Psalm 116:2 tells us God inclines His ear to us.

We walk with Christ so that the world sees the difference Christ makes. We are to be a people who walk wisely by walking with the Lord.

<;p>;<;img src=";https://mustorage.blob.core.windows.net/images/2024/04/supermarket-1920x740.jpg"; alt=";Supermarket Aliens‚ Mothman Photo‚ NASA Hunts Nessie‚ Hallucinating Petroglyphs and More Mysterious News Briefly";>;<;/p>;<;p>;News surfaced this week of a <;a href=";https://www.abc.es/sevilla/provincia/salida-emergencia-eurofighter-tras-ovni-moron-frontera-20240331075205-nts.html"; target=";_blank"; rel=";noopener";>;UFO encounter in Spain in 2023<;/a>; when a Eurofighter jet of the Spanish Air Force scrambled to intercept an unidentified spherical object near the Morn de la Frontera air base in Seville which ground radar showed flying at high speed and altitude the Eurofighter pilot reported visually tracking for several minutes but was unable to catch or identify it; the unidentified pilot later sent the information to UFO researcher Jos Manuel Garca Bautista‚ explaining that the data was analyzed but they came up with nothing as to the ";nature or origin of that UFO"; and to this day there has been no official response from the Spanish government to requests for more information. Are the worlds militaries in collusion on UFOs or do they all have the same defects in their ground radar systems?<;/p>;

