International Adoption

We just launched the process of becoming accredited for international adoptions this week at Embraced by Grace, Inc. Actually, Pepper had started the process, but we submitted our Work Plan to the Council on Accreditation this week. This process will be intense and quite an accomplishment if we can pull it off. Our site visit is scheduled tentatively for July, 2010. I will be meeting with the staff on Monday to coordinate our efforts for this accreditation.

Once this is done, Embraced by Grace will be able to do adoptions for children from any of the 68 member nations of the Hague Conference on Private International Law. We will also be able to supervise and assist other adoption agencies who are not accredited to conduct an international adoption.

This is another step EBG is taking to care for the 138 million orphans in their affliction. Won't you join us? Visit our website to donate today.

Retooling

I'm retooling this blog. It's been a while since I've updated. So much has advanced in the blogosphere since I began back in October 2004. I need to retool to catch up with the resources available for blogging and bloggers. This will probably include moving to a new site, but I haven't decided that for sure yet. Anyway, I hope to have a new site up and running within the month. We'll promote the new launch, so stay tuned. Thank you.

Praying for the Unborn

This morning I led our staff in prayer at the adoption agency where I work. It is a sad day for the unborn in America.

A Story of Christ-like Compassion

Michael was walking down the street in Memphis one day. He was one of thirteen children by a mother who was a crack cocaine addict. His father was not involved in his life (and would be murdered within three years). Michael carried a garbage bag in his hand that served as a suitcase holding all of his belongings. He didn’t know his birthday. He didn’t know his father. He wasn’t even sure if Michael was his real name. Every day’s goal was mere survival.

He had repeated first and second grades. In fact, he had attended eleven different schools by the time he was fifteen years old. This was in part due to his bouncing around the foster care system. On this particular day, he had no permanent address. He was a black homeless teenage dropout surviving on the streets of inner-city Memphis.

A white Christian family drove by Michael as he walked down the street. He was wearing shorts and a T-shirt walking in the snow. They pulled over and began talking to him. They invited him into their home. The Tuohy family included Sean, a former Ole Miss basketball star, his wife, Leigh Anne, teenage daughter, Collins and son, Sean, Jr. They ended up legally adopting Michael Oher into their family.

Michael was very socially challenged. He was an introvert who rarely said more than two words. Leigh Anne, his adoptive mom (and my debate partner in high school!) said that she hugged Michael for a year before he ever hugged her back. The Tuohys worked with him on developing social skills by giving him assignments such as going to the mall to buy his own clothes. The results were quite transformational as anyone who now knows the personable young man would tell you.

The Tuohys sought to enroll him in Briarcrest Christian School (my alma mater!), but he had only a 0.6 grade point average. School officials didn’t think he could handle the academic rigors of a private Christian academy. His IQ score was only 80. Through homeschooling, tutoring, and some online classes that replaced previous poor grades, he was able to get a provisional enrollment. His grade point average continued to rise to a 2.05 making him eligible to play football on the high school team. By the time he graduated from Briarcrest, he was on the honor roll.

Michael had never played organized sports before. His tremendous size and athleticism gave the coaches hope that this young man held promise as a football player. He flourished as an offensive and defensive lineman, and was invited to play in the U. S. Army All-American Bowl in 2005 on ESPN. The network named him the #1 offensive high school lineman in the nation.

After graduation, Michael went to Ole Miss where he started as a freshman and was named to several All-Conference and All-America teams. His records there are storied. He recently played his final game for the Rebels in the 2009 Cotton Bowl. He also made the dean's list at the university. Analysts predict that he is a likely first round pick in this year’s 2009 NFL Draft.

Oher’s story is a remarkable one that has been chronicled in Michael Lewis’ 2006 book, The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game. The book, a New York Times bestseller, sold 150,000 copies in the first quarter of its release. Twentieth Century Fox has purchased the rights to the movie and will release the film in 2009.

The remarkable thing about this story to me is not the adversity which this extraordinary young man has overcome to be a success. I am inspired by this story as I see a Christian family showing the love of Jesus is a powerful way. The Tuohys were a white family living in a racially-charged city where prejudices run strong. They took in this homeless black dropout son of a crack addict because of the compassion of Jesus Christ. At great personal sacrifice and inconvenience, this family reached out to the helpless and hopeless and made a difference. This boy who would possibly have ended up dead on the streets of Memphis or incarcerated may soon be making a lot of money as a successful player in the NFL.

