Trials 3

Installment Three on the things that are a MUST during a trial. The next thing you need to do and this is NOT in order of importance...

Dedicate yourself to The Bible and prayer.

If you are not reading His word or praying, your actions are making a statement about what you really believe. A lack of reading the Bible and praying indicates a dedication, by you, to self-reliance. Reading God's word and prayer humble statements of our need for his sustenance and his help.

Reading God's word and prayer change us. They help us to grow in understanding of His greatness and majesty. They grow our faith and belief in God's sovereignty and his ability to save us. Prayer and study are humble admissions of our need to change.

Read Psalm 119 and look at all the benefits of pouring over God's word. It helps keep our way pure (v 9), it strengthens my soul (v 28), it is my comfort in affliction (v 50). And the list goes on.

One last argument. If God specifically wrote something to you an intended it to be a means of grace for you during trials, would you read it. Well, he has. As his beloved children, we are compelled to bathe in his Word, daily

How Dead People Do Battle with Sin

I read, I read a lot. I read C. J. Mahaney, John Piper and Al Mohler's blogs. I read Ed Welsh, Paul Tripp and David Powlison. I read F. B. Myer, John Owen and Charles Spurgeon. I am quickly coming to the conclusion that my blog is a waste of time. It would be better to read them than to read anything I write.

Here is a great example. Below is a link to a Piper article entitled,

How Dead People Do Battle with Sin:
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Articles/ByTopic/13/1574_How_Dead_People_Do_Battle_with_Sin/

I HIGHLY recommend it. Here is an appetizer:

How do dead people do battle with sin? They do battle with sin by trusting the Son of God. They are dead to Satan's lie, which goes like this: 'You will be happier if you trust your own ideas about how to be happy instead of trusting the counsel and the promises of Christ." Christians have died to that deceit. So the way they fight Satan is by trusting that the paths and promises of Christ are better than Satan's.

God is Good and God is Just

Totally blown away by my qt this morning.

God is good:

“And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God."
Deuteronomy 28:1-2

And God is just:

“But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord your God or be careful to do all his commandments and his statutes that I command you today...The Lord will send on you curses, confusion, and frustration in all that you undertake to do, until you are destroyed and perish quickly on account of the evil of your deeds, because you have forsaken me. The Lord will make the pestilence stick to you until he has consumed you off the land that you are entering to take possession of it.

Deuteronomy 28:15,20-21

Trials 3

Dead is Good...

For several years, I was Pastor Greg's accountability partner. We would get together at least once a week and share our lives, hearts and struggles. Now that much time has passed, I can confess that I always came away with more from being with him than he with me.

There is one meeting that we had that I would stack up against all the meeting combined. Greg was going thru a trial and I asked him how it was going. He seemed to be handling this trial extraordinarily well, and I was hungry for the reason. Greg then said something that I will remember as long as as I live..."you can't hurt a dead man."

Greg took the passage in Galatians 2:20 and made it come alive with that one phrase - you can't hurt a dead man.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ
who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

You see, if we are truly crucified in Christ, we no longer live. It [the trial] becomes no longer about us. The insults, the pain, the fear are no longer about us. It is all about God.

I was recently in the company of one of our more seasoned saints. I was striking up conversation and asked her how things were and she launched into a fascinating theo-philosophical discussion. Here is the crux of the conversation.

We talk about having good days and bad days, but if God is in control, they are all good days. Some of the days are comfortable - which we like because we like our comfort. Some of the days are uncomfortable (days of trail) which we don't like and we call them bad days. But if God is good and God is in control, then they are all good days.

And I can enjoy them all because, you can't hurt a dead man.

Trials 2

I said yesterday that when you are going thru a trial, that there were several steps that you needed to take. The first step was to find solid ground. Now the second step:

Step Two - Find Solid Fellowship

Now let me explain fellowship. Fellowship is NOT a shoulder to cry on, although that is valuable. It is NOT a person who will always back you up and let you completely vent, although there is some place for that.

Fellowship is sharing. You need someone who will share the trial with you, who you can share you thoughts and feelings with, who will bear your burdens with you (Galatians 6:2). Fellowship is help and support. In Exodus 17, the nation of Israel fought against the Amalekites. The battle raged fierce. When Moses held up his arms, the momentum went to Israel. When he dropped his arms, it went the other way. Aaron came along side and held up one arm and Hur came along side and held up the other (Exodus 17:12). That is a picture of sharing suffering to get thru the trial.

But fellowship is a two way street. It is more than listening. A friend will listen, dry tears but in the end, will point out areas that need to change and point you back to the cross. Those comments my hurt (Proverbs 27:6) but they will reap a harvest of righteousness.

So when you hit that trial, pour your heart out in honest fellowship. But be ready - no - desire the encouragement of a friend (Colossians 4:8).

Because...God can change the trial at anytime. What he wants to do is change you.

Trials 1

When the earth is quaking underneath you and a trial engulfs you, there are a few important steps that you NEED to take:

Step One - Find Solid Ground

Even if you don't see any solid ground, find the only solid ground possible. That solid ground is in God, hid yourself in God (Matthew 7:24-27, Psalm 91:1-2).

No matter what is going on in our lives, there is a comfort and peace that we can gain from God because of his immense love for us (Romans 8:32).

We need to spend time with God in prayer and meditation, in intervals measured in seconds, minutes and if possible, hours. We need to get our orders, our instructions and our direction from him. We need a vision from him that will allow us to walk by faith. Is he pulling away the control that you crave? Is he taking away the love or money that you have been relying on? Is there an idol between you and him that he wants to pull down. It will be painful during the time, but so valuable. Get faith from vision (Proverbs 29:18, Romans 10:14).

You will also notice that I have included scripture references throughout the post. There are two things that cannot be over emphasized: prayer and the Word. Talking to God and listening to God. I have a practice that has served me well. Each trial has a emphasis of focus to it. I look for a successful Biblical character and read with him thru my trial. I have spent many hours with Joseph, Elijah, Jeremiah and Paul. Their trials have comforted me and inspired me. Other wonderful saints to follow are Hannah, Abigail and Sari/Sarah.

Snow Day

The city is covered in a gorgeous blanket of white. A reminder of the purity that God promised he would bring us through the washing of his son (Is 1:18). The problem is, now church is cancelled. So what is next?

Well, we sleep late, to rest from the shoveling -this is, after all, a day of rest! But then after breakfast, we will all join together and pick three songs to worship to (I am flexible, if we get into it, we could spend the morning in worshiping thru song).

Next, prayer. We will go around the family and ask what we want to give thanks for, like exams over, God's kindness that we have electricity and heat, love and each other. We will also pray about the things we are concerned about and ask for God's intervention.

Finally, i will use the blessings of the internet and choose one of the wonderful messages that are on the world-wide-web and listen as a family. There are TONS that I have already downloaded and listen to. I will pick one that is of general interest/benefit to the family.

