Ramblings from a Hoodlum Pastor

The Stork Has Landed at the Hood House for Christmas...Again

Several years ago, Amy informed me she thought we needed to adopt a little girl from China & I told her she needed to rethink.  I wasn;t even praying about it.  As you know, about two & a half years ago, we brought Jadyn home from China.  We hadn't been home long when Amy told me that she thought we had two more kids, one in Ethiopia & another.  Once again, I told her she was out of her mind.  Again, as you know, we brought Aly Kate home in June from Ethiopia.  It's hard to admit it, but she was right & I was wrong & I'm glad.

This brings us to the next step in our adoption journey.  A few days before Thanksgiving Amy found this little boy on a Waiting Child list (a list for children with special needs) and wanted me take a look at him.  He is from Hunan China & was found abandoned on Amy's birthday, May 25th, and was estimated to be about 6 months old by the doctors.  So, his birthday is listed as November 25th.  But, he could have very possibly been born on my birthday, November 18th.  He was born without a right hand.  I guess that's one way of making sure I get a left handed pitcher :)  He was sent to live with a foster family a couple of days after being found.

We spent a few weeks praying about Yang Heng Hong & a couple of weeks ago, felt led to adopt him.  So, we started the process & received our pre-approval from China yesterday making him officially ours.  We now begin the paper chase required by both China & USA.  We hope to have everything complete & travel in about 6 months.   

I'm learning to never tell Amy she crazy...no matter how crazy I think she is. 

Not so...Politically Correct

I know...this quote is 9 years old, but man I love it.  Though you might too....

"This is a statement that was read over the PA system at the football game at Roane County High School, Kingston, Tennessee by school Principal Jody McLoud, on September 1, 2000.

"It has always been the custom at Roane County High School football games to say a prayer and play the National Anthem to honor God and Country.  Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law.

As I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it an alternate lifestyle, and if someone is offended, that's OK.

I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity by dispensing condoms and calling it safe sex. If someone is offended, that's OK.

I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a viable means of birth control.  If someone is offended, no problem.

I can designate a school day as earth day and involve students in activities to religiously worship and praise the goddess, mother earth, and call it ecology.

I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depict people with strong, traditional, Christian convictions as simple minded and ignorant and call it enlightenment.

However, if anyone uses this facility to honor God and ask Him to bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, Federal Case Law is violated.

This appears to be at best, inconsistent and at worst, diabolical. Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone except God and His Commandments.

Nevertheless, as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do otherwise would be at best, inconsistent and at worst, hypocritical. I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression.
For this reason, I shall, "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's," and refrain from praying at this time. 

However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank God, and ask Him in the name of Jesus to bless this event, please feel free to do so. As far as I know, that's not against the law----yet."

I love people who are radical for the kingdom.  I love people who take a stand for the gospel.  I love people could care less about being politically correct and remain committed to being Biblically Correct. 

Sending Church Campaign Stats

Here are some statistics relevant to The Sending Church Campaign...

80% of the world's evangelical wealth is in North America and that total represents way more than enough to fund the Great Commission...We must give generously in order to be a Sending Church...

In 2007, 1.9 billion worldwide (28% of population) had yet to hear the gospel...we MUST be a Sending Church...

In 2004, church members gave 2.5% of their income to the church.  If they had tithed obediently, there would've been an additional $164 BILLION to fund the Great Commission.

Annual Giving$19 Billion between now & 2015 could eliminate global starvation.  An additional $15 Billion could provide universal access to clean water.

Conservative estimates indicate the $1 billion a year could be all that's needed to complete the Great Commission.

In 2000, American evangelicals collectively made $2.66 TRILLION in income.

Only one third to one half of all American church members support their church financially...

In 2007, it was estimated that Americans spent $40 Billion on their pets... by 2010, Americans will spend $60 Billion on weight loss... How much on the gospel?

America has 40% of the world's wealth & only 2.5% of the population...  We are blessed to be a blessing.

