Living Well

I don't really have any desire to be widely well-known. I don't imagine my funeral will be much of an affair. However, when I read things like the story of Judah's king Jehoram, I realize what I don't want at the end of my earthly life.

Jehoram died of an affliction that could have been ischemic colitis or severe Crohn's disease; the Bible describes his illness as a judgement from God. He was such a scoundrel that "[h]is people made no fire in his honor, as they had for his fathers . . . He passed away, to no one's regret, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings." 2 Chronicles 21:20

Decisions about the way we live our lives are so important. I'm trying to help my sons realize that. I'm trying to help them really think about how the things they say and do change other people's perception of them. I don't want them "putting on a show"; instead, I want them to be able to genuinely choose to do the right thing, or the better thing, and to do that in the context of their relationship to Christ.

Jehoram was a disaster: personally, spiritually, politically. His bitter demise is a good lesson for us, and good motivation to pursue integrity, not celebrity.

It's HOLY Love

It's religiously fashionable to say that God is love, and certainly He is. That's right out of Scripture. Indeed, the very song the Israelites used to sing before going to war was about God's love.

After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:
"Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever." 2 Chronicles 20:21

Now check that out - these men praised God "for the splendor of His holiness" by saying "His love endures forever." Hmmmm. I think there's something to be noted here.

As I was saying, it's highly unusual to attend a church service anywhere and NOT hear about the love of God, but I wonder if we always give proper balance, meaning, and context to the love of God by also proclaiming His holiness.

A.W. Tozer has said, "God never changes moods or cools off in His affections or loses enthusiasm. His attitude toward sin is now the same as it was when He drove out the sinful man from the ... garden, and His attitude toward the sinner the same as when He stretched forth His hands and cried, 'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' "

We must realize that God is angry with sin and sinners just as much as He ever was, while remembering that His love certainly does endure forever for His chosen people, whom he has saved from sin.

Plenty of so-called "churches" (fill in the blank __________) have twisted the love of God into some gooey marshmallow fluff that winks at sin, and that is dangerous, heretical territory.

Tipping the Scales

So, South Carolina governor Mark Sanford has admitted to having an affair, even running off to Buenos Aires over Father's Day weekend for a fling with his mistress. Appropriately, people from all sorts of political persuasions are up in arms over this news. Hopefully, his political career will be over. Hopefully, he can salvage his marriage.

Alrighty then. Now, would someone please explain to me when the outrage will begin over the scores of Washington politicians who happily and eagerly become accomplices to murder every day? Hmmm? How is it that we can be (rightly) astonished and appalled over a man's extramarital affair, yet not be adamantly opposed to the daily killing of unborn children?

Mankind's idea of justice is so lopsided and suited to whimsy.

"...for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery." 2 Chronicles 19:7

Proof of Purchase

In Francis Schaeffer's book "The Finished Work of Christ" , he offers a vivid illustration of what it means to be have the "earnest" of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.

He says that "In English law, it used to be the custom that when a portion of land was purchased, the person who was selling the land handed . . . a handful of his soil to the person who was buying it. That handful of soil was the "earnest," or promise, that the whole had been purchased. When you and I are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, this is an earnest of the fact that the whole has been purchased by the blood of the Lamb. The earnest is already ours . . . He is the proof that whole has been purchased."

The redemption transaction begun by God through Christ in believers will certainly be completed in its entirety and we have the receipt to prove it!

My Heart Will Always Know

A simple song of worship from the Parachute Band, declaring our need for grace. This vid, incidentally, was shot while the Parachute Band was in Rwanda with World Vision in 2007. There are so many EASY ways to support World Vision . . . might wanna check the link in the sidebar :)

A Heart Like The Father

I think too many children don't know their father's hearts. They know that their dad likes football, roast beef, and the kids to be quiet when he's taking a nap, but what they don't know is what's most important.

Too many children don't know what their father's passion is, what his dreams are, what he weeps over and what his weaknesses are. Perhaps most importantly, they don't know much about their father's heart for God. How can we celebrate the "faith of our fathers" when men don't live it out at home and share it passionately with their kids?

Every young man needs another man to pour passion into his life. He needs another man who is open and honest and is bravely walking with Christ in spite of his own weaknesses.

