Different Thoughts – Page 18

Gratefulness…

Posted on January 7, 2015 by Wick

Another year’s Christmas-ing has come and gone. All of the Adventing, Jesse-Tree-ing,decorating, and anticipation culminating in a giant smattering of presents to open, meals to enjoy, and time with family/friends. Christ has arrived, and therefore things are incredibly different in God-filled ways.

This year, our girls each received one “large item” from Saint Nick (though I’m pretty sure our oldest is beginning to understand all may not be as it appears). They LOVE their gifts, and proudly announced to the entire church as they walked through the halls that next Sunday morning: “I got a violin!!!” “I got a Kindle!” “I got an iPad!!” I’m sure no one paid any attention, but in my head it was “Oh really? You’re family in the midst of raising funds for an adoption was able to stack up quite a Christmas, eh?”

Not that it’s on me to defend, I will explain because I find it humorous…

Yes, we got a child’s violin for $50 off Craigslist. Yes, we got a “reading only” economy version of a Kindle on E-bay. Yes, we got a VTech play-learning device that Ruby refers to as her “iPad”. I realize compared to most of the world, we are ridiculously wealthy.

Nevertheless, I’m really excited how joyful my girls get over “little things”. You should’ve seen how long they spent pouring over the cheap candy in their stockings, even as giant wrapped packages waited under the tree. I hope and pray we can retain this sense of gratitude even (and especially) as they grow older. Our world certainly is quick to point out things you don’t have, or upgrades you need to make. I’ve been reading Gordie Howe’s autobiography recently, “Mr.Hockey”, and it’s pretty incredible to read how he grew up in a very limited home and time – yet was incredibly thankful for all the things he had.

“Comparison Living” is something that increases more and more with every new social media app that’s invented. Even if we’re aware of it, and try not to be impacted by it, we cannot help but subconsciously be aware of things that exist, that we desire. Things/events other people enjoy, that we’d like to enjoy.

There are enough blogs and books already out there to help you combat this illness, I don’t intend to write long on it today. But as a parent, I want to protect my children from being carried away by this for sure. Which means having “The Talk” about it, even at the ages they currently are. It means helping point out the great things we have to be thankful for, even in the midst of not having something we’ve been praying a couple years for already. It means pointing out what God is doing in and through your family, even when miracles don’t seem to be happening this week.

This flows out and impacts so many areas of life, but begins right here – by developing parental hearts of gratitude. Becoming an adult who recognizes and practices how to be thankful today. My children will learn it best when they see mommy and daddy practicing it regularly. That’s something my wife constantly reminds us of, and seems to have understood long before I did.

So how does thankfulness impact the life you’re living this week? Will you allow a heart made grateful by God to set you free from “comparison living”, at least somewhat? 🙂 The next generation depends on us passing on the rich inheritance of contentedness…

Ministry ramblings…

Posted on January 5, 2015 by Wick

I’m reminded lately of an important aspect of what it means to offer a life toward service in ministry. Certainly, ALL are called to participate in the ministry of Christ. The “Great Commission” found in Matthew 28:16-20 is spoken to all. We are each invited to participate in the redemptive work and world-transforming love of God, possible through Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

So why be ordained? Why offer oneself in this way? Ordination over-simplified refers to a “setting apart for Gods’ use”, and a “endorsing/empowering/covenanting for ministry” by the Church. It’s something that involves both the empowering of God, and the affirmation and covenant of the Church. Years ago, and even in moments today, I would probably stumble through something having to do with feeling a call. That even from a young age, I felt the tug toward serving the church as a pastor. But something about that call always rubbed me wrong. That “rubbing wrong” element has to do with power/prestige attributed to the American pastor in many places. The “pastor” always seemed to me someone who held a position of authority and power. He wore a suit and tie, and shook hands firmly, because he ran things on behalf of God. But in Jesus, we don’t see any desire to move toward power or prestige. We don’t see him worrying about his image, or chastising his followers if they don’t tie their sandals a certain way.

