If you follow my Facebook feed, you know that I have been posting pictures and links related to adoption for the month of November (National Adoption Awareness Month). Today, November 30, is the last day of the month, so I thought I would post something a little bit different (Don't worry, I'll link it to FB as promised there). And so, as we draw Adoption Awareness Month to a close for the year 2016, I wanted to give you a snapshot of my adoption story.

At Mother's Choice

Some of my readers will have followed along as we processed the adoption of our fourth child (first adoption, fourth child, second son), Ryan. We called him "The Little Emperor" and to this day (2 1/2 years after he came into our home) he still fairly rules the roost. Ryan was born with a genetic anomaly known as Coffin-Lowry Syndrome. As with many of the innate genetic syndromes, people affected have varying levels of restriction. Ryan's biggest issue has to do with speech: he understands more than 90% of what is said to him in English, he is unable to reproduce the sounds with his mouth. Consequently he communicates often with points, grunts, and his version of ASL (American Sign Language). He is getting along beautifully.


Ryan's physical limitations and medical needs early in life spurred his birth parents to relinquish custody of him to an adoption placement agency in Hong Kong called Mother's Choice. It was there that we found, fell in love with, and eventually adopted Ryan. He is ours forever an

Easter 2016

d a day, and according to adoption laws, his bond to us is more legally binding than that of his siblings (who are our biological children).

But wait, there is a chapter 2! Approximately one year ago we began discussing the possibility of adding yet another little Potter to our crew through adoption. Dillon International (our adoption agency here in the USA) had just been granted rights to assist adoptions from Vietnam (which had been closed to US adoptions for about seven years at the time). And off we go. We began asking friends and family members to pray for a Christmas trip to Vietnam. Then comes sad news: paperwork being what it is, we finally submitted our dossier (the last item that finally goes to the country from which you hope to adopt), and were given a more realistic timeline. We probably won't head to Asia over Christmas, but are looking at anywhere from February-August of next year. At any rate, we are in high hopes to have our new offspring in home before this time next year (pictures can only be shown after the dossier has cleared both US and Vietnamese scrutiny). We welcome all support--prayer, moral, and monetary--that anyone would like to cast our way. We are so close to finishing this journey that we can taste it!

But wait, there's more to my adoption story. You see, I'm adopted by the King. One of the things that makes this process so dear to our family is the picture that our earthly adoptions paint of the ultimate adoption that God offers through Jesus Christ, His Son. Are you adopted by the King? He wants to offer you that adoption today. You can become a child of the King and a joint-heir with Jesus Christ. Here are the words to an old hymn that teaches of the best adoption story ever:

My Father is rich in houses and lands,
He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands!
Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold,
His coffers are full, He has riches untold.

I'm a child of the King,
A child of the King:
With Jesus my Savior,
I'm a child of the King.

My Father's own Son, the Savior of men,
Once wandered on earth as the poorest of them:
But now He is pleading our pardon on high,
That we may be His when He comes by and by.

I'm a child of the King,
A child of the King:
With Jesus my Savior,
I'm a child of the King.

I once was an outcast stranger on earth,
A sinner by choice, and an alien by birth
But I've been adopted, my name's written down,
An heir to a mansion, a robe, and a crown.

I'm a child of the King,
A child of the King:
With Jesus my Savior, (A Child of the King," words by Harriet Buell, found in the Baptist Hymnal, 1956 edition, emphasis added)

That's my adoption story, what's yours?

I am admittedly eclectic, if not eccentric, in my taste in music. Consequently, when I build my Pandora Radio I add a little bit of everything--hymns to easy-listening, classic rock to classic Jesus, country to western, and lots of stuff in between. In the mornings, as we prepare for the day, I tune in to Pandora and hit shuffle. I must say that sometimes the shuffle gets stuck in a loop and I hear several songs or similar songs in a row, but there are other days when an old forgotten favorite from the glory years will hit the ears and start me singing. And from time to time, with my hands plunged deep with the soapy breakfast dishes, I'll be struck by the movement from song to song on my Pandora Playlist shuffle.

This morning as I went about my post-breakfast business (the kids and Blushing Bride preparing for school, I hit the sink and from the morning's feast) a back-to-back coupling struck me. The first song includes these lines: "Never been a sinner I never sinned/I got a friend in Jesus" was followed on its heels with this rebuttal, "All my life I had been searching for that crazy missing part."

