A Few Notes

Today I led a seminar on "The Nuts and Bolts of Preparing Christ-Centered Expository Sermons." Here are the notes, if you are interested: NutsBoltsPreparingChrist-CenteredSermons.doc 

Also, last week I mentioned a study on the problem of immorality in the Bible Belt, as noted by research done at Kansas State. Here is one particular study. I was made aware of it by Christianity Today, and you can read it here. 

Should We Twitter During Coporate Worship?

Time recently released an article about the use of Twitter in church. As a twitterer myself and a leader in corporate worship, I found the article particularly interesting. I think that Pastor Josh Harris' response to this question, "Should we twitter in corporate worship?" is very wise. I agree:

In the past year Twitter has exploded in popularity. A USA Today article I read this week said its membership increased 3,000% in the last year. This year at Next 2009 a number of attendees (along with the team at Next) used Twitter to share ongoing reports about the conference (you can read these posts by doing a search for #thisisnext.) Last year people blogged about the conference, this year there was hardly any blog activity--Twitter's micro-blogging had essentially wiped out "traditional" blogging.

Lately I've been hearing the question of whether Twitter has a place during a church's worship services. If people use Twitter to comment on every aspect of their life during the week, should they continue the practice while their pastor is preaching? TIME magazine did an article entitled "Twittering in Church, with the Pastor's O.K." that described several congregations that are actively encouraging their congregation Twitter during church. One church had training sessions and even has a feed of Twitter comments projected on the screen.

While I personally enjoy Twitter and find it to be a useful tool for sharing and receiving information, I'm not excited about encouraging people to use Twitter during the Sunday meeting. This isn't to pass judgment on pastors who do encourage its use and I'm happy to hear evidence that it adds spiritual benefit, but here are a few reasons why I won't be encouraging the members of Covenant Life Church to Twitter during the meetings. I'll apply this to myself:

1. Playing with my iPhone (or cell phone or Blackberry) during the sermon will likely distract me. I'll be tempted to check my email or read my Twitter feed that has nothing to do with the sermon.

2. Even if I didn't look at anything else, the mere act of "tweeting" some quote or question or thought from the sermon would be several minutes in which I wasn't actively listening to the sermon. Brain space would be taken up with typing and getting my word count under 140. God's word preached is so important, so precious, I don't want anything to distract me from hearing it. What if those two minutes in which I'm distracted are the two minutes my soul needs the most?

3. The most important thing I can do while I'm sitting under the preaching of God's word is to listen to what God is saying to me. I need to actively engage my heart and mind to receive. Twitter, takes the focus off of hearing and receiving and and makes it broadcasting and sharing. So instead of my mind being engaged with thoughts of "What is the Word of God saying to me?" when I start "tweeting" my focus becomes, "What do I want to say? What do I want to express? What am I thinking?"

4. I think we all need to ask what our example says to other people we're worshiping alongside. Can a person look at me during the worship and see from the way I sit, listen and engage that the Bible is worthy of honor, that preaching is valuable? Of course this applies to a lot more than the issue of Twitter. If I'm nodding off to sleep, reading the bulletin, staring off into space or filing my finger nails it can send the wrong message, too. So what does someone think if they see me playing with my cell-phone during the sermon? "Oh, he must be so enamored with the truth of God's word that he's using Twitter to share the truth he's just heard with the world! God, your word is glorious!" Uh, I really don't think so. They'll probably think, "I should pull out my phone...wonder if I've gotten any email."

5. Just because something is incredibly popular in culture doesn't mean we have to accommodate it in our worship. Who cares if the whole world is talking about Twitter? When the church gathers and the Word of God is opened, God himself is speaking again. Everybody else can shut up. Lost people in this world don't need to see that we're current with the latest trend, they need to hear God's unchanging truth. They need to understand that God's word makes a demand on their life. And they should see from us a reverence and holy awe in the presence of God and his word that points them to the fact that what happens in a Christian church is completely different than anything happening in the world.

6. My final reason for why Twitter should be left at the door when we come to church is very simple: you can tweet about the Sunday service after church. I'm not a Twitter hater. In fact I love the idea of members of my church reviewing their notes and tweeting about what God spoke to them during the message. But they can do that later on Sunday afternoon and nothing will be lost.