<;p>;My mom loved retelling a conversation she overheard between me and my best friend when I was 5 years old. Mark had just found out how babies were born and was eager to enlighten me. After hearing his version‚ I shook my head‚ gave a big Nuh uh! and proceeded to set him straight: My mom and dad lined up all the babies in the world and chose me.<;/p>;<;p>;At that young age‚ I had a positive view of adoption. Years later‚ I realized I was blind to what was going on underneath. My awakening came around age 40 through a book that put words to the deep shame I felt but couldnt articulate. Reading other adoptees stories was a revelation. For many of us who were adopted‚ gratitude will eventually intermingle with grief.<;/p>;<;p>;The vast majority of what Ive read and heard from Christians about adoption has been from the perspective of adoptive parents. While I appreciate much of what Ive read‚ sometimes the differences between human and spiritual adoption arent sufficiently discussedor are ignored entirely.<;/p>;<;h3>;Important Differences<;/h3>;<;p>;There are beautiful parallels between our theological adoption into Gods family and adoption into a human family. In the theological <;a href=";https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/adoption/"; target=";_blank"; rel=";noopener noreferrer";>;doctrine of adoption<;/a>;‚ our orphan status is transformed and were given a new surname‚ forever part of Gods family with all the rights and privileges it affords. This is true of human adoption as well. Im a Dillard‚ as are my children. When my father dies‚ Ill receive an equal share of the inheritance with my brother whos biologically a Dillard.<;/p>;<;p>;We look at the Bibles picture of God adopting us and are grateful. Adoption as a theological truth is glorious. But we ought to be careful to not overplay the parallel with human adoption. There are important‚ inglorious differences that hinge on the experience of the adoptee.<;/p>;<;blockquote>;<;p>;Adoption as a theological truth is glorious. But we ought to be careful to not overplay the parallel with human adoption.<;/p>;<;/blockquote>;<;p>;In human adoption‚ the adoptee sometimes experiences deep‚ lingering trauma and a nagging sense of abandonment. This shame is compounded when adoptees are told something like this: Isnt it great youre in this wonderful family instead of in whatever dire situation you would have known? You were rescued. You should be grateful.<;/p>;<;p>;Adoption is a wonderful gift and gratitude is an important response. But the wounds we adoptees carry are real‚ and the trauma beneath the surface sometimes manifests in harmful behaviors. Adoptees are significantly more likely than nonadoptees to have <;a href=";https://redined.educacion.gob.es/xmlui/bitstream/handle/11162/214377/527-535.pdf?sequence=1"; target=";_blank"; rel=";noopener noreferrer";>;mental health disorders<;/a>;. They often <;a href=";https://ifstudies.org/blog/the-adoptive-difference-new-evidence-on-how-adopted-children-perform-in-school"; target=";_blank"; rel=";noopener noreferrer";>;struggle in school<;/a>; and are at a <;a href=";https://www.verywellmind.com/what-are-the-mental-health-effects-of-being-adopted-5217799"; target=";_blank"; rel=";noopener noreferrer";>;four times higher risk for suicide<;/a>;. You may know a well-adjusted and fruitful adoptee. I fit that category‚ thanks be to God. But others have a different experience. Even for those doing well‚ the wound is often deep and lasting‚ still affecting us and our families well into adulthood.<;/p>;<;p>;The doctrine of adoption affirms were full heirs as sons and daughters in Gods forever family. We were rescued from slavery and have become children (Gal. 4:7). Human adoption‚ on the other hand‚ involves a pregnant woman‚ usually in a difficult situation‚ who chooses or is forced to give her baby away. The baby has been growing in her womb for nine months and has developed a deep attachment. When that baby is born and separated from his birth mother‚ he experiences a traumatic wound thats not easily recognized.<;/p>;<;p>;When Christians ignore this reality‚ they compound the wound with expectations of gratitude.<;/p>;<;h3>;Adoptees Psalm<;/h3>;<;p>;Ive found comfort in Psalm 27‚ which I dubbed The Adoptees Psalm. The longing and insecurity many adoptees feel are voiced: Cast me not off; forsake me not (v. 9). This is the fear for many who were adopted. Verse 10 then captures our hope: For my father and my mother have forsaken me‚ but the LORD will take me in. Yes!<;/p>;<;p>;Adult adoptees may know cerebrally that they werent abandoned‚ but the babies they once were experienced abandonment‚ and the lingering effects of that experience remain. Gods promise to take me in has helped me heal‚ 55 years after my adoption.<;/p>;<;p>;I remember a moment when God met with me profoundly through this psalm. As I sat with verses 910‚ I allowed my imagination to go to that hospital nursery on February 14‚ two days after I was born‚ when I was left with strangers tasked with keeping me physically OK until I was taken home by my new parents. What was that 2-day-old baby experiencing? I sat in that moment and let God meet me and minister healing.<;/p>;<;p>;Psalms like this remind us God isnt afraid of our pain. Scripture doesnt sanitize the pain of life in a fallen world‚ even as it points us to hope and healing.<;/p>;<;h3>;Be Present and Patient<;/h3>;<;p>;As we look at adoption theologically as <;a href=";https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/adopted-by-the-living-god/"; target=";_blank"; rel=";noopener noreferrer";>;children of God<;/a>;‚ we can rejoice in what it means for us. But we must realize adoptees of human parents often bear closer resemblance to the Israelites in the desert‚ maddeningly wanting to return to Egypt. The trauma adoptees experience can be healed but often takes many yearsand sometimes isnt fully healed.<;/p>;<;p>;Stepping into a relationship with an adopteewhether as a <;a href=";https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/know-adopt/"; target=";_blank"; rel=";noopener noreferrer";>;parent<;/a>;‚ a spouse‚ or a church familycan be an up-and-down adventure in faith. But our presence in the journey is vital. Patience and forbearance are necessary. Dont get frustrated that an adoptees struggle is ongoing. Be with her in it‚ be <;i>;for<;/i>; her in it‚ and make it clear you arent going anywhere.<;/p>;<;blockquote>;<;p>;Scripture doesnt sanitize the pain of life in a fallen world‚ even as it points us to hope and healing.<;/p>;<;/blockquote>;<;p>;Practical steps church leaders can take on this issue include recommending the excellent book <;a href=";https://www.amazon.com/Connected-Child-healing-adoptive-family/dp/0071475001/?tag=thegospcoal-20"; target=";_blank"; rel=";noopener noreferrer";>;<;i>;The Connected Child: Bring Hope and Healing to Your Adoptive Family<;/i>;<;/a>;; making space for adult adoptees to share their stories; and‚ if professional help is needed‚ referring individuals or families to trusted‚ trauma-informed therapists in your area.<;/p>;<;p>;When we deal with adoption in the church‚ we need to recognize the deep wounds of some adoptees and understand the road to wholeness will be long and difficult. Lets take this step with eyes wide open and full of faith. May our churches be communities of grace in which adoptees and their families are shepherded with understanding and compassion.<;/p>;