I really like Norman Greenbaum's hit from yesteryear. It has a groovy beat, and you can sing along. It hits hard though when you begin to realize that the philosophy of "Spirit in the Sky" is being bought by millions of Americans. We like to think that "in the morning when I die, I'm going up to the Spirit in the Sky." Even church people jump on this bandwagon. We especially like it when we get to throw the name of Jesus into a song. That kind of makes it holy doesn't it?

But I think that Keith Green's classic holds more truth. It admits to the sinful nature of who we are as human beings, and revels in the understanding that Jesus (the You in "Your Love Broke Through") provides the only means to life--here or hereafter.

Sadly, our culture lends itself to a feel good mentality that refuses to admit sinfulness. And until we can reach that admission, we're doomed in our spirit to an eternity opposite the "Spirit in the Sky." Why don't you take a moment to consider your condition? Do you know Jesus personally as the provider of your life? Or is he just a "friend" who makes you feel good about yourself? It's a tough question. And it requires resolution if you really do have a friend in him or if you're just singing along with a catchy tune.

Will I stop shuffling some of the oldies through with my hymns and praise songs? Probably not, but I will latch onto the message of the meaningful songs instead of the ones that just make me feel good.

My Valentine's wish to you (whoever and wherever you are): May your day be filled with the One who loves you--even when you are not all that loveable, even when you are unlovely. May the Lord of all Love be your Significant Other on this "day of Love" and every day forever.

If you haven't seen it on Facebook, or heard it from somewhere else, we have dived into the arena of Adoption once again. As you know this process is long and expensive. We are hoping to make it shorter because it's our second time through. There's not much we can do about the expensive part though, except pray and fund-raise.

Here's my proposition to you my friends, family and readers. Let my work be your opportunity to help us with our fundraising efforts. There are a few on-line markets where you can buy my books (I'll link them below). If you will purchase any of my stories or books, all of the royalties I get from these books will be earmarked for our new adoption (once it's paid for, I'll probably find another worthy cause for these funds). These books provide minutes of reading pleasure and are excellent to give as gifts.

Something Special at Leonard's Inn: A Tale of the First Christmas: first paperback editions available by emailing me here, or by logging on to Amazon.com

Just a Simple Carpenter: The Story of Joseph: first paperback editions available by emailing me at the above email link.

Two for Christmas (the above titles together), A Time for Miracles: Retelling the Story of John the Baptist, and sermon collections - So This Is Church and Words to Live By are all available at Lulu.com.

Something Special & Other Stories (A collection of the Leonard, Joseph, and John the Baptist stories re-edited and re-packaged) is available from Create Space and Amazon.com (both trade paper or ebook)

          Christmas is for everyone.

            The joy is for all time because when Jesus brought the joy to a manger-bed filled with hay some two thousand years ago, it permeated all of existence—from creation to last breath. It never wears out.

 

Jesus’ disciples were anything but at peace. They had embarked over a calm sea to get to a restful place, and then a storm came up out of nowhere. Jesus was found to be sleeping in the back of the boat. Rousting Him from His sleep, the disciples begged for help from the Master. With a word (translated “Peace, be still”) Jesus brought calmness back to the lives of His followers.

That is the effect that He has on the hearts of those who believe. When the Angels visited the shepherds in the hill country outside of Bethlehem, they brought the news that the Baby born that night would bring peace on earth and good will for those who found their comfort in Him.

While there may be anything but calm going on around us in the form of a physical storm, economic decay, political unrest, or unbridled crime, Jesus can reach into the storming of our hearts and bring peace. This is the message of Christmas: Peace. The peace on Earth that is spoken of and sung about during this season is the heart work of the Christ of Christmas.

Our hope is in Christ. Our hope is Christ. This is the early message of Christmas. Hope is the first gift of faith. We live in a world that squashes hope at every turn.

In our land of liberty, we have laws that remind us of the things that we cannot do. In school we rise to the level at which we cannot succeed--then  must try again and again and again until we do succeed. But, guess what! We have to move up to the next level, which must be tried again and again and again.

On our jobs, we are rarely brought into the office for the wonderful, matchless work we have done. Instead we are "called on the carpet" for the time we didn't get it right. Even in church we seem to be facing the struggle of our sinful nature, having our shortcomings constantly brought to the surface for us to re-examine and mourn over.

That's what makes faith in Christ so important. Because of the hopefulness, the hope, that is found just there. Perhaps this is tone of the reasons that Christmas and Advent are such a highlight in my own life: the constant reminder of Hope that is in Christ Jesus.

For what are you truly thankful this year?