Income has increased 10 times in the last 20 years whole giving has decreased by about 50%...

These stats are shocking to say the least.  They reveal that Americans have major spiritual heart disease when in comes to giving.  If every Christ follower would obediently tithe, the church could eliminate poverty, provide clean water for for the world, provide loving care to all the world's orphans & send missionaries to preach the gospel to all peoples...

This is what The Sending Church Campaign is all about.  We're asking you to make a commitment to give generously, over & above your tithe, for a two year period so we can raise $1.5 million to send missionaries to plant churches all over the world so people can hear the gospel & be redeemed.  Please, don't forget to bring your Sending Church Campaign commitment card tomorrow...

Sending Church Questions

I know there are still a lot of questions about our Sending Church Campaign.  So, I'm going to attempt to answer as many as possible on my blog this week. 

Question #1 - I made a commitment to support one of our missionaries.  Does this amount count toward the campaign goal of $1,500,000? 

We have 30 missionaries representing 10 families going out of LifePoint in the next 14 months, 10 to Bangkok and 20 to Belgium.  As much as we'd love to, we just don't have the needed funds to pay the salaries & benefits of all these missionaries.  So, they've been out beating the bushes hard to raise the money needed for their salary that was set by our missions department.  Many of you have been gracious enough to make a commitment, over & above your tithe, to support these missionaries on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis.  For instance, Amy & I have made a commitment to support our son, Seth, who is a part of Team Bangkok.  The amount that we've pledged to him for the next 2 years will be counted toward our Sending church Campaign goal of $1,500,000. 

Now, Amy & I will also make a commitment to give an amount, over & above our tithe, to the Sending Church Campaign.  The money we give to Seth will go directly into an account for his salary & be managed by our finance office.  The amount that we give to the Sending Church Campaign will be used for the start up costs & ministry budgets of these new campuses.  Two commitments; one mission. 

I hope this answers your questions about your commitment to missionaries & the campaign.  If you have further questions, please call me or email me.  We want to make sure you totally understand the commitments you are making. 

The Sending Church Campaign

Here at LifePoint, we're trying to raise $1,500,000 for missions through "The Sending Church Campaign."  God has called us to send teams of missionaries around the world to plant churches that will identify & raise up indigenous people to start language churches where there is no church.  That's why we're saying that God has called us to send the church to be the church where there is no church. 

Team Bangkok will move to Atlanta in about seven weeks for five months of training before heading out to Bangkok in June.  Team Belgium will head out for a few months of training next fall before they move to Brussels in January of 2011.  We also have plans to send a team to China in the next 2-3 years.  In the meantime, our plan is to open our third local campus, somewhere in the Middle Tennessee area, in the next 2-3 years.  So, buckle your seat-belt because the next three years are going to be fast & furious.  That's why we're trying to raise $1,500,000... to help make this vision a reality. 

The Sending Church Campaign is different that any financial campaign I've ever been a part of because it's all about missions.  Raising money for buildings isn't bad.  I'm grateful for the people who sacrificed to buy the land & build the buildings we have at LifePoint  Countless souls & marriages have been & will be saved because of their sacrifice.  So, a financial campaign to build buildings is a good thing.  But, this campaign isn't about buildings; it's about missions & nobody can argue with this or pull themselves out of the game because they don't agree with the style or size of the building or any other excuse they can manufacture to not participate.  This is all about missions.  So, there is no option & no backing up. 

We're asking all who call LifePoint home to make one of two commitments.  We're asking those who do not tithe to make a commitment to begin tithing because this a mandate from God's Word.  So, it's not debatable or optional for a believer.  Because it's commanded by God, not tithing is just as much a sin as adultery or drunkenness o any other sin because it's disobedience and all disobedience is sin.  Yet, stats tells us that less than 5% of church members tithe.  This is sad.  How we can we say we appreciate the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross but not honor Him with our money?  How can we say we trust Jesus with our eternal destiny, but not with our money.  So, if you don't tithe, we're asking you to make a commitment to walk in obedience to the Word of God by tithing.  