Twitter is a useful tool. If you're a Christian and you use it I hope you actively consider how it can reflect the supremacy of Jesus Christ in your life. Ask God to help you use it to share the gospel and build up the saints.

One way to do that is to use Twitter (after the Sunday service) to share what you learned from the Sunday sermon. I think it's a great witness to unbelieving friends and an encouragement to fellow-Christians who follow you on Twitter to see that you're hearing and seeking to apply the sermon you heard Sunday.

But it's also a good witness for them to see that something so important, so essential, so holy happens on Sunday morning when God's church gathers that Twitter takes a back seat. When God is speaking again through his word, we should all be silent--and so should our Twitter feeds.

Proverbs: Work

This Sunday we continue our trek through the great book of Proverbs. We will be dealing with the subject of work, or perhaps better understood as our vocations. Builders, plumbers, students, athletes, computer techs, nurses, doctors, factory workers, house wives, and every other type of work is given to us to do for the glory of God. New Testament Professor at Asbury Theological Seminary, Ben Witherington, writes the following inspiring poem about work (which I probably won't be sharing on Sunday, but is worth meditation and summarizes Sunday's message well):


OPUS MAGNUM

Weary, worn, welts on hand
Work has whittled down the man
To the bare necessities
Of what he is, and what he’ll be
Was this then his destiny?

Defined, refined by what we do,
The toilsome tasks are never through
Thorn and thistle, dirt and dust
Sweeping clean, removing rust
All to earn his upper crust?

Sweat of brow, and carried weight
Rose too early, slept too late
Slaving, striving dawn to dusk
'Til the shell is barely husk
Staunch the stench with smell of musk?

But work is not the curse or cure
By which we’re healed, or will endure
It will not save us in the end,
It is no foe, but rather friend
But while it molds us will we mend?

Task Master making all things new
Who makes the most of what we do,
Let our work an offering be
A timely gift from those set free
From earning our eternity.

When work is mission on the move
By those whose efforts serve to prove
That nothing's wasted in God’s hands
When we respond to his commands
Then we shall hear him say “well done”
To those who worked under the Son.

A Missional Summer

At Temple, we have four core values:

(1) Biblical - Loving Christ through His Word
(2) Relational - Loving one another in Christ's church;
(3) Missional - Loving the community like Christ loved others;
(4) Global - Loving the Nations like Christ commanded.

Philip Nation writes the following about how to have a missional summer this year, or how to love your community the way Christ loved others:

Each spring, I hear people making plans for the perfect summer. They vow that this is the year they go camping with the kids, visit the grandparents more, and have more fun than anyone thought possible. Then the new school year rolls around and everyone wonders what just happened to the two months of perfection they had planned. Time seemed to slip away so quickly.

I want to challenge your thinking about summer this year. You can still go on a trip, play in the pool, and camp with the kids. But what if you decided to make it a missional summer? Instead of counting the days until it was over, I want you to make your summer count!

It all begins with the “why.” Why should I spend my whole summer or any of my summer on mission? That sounds boring. Even worse, it sounds like work. But if you want to have a memorable summer—then you have to get your mindset right.

When Paul was helping the Corinthian church understand their role in the world, he explained it this way in 2 Corinthians 5:18-20,

18 Now everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ; certain that God is appealing through us, we plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.”

Our lives as believers are not about self; which is a tough concept when we are facing the summer months. It seems that summer is designed as a built-in “take a break” time of the year. Take a break from school, work, and even church stuff. But your summer can be the moment that you engage in the mission rather than disengage from the world. Let me give you 8 tips for making your summer count. And I promise that each one of them is possible!

1. Look at people with eternity in mind. Everyone has an eternity in front of them. We need to see them as God does and care for them like it counts.

2. Show some hospitality. Believers should be the people that everyone else wants to be around. So be the person who invites everyone over for a cookout or a game night. Remember, you’re the ambassador for Christ so get into the lives of people living outside the kingdom.

3. Watch for a chance to serve. People give away all of their energy on family, work, and menial chores. Look for ways that you can care for your neighbors—even if it is just cooking a simple dinner for them.

