Our Adoption Story - Part 3 - I thought this would be easier

Part 1 - 143 Million
Part 2 - 2AM Conversation
Part 3 - I thought this would be easier

After attending the 30 hour MAPP class requirement for prospective adoptive and foster care families, we had our "home study" in hand and ready to welcome a new child into our home. We were told a finalized adoption could take anywhere from a few months to a few years. But we would be different... right?

We scoured the Heart Gallery websites for children that might be a good fit for our family. We spent hours looking into the eyes of beautiful children posted online. We would read and reread the descriptions, trying to guess from cryptic cues, "Is this the one?"

At times it felt like we were bidding on an eBay auction. I struggled with this at first, wishing that there was a better way to find the child/children meant for our family without it seeming like online shopping. In addition to being a pastor, I'm also a website designer. I knew that this method created incredible visibility for children waiting to be discovered by their adoptive family.

The Theology of Alcohol in the Bible

Tomorrow, I will teach a sermon entitled, "Sober or Wasted". The sermon will focus primarily on the value of living life in the joy of sobriety instead of under the oppressive influence of drunkenness from alcohol, or high-ness from illegal drugs or illegitimate prescription drugs.

This topic is so important -not because it is a controversial topic that tickles ears, but because if I don't teach about it I'm leaving something out. Not only does the Scripture speak often of alcohol but our families, jobs and our present awareness of God's influence in our lives is influenced in part by how we interact with alcohol.

Take Time for Healing

The Red Trail on the St. Sebastian Buffer Preserve in Fellsmere

I went for a hike this morning in the St. Sebastian Buffer Preserve. There is something about that place that heals me. I had been listening to my iPod for a few minutes, but allowed myself to be distracted by the birds singing and the frogs croaking (this is Fellsmere after all). After pausing my iPod, I found myself in a moment of renewed perspective. As I looked around I couldn't see any power lines. I couldn't hear any cars whizzing by. Just me and 21 thousand acres of trees blowing gently in the breeze, deer frolicking in the puddles and armadillo rooting for a meal.

I could almost feel that place breathing new life into me as I walked along the trail. It was as though God had brought me out there to pour back into me what had been depleted by my busy schedule, taking myself too seriously and trying to solve problems in my head that weren't even likely to occur in reality.

I must have looked like a happy idiot, smiling widely as I walked along in the middle of the woods. I thanked God for the reminder that I have to take time for healing. I have to leave my routine and abandoned my aggressive to-do and allow God to replenish me from the inside out.

Mailbag: How to deal with X-Wife or X-Husband & Children Betwixt

When I give advice in areas like these I always like to start with my disclaimer...

I'm a pastor- not a psychologist so my answer will be derived from my experiences as a follower of Christ and from my understanding of the Scripture. I'm also only 30 so if you want sage advice you'll probably be disappointed. I'm just figuring out life along with most of the rest of the people on this planet. Also, this advice is not valid in the state of Oregon. Why? I dunno... I got carried away writing my disclaimer. "Ahem..." The topic at hand:

I grew up in a home where my mom and dad were great examples of a great husband and wife. However, in spite of my parent's picture-perfect marriage, I've noticed a few things about X's while simply  existing on this planet for the last 30 years:

Mailbag: Why is stuff repeated in Matthew and Mark?

Not only are Matthew and Mark similar, but they're telling the same story. In fact, all of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) are essentially the same story told from multiple perspectives. The goal of the Bible isn't to provide a textbook for humanity so that we can behave. The point of the Bible is, instead, to tell the story of how God lovingly and graciously interacts with humanity.

Cinco de Mayo and Hard Rock Music

Ecclesiastes 4.1
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens" 

'Tis the season for churros, tacos and habaneros! This is the time of year when every Gringo this side of the border is celebrating everything Mexicana! I need an antacid tablet just thinking about it. Not because of the food but instead because of a sour memory associated with this holiday.

Mailbag: I would like to know if you think there is credible evidence that we are living in the last days before the return of Christ.

First, I don't hold a very popular view of the end times (eschatology) as compared to mainstream Christianity. Very little of the Bible is about communicating to us in code the timing of certain end time events. It seems from the airtime that churches and movie theater's give it, that people like to talk about the end times. As onlookers gawk at a terrible car accident many are fascinated with the destruction of the world as we know it.

God's plan is focused on reconciliation not destruction- on repairing things, not breaking them.