Wow, this is going to be hard. Here are some of my options:
Ken Sande, the Worst of Sinners makes the Best of Peacemakers
Bob Kauflin, Praying against Temptation
Mark Mullery, In My Place - For Your Joy
Jerry Brudges - Humility in Action
Craig Cabiness - Overcoming the Fear of Man
Mike Bullmore - Cultivating a Fruitful Life in the Word
(okay, this is getting ridiculous. I'm like a kid in the candy shop. HOW DO I PICK JUST ONE?!?!)

Then I will carve out time later in the week to discuss how God spoke to each member of the family in the message and ask for application follow-ups. All I need is one.

Then - LUNCH!!!

A Different Christmas Poem

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,
" Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers.
" My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag. I
can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

" So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

December 16

December 16

The Boston Tea Party (1773), the Battle of the Bulge (1944), Sgt. Joe Friday said for the first time, "This is the city..." as Dragnet debuts. The Battle of Nashville ends (1864), Benjamin Edwards declared himself the ruler of a free Texas, but calls it the Republic of Fredonia (1826) and in 1973 on a cold day in New England, O. J Simpson closes out the season as the first running back to rush for over 2,000 yards. In 1914 the Germans bombed my family namesake the North Sea port of Scarborough and Oliver Cromwell becomes Lord Protector of England (1653).

Auto maker Saab is born (1949), as was Beethoven (1770), Jane Austin (1775), reformed pastor George Whitefield (1714), sci-fi author Arthur C. Clarke, (1917), Margaret Meade (1901) and playwright Noel Coward (1899), Baltimore's own Billy Ripken (1964), Chariots of Fire actor Ben Cross (1947), NYPD Blues Producer Steven Bochco ('43).

Deuteronomy 8

Just finished reading Deuteronomy 8 for devotions. What an encouraging and challanging passage. I can hear the Father's voice. "son, do this please do this, there is blessings over here." But there is another side, "but if you don't there is righteous judgement"

Read, sin not and be blessed!

I want...

I want to go to church every Sunday and cry. I want to cry because I see all to clearly my sin and I want to cry in confusion because I just can't understand why He died for me.

I want to go to church and be joined by other imperfect, sinning hypocrites who are in desperate need of the grace of God. I want to encourage them and be encouraged by them.

I want, in the dark night of my soul, to remember that while problems may seem insurmountable, I am going to worship the God who spoke the universe into existence, who parted the Red Sea, stopped the earth from spinning... and rose from the dead.

I want to hold the hand of my wife while we worship together. I want to sing, but at some point, get quiet, bend my ear and listen to her lovely voice lost in worship.

I want to come with a psalm, a hymn or a spiritual song, or a word of prophesy that will bless my brothers and sisters and challenge the lost.

I want, with an single-minded focus, to make Him the center of my attention for 90 minutes.

...unless Matt preaches and then I better make it another 15 minutes ;)

Racism

There were a couple of news items that made me think:

The German magazine Spiegel reported this morning that racism is prevalent across the EU countries and "and discrimination is a sad fact of day-to-day life".

The President of Dartmouth apologized to the President of Harvard for some racially tinged heckling that the Dartmouth soccer team shouted during a Dartmouth-Harvard Squash match. The Dartmouth soccer team apparently "pelted Harvard’s men and women players with obscenity-laced insults that some witnesses described as misogynistic, homophobic, and anti-Semitic" (AP).

Racism is not an American problem. Racism cannot be solved with more education. Racism is a heart issue, it is borne out of my desire to belittle another so that, in my arrogance, I feel superior. If it is not skin color, it will be religion, gender, weight, education level, sports team - whatever my heart can find to differentiate myself from another solely so that i can feel superior.

Here is racism in a nutshell:

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.
James 4:1-2

- I get angry when I don't get what I want, or feel the way I want to feel about myself
- so I tear you down
- because I don't look to Christ, for he has all that I need

Christmas 1

Christmas!

Do you love it or hate it? Christmas carries with it all the warm carry-over feelings of our childhood. It also is a great reminder of the wonderful gift that God gave us in his Son and our salvation.

But Christmas can also bring with it pressures. Time pressures for gatherings, shopping, getting that right gift. Did I spent too much, did I spend enough? I can't invite Aunt Agnes and Grandma to dinner because they are fighting. Did I mention traffic at the malls?

So what to do?

Here is what I am trying to do [operative word, trying]. Take 15 minutes and ask yourself one question: When I look back on 50 Christmas's, or more, what will I want to say about everyone of those Christmas's.

What is your answer to that question?

Merry Christmas, My Friend


Twas the night before christmas, he lived all alone,
in a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone.
I had come down the chimney, with presents to give,
and to see just who in this home did live.

As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand,
on the wall hung pictures of a far distant land.

With medals and badges, awards of all kind,
a sobering thought soon came to my mind.
For this house was different, unlike any I'd seen,
This was the home of a u.s. marine.

I'd heard stories about them, I had to see more,
so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone,
curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home.

He seemed so gentle, his face so serene,
not how I pictured a u.s. marine.
Was this the hero, of whom I’d just read?
curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan.
I soon understood, this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I saw that night,
owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight.

Soon around the nation, the children would play,
and grown-ups would celebrate on a bright christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year,
because of marines like this one lying here.

I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold christmas eve, in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.

He must have awoken, for I heard a rough voice,
"Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice.
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more,
my life is my God, my country, my corps."



With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I watched him for hours, so silent and still,
I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill.

So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
and covered this marine from his toes to his head.
Then I put on his t-shirt of scarlet and gold,
with an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold.


And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
and for one shining moment, I was marine corps deep inside.
I didn't want to leave him so quiet in the night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.

But half asleep he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure,
said "carry on, santa, it's christmas day, all secure."
One look at my watch and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas My Friend, semper fi and goodnight.




LCPL James M. Schmidt, USMC, 1986

Trials, and lots of them.

Finals, new babies and fatigue, doubt, anger hurt. And that is only the start. The furnace is so hot right now. So I put on my happy face and go to church? No, I jump in the car and I flee to church. I flee to that place where i am surrounded by my brothers and sisters, where I can serve and be served.

I flee to that place where corporate worship is happening and I throw myself on the mercy of God and sing with all my heart. I sing with all my heart and remember how He has rescued before an will rescue again. I throw myself at the feet on the only One who is truly faithful.

I flee to that place where the preached Word will remind me of the cross. No matter the trial, no matter the landscape of my heart, the cross has fully paid for my sin. The cross has instructed me, beyond a shadow of a doubt of God's love for me, of his grace towards me, of his unending mercy for me.

Romans 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

He is Holy

"...because you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin when the congregation quarreled, failing to uphold me as holy..."
Numbers 27:14

The people rebelled against God and his Word. They didn't like the food, they were thirsty, they grumbled. If i did that in my home, someone would ask me, "did you have a bad day?" or why are you complaining.

But God sees it, and rightly so, as questioning his holiness.

God is my friend, my savior, my gentle shepherd. But He is also holy, He makes the earth tremble, he created the stars, the flowers and he sustains life. And he is Holy.

Let the earth (and me) tremble.

