This morning I've been reading Adopted Into God's Family: Exploring a Pauline Metaphor by Trevor Burke (who teaches at Moody). It's a commentary on the metaphor of adoption that Paul speaks of five times in his letters.
I am studying up on this because I've been asked to preach at Franconia Mennonite Church at their Sunday morning service on November 16. This church has a real, genuine heart for adoption and sees it as an important way to flesh out the gospel in the family. Each year for the past three years Franconia has hosted "Adoption Sunday," a day to highlight adoption by focusing on the heart of God and how he cares for the alien, the orphan and the widow. They have asked that we share Carter's story and then teach on God's heart for adopting us into his family.
I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to tell Carter's story in order to highlight God's story – the gospel message, Paul says, is about God adopting us into his family, calling us to be his kids.
Later that evening I am scheduled to preach at a church in Bethlehem – should make for a good, but very busy day.