Commitment #2 is for those who tithe; we're asking you to make a commitment to give generously, over & above your tithe, for a two year period, so we can raise $1,500,000 for missions.  We'll be handing our commitment cards this Sunday.  We're asking you to take these commitment cards home & pray over them to see what God leads you to do.  Then, fill in the amount & bring them back & turn them in the next Sunday, November 22, which is our commitment Sunday. 

I hope you're as excited about The Sending Church Campaign as I am.  Remember, we're called to GO & we can't go without the dough.  What will you commit?   

TAFT vs. LCA

My son, Zac, plays football at Lancaster Christian here in Smyrna.  They play Taft Youth Center this Friday night at 7:30 PM at Smyrna Middle School.  Taft is a correctional institute for juvenile offenders.  They are fortunate enough to be allowed to field a football team that plays local schools on Friday night.  Obviously, they have no home games because they have no home field.  Because of their situation, they have no fans to watch them play and cheer them on.  But, the saddest thing for me is that they don't even get to experience playing in front of their moms & dads.  So, I know it's late in the game, but this brings up an incredible ministry opportunity.

Watch the video below of what Grapevine Faith Christian School did when they played Gainesville State School to get an idea of the powerful effect that some time, attention & love can have on these young men.   

If you're free on Friday night & would like to make an impact on these young men, you can get in the game at Smyrna Middle School for $3.00 if you will sit on Taft's side of the field & cheer for both teams.  If you can't be at the game, you can still be involved in this ministry by donating socks, candy & Christian books for these young men to enjoy.  Just bring them by the church anytime today, tomorrow or Friday before lunch & we'll get these items to LCA to distribute to these young men. 

Lancaster has invited the Taft team to join them in a pre-game meal & devotion.  They are also feeding them after the game because they aren't allowed to stop anywhere, obviously, or even to bring a sack lunch with them.  If you own a restaurant or would like to donate food to this ministry opportunity, please let us know in the church office & we'll coordinate with LCA.

Thank you for you passion to serve this community. 

GREEK WEEK AT LIFEPOINT

This is GREEK WEEK at LifePoint.  No!  I'm not going to be preaching in Greek.  It's Greek Week as in Men's Fraternity begins tomorrow morning at 6:00 AM and I'm calling all men to "man up" and join this fraternity.  But, before you get any ideas of what we're going to be doing, let me guarantee that this isn't going to be like any other frat you've ever been a part of.  This Men's fraternity is about coming together to learn what masculinity is all about.

Here's a weird fact for you to know.  It's physically impossible to like your elbow....See, I told you.  I know you tried it.  Here's another really weird fact, even though there are over 3 billion men on this speck of dust called earth, most can't tell you what a real man is.  Think about it, there's no compelling vision or definition of manhood. 

In most all cultures on earth, there has been a clearly defined time when a boy passes into manhood, but not in America.  Here, our culture teaches that manhood is about age, or the ability to buy & drink alcohol or the conquest of women.  This has left most men in a total state of confusion and confused men create major problems in life.  For example, not all, but most marriage problems are men's problems.  Not all, but most kid's who have problems have truant or absent dads.  90% of major crimes are committed by men.  100% of all rapes are committed by men.  94% of all drunk drivers are men.  Obviously, the state of manhood is in bad shape.

That's what Men's Fraternity is all about, helping men understand their masculinity.  That's why I'm calling all guys to "man up" and get up and be in "The Hub" at 6:00 AM to begin this journey to masculinity. 

Dads, it would be incredible to bring your sons.  There's problem nothing better you can do with them than go through this journey together.  So, if you have a middle school or older son, roll him out of the bed & bring him with you. 

