Convention Recap from the "Radical" Messenger

Ok, this whole Radical thing gets on my nerves sometimes. Why? Because I can't go anywhere or do anything (especially when it involves Christians) without "counting the cost." I used to not care about how much stuff cost and all that and I know I could shave more out of my own budget, but the budget for this year's convention was $1 million. That was for TWO days at the convention center in Orlando. The Pastor's Conference which was Sunday night and all day Monday is NOT the convention and is not included in this budget.

TWO days. $1 million.

 

I have no idea what the break down for the expenses are but wow! As I looked through the annual report of the SBC that dollar amount just blew me away. A whole lot of lives could have been saved for that amount of money. At $35 a month we could sponsor 2,380 children for a YEAR with $1 million. I think I got on my mom's nerves because every time I saw a glossy brochure, was offered something "free" or looked at an elaborate display at the exhibition hall I kept saying, "well, that's not very Radical." I don't think anyone else every heard me when I said that, I hope not at least! I can't help it. I'm always counting the cost, especially when it's large amounts of money.

 

Then as I sat on the plane coming back I kept asking myself, "What would happen if the entire convention, including all the churches, state conventions, agencies, etc looked through their budget just like Brook Hills did last fall and asked the question, "What are we willing to sacrifice for the sake of the urgent spiritual and physical needs of the world?" Would there even be an annual convention meeting if this question was asked and budgets were reviewed carefully? Would they maybe choose to do an online voting for the officers, amendments, etc? I don't know.

 

Don't get me wrong I had a great time at the convention especially with it being in my "homeland." Someone told me that the convention was a grown up version of going to "camp," I agree. I got to see so many faces I had not seen in a very long time, meet some new people, the messages were very inspiring and the singing was great. I used three days of vacation to go to Orlando, FL for the Southern Baptist Convention, not to visit with Mickey and Minnie or go to the beach and would do it again. I LOVED hearing people tell me that my pastor was "the real deal" and was honored to get to visit with Heather at the Pastor's Wives luncheon. 

 

But, seriously, was it all necessary? Could the same thing be accomplished on a budget of say $500,000...or less? Card board signage is working rather well at Brook Hills. Wonder what a "Radical" style exhibit would have looked like? What about using recycled paper instead of the "glossy" brochures we all threw away as soon as the convention ended? Would people attend more of the sessions if they had to pay $50 or so to attend the meeting? Maybe they could charge a registration fee based on your church budget or size to offset some the expenses. I know for me, when I have to pay for something I appreciate it much more. The convention is FREE to any and everyone. There were approximately 15,000 - 20,000 people there so that's $50 - $68 per person. That's really not too terrible, but why aren't at least "non-messengers" being charged a little something?

 

I actually enjoyed hearing the reports from IMB, the seminaries, etc. But then again I was raised in this environment. Most Baptists probably have no idea what goes on in the convention, what the cooperative program is, what resources are available to them, etc. And unfortunately a lot probably couldn't care less. I know they really crammed a lot into the day, but it seemed like more people were in the hallways OUTSIDE of the convention than there were people inside. When you become a Christian and join a church I think there should be an optional (or mandatory) course/info. session on what we "do" as the combined body of believers known as the Southern Baptist Convention. New believers especially probably have no clue. I wouldn't know what I know if my parents hadn't dragged me to these meetings when I was a kid!

 

In summary, going to the SBC as a "grown up" messenger was interesting, informative, fun, inspiring and well, sometimes boring to be honest. Going as a "Radical" messenger was, well...frustrating. There was a LOT of talk, especially about the great commission, but what happens next....I don't know. I pray that the pastors that were there go back to their churches with a bold message for their church body and put all that talk into action. I pray that they were fired up to encourage the churches the Lord has entrusted them with to be a part of the great commission and not sit on the sidelines waiting for someone else to make the move.  

 

 

 

 

$8 tee shirt & $1 Sharpie from Target. Radical.

I asked my sister to make me this shirt so I could wear it at the Southern Baptist Convention to promote David's book, "Radical." I wore it Monday the day David spoke at the Pastor's Conference. I guess my promotion worked because his book was sold out by Tuesday evening. JUST KIDDING, that is NOT why his book was soout.  It did draw a good bit of attention, though. Thanks, Stacey! I love having an artist as a sister! I LOVE my Radical shirt!!!

Messages on Adoption

Two links to two great messages on adoption. The first one is my favorite but the second one is really good, too.

 

Free as sons

http://www.brookhills.org/media/series/free-at-last-the-grace-of-christ-in-galatians/

 

 

Adoption: An Easter Story

http://www.brookhills.org/media/series/adoption--an-easter-story/

 

Inconsistencies

I have the privilege to serve as a messenger for Brook Hills next week at the Southern Baptist Convention. I laugh that the words, "privilege" and SBC are in the same sentence coming out of my mouth because when I was little I was dragged to the convention and even served as a messenger as a child. All of the "best" pastors and speakers are on the calendar of events for the convention and the Pastors Conference, including my own pastor, David Platt.

