Prospective adoptive parents have many questions. How will we finance our adoption? What will my family and friends think about our plans? Once a child is safely home, new questions arise. What important activities will we pursue? What interesting activities will we decline? How do work, family and church life flow together? What is the overarching theme that will guide all our decisions?

In What Does God Want Me to Do?, Clem Boyd describes his journey as a husband, father, writer and friend. More importantly, Clem shares with humility and candor how his relationship with God has shaped his soul. He rigorously holds himself up to the Scriptures and is honest about the fears surrounding his path as a part-time writer, a full time dad and a church leader. Wonderfully, I read of his ongoing transformation from fear to freedom.

I also just read Culture Making by Andy Crouch. Christians have tended to critique, condemn or consume culture. Andy urges us to create culture. I appreciated Clem's book because his soul-wrestling actually leads to decision and action and thus to the creation of an alternative culture centered on the kingdom of God. His example of real life commitment is needed in our day when Christians listen to a lot of sermons and read a lot of books but at times differ little from the mainstream.

In a casual conversational style, Clem interviews eight Christians who have made important decisions about their careers, family life and other ministry endeavors. After reading their stories, I came away with a comforting sense of community.

These questions are important for adoptive families. We have brought our adopted children out of their orphaned state along with its poverty and loneliness. But what are we commending to our children instead? A comfortable life? The American dream? Or a life engaged in the exciting mission of God to redeem the world? What would God have us do? I commend Clem Boyd's book to you.