Comments on: Is the Orphan My Neighbor? http://www.russellmoore.com/2010/10/07/is-the-orphan-my-neighbor/ By Russell D. Moore. Russell D. Moore serves as the teaching pastor at Highview Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky. In addition, Dr. Moore is the Dean of the School of Theology and Senior Vice President for Academic Administration at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Find sermons and other resources to help Christians engage the culture from a biblical worldview at www.russellmoore.com. Tue, 22 May 2012 19:10:26 +0000 By: Is the Orphan My Neighbor? « http://www.russellmoore.com/2010/10/07/is-the-orphan-my-neighbor/#comment-38632 Is the Orphan My Neighbor? « Tue, 26 Oct 2010 18:10:52 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=5781#comment-38632 [...] has an excellent post on the Christian calling to care for the orphan.  You should definitely read the entire article, but here is the conclusion:   The followers of Jesus should fill in the gap left by a [...] [...] has an excellent post on the Christian calling to care for the orphan.  You should definitely read the entire article, but here is the conclusion:   The followers of Jesus should fill in the gap left by a [...]

]]> By: Dennae Pierre http://www.russellmoore.com/2010/10/07/is-the-orphan-my-neighbor/#comment-38446 Dennae Pierre Mon, 25 Oct 2010 19:16:27 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=5781#comment-38446 This post moved me to tears as I reflected on all that God did to adopt me...problems, special needs, and all. I was also very encouraged to read all the comments of brothers and sisters who are adopting or have adopted. We recently adopted our 2 oldest children, they are 7 and 5. So many of the fears I had prior to becoming their parents seems so foolish and meaningless now. And things we thought were "too much" for us to handle, I now find myself finding great joy in being able to be such a deep part of my children's growth and healing. I praise God for opening our eyes to adoption and can't wait to do it again! This post moved me to tears as I reflected on all that God did to adopt me…problems, special needs, and all. I was also very encouraged to read all the comments of brothers and sisters who are adopting or have adopted.

We recently adopted our 2 oldest children, they are 7 and 5. So many of the fears I had prior to becoming their parents seems so foolish and meaningless now. And things we thought were “too much” for us to handle, I now find myself finding great joy in being able to be such a deep part of my children’s growth and healing.

I praise God for opening our eyes to adoption and can’t wait to do it again!

]]> By: Sibling Tree » Is the Orphan My Neighbor? http://www.russellmoore.com/2010/10/07/is-the-orphan-my-neighbor/#comment-38341 Sibling Tree » Is the Orphan My Neighbor? Mon, 25 Oct 2010 06:43:27 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=5781#comment-38341 [...] recently read the article, Is the Orphan My Neighbor, after reading a quote on another blog. I’m glad I [...] [...] recently read the article, Is the Orphan My Neighbor, after reading a quote on another blog. I’m glad I [...]

]]> By: Cindy http://www.russellmoore.com/2010/10/07/is-the-orphan-my-neighbor/#comment-37070 Cindy Mon, 18 Oct 2010 02:28:00 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=5781#comment-37070 "Those of us who know Christ ought to recognize that fear is often a deterrent to justice..." I'm pretty sure that many people who do not know Christ would also recognize that fear is a deterrent to justice - it is not only Christians who recognize this. In fact it seems to me that it is often Christians who create and disseminate fear. “Those of us who know Christ ought to recognize that fear is often a deterrent to justice…”

I’m pretty sure that many people who do not know Christ would also recognize that fear is a deterrent to justice - it is not only Christians who recognize this. In fact it seems to me that it is often Christians who create and disseminate fear.

]]> By: Russell D. Moore http://www.russellmoore.com/2010/10/07/is-the-orphan-my-neighbor/#comment-36297 Russell D. Moore Wed, 13 Oct 2010 22:02:55 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=5781#comment-36297 @Kelly, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I have prayed for you and your family this afternoon. In Christ, RDM @Kelly, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I have prayed for you and your family this afternoon. In Christ, RDM

]]> By: Kelly http://www.russellmoore.com/2010/10/07/is-the-orphan-my-neighbor/#comment-36281 Kelly Wed, 13 Oct 2010 20:04:29 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=5781#comment-36281 I received news today that a little girl with Down syndrome, who had been waiting in Ukraine for 5 years for a family, has passed away. Reading this post, knowing there are GOOD peole stepping forward on behalf of the orphan makes today a little less sad. I've read your book and LOVED it! I borrowed that copy, but am planning on buying one to keep! I read it on my flight to Bulgaria to bring my two little girls home! What a blessing! Thank you! kelly I received news today that a little girl with Down syndrome, who had been waiting in Ukraine for 5 years for a family, has passed away.