It makes me ask myself, “What am I doing to show the unique and extraordinary love of Jesus Christ to others?”

More Important Than Money

With every nightly newscast depicting our economy in desperate condition and growing worse, it is vital that Christians remember that there are some things that are more important than money. My pastor when I was growing up used to say, "Do you want to know how rich you are? Add up everything you have that money cannot buy and death cannot take away. That's how rich you are!"

The book of Proverbs mentions several things that are more important than money:

1. Reputation
"A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold." Proverbs 22.1

2. Wisdom
"Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her." Proverbs 3.13-15 (see also 3.5; 8.11, 19; 16.16)

3. Integrity
"Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways." Proverbs 28.6

4. Knowledge
"Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold" Proverbs 8.10 (see also 20.15)

5. Loving relationships
"Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it." Proverbs 15.17

6. Fear of the Lord
"Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it." Proverbs 15.16

7. An excellent wife
"An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels." Proverbs 31.10

8. Righteousness
"Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice." Proverbs 16.8

Now, tell me. How rich are you?

We've Got it Backwards

As I listen to the debates, speeches, and soundbites from the 2008 presidential election, I cannnot help but think that we as Americans have forgotten the purpose of governent. We all begin to look to the federal government as a parent, funder, or even Santa Claus! All of the candidates seem to have flavors of socialism in their ideas and plans.

Looking back to the Constitution written by our founding fathers, this was not the intent of the federal government. For example, consider the Preamble to the United States Constitution:

We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

We've confused the purpose of the government and now we have it backwards. The government is to "provide for the common defense" and "promote the general welfare." Citizens today believe that the government is to "promote the common defense" and "provide the general welfare." We've got it backwards.

We say things like, "We support our troops," thinking we have thereby promoted the common defense; but, do we provide for that defense through funding, equipping, training and staffing our military? Or is the constant cry to cut and downsize?

Many citizens have such an entitlement mentality that they look to government to provide their general welfare. Housing, bailouts, earmarks, pork spending, etc. all promise welfare entitlements to Americans. Who doesn't like such a "free lunch?" (Have you heard? There is no such thing!) But the government's job is to promote the general welfare, not to provide it.

The Republicans have spent the last eight years expanding the size of government and increasing spending. The candidates running this year from both major political parties are promising more of the same tactics. It is a far cry from what James Madison and others intended when they wrote the Constitution.

I'm sorry Mr. Madison, but we have gotten it backwards!

Mrs. Wooten Goes to Washington

My wife, Pepper, is speaking at the National Council for Adoption's national conference in Washington, D.C. today at the Hyatt - Capitol Hill. I am proud of her for this honor and grateful that the Embraced by Grace adoption agency has been given this high profile opportunity.

Evangelism for Introverts

We often tend to think that evangelism is for the Type-A, dominant, confident, extroverted (dare we say it? "loudmouth") type Christian. Those who are quieter and calmer often tend to disqualify themselves from participation in the Great Commission because they are more introverted.
"That's not my gift."
"I'm not wired that way."
"I could never do that."
We tend to give the idea that the Great Commission is optional. It is not. Not should it be viewed as a chore, obligation, or drudgery. It is a blessing and an opprotunity to spread the Gospel and impact eternity.

Tony Woodlief writes an insightful and even humorous analysis of evangelism and ministry from the perspective of an introvert. (see here) The person who just is not a "people person" has to keep several things in mind:


1. God uses all personality types.
Yes, there are the bold evangelists like the Apostles Peter and Paul, but there are also the shy and timid like Timothy. God uses all types to be His witnesses.

2. Introverts may reach people introverts could never reach.
Some people are turned off or intimidated by the person who always enters a room mouth first. They might be more inclined to hear from someone who is meek but compassionate.

3. The Great Commission is a universal command for all believers.
There are no exemptions or exceptions. We all are called to be witnesses to the salvation we have experieiced theough the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not merely the task of the "professional."

4. We all ought to be involved in other people's lives.
The example of Jesus is clear. He got His hands dirty with other people's lives. We must love, minister, meet needs, show compassion and witness to the Gospel. We cannot do that insulated or isolated from the world. We have to go where hurting sinners are and carry the message of God's grace to them.

