Adoption: A Biblical Perspective

Marcie and I have made no secret of our desire to adopt several children once I complete my studies at Southern Seminary. While we have two wonderful children that have been an absolute blessing from the Lord, it has always been our desire to have many more children. My prayer has actually been that we never have an "empty nest." When asked why we would adopt, I have always replied that it is a very biblical concept. After all, we as Christians have been adopted into God's family and are joint heirs with Jesus Christ. This morning I was forwarded a wonderful article that communicates the same perspective. I hope you enjoy reading it.

While I promote and encourage the concept of adoption frequently (and it is a topic you will hear much more of in the future), I have not been outspoken enough in my desire to see American children adopted. I praise the Lord for families like the Moores and Stinsons that have stepped out in faith and gone to great lengths to adopt children from foreign countries. It is a practice which I would like to see replicated more often in our churches (one of my very good friends recently adopted from China). At the same time, I want to encourage the American church to consider adopting children that are currently in the American foster care system. Do you realize that there is a tremendous shortage of American families willing to adopt in this country? We currently have families from other countries coming here to adopt African-American children because nobody here will. What a travesty!

While I am not yet familiar with Indiana's specific nuances with regard to adoption procedures, I do know that in other states (for example, Florida), that if you adopt a child that has been in the foster program, you not only get to avoid the exorbitant fees associated with other forms of adoption, but you also get help maintaining that child's insurance, etc. In Florida, if you adopt a child from the foster care system, the state will actually pay for them to go to college!
Granted, there are a number of different issues raised by adopting through the foster care system rather than adopting an infant internationally or from the United States. Potential behavioral problems are but one significant issue with which Marcie and I will probably be faced (which is why we are waiting until after I finish my Ph.D. in December to adopt). The church, however, has a golden opportunity to impact the US in a significant manner by reaching out to these children that have been abandoned by their parents. I hope that you will begin to pray with me about adopting in 2008. Adoption is just another example of how we can share the love of Christ in a tangible way. It is also a great way to grow our children's ministry!

Chris

Actions Make the Words We Speak Louder

It was no secret to many of you that I was pulling for the Chicago Bears to win this year's Super Bowl. In spite of my second favorite team's crushing loss at the hands of the Colts, I still managed to cheer for Tony Dungy. Dungy, the head coach of the Colts is one of the classiest guys in the NFL. When he got up to receive the Vince Lombardi trophy and thanked God for his opportunity to be there, I knew that this was a man that who wasn't just taking the en vogue route of giving a "shout out to God." This was a Christian with deep convictions that realized that all belongs to the Lord. I knew this to be the case because I have silently observed Dungy's actions since his time as the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has always lived his life in a manner consistent with his publicly spoken faith in Jesus Christ.
Apparently I am not the only one who has been paying attention. I came across this article Wednesday morning while reading the Orlando Sentinel. The sports writer does a better job than I can of demonstrating two truths. First, actions do speak louder than words. Second, when we live consistent lives that bring glory to God, our actions make our words LOUDER.

Enjoy the article and then stop back buy and tell me what you think.

Chris

Monday Reflections (Romans 15)

I meditated on Romans 15 this morning as part of my devotional time. It is truly a passage with which all Christians should remain familiar. Paul wrote...

15:1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is rare that I have an "emotional" experience when I reflect on Scripture (I am just not wired that way), but I have to say that this morning was an epiphany of sorts. Paul, as he discusses the Christian's life in light of the gospel (chapters 1-11 of Romans), ties unity in the church to the "strong" Christian's ability to bear the failings of the weak. Why was the impression of this passage's emphasis such a sobering moment for me this morning? Because I experience frustration on a daily basis in my service of the church (as does almost everyone). Too often I go through life just viewing this frustration as a "cross" that I must bear. In other words, I notice all of the failures of those around me and assume one of my ministries to the church is just to "put up" with them for the sake of the kingdom.

Then I prayed through this morning's passage and was reminded of all of my failures as a husband, father, and pastor. Failures which others in my life are forced to bear. That is when God used this passage to humble me and reveal the significance of verses 5-6. For every "failure" or "weakness" of someone else that I bear, the chances are that someone else is bearing just as many of my "failures" and "weaknesses." I have no reason to view my self as some kind of super servant. Every strength I have is balanced by a weakness, a failure. A contributing factor to unity in the church is the ability of the strong to bear the failings of the weak. Who is strong? I am. You are. Who is weak? I am. You are. We move toward the unity that enables us to speak with one mouth and heart for the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ when we learn to bear each others weaknesses and failures. Paul said we don't do this to please ourselves, but to build one another up. That glorifies God.

I said all of that to say this: thank you for bearing my failures. I pray that God will continue to give me opportunities to build you up in the Lord. Planting a church is hard work. It is work that exposes our many shortcomings. Let's embrace the concept of Romans 15 as we attempt great things for God in 2007.

Yours in Christ,

Chris

By the way, I will save "The insults of those that insult you fallen on me [Christ]" for another post. Its implications are just as significant.

What's Your Favorite Christmas Tradition?

Christmas is my favorite time of the year for a number of reasons. First, I love my Savior and commemorating his birth is always a joyous occasion. Second, I genuinely love to give presents to others. Ever since I bought my first Christmas present for someone else with my own money (a coffee pot for my dad - junior year of high school), I have always been more excited about seeing others open their gifts than I have to open my own. A third reason that I love Christmas is because of the time I get to spend with my family. It is during these family times that small routines become family traditions that we repeat each year.
These traditions are actually very important in family life because they help create a sense of stability for our kids (positive family times that are repeated each year). These times also create a sense of heritage within the family as our kids eventually repeat these same traditions with their kids. In light of this reality, I thought it would be appropriate for us to share some of our favorite traditions with each other as we prepare to celebrate Christmas in a few days. Who knows? Maybe we will get some great ideas from each other that will help us make this or future Christmas celebrations even more special.

Here are my two favorite memories...
As many of your know we moved frequently when I was a kid (I went to 22 different schools between kindergarten and tenth grade), as a result it was kind of hard to establish a lot of traditions. Christmas was different almost every year. In spite of the changes from one year to the next a couple of things remained constant. Prior to my teenage years I asked for a new football every year for Christmas. My father always obliged. This led to a Christmas memory I will always cherish - playing football with my Dad and brothers for hours on end. I will never forget those football games. They were great family time. Another "tradition" from my childhood was actually started when I was a teenager. One year my mom served us cinnamon rolls with orange flavored icing for breakfast on Christmas morning. We loved them and they became our Christmas morning staple. This tradition has survived. Marcie, Tyler, Brooke, and I still eat the same kind of rolls every Christmas morning for breakfast before we open gifts. It is always a special time in the Bonts household.

Do you have any simple Christmas traditions/routines your family shares that may seem inconsequential to others but are actually very special to you? I would love to hear about them.

Chris