Thankful For God's Plan Of Adoption!

I have had the opportunity to speak at two churches this month for National Adoption month. As I
studied God's word to find what to teach about I realized that the story of the birth of Jesus in Matthew 1:18-25 is the ultimate example and story of adoption. Check out the story:

The Birth of Jesus Christ
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ[a] took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed[b] to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

What a great picture of adoption. Joseph had plans to divorce Mary quietly so not to shame her. He was going to go and live his life as he had planned and then he has a divine intervention. An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and told him to take Jesus as his son and raise him. Joseph woke up and did as the angel of the Lord had commanded. He took Mary as his wife, she gave birth to a son and he called his name Jesus. Joseph adopted Jesus and raised him as his own.

What a great example for us to follow. If adoption is good for God incarnate shouldn't more of us look into taking orphans into our homes? I don't believe everyone is called to adopt. I do know we can all get involved and support adoption. Eagle Village is a place that you can help out many children and youth that are in need of a home. Many youth just need someone to mentor them can you give the gift of time. Some of us can help financially Eagle Village is one of many organizations that help children. Check out other ways you could get involved. Pray for those that have been adopted and those that are longing for a family to take them in and provide them a forever home.

National Adoption Month

Its National Adoption Month. This is an important month for my family and Eagle Village, Inc. where I work. We have adopted 3 kids over the past 14 years. I also see and work with children and youth everyday who are longing for a forever home. Michigan has over 4,000 children in foster care waiting for a forever home. I heard one of these kids the other day, who is 16, say that they wanted to be adopted so their kids would have grandparents. It breaks my heart to see so many in need not thinking of themselves but their future family. People choose to adopt for many reasons. Some are unable to have children, some have raised their children and want to give kids a chance that they deserve. Many people adopt for religious reasons, some just want to make the world a better place and want to do this one child at a time. One thing I know adoption is not easy, it can be a difficult road to travel, but it is rewarding and your life will never be the same.

James 1:27 Says Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James says we are to visit widows and orphans. The word visit is more than just visiting your relatives on Sunday, or stopping in to see someone in the hospital. The word visit in this passage means to take care of someone's every need. James is saying that visiting widows and orphans would be to provide housing, food, money or taking them under your roof by providing foster care or adoption. God's word is telling us to meet people at their point of need and help them overcome obstacles that they are facing.

During this month of November, as we celebrate Thanksgiving, think about those that are less fortunate. If you have ever thought about getting involved in fostering or adopting a child that is in need of a home, there is not a better time to look into it. Check out Eagle Village today!

Homer is Home

This past week my parents moved out of the house they have lived in since 1976.   My parents house was my home for 13 years and for the last 26 years it has been my home away from home. I have 39 years of memories that I will have forever. The house now belongs to someone else and they will begin to build their family and their own memories.

The taller pine tree in the picture was planted by me the year we moved in. It has grown a lot over the years as have I. As I looked at that tree a month ago I started thinking about the storms it has weathered, how deep its root system is. I thought about how long will it continue to grow. Someday it will die or someone will cut it down because they don't want to mow around it anymore. It made me think that my family has deep roots in Homer and that we have weathered storms there as well.

Its somewhat bitter sweet I am happy for my parents that they were able to sell their home and move to a place that will be easier for them. its not the house that I am feeling sad about its more the village of Homer. My parents are leaving a community that they have been a part of for 50 years. Homer is the only home I have know before moving off to start my own family. I know for my parents its got to be difficult they are leaving their church, friends, social clubs.

I have a lot of traditions in my life. My parents leaving Homer is difficult for me. I will miss seeing Homer Is Home on the water tower as I drive to see my parents. I will miss a trip around the Greg Barton Circle. I will miss the tradition of Cascarelli's Pizza a must almost every time I am home. I will miss the First Presbyterian Church of Homer where I dropped marbles on the hardwood floor during church, made my commitment to Jesus Christ, received my Eagle Scout, and married my wife. I will miss the early morning views of Homer Lake and seeing friends, classmates and teachers that have helped make me who I am today. Homer will always be my hometown it will always be a part of all my childhood memories. I will need to start some new traditions that one day my kids will look back and talk about. Life will go on, the pine tree will continue to grow, and for me Homer will always be Home.