So, go ahead. Roll up your sleeves. Show someone the extraordinary love of Jesus today. For the Gospel's sake.

Future Plans

Many have asked how I will be spending my newfound free time. Well, here is the big announcement!
{Be sure to click on the small PLAY button on the lower left of the video viewer to watch this surprising news footage.}

Providence

The Bible says that the Lord orders our steps. (Ps 37.23) Theologians speak of this as the "providence of God" that includes all things that come to pass as God's means of accomplishing all of His divine purposes. That providential care is sweet to believers. We know that He is the One that directs our paths. Indeed, He works all things together for good. His providence is a web of circumstances that affect more than one person, one family or one church. His providence has a domino effect that works out His will and accomplishes His purposes in a plethora of ways and lives. We usually get only a glimpse of this in our earthly perspective. Eternity will reveal a heavenly hindsight that will unveil God's purposes that will make so much sense to us then. We will understand things fully and completely when we see them from the viewpoint of glory. Our question marks will be turned into exclamation points. Our "whys" will be turned into "Hallelujahs!" We will rejoice fully in the wisdom, power and providence of God. He knows what He is doing. His name will be glorified when we "understand it better by and by."

On July 22, our pastor, Dr. R. A. Hargrave, told the pastoral staff that projections were that our church might end the calendar year $750k under budget. (Our annual budget is about $2.8m.) Discretionary spending has been cut deeply. The next inevitable step is to downsize the staff. The pastor explained that he would have to let one of the pastors go within thirty days. He suggested that if staff pastors wanted to pursue ministry opportunities elsewhere, it would save him from having to make a difficult decision. Whether someone resigned or Pastor had to terminate staff, he explained that the church would provide six months severance pay. Imagine the difficult responsibility of having to terminate a member of the pastoral staff that you built for ministry. Certainly he faced a tough choice. He decided to meet one-on-one with each staff member over the next two days to discover their goals, dreams and sense of calling. Each of the pastors went home to discuss these things with his wife and to pray seeking the will of the Lord.

On the following day, I was the first to meet with Pastor. We discussed the tough decision he faced, the state of my ministry at Riverbend, my ministry interests and future goals. I detailed for him that my interests were ministry management, teaching, and missions.

We spoke specifically about my heart for pastors and my desire to be involved in training the next generation of pastors. We talked about the dream of one day having a seminary at Riverbend. I have been a pastor for twenty-four years (sixteen at Riverbend Church). Much of what I have learned about theology, matching methods with beliefs, how to do ministry (and how NOT to do ministry) I learned from Pastor Roy here at Riverbend. Providence has given me a unique heritage to invest in the training of young preachers. We discussed my interest in teaching at the seminary level, and the academic credential I still lack to see that happen. We talked about my desire to pursue my PhD.

He asked if I knew of any alternative to downsizing our pastoral staff. My reply was that I believed that our staff was too large. I don't think that a church our size (1400 members) needs ten pastors. I think that too much of our budget goes to payroll. Therefore, it makes good sense, especially in light of the present fiscal shortfall, to downsize staff.

I left the following day for an 18-day mission trip to Romania and Austria. Pepper and I continued to communicate by phone and computer to discuss and pray about what we should do. On Sunday, July 27, I sent Pastor Roy an email stating that in light of the church's finances, the uncertainty under which the other pastors found themselves, and my desire to finish my formal education, that it made sense for me to be the one from our staff to resign. He wrote back the following day asking that Pepper and I be certain about this before he could accept my resignation. Since all of this was happening internationally via email, I suggested to him that he and I sit down face-to-face after I returned home. He agreed that this was best.

We met on Monday, August 10. I repeated my offer to resign. He accepted. This decision was announced to the church on Wednesday, August 27 and will be effective on September 5, my sixteenth anniversary as a pastor at Riverbend. I appreciate the way that Pastor Roy has been cordial, encouraging, and accomodating in these circumstances. We have a shared mutual respect for each other.

Pepper and I are grateful for sixteen years of ministry at Riverbend. We have seen God do some remarkable things. We are grateful to leave with our integrity intact. Not every ministry ends that way in this day and age. God has allowed me to serve alongside some of the most capable men I have ever known.

