Free Audiobook – Adopted for Life

While ChristianAudio.com has given away some great audiobooks over the past couple of years, I am more excited about this month’s free audiobook than any of the others.  From now until February 28, 2011 you can get Russell D. Moore’s book Adopted for Life in audiobook absolutely free.  This book, in my opinion, is perhaps THE best book on adoption I’ve ever read (and I’ve read quite a few!).  Moore covers both physical adoption (having adopted two sons himself) and spiritual adoption (our adoption in Christ).  I cannot recommend this book highly enough.  If you’re thinking about adoption, read this book. If you MIGHT be thinking about adoption, read this book. If you’ve ever adopted, read this book. If you want to know more about adoption, read this book.  Here is the book description from ChristianAudio.

The gospel of Jesus Christ—the good news that through Jesus we have been adopted as sons and daughters into God’s family—means that Christians ought to be at the forefront of the adoption of orphans in North America and around the world.

Moore does not shy away from this call in Adopted for Life, a popular-level, practical manifesto for Christians to adopt children and to help equip other Christian families to do the same. He shows that adoption is not just about couples who want children—or who want more children. It is about an entire culture within the church, a culture that sees adoption as part of the Great Commission mandate and as a sign of the gospel itself.

 

Free Microsoft Excel Seminar

“Increasing Your Productivity”

An Adoption Fundraiser event for intermediate Excel users.

For more information and to register, call Stephen at 540-580-7105 or e-mail eskypades@gmail.com.

Topics include:

• Keyboard shortcuts
• Named Ranges
• Data Validation
• Protecting & Sharing Workbooks
• Data Manipulation formulas
• VLOOKUP & HLOOKUP

Classes will be held in the Charles Gearhart Hall at Grace Church, 2741 Edgewood St SW Roanoke, VA, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 20, 2010.  Please indicate which class time you would like to attend when calling or e-mailing to register.

How many people does it take to save an unborn life?

From Justin Taylor:

Visit www.heartbeatinternational.org and you will see Lisa.  She represents one example of the community of Christians it takes some times to save even one mother and baby from abortion.  I met Lisa through the Core Center, our of Heartbeat affiliate in Sunbury, OH.  Listening to Lisa, I counted about 23 people who played a direct and significant role, in rescuing Lisa from despair, saving her baby from certain death, and being the answer to prayer for a young couple praying for the opportunity to adopt.  They include:

Four (4) from the pregnancy help center.

1-the phone consultant, trained to reassure Lisa that coming for pregnancy help, rather than turning to an abortionist to save her, is the right thing to do.

2- the pregnancy consultant that greeted Lisa, provided her a pregnancy test and did a case assessment (and in her case, the needs were extraordinary and immediate).

3- the nurse/sonographer who performed the ultrasound scan.  This enabled Lisa to see that the choice before her was not, “should I have a baby or not?” She could see that she had a baby.  The true choice before her was to nurture or kill the baby she had.

4- the Director, Melissa, who because of the immense and immediate needs Lisa had, including no place to stay that night, needed to get involved and make some calls.
Three (3) from a local church.

1- the pastor, who received the call from the Director, and swung his church into action; and

2- the gentleman who came forward, that the pastor knew and trusted, who offered her a safe room to stay in that night and over the following days.

3- the man in his church who owned some property, including an empty apartment, and offered it to her for free.

Twelve (12), the number of people from this church and probably others, who came forward over the next several weekends to repair, replace, paint, carpet, clean, and furnish this apartment for Lisa.  I may be underestimating this number.

Two (2) from Catholic Charities.

1- the amazing adoption counselor assigned to Lisa’s case, who with care and professionalism, assisted Lisa as she considered adoption, befriended her throughout the pregnancy and through the emotional ups and downs, led her through the process of reviewing, interviewing and selecting parents for her baby, and secured the legal work for it to be done right and fair to all.

2- the lawyer handling it all.

Two (2), the adopting parents.  A precious young, married Christian couple, who had been seeking a child for a number of years.  I saw them with Lisa, holding the baby, and sharing together the very gift of life and bonded by the powerful and special love that is inherent in adoption.

That makes 23 people directly involved in Lisa’s story.  Because I don’t know the number, I did not count those sisters who helped Lisa learn to pray and to trust in Christ, as she testified that night.  So there are more.

Lisa’s picture and story is on our home page of the new website found at www.heartbeatinternational.org.

Valuing Life

[This is from Rev. Phil Holsinger, President/CEO of the Blue Ridge Women's Center in Roanoke, VA.  If you are not an active supporter of your local Women's Center, I would encourage to learn more about what you can do to support those on the front lines of the fight for life - ALL life.]