Happy Birthday C. S. Lewis

Clive Stapes Lewis, born this day in 1898 was know to his friends as "Jack" (if my first same was Clive, Jack would work). He is best known to this generation as the author of the Narnia series.

Lewis had some interesting theological positions. He attended the church closest to his home, believing that we all should attend the church closest to us and work to make it better. In that sense, he was more of a puritan than a pilgrim.

Like most Europeans, he was not a stranger to adult beverages or tobacco and did not have a theological issue with their use.

The legacy, however, that C. S. Lewis leaves us, in Mere Christianity, The Problem with Pain and Surprised by Joy, and lurking behind every faun or lamp post in Narnia is his rich and tempting picture of God. His words still entice us to flee sin and draw near to God:

We are half hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.

Thank you Mr. Lewis for reminding me that I am far too easily pleased, and that there is something so much better out there. Lewis, like the professor, challenges about Lucy's claims of a forest being in the wardrobe. "it can't be there, it's just not logical." And I can see his smile turn up and his eyes twinkle.

"For Aslan, and for Narnia!!!"

Thanksgiving

This could take days!

Let me slip this in...I am thankful for Ella (welcome Ella to your first Thanksgiving).

I am thankful for:
1. God's gift of his Son, Jesus. He loved his son more than anything, but he still gave him for us.
2. Our freedom. This impacts so much and it must come before the personal
3. My wife. She is the evidence that God's kindness if fare beyond what I deserve
4. My son Brian. God has given me a friend to share the good and the bad.
5. My son Rob. I ways, I have had to share him with a nation
6. My daughter Anne and watching her grow in grace and holiness
7. My daughter Rebecca, she is my 'buddy' in my old age. Just love hanging with her
8. My parents and in-laws - loving mentors
9. My care group - they are like another family, caring for my soul and allowing me to serve them
10. My Church - honestly, the greatest place on earth.

This is just a start

In the Middle

I was thinking about something that that was very humbling.

First, think about this. Can you name all you children (if you have any)? If you do, that is typically easy. Can you name your spouse and your siblings? Sure. Do you remember the name of your parents? Still easy. Can you come up wit the names of your grandparents. Most likely.

Now the stumper - can you name your great grandparents? I can't. Both my parents are alive, and I cannot name their four grandparents.

Now for the humbling part. there is my legacy. I will hold my grandchildren today - and they are the last generation will will remember me.

But this motivates me. My time is now. I want to give my time, effort, energy and strength to making the contribution to the generations around me. I do not have a War & Peace or Handel's Messiah in me that will transcend generations. I have now.

Under-rated

No, not me. If anything, I am vastly over-rated.

It's raining, my windshield wiper doesn't work. My body is feeling older by the day and looking more like my car (gray with rust spots). My retirement that looked rosy 5-years ago is sprouting weeds from a recession/depression. Need I go on?

But Thanksgiving is coming. Thanksgiving is under-rated.

The old cliches are that if you have your health, your family, a job, whatever, you can be happy and thankful. What if I didn't. What if my health was failing, I was alone, what if I lost a loved one at Fort Hood, or to cancer, old age. Could I still be happy?

The longer I live the more I realize how short this life is. The more I need to live for the next life. In that life, I will have my health, my loved ones, there will be no sickness, death, darkness, fatigue or loneliness.

I will have a dearly loved one home tonight! I pray for all those who travel home over the next couple of days. But I am most thankful that...I'm not home yet.

It's Always A Good Day

Very interesting conversation with a sister last week. She made the statement that there are "no bad days". There are days when comfortable things happen and uncomfortable things happen. We perceive the days when uncomfortable things happen as "bad days" because we are uncomfortable. However, if God is sovereign, and he is orchestrating things, those uncomfortable things are part of our sanctification (refining) process.

I found this thought fascinating! I love my comfort. I prefer the pat on the back over the kick in the pants. I want my teams to win and I want the promotion, bonus, discount and great deal. When they don't happen, is it a bad day? No, it is:
- discipline proving again that my heavenly father loves me.
- God working all things out for my good.
- my loving savior putting me thru the refiners fire to burn off impurities
All my days are good. Some time I just don't know it.

The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
Psalm 16:6

ALERT!!
Be in prayer as one close friend get induced on Tuesday and one close friend gets induced on Friday!!

Sunday is not Tame, but it is Good

John Piper says that:
"The local church is a visible expression of the invisible, universal, body of Christ."

That puts a pretty high value on the local church. Think this thru! If I told you that you could actually see Jesus, if you came with me to a certain place at a certain time, would you? Assuming that you believed me, of course you would. Well, I am telling you that on Sunday morning, if your church is an authentic Bible teaching, Gospel-centered church, then you can see a visible expression of Christ, much like the pillar of cloud during the day and the pillar of fire at night.

If that is true, and you need to personally wrestle with veracity of that statement, then would you not value church attendance in light of that? Here's what I mean. If the above statement is true, then I am not attending church to be seen, or meet an obligation, or even to be fed or serve (although the latter are valid purposes). But I am part of the body of Christ. I want to be there!

And if that is true, when he arrives, I want to be there. What will he do? I don't know, but I want to see it!

Because he is not tame, but he is Good.

Fire Hoses are for Firemen

I'm standing in front of a fire hose. They are for firemen and you are supposed to stand behind them. So many things coming at me at once. It can be overwhelming. Personal, family, work, ministry...

So how do I process this? How do I deal with it. Where do I let my mind go. There needs to be a place that I shepherd my soul, where is that place beside still waters where by soul can feed, rest and be refreshed?

When Satan tempts me to despair,
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see him there,
Who made an end to all my sin.
Because the Sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the Just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.

I look to the Father who adopted me. I look to the sinless savior who died for me. They have my best interest at heart. They can best shepherd my soul.

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
Romans 8:32

There is a lot. Some of it I will successfully accomplish. Some of it I will fail at and some of it I will never get to. I will get done what my Sovereign has set before me to accomplish, and no matter what that amount is and no matter what others think of my vast or limited accomplishments, I will have all the Christ did credited to me.

I am humbled by my limitations. That humility inclines me to continue my way up the Via Dolorosa to Golgotha.

James 4

Gnawing on a verse this week:

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? - James 4:1

What causes quarrels and fights? God has a distinctly different perspective than I do. It is not my spouse, traffic, work, lack of sleep. My struggles are a result of me -ME! they come when I don't get what I want - my passions.

How can I get to the point where, in the heat of the moment, I realize that it is not the situation - but me having a calm, mature, quiet, controlled temper tantrum?

Humility 4

Super busy, but after Thursday night I will have more time. God is using this teaching on Humilty to soften my heart. here is quote that has made me think a lot:

“At every stage in our Christian development and in every sphere of our Christian discipleship, pride is the greatest enemy and humility our greatest friend.”
John Stott

Do I believe that? If I did, wouldn't I feed my greatest friend and attack my greatest enemy. But my actions are often the exact opposite.