<;p>;Before our family arrived at our assignment to serve alongside an indigenous church in Central Asia‚ missionary colleagues advised us to stay in the background as we learned the language and culture. They encouraged us to focus on servingcleaning toilets‚ mopping floors‚ taking elderly members to the hospital. We should adopt a learners posture‚ being slow to share our ideas and opinions.<;/p>;<;p>;Their advice served us well‚ not only as we accumulated the trust of the church and her leaders but as we grew in humility and patience.<;/p>;<;p>;Then‚ two and a half years into our assignment‚ the national pastor asked me to consider serving as an elder. I didnt know what to do. All the training Id received prompted me to resist his request. Nationals should own the work from the beginning. Having foreign workers leading perpetuates paternalism and dependency. Dont take ministry from nationals. Release authority.<;/p>;<;p>;Id internalized such principles‚ and they echoed in my mind. My national partners request created a small crisis for me. I didnt want to disappoint him. At the same time‚ I feared taking on a role that might imply the inferiority of nationals or‚ worse‚ foster dependency that could take years to undo.<;/p>;<;p>;But in the end‚ I became convinced the benefits of missionaries modeling biblical eldership in indigenous churches outweigh the potential drawbacks.<;/p>;<;h3>;History of Indigenous Leadership<;/h3>;<;p>;The wisdom and missiological principles with which I came to the field have roots in missions history. In the mid-19th century‚ mission leaders such as Rufus Anderson‚ Henry Venn‚ and Francis Wayland began to address long-held concerns that missionary efforts imposed Western cultural norms. They believed a colonial mindset among missionaries kept churches and other institutions out of the hands of nationals. In response‚ they pioneered an indigenous church movement that sought to reform missions and establish self-governing‚ self-propagating‚ and financially self-supporting churches.<;/p>;<;p>;Writing decades later‚ the English missionary Roland Allenhimself deeply influenced by the indigenous church movement<;a href=";https://www.amazon.com/Spontaneous-Expansion-Church-Causes-Hinder/dp/1579101984/?tag=thegospcoal-20"; target=";_blank"; rel=";noopener noreferrer";>;chastised missionaries<;/a>; who held leadership roles and authority until they were satisfied nationals were ready to take it from them: The moment is never clear. . . . The inevitable result of this method is discontent and strife.<;/p>;<;p>;For Allen‚ evidence of discontentment was all around him as movements for national sovereignty sought to push off the colonial empires rule in all spheres‚ including in newly assertive national churches led by local leaders. A less authoritative‚ background role for the foreigner became the conventional wisdom in missions circles.<;/p>;<;p>;This new vision for the foreign missionarys role addressed real and pressing concerns‚ but did the pendulum swing too far? In the New Testament‚ Pauls approach to the missionary task indicates no hesitancy toward modeling faithful leadership.<;/p>;<;blockquote>;<;p>;Pauls approach to the missionary task indicates no hesitancy toward modeling faithful leadership.<;/p>;<;/blockquote>;<;p>;His account of his extended ministry in Ephesus suggests he took an active role leading during his time there (Acts 20:1738). In addition‚ he encouraged those he mentored to lead as well. Paul exhorts Timothy to do the work of an evangelist (2 Tim. 4:5)‚ a phrase <;a href=";https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Missionary-Realities-Strategies-Methods/dp/0830828877/?tag=thegospcoal-20"; target=";_blank"; rel=";noopener noreferrer";>;Eckhard Schnabel claims<;/a>; is closely connected with teaching and exercising leadership in the local congregation. Finally‚ Pauls letter-writing ministry hardly implies an approach dedicated to remaining in the background.<;/p>;<;h3>;Teaching and Modeling<;strong>;<;br>;<;/strong>;<;/h3>;<;p>;The New Testament pattern suggests missionaries may have a role to play in teaching and modeling as an elder in the indigenous church. There are at least two reasons for this.<;/p>;<;p>;First‚ missionaries modeling Christlike shepherding teach by example (1 Pet. 5:14). They can demonstrate how to handle delicate situations with pastoral sensitivity and how to reason toward wisdom from the Bible when faced with difficult questions. They can put forward a radical alternative image of what faithful church leaders look like‚ especially in cultures that value authoritarian or Machiavellian leadership qualities.