I'm so thankful for a pastor who adopts children without parents, downsizes his home, gives up "preaching" cruises, doesn't't take royalties from a book he writes, etc. Where were the leaders like him when I was growing up? Oh wait, he was in diapers when I was in diapers, ha! Seriously, sometimes I wonder if I would have wasted away my "youth" (not that I'm not still young, I'm just referring to pre-30 years) if I had been under the leadership of someone like him? I'm not blaming the church for my rebellious ways, I take personal responsibility for all of my sins, I'm just saying... I sometimes wonder how different I may or may not have been.What kind of decisions might I have made differently if my childhood pastors had been more consistent with their teachings and actions? Would I have lived differently? I hate those unanswered questions! However, I am thankful that I am still young enough to make a change.

I  know pastors and church leaders that drive Lexus', have chauffeurs, live in gated country clubs, have affairs, do bad things to kids, preach, have armed body guards, spend ridiculous amounts of money on clothes, etc. You get my point. I can't help but think how inconsistent their actions are with what the Word of God clearly says (especially about wealth, greed and caring for the poor). It's frustrating and somewhat embarrassing. It confused me growing up and I'm sure it confused others, too. No one seems to step up, though, and say how wrong this is and what a detriment it is to the spread of the gospel. Satan LOVES this!

It's so refreshing to be a part of a church that strives to spend less on ourselves and more for the sake of urgent physical and spiritual needs of others. I would have never considered moving to East Lake/Gate City or adopt an orphan if people weren't't showing me what it looks like to follow Christ.

I don't think people realize how true it is that people are watching you so you better be practicing what you preach. So please pray this weekend and next week for the thousands of pastors at the convention. Pray that God raises up more leaders whose actions are in line with God's word. I know pastors are human, too, but lets face it, they are in leadership positions and people are watching them! Like I said, I would never consider doing some of the things God is calling me to do if my pastor wasn't doing this, too.

Pray for Pastor David as he delivers his message on Monday night. He is the last sermon of the Pastor's Conference so pray that people stay through the end and don't skip out early. Praise God he has the last message, I would love nothing more than for him to go into "Secret Church" mode and pull a late nighter, HA!! You can pray for that, too. Seriously, that would be AWESOME!

 

 

What Does God Wants Me to Do?

 

Here are a few of the things He has laid on my heart that I'm praying about:

1.      Moving to East Lake/Gate City – As mentioned before, David challenged us to ask God if He wants to us move there. I prayed and I did feel a sense of calling, however, given that it was tax season and I was facilitating FPU I was unable to go to the info. meetings and felt somewhat "left out" on the opportunity. I know God can still call me to go there even though I did not take that initial step with the other 40 families but I still have not determined if that is what He wants me to do. But if He isn't calling me to do this then why is it still on my mind?

 

2.      Becoming a "Charitable Giving Specialist" – Ok, I sort of made up that title, but I feel like financial planning is perceived as such a "worldly" profession and I really want to learn more about how I can encourage and assist wealthy people to give more, more effectively and to the "charity" of their choice. This is a specialization in that you really need to know about the law (particularly trusts and estate law), taxes, and financial planning. There are not many people that do this, or if they do they work for a particular charity and therefore their advice is biased to their charity. One of the reasons I really want to get my CPA is to give me more "credibility" for doing the tax planning side of this. I'm still waiting to hear from UAB whether or not I am accepted as a "degree-seeking" student and then will have to tackle the financial aid issue.

3.  Kingdom Advisors - I guess, by default, God is calling me to take the lead in starting a Kingdom Advisors study group in our firm. This is out of my comfort zone. I don't like speaking in front of more than oh, say, 3 people and I definitely don't like praying out loud. This would require both! But my boss and I are in the process of learning more about Kingdom Advisors and how we can incorporate Kingdom Advisors into our firm and he would like to consider an internal study group. I was leaning towards attending another local group (because that would be the easier option, of course). God usually doesn't call us to do things we are comfortable with so I'm trying to let Him guide me on this.   

Warning  - Mom and Dad, you may want to sit down for this one-------

4.      Just recently God has laid it on my heart to adopt one of the 147 million orphans – This is not something I am financially able to do right now because of my debt, but it is something I am starting to feel God call me to do in the semi-near future. I've already started some research even.

      My view of single people adopting has shifted drastically. I thought it was a pretty selfish thing to do and went against God's call of "order" (marriage THEN baby) but now I see it as an opportunity to live out James 1:27 and give a child an opportunity to get out of the spiritual darkness (and possible death) that lies before them. In that context I think adoption is biblical and brings glory to God. If I simply wanted a baby I can think of a few cheaper ways of accomplishing that, but I would not adopt because I want a child, I would adopt because God has called me to care for those in need. 

      I am particularly thinking about adopting a 4 to 5 year old girl from Haiti, Guatemala (when they allow American adoptions again) or a country in Africa but I'm open to other countries. Not all countries allow you to adopt if you aren't married and I think Haiti is one of them.