Reading this post, knowing there are GOOD peole stepping forward on behalf of the orphan makes today a little less sad. I’ve read your book and LOVED it! I borrowed that copy, but am planning on buying one to keep!

I read it on my flight to Bulgaria to bring my two little girls home! What a blessing!

Thank you!

kelly

]]> By: Christine John http://www.russellmoore.com/2010/10/07/is-the-orphan-my-neighbor/#comment-35532 Christine John Sun, 10 Oct 2010 22:37:17 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=5781#comment-35532 @Keri Cahill, and blessings to you, my dear Keri . . . as you and Anya and Nast have been one of the many points of clarity God has used to affirm the call to adoption upon Michael and me. . . Please pray for us as He continues to light up our muddy but trustworthy path toward the Celestial City . . . =-] Much love . . . through Christ, our Brother and our Savior . . . Your sister, Christine @Keri Cahill,
and blessings to you, my dear Keri . . . as you and Anya and Nast have been one of the many points of clarity God has used to affirm the call to adoption upon Michael and me. . . Please pray for us as He continues to light up our muddy but trustworthy path toward the Celestial City . . . =-]
Much love . . . through Christ, our Brother and our Savior . . .

Your sister,
Christine

]]> By: Charlotte Schmitt http://www.russellmoore.com/2010/10/07/is-the-orphan-my-neighbor/#comment-35127 Charlotte Schmitt Sat, 09 Oct 2010 12:47:04 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=5781#comment-35127 This is one of the most beautiful things I have ever read. I've had my heart wrenched out by wading around in the horrible conditions of orphanages in Haiti. These children have a roof over their head, a mattress to sleep on, the clothes on their back, and a meal or two, daily. That's it. People who haven't seen it, don't believe me. Even though I am a seasoned nurse with missionary travel under my belt; quite honestly the living conditions make me feel paralyzed and overwhelmed. Fearful is at the very top of the list. And, for all kinds of reasons--not just the physical or psychological condition of the child. Thank God for your wisdom, insight, sensitvity and understanding. May we move on from here. This is one of the most beautiful things I have ever read.
I’ve had my heart wrenched out by wading around in the horrible conditions of orphanages in Haiti. These children have a roof over their head, a mattress to sleep on, the clothes on their back, and a meal or two, daily. That’s it. People who haven’t seen it, don’t believe me.

Even though I am a seasoned nurse with missionary travel under my belt; quite honestly the living conditions make me feel paralyzed and overwhelmed. Fearful is at the very top of the list. And, for all kinds of reasons–not just the physical or psychological condition of the child.

Thank God for your wisdom, insight, sensitvity and understanding. May we move on from here.

]]> By: Saturday Links | Study Your Bible Online http://www.russellmoore.com/2010/10/07/is-the-orphan-my-neighbor/#comment-35019 Saturday Links | Study Your Bible Online Sat, 09 Oct 2010 04:10:58 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=5781#comment-35019 [...] here to read a good post on [...] [...] here to read a good post on [...]

]]> By: Desert Springs Church Blog » Follow-up to Sunday’s Sermon: Like Father, Like Son http://www.russellmoore.com/2010/10/07/is-the-orphan-my-neighbor/#comment-34863 Desert Springs Church Blog » Follow-up to Sunday’s Sermon: Like Father, Like Son Fri, 08 Oct 2010 14:18:27 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=5781#comment-34863 [...] We are especially eager to recommend a book on the subject by Russell Moore, Adopted for Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families and Churches. Also, Dr. Moore recently published an excellent post about orphan care at his blog, Is The Orphan My Neighbor? [...] [...] We are especially eager to recommend a book on the subject by Russell Moore, Adopted for Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families and Churches. Also, Dr. Moore recently published an excellent post about orphan care at his blog, Is The Orphan My Neighbor? [...]

