Most of you have heard about Maria Sue Chapman (Steven Curtis Chapman's daughter) and how she tragically died in May. I can't imagine the loss that their family is experiencing right now. Although it's hard to comprehend, we know God works through tragedy and He is always glorified through it all!

And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose. -Romans 8:28

One thing I think is neat is how much attention this has brought to the Chapman's ministry! Shaohannah's Hope (named after their first adopted daughter) is a ministry that Steven and Mary Beth Chapman created to care for orphans by engaging the church and helping Christian families reduce the financial barrier to adoption. This ministry often gives grants to families who are committed to raising their children in a christian home.

Since Maria Sue's death the ministry has received over $500,000 in donations. That is amazing! I just pray Maria brings more attention to christians to adopt orphans all over the world and even the ones in our own backyard. There are so many children even in our own country who need a home. I pray that God would burden the heart of His people to be generous whether through financial gifts or through adoption. Adoption is such a strong passion of mine. I often think if more people would be willing to adopt we would be supporting pro-life even more!! Maybe this would help end abortions! As Christians we want to end abortion, but we need to realize that someone is going to have to take responsibility for the unwanted babies. I hope that Maria Sue's life will impact you eternally. May you be reminded of the greatest adoption of all, when our Lord Jesus adopted us as His children!

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will to the praise of his glorious grace which he has freely given us in the One he loves.-Ephesians 1:4-6


And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name, welcomes me. -Matthew 18:5

To read more about Maria's life click here.

To learn more about starting an adoption fund at your church click here.

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.- James 1:27