      This is all very farfetched because as I said I can't afford to do this with my debt hanging over me but it's something I am feeling called to do in the near future and if it is part of God's plan for me He will make the way possible. I am trying not to think about things like...how we will communicate if she doesn't speak English, what about health insurance, what school would she go to and after school care, how would that affect "dating," (shouldn't change it too much since I'm not dating as it is, ha!), am I crazy for voluntarily becoming a single mom?, etc, etc. But the fact is God does not call us to do "comfortable" things and live a comfortable life. He calls us to do radical things we don't think we can handle so that we rely on Him to do the unthinkable in our lives. When we are obedient, we become more intimate with Him and we become more like Him, which is what we want, isn't it?

      There are adoption grants available and of course the adoption tax credit but it is still very expensive. But I have come up with a "campaign" to raise money to fund the adoption, "1 Less Orphan." Not all that original, I suppose, but I like it. I want to design a tee shirt (with the help of my talented sister, hint, hint) and come up with other ways to raise money and awareness (kindda like 147 million orphans shirts). I want to find out if I can set up a 501(c)3 trust fund/foundation to raise the money and all that good stuff (that's where mom and the Kassoufs come into play).

So there ya go, those are the big things I am praying about. Will you please pray, too?

 

How Much Is Enough???

I reminisced last weekend (being around my 8 year old niece in the town in grew up in) about my childhood and how I always wanted something. I could go on a $500 shopping spree (figuratively speaking) and still want something else that afternoon. No matter what I got, someone had something cooler that I didn't have or I saw a commercial for something I "needed".

When I moved to Jacksonville it got a little worse. We moved from a small "college" town to the big city to the "new" side of town and everyone seemed to have money. I guess that was just a small taste of what was to come when I hit college. When I hit Samford's campus I was surrounded by wealth. It seemed like everyone around me came from some "academy" and drove BMW's with personalized car tags. One of my best friends on my hall got a package almost every day containing clothes she ordered online. It was insane, but I was jealous, no doubt.


This was frustrating. Why didn't I come from this kind of money? Preachers and teachers, although very respectable "careers", welll....they just don't make much money. Money clearly isn't what drives them to do what they do. I guess that's why I started working at 15 years old. I decided I would get wealthy on my own. Sure my parents provided for me but if I wanted a beeper, cell phone or whatnot I figured I was going to have to work and get it myself (side note, why don't many Americans seem to get this concept that I picked up so young??). Anywho, after college, when reality really hit, I, unfortunately, decided that if I couldn't afford the things I wanted then I would just put it on a credit card and pay for it later. I hardly ever told myself no.

So here I am at age 30 wrestling with my desire for "more" stuff. But the question is, how much is enough? How much money and stuff will it take to make me happy? The only conclusion that I can come up with is I am already making enough and I already have enough stuff. True happiness does not come from anything it comes from someone. God. Over a billion people in the world live on less than $1 a day. World wide, high income earners (only 16% of the world) make more than $10,066 (well below poverty standards in America). So instead of comparing what other Americans have that is my new "standard of living." I am surrendering my desires for more stuff in hopes of gaining more of God.

This is the true test of realizing who owns everything anyway and where income really comes from. The truth is, it is all God's. I am just a steward of His resources. Would he be pleased with the way I have handled His resources in the past? Absolutely NOT. But I am striving to change that. I'm still trying to come up with an actual exact dollar amount that I can comfortably live on, when I have paid off my debt, still allowing for few luxuries, and then anything over that amount I will give away. I pray that God will bless me with the resources to one day be able to give away 50% of my income. Remember the tithe (10%) is only the starting point of our giving. (Giving In the History of Redemption)

So the question is, how much is "enough" for you?

I'm Back!

Ok, I have not posted anything in a REALLY long time. No excuses! Well, I knew I probably wouldn't post much March and April but it's June! As I told two of my closest friends this week, Satan has been doing everything in his power to keep me from writing on here. Although I have 4 posts sitting in my draft box on AOL he "busied" me all weekend so that I wouldn't post them. I watched FIVE movies, read a whole book (plus some of two others), laid out at the pool, went to church, cooked (I don't cook much) and seemed to do everything BUT post anything but no more. I'm back.

I am reading "Spiritual Warfare" by Jerry Rankin right now and yesterday I read this,

"When I was a boy, I heard a story that has been around for a long time. It is about a missionary who led to the Lord a man who had been somewhat of a reprobate. The man said to the missionary, "Ever since I gave my life to Christ, I feel like there are two dogs fighting within me. There is a evil dog that wants me to return to my old habits and a good dog that wants me to live right." The missionary asked, "Which one is winning?" The man paused for a moment and replied, "The one I feed." It's just that simple. It is not something beyond our control. It's something we choose to do, either to walk in the Spirit or not."

So right this minute I am CHOOSING to resist the evil dog and feed the good dog. (this has no reference to my four-legged boys, even though yes I have an evil one and a good one). I have 4 posts that I am going to try to post THIS week.

Bye for now!