]]> By: Is the Orphan My Neighbor? « africabound http://www.russellmoore.com/2010/10/07/is-the-orphan-my-neighbor/#comment-34832 Is the Orphan My Neighbor? « africabound Fri, 08 Oct 2010 11:28:21 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=5781#comment-34832 [...] article by Russell Moore. Check it out… Explore posts in the same categories: [...] [...] article by Russell Moore. Check it out… Explore posts in the same categories: [...]

]]> By: Genavieve http://www.russellmoore.com/2010/10/07/is-the-orphan-my-neighbor/#comment-34749 Genavieve Fri, 08 Oct 2010 03:04:01 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=5781#comment-34749 Thank you for following the leading of the Holy Spirit. I recently began working in our small school as a parapro with children who have "behavior problems". Not one of them has a strong role model in their home. Where are all the godly men to teach and lead our young ones? My prayer is that they come to know our Father so that they will have a sense of belonging to His marvelous family. Thank you for following the leading of the Holy Spirit. I recently began working in our small school as a parapro with children who have “behavior problems”. Not one of them has a strong role model in their home. Where are all the godly men to teach and lead our young ones? My prayer is that they come to know our Father so that they will have a sense of belonging to His marvelous family.

]]> By: Mary Lee Ciminiello http://www.russellmoore.com/2010/10/07/is-the-orphan-my-neighbor/#comment-34725 Mary Lee Ciminiello Fri, 08 Oct 2010 02:12:57 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=5781#comment-34725 @Christiane, Not capacity, an enlarged head is often an indicator of FAS. We each need to know what are limitations are. My husband and I did not adopt the first five children that we met because we knew that their issues were larger than we are equipt to handle. The two that we did adopt have issues of their own, which makes them a double handful, but they're issues that I am at least able to understand and, hopefully, help them to understand, Hope that helps, Mary Lee @Christiane,

Not capacity, an enlarged head is often an indicator of FAS. We each need to know what are limitations are. My husband and I did not adopt the first five children that we met because we knew that their issues were larger than we are equipt to handle. The two that we did adopt have issues of their own, which makes them a double handful, but they’re issues that I am at least able to understand and, hopefully, help them to understand,

Hope that helps,

Mary Lee

]]> By: James 1:27 - Family Fatherhood Orthopraxis Theology - - A Pauper in the Court of the King http://www.russellmoore.com/2010/10/07/is-the-orphan-my-neighbor/#comment-34723 James 1:27 - Family Fatherhood Orthopraxis Theology - - A Pauper in the Court of the King Fri, 08 Oct 2010 02:05:30 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=5781#comment-34723 [...] Dr. Russell Moore writes: I will never forget seeing her pull the measuring tape out of her purse as she talked about the skull of her child. [...] [...] Dr. Russell Moore writes: I will never forget seeing her pull the measuring tape out of her purse as she talked about the skull of her child. [...]