Sunday Prep

It has been a busy week. I have had a lot on my plate this week and a lot is still on the plate for next week. Ever get that feeling, like you are wading into a rushing river and you are feeling the current. I am trying to get as far across the river without getting swept up in the current, maintain control and not get swept away. The way I do that is to keep a firm contact with the ground, the bed of the river. When I lose contact with the ground, all is lost.

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly
Friend Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end

And then Sunday comes. It is a great day, with nothing planned, to catch up on some things, get ahead, put in that little extra time. It is also the most tempting day - to work. Be still my soul, I am called to a day of rest. My inclination is to get those could of things done that will help me to keep up or get ahead. Be still my soul, reflect on who the Lord is and give him his day, his full day. I may not get what I want done, but my soul is rested for another day of work and effort. I want to do more to "cheat the clock, but...Be still my soul, and rest.

Father, as I head off to church, let me give you all that I have an all that I am. As you commended Mary for not working and sitting at you feet, let me give you my rapt attention.

BIG QUESTION

I was listening to a message by Mike Bullmore and in it he explained that he was the question:

What is the greatest, most crying need in the church today?

I would love to get your take on this question. Please leave a comment.

Sunday Specials

Heading for my 51st birthday, I realize that I have faced well over 2,500 Sunday's (actually 2,646). Many I don't remember, many were uneventful*. The week can grow monotonous, each day becoming the same. I try not to let that happen. I think about Sunday often during the week. When it gets to the weekend, I am gearing myself towards Sunday morning. My sleep, my devotions, my activities are built around Sunday morning.

I look forward to worship. The music is a tool that reminds me of my need for a savior, and the good news that I have one. I try to let that touch my heart and when it does, gratefulness and often tears flow. Sunday morning is when I get to look at the faces of other imperfect people who need Him almost as much as I do. I love to watch the hundred or so people who are needed to make the Sunday Service happen. Hearts changed - to teach our children, change diapers, greet visitors, direct traffic in this blasted rain - how can you not see that and then not see the grace of God at work.

This Sunday I get to greet (at the real front door). That really juices me! Each hand I shake is a person who Jesus came to save. Each face one that has wrestled with the week and now comes to find sanctuary and joy in the presence of the Shepherd. Each visitor, one who I pray will encounter the living Savior. Each child will get their first impression of Church for the day from me - let it be bursting with joy!

Then I get to listen to a message from a pastor who has humbly dedicated his life to searching God's word and serving God's people. I piggy-back on over 20-hours of his preparation, boiling-down and expounding upon God's inerrant Word. It is instructing for the wise and direction for the simple, but foolishness to the fool. I want to listen, apply and show myself as one approved.

Sunday is special.

Addendum: there was a Sunday in June, 1983 that pretty much tops the list.

Humility - the Meat 3

According to Scripture, God deliberately designed the gospel in such a way as to strip me of pride and leave me without any grounds for boasting in myself whatsoever. This s actually a wonderful mercy from God, fop pride is at the root of all my sin. Pride produced the first sin in the Garden, and pride always precedes every sinful stumbling in my life. Therefore, if I am to experience deliverance from sin, I must be delivered from the pride that produces it. Thankfully, the gospel is engineered to accomplish this deliverance.

Preaching the gospel to myself each day mounts a powerful assault against my pride and serves to establish humility in its place. Nothing suffocates my pride more than daily reminders regarding the glory of my god, the gravity of my sins, and the crucifixion of God’s own son in my place. Also, the gracious love of God, lavished on me because of Christ’s death, is always humbling to remember, especially when viewed against the backdrop of the Hell I deserve.

Pride wilts in the atmosphere of the gospel; and the more pride is mortified within me, the less frequent are my moments of sinful contention with God and with others. Conversely, humility grows lushly in the atmosphere f the gospel, and the more humility flourished with me, the more I experience Gods grace alone with the strengthening His grace provides. Additionally, such humility intensifies my passion for God and causes my heart increasingly to thrill whenever He is praised.
Milton Vincent, A Gospel Premier (P 27-28)

Humility - the Meat 2

I know that I still have to defend my position that Humility is the greatest virtue, but I want to move on. I think that the next several entries will act a support.

My definition of humility: accepting who I am in light of the cross.

Why that definition? I stole much of my definition from Charles H. Spurgeon. He said that “Humility is to make a right estimate of one's self.” In a more foksy way, Thomas Merton says that, “Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real”

While the Bible does not define humility, it consistently links it to the fear of the Lord. So what that says is that God is in control and I am not. It says that I have a reason to fear the wrath of God - so much so that unless the Son of God intervened, I would experience that wrath.

Humility dictates that I am just not that important, I am not indispensable, I am not as good as my pride would lead me to believe.

And that leaves me more dependent on my Savior.

Humility - the Meat 1

I have wrestled and wrestled with the next entry, the next step here. One path I went down was; "Humility, the road less traveled" with the idea that we focus on a lot of things in the Christian life, but that Humility is not one of them.

I have also played around in my heart with a concept that pride is the ultimate sin or maybe better stated, the root of all sin. And if that is the case, then humility is the ultimate character trait. That is a pretty bold statement, and if I make it, isn't that a sign of pride (your classic catch-22). Well, I came across something that made up my mind for me, so I will throw caution to the wind:

Humility is the greatest of all character traits!

I have a co-conspirator in this belief, and after reading what Augustine said about humility, I was willing to make the plunge. He said:

Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues hence, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance.

I am not alone with Augustine (rather, I would be hiding in the folds of his robe. He has others who believe as he does of the foundational importance of humility:

God created the world out of nothing, and so long as we are nothing, He can make something out of us.
Martin Luther

Again, Augustine:

Should you ask me what is the first thing in religion, I should reply that the first, second, and third thing therein is humility.

C. J. Mahaney was asked to write a letter to a young pastor. This request was made to several promenant Christian leaders. the letters were then put into a book entitled, "Dear Timothy". C. J. chose to write his letter on humility.

But that is not the whole story...

Humility Intro 3

Theodore Roosevelt loved nature. He and a naturalist friend of his had a ritual whenever they were together. They would go out in early evening and each would try to be the first to find the faint misty light of the Andromeda galaxy. When one spotted it they engaged in a litany of awe.

One would cite the facts:
There is the spiral galaxy Andromeda.
- it is as large as our Milky Way.
- it is one of a hundred million galaxies.
- it is 750,000 light years away.
- it consists of one hundred billion suns,
- each larger than our sun.

Then the other would respond:
Now, I think we are small enough. We can retire for the night.

Humility Intro 2

It has now been several years ago that I attended a conference on business by, of all people, theologian Dr. Wayne Grudem. I could have left after 5-minutes and gotten my monies worth.

Dr. Grudem has a gift for taking complex, detailed subjects and cutting to the simple core of the issue. He did it for me that Saturday morning.

Before Dr. Grudem spoke, he was introduced by his friend, graduate assistant and co-author Jeff Purswell. Jeff has known Dr. Grudem a long time and very well, so that he was able to provide us great depth of Dr. Grudem's character, his compassion, his gentleness and his love of the savior. Jeff spent a significant amount of time telling us about the praiseworthy attributes of his friend and our speaker.

