The Spirit of Adoption as a Prophetic Response to Abortion
For those who have hung around here regularly for some time, you have probably seen me make various strong comments about my passion to see the abolition of the legal abortion holocaust in our midst. Over 40 million Americans have been murdered since 1972 through abortion. To see this holocaust come to an end should be perhaps the highest moral priority for the American Church today. But it is easy to criticise and rail against the darkness and it is another thing to actually do something. Perhaps there is no greater act than to stand against the spirit of abortion by adopting a child with no family. After having had three beautiful girls, last year, my amazingly strong, wise, and beautiful wife had to get a hysterectomy. Since that time we have been moving toward adopting a fourth child. Initially we were looking at an international adoption from Ethiopia. The Ethiopian people are perhaps my favorite people in the world. They are a beautiful and noble people whose ancient Christian and Jewish culture is a shining jewel in the earth. Unfortunately, prior to becoming a believer, I developed a bit of an arrest record. Surprised? I could tell you some stories. But while all of my arrests were before the age of 20, now nearly 20 years later, my former life has come back to haunt me. We were rejected from the international adoption program. Fortunately, many Christian run domestic adoptions agencies are a bit more understanding regarding a situation like mine. And so my wife and I are now back to making an effort to adopt. But as you all likely know, adoption is a costly endeavour. As such, I simply want to make my needs known. If anyone is specifically led to contribute to this effort, I will certainly not refuse any such offering, but that is really not what this post is about. Rather it is an appeal to any pastors, groups, or Churches that would like to have me come out to conduct a seminar or conference. While I will not refuse any who specifically feel led to give, I personally believe in working for my income. So if you pull up to the corner and see me standing there, I suppose my sign could read:
“Will speak out against Islamic extremism for adoption expenses. Any little event helps. God Bless You. 
”
And of course, your prayers are deeply appreciated as well.
You may contact me at menosabe@hotmail.com
August 17th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Something about last night’s polticial forum with Rick Warren seemed to pass by the mainstream media. The two candidates were asked about the 148,000,000 orphans of the world. Obama’s response was that we need to make it a top priority (like everything else), dialog about it, confront it head on, make hard chaoices, and spend some money on a new government program. (same answer as to most questio).
McCain’s answer? He adopted a child.
August 17th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Exactly. Thanks Robert.
I watched the whole event by the way. Night and Day is all I can say. Night and Day. Fairly encouraging actually.
August 17th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
I don’t know if this reply will be of any use - I certainly hope so. Joel came out to Salisbury, MD, this past spring and spoke to an interdenominational gathering about Islam and the End Times. It was excellent! We learned so much and I would HIGHLY recommend your church or group have Joel come give a talk or seminar. Let me put it this way - Joel does his homework!! If you have any questions about putting together a seminar, I would be happy to oblige. It was truly a great experience and fun, too! God bless, Lisa Leo lisalwbc@comcast.net
August 17th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
As the mom to four Korean born children, I’m always thrilled to hear of others who have made the decision to add to their families through adoption. You will be blessed in ways you can’t even imagine as you embark on this journey to your new child. I’m excited for you!
I agree with your view on the abortion issue as well. I believe that we as Christians have failed miserably in our responsibility to be a voice for the unborn. We always hear the pro-abortion crowd talking about a woman’s right to choose…it’s her body and her choice, we can’t force our opinion on someone else, ect. ect. But who will speak for the children if we do not?
I fear that we will be judged because we have stood by and allowed so many innocent lives to be snuffed out…the great majority for convenience sake alone.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:37 am
Thanks Lisa!
Amen Deb.
August 18th, 2008 at 8:22 am
I heard Joel in Salisbury Also. Let me also add that he is very humble and a super nice guy.
Joel, we’ll be praying for you guys. After having two children my wife and I had talked about someday adopting another, but since then we had two more of our own. They are all very young so we are working hard to get by in taking care of all of them financially and although they are all great kids it can be very difficult for my wife and I to chase after four very small kids at once. A blessing, but one that is not always easy, Needless to say we won’t be adopting anytime soon but we want to encourage everyone who can to adopt a child or children. This is also a great way to respond to the evil of abortion by showing that children are a blessing and that the anser is not to reduce unwanted pregnancies as Obama put it but to end abortion. The line is long to adopt a baby in the United States and just think how many families could be blessed if those who would have abortions would instead give their babies life with a loving family.
