17 July 2011
Arguing Against Adoption
Jul/22/11
I recently heard an argument against adoption, percentages of risks when one votes for life by parenting a child not born of you. You bet the farm-- time, energy, money, and sanity on this child who will daily surprise you.
The statistics: greater likelihood of exposure during pregnancy to bad things. For years in foster care, greater risk of behaviors that will be hard to change. Greater surprises because their gene pool is unknown.
Two of my four children are adopted, as are three of my grandchildren. So what can I say?
Lets let God speak. He adopted us. Each of us who claim Jesus as our Savior and God as our Creator are adopted. He took the risk. We’re exposed to this corrupt world. Our behaviors are stubborn. Our gene pool--well human.
He’s for adoption.
Podcast
The statistics: greater likelihood of exposure during pregnancy to bad things. For years in foster care, greater risk of behaviors that will be hard to change. Greater surprises because their gene pool is unknown.
Two of my four children are adopted, as are three of my grandchildren. So what can I say?
Lets let God speak. He adopted us. Each of us who claim Jesus as our Savior and God as our Creator are adopted. He took the risk. We’re exposed to this corrupt world. Our behaviors are stubborn. Our gene pool--well human.
He’s for adoption.
Podcast
Successful Business
Jul/21/11
Successful business men often publicize their formula for success. The Financial Times recently interview Leif Lundblad, a wealthy, Swedish, entrepreneur. His advice: beware of wealth. “I have money, but it’s not good to have too much because you become a bit . . I wouldn’t say lazy, but things become a little too easy.”
I’ve often noticed that what appears as a man’s wise saying has roots in Scripture. Proverbs 30:8 reminds us “give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.” Wealth can tempt us to believe our own invincibility, self sufficiency, and lack of reliance on God. Poverty can tempt us to steal.
Life happens to us all. Pick up a Bible, my friend. A good buffer against extreme living is to simply live by the book.
Podcast
I’ve often noticed that what appears as a man’s wise saying has roots in Scripture. Proverbs 30:8 reminds us “give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.” Wealth can tempt us to believe our own invincibility, self sufficiency, and lack of reliance on God. Poverty can tempt us to steal.
Life happens to us all. Pick up a Bible, my friend. A good buffer against extreme living is to simply live by the book.
Podcast
Two Of You
Jul/20/11
Have you discovered that at the end of your most troublesome days, there seem to be two of you? One says, “I’m done. Giving up. I won’t go to another interview. Subjecting myself to another stress filled interview, followed by no phone call to report to work: I just can’t do it anymore.”
Another you says, “But I tried. I learned something. Maybe it was not the right fit. Tomorrow will be a new day.”
Remember that Jesus feels with you. There were days every one rejected His message. He healed 12 lepers and only ONE came back to thank Him. His brother James wrote in James one, that the double minded person can’t be blessed. He’d watched his brother’s single minded focus. A good example for us all.
Podcast
Another you says, “But I tried. I learned something. Maybe it was not the right fit. Tomorrow will be a new day.”
Remember that Jesus feels with you. There were days every one rejected His message. He healed 12 lepers and only ONE came back to thank Him. His brother James wrote in James one, that the double minded person can’t be blessed. He’d watched his brother’s single minded focus. A good example for us all.
Podcast
Leadership
Jul/19/11
With my growing sense of urgency to live the James 1:27 mandate, commitment to encourage widows biblically has lead to me leading an organization. Surprise, Surprise! To me, not to God. J. Oswald Sanders has been mentoring me thorough his writings on Spiritual Leadership. Listen to his words of wisdom.
A leader without courage is not a leader.
Danger and difficulty don’t equal fear and discouragement.
True wisdom is being wise in time, not afterward.
I quote Martin Luther. “God can make one so desperately bold.”
With several trips to Africa in my rear view mirror, and countless emails from widows struggling in our own country, I realize I need all of the above: desperately fearless, desperately bold, and wise in time.
Podcast
A leader without courage is not a leader.
Danger and difficulty don’t equal fear and discouragement.
True wisdom is being wise in time, not afterward.
I quote Martin Luther. “God can make one so desperately bold.”
With several trips to Africa in my rear view mirror, and countless emails from widows struggling in our own country, I realize I need all of the above: desperately fearless, desperately bold, and wise in time.
Podcast
Nature’s Storms
Jul/18/11
We puzzle at ‘out of control’ storms, tornados, earth quakes, and tsunamis this planet has experienced this past year. Trained experts and folks with wild guesses explain whats happening. This morning reading Psalm 98:8 I was reminded that creation groans waiting a better day, a day when this planet is no longer affected by the ravages of sin. “Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy.” Rivers would rather be applauding our Lord, which they will do when He returns. Mountains would rather be singing than rising up from the depths of the sea disrupting oceans and all who live around them.
All this devastation was not God’s plan for our planet. It gives us the opportunity to show those affected His heart by reaching out to comfort and help them.
Podcast
All this devastation was not God’s plan for our planet. It gives us the opportunity to show those affected His heart by reaching out to comfort and help them.
Podcast