Finally, Dr. Grudem rose to speak. How would he start after such a lavish introduction? Very humbly and simply Dr. Grudem said, "Jeff, that was such a kind introduction, but since I did create my self, I cannot take credit."

"since I did not create myself, I cannot take credit". Ten words. The essence of Biblical humility.

Thank you Dr. Grudem.

Humility Intro 1

What could I pursue that would be better than humility?

Humility is the precursor to my approaching the cross. Without a humble heart, I do not see my need to approach the cross.

Humility is the covering I wear at the cross. Without a humble heart, I do hear the story that the cross tells about me.

Humility is the fruit I pick from the cross. After surveying the wondrous cross, I am put in my place...and undone.

He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8

Here's a good one:

But as for me, I will look to the Lord;
I will wait for the God of my salvation;
my God will hear me.
Micah 7:7

There has got to be something in there for everyone. You are either in a trial, finishing a trial or about to go into a trial.

When you just want to throw your hands up or knuckle under - look to the Lord.

When it seems hopeless, wait for God

When you feel all alone - God will hear you.

Lost

Sunday morning. You know, that busy time...shave, shower, breakfast, rush to church so I'm only a little late. Wait, someone lost their Bible, or keys or...whatever.

But I've learned to get up early on Sunday and spend that extra time in devotions so that my heart is ready for church.

And now I want to get lost in worship. I want God to be so big, that I am so little. I want Him to be so important, that I am just not that important.

I want his grace to wash over me, wave upon wave. I want his glory to shine like the sun. I want these waves to wash over me like the waves wash over the beach and I become just a speck of sand. And then when the wave recedes the beach sparkles with his glory and grace.

Relief v. Righteousness

We've all been there. The heat is being turned up - at work, in a relationship, in our finances, or in our heart. The pressure grows.

Completely naturally, we want relief from the pressure. We have a decision to make. Often the decision is to leave the job, terminate the relationship, relocate. Relief.

But is it better to seek righteousness? Is this a 'furnace' situation where God is desiring to burn off the chaff and leave refined gold? Is God closing a door and we are to move on, or is God using the situation to send a message, and refine a saint?

Ask the question - why do I want out?

Oh God, Help Me!!!

Oh God help me!

I want to live with with an undivided heart. I want my love for you to be like a burning in my soul. I don't want to look to the right or to the left, but I want to look at you and to you, continually.

My heart is so cold, my mind so dull - I know that I miss so much that you have for me. I need your grace to break through my dullness. I want to bask in the depths of the richness of your splendor.

The Light I see is but a spark,
The words I read make but a mark.

How can I climb higher still,
To reach the top of your hill.

The moon, the sky, the clouds, the sun,
All testify to what you've done.

But cold my heart remains my fall,
Not bursting forth with praise and awe!

But Lord, it's only by your touch,
That will release my heart for much.

So please have mercy on your son,
Unlock the tide, please let me run.

That I might fall upon my knees,
Lifting hands with worship please.

To honor you for all my days,
With grateful heart and humble praise.

Is there Grace in the Old Testament?

Isn't the rule-of-thumb that the God of the Old Testament the God of judgement and the God of the New Testament is the God of forgiveness and grace?

That is the common belief, but only by those who don't read the Old Testament. Take the book of Amos for instance. I just completed it and the book is the study of a God who is Holy and gracious.

Chapters 1-6 are a report card for the nation of Israel, and they get all failing grades. Unrepentant sin and hypocrisy. And then in 7:1 God prepares his judgement. Then an interesting interchange happens between Amos and this Holy, unforgiving God:

Amos: Oh Lord, please forgive
God: I relent, It shall not be

God is inclined to mercy. God is predisposed to forgiveness. God is the God of grace. This is true in the Old Testament, and in the New.

In the Old Testament the God of Judgement and of Grace points to the cross, the place of judgement and grace.

Undone.

Dry Devotions

Devotions have been dry of late.

There are typically two things that I do when this happens. The first thing that I do is examine. I ask why questions - because to be honest, if I understood the vastness of the wonder of God, there would be nothing dull, dry or boring about devotions.

Isaiah 6 tells the story of when Isaiah saw God: "I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne... And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost".

When people meet with God, the fall down, they cover their heads, they repent - but they do not yawn. So if my time is dry, then I need to look inside of me. Am I in sin? Am I getting caught up in the ways of this world and not cultivating my most important relationship?

The second thing that I do is to change things up. I may read some small devotional books that I typically don't read, I will add music, I may walk during my prayer time, I may change the room or the chair that I typically use. My goal is to add freshness and remove staleness.

But there is one thing that I need to do for sure. I my devotions are stale, then I have forgotten what Christ has accomplished on my behalf. I have forgotten a:

Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Church II

I know I spent a whole entry on church, but I want to share a few more thoughts.

Do you look forward to going to church? I did not used to - but now I do. I used to look for reasons to miss church, to plan around church.

If you don't, it says something - either about your heart, or about your church. It would serve you well to think about whether you love your church, and if you don't - why?

Finding the Right Church

Easy topic to handle in 25 words or less...

Let me try and major on the majors, and let me tackle the most difficult one of all:

Sound Biblical Teaching. To paraphrase Mike Singletary, "can't live without it, can't grow without it, can't win without it." But how can the novice know if the Pastor/Teacher is rightly handling the Word of God? This is tough to summarize - but here goes. Stories are great, quotes add depth, but ask this question - is the teacher using the Bible to explain the Bible. If not, he is more likely to be using verses out of context or coming to a conclusion and the back filling verses to support his point, instead of having the Bible inform his doctrine.

God. How does the church portray God? He should be the center of attention, the center of teaching and the point of every sermon. Essentially, we are here for God, not the other way around.

Sin. Does the teacher regularly remind us that we are sinners? We have committed acts, thoughts and omissions that are an abomination against a Holy God (sin). That has separated us from Him and requires punishment.

The Gospel. But God, in his kindness, substituted His Son to receive our punishment on the cross so that we could be re-united with him. Christ and only Christ can save us from God's wrath.

The People. Are they impacted by this message? Are they motivated to action, compassion, study, evangelism?

It's not music. Old Hymns have great theological depth and new songs add variety.

It's not the building. That's just where they can afford to meet.

It's not the color, ethnicity, or age. God's people come in all flavors.

Let me over simplify - is leadership leading you to the foot of the cross as the answer for our greatest problem and is the congregation responding by growing in humility?

For a better,deeper and more informed discussion of what to look for in a church, I would refer you to Mark Dever:

The Nine Marks of a Healthy Church
http://www.wtsbooks.com/product-exec/product_id/2171/nm/Nine+Marks+of+a+Healthy+Church

New Believers

Recently I wrote about a great day that I had. Two people dear to me had felt the hand of God. One dear friend, after years of thinking, wrestling and seeking - accepted God into their heart. The other a precious family member re-dedicated their life to Christ.

So the question for me became - what should a new believer do? My mind went immediately to Mark 4 and the Parable of the sower:

seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away.