August 18th, 2008 at 8:48 am
Joel, Adoption is near and dear to our hearts. To make a long story short, we adopted our daughter at birth. We always treated her exactly as the same as our bio son. We always thought that if we loved her enough she would turn out just like our son. Our son would be described as the “good son”. Our daughter on the other hand was rebellious and eventually did things to hurt her mind and body with drugs and sexual promiscuity. She now has an STD that is incurable. We were so despondent over her that all that remained was to cry out to God with fervent and continual prayer.
Praise be to the Lord almighty. Not long ago she had a life changing encounter with Jesus. Soon there after she agreed to attend ” One thing and IHOP KC (look it up) Just this week she was at The Call in DC helping the staff for that wonderful event. She is on fire for Jesus and we praise Him daily.
I would have to admit there were times I regretted the adoption but the Lord reveled to me very clearly that she was exactly where the Lord wanted her to be. I would do it again Lord willing.
August 18th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
I am pasting in the start of an article which I recently wrote on this issue.
“A few years ago I was the Architect for the refurbishment of the Pathology Laboratories at a London hospital. In one room that was being cleared out I noticed three small clear perspex blocks on the window sill. Encased inside each was a tiny human embryo. The smallest embryo was no larger than my thumb. I couldn’t help but pick it up and examine it closely. By its size I would judge that the embryo was 12 weeks old from conception. But most strikingly it was a perfectly formed little human being. It had tiny perfectly formed little hands and feet even with toenails each no bigger than a pinhead. In fact it had everything it needed for life. At 12 weeks it had a heartbeat and most of its organs had started functioning. All that had been denied it was choice. The choice to live a few more weeks of security inside its mother’s womb. Time to grow sufficiently to face life in the world.
Seeing that embryo was more persuasive than thousands of words in convincing me of the need to protect the unborn child.”
Could readers in the US spare a thought for the UK at this time. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill is currently going through our parliament. This introduces many unwelcome inovations, such as hybrid human/animal embryos, saviour siblings, abortion liberalisation and no need for a named father in IVF treatment. Particularly pray for Northern Ireland at this time. So far they have escaped the legalisation of abortion but there are those who seek to amend the Bill to include Northern Ireland as well.
August 18th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
My wife and I have a 9 year old girl and energetic 4 year old boy. We would love to adopt, however like yourself Joel as a teen I was lost and had my share of troubles with the law. My arrest record has come up numerous times to put a quick end to many opportunities, especially good paying jobs. But God has had grace on me none the less. If you succeed in adopting, please inform me, mabe I could go at it via your rout? Plus, mabe you can give me a few pointers on how to go about writing a book about my misguided adventures as a youth and how God turned my life around?
August 18th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Ghostrider,
I live close to IHOP. Love it.
Gus,
Just start.
Phillip,
This is truly the heaviest moral burden of the Church in these days. I refuse to be among those who will look back and ask why I did nothing. Will pray for the UK.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Joel, we have an adopted daughter. It was a true miracle to see how God brought her to our home.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
I am also a parent who adopted a child, my niece. I will never forget the look on the social workers face when she asked me how I disciplined my 2 boys. When I told her that I spanked them she freaked, she told me I could never “hit” my children again, I said OK to get through the process.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Joel,
How well My wife and I know that adoption is a COSTLY endeavor. We are cheering you on! We will be praying for God to give you the grace & strength it will take to bring another life into your family. The verse keeps coming to my mind “He seeks godly offspring” Mal 2:15. There is an honor in being chosen by God to raise a child, whether God brings them to you by birth or by some other way.
Many blessings,
Truth Junkie
August 18th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Hey Bro. Thanks for the payers and blessings. How are you settling in?
August 21st, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Things are going great with the job. The other part (HOUSING), not so much. We are needing direction and favor.
As you know, the housing market is not the best… We are coming up on a deadline (sell at a loss or rent it out).
Interestingly enough, today, God told me to call a family meeting and fast. Sort of a ‘mini Joel 2 solemn assembly.’
Never done it that ‘Officially’ before, but I am expecting something awesome!
So, Joel… If you could intercede as God reminds you, we would greatly appreciate it!
I will also bring you before the Lord when we pray.
Bless you and Keep up the Good Fight!
Your Brother in (the Father’s) Arms,
Truth Junkie