Have you ever spent hours on a puzzle only to find out there are a few pieces missing? If you step back, the picture looks so beautiful and yet not quite complete. Maybe it’s a part of a leaf, or the tip of the kitten’s ear, or a brick in the foundation of a castle. You want to celebrate your accomplishment of assembling all these pieces! However, knowing that there are gaps in the smooth surface of assembled pieces dampens the celebration a bit.
It’s easy to become discouraged these days. Those who don’t want to acknowledge the Creator God are bold. Those who want to acknowledge Him long enough to blame Him for all the ills of the world are just as bold. All worldviews except the biblical worldview are tolerated on campuses. A “progressive” media scoffs at the “downward-sloped forehead” people who live in virtually every state except along certain coastlines. The culture, in general, is certainly more coarse. Immodest. Selfish.
“He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves” (Psalm 47:4). According to God’s Word, the Lord chooses our inheritance for us. As I read the above Bible verse it reminded me of an evangelism call I made many years ago in St. Louis. The woman I visited lived in a small, run down home. She had an aged car that had seen better days. As we visited she told me she was praying that God would give her a million dollars. And it was obvious that she was serious about getting the money.
If you have an up-to-date and valid will, you deserve our congratulations. You’ve accomplished what many people never quite get around to doing. Congratulations for taking the initiative and getting the job done.
On the other hand, you may be one of the many people who are practicing the fine art of procrastination. You may have been avoiding writing or updating your will for many years. There are at least ten reasons people give for not writing a will. If any of these apply to you, put an “X” in the appropriate box.
Since 1979, LFL has shared God’s Word, explaining the value that all human life has because of what God has done for us. Have the Supreme Court decisions been overturned? No, but great things have been accomplished with God’s help and provision!
This sample ceremony has been provided by Lutheran Family Services of Iowa. Adapt as needed. “An Adoption Ceremony of Blessing” sample ceremony has been provided by Lutheran Family Services of Iowa. Adapt as needed.
Here is a list of adoption-related resources suggested by Lutheran Family Service of iowa.
A few Bible verses on fatherhood.
LFL will once again be participating in the March For Life in Washington, DC on January 22, 2012. If you would like to participate, or know someone in your congregation
How did you celebrate the birth of your child or grandchild? Fathers sometimes hand out cigars when a baby is born. New parents send out birth announcements to family and friends. And they open their home to welcome family members and close friends to see the new baby. Soon after the birth Lutheran parents have their child baptized. Through the water and the Word, God makes the child His own. Baptisms at the congregation are often followed with a special baptism celebration with family and close friends.