I did not want this work of God to wither. What should they do to protect themselves from this. There are a few critical things -

1. Find a good church. Get planted, take root, don't be a spectator but a participant. I have said it before, I have experienced the greatest growth in recent years in my understanding of the doctrine of the church, than of any other doctrine. More on a good church later.
2. Find a mentor, discipler, a big brother/big sister. You will grow so much faster and so much deeper if you are discipled. Next week I am taking a trip to Gettysburg. While I would love to tour the battlefield, I am ecstatic about the opportunity that I have of being taken on a personal tour by a National Parks historian. Find a tour guide.
3. Develop faithfulness in the disciplines. Bible reading, prayer, devotions, Bible Study, evangelism, meditation, service, worship, church attendance, biblical fellowship, accountability...These are all means of the grace of God for your growth.

This list is not exhaustive, but it is not long. For me simple is good. And this list can be good for your continued advancement in your spiritual walk.

How long will it take you to install this in your life?

Lengthening the School Year

There is now a conversation about the possibility of lengthening the school year. It is interesting that the discussion does not revolve around better education, but about child care. I have many issues with it, but let me summarise a few:

First, whenever the government makes a decision, one piece of or freedom is taken away. If the government mandates away from a 165 day school year to 200 or 260 days we lose the ability to make one more decision about our children's welfare and education. Sure, you can yank them out of government schools, but many families cannot afford private schools or are equipped to home school. We should remember the many lives that were lost on the battlefields of Lexington and Concord, Gettysburg and Antietam, the Argonne Forest, Iwo Jima, and now Iraq and Afghanistan - for our freedoms. They were hard won, they should not be easily lost.

If the government makes decisions about my child's welfare, it will not likely be in their best interest. When I make a decision about one child, I have a set of criteria and desired outcomes. When I make a decision about all my children, the criteria becomes more restrictive. When it is a classroom full, or a nation, the criteria is very restrictive and the outcomes will not fit all children well. Remember Rec-Soccer? When the order the team tee-shirts, they don't have time for a fitting, and usually some tiny kid spends the rest of the year running around in an XL tee-shirt. One size, or even three or four will not fit all.

There are all kinds of hidden costs. Educating our kids and providing them with supervision sounds good - but how many schools are we going to need to fit-out with air conditioning. And when you get a contractor to install AC in all these schools, take a guess with me - how well will it work? And that is just one hidden cost.

And I can't take credit for this, but radio personality Ed Norris said this on his program this morning: "If you don't do it well, don't give us more of it." Amen. There are numerous hard working, dedicated, passionate public school teachers at work in our county and our country. This is not a swipe aimed at them. But they would be the first to admit that budget constraints, class size, curriculum bureaucracy and a hundred other things makes doing their jobs very difficult.

The government is there to: "form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare". It is not there to be everyone's Daddy, solving all our problems. That is our job.

Oh, and the government of the United States is to do one more thing:

...the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity...

Are we going to pass on Liberty to our children, or a dependence on programs and subsidies because we were not strong enough to stand on our own two feet?

Philippians 1

TNT, Dynamite, C-4

All are duds compared to the explosive power of Philippians. Philippians 1 has the power of a hydrogen bomb all by itself. Look at just one verse, #27:

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,

"Let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel"?!?! What depth, what richness. Ask the question; is my life worthy of the gospel?

- is what people see a positive reflection on my savior?
- am i living a life reflective of the price paid for me?

Those are typical questions - but think deeper, think of the gospel truths that should inform our behavior...

What is, how I live, reflecting about what I know about the gospel:

- if I am impatient, it reflects a lack of faith in the God of the gospel
- if I am easily angered, it reflects a me-centered gospel
- if I am fearful...
- if I am ungrateful...

This stuff is dynamite - blowing holes in my sinful heart.

The Examined Life VI

The sixth and final entry in the Examined Life series:

(1.) My first circle of focus is my relationship with God.
(2.) Then my wife
(3.) Then my children
(4.) Then my job
(5.) Then my local church
(6.) Finally the lost

I don't want to - in any way - make light of evangelism. I want to properly prioritize my life. I need to make time for building into, loving, serving and sharing with the lost. If I can't do this, then I am not managing the other parts of my life well.

But I need to deal from a strong base. This firm foundation includes a love affair with my savior, with my wife and children who love God.

The Examined Life V

The fifth circle is the church. The next place where I serve, love, minister and care is my local church.

In the 6th chapter in Paul's letter to the Galatians, he encouraged them: And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (v. 9-10)

We are called to receive - to receive the gift of salvation, receive teaching, training, discipleship. Then we are called to turn around and apply that and serve others as we have been served, with our gifts, with our time with our resources.

The Sea of Galilee is a healthy body of water. It is fed with fresh water by the Upper Jordan River and by rain run-off from the surrounding countryside. At the southern point of the Sea of Galilee is the Lower Jordan. It continues south along the eastern side of Israel. It is a center for fishing for Israel, Lebanon and Syria.

Several hundred miles south of the Sea of Galilee is the Dead Sea. The Lower Jordan River empties into the Dead Sea, but at the southern end of the Dead sea, there is no other river to continue the process. The only way for water to escape is through evaporation. As a result, the Dead Sea, true to it's name has become so salty that it will not support any fish, only minuscule quantities of bacteria and microbial fungi.

We are created the same way. All in and no out is not a healthy formula. We get selfish and self centered if we are not regularly serving.

Thus we are called to serve other believers.

The Examined Life IV

So as we follow the concentric circles outward from the my relationship with God, it leads to my wife, my children and then the fourth circle. The fourth circle can be controversial, but my fourth circle is work.

Why not church, ministry, evangelism, or so many other areas? One verse struck home for me: But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (1 Timothy 5:8)

That is a very strong statement. After I have dedicated my best to God, to leading my wife and children, I need to give my best to work for the purpose of providing for my family. Can this get out of balance and I am spending too much focus on work, or materialism, on ambitious goals? It usually does. But that does not mean that we skip or minimize this 'call'. Yes, I am saying that 1 Timothy 5:8 is a call - a call to excellence at work and to providing for my family in the best way that I am capable.

So here's to working hard for the glory of God.

Meditating on God’s Mercy

The Lord has been very kind to me.

Over the last several days, two young men who are very dear to me have either given their hearts to the Lord, or re-dedicated themselves to Him. With my imperfect love, I am deeply moved - I can only imagine how much God and the angels are rejoicing in heaven.

Last night I received an email from a sweet new mom, after spending Wednesday night talking about these two events. She sent two scriptures that she used while "meditating on God’s mercy". They cut thru my heart:

Lamentations 3:19-23

I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore have hope:


Because the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Psalm 30:1-5

I will exalt you, o Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. O Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me. O Lord, you have brought me up from the grave; you spared me from the pit. Sing to the Lord, you saints of his; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment , but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

And rejoicing has come!

Now my prayers revolve around a parable:

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered way. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.” -- Matthew 13:1-9

May the roots of these decisions go deep, be well watered and yield eternal fruit.