In a recent discussion with one of our staff members, I was reminded that we do more than just save babies here at Blue Ridge Women’s Center. Of course seeing a child given the opportunity to live a life that may have otherwise been abruptly ended by abortion is extremely valuable and worthwhile. But it is the woman who walks through the door that we direct our ministry toward. Her life is every bit as valuable and important as the one growing within her. That’s part of the reason we changed the name of this ministry a few years back. We are now known as Blue Ridge Women’s Center because we care deeply about women and their babies. We compassionately bring the truth of God’s love to every woman who calls, texts, e-mails or walks into this office. We do this because we know that God cares deeply about each of them as well.

It may come as a surprise to you, but somewhere between 25% and 30% of our clients have a negative pregnancy test result. Yet we direct a significant amount of our time and resources toward ministering to those women. If all we cared about was the baby, these clients would be quickly dismissed. Why do we spend the time, resources and energy? It’s simple, really—her life is precious and valuable. She is God’s creation and He desires the best for her. And in the vast majority of instances she is engaged in a lifestyle that will lead to significant problems emotionally, physically and spiritually in the future. She has made and is making decisions that will have bad outcomes.

This same philosophy of ministry applies to the women with positive tests who intend to continue their pregnancies, those with no intention to abort. We care about them, their lives today as well as the future. They too are precious in God’s sight and He cares deeply for them. It is a privilege for us to partner with God as He draws them closer to His truth and light. Like the women with negative tests, most of these clients have chosen lifestyles that have tragedy and heartbreak written all over them.

In addition to the women who intend to abort, are vulnerable to abortion, intend to carry, or have a negative test result, there are those who chose to abort a child in the past. This group of women and men hold a special place in my heart because they walk a path that I walked as well. The consequences of their decision are having a significant impact on their lives whether they realize it or not. But with God’s forgiveness, healing and restoration they can live in the peace He provides. Why? Because He cares deeply for them; they are also precious in His sight.

I have been in the Roanoke area for over 18 months now, and I assume there are people and organizations in our community that may care as deeply about women as we do, but I am convinced that none of them care more deeply than we do. And you are a part of that collective we. Without your support, encouragement and prayers we wouldn’t have the impact on the lives that have marked our 25 years of ministry.

Please keep us in your prayers daily, especially during these times of economic uncertainty. Now, more than at any time in my recollection, more women’s lives and the lives of their children hang in the balance. Our client visits are up and so are the number of women who are abortion-intended and abortion-vulnerable.

Additionally, please pray about your financial support of this ministry. The summer months are the slowest time of the year for us, and your gift now will help us make it through these late summer months. (Click here to make a gift online today.)

We are also planning for our 25th Anniversary Fundraising Banquet coming up October 15th at the Hotel Roanoke. We need more Table Hosts than we have in the past, and so we are asking all of our friends to find out how they can host a table as well as join us in this celebration. (Click here to find out the details.) I hope to see you there.

God’s Blessings,
Rev. Phil Holsinger (Coach), President/CEO

“We Will Care for Any Newborn!”

METRO ATLANTA, Ga. — Last weekend an Atlanta pastor made a promise that stunned his congregation and most of the people who heard it.

In a speech that discussed abortion, the President, and the sanctity of life, the most provocative statement from Pastor Vic Pentz of Peachtree Presbyterian Church came towards sermon’s end:

“I make a promise to you now and I don’t want you to keep this a secret,” the pastor pronounced, “the Peachtree Presbyterian Church will care for any newborn baby you bring to this church.

“We will be the family to find a home for that child, and there’s no limit on this. You can tell your friends, you can tell your family, you can tell the whole world …”

Reflected Pentz a week later, “I seem to have touched a nerve by saying that to the congregation.”

It’s a speech he repeated this past Sunday, and it can be found on the church’s web site under the sermon title, “Ethics of Life”.

Pentz says the church will partner with Bethany Christian Services, which promotes itself as “the nation’s largest adoption agency” and will handle the “how” of making this happen.

But Pentz didn’t mention any of this in his sermon, saying he preferred it to stand out as a “stark, dramatic statement” amidst an already-controversial speech to his congregation.

11Alive’s Matt Pearl spoke with Peggy Baird, the director of adoption services for the non-profit Families First service agency. Baird watched Pentz’ sermon and said that, while she admired the sentiment, he didn’t delve into the legal and psychological complications that go into giving up a child for adoption.

“You can’t do all of that in one sermon,” Baird said, “but I think if he’s going to pursue this with his congregation, he’s got to do ongoing education.”

Pentz says he’s planning to do just that, bringing in a speaker from Bethany Christian Services to talk to the congregation this August.

