Pan Dulce

Great Plans and Great Hope

The Proverb writer said “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22 NIV).

I just spent three days with a few “advisers” that brought with them plenty of wisdom, counsel, and hope for the future of Buckner. Dr. Ken Hall, David Slover, Kenton Keller and I met for three days to consider, plan, reflect, ponder, and develop a plan for the future of our work at Buckner.

We mixed in some fellowship, shared meals, and some laughter along with posing tough questions about what Buckner will become in the next 3 years. We looked at financials, organization charts, aspiration statements, mission statements, values, and other visuals that helped frame our discussion. Kenton Keller was our facilitator throughout the 3 day planning retreat. We got to see a preview of David Slover’s vision for Buckner Foundation and I shared my vision for Buckner Children and Family Services. Dr. Hall provided a bit of history and an overview to serve as a context for our discussion.

I came aware from the meeting with lots of hope for the future of Buckner. We are poised to growth both in our excellence and in our ability to deliver high quality service to our clients. We plan to continue to expand services in other sites in Texas and internationally with a trained eye toward increasing excellence and quality at every level.

We are steps closer to becoming a global force maximizing resources and leadership to serve vulnerable children and families. These are “the least of these among us.”

Sabbath Day of Rest

Energy does not last forever. It tends to run out. The same is true with the energy in our bodies. That is why we need a Sabbath Day of Rest. Summer is coming to a close and I know that because I dropped our three boys off at school today. The summer has been really good. Our family has worked in some days of vacation and rest and I am very grateful for the time to be away. It seems to me that 7 to 10 days is about the time that I need to unwind from work and get to the place where I can really rest.

But there is a need to take mini-vacations every week or weekend. We find that reminder in Exodus 20:8-11 (NIV) “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it Holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”

If I am reading this right, even God took a day off after creation. So, I have made it practice to rest on Sundays, after worship and a family meal. I feel refreshed and energized and am ready for the week. By Sunday evening I have worshipped, studied the Bible, have good family time, and usually have taken a nap, a two hour nap. I need that time so that I can be at my best during the week. How about you? When is your Sabbath? To really be your best for your family, your work, and your circle of influence, you really need a Sabbath.

Every once in while, you need time to wind down the RPM’s of life down to zero, one, or two. There is a ministry I learned about while I served at BUA called Beside Still Waters in Florida that provides from four to fourteen days for ministers and their families to disconnect, wind down, and regroup. The ministry also provides complimentary pastoral care. I have taken our family there twice in the last ten years and have been greatly blessed by the time away and time for reflection and recuperation. It is not a vacation but a retreat to reflect and get the rest you and your family need. I highly recommend it.

Buckner exists to make life better for at risk children, orphans, and families. That means we take care of our families as well. What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his family?

I Went To Church and Saw Two Angels…Really!

On Sunday, I was the guest preacher at Ash Creek Baptist Church in Azle, Texas. Azle is just Northwest of Fort Worth. The pastor, Dr. Wesley Shotwell, was on vacation and he asked me to fill in for him during three services. Now that is a work-out!

The congregation was so warm and receptive. During the first service one of the families was present with two children from Buckner’s Angels Abroad program. These children are what we call “Angels.” This program allows children from other countries to come and visit in the USA for a few weeks on vacation. Families host them as a ministry to these children. We have our staff from Russia that is serving as chaperons for the children that are here in Texas. Please pray for their time here and pray that at some time in the near future, these children will find forever families.

Ash Creek Baptist Church is doing its part to bring the Kingdom near. They just completed a mission trip to serve alongside Buckner in Peru and they are also participating in a shoe drive through Shoes for Orphan Souls. Ash Creek is making a difference in the lives of children here in Texas and abroad as well.

I met several families that have adopted children through Buckner and heard stories of how teenager’s lives were changed through mission trips with Buckner. These short-term mission volunteers join the ranks of over 5,000 short-term volunteers that give of their time to serve at risk children, orphans, and families.

Robert C. Buckner once said, “Not one orphan, but all orphans.” I encourage you to make this idea a reality. Let us know how we can plug you into bringing the Kingdom near for children and families.