The Examined Life III

We started at the heart, at the center, and that was my relationship with God. Then, working out from the center, the next concentric circle is my relationship with my wife. Then the next level of calling is my children.

I once observed a family that we were close to as we both raised our children. They had some difficulties, not unlike us. But they took a different course. At age 18, they told their children that they were finished raising them, they were legally adults and that they needed to stand on their own. There is a principle of independence and not enabling that carries some validity, but this family did not accomplish that. I watched their children morally tail-spin from that point and now in their mid-20's they are only just recovering.

I will not invest time here to raising children. As much as I have dearly loved our children, invested in them and stayed engaged in their lives, I have not done well. There are so many people who have done so much better. Listen to them.

But I will add three things that I feel strongly about:

• Watch - be alert
• Ask questions and listen
• Pray - because it's not about you

Colossians 4:2 "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."

The Examined Life II

After I have addressed my relationship with God, I have another relationship to address.

The Bible says that, "He who finds a good wife, finds a good thing." But it also it also says in 1 Peter 3:7:

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Finally, it says, "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her". Look at the majesty and weight of that last verse. What greater important responsibility can we have than to imitate the Savior?And that responsibility is linked to my marriage.

So next, I dedicate my attention to leading, loving and protecting my wife.

The Examined Life I

Socrates said, "the unexamined life is not worth living." If you examine that statement, it is a very bold statement. Perhaps a bit too bold for me, but I agree with the premise. We should be examining our lives.

Paul puts it with a bit more application, "Watch your life and doctrine closely."

So to walk that out, the first area that I would want to examine is my relationship with God.

Am I having regular devotions? Are the feeding and fulfilling me? Do I feel like i have checked off an activity or have I met with a person. Have I spoken to Him? Has He spoken to me? Have I been affected by an element of his charactor or an element of sinfulness?

How could I meet with the sacrificed savior and not be changed?

Lord, my heart is stone. My emotions are cold. My motivations are selfish. Might I, this morning touch just the hem of your garment and be changed forever.

Worship

What am I thinking about worship?

Well on my walk into church, I am thinking about all the things that I have done and need to do. And I pray and ask God to help me put them all aside for the next 30-minutes. There will be time to think about those things soon enough. I waste HOURS listening to talk radio and listening to the gibberish in my head - right now I need to engage in worship. Lord, let me give you my very best. Missionary Martyr Jim Elliott said, "Wherever you are - be all there."

Then I start singing. I give up any thought about whether i like the song or not. Worship is not about my taste in songs, whether the song is performed well or sung in my range. The song is a tool to assist me in considering the character and power of God. I think about the words and how they apply to me. If it is about grace, I think about how desperately I need forgiveness. If it is about the power of God, I think about how that power is harnessed for His glory. God's love, my adoption. All of this pushes me deeper and deeper into worship.

I and I often will look back at my family, if I am not sitting with them. How they are processing worship is a great gauge on where their heart is.

Then the announcements - I listen intently to the announcements because as i listen and read thru the bulletin God will speak to me, telling me what I should participate in and what awesome events i need to say no to. But I also assess my worship. I go back in my mind. If I had difficulty entering in, I ask why. If I had a particularly song that ministered, I will take note and maybe use that during my weeks devotions.

Be intentional. Squeeze everything you can out of worship.

Don't go to church

You know, I am not a big fan of going to church. All told, it probably is a little better to go to church that not to go to church, but not by much.

Here is what I am for. You should be a member of a good church. Now, I could search Facebook and be the member of thousands of organizations, associations and groups. That also means nothing. I mean to be a member of a church like you are a participating, engaged, alert and active member of a family. You need that and I need that:

- I need to be encouraged. I am an encourager so I don't need a lot, but need to have someone put their two eyeballs on mine and say, thanks for doing this, I see the grace of God at work in you, you helped me when you did this, I'm glad I'm in this church with you.

- I need to be challenged. As much of a self-started as I am, I need Pastor Don to ask me what am I doing to refresh myself in the gospel, I need Pastor Steve to ask me how I am using the gospel and the Word to minster to others. I have great devotions, I read a lot, I listen to 4-7 sermons a week. But I need personal, individual caring and "spurring" on.

- In need to be watched. My heart is sinful beyond measure and I cannot be trusted to my own observations or evaluation. My sin has made me blind to so much and I need others to watch my life and bring me correction, adjustment and sometimes a good 'slap-down".

- I need to serve. My church gives me a place to serve. I can be a glass of water that is filled, but unless I then pour that water out on others, that water will become stale and eventually un-drinkable. I need to realize and act upon the fact that church is not about me showing up, being entertained, fed and taken care of. I am called to serve God and those whom God has chosen.

It has been a year since I stepped down (9/26/08). I got a chance to speak at our last family meeting, and during my swan song, I said, "I love this church".

After a year as just a member...I love this church.

Mark 15b

When I read the account of the crucifixion in any of the gospels, it is too easy for me to sweep by this oft read passage. My mind can grow cold to the amazing grace that is revealed there. One thing that helps me slow down is music. There are so many songs and hymns that bring the truth so tenderly:

My hope is in the Lord
Who gave Himself for me,
And paid the price of all my sin at Calvary

And then an old one, maybe not a hymn, but an old gospel song:

Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.

In such desperate need, you came to me at my lowest. Washing clean, saving from sin, adoption as your son. Such unmerited favor, unearned blessing, unqualified acceptance, charity. There is nothing that I did, or will ever do that would attract your love or favor. But you loved me anyway. Thank you father.

Mark 15a

Injustice drives me crazy. My mind is filled with the statement, "that's just not right". But Mark 15:3 gives takes that to a whole new level...

And the chief priests accused him of many things
Mark 15:3

So the next time that I am tempted to get indignant about injustice...

Mark 14c

The time was approaching and in just a few minutes, He would not have a moment to himself. So he took his three closest friends and went to pray.

The Whip, the crown and the nails all lay in his immediate future. But it was the phrase he was destined to shout that kept ringing in his head, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

The greatest punishment was to be that he was to become sin, our sin, my sin, and lose that perfect fellowship with His Father.

And what of his friends? Three separate times they fell asleep. If it were me, in anger and impatience, I would have called the whole thing off.
- "They don't care..."
- "They're not ready..."
- "No gratitude? No respect?"

But because of his love for you and for me, his face was set toward Jerusalem (Luke 9:53). There was nothing we did that prompted him to bear the cross - and there is nothing we did then, or could ever do do that would discourage him from what he was committed to do.

That is the gospel.

Worship

Mark 14b

So much depth, so much richness - but my ADHD brain will not let me slow down to feast on all that God has for me in these verses. The Lord wants to give me a twelve course meal and i want fries at the drive thru!. Lord, slow down my heart.

Starting at verse 22, is the shortest account of the Last Supper in all the gospels, but every word in the Bible is packed with dynamite - or should I say Dunamis.

As Matthew Henry would say: The Lord's supper is food for the soul...Apply the doctrine of Christ crucified to yourselves; let it be meat and drink to your souls, strengthening and refreshing your spiritual life.

