Monday, December 10, 2012

Pure and Genuine Religion


For the last couple of weeks, I have been teaching about the Caste System in India to my students.  They are all SO shocked when I explain about the Untouchables and slavery in the country.  I gave out this little worksheet that ends with the question, “What do you think of the Caste System?”  Obviously, every single answer was against it and how unfair it is.
FF a couple of days to Facebook.  I was reading a post by one of my friends and she posted a youtube video which I watched.  It’s about 8 minutes long, but even if you just watch part – it really puts the Caste System in perspective with being a Christian.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWHJ6-YhSYQ
So this paragraph won’t make sense unless you watched the video, but think of the movie Taken.  So Liam Neeson is like God and his daughter is like an orphan.  His mission was to save her no matter what he had to do.  He was not responsible for the situation she was in, but he used every resource available to him to get her out of it.
Interesting thought J
As parents, we have not done the best job getting you guys involved in Christian fellowship.  But I assure you we have always tried to be a good example to you. We want to show you what it is like to love God by what we do, not just telling you.  I want to show you that I call my mommy several times a week so when you are older you will do the same thing – and be even better at it – hint, hint.
It says in James 1:27 - Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
Dad and I sincerely try to help Nana in every way we can.  We love her but she is a widow and God commands us to take care of her.  We always try to buy Christmas presents for orphans through World Vision each year.
But what if that isn’t enough?
In Deuteronomy 24:19-20 it says when we harvest to always make sure we leave some for the orphans.  I could go on and on listing scriptures in which God exhorts us to care for the outcastes and orphans.
I don’t necessarily want to adopt and orphan.  BUT I have the opportunity to have one come visit for a few weeks this summer. There are some children coming from the Ukraine who live in an orphanage there. 
I know it’s not always fun changing things around and making room, having a language barrier, etc.  BUT God says taking care of them is like taking care of HIM himself. 
I don’t want to commit to anything that we aren’t all in agreement with – that’s not what family is about. 
Would you please take the time to watch the video.  Read your Bible on the subject, pray about it.  And will you honestly tell me what you think?