If you haven’t read the first part of this, you may want to do so for background purposes.

 Back in the Spring ( April) I did some related writing on the topic of “unwanted children”. We were caring for three “foster children” from a pretty rough home at the time ( not part of the god-state sponsored “foster program”, just helping some relatives). The situation these kids were in/ went back to was pretty pitiful, and sadly common.

Now, we are in the early stages of seeking to adopt one or more children. We have always sought to open our arms to whatever children the Lord chose to bless us with. He has granted conception to eleven that we are aware of. Nine of these we have been prividged to raise to His glory.

After significant medical issues with the last several, my wife will not be able to have any more, so we are prayerfully hoping that God will continue to fill our quiver via other methods. Which brings me to the point of this post.

This process has reminded me of a conversation I had with a close friend in front of an abortion mill in Southaven, Mississippi 15 years ago. He said he didn’t believe that God would change the culture’s views on abortion until Christians changed their views on children.

This stuck with me and I have generally applied it to the quiver-limiting, anti-child mentality that even the staunchest Calvinistic and/or pro-life Christians have towards children.

http://www.lesriley.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=49

Quote:

After this conversation, I started doing a little experiment that I soon after discontinued because it was too discouraging. If you are active in pro-life work, you can try it now & probably get the same ( or worse) results. If you talk to abortion bound Mothers at an American child-killing “clinc” on a Satuday, then go to an average, Conservative “Bible-believing”. Evangelical church on Sunday and ask some of the parents ( including the pastor) there why they are limiting the size of their families and you will get frighteningly similar responses . “I can’t afford it” . . . “I want be able to do more for my other children” . . . “I’m not ready for a baby” . . . I, I , I . . . me, me, me . . . stuff, stuff, stuff . . . This is generally true regardless of denominational or doctrinal bent . The so-called Calvininsts know that God is Sovreign in Salvation — but often act as if He’s not as Sovreign in the womb; preachers that preach faith & trusting in “God’s promises” don’t extend & apply this to the family; Charismatics & Penecostals search for “gifts” but don’t want too many of the Lord’s “rewards” ( the “fruit of the womb”) . . . etc This is not to say that there are never legitimate reasons for Christians to stop having children . . . I know of three families who have been forced to stop having children for siginficant, life threatening situations. There are, I’m sure plenty of different reasons for not having children. However, this should be the exception. We should look on smaller families in our churches as an oddity, not the other way around. And I should make sure I include a warning against a sort of “how many children do you have?” legalism used to self-righteously judge our brothers and sisters ( We know a family that has two godly grown daughters — and seven or eight miscarriages since; on the outside, people see a “normal” family, but God, who “looks at the heart” sees a family trusting Him faithfully ). BUT, I think my friend was right — ” God will never change the culture’s view about abortion until the church changes it’s view of children” We should re-double our efforts to tear down the Planned Parenthood worldview in our churches & Christian families. May God grant us wisdom; His children discernment; Christian parents the abundant life that comes from dying to self and trusting God for our family size; and may He grant our age a great revival and reformation ! Malachi 4:6; Luke 1:17

I now also see that this also applies to the desperate need of orphans & the fatherless in our day & time. What an affront when it is just as likely that you will see Hollywood nutcases and other bleeding heart liberals adopting children as you do born again Christians. ( again, we might be willing to die for Christ, but we don’t want to give up our stuff).

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However, in praying & studying about this issue, something even more covicting — and glorious — has come up . On the Carolina Hope Adoption site/ blog — http://www.carolinahopeadoption.org/ –
they are ” interviewing several theologians about the doctrine of spiritual adoption and its implications for earthly adoption. “ They are doing this in the hope that ” that the practice of earthly adoption will be significantly enriched as we grow in our understanding of what it means to be adopted by God”

The way I found this site is that a young, godly missionary couple from our church to Ethiopia are interviewed here ( Amber & Anthony Mathenia, about halfway down the page).

The first time she read this site, my wife, Christy, printed off an article called “The Brotherhood of Sons What Some Rude Questions About Adoption Taught Me About the Gospel of Christ “ (linked below)

I have read this out loud to our family & a number of friends a three of times now & have ended up in tears every time . I would strongly encourage all my brothers & sisters in Christ to read this as a reminder of what it means for born sinners/ rebels/ strangers to be able to cry “Abba”

http://touchstonemag.com/archives/ar…id=20-04-026-f

What a glorious blessing to be adopted by our Father !
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Any way. Something to ponder.
I believe it is foundational to Restoring the Foundations & advancing the Kingdom & reputation of Christ.

Leslie Riley