Ladies, I warn you, if you don't want your husband to be a better dad or a better husband or start being the spiritual leader of your home, then keep them away from Men's Fraternity.  But, if you desire for your husband to learn how to be these things and more, then (not so) subtly suggest that he join Men's Frat.  Ladies, it might even help if you make a few promises...if you know what I mean.  I promise, you won't regret it.     

Adoption Ignorance

Obviously, I've been on a blog break.  I've been so busy with church, my girls, coaching football, my girls, Zac's football...did I mention my girls...that I had to take a break from something.  My farm on Farm Town has went to the dogs & my blog was on break.  I'm not getting back on the tractor for a while, but the blog break is over. 

Last week, Bob Smietana, a reporter from the Tennessean, contacted me.  He was writing an article on international adoption, specifically Ethiopian adoption, and asked if he could meet with Amy, Aly Kate, Jadyn & me along with Chris & Dawn Hollomon and their new son Myles, who was also adopted from Ethiopia.  I've done several interviews with Bob, who always does a great job.  So, we met with Bob on Tuesday for about an hour while he did the typical reporter gig, asking questions & writing on his pad while recording the interview.  The article, printed in today's edition of the Tennessean, was my motivation to come out of blog hibernation.  Actually, it wasn't the article; it was the comments to the article.  The article was written to help educate people on adoption, while many of the comments reveal complete ignorance; adoption ignorance, social ignorance & even biblical ignorance.    

One of the critical threads running through many of the comments deals with "taking care of home," rather than adopting internationally.  Listen to this quote;

    "We concern ourselves with too many things overseas. We adopt kids overseas, send aide and         medical care overseas, send missionaries overseas, and try to encourage immigration so people     can flee their country to live here, and then we wonder why there are problems here.

    If your house is crowded, your brother is sick, your cousin unemployed, and your niece is an         orphan do you go to another city to help a total stranger while leaving your family unattended?     This is what we are doing, leaving our family unattended while concerning ourselves with other     people’s problem. Yes we should care, but if we have to choose to help family or strangers, and     we can only direct our assistance one way, then we should pick family."

Seriously?  Well, my house is crowded... my brother is sick (Transverse Myelitis)... I'm sure I have an unemployed cousin... at least I don't have a niece that's an orphan.  If I did, I'd adopt her AND go to another city, state or country to help a total stranger if I could because that's my responsibility as a Christ Follower. 

James 1:27 says, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this; to visit orphans & widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."  Wonder why God didn't say, visit orphans & windows in the USA or near your house?  Because orphans are orphans no matter where they are.  It's totally outlandish & elitist to believe that US orphans are more important or should garner more care & concern that orphans in any other country.  Could we be more ignorant of God's passion for the nations?  Do we really believe God loves America more than other countries & peoples of the world?  Are we really that arrogant? 

Amy & I didn't have a choice.  We adopted internationally because that's what God called us to do.  So, I guess those who feel we should have adopted from the USA rather than another country must have a god complex because they obviously feel their opinion trumps God's Word or God's call.  By the way, I wonder how many people who feel so strongly that we need to "take care of our own" have  actually adopted an orphan in the USA?  I'd love to know the answer to that question.   

Another quote that saddened me came from a lady who has also adopted from China.  It was in reference to the quote in the article about "rescuing orphans," something that we didn't say, by the way, but have absolutely no problem with.  Listen to her quote:

    "I have a slight problem with the word "rescue." Is this their primary reason for adopting a child     from overseas, or anywhere? To "rescue" that child? I think a person should adopt a child,             domestically or internationally, because they truly want to be a parent.  They truly want to love     a child. All children deserve a loving home. They should not have to feel grateful for that loving     home. Adopting in order to rescue seems a little ethnocentric to me. Is this how they will              explain it to their child when the child gets older? "We adopted you because we wanted to             rescue you from your birth country." I hope not. Kids aren't stupid. They will figure it out             eventually."

I know tons of people who've adopted from all over the world & the USA and everyone I know in the adoption community would ask this lady to please, do us a favor and don't speak for the adoption community. 