4. Visit someone new. Look around your community and find someone who needs a friend. Maybe it is visiting in a nursing home or rocking babies in the NICU. Make your days count with people who feel they don’t.

5. Go somewhere unexpected. It is not too late to get your family’s name on the list for a mission trip. Leave your inhibitions behind and get going to a place that needs to hear about Jesus whether it’s downtown or to the other side of the globe.

6. Take somebody with you. Whatever you do, don’t do it alone! Take your family, get your Sunday school class involved, or invite the whole church to go out on mission. And make sure to take the kids. They’re ready to change the world, so let them.

7. Be truthful. Missional believers contend for the faith while speaking in a way understandable to the hearer. No matter what—be ready to tell the story of Jesus.

8. Love like Jesus. He lived a robust life of caring for the lost. He did it by meeting their needs and telling them the truth. And I can think of no better way to make your summer count than doing both of those.

First Sunday Back

It was an awesome day yesterday. I slept a solid 8 hours, got ready to preach and then went and had a special prayer time for a new East Campus Pastor, John Thomas. It was his first Sunday at the church, and I am grateful to have him on board. I then preached at that service on Proverbs 3:1-12, and drove across town to preach at the 10:30. I don't know how smoothly both sermons during the AM and PM were delivered yesterday, but it sure felt good to be back at work. I am overwhelmed with gratitude to our church and our family and our Savior.

Probably the highlight for me was walking in at the West Campus and seeing my father-in-law, Jim, sitting with James. Kimberly and the girls and my mother-in-law, Nancy, were getting some rest at home. But James came with Jim to church. I almost lost it on a couple of occasions, with him in one arm, and the other raised in praise as we sang "In Christ Alone."

I am grateful that the kids have two sets of wonderful grandparents. When I got off of the plane Saturday night I hugged Jim, and we both began to cry like prom queens. I think it was a combination of factors; like, I was exhausted (27 hour trip with four kids who don't speak your language), he is an amazing father of four, and he has really went out of his way to come to our home and make some home improvements for us. He is going back to work today but coming back on Thursday.

But Sunday even got better in the pm for me. The girls were trying to get a nap around 3:00 and I was headed back to the office. James met me coming down the steps, holding his Jesus Story Book Bible. I drew a picture of the church and said that I had to go back to church. But he pointed to himself insisting that he go with me. When we got out to the garage, he accidently saw his new bike. I told him that he could stay and ride it and that I wouldn't be back for about 4 hours. But he insisted that he go to church with me. After sitting in my office with me, he walked out holding his toy cell phone, bottled water, and Bible... the same three items that I was holding.

This morning I woke up at 4:00 AM. At about 6:30, the girls came busting in our room playing with Titus and trying on all of momma's shoes. It was cool because I made them give me a kiss everytime they wanted to try a pair on.:)

Coming Home

We just put the kids down, and now momma and papa are trying to get everything together for an early flight in the morning. We are humbled by God's gracious providence in giving us this experience, and we are grateful for the avalanche of encouragment and prayers from our friends and family. Thank you.

It's All Good in the Hood

All is well back at the ranch. I slept three hours last night from 1:30 am to 4:30 am in the parking lot of a gas station. But we were able to get passports and get the necessary medical papers to take to the Embassy tomorrow. Before noon tomorrow we have to give them the paperwork and some money (everyone has to have money) in order to get the visas. And that, ladies and gents will be the last thing we have to do before boarding a plane at 6:30 am on Saturday! We are going to show the kids Kiev in the afternoon and pick up a few things for the long journey home.

When I got back to the apartment today around 1:00 pm, the kids greeted me at the door with "Papa!!!" (and appropriate hugs and kisses) Now, I know there will be days that I will look for some hair to pull out, and many things will get old, but I don't think this greeting will ever get old. (And I hope they don't grow out of it). Effective immediately upon arrival will be the institution of "daddy dates," in which I take one of the girls out per week, for some one on one time over food and ice cream.

We love these kids. They are all muddy from a little time at the playground. And I'm wondering why we spent hundreds of dollars on clothes! We are anxious to get them on a plane, and I think they are as well.

