Frank Peretti: The Man and the Monster

Frank Peretti: The Man and the Monster
"He made you he knows what you're good at. He knows what you can do and what you can become. Trust Him. Love Him. He'll always love you back and He'll carry you as a father carries his child."

Peretti speaks about his childhood. For most of his childhood he felt like a monster: having a facial deformity and speech issues. How God used a "monster" for His ministry!

As you are following after God's call to adopt, allow Him to speak to your heart and remove some of your thoughts on "monsters" too.

There are many waiting children that have special needs and many of them are cosmetic or surgically correctable. In some countries things like birthmarks or facial deformities are enough to deem a child "monstrous" or unadoptable. Centuries of culture conforming on ideas of beauty bringing blessing and differences or scars bringing curses.

Yet, there is One that bore the scars. Made blame and "monster" for me and all of us. Perfection willingly made into deformity, scars through which we are all made beautiful and are blessed.

How is He calling you to define beauty, blessing, scars or "monsters"?

If He asks you to adopt a child that looks radically different, by world culture or by your own standards, how do you respond? When?

Do you simply deem a "monster" and disobey or do you yield and allow Him to guide your steps? Especially if it is towards a radical adoption?

“All at once came the thought – If you are simply obeying the LORD, all the responsibility will rest on Him, not on you! What a relief!! Well, I cried to God – You shall be responsible for them, and for me too!” J. Hudson Taylor

Beautiful Blog Party...

This is a bit of a departure from what we usually place here...the greatness well worth it:)
Truly beautiful journeyers in Christ...they are that amazing despite their denials. Admittedly, when I heard how God was working in their lives, in regards to orphans I HAD to KNOW them!

The McB's are too humble to see how inspiring they are...to so many. It is easy to champion the cause of daddyless especially on Daddy Day...but to go with young family in tow, where and when God leads you to go and do?! Being both mommy and daddy to the parentless and often considered  unreached people groups orphans due to HIV & AIDS...that's crazy...or is it?! How does anybody talk about HIV orphans much less advocate for them in church when mentioning brazier causes some to be off put...so naturally I thoroughly enjoy the fact that God has asked our church to buy underwear and braziers for those in need...not to mention the way my husband blushes when mentioning brazier at church:)

Here's the thing, they are regular folks. They remarkably just let God lead them to where the needs were and obeyed...and God is doing the remarkable through them...humbled by their obedience and awed by God's plan as it is unfolding bringing His beauty and Fatherly love to so many in desperate need.

Shameless plug because I write this blog and LOVE this family...
Please commit to pray over the McBrides as individuals and collectively with your own family as well as church family. Please consider making a financial commitment to them via Lifesong There is a direct link on the Zambia page to support them. Ask God to let you not only hear of  who He is, but to see Him a la Job 42. There will be more details on ways to support this remarkable work in Zambia coming soon...will tease you with the idea of supporting their "new kiddos" as a family ministry.Will say, that indeed underwear and braziers are in need:)

When you think of Beautiful Things...remember The McBrides, Zambia and the Beauty that God is making already from the once thought ashes of these precious children's lives.

Educate. Equip. Edify. Encourage. Excite. Embrace (additional shameless plug for another incredible ministry for orphans...details to feature soon)

God is good! His works are Beautiful!!!