 There are some verses in the Bible that we try to ignore. Some are controversial. Some are confusing. Some are just plain convicting. Which category does this one land in for you? "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 ." {James 1:27}. For me, this verse is convicting. It reminds me that I need to think of others before myself, and that maybe, just maybe there are a lot of ways that I can make a difference in the plight of orphans around the world. This verse also overwhelms me with anxious thoughts. Where do I begin to make a dent in this global problem? Does this really mean that I need to adopt a child, although I struggle enough to parent the three boys I already have? In Johnny Carr's book Orphan Justice: How to Care for Orphans Beyond Adopting, these concerns of mine were addressed. Carr presents the sobering facts and statistics on what is definitively a global issue. Here are a few that took me by surprise:
With personal stories of his own experiences, Carr brings these statistics to life. As I read about Carr's experiences, I began to look more closely at my own community, recognizing that these realities are not far from home. In each chapter, Carr addresses an issue {poverty, HIV/AIDS, abortion, etc} and shares his personal experiences and research on the topic. At the end of each chapter, Carr provides a few ideas as to how a person, group, or organization can address the issue. Most importantly, Carr discusses the theological implications of orphan care. Our involvement is evidence of living out the Gospel in its entirety, not simply addressing a single verse in James. I was most challenged by the chapter on abortion, where Carr points out how our concern for life begins in the womb, but extends to orphans as well. Valuing children and adopting them into a loving family is fulfilling God's design for life and also living out God's adoption story. The first step to making a difference is becoming educated about an issue. If you're looking to make a difference in the plight of orphans around the world and in America, Orphan Justice will empower you with knowledge, understanding, and a vision for where to get started. Check it out here We are not being compensated in any way to post this review. 
About Keri Most days Keri can be found cruising in her Swagger Wagon, reading a good book, or laughing with friends over large cups of coffee. She finds great fulfillment in serving those who might not walk through the doors of a church, but still desperately need the Hope that only God can give. She also enjoys learning about God through unorthodox means, and occasionally blogs about it at Pop Parables. She also gets in touch with her creative side at BringingCraftyBack. Keri lives in the Greater Seattle area with her husband, their three boys, and 2 weiner pups. Sharing this article over at these awesome blogs.
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