Last night, momma rocked the house and sang to the kids before they went to sleep. She's a natural.

One final note, I don't expect to blog much more about the adoption process, once we get home. I will return to posting various pastoral reflections and church-related matters. I know that the blog audience will now decrease 90% but I promised Kimberly that I would not put the kids in sermon illustrations (except on appropriate and selected occassions); and I don't plan on making their whole life a blog! But, this has been a 40 day journey that I hope has inspired and blessed you in some way. I certainly didn't intend to boast in ourselves through writing everyday; only to bring you along for the ride to watch God's hand at work and help you trust in Him with deeper faith. He is a sovereign and wise and good God that is worthy of our complete trust. As our text for Sunday says:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths." (Prov. 3:5-6)

More Drama

We just got a call from Sasha, saying that the dude in Zap (where we just came from) will not overnight our passports (which was previously agreed upon); which means he and I will drive back and forth (8 hours) tonight, in order to make our appointments tomorrow. I'll refrain from telling you how I really feel; I just ask for your prayers. And pray for Kimberly as she's here alone with the kids, on what would have been our first real night together. We have no water and are operating on no sleep. Hopefully, the water will get back on in a few hours. 

No Longer Orphans: A Few Sights and Sounds and Smells of the Big Day

Kimberly and I made in to Kiev this morning around 6:00 AM. We then had a full morning of drama at the Embassy and the medical evals, and of course, with four kids in a little apartment (which currently has no water). We are going on about 30 minutes of sleep right now. But the instant mashed potatoes seemed to have calmed down the munchkins for now. The worst mistake we made was buying each of them a hand held tetris game, because you can't turn the sound off. They are so enamoured with this 3 dollar toy, that I've decided to endure it becaue I don't have the heart to tell them to do otherwise.

Yesterday was one of my most emotional days that I've had all year. I could recount particular moments in which I turned into a weeping prophet, but I will refrain. But I will mention my most broken moment. It occured once we got the kids to the train station and all of the folks who had been working with us for about 35 days or so were there to see us off (a total of four).

Our driver, Oleg, probably only said 50 words during these days, but he was pleasant and kind. We paid him about 20 dollars a day to drive us thirty-minutes back and forth to the orphanage. Some days he sat and waited on us at resturaunts and other places. Some times he helped us get groceries; he fixed our light; our washer; and always got us where we needed to be. He didn't say a word about what we were doing. He just took us to our places, and at times, loaded up six of us in the back seat of his little black car.

So, when he carried our luggage on the train cart for us, I gave him a sizable tip, and told him, "Bal Shoi Spaceba" ("Big Thanks," with obvious misspelling). He said, "Vhat you are doing is very good. I vish you all the best. Seriously, you are doing a very great thing. These kids have no hope in our country." I lost it. I think because it was so sincere, and I knew it was true, and the fact that we were finally leaving to be alone with the kids for the first night.

During the train ride, we played cards, ate food, watched a movie, and slept. I didn't sleep all night. I think I listened to 5 sermons or so. But I could hear James and Angela, snoring. It was the greatest sound I've heard in years. Two kids, sleeping no longer in an orphanage. Granted, it was in a hot train; but they don't have to sleep in a room with 22 kids any longer.

Pray for us as we try to overcome the obvious challenges (other than the current smell of our bathroom), like the language barrier, and knowing how to discipline at this early stage. The kids are fragile and we don't want to provoke them to anger, but they also want to test us. So pray for wisdom.

And pray for our trip home. Our flight is supposed to get in H'burg at 8:30 PM on Saturday (Lord willing). If so, I will try to preach. This will follow about a 2 1/2 hour flight to Amsterdam, where we have a 6 hour lay-over; then a 10 hour flight to Memphis, with a 2 hour layover, and then to the Hub City, to meet Kimberly's parents, and our dog Titus, and to tuck the kids in their new beds.

The Journey Begins

We were told today that we can take the kids from the orphanage and board a train at 7:20 pm on Tuesday. We will ride all night, arrive in Kiev at 6:00 AM; on Wednesday go check in at our flat; then go to the US Embassy submit some initial paperwork before 12:00; then go do medical exams. On Thursday at 2:00 PM we will pick up our Visas. On Friday, we can fly home!

