Ramblings from a Hoodlum Pastor

Pig Paranoia Runs Wild

While I was gone to Africa our students were getting ready to head to Camp Whatever, our annual Student Camp.  It's one of the absolute best weeks of the year for our student ministry.  We always see many students embrace Christ & many others make life changing commitments to radically run after God by serving Him on the mission field or some other area of vocational ministry.  I actually think our adults leaders are impacted as much as our students.  It's a red letter week that everyone has circled on their calendar all year.

But, this year had an interesting twist.  Last week, another local church used the same camp & sent some students home early with the flu.  So, the Swine flu became the immediate topic of discussion...even though, to this point, there have been no known confirmed cases of the swine flu. 

Our staff has a huge weight of responsibility on their shoulders for the physical safety of every kid that goes on any trip or attends any event sponsored by LifePoint.  So, they called the camp & discussed the situation in detail.  The owners of the camp had completely & thoroughly sanitized the entire facility.  They had called the health department & CDC who got involved & obviously felt no reason to shut down the camp or have us stay home.  Our staff talked with a physician who said the virus can't live long enough to infect anyone we take given the time the previous group left the camp.  We took enough hand sanitizer to float a battle ship &, like every year, we have health care professionals on site.  We're not reactive; we're proactive. 

By the way, several of our staff had absolutely no problem sending their kids to camp based on the due diligence & information we had, including myself.  I have two boys there this week, one as a leader & one as a participant. 

Yet, we get a call this morning from a local news channel inquiring about our kid going to camp where the group before us sent some kids home with the flu.  The news cycle must really be slow this week.  We didn't feel any more of a threat sending our kids to camp than we do sending them to the YMCA or the movies.  Do you really think all the people who make your Big Mac's & eat at the tables you lay your food on in crowded restaurants are healthy?  What about the hundreds of people on airplanes that breath the same air for hours?  I guess we should just quit work & lock our doors & live in paranoia of the pig. 

There have been some really bad wrecks on interstate 24 that have left countless more people hurt or worse.  So, should we let our kid get on a bus & travel on a road that has been so dangerous?  The camp is in the woods & there are snakes & ticks that carry Lime's Diseases in the woods...  It's hot & a lot of people have heat strokes every year...  They have a blob on the lake.  Do you know how many people drown each year...  Do we really want to live in that kind of paranoia of every new thing that pops up?   

Come on, no one would give this a second thought if it was the "common" flu.  Oh, wait, I forgot, there is no such thing as the "common" flu.  The flu virus changes every year.  That's why people get a new flu shot every year.  But, what about all the people who've died from the swine flu.  To my knowledge, the swine flu is no more deadly than any other flu...it just got more press causing paranoia of the pig. 

My boys may come home with the flu.  But, last time I checked, that's a possibility when they come home from school, the movies, the YMCA, their friends house...  If they do come home sick, I'll take them to the doctor just like I do every other time they're sick.  So, rather than worry about what might happen, I'm going to pray that they have an incredible week & that God does amazing things in their life.

Some may ask why we didn't inform the parents of the pig paranoia.  I asked our staff the same question & was totally satisfied with their answer.  After the processing all the info & facts, they felt it was a non-issue.  I mean, the health department shuts down a swimming pool if they find a Baby Ruth in the water.  Do you really think they would've let us go to camp if they thought there was the slightest possibility of one of our kids getting infected by a virus left behind from the previous week?  That's not to say someone won't come home sick, but if they do, it won't be because they picked up the virus at camp; it'll be because the flu season is extended this year & one of our hundreds of kids carried the bug to camp...just like what happened with the group last week.  

So, parents, don't worry about your kids getting infected with the flu.  I can't promise you they won't get infected, but I can promise you that our staff has done their due diligence & didn't allow your kids to carelessly go to camp.  We have health care professionals on site, just like every year, and we'll inform you & get your kids home if there is any question that they may be sick.  So, rather than worrying about them getting infected with the flu, pray that they get so infected with Jesus that He is contagious to everyone they come in contact with when they get home.           

