahoma about adoption in July 2000.
The next 2 1/2 years were spent on a roller-coaster ride of emotions, broken hearts, prayers, and tears. So many times we heard about a possible available child; our hopes would rise, only to be dashed to the ground.
Through one of the most difficult periods, when we had been extremely disappointed and hurt, Terry was reading Hosea. He realized that, just as Hosea saw his love for his unfaithful wife as a metaphor for God's love for Israel, so our longing to adopt a child could serve as a metaphor for God's longing to adopt people into his family.
My key thought through it all was "God in in control; He knows and will do what is best." While I believed that and prayed for God's will to be done, it was hard to submit! So I had to repeat it to myself, day by day, hour by hour, sometimes minute by minute, over and over.
The first part of December 2002, we received a call about a little boy who would be born the next month. We did some checking, but it didn't seem like this one would work out, either. However, we were ecstatic when we received a letter on New Year's Eve 2002 that said we were the chosen family for that little boy.
The next three weeks went by in a blur; until on January 21, 2003, at 6:46 am, we were in the delivery room as our son, Christopher, was born.
In the months since then, we have been blessed beyond measure, both by our wonderful little guy and the lessons we learned in the process of finding him. Now, when our family members say with awe, "You got the right baby. You just had to wait for the right one," I can answer with joy, "Yes, God sent us the right one; He knows what He's doing!"
Saturday, April 14, 2007
International Orphans
I found the following information on the Christian Relief Fund web site (http://www.christianrelieffund.org):
700,000 children live in Ukraine's orphanages today.
65% to 75% of the children in ophanages are there due to alcoholism in their homes.
15% of the orphans commit suicide within one year of leaving an orphanage.
70% of boys are arrested within 3 years of leaving an orphanage.
60% of girls are involved in prostitution within 2 years of leaving an orphanage. Twenty-thousand prostitutes live in the capitol city (Kiev), and the typical prostitute is a 19 year old orphan.
The world's children are crying out for Christians who will care for them. God wants his people to help these children and others like them (James 1:27).
Jason and Erin Carley are preparing to adopt a little boy from Vietnam soon. (Erin is Gary and Mary Lasarsky's daughter, and George Sly's granddaughter---see yesterday's post.) The Carleys are doing something special in providing a home for their son. I know that they will be incredibly blessed by his presence, just as he will be by their's.
It is not possible for everyone to adopt, but everyone can encourage those who do. Perhaps we can support organizations like the Christian Relief Fund or an adoption agency (like Christian Services of Oklahoma) with money, prayer, and volunteering. The world is full of needs and opportunities to meet them (and the blessings of meeting those needs are indescribable).
700,000 children live in Ukraine's orphanages today.
65% to 75% of the children in ophanages are there due to alcoholism in their homes.
15% of the orphans commit suicide within one year of leaving an orphanage.
70% of boys are arrested within 3 years of leaving an orphanage.
60% of girls are involved in prostitution within 2 years of leaving an orphanage. Twenty-thousand prostitutes live in the capitol city (Kiev), and the typical prostitute is a 19 year old orphan.
The world's children are crying out for Christians who will care for them. God wants his people to help these children and others like them (James 1:27).
Jason and Erin Carley are preparing to adopt a little boy from Vietnam soon. (Erin is Gary and Mary Lasarsky's daughter, and George Sly's granddaughter---see yesterday's post.) The Carleys are doing something special in providing a home for their son. I know that they will be incredibly blessed by his presence, just as he will be by their's.
It is not possible for everyone to adopt, but everyone can encourage those who do. Perhaps we can support organizations like the Christian Relief Fund or an adoption agency (like Christian Services of Oklahoma) with money, prayer, and volunteering. The world is full of needs and opportunities to meet them (and the blessings of meeting those needs are indescribable).
Thursday, March 29, 2007
International Adoption Articles in the Christian Chronicle
Erik Tryggestad has written some outstanding articles about international adoptions in the latest Christian Chronicle. You may view them at
http://www.christianchronicle.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=656
http://www.christianchronicle.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=657
http://www.christianchronicle.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=658&mode=&order=0&thold=0
I appreciate Erik's efforts to tell these stories. I do not have links to any international adoption agencies, but if anyone would like information about domestic adoptions, I recommend the agency that we used...Christian Services of Oklahoma. You may link to it at the bottom of my home page.
http://www.christianchronicle.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=656
http://www.christianchronicle.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=657
http://www.christianchronicle.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=658&mode=&order=0&thold=0
I appreciate Erik's efforts to tell these stories. I do not have links to any international adoption agencies, but if anyone would like information about domestic adoptions, I recommend the agency that we used...Christian Services of Oklahoma. You may link to it at the bottom of my home page.
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