That is, if no unforseen problem occurs. Our passports are supposed to be here at 1:00 tomorrow, but if not, they should be here on Wednesday. If that's the case, then they will overnight them to us.

So, we told the kids today that we are taking them out of the orphanage tomorrow. I wish you could have seen their expressions. They each responded with "Forever?!" Then they giggled, and danced, and acted like kids. It was really cool.

They are all excited. And Kimberly and I feel like it is Christmas Eve. We can't wait to get home. We can't wait to take these kids home. Forever.

Kimberly's First Mother's Day and Our First Interview

The kids don't really understand Mother's Day, but they definately love their momma. Kimberly and I went out this afternoon and bought play-dough, coloring books, braclets and puzzles and then went to the orphanage. When we got there, the local Baptist Church hosted the kids, one grade at a time, in a room to play with puzzles and games also. We spent the first part of the day in there. Then I went to get the younger two. Jana jumped in my arms but Victoria went running down the hall looking for momma. When we directed her to the right room, she was satisfied sitting in momma's lap, making hearts out of play-dough.

Next, we went to our usual spot, and played with some more puzzles and handed out some chocolate. The most touching thing today was when we said, "Das Vi Dania" (Good-bye), Victoria began to cry. This wasn't the "self-ish pouty" type crying; I think it was genuine "I don't want you to leave-please take me out of here," type of crying. She had huge tears in her eyes and was latched on to Kimberly.

On the way home, Kimberly made me talk about something else because she began to cry just thinking about it. So, I wanted changed the subject to Kentucky Basketball (who incidently has the number 1 recruiting class in America and just may win a national championship if they land John Wall and Jodie Meeks comes back. Grin). But instead I talked about food because she is tired of hearing about basketball, books, and upcoming sermons.

As we departed, we went to a local coffee shop to meet a journalist. I ask the kind lady, how she heard about our story. She said, "I'm a journalist. It's my job to find out secrets." She asked us the typical questions like, "Why Ukraine?" "Why four?" "Why do Ukrainians not adopt?" "Is it expensive?" "How old are you?" ....

Then she asked, "How do you have the strength to do it and why do you want to do it?"

She didn't know that I haven't preached in five weeks:). I told her, "The short answer is, Jesus."

I then proceded to tell her that we have a different worldview than many and we build our lives on the Bible, not the culture. And the Bible commands us to care for the orphan. I added that we have a wonderful family and church and friends who offer amazing support. And that we live by the grace of God and gift of prayer and daily Bible reading.

We then shared some more time together. The ladies had tea and I had Turkish coffee.

She told us that the newspaper goes out to 55,000, and that she would send us a copy of the story.

Before I sign off for the day, I must say "Happy Mother's Day," to my mother who has taught me these very principles that I've referred to, like building your life on biblical truth, practicing the discipline of prayer and Scripture, and relying on the grace of God in Jesus Christ. She is an incredibly merciful and humble mother. I can never thank her enough for her love and influence in my life. I can always count on a few things everyday. My mom is reading Spurgeon and the Bible everyday, and she is praying for her son and his wife and their ministry. I know that Kimberly will carry on this tradition (- Spurgeon), and will be a remarkable mother. We both are blessed to have such godly mothers praying for us.

We search the world for truth; we cull
The good, the pure, the beautiful
From graven stone and written scroll,
From all older flower-fields of the soul;
And, weary seekers of the best,
We come back laden from our quest,
To find that all the sages said
Is in the Book our mothers read.

Happy Meals and Happy Times

I typically don't like McDonalds, but here in Ukraine, it's my favorite. Today was a huge success, and we had no McMeltdowns. The kids loved their cheeseburgers, fries, and toys. And then, of course, ice cream. They were so consumed that not only did we not have to make two bathroom trips, we didn't have to make any! While I hope to eventually get the kids on a good diet (or I should say, Kimberly will), for now, if McDonalds means peace, then the golden arches it is. We also had a splendid time piled up in the back seat of a car.

