The Holy Spirit Highlighter, Part 2
For quite some time now, Laura and I have had plans to adopt a girl from China.
When you get right down to it, this is kind of scary for me. Our life sometimes seems on the edge of instability as it is. Plus we’ve been going through a lot of other transitions and it’s felt like adding one more thing would send us over the edge.
Add a new kid from halfway around the world – one who’s likely to have some level of medical conditions and emotional problems – and it feels like inviting disaster. I’ve just had a harder time adjusting to this idea than Laura.
One day I was reading and this passage in Isaiah 58 jumped out at me. Perry, this is for you:
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
OK, boss! 10-4.
We’re now at the stage where all the paperwork is ready to go and the adoption process should begin in earnest. Your prayers for us are appreciated.
Perry Marshall
February 22, 2010
Perry:
Thanks for a great manna! Adoption is something Natalie and I have been talking about. We have gone to some informational meetings and we a most interested in the foster care to adoption option. I pray a blessing over your adoption paperwork. I am excited for you and hope to see a new child in your arms a church! I also really like your phrase: “Holy Spirit Highlighter”.
Ed
Go get ‘em Perry!
My sister just adopted their 2nd child from
Colombia…a 13-year old to go with their
14 year old! Yikes. It’s been a different
experience than adopting their first
when she was 2. Admire ‘em for it.
I’ve got 4 of my own and can see where
you’ve just might have a few doubts popping into
the ole noggin.
Looked at pix on your wife’s blog…fun to
see “real” pix of you and your brood.
Appreciate all your marketing stuff over
the years…and IC list…and the sharing
of your life woven in.
Best,
Jack Booman
Thanks Jack! Give my regards to your sister. Great to hear from ya.
Perry,
Go for it. One of the GREAT things that is happening even though we see much of what was the USA of 50 years ago disappearing is that we have the ability to share the Gospel with the world – adopting a child, training her in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and having the ability to share the Gospel with other parts of the world through her is better than any riches.
You are a good man Perry
I don’t know where you find the time.
I know this isn’t the place. Can you update us on the car post. What did ya get?
I remember one post was called “keys to the Ferrari” and then you were talking Avalons.
I see now why you need …. Maybe a mini van.
ROCK MY SOUL!! Isn’t that just the amazing Word of God? Wheeeewwww!
It is evangelical, fundamental believing Christians who ought to have been leading the war on Poverty and been known as the leaders in all areas of caring and giving for the less fortunate.
Yes, yes, I know many believers have done just that, dedicated their whole lives, but somehow Believers have become, rightly or wrongly, associated with just doing these things for “the sake of pushing religion down people’s throats” or just doing these things for a “church” program.
I completely agree with spreading the gospel and not letting our lights hide under a bushel basket but the Lord long ago commanded his blessings on simply DOING FIRST. Simply DO these Things without being concerned if they are a “church mission” first, or if the Lord “led” us.
He already told us how to act, what to feel, how to pursue justice long before Christ came to set us free spiritually.
“… to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Is it not? Is it not? The Lord says, it is not OBVIOUS already?
Can there be any questions about your duties in life, oh Man, oh Woman?
Boy, when the Spirit makes the Word jump into your heart like that it is AWESOME!
Thank you for sharing that, Perry!
Blessings on you and your family and your ministry.
You bless my day Perry with your sharing! Thanks. D.
Even though I have my own mental and physical disabilities, I know some how I will make it in this internet marketing to help others. I my self do know what it’s like to walk in the heat or cold of the day and feel total comfort at about 72 degree’s. Though to stay in this envelopment of God and deal with the material world is very difficult. Money is a tool in this world and not to be worshiped though there is a fine balance to stay connected to God and our Lord Jesus the Crist.
I wonder how much it cost to adopt? So many needy kids could use a home. It’s a shame all the hoops and prequalifiers needed.
I had two families this week ask if we would be the godparents to their children (11 kids total). Obviously, others think we have a balanced normal family. (I laugh….). It seems like in this country there is such a shortage of normal families…when I read about highly qualified and financially ept families having to go outside of the U.S. to adopt, and only being offered children no one else wants, I am grieved…because I so know there are so many kids in other countries that need homes. Why is the government so reluctant to release them? Conversley, as I mentioned above, there must also be a shortage of Americans who want to adopt any child who is not blonde and a baby. I am jumping around in my reasoning, sorry. I just feel so overwhelmed.
I would love to save the world, but it takes money…
Hey Perry,
Thank-you for being so grounded and sharing your personal life with us. The story about your car (as told during the Ready Fire Aim webinar) tells a lot about you. It is so refreshing to know a Guru who can admit that he’s a man with fears and anxiety just like the rest of us sometimes. We should all strive to be a little more authentic like that.
Just had a look at Laura’s blog and had the pleasure of seeing some photos of you and your wonderful family. Little Zoe has been blessed to have been adopted by the Marshall clan. She looks like a beautiful child full of wonder and there is no doubt that this new addition to your family will bring you joy, love, pride and amazement.
Congratulations and may God bless your entire family wherever they may be in this wonderful world.
Great to hear from you and thanks for the shout out.