Hope Deferred, A

We use the word adoption very casually today- we speak of adopting pets, books, and highways. Yet the word has a far nobler significance. Adoption is the permanent placement of a child in a family with all its rights and privileges. God has forever placed us in his family. He has forever made us his children. He has forever changed our legal status. He has forever granted us an inheritance. He has forever lavished his love upon us. A Hope Deferred probes the depths of this wonderful reality by unfolding the six blessings of adoption as found in Romans 8. It intertwines these blessings with an account of one family's journey to international adoption- a journey encompassing twenty years, four continents, and countless joys and sorrows. The result is a valuable glimpse into the essential relationship between adoption, affliction, and the fatherhood of God over his people.

Originally from Markham, Ontario, Stephen now resides in Glen Rose, Texas, with his wife Alison, and their daughters Laura and Emma. He is the Preaching Pastor at Grace Community Church, and an Adjunct Professor at Redeemer Seminary in Dallas. He has also ministered in churches and seminaries in Canada and Portugal. He has a Ph.D. in historical theology from the London School of Theology. His other books include The Inner Sanctum of Puritan Piety (2007), Puritan Spirituality (2008), Trading and Thriving in Godliness (2008), Living Blessedly Forever (2012), Looking Unto Jesus (2013), and A Labor of Love (2013).