Tomorrow morning in our congregation I will be doing a dramatic reading of one man's passionate letter to a young man, sharing his heart and encouraging the young man in his walk with God. You can read that letter HERE.

Our heavenly Father never withholds His heart from His own. He loves His children strongly, completely and openly. May we learn to be the kind of father that He is.

Bogota, Colombia

Just for information's sake, and for those friends and family who may be reading and care to know . . .

My son Brayden and I will be travelling to Bogota, Colombia in July (13th-21st) for a short-term missions project with several other teens and adult sponsors (five from our own church!).

We will be a part of school assemblies in the Kennedy area of Bogota, and more school assemblies and ministry to youth in the town of Tocancipa just to the north of Bogota.

What I've found is that these short trips are usually more about changing me than seeing other people changed. As a stranger in a strange land, I am less likely to impact the locals than they are to impact me. That's been my experience as a teen and an adult.

So, we're looking forward to seeing a new part of the planet, briefly splashing around in a new culture, and growing in our world view. Your prayers for us regarding our work would be hugely appreciated, and if you'd like to donate to help defray our expenses, you can do so through the PayPal button in the sidebar on the right.

Undoubtedly, there will be plenty of stories and photos posted here at the end of July. :)

Spiritual Growth

I've been reading bits now and then from "The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions." One of the entries is titled "Spiritual Growth" and contains some great lines of prayer:

Give me a tender, wakeful conscience that can smite and torment me when I sin.

How easy it is to become dull to the voice and leading of the Holy Spirit.

May I be consistent in conversation and conduct, the same alone as in company.

Integrity: a priceless attribute.

Help me to carry into ordinary life portions of divine truth and use them on suitable occasions, so that its doctrines my inform, its warnings caution, its rules guide, its promises comfort me.

Sola scriptura! God's Word give me everything I need for life and godliness.

The King's Friend

"Hushai the Arkite was the king's friend." 1 Chronicles 27:33

Among an extensive list of King David's overseers that included men in charge of the vineyards, the camels, the donkeys, olive trees and the storehouses, men with the responsibility of acting as the king's babysitter, counselor and commander of his army, was this man Hushai, whose noble description was: "the king's friend."

For some reason I just think that's incredibly cool. All we know of the man is his name, and that he served a pivotal role when Absalom tried to usurp David's throne. David's friend Hushai was prepared to flee with David (see 2 Samuel 15-17, please) but was given the responsibility of staying in Jerusalem as a mole or spy to frustrate Absalom's plans.

I guess it's no wonder he was included in the list of David's important officials, and that God wrote his name into Scripture. Everyone needs a close friend and confidant (and probably not more than one or two) and a person like that is invaluable and worthy of honor and mention. Also, I think Hushai is a quiet, yet excellent, example to us of the importance of faithfulness to our King, and a reminder that we, too, may each be regarded as "the king's friend."

Motorsabbatical

Today was gorgeous. The cool morning cloud cover broke into an afternoon of cumulus masterworks. The air remained refreshing and dry. Evening brought with it tranquility and a textured sky at sunset that was beyond compare.

Adding to the thrill: my motorcycle will return from its tune up early next week. The following week I will head out (LORD willing) for 24 to 48 hours of unwinding, alone on the bike. This is time that is needed and strategically planned before we rush headlong into a summer of back to back events in the ministry with which we are involved.

These two days alone on the pavement will be more important than five days with 200 children, seven days in Orlando, the ten days in Bogota or the nine days spent under a fireworks tent raising money for ministry.

I'll have time to meditate on the mystery and wonder of Christ, and untangle some of the knots that daily life ties when we're not looking.

Soul Hero

I have a great book by James McGuiggan called Jesus, Hero of Thy Soul. It's full of very readable and entertaining anecdotes that stir up affection for Christ.

In the chapter "To See Jesus Is To Hope", he writes:

"It's my suspicion that the vast majority of us have never become desperate enough to know the utter joy of complete dependence on Jesus Christ. When we have no others props - like 'sufficient' money in the bank, paid-up insurance, a steady job, better than good health, a devoted family, and loads of friends - we then discover just how assuring Christ can be...With the lovely props all gone or nearly gone, we ill be thrown back onto the Christ as our solitary means of support. Maybe then we'll find, as countless thousands through the years have found, that Christ is altogether grand and comes to mean more to us than before."