Thanksgiving has always been a favorite of mine. I remember the year that I noticed the retailers putting in their Christmas displays earlier and earlier (I think perhaps this year it was in late September or early October) and my only thought was, "We haven't even had Thanksgiving yet!"

So I've always had a tender spot for this particularly American celebration. (I know that Canada has a Thanksgiving Day, too; and that it's on a different day--so the third Thursday of November is American Thanksgiving.)

And so, it isn't just a coincidence that we chose to make Thanksgiving weekend the big time in our family history. And for the past 15 years I have had special reason for giving thanks. God's special gift to me came packaged in a beautiful, loving heartstring named Hannah.

Happy Fifteen my heart of hearts.

It's been two years since I posted a happy/sad announcement about the funeral services of my Aunt Laura Allen. Tomorrow, my family will celebrate the Home-Going of my Uncle John Henry Weaver. Preacher, Farmer, Friend, Family-man, and Example. Uncle John walked each day with honesty and justice. He transitioned from earth to heaven in one moment on Sunday August 23.

I am thankful for his friendship, advice, and example. He always had a smile and a good word. To my Aunt Norma, and my cousins-Jamie, Julie, Joel, Jana, and Jennifer- I give my love and prayers.

My wife returned from a few days with her parents with the news that Elisabeth Elliot died today. The inspirational life and story of this giant in Christian faith is one that challenges us all to greater commitment. Perhaps it is the tragic story about the loss of her first husband which spurred her on to greater faith and subsequently has challenged many Christians to live their lives for the purpose of God’s glory. In any case, we must be grateful for the years and inspiration that were granted to us for her life and we can rejoice that she has now joined her lost Jim in worshiping at the feet of the Savior.

“Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

As our leadership conference was drawing to a close--on the final morning--the man leading morning devotion brought to my attention that yet another of my heroes in faith was gone (and I missed it).

It was about 20 years ago that I was able to meet T.W. Hunt in person. He made time for me--a young minister starting out. I recall that he promised to pray for me (after praying with me that day) and have no doubt that he did so as he approached the throne of God. What I recall from that encounter most of all was the tangible presence of Jesus Christ as we talked for just a few moments.

Few are the people who really bring you into the presence of God, T.W. Hunt was one of them. I am better to have simply met him for a moment.

https://www.baptiststandard.com/news/texas/17302-obituaries-t-w-hunt-robin-feistel

Today, I read that one more in a growing list of artists who pioneered what was once called Contemporary Christian Music passed away yesterday.

Andrae Crouch gave us songs like "Soon and Very Soon" and "My Tribute" and included one of my favorite faith songs - "Through It All".

His influence remains as our condolences go out to his family and friends and we say "See you on the other side" to one who loved the Savior in so many ways. Here's a nice tribute to Andrae Crouch:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2015/january-web-only/remembering-andrae-crouch-dead-at-72.html

Before you get all hot and bothered and upset that I haven't looked at my calendar lately, just remember that you're dealing with what I affectionately call "Benjie Logic" which includes some wonderful twists and turns. Here's how it works -

Valentine's Day is always on the 14th. Today is the 14th Anniversary of the day that my Valentine became my permanent Valentine before God, witnesses, and the pronouncement from the mouths of two fathers (hers and mine).

So, Happy Valentine's Day, my Blushing Bride. Here's looking forward to 144 more such days.

But there are a couple of entries at both ends of the top ten that may surprise you.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/09/most-stressed-out-state_n_5474137.html

I will admit that this one has had me struggling for a number of years and when I read an article where one of my well-respected mentors used the word this way, I began to doubt whether I really did understand the meaning.

Let me state here that I am no Latin scholar, and we are dealing with Latin words (or at least words with Latin roots--and the roots ought to be showing by now) so I can still be corrected. However, I did take the trouble to look it up in my daughter's desk dictionary before starting the rant.

When someone graduates from an institution, he (note the gender here) becomes an alumnus. If he happens to be a she, her distinctive becomes alumna.

A group of these distinguished persons becomes alumni (used for all men or a mix of men and women), unless of course the entire group is female. In the case of a female gender-specific group of graduates, we will refer to them as alumnae.

That's simple, isn't it? Well, not so fast. The modern proclivity to abbreviate everything has people referring to me as an alum of Oklahoma Baptist University (I am, by the way, an alumnus of that wonderful institution). But, and I did look it up, alum is an aluminum-based compound often used in medicine to stop bleeding.

The disheartening thing about this is that people who are alumni keep referring to themselves with this incorrect designation.

Here is a short thought that I shared with my church in our Christmas Eve service last night: