Don't Let "Dandelion Dust" Ruin Adoption

Michael Foust pens an excellent column responding to the soon-to-be-released movie "Dandelion Dust." He writes:

Orphan Sunday Hymn on You Tube

I don't know the family in this video, but I'm encouraged by their singing of "Though I Was Born an Orphan." I'd love to know if the children were adopted.

Free e-Book, "Our Adoption in Christ"

The folks at Together for Adoption have made available for free download an  Our Adoption in Christ: What It Means for Us and for Orphans.

(HT: Brister)

Win a free copy of Adopted for Life.

Win a Free Copy of "Adopted for Life"

This contest is closed. Congratulations to the winners:

• The Burr Family 
• Amy, a redeemed sheep 

I'm giving away two copies of Russell Moore's book, Adopted for Life. You may enter between now and November 15. Here are the options for how to enter for a chance to win:

Option 1: Post a link about Reformed Praise's new hymn, "Though I Was Born an Orphan" (and leave a link to that post in the comment section of this post).

Option 2: Give a copy of "Though I Was Born an Orphan" to the pastor and/or music director of your local church.

Leave a comment on this post, letting me know which you did. You must leave a comment to enter. You can enter twice, using both options above.

Bonus Entry: For an extra entry, link to this contest.

Adoption Hymn music available

David Ward has written an excellent new tune for my text on adoption. The text, piano score, and learner recording are now available (for free!) on Reformed Praise. Follow the link:

Though I Was Born an Orphan

Though I Was Born an Orphan

In his article on Orphan Sunday, Russ Moore, author of Adopted for Life, suggested that "for some of your worship leaders, [Orphan Sunday] might be a time to build up the body in song with some of the recent hymnody about orphan care and our adopted identity in Jesus.

That got me to thinking about hymns on orphan care and adoption. So, I wrote one yesterday.

I'm sure that David and I will edit it some and perhaps give it a new tune. But, for now, here is the first draft, singable to Aurelia, the traditional tune of "The Church's One Foundation."

UPDATE: David has completed a new tune, now available here.

Though I Was Born an Orphan
© 2009 ReformedPraise

Though I was born an orphan,
Abandoned and alone,
Enslaved and bound in darkness,
Without a hope or home,
The God of grace and mercy
From his eternal throne
Ordained to be my Father
And claim me as His own.

That I might be adopted
The Father sent his Son
To live in full obedience
And die for what I’ve done.
Now through his resurrection,
Through faith, with him I’m one.
A member of his household,
I am an heir, a son.

To soothe my fear and worry
The Spirit from on high
Was sent to be a witness
That “Father!” I might cry.
O How I love this Father!
I’m never left alone.
He’s come to dwell within me
Until he calls me home.

Since I have this adoption,
I cannot close my home
To widows and to orphans,
Abandoned and alone.
Lord, fill me with compassion
To love the fatherless,
That I might show the nations
How great my Father is!

Why Orphan Sunday Annoyed Me (and Now Does Not)

I'll admit it: I was annoyed to learn that Orphan Sunday is November 8th.

Annoyance was my initial reaction to the first sentence of the Baptist Press editorial, "Orphan Sunday," written by my former professor Russell Moore, but not for the possible reasons he listed in his opening paragraphs.