First of all, as I said, we didn't use the term "rescue" but it is completely appropriate.  The Psalmist said is Psalm 18:19, "He brought me out into a broad place; He rescued me because He delighted in me."  This lady made a huge assumption that we only adopted our daughters to "rescue" them & not because we wanted to be a parent or because we loved them.  In fact, as Psalm 18:19 alludes, we did indeed "rescue" them because we delight in them.    

Also, in Psalm 82:4, the Psalmist commands us to "rescue the weak and needy..."  Proverbs 24:11 says, "Rescue those who are being taken away to death."  I'm sorry she doesn't like the word rescue, but God clearly commands us to rescue those who are weak & in need.  So, even though she might not like the term rescue when referring to orphans, it's clearly a biblical concept & I'm more interested in God's heart on the matter than someone's opinion.

Oh, and make no mistake, we didn't "rescue" either of our daughters from their "birth country;" we "rescued" them from poverty, starvation, neglect, abuse, loneliness, etc.  But, I'm sure of one thing, I will tell my daughters that I adopted them to rescue them from these realities because I delight in them enough to sacrifice everything for them.  But, if she thinks it's better to tell her daughters that their adoption was more about meeting her need to be a parent than their needs, she's free to do so.  I just want my daughters to know their adoption was about them & not us.

Sorry if this was too much of a rant.  I guess I've been in hibernation too long.

 

  

Monday Morning Quarterback

I know it's Sunday night, but this is the first chance I've had to sit down at my computer for more than 2 minutes today.  Anyway, looking back over the weekend...

Our new Stewarts Creek Campus came out of the gate yesterday with a loud bang.  We had over 500 in attendance.  I know a few of these were there to check things out from the Smyrna Campus, but this was amazing.  We're already planning how & when we'll add a third worship service at SC.  Looks like it's going to be a lot sooner than we anticipated. 

If you were at the pre-;launch service last week, then you may have noticed that the video was a little fuzzier yesterday than last week.  We had a power surge at the Smyrna Campus that knocked out the power momentarily.  When the power went down, the camera reset to its default focus settings.  Since this is so new to us, no one thought to reset the focus.  WE KNOW NOW.  So, next week, barring some other unforeseen glitch, the video should be perfect & totally life-like.

We had around 30 new small groups begin going through the Centered curriculum last night.  If you're not in a small group, please go by the centered table in the lobby this Sunday & ask about jumping in.  If you really want to live a Christ Centered life, then small group isn't an option.  We're having what we call a super group that begins this week.  So, no one has an excuse to be on an island or not be involved.     

Finally, as I think back over the weekend, it was obviously really brainless to start TO in my fantasy football league.  Oh well, play & learn. 

Just Suff

STEWARTS CREEK CAMPUS
The pre-launch service for the Stewart Creek Campus went phenomenal.  The video is absolutely amazing.  It's life-sized & such high quality resolution that it almost looks 3-D...sort of scary, really. 

We're really pumped about this week's Grand Opening service.  Remember, if you live in one of the neighborhoods off of Almaville Road, you need to invite all your neighbors to be a part of this exciting new launch.  You can either go to our website & send an e-invite or pick up some invite cards & hand them out.  Don't miss this great opportunity to tell everyone in the community about what's going on at LifePoint.

GODOLOGY...
...kicks back off this week.  This class is designed more like what you might get at a seminary theology class.  I'll kick it off this Wednesday night at 6:30 by talking about Salvation.  If we can understand the theology of our salvation, our view & praise of God will sky rocket.  So, be there or be square.   

CENTERED
Don't forget our brand new series that kicks of this week called "CENTERED."  LifePoint Church exists to lead people to a Christ CENTERED life.  Through this series, we're going to be talking about what the CENTERED in Christ CENTERED is all about.  We'll talk about five spiritual disciplines that we hold up as expectations for all members of LifePoint.  So, it's gonna be fun series.