]]> By: jennifer http://www.russellmoore.com/2010/10/07/is-the-orphan-my-neighbor/#comment-34718 jennifer Fri, 08 Oct 2010 01:27:42 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=5781#comment-34718 I was adopted into a large adoptive family from an orphanage by Americans living in my birth country. Oh, the risks they took! This was 40 years ago, before the day of "tape measures." My husband and I have chosen to adopt as well and adopt special needs children privately and from foster care. No price is too great for a soul. This is my first time on your blog and I have a question which perhaps you would have time to answer. You speak strongly from the Bible about adoption. But so do a lot of other people. Yet, these same people make a place for the dissolution of the binding legal agreement they signed committing their life to their child. Each time we bring another child into our home, all from difficult circumstances, we commit to their life time and to their souls. I'm often criticized as someone who doesn't "know" how hard it is to go through a dissolution and doesn't understand the circumstances leading up to a dissolution. This couldn't be further from the truth. While all our children have received healing within a short time of entering our family, in my growing up family that was not so with one sibling. The pain he brought to my family was unspeakable. But the healing and restoration God brought about following tragedy is something our family would have never experienced had my parents given up. What place does adoption dissolution have in the place of a Christian? Thank you in advance for your response! Blessings, Jennifer I was adopted into a large adoptive family from an orphanage by Americans living in my birth country. Oh, the risks they took! This was 40 years ago, before the day of “tape measures.” My husband and I have chosen to adopt as well and adopt special needs children privately and from foster care. No price is too great for a soul. This is my first time on your blog and I have a question which perhaps you would have time to answer. You speak strongly from the Bible about adoption. But so do a lot of other people. Yet, these same people make a place for the dissolution of the binding legal agreement they signed committing their life to their child. Each time we bring another child into our home, all from difficult circumstances, we commit to their life time and to their souls. I’m often criticized as someone who doesn’t “know” how hard it is to go through a dissolution and doesn’t understand the circumstances leading up to a dissolution. This couldn’t be further from the truth. While all our children have received healing within a short time of entering our family, in my growing up family that was not so with one sibling. The pain he brought to my family was unspeakable. But the healing and restoration God brought about following tragedy is something our family would have never experienced had my parents given up. What place does adoption dissolution have in the place of a Christian? Thank you in advance for your response! Blessings, Jennifer

]]> By: Faith http://www.russellmoore.com/2010/10/07/is-the-orphan-my-neighbor/#comment-34669 Faith Thu, 07 Oct 2010 21:36:14 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=5781#comment-34669 Powerful reminder. Thank you. Powerful reminder. Thank you.

]]> By: Dan http://www.russellmoore.com/2010/10/07/is-the-orphan-my-neighbor/#comment-34663 Dan Thu, 07 Oct 2010 21:08:51 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=5781#comment-34663 As one who sometimes get frozen by the unknown, I give my wife credit that in the case of our adoption, she wasn't. But sure, when we received our referral there was an intense mystery as to what he'd look like. Our boy came to us from Guatemala. He was slow to warm up to me, but that's three years ago. These days he's my little sports freak, and a good-looking one in my humble opinion! No regrets. Zero. In fact, knowing what we know now, we'd have regretted NOT adopting. As one who sometimes get frozen by the unknown, I give my wife credit that in the case of our adoption, she wasn’t. But sure, when we received our referral there was an intense mystery as to what he’d look like. Our boy came to us from Guatemala. He was slow to warm up to me, but that’s three years ago. These days he’s my little sports freak, and a good-looking one in my humble opinion! No regrets. Zero. In fact, knowing what we know now, we’d have regretted NOT adopting.

]]> By: Michelle Vernon http://www.russellmoore.com/2010/10/07/is-the-orphan-my-neighbor/#comment-34659 Michelle Vernon Thu, 07 Oct 2010 20:57:23 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=5781#comment-34659 If willing to address the crisis of fatherlessness, this is the very thing we are doing here in the states for orphans. Be an orphan's family for 4 weeks starting mid-December. Over 300 orphans just waiting for the invitation to spend the Christmas holidays with a loving family. www.newhorizonsforchildren.org As you said, "Who better than those who have been welcomed by Christ to care for the most feared and least sought after of the world’s orphans?" If willing to address the crisis of fatherlessness, this is the very thing we are doing here in the states for orphans.

Be an orphan’s family for 4 weeks starting mid-December. Over 300 orphans just waiting for the invitation to spend the Christmas holidays with a loving family.
http://www.newhorizonsforchildren.org

As you said, “Who better than those who have been welcomed by Christ to care for the most feared and least sought after of the world’s orphans?”

]]> By: Christie http://www.russellmoore.com/2010/10/07/is-the-orphan-my-neighbor/#comment-34641 Christie Thu, 07 Oct 2010 19:53:32 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=5781#comment-34641 Thank you so much for writing this. It has been on many of our hearts for a long time. 3 of our children are adopted. Two are from Ukraine. That measuring tape story just gets me every time. Our daughter's have special needs. Don't we all? LOL They have blessed us so much and we would love to adopt again and again and bring them all home to love and cherish. I am going to make a link to your post from my blog. :) Thanks for writing. :) Thank you so much for writing this. It has been on many of our hearts for a long time.