We explained to them the upcoming schedule and how on Sundays they will be going to church with momma and papa. James asked, "Why only on Sunday?" Perhaps, he will be a pastor and be at the church everyday. The other three will probably be in the band and play the tambourine; they are a bit charismatic:) And they don't wear seat belts here in McKraine!

Happy Meals Not McMeltdowns

We are taking the kids to McDonalds today. It will be our first trip to the golden arches. The last time we went for pizza, the kids ordered potatoes. I'm wondering if they will order cucumbers today:). These are not American kids:)

I'm hoping that none of the kids order a "McMeltdown. "We are averaging about one melt down per day, and most recently our youngest is the most frequent drama queen. We are trying to love her through this process, but she can be quite difficult. Of all of the kids, she is the hardest one for me to attach and bond with. The other three are very affectionate and want to be near me, but Vicca is the most stand-off-ish. I thought about shaving my gotee, thinking that maybe it scares her, but then she would have to see my three chins, which would be worse.

Kimberly and I are nearing the end of this journey, and we are running out of gas (metaphorically speaking). We have both been under the weather, me with allergies and Kimberly with stomach issues. She needs a haircut and I think I need a dentist.We are both ready to wear some different clothes. In fact, we have discovered a great way to rid yourself of American materialism. Here's what you do: just wear three outfits for six weeks. After six weeks, all your other clothes will be like brand new. You won't have to go shopping. Grin.

With that said, the Lord has been very gracious to us in this journey. We have experienced far more laughs than frustrations. Hopefully today at McDonalds we will have more laughs than frustrations, as we attempt to have our first happy meal.

Fear No Evil - For Your God is With You

I was singing this song today on the way home from the orphanage, at about 6:00 pm. I posted Redman's great tune for your edification and joy.

We praise God for his relentless grace and endless mercies.

We have now finished all our paper work here in Zap. We ran down paper worked, used the restroom in unusual places; waited and waited and waited, then we picked up the kids and spent about 2 hours of so getting passport pictures; but it was a blast.

Victoria has about three pig tails sticking up in the photo. They are all adorable. The passports now have James Arthur Merida, Angela Grace Merida, Victoria Joy Merida, and Jana Sophia Merida. I just like to say them and pray their names. I pray for Angela to be filled with God's grace and extend it to others; I pray for Sophia to be wise and to fear the Lord; I pray for Victoria to find her joy in Jesus; and I pray for James that he will be like James the author of "James" and half-brother of Jesus - whose nickname was "Camel Knees" (for his prayer life) and "James the Just" (for his passion for justice and truth).

We can see the light now at the end of this journey. We will hear tomorrow at 3:00 pm, if the passports will be here on the 12th or 13th. When we get them, we will go immediately to Kiev. At Kiev, we need one day to do medicals; one day to do Embassy stuff; and then we can get on a plane. If all goes well, we may fly home next weekend.

Praise God. He never lets go, through the calm and through the storm.

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

Another Hunt for Paper

Today we are leaving to go look for more documents. Hopefully we will get pictures made for passports today around 3:00 pm and then we can relax until they get here.

I didn't mention the story about Lydia yesterday. If you didn't read it, you should see Kimberly's blog www.betheglory.blogspot.com We really had settled on only two names before we came, James and Lydia. It sort of took our breathe away yesterday finding out that Lydia's name was the name of the mother. She's the first lady with that name that we've come across.

More later....

May Madness

I don't have time to write about the craziness of the last 3 days; nor do I have the energy. We drove on Monday morning for 9 hours; got a room, then woke up and drove another 8 hours to the border of Ukraine to get three birth certificates; then got on a train at 8:30 pm the same night in Kiev, and rode all night; then arrived at 6:30 am here in Zap; then went out at 8:30 am to try to get a final birth certificate and apply for a passport. We didn't eat all day. We finally sat down for a meal at 4:30 pm. Now, I feel like Glass Joe on Mike Tyson's Punch Out.

I am too tired and to whipped to write anything of substance. So you might want to read Kimberly's blog www.betheglory.blogspot.com (I am also under the gun to make some final edits on my book, which I hope to get to this weekend).

