Dad preached a sermon on Sunday.  Our family visiting from out of town almost doubled the attendance and definitely strengthened the singing at Tent Chapel Church of Christ in Blockton, Iowa.

It was a blessing to be there worshiping together as a family, which is exactly what dad preached on: Family - our family by blood, adoption, or marriage, and the family of God.

There are many parallels, but none as special as the understanding of being chosen by God, adopted into his family, bought by the blood of Christ.

The concept of adoption carries special meaning for our family since dad was taken in by Grandpa and Grandma as a foster child at age 15.  He would not be the Christian man he is today without their love, discipline, teaching, and influence.

Take a moment for this Food & Family on Fridays to reflect on the opportunity we have to be adopted into God's family.  What a blessing!  And if you know someone who is not a part of your spiritual family, take the time to invite them to be adopted - to be blessed by the love, discipline, teaching, and influence that will bring about an abundant life in Christ.