HT: Challies

Book Review – Loved By Choice

When an individual or couple chooses to embark on the journey of adoption, whether as birthparents or adoptive parents, the plethora of books on the subject can often be overwhelming. Most books deal with what to expect in the legal process, special considerations that some families or their children may experience or psychological analyses of adopted children. Although the literature choices are many, there are few books that approach the delicate subject of adoption from the perspective of virtually everyone involved. Loved By Choice does just that in a heartwarming and moving way with true stories contributed by birthmothers, siblings, adoptive parents, grandparents and individuals who were themselves adopted as children.

Packed with emotion, each story communicates a part of the adoption story. It’s the anguish a mother feels in choosing adoption for her little one. It’s the ecstasy of new parents receiving into their arms their daughter for the first time. It’s the grandparents struggling to come to terms with their daughter being pregnant, but join in support as their granddaughter is taken away, sometimes forever. It’s in the mystery surrounding the unknown past of an adult who was adopted as a child and searching for answers.

Through all the stories, the incredibly hard journey is chronicled through so many different lenses that you can’t help but wonder at the strength each person displays. But with each story, the marvel of the journey is presented with celebration and the fact that each child was loved.

As an adoptive parent of three beautiful children, each of their stories could very well have been one in this book. My oldest is always asking us to tell him the story of how he came to be our little boy and always likes the part about how he laughed and laughed during the very turbulent flight home. My hope is that just as the stories in this book celebrate adoption, so too my children will celebrate their story of adoption.

Music Monday – If You Were Mine

Today’s Music Monday post is in honor of my brother, Mark and his wife Violet who have just adopted little Abigail. Check out Violet’s blog for details and lots of pictures. Congratulations to Mark, Violet and family!

This is Fernando Ortega’s If You Were Mine.

There and back again

Sarah and I had a great trip to Memphis, TN to get our little Natalie. We got there Thursday morning and since we didn’t get to see Natalie until Friday evening, we decided to drive down to Little Rock to visit my sister, Sharon and her family. It was really good to see them and get to spend some time with them. Their little boy Josh has grown so much! I can’t believe how big he is now. On Friday morning we all went to the Memphis Zoo, which I highly recommend going to if ever you’re in the area. I think my favorite part were the three tigers. One in particular seemed especially ornery and was trying to play with the other two.

At 3:30, we went to meet with our adoption agent and go over some last minute details and then it was on to get Natalie!! Woo-hoo! Sharon and Cory were able to come also and did a great job taking pictures and videoing. We had a little “Giving and Receiving” ceremony which was very special. Then they brought Natalie down and we got to hold her for the first time! She is SO tiny and has SO much hair! After a little while, she was cooing and actually smiling at us – very cute. We said goodbye to the cradle care family who had done such an awesome job of caring for her, and headed back to the hotel.

Since we had some time to kill Saturday morning, we drove to the hospital where Natalie was born to take a picture. We also got a picture of the “Graceland” sign (“Thank you, thank you very much”) and then did a little shopping at a local mall. Everywhere we went, it seemed all the women just “oooed” and “awed” over Natalie (understandably, of course.) Even when we went to the airport, the ticket agents were just going on and on about Natalie. It was kinda funny because our suitcase was over by 5 lbs and after I took something out, it was still over, but the ticket agent said “You’re fine. Well, technically you’re not, but you’re fine.” Thank you, Natalie!

Natalie did so well on the flights home. She slept on my chest the entire first flight and some of the next. In fact, the hardest part came when we tried to get OFF the plane. We had brought Natalie’s car seat onto the plane since it wasn’t a full flight and had strapped it on to the seat. Well, when I went to take the seat off the base to undue the seatbelt, it was stuck and wouldn’t come off!! No matter how hard I or a couple of other passengers tried, it just wouldn’t come off. Finally, I had to actually unhook the seatbelt from the plane seat itself to get it off, then reattach the belt. Hopefully it’s not a federal offense to dismantle an airplane seatbelt like that! I’m not a terrorist, really!!

The drive home wasn’t so pleasant. For the first hour, Natalie cried and screamed. Ugh. When we stopped to get something to eat, Sarah changed her diaper, fed Natalie, put her back in the seat and just like that, she was sound asleep! Natalie does not like sitting in poop! (I can’t say I blame her.)

Carlos was still up when we got home and was so excited so see Natalie. He had this big grin on his face and even got to hold Natalie. Jeremiah was so excited to see us the next morning and was fascinated by this new baby. Both Carlos and Jeremiah have done so well adjusting to Natalie. There have been some issues and I think it’s a combination of having a new sister and having us gone for a couple of days. But we’re working through those.

So here we go, adjusting to another little baby in the family. I hope I won’t get wrapped around her little finger too much. For more pictures of Natalie, Carlos, and Jeremiah, check out Sarah’s blog (link over there –>)