We almost got to the application of the passports today, but unfortunately we found more paper work that we had to do. Apparently, our new kids' biological parents decided to roam all over Ukraine, which means the paper trail is everywhere. Hopefully, tomorrow we will apply for passports and then wait for them to come in. Before we do that, though, we have to go to another town and get a tax ID number for our youngest (it's boring stuff, and I will spare you). If we do apply for passports tomorrow (Thursday), we will have to wait extra long for them probably because both Friday and Monday are holidays. It seems that we adopting kids during the holiday season: May. However, we did get the final birth certificate, and we are listed as the kids' parents. Three of them were born in the last village before you get to Belarus in the North (where they still ride in a horse and buggy), and the youngest was born here in the south in Zap.

Hopefully, we can see the kids tomorrow and get their passport pictures around 3:00 pm. Our day will start at 8:00 am, and we will see more of Ukraine. I'm ready now to see my eyelids.

Thanks for your prayers. We are trying to eat this elephant one bite at a time. I have clicked my Chuck Taylor's three time and repeated "there's no place like home" but it hasn't worked yet.

The Unchanging Gospel for a Changing World

This video illustrates some crazy movements in the world today, along with astonishing technological advances. Even if some of the statistics are exaggerated, it would still be safe to say that we are living in a rapidly changing world, due to many factors, not least of which is technology. Of course, tech can be used evil, but we should recognize that it can also be used for good. One might compare this period to the age of the invention of the printing press, which was used by Luther and other reformers to propogate the Gospel in unprecedented ways for God's glory and the good of the church. We should pray that God would give us wisdom on how to preach the unchanging truth in this changing, technologically-advanced, globalized world. May we twitter, email, facebook, podcast, and blog for Jesus' glory and the good of the nations.

Groundhog Day

I haven't watched the movie Ground Hog Day, but they tell me that it is about a "weather man who is reluctantly sent to cover a story about a weather forecasting "rat" (as he calls it). This is his fourth year on the story, and he makes no effort to hide his frustration. On awaking the 'following' day he discovers that it's Groundhog Day again, and again, and again. First he uses this to his advantage, then comes the realisation that he is doomed to spend the rest of eternity in the same place, seeing the same people do the same thing EVERY day."

I have seen 50 First Dates, which is about Adam Sandler dating Drew Barrymore who has amnesia, and consequently does the same thing every day.

While we don't see many "rats," and we don't have amnesia, we sort of feel like we are in our own movie here in Zaporizhia, doing the same thing everyday. Our movie might be called 30 First Dates, since we've been here for a month now, going to visit the kids everyday at the same time in (usually) the same place.

But today we got to do something different. We went for pizza, only the kids wanted baked potatoes. All in all it was a great day, but our need for patience was made known again. Not only do we need patience in this process; we need it even more in parenting these four kids (who each have their own personality). We need God's grace and mercy to fill our hearts so that we may display the kind of patient love that God has with us.

You can read a better account at http://www.betheglory.blogspot.com/

Later Kimberly and I watched Fireproof, and then I ironed our underwear and socks. It wasn't one of the forty love dares, but it needed to be done. That's probably too much information, but I don't know if I will ever get tell of such an experience. Since we have to hand wash our clothes and hang dry them (we don't have a clothes line in the apartment, so our socks and stuff were hanging on all three hangers, and every door knob), the clothes get a bit stiff and rough. Hence, the ironing of everything.

Tomorrow we get another new experience, as we attend a picnic. On Monday morning, we will drive about 7 hours up to Kiev, and on Tuesday we will drive another hour to pick up birth certificates for three of the kids, and then we will get back on a train Tuesday night to come back here to Zap. After we pick up another birth certificate on Wednesday, we can then apply for passports on Thursday. So even though we have been in a routine, things are about to be change up a bit for the better.

Pastoral Ramblings

For an update on today's adoption journey, see Kimberlys' blog at www.betheglory.blogspot.com 

Today was a much better day with the kids. No one yelled at my kid for wanting to go to the bathroom. We had fun coloring and goofing off. Tomorrow we are taking them out to eat, and possibly to this carnival next door. The carnival is American owned and reminds me of the great town of Barbourville, KY, where we used ride the zipper, eat funnel cake, and wear coon skin caps during the "Daniel Boone Festival." I don't know if the kids are ready for it or not. We shall see.

