whatchutalkin'bout?

This post is to answer the questions of 1.) wouldn't my readers be better served if I blogged less about personal spiritual topics and more about adoption & motherhood issues and 2.) why I promote so many different charitable organizations.

1.) This answer has many facets: First, I'm a follower of Christ before I am a mama, so it's only natural to "talk" about the most important part of my life. To some it may sound horrible not to say that Matthew is the most important part of my life...but he is my son, not my Savior. While I pray for my relationship with M to be marked by deep love for each other, I'm also praying that he will grow to love God FAR MORE than he loves me.

Second, I want my readers who do not follow Christ to know that Christianity is not about religion, rules, and rituals...it is about a personal, loving relationship with the God who created you. And it's not about a once-a-week visit to a local church; it is daily life-permeating, heart-changing, eye-opening, and peace-bringing.

Third, I am encouraged (and sometimes convicted) when I read others' posts about what God is doing in their lives. I hope that will be the same for my readers.


2.) I try to promote various organizations because I never know which one might capture the heart of my readers. There are so many awesome organizations that I know there is one for everyone to support...and by support I don't always mean financially. Support could mean praying, promoting the organization to others, or simply writing notes of encouragement to those who serve in that ministry. Yes!...even writing a note of appreciation to someone who is fighting tirelessly to end poverty for a group of children is a great way to support! I do not give regularly to all of the organizations I write about but, if I post about them, I do try to send them some love.

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On another topic, though related, I love how God's Word is SO RELEVANT for today. It's not just for those old dudes who wore tunics and sandals. It is for me...and for you...for every detail, decision, need, etc. of our daily lives.

For example, you may have read some of my latest posts about not hoarding the money & blessings that God places in your hands but instead giving overly-generously to those in need. Well, here is a great example of that idea found in the book of Job 31.
"If I have kept the poor from their desire,
Or caused the eyes of the widow to fail,
Or eaten my morsel by myself,
So that the fatherless could not eat of it...

...If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing,
Or any poor man without covering;
If his heart has not blessed me,
And if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
If I have raised my hand against the fatherless,
When I saw I had help in the gate;

Then let my arm fall from my shoulder,
Let my arm be torn from the socket."

This passage causes me to reflect on my life and ask tough questions: In what ways have I been keeping the poor from their desire by spending on myself? In what ways have I been putting myself before those in need? What am I holding on to rather than using it to bless others?

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!!