<;/p>;<;p>;This second benefit is compounded in pioneer situations when‚ for example‚ only one qualified national leader has emerged in a local church. A foreign missionary serving as a second elder and introducing <;a href=";https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/plurality-principle/"; target=";_blank"; rel=";noopener noreferrer";>;plurality<;/a>; can help prevent singular strong man leadership models from taking hold. Especially in places where Christian influence has been minimal and biblical servant leadership is countercultural‚ how will nationals learn to lead unless we show them?<;/p>;<;p>;Second‚ foreign missionaries serving as elders demonstrate their deep commitment to the local church. In our Muslim context‚ members of our church faced limited employment opportunities‚ limited marital prospects‚ and ostracization from family and the community. Pastors are often particularly targeted. My closest national partner was falsely accused of having terrorist connections and running a prostitution ring. At one point‚ he was even kidnapped for a few hours to intimidate him.<;/p>;<;p>;Missionaries willing to share the burden of protecting the sheepwhich can risk making them more of a targetshow the church theyre unafraid to identify with their local brothers and sisters.<;/p>;<;h3>;Humble Service<;/h3>;<;p>;Still‚ missionaries should heed the historical lessons of missionary leadership wielded poorly.<;/p>;<;p>;Foreign workers serving as elders in national churches must approach the role with humility and a genuine desire to <;a href=";https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/raising-up-elders/"; target=";_blank"; rel=";noopener noreferrer";>;raise up local leaders<;/a>; as soon as possible. They should always see their roleand insist others see their roleas transitional. They dare not compel a church to accept them as leaders because of their status as foreign experts but should serve in such a way that their fitness for leadership becomes evident over time. This approach requires missionaries to be patient and to keep their tenure open-ended.<;/p>;<;blockquote>;<;p>;Foreign missionaries serving as elders demonstrate their deep investment in the local church.<;/p>;<;/blockquote>;<;p>;Finally‚ missionaries who might serve as elders in national churches should be elder-qualified according to Scripture. They should have mentorship and practice in biblical shepherding before leaving for the field. Missionaries arent qualified for eldership just because theyre foreigners. We have the same need to learn from faithful models as the brothers we go to serve.<;/p>;<;p>;As I wrestled with what to do‚ God graciously allowed me to cross paths with a wise missionary who had decades of experience. Brother‚ heres a national pastor whos asking you to come alongside him and share the responsibility of shepherding Jesuss church. What biblical principle prevents you from saying yes?<;/p>;<;p>;My fellow worker helped me see that telling my national partner I knew what he needed better than he did was just as paternalistic as me insisting on having a leadership role. In accepting the request of my church and the national pastor to serve as an elder‚ God taught me that while missiological wisdom can serve as an important guide‚ the Bible alone constrains the missionary task.<;/p>;

<;p>;In this breakout session at TGC23‚ Jen Wilkin discusses how the ideals of individualism‚ personal fulfillment‚ and self-directed paths to happiness can negatively affect family relationships. Wilkin teaches parents how to regain a deep focus on the shared space we call home and foster a family environment of biblical values‚ love‚ safety‚ and true identity in Christ.<;/p>;

Nearly 60% of respondents said Biden has ";hurt"; the cost of living

A postshared on social mediapurports that comedians Tim Allen and Roseanne Barr are starting a non-woke actors guild. Verdict: False The claim is inaccurate. The claim stems from a satirical website. Fact Check: Barr recently made headlines from telling students to drop out of college during a speech at a fundraiser for Senate candidate Kari []

History is changing by the day

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