Over the years, I’ve come to reconcile these things a bit. Certainly some pastors wear the “power tie”, and suit to match, and carry themselves a bit more proudly than they ought. But I’ve met so many pastors who have such love for God’s people (not just church members….but ALL people) and desire to serve them in any way possible. I’ve had opportunity both in college, and more recently at our present church home, to serve under lead pastors who happened to somehow love people sacrificially, AND wear a dapper-looking outfit at the same time. I joke about the “dapper-ness”, but seriously – it used to bug me with some pastors. However, as William Willimon writes,

“Those whom we designate as “ministers” are, in the New Testament, “diakonoi”, Paul’s favorite title for Christian leaders, derived from the Greek word for “service”. Significantly, it is the same word that is the root for “butler” and “waiter,” terms that have greater edge to them than “ministry.” How odd of the church to designate its leaders by so mundane and lowly a term. No pastor rises much higher than being a butler. Yet, in the topsy-turvy ethics of the Kingdom, this is as high as anyone rises – a servant of the servants at the Lord’s Table.” (Pastor: The Theology & Practice of Ordained Ministry)

From this perspective, shoot….give me a coat with tails if needed. I’ll even have my shoes buffed. Or I’ll break a jar of expensive perfume and wash the feet of those who come to dine. Whatever would help.

Pretend there was a large dinner hosted by the United Nations. All of the important people came to feast, and you were invited to help serve. What an honor! What an opportunity! Now multiply that by as grand a scale as possible, and understand that God has invited ALL His children to come and dine at the Table of the Lord on a regular basis. To have the privilege to serve at this table…to see the delight as those who’ve pulled up a chair smell the aroma of Christ, as they feast on the goodness of God’s Love and mercy…even if it means you’ve gotta sweep up the crumbs, or help someone with their napkin on occasion….whew.

It’s an odd oxymoron. Because even as you offer yourself as servant, you are filled with humble honor moving about the dining room (whether empty before the meal, or stained from spilled wine). Participating in serving a meal provided by God that enables and empowers those who partake, so that they can go out into the world and serve others in the same way.

At this point, I’m probably rambling. So what are you the reader to take away from all of this? Your pastor loves you, and wants to serve you more than you might realize. Come to the table, and enjoy all that God has to offer. Feel free to burp, even, in compliments to the chef (God….not your pastor.). If you naturally feel esteem and attribute status to your pastor….stop it. 🙂 He’s honored enough to be in God’s service to the table you dine at. If you naturally feel pastors are aiming for a prestige not Christ-like, at least offer them the chance to wash your feet. You may be surprised at how the Love of God is revealed in such moments…

Adoption Journey, Different Thoughts

Awaiting the Child…

Posted on December 22, 2014 by Wick

It’s everywhere right now, and at times becomes difficult. “What Child Is This?”, “Away in a Manger”, and plenty more continue to remind us of the precious baby boy that was born to Mary. We celebrate Christmas, and love the gift our world has received in Christ.

But with so much emphasis in Advent being on “Waiting for the Child”, it has a few hard moments.

Moments where we’re reminded of the long journey we’ve been on. Moments we’re reminded that on the other side of the world is a little girl who has no idea yet, the road that is leading our family to bring her home.

We’re still praying for the DRC to work on new laws to better protect Congolese children. We pray for Government and Village stability, for peace, for a revival in human rights, children’s rights, and emphasis on the importance of family planning and care. Ultimately, pausing to better protect Congolese children and implement laws that will deter human trafficking is a great thing. It’s just hard timing for our family and many others, as well as the many children in need of a family and a home currently living in extremely poor conditions.

It’s hard to see the great needs, and feel like because of the pause in exit letters we cannot do anything of value right now. But there are still great things we can do, and we invite you to be a part of them. One way in particular has recently let us know they could use new support.

For only $30/month, you could help sponsor a child currently living in an orphanage in the DRC. If you have questions about specifics, we can help answer some questions, and so can they. Supporting this ministry is intimately connected to our journey of adoption. If you’re looking for a place to serve, or use money from your Christmas bonus – this would be another great option. Many of you have donated to our adoption already, and are bored of giving without much to show for it. We feel your frustration. If you’d like to give/support our adoption, but want to know the money is going directly to a child in need right now – this is a great way to do it. 🙂