Consequences to follow

As a supporter of Mark Sanford, I was disappointed when the news broke last week about his affair. I must say that I respect the fact that he released this information on his own rather than waiting until he was forced to address it. Yes, often we hold people in the public eye to a higher standard. I don't necessarily agree with that, but we do expect more from our leaders and icons than we expect from ourselves.

This incident just goes to show that no one is immune from making mistakes. It also shows that no one is immune from grace. Regardless of the standard we set for others and the repercussions we think should be placed on them, Grace is the ultimate standard.

The night that this news broke, my devotion happened to be about repentance and consequences. In 2 Chronicles 12 we see that King Rehoboam has turned his back on God and is ruling in his own power. The King of Egypt rises up to destroy Israel. Rehoboam realizes that he and his people are going to die as a result of his disobedience. In verse 6 we see that he is sorry for what he has done and says that the Lord does what is right.

King Rehoboam wasn't trying to get out of his consequences, he simply saw that this was what was due to him. He didn't admit his fault to get out of anything. As a matter of fact, the Egyptians continued to attack. However, no one was destroyed and Rehoboam went on to rule, this time trusting in God.

Many times we admit our wrongs in an effort to get ourselves out of trouble and usually this tactic does not work. We can't cry a few tears and bat our eye lashes and get out of everything (despite the fact that many of our parents have perpetuated this belief in us). People get hurt and bridges are burned as a result of our bad decisions. However, grace still abounds and it is by grace that we are given the opportunity for a second chance.

Romans 5:20 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more,

Romans 5:20 (The Message)
All that passing laws against sin did was produce more lawbreakers. But sin didn't, and doesn't, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it's sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that's the end of it. (Emphasis mine)

As believers, regardless of our social status, we are held to the highest of standards, Christ's standard. Because of this we can expect that we will face much more scrutiny for our actions as we have seen with Gov. Sanford. This means that we have to be even more careful of everything that we do and count the cost of all of our decisions. It is of utmost importance that we live our lives above reproach.

Luke 12:48 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
But the one who did not know and did things deserving of blows will be beaten lightly. Much will be required of everyone who has been given much. And even more will be expected of the one who has been entrusted with more.

Guard your heart and count the cost! There will be consequences to follow.

Monthly Adoption Update

We had a visit with our Foster Care worker this morning and things are moving along. Foster Care Review Board is next week and we have a pre-trial court date in early August. My understanding was that this is a time for the birth parent's lawyer to ask for an extension of the treatment plan if they feel it is necessary. Due to the fact that BM is still incarcerated and we expect that she will be at that time as well (and for some time beyond), this doesn't seem likely. Part of her treatment plan was to stay out of legal trouble, so she has obviously not followed through. However, I am not the one in control and anything is possible. Our case worker should be able to give us the TPR (termination of parental rights) date by this trial date. She thinks that it will be before the end of the year.

At this point we would ask you to join us in praying that there will not be an extension or appeal and that we would be able to get a TPR date quickly. Thank you for your prayers and support. We know that God is in control and that His plan is perfect.

The Storm Before the Calm

Yes, you read that right...the storm before the calm, at least I hope that is what is going on. Our students camps start this Friday (Middle School Friday-Sunday and HS Sunday-Friday). Last year on the first night of HS camp Bryan and two students ended up in the ER. The next day we had one more in the ER and one at the Dr. At MS camp Bryan got bit/stung again and almost ended up in the ER.

I am hoping that yesterday's visit to the ER is making up for any at camp. Bryan often plays basketball with other staff guys and students on our new outdoor court at the church. While playing yesterday, Bryan somehow tore his calf muscle. He was in a lot of pain and afraid that he had torn his Achilles. We were in the ER for a few hours. It looked like it was going to be a fairly quick trip, but the ER doc decided to call in the orthopedic doc and it took him over an hour to get there. (Of course we had already been there over an hour when he was called.) We ended up with a pair of crutches and a couple of prescriptions.

Bryan had already been at the hospital that day visiting with our friends Chris & Kathy. They too were supposed to be a part of our HS camp. Kathy's dad is not doing well and the Dr has suggested that they not leave town.

Last year we had a lot of crazy things happen at camp, but God also showed up in ways that our kids had never experienced before. On top of the hospital issues yesterday, we had to change our camp plans three times before finalizing about 3 weeks ago (we usually have this done by January). As much as this adds to the hecticness of getting ready for camp, it excites me. Why? God is up to something. I just want to get out of the way and let Him do His thing!

Please pray for our camps and for Kathy's dad.

By the way... I have come to the conclusion that student ministry is hazardous to Bryan's health.