Remember back in chapter 10 James and John ask for the seat to his right and left? And Jesus responds, "Are you able to drink the cup that I drink,"? That was the cup of suffering. Now put that together with the phrase in 14:23, "and when he had given thanks..." So picture this, Jesus is holding the cup of passover wine, symbolizing his blood, the blood that was hours away from being poured out fro the whip, the thorns, the cross. And what he does is he give thanks.

Twice in the last week I have been given bad news, really bad news. Sometimes I was angry, sometimes confused, sometimes frustrated, sometimes afraid - but I can honestly say that giving thanks was not the first (or second, or third) thing that popped into my head.

But giving thanks is not something you do, but it is something that erupts. It erupts from a heart that is filled with faith in a God that is inclined to me (Psalm 40:1), who's mercies are new every morning (Lam 3:23), who rejoice over me with gladness (Zeph 3:17).

Like Job, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that he will redeem each of these situations for his glory and my good. I know that he has redeemed me! And I know that he loves me. So much so, that he gave thanks when he was given that cup.

Mark 14a

I heard CJ Mahaney speak on this passage once. I forget the exact words he used, but he talked about this part of the gospels and how time slowed down. The first couple of chapters talk about his life and child hood. Then the next ten or so chapters talk about his ministry - three years. Then the last several chapters slow down and talk about the last several days and then hours of his life.

I don't want to miss this part - so I will slow down. I will only read enough for God to get ahold of my heart. It took nine verses.

The story is where Jesus is anointed at Bethany. The woman of questionable character anoints Jesus with a nard that would be worth about $25-30,000 in today's dollars. The un-enlightened scold her, and even Jesus for letting this happen. In practical terms, this was a foolish act.

But Jesus commends her. Then he says something at froze me in my reading, "She has done what she could". What a commendation! Would Jesus say that about my ministry? Would he say that about my service, my life? Have I done what I could.

I was reminded of the widow's offering in Mark 12:41, where she tossed in two copper coins and she was commended by Jesus because, "but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had." Way too impractical! She even had TWO copper coins. It would have been wise to put one in and hold the rest for her family's needs.

I haven't done what I could... I have hoarded my time, resources, my gifts. I have been selfish with what I have been given and have stolen it from the glory of God. Lord, open my eyes to where I have not done what I could, and give me grace to put-off selfishness, self-protection and pride. Let me embrace the cross, sacrifice and bringing you glory by holding nothing back.

Mark 13

Mark 13 is an eschatological passage. The disciples ask about comments that he made about the destruction of the Temple and Jesus ramps it into a lesson on the end times. I have to confess, it seemed a bit creepy. The way the Savior describes it, is certainly does not sound like you would look forward to it like you are looking forward to the family vacation or Christmas.

Pray that it may not happen in winter. For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be. And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. (v. 18-20a)

But there is one message that I take away from this passage. It is a message that Jesus repeats and repeats:

v. 9 - But be on your guard
v. 23 - But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.
v. 28 - From the fig tree learn its lesson
v. 33 - Be on guard, keep awake
v. 37 - And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake

The Word of God is powerful and important and every word should be studied and valued. However, when Jesus repeats something (Truly, truly I say to you), it is like he is shouting, "Hey, listen up, this is REALLY important. When he is multiply repetitive in one chapter, I don't know how to make that any more clear - PAY ATTENTION.

Sovereign Grace's Mark Mullery wrote an article and has done some messages roughly titled, Everyone a Theologian explaining the call for all of us to 'study to show yourself approved' (II Timothy 2:15). This is a direct and specific call to do that, and to do that in the very specific area of eschatology.

I am going to pull out my copy of Systematic Theology by Dr. Wayne Grudem and re-read those chapters. I also know that the book store carries his shorter work Bible Doctrine which has four chapters on this topic alone.

Lord, I want to "present my self to God as one approved", but to do that I need your grace. Open my eyes to your Word, open my heart to the changes that will occur as I see you and see myself.

Headed Home

Finishing my meetings today and I will be headed home.

There is often a renewing that I get when I am away. I have extra time to pray, think, mediate and I try to schedule at least one evening as a 'short retreat'.

But there is no place like home. Home is the place where my wife is. God gave her to me as the perfect one for my sanctification and my care. In the last three decades we have grown together, closer and closer so that when we are apart, it is like missing a part of me, a part of my heart.

Home is where my children are. I miss the familiar way we live together, the way our lives are intertwined. I miss the hugs, the laughter, the WALKS!!

Home is where my Brian and Christine are. I miss my loving trash talk with Brian, my heart-to-hearts. I am grateful to God for where he has brought our relationship after some very difficult years. I am so proud of him. Christine is my daughter, she was just born into a different family. I sit here and my eyes well with tears as I think about how she has pursued the grace of God for growth in her life.

And there are two other little people who's names escape me. As we say it at our house, 'spell it'.

Grace, grace, grace. I have been given so much better than I deserve. Have you thought about all the good that you have been given? What do you deserve? Eternal separation from God! But instead I have her, them, a church family that I would not exchange for...exchange for...I would not exchange them for the rest of my life...please Lord?

Mark 12

The parable starts off with..."A man planted a vineyard...and leased it to tenants and went into another country." Then the time came to collect rent. The first employee they beat the stuffing out of, the second they killed.

Now how would you respond. I have a list of people that I would send in, and it would include John Wayne, Chuck Norris, Sylvester Stallone (or just one angry Marine). But no, this owner sent his son. You fool! What were you thinking. They have already killed and tortured and you are going to send your son!

But this story is not told from the perspective of the Owner getting his due, but of the King being gracious. The one who owns the vineyard wants to give his tenants every opportunity to do the right thing. He feels so strongly, so compassionately so lovingly towards his tenants that the possibility of losing his son with worth the risk.

WE were worth the risk...

Love so amazing, so Divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all!

Mark 11

The problem with reading the gospels for devotions, even just one chapter, is that there are always three to five stories in each chapter and each story has several lessons that I could meditate on. What to do?

As I read, I just listen -and invariably, one story, sentence or phrase seems to have greater impact or significance to me than the others. As I was reading, v. 2-3 made me think. This is the part where Jesus instructs his disciples to get a young donkey for the ride into Jerusalem. I was wondering, why such detail. Why not someone who just came up and offered the donkey, or they stumbled upon it as the entered.?

There are a number of reasons - this was planned, this was foretold, this was another miraculous sign and indication that Jesus was the Messiah. All good and valid.

But this reminds me that God is God of the details, of the little things. When I get to work on Monday and I look at all that is piled on my desk from Friday, that I had dreams of knocking out over the weekend, I get anxious. I look at a 5-page to-do list that is too long to even prioritize and I get anxious. I think about the economy, house payments, college and retirement and I get anxious.

And then He leads me to Mark 11:2-3 and He shepherds my soul. 'I am the God of the littlest of things. Nothing escapes my attention, no level of details is too small or number of details too great.'

Lord, thank you that know it all, know it all in advance, and have promised to care for me as an adopted son.