I've been keeping up with stuff at Temple everyday thanks to technology. I grieve with those who are grieving and rejoice with those who are rejoicing. I wish I could be there.

I've also been getting some work done on Proverbs and the next two Sunday night series, following Theology for the Average Dude. The first will be a quick 8 week series this summer on The Gospel in Exodus, and then we wil do more of an "equipping series" (like the Dude), on personal evangelism.

Needless to say, I'm eager to get back in the pulpit. Gary told me that I could preach a marathon sermon, but warned that he might fall asleep like Eutycus did when Paul preached for six hours.

I'm happy to welcome John Thomas on board, along with his bride. I look forward to serving with my friend and partner in the Gospel. 

Pastoral Ramblings and Book Recs.

For an update on today's adoption journey, see Kimberly's blog at http://www.betheglory.blogspot.com/

It was a much better day today; no one yelled at my kid for wanting to go to the bathroom. We also had fun coloring and goofing off. Tomorrow we are going to take them out to eat, and possibly to this little carnival next door. It is an American run outfit that reminds of the great town of Barbourville, KY, where we used to ride the zipper and wear coon skin caps during the "Daniel Boone Festival." But this little adventure my be a bit much this early in the game.

I've been working on various projects since this journey began, one month ago. The main thing I've been working on is the Proverbs series. I have the listening guides for May and June completed. I just want to get back now and "shuck the corn" one Sunday. Gary told me that I could preach a "marathon" message, but warned that he might fall asleep like Eutychus during Paul's six hour sermon.

This journey has also given me time to plan out the next two Sunday night series. We will do a short series on the Gospel in the book of Exodus during the summer, and then do more of an "equipping series" (like Theology for the Average Dude) on personal evangelism.

I've been trying to stay in touch with folks everyday. Amy, my wonderful assistant is doing a lot of great work for me. I've been communicating with staff virtually every day about stuff. And I've been corresponding with our newest addition, our new East Campus Pastor, John Thomas. I'm thrilled that John is coming on board.

I've also experienced all sorts of emotions, hearing about friends losing babies, husbands, and other loved ones. In addition, many have experienced great joys like the birth of babies and weddings. I wish I could have been there for both the trials and the celebrations.

My friend Lee Cormier just asked me for a short list of recommended books for the summer. Lee is a student at Carey, and plans on going into vocational ministry. This summer he is doing an internship at a church in New Orleans. I told Lee that I should post a blog with 7-10 books, since most of my lists have been too long for the average dude. It is impossible to shorten a book list, if you are a geek like me, but I will give it a shot. I tried to choose a particular book for a particular discipline:

Theology - Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology or Aiken, Theology for the Church or Packer, Knowing God

Church History - Bruce Shelly, Church History in Plain Language or Joel Beeke, Meet the Puritans

Biography - Dallimore, Charles Spurgeon or John Piper, The Legacy of Sovereign Joy: Augustine, Luther, Calvin

Spiritual Disciplines - Donald Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life or John Piper, When I Don't Desire God or Bridges, Respectable Sins or Bridges, The Gospel for Real Life

Attributes of God - Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy

Parenting - Tripp, Sheperding a Child's Heart

Teaching Children - Ferguson, Big Book of Questions and Answers; Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia (don't settle for the movies); and I haven't read Bruce Ware's Big Truths for Young Hearts

Adoption - Rus Moore, Adopted for Life

Missions - Piper, Let the Nations Be Glad

Preaching - Bryan Chapell, Christ-Centered Preaching

Evangelism - Dever, The Gospel and Personal Evangelism or Metzger, Tell the Truth

Apologetics - Keller, The Reason for God

The Gospel - Keller, The Prodigal God

Sports - Gameday for the Glory of God

Romance/Marriage - Mahaney, Sex, Romance and the Glory of God

Suffering - Piper, Job

Bible Study - New Bible Dictionary (Packer, ed.); Introduction to the New Testament (Carson); Introduction to the Old Testament (Longman); Fee and Stuart, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth

Okay, maybe that's more than 7-10, but you can pick your areas of interest.