24 AMAZING YEARS

Yesterday marked the 24th anniversary of the day I married the greatest woman in the world.  Like all marriages, those 24 years have been filled with a lot of good times as well as many rough times.  We've laughed & cried.  We've had our good moments & our bad moments.  There have been days she wanted to hold me & days she wanted to kill me...and I wouldn't change a thing.

Outside of my salvation, Amy is the biggest blessing God has given me.  She didn't know she was marrying a pastor.  But, she was 100% on board when I told her I felt God was calling me to vocational ministry.  She worked full time so I could go to college & seminary.  She has never complained about the long hours or demands on my schedule.  She's never asked me to spend more time at home & less time at the office or on the job.  She has sacrificed many pleasures because of lack of money or time.  I've never had a need that she was slow to meet. 

And, oh yeah, she just ahppens to be the absolute best momma in the world.  Sometimes, I laugh because there are two kids & at least one dog on her lap while I'm setting in the chair right beside her.  You'd think at least one of them would want to sit on my lap, but noooo.   I wouldn't have it any other way.  Thank you, baby, for being my wife.  I love you with all my heart and look forward to many more years of being married to the greatest woman in the world.   

   

Home...sort of

We arrived back in Nashville on Saturday evening around 6:00 PM.  THANKFULLY, we were able to move our flight up 24 hours.  We were sure ready to get home.  

AK is doing amazing at bonding with the whole family.  She smiles continually & laughs at almost anything.  Physically, she's not doing as well.  Amy took her to the doctor today & she has pneumonia.  So, she had to have a shot & some blood work that she didn't particularly like.  When we received her, her belly was a little distended.  The good doc Pete said it was fluid from a lack of protein.  He said her liver should start to perform properly with her new nutrition which should take care of her distended belly in no time. 

 Jadyn is reacting like a typical 3 year old who's world has been invaded by a new sibling.  I feel bad for her because her world has been rocked.  But, Amy keeps reminding me that learning not to be selfish is a good thing.  It still hurts me to see her feel like she's losing some love & attention.  I know all parents with multiple kids close in age know what I'm talking about.  So, pray for baby J.  It was just 2 years ago that she was placed in our arms. 

I believe this trip has hit me harder physically than any trip I've ever taken.  I travel a lot & I know it takes a while to get back to normal, but I've never quite felt like I do this time.  I've had a terrible bought of the green apple quick step, probably something I ate on the plane, & even though my body's home, I feel like I'm in a fog.  Amy feels much the same way.  it might have something to do with not sleeping 3 out of 7 nights we were gone...we're not as young as we used to be.  I went to the office for a few hours today, but spent a lot of time high stepping it down the hall..if you know what I mean.  I have so much to blog about, but this will have to do for today.  Hopefully, i'll feel better tomorrow & be able to post more.  Until then...   

Wednesday Update from Ethiopia

We heard from Pat on Wednesday morning. He wanted to share with you:

Aly Kate is doing exceptionally well. They visited her orphanage today and she did not want to go to her caregiver. She is calling Amy "mama" and Pat the word for "daddy". She has really blossomed. They will be returning a day early, coming home on Saturday at 5:43pm instead of Sunday.

Thank you for continuing to pray for Pat, Amy, and Aly Kate as well as Seth, Zac, and Jadyn.

-Leslie Overby

We Arrived in Ethiopia

Hello everyone, this is Jason Stewart posting on behalf of Pat and Amy. We heard from Pat earlier this morning from Ethiopia and he asked we update you here.

Pat and Amy have arrived in Ethiopia. They had major delays trying to fly out of Washington on Saturday and into Sunday morning. Although, they were late arriving in Ethiopia they are there now and getting caught up on their schedule. Based on the time frame they gave us, Pat and Amy should have Alyza Kate by now. What an exciting day!

Pray for Pat, Amy, and Aly Kate as they begin to bond. Also, pray that Pat and Amy can rest well over the next couple of days and have the energy we know they want to have to embrace Aly Kate and this experience. They do not have internet access so updates will be limited. As we hear more we will be sure to update here.