Solus Christus!

Election and Evangelism

The common argument is that a theological system based on predestination and election, vis., Reformed Theology and Calvinism, precludes, or at least puts a damper on, evangelical fervor (wordy, aren't we?). I suppose this is true IF one misses the point of Scripture and misunderstands God's mode of reaching the elect with the Gospel.

Consider these words of Paul to Timothy:

"Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory." 2 Timothy 2:10 (emphasis added)

What was Paul enduring . . . ?

"Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything." 2 Corinthians 6:4-10

Paul doesn't seem to have downplayed the role of evangelism because of election. On the contrary, he poured his life out for the elect. He understood it was his job (and that of every believer) for God's glory to preach the Word to reach those God had predestined for salvation.

Four Dimensional Love

"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ..." Ephesians 3:17&18John Bunyan expounded on this verse and its context in his classic All Loves Excelling. He states that "there is nothing that is more helpful, succouring, or comfortable to a Christian while in a state of trial and temptation, than to know that there is a breadth to answer a breadth, a length to answer a length, a depth to answer a depth, and a height to answer a height."

The love of Christ for His own is more than a match for any circumstance. Abandon fear! Trust instead!

Thinking Well of Ourselves

"Half the harm that is done in this world is due to people that want to feel important. They don't mean to do harm - but the harm does not interest them. Or they do not see it, or they justify it because they are absorbed in the endless struggle to think well of themselves." ~ T.S. Eliot

Isn't this the truth? Every last one of us suffers from this kind of madness to one degree or another. The ones who have it bad make themselves fairly conspicuous.

The antidote to this "struggle to think well of" ourselves can only be found in a proper relationship with and understanding of Christ. In Him we are freed from the perceived necessity to be important. To be loved, to be the object of grace and mercy is quite enough.

Reasons to Ride

The following is a celebration of two-wheeled travel, including testimonies from motorcycle riders of all stripes and photos of my own trusty V-twin machine.

"Riding a bike removes the need for clutter, toys, rubbish that other men have to take on holiday. If I want adrenaline, I'll rush a giddy overtake, not rent a Jet Ski." ~ Dan Walsh, Endless Horizon

"Anyone interested in better connecting with the physical world should try motorcycling. Despite practicing plenty of other adventure sports, none feeds me more simply, playfully and excitingly than motorcycling. That's probably why, in my dreams, I'm always riding." ~ John L. Stein, contributing editor, Motorcyclist magazine

"Sensory overload- to feel the suspension working, the tires gripping, the engine trying to suck the bike out from under me and the brakes trying to launch me over the front, often all at the same time. That's the reason I ride." ~ Derek Brooks, motorcycle product planning manager, Yamaha

"I love the feeling of working a gyroscope back and forth through the twisty stuff, whether it's pavement or dirt. Something about that flow you feel and the way the throttle and brakes can influence and enhance that flow will keep me coming back until the end of time." ~ Adam Craig, mountain bike racer and 2008 U.S. Olympic team member

"Reason to ride? Is there a reason NOT to ride? There are fears, perhaps, but reasons? I think not!" ~ Bill Berroth, president, Sidi/Vemar importer Motonation

"Riding is a sublime combination of the cerebral and sensual. It's always challenging and satisfying." ~ Dave Roper, noted vintage racer

"A motorcycle inspires individuality, creative expression, personal challenge, camaraderie, fun, adventure, high art, relaxation, meditation, therapy, thrills (cheap or otherwise), a history lesson, a time machine and a sense of oneness with the universe. It also gets me where I need to go!" ~ Mike Stone, guitarist, SpeedX

"Riding is simple - you take only the barest essentials and strap them on your ride. It is freedom: to see, to think, to move. You see the whole of the land as it drifts by, you feel the heat, the cold, the rain. Travelling the country by motorcycle is for anyone who has ever dreamed of being the drifting cowboy of 150 years ago." ~ Myself :)

*All quotations except the last are from Motorcyclist Magazine, May 2009