3 of our children are adopted. Two are from Ukraine. That measuring tape story just gets me every time. Our daughter’s have special needs. Don’t we all? LOL

They have blessed us so much and we would love to adopt again and again and bring them all home to love and cherish.

I am going to make a link to your post from my blog. :)

Thanks for writing. :)

]]> By: Christiane http://www.russellmoore.com/2010/10/07/is-the-orphan-my-neighbor/#comment-34628 Christiane Thu, 07 Oct 2010 18:35:00 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=5781#comment-34628 Thank you for writing this. About that lady measuring the orphan's head: I guess we all have 'tape measures' for one another, don't we? But for a child, bereft of parents, and in need of care . . . ? cranial capacity? Dear Lord, please help me to understand this without judgment. Thank you for writing this.

About that lady measuring the orphan’s head:
I guess we all have ‘tape measures’ for one another, don’t we?
But for a child, bereft of parents, and in need of care . . . ?
cranial capacity?

Dear Lord, please help me to understand this without judgment.

]]> By: Zach Nielsen http://www.russellmoore.com/2010/10/07/is-the-orphan-my-neighbor/#comment-34616 Zach Nielsen Thu, 07 Oct 2010 18:11:49 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=5781#comment-34616 I have experienced this fear in our adoption of Mya. Irrational thoughts can easily creep in and haunt parents of children adopted from different biological genes. Much could be said in response to this fear, but I am usually arrested by one simply question, "What is the alternative? That they rot away in a third world orphanages or cycle through the American foster care system?" That is no alternative. I preach to myself that God always provides the resources for his people to do what he has called them to do. There is something to say though for a robust theology of suffering to be married to a robust theology of adoption. I fear that if we don't work to have these concepts as parallel strains we'll set ourselves up for disillusionment and pain. For most people, adoption is not sexy. It is not easy and it is not "fun". What part of the Christian life is those things? But obedience always leads to blessing and the Cross always leads to a resurrection but these realities make not be fully realized even in this life. We long for the one who will come and make all things right. So let's proceed in faith as God's people on God's mission to declare and demonstrate the truth of his word to those who are most needy and broken among us. It won't be easy and our fears will always tempt us to despair but an onlooking world needs to see radical generosity and God is pleased when we display the reality of our adoption to those who most need it. I have experienced this fear in our adoption of Mya. Irrational thoughts can easily creep in and haunt parents of children adopted from different biological genes. Much could be said in response to this fear, but I am usually arrested by one simply question, “What is the alternative? That they rot away in a third world orphanages or cycle through the American foster care system?” That is no alternative. I preach to myself that God always provides the resources for his people to do what he has called them to do.

There is something to say though for a robust theology of suffering to be married to a robust theology of adoption. I fear that if we don’t work to have these concepts as parallel strains we’ll set ourselves up for disillusionment and pain. For most people, adoption is not sexy. It is not easy and it is not “fun”. What part of the Christian life is those things? But obedience always leads to blessing and the Cross always leads to a resurrection but these realities make not be fully realized even in this life. We long for the one who will come and make all things right.

So let’s proceed in faith as God’s people on God’s mission to declare and demonstrate the truth of his word to those who are most needy and broken among us. It won’t be easy and our fears will always tempt us to despair but an onlooking world needs to see radical generosity and God is pleased when we display the reality of our adoption to those who most need it.

]]> By: Keri Cahill http://www.russellmoore.com/2010/10/07/is-the-orphan-my-neighbor/#comment-34613 Keri Cahill Thu, 07 Oct 2010 17:57:53 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=5781#comment-34613 Wow. Guess I know what was on God's mind today! I wrote about this on my blog, as did several friends...as did you ( albeit far more eloquently than the rest of us!) We all had this burden on our hearts today.....independent of each other. I think god is trying to say something. I'm glad some of us are listening! Thank you thank you thank you for your words. May MANY hear them.... blessings, Keri Wow. Guess I know what was on God’s mind today! I wrote about this on my blog, as did several friends…as did you ( albeit far more eloquently than the rest of us!) We all had this burden on our hearts today…..independent of each other. I think god is trying to say something. I’m glad some of us are listening!

Thank you thank you thank you for your words. May MANY hear them….

blessings, Keri

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