We are not sad about these circumstances because we understand the providential care of God. We are excited about the future, even though we do not know all that the future holds for us. I am not worried about Riverbend's present financial difficulty. I believe it is temporary. I believe that Riverbend's greatest days may very well be ahead of her. I am happy about the opportunities God has set before me. I am grateful for the friendship of those who have loved us. I invite you to rejoice with me in God's goodness, faithfulness and providence. He does all things well.

New BLOG for Our Creator's Hope

It is quite a privilege for Pepper and me to serve on the board of directors for Our Creator's Hope (OCH). This organization provides grants to adopting parents to help defray the expense of adoption. Earlier this year, we awarded a grant to the Asperger family who are adopting two children from Ethiopia. Now we have just awarded our second grant to a family adopting a child from Kazakhstan.

The ministry has a new blog in addition to our website. Drop by for a quick visit by clicking here. More importantly, get involved in making a difference in the lives of orphans.

James 1.27 (ESV) Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

To do your part please support our financial grants, use one of our shopping and websearch portals which supports our grant program, consider an adoption for your family, start an adoption/orphan ministry within your church, participate with medical mission trips that provide support to orphanages, and/or join monthly adopt-an-orphan programs.

Colossians 4.3-4

I would like to request your prayers as I will be preaching eighteen times in 36 days in four different countries on three continents beginning July 27.

Colossians 4.3-4 (ESV) At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

Stop Monkeying Around!

Evolution doesn't only address the questions of cosmogony, but also has implications for today if carried to its natural conclusions. If animals are considered to be no different than homo sapiens in the evolutionary process, then it would make sense that rights afforded to humans should also be provided to animals. This is not far-fetched.

There is an emerging group of animal right advocates who are insisting that some animals not be killed and be given equal rights like humans. Slate magazine featured in its July 1 online edition an article about a bill before the Spanish Parliament that would "respect the personal rights
of animals of our 'non-human brothers.'" This bill has already passed successfully through a Parliamentary committee and is headed to the general assembly for passage. No longer would apes (this bill addresses primates in particular thanks to it being pushed by the Great Ape Project) be involuntarily incarcerated in zoos, used in advertisements or in scientific experiments. One animal rights activist is quoted in the article as seeing "the [Spanish] resolution as the first step in a campaign to 'elevate all mammals to moral equality with humans.' Ultimately, [this animal rights activist] warns, "Animal rights activists believe a rat, is a pig, is a dog, is a boy."

Think for just a moment about where this legislation will lead the international community. Soon it will be against the law to eat animals (however, do we really expect law enforcement to haul an antelope-eating lion off to jail?)

Using animals as beasts of burden would outlaw horseback riding or any equestrian activity of any kind, not to mention donkeys, camels, cows, elephants, etc. Any attempt to employ animals in entertainment would be against the law if the animal's participation was coerced. No more circuses, zoos, Sea World, commercial advertisements incorporating animals, movies, TV shows, etc. All of that would be illegal. (You might be able to obtain a bootleg copy of an outlawed episode of Lassie if you keep it hush-hush.)

I am sure that it will become a felony to intentionally kill any animal if this worldview is carried out to its natural consequence. Would that apply to roadkill or must malicious intent be proven beyond a doubt before a jury of one's peers? What about swatting a menacing fly or a blood-sucking mosquito?

If equal rights are required, then will we soon have presidential candidates advocating universal health care for all animals? Get your kids into veterinarian school now! There's a bundle to be made in the near future!

What about driver's licenses? Will we soon see chimps (is it politically correct to call them "chimps?") driving smart cars? Would that discriminate against Flipper if we don't give him (is Flipper a him?) a boating license? How will we decide which level of evolutionary progress must be attained before a species can obtain certain rights? Maybe there will be achievement tests required to demonstrate moral and intellectual capabilities of an animal before such rights can be granted.

You've got to admit that this is all ridiculous! But what makes this ridiculous? The fact that man is distinct from all other life forms - animal and plant - because he is created in the image of God. He is the only creature in the universe that bears this divine imprint. Man, apart from any other species, possesses the likeness of God.

The reason it is not against the law to pick a flower or cut down a tree or eat a steak is because other life forms do NOT bear the image of God. There is a sanctity of life, but only HUMAN life. Only human life is sacred. Why? Because God made MAN in His image.

Genesis 1.26-27 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Only in baseball

For only the fifth time in the past 100+ years, a major league baseball team won a game without getting a hit. The Dodgers beat the Angels 1-0 Saturday night. I love this game.