ADDIS OR BUST

Amy & I fly out of Nashville today at 1:19 on our way to Addis Ababa to pick up our new Ethiopian princess, Aly Kate.  Here's a cool gift from God... two years ago, we received Jadyn on Mother's Day; now, He has established that we arrive in Addis on Father's Day & receive Aly Kate on Monday.  How cool is that?   

We arrive back in Nashville next Sunday, June 28, at 5:40 pm.  If you live in the area, you're welcome to come by the airport & celebrate the arrival of the newest member of the Hood family.  We really don't know what kind of internet service we'll have or how reliable it'll be.  But, we'll try to post daily updates both here & on Aly Kate's adoption blog. 

By the way, everybody keep on eye on our boys while we're away.  They're really good boys, I'm just afraid I might come home & find they've killed each other.  You know, brothers will be brothers.  

Punish vs Discipline

Dictionary.com defines punish as "to subject to pain, loss, confinement, death, etc., as a penalty for some offense, transgression or fault..."  The same source defines discipline as "punishment inflicted by way of correction and training..."

A couple of weeks ago, I was talking about the consequences of sin & said that when we own it, confess it & repent of it that God will forgive us.  But, although God forgives us, we may still have to endure His "punishment."  After the service, someone approached me & informed that he didn't believe that God punishes His children; He disciplines them. 

To be honest, i was in a big way of preaching & just used the word that rolled off.  Since my mouth works faster than my brain, I tend to do that a lot.  I informed him that, even though I thought he was splitting hairs, I understand what he was trying to say.  He sees punishment as a negative & discipline as positive.  He sees punishment as being for the good of the punisher & discipline for the good of the one being disciplined.  

If that's how one personally defines the two words, then I agree.  I don't believe for a moment that God punishes His children because He's mad & wants to inflict pain.  Never...that's not the heart of God.  I believe God discipline His children always for our benefit & the benefit of His kingdom. 

I basically used the word as a synonym for discipline...whether I was right in the usage, I don't know.  But, I think you get the point.  So, if you're ever confused by anything I say, as I'm sure most of you are, please ask me about it.  I use a lot of words in what I do, most of them planned, some of them not, so sometimes I might use the wrong word or sometimes you might just misunderstand.  If so, just ask.  I'll be glad to help you understand what I meant or why I meant what I said.       

Big Day in Richmond

Today is a big day as Kyle, Tim & I meet with pastors from Cornerstone Church in Ames, Iowa & Pinelake Church in Brandon, Mississippi to begin discussion with the International Missions Board (IMB) about a new model for doing missions.  We're calling our concept "The Sending Church Model." 

Basically, we believe the Great Commission was given to the church.  So, rather than turning our missionaries over to an agency to decide who goes, where they go, when the go & what they do when they get there, we beleive the church should be determine who can go, where they go & what they do. 

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm very thankful for the IMB.  Many people all over the world are in the kingdom today because of their faithful efforts.  But, this isn't about the IMB; this is about the church being who the church was created to be & doing what we were created to do.  The church should be the sending agency. 

For the church to outsource missions to an agency is like a dad & mom outsourving their parenting responsibilities, sending their kids to a "Parenting Agency" and sending them money, praying for them, being involved as much as possible but having no authority as to thier policies or strategies in rearing kids.  We'd never think of that because that responsibility was given to parents by God.

In the same way, sending missionaries is a responsibilty given to the church by God.  We must no longer pay, pray & stay out of the way.  We must get involved.  So, pray for us today as we begin discussion with the IMB about a new model.  Pray that we have clarity of thought & speech & that God gets the glory.    

ALY KATE PAST COURT

I'm in a super important meeting right now talking about our future in multi-site ministry.  But, I wanted to make you aware that ALY KATE PASSED COURT today.  Go to Amy's blog to see a video montage of pictures of Aly Kate.  I'll post more thoughts later.