Adoption: A type of Christ

"Adoption: My flesh isn't ready, but my spirit is willing! God - Please give me more children to disciple, love, and make a home with. Don't let me deny my destiny for the sake of a life of relative ease." Tim Swanson

Middle Class Poverty

Yep! Only in a 1st world country. I spend 6 to 8 hours a day in the community, and I see a lot of poverty. There is a huge section of the population that is living on the edge of homelessness - for varying reasons. Some of them ride the government gravy-train. Others live hand-to-mouth, with the kids raising themselves because mom is working waking hours.

But, that type of poverty is not the subject of my blog. What I'm talking about is middle-class poverty. Self-induced poverty through over-extending and over-entertaining. These people are broke and living the $4K a month life-style. The problem is that they are broke and in a deep hole. Under the glistening granite counter-tops and hardwood floors, lies a big excavated financial hole. Sitting on the leased leather seats of a 3-year old SUV, are two people drinking lattes and stressed about owing $40K.

So, what is my point? Is this the legacy to pass on to future generations? No - In fact, it stems from a complete lack of legacy and a lack of vision.

1. Sell the SUV, even if it is paid for. Drive a $900 car.
2. Write a family mission statement.
3. Stop whining about being broke.
4. Start living within your means.
5. Write 10% of your income towards your church and ministries that are in line with your mission statement.
6. Listen to Dave Ramsey every day.

Look! Don't declare bankruptcy. Don't live in a culture of middle-class, self-induced poverty. Step out with renewed vision. Sell off some of your junk. Pay off your debt.

How can I be so bold? I did it. I'm debt free except for my primary mortgage on my house, which is less than rent. It took a lot of years paying three to four hundred bucks a month towards debt. And, then the debt up and vanished. Now, I just feel mildly guilty when I plop down $4 for a 20 ounce cup of joe. Before, I didn't feel anything. I was numb.

Adoption

Adoption - I was just spending some time on Rainbowkids.com. While looking through the photos and files of waiting kids, I was struck by the large number of waiting kids (~800+ waiting kids at www.rainbowkids.com.) I clicked on one African child and was surprised to see this adoption fully funded by grants.

With adoption, it boils down to God telling you to adopt. No one can make you adopt. Offering it for free isn't even enticing enough.

With me, I've followed God direction down the adoption path a couple of times. Each time, God has clearly communicated His will and given me guidance to find each of my children. At the end of each rainbow, I found my child waiting to be brought home. Like a lost lamb longing for the fold, not just any fold. A specific fold. Home.

Should you adopt? I don't know. Should you seek God's advice and will about what to do? Of course you should.

Drive Thru History

Dave Stotts, a history-travel guide of sorts, does a smash-up job infusing vibrant appreciation into history. Drive Thru History has three basic sets of DVDs.

• Ancient History: Incredible on-the-scene exploration of history from a Biblical perspective.
• Foundations in Character: These are my favorite - biographical video sketches of American patriots.
• American History Series: Brand-spankin'-new travel-logs through American exploration and colonial history.

Consider picking up one of these three sets. If you shop around, you can find them discounted to a pretty reasonable price.

Who is Your Barometer?

If you're like me, you put life on a self-absorbed cruise-control until issues build up and your wife lets you know that something has to change. For me, I then run a cycle that ranges from denial and excuse-making to grudging admittance and finally I resort to reactive problem solving.

My barometer is my wife's threshold for the chaos that accompanies my self-absorption. Instead, maybe I can begin to garner a proactive position of leadership in my home by using the word of God as my barometer.

Generations Radio - Dad-Focused - Christian Worldview

WWW.GENERATIONSWITHVISION.COM

Don't Be Content With The Middle-Class Life

Life is full of business, surprises, stressful moments, family times, and time with friends. Don't settle for the "I'm doing a nice job raising my family" fake-out. Sure, discipling your family is priority number one. But, you should be killing two birds with one stone. Disciple your family in the word daily and disciple your family in making disciples weekly.

In our culture, you must go past the "Look at me - I don't cuss or steal or leer at women" witness at work. Truly, you must invite people into your home for dinner. You must build relationships outside of work with coworkers. The sure-fire way to get a chance to disciple and share Christ is through hospitality to strangers and acquaintances.

Living the cloistered life of home and church and "being a good witness at work" doesn't cut it. Sure, it's a life. But, it is a selfish life. Not the life of a harvester. Take a risk - invite some unbelievers into your house for dinner and a little game of Chinese checkers. And, you'll be surprised to see opportunities to share Christ springing up. What will take you years to accomplish at work may take place quickly around your dinner table. Like I said, don't be content with the middle-class life of safe Christianity.