Two Sundays ago, I visited the Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama. I was completely in awe at their family of faith's steadfast endeavor to please our living God. In the past two weeks my mind has been consumed with a three minute side note, David Platt, the pastor, mentioned. “Our families have signed up for foster care classes, and when we’re through, there will be no more orphans in Birmingham.” This concept isn’t abnormal to them, they acknowledged the command of God to take care of widows and orphans in their affliction, and they did something about it. WHY IS THIS NOT HAPPENING EVERYWHERE? We’re all in our own homes taking care of ourselves and our loved ones and merely “praying” for those in need. NOTHING is being done, and that shatters, disturbs, and severs me inside and out. But praise God for what this church has done. I can assertively say that God is pleased with them, and He will forever be glorified in their sacrifice.
Following Jesus Christ is to the extreme, black and white, all or nothing. Therefore I’m not going to let the Enemy distract me from another God-given task that has been given unto me. My mom has been a social worker for over 25 years, and she also teaches foster/adopt classes for Spalding County and five surrounding counties. In the past she’s been to churches in the area pleading for them to give her families to teach so the children would have a home, but no church body has ever taken the plunge. Fostering a child is not financially demanding; the government reimburses you for the children’s needs. All these kids need is time and love in their time of affliction. Time and love, two things Christians are supposed to have to give. My mom told me that a good number of her foster parents are unbelievers.
forrealwhyarethelostdoingourjob??? When I told her what has been on my mind lately, she was overwhelmed with joy. I’ve met with various people, thinking they would throw reality at me and keep me from doing my part, but gratefully, God has prevented any discouragement. I’m meeting with Fred Thompson, the pastor of Mt. Gilead Church tomorrow with the intent of taking this to the Church. It has to be done. I don’t exactly understand what God’s getting me into, but it just makes sense. Let it burden your heart, it should.
"...they walk in all humility and kindness, and falsehood is not found among them, and they love one another: and from the widows they do not turn away their countenance: and they rescue the orphan from him who does him violence: and he who has gives to him who has not, without grudging; and when they see the stranger they bring him to their dwellings, and rejoice over him as over a true brother; for they do not call brothers those who are after the flesh, but those who are in the spirit and in God: but when one of their poor passes away from the world, and any of them sees him, then he provides for his burial according to his ability; and if they hear that any of their number is imprisoned or oppressed for the name of their Messiah, all of them provide for his needs, and if it is possible that he may be delivered, they deliver him. And if there is among them a man that is poor or needy, and they have not an abundance of necessaries, they fast two or three days that they may supply the needy with their necessary food."
-Aristides 125 A.D.
"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."
