24 Apr, 2008
It's good to be adopted!
Madonna is wealthy beyond belief and an adopted child is an heir.
The London Sun claims Madonna is nearing a deal that would net her an estimated $25 million to perform two shows in money-lined Dubai after her world tour winds down at the end of the year.
"Madonna is about to break another record by playing the most lucrative concert of her whole career -- or any one's career for that matter," a snitch maintains to the tab. "The negotiations for the tour to stop in Dubai in November are being finalized and she will get $15 million for the one show only."
The additional $10 million would come from playing a private party thrown by a filthy-rich fan, adds the mole.
Meanwhile, in other Madonna news, the hearing to finalize her adoption of 2-year-old David Banda has been pushed back until May 15, says Reuters.
The megastar reportedly requested the postponement from Malawi's High Court because of "business" commitments in the United States, presumably involving the promotion of her critically lauded new album, "Hard Candy," and the debut of her documentary on the African nation, "I Am Because We Are," which is set to premiere this week at the Tribeca Film Festival.
A few weeks ago, the government of Malawi recommended that the initially controversial adoption be given the go-ahead.
Speaking of Madonna's documentary, it contains footage of David before Madonna whisked him off to the lap of luxury, and she recalls their fateful first meeting during an interview with New York magazine.
"He was basically going to the bathroom on himself," she says. "Of course, next day you come back with a truckload of Pampers. It sounds corny, but he just has these big, bright, intelligent, so-aware eyes, and I felt a connection to him."
photo & story courtesy entertainment.msn.com, 4/22/08
Ephesians 1:3-8 (NLT)
Spiritual Blessings in Christ
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.
In today's God's Story scripture, why do you think Paul uses the term "adopt" to explain what happens when someone becomes a follower of Jesus?
Let's look at Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE notes:
1:5 God's "unchanging plan" is another way of saying that salvation is God's work and not our own doing. In his infinite love, God has adopted us as his own children. Through Jesus' sacrifice, he has brought us into his family and made us heirs along with Jesus (Romans 8:17). In Roman law, adopted children had the same rights and privileges as biological children, even if they had been slaves. Paul uses this term to show how strong our relationship to God is. Have you entered into this loving relationship with God? For more on the meaning of adoption, see Galatians 4:5-7.
Isn't the news about Madonna adopting this child interesting? Children are adopted every day, but Madonna, who is not a Christian, and who has struggled in relationships, puts adoption in the headlines. This is the reality of being famous. Her adopted child will be well taken care of and by God's grace will somehow come to recognize his need to be adopted into another family some day - God's family.
Have you been adopted into God's family? Jesus Christ, the "famous one" died and rose again to pay the penalty for your sins. Receiving His gift of forgiveness gives you all the privileges of being God's child. Wow!
This spiritual adoption won't put you in the headlines, but you will become part of the greatest family both now and forever!
How can you connect today's God's Story to your story?
If you have never been "adopted" into God's family, tell God right now that you want Christ to be your Savior. He will forgive you of all your sins, come into your life and promises you eternal life! (If this is you, email us at 3Story.org so we can encourage you and help you in your new relationship with God).
If you have been "adopted" into God's family, praise your Heavenly Father for the privilege of being His child! Confess any way in which you have not been acting like you belong to His family. Thank Him for His complete forgiveness (this is one of the privileges of being His child) and ask His Spirit to empower you to live up to His family name every day.
How can you connect today's story, God's Story scripture and your story to others?
- Share part of your story by talking to your friends about Madonna's paycheck and her adopting this child. You can simply say, "Did I ever tell you that I'm adopted?"
- Pray for Madonna and her family to come to know Christ as Savior and be adopted into God's family.
- On your own, or with your youth group, look into "adopting" a needy child through an organization like Compassion International. You can financially support and pray for a child and make a difference in a life forever. Go to: http://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/default.htm
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