because children belong in families.
To neglect the poor is to insult God. -Tim Keller, Generous Justice
:::
The word justice is one that stirs my heart so much. I'm so grateful that the Lord sent
His Son to rescue me out of my deep spiritual poverty to make me rich in Him.
In his exposition on James, our pastor recently emphasized how easy it is to read James
as a check list of to-do items in order to receive God's love. In actuality, when the gospel
of Grace freely given sinks deep into our heart, these things we do are just outward
expressions of the love and grace we've so lavishly been given. Once we accept and realize
who we are--free and fully loved in Christ--then may we humbly seek to give love &
bring justice to others. May we do it in a way that honors Him--with a humble heart ready
for community and not short-term, patronizing hand-outs. May we seek what is best for
each individual situation and realize that we may never know a person's whole story.
as a check list of to-do items in order to receive God's love. In actuality, when the gospel
of Grace freely given sinks deep into our heart, these things we do are just outward
expressions of the love and grace we've so lavishly been given. Once we accept and realize
who we are--free and fully loved in Christ--then may we humbly seek to give love &
bring justice to others. May we do it in a way that honors Him--with a humble heart ready
for community and not short-term, patronizing hand-outs. May we seek what is best for
each individual situation and realize that we may never know a person's whole story.
So, here I am. Turning 35 today and fully free in Christ. This beautiful, grace-filled gospel
has been lavished on me and I ache for it to get out of me. God placed a birthday project on
my heart 4 years ago. Can we just marvel at what God has done for a minute?
In 2010, He used you to give $31 at a time until $5,000 was reached to place a
fresh water well in Ethiopia, Africa!
place a well in a village special to our son, Nico. Our family even traveled there to
dedicate it! [How awesome would it be for some of you that gave to join me
on a trip there sometime?!]
a ministry in Uganda that serves children with special needs, with their medical
bills. So special to me!
resettled them back at home through the organization Sixty Feet with the $7500 raised.
I had the honor of actually going on 2 of the resettlements when our
family traveled there for Christmas last year. Here's a picture from 1. His mom was
so happy to have him home!
I mean, seriously! It's almost unbelievable the things the Lord has done!
And just when I think it couldn't possibly anymore fun to go where He leads me, He sends
a precious virtual friend to let me know that we have the EXACT same birthday.
How fun is that?
If you don't already know Kate of TheAdoptShoppe,
you are just going to love her. We've decided to team up this year and ask you
to give $35 in celebration of our 35th birthdays to something that is near and dear
to our hearts…..keeping families together!
Abide Family Center works to keep children out of orphanages in Uganda by providing
other options to families caring for orphans and other vulnerable children. They offer
family preservation services that are strength-based, holistic social services. I've seen them
in action and it is a truly beautiful thing to see a family that deeply loves their child
be empowered to become self-sustaining and thrive. Every child deserves the love
of a family. I believe in Abide with everything in me.
Kate & I's goal is to put 50 families through Abide's small business development program.
The goal is to empower families to be self-sufficient by giving them the tools they
need to lift themselves out of poverty.
Kate & I are hopeful that 250 of you would like to join us in this fight for family
preservation by giving $35 in celebration of our 35th birthdays!
This $8750 will allow 50 families to go through the small business development program!
Will you join us?
Click on the 'Donate' button below to give through Abide's stateside nonprofit. All
donations given through this link are tax deductible & will go directly to this project.
I love seeing God work in unbelievable ways--doing more than we could imagine.
Let's do this, friends. Let's stand up and say that keeping families together is worth
it. That poverty should never be the reason for a child to become an orphan.
That we believe in these precious families and are honored to come alongside them.
Can you be 1 of the 250? Click here:
I love this look back and all the incredible gifts- done and done! Missing you and as always I wish I could bring you a birthday coffee! <3 <3
ReplyDeleteSteph