I will be accompanying the six other pastors from my church to California to the Shepherds Conference at Grace Community Church. We leave tomorrow (Tues) morning and will return over the weekend. I am thrilled for a number of reasons. The times spent with the seven of us pastors is great fun and strengthens our commitment to minister together as team at our church. I am also excited because one of my ministry and theological mentors has been Dr. John MacArthur. Of course, Dr. MacArthur doesn't know he has mentored me, for he has down so through books, tapes, CDs, etc. This will be my first opportunity to be at Grace Church and see hands on what God is doing in the ministry there.
The California weather is not a draw currently! I assured our church folks yesterday that they don't have to wonder if their pastors are sitting on beach somewhere in CA! It is going to be cool and raining on us all week!
So this Blog will be silent for the coming week. Please do read and comment on past posts. That is part of the reason I post my thoughts. Your comments will sharpen me! Iron sharpens iron! Also, pass the URL on to others, so we can all be an encouragement to each other.
Grace to You!
Monday, February 28, 2005
The Faith of Ronald Reagan
One of my favorite things to read and study is political history, particularly American political history. The biography that I am currently reading is called THE HAND OF PROVIDENCE, THE STRONG AND QUIET FAITH OF RONALD REAGAN. The biography is written by Mary Beth Brown, a friend of the Reagan family. It has always been evident listening to Reagan's speeches and following his policy decisions that his faith provided a significant element to his worldview. Admittedly, I am not yet through with the book (perhaps I should want until I finish to comment), but it is striking how much Reagan recognized the hand of God moving him into strategic places in life to follow His Dreams. He saw each life event as another step to reach his greater goals, which for him involved acting, particularly movies. What I find missing in this account of Reagan's personal faith is the understanding that the providential hand of God is not only moving you closer to some END RESULT, but it places exactly where God wants you to be at the present. There didn't appear to be any sense that Reagan lived for the moment he was in, he was always looking ahead to something bigger and greater.
Please don't misunderstand me, ambition is a good thing. The Apostle Paul frequently talks about looking ahead pressing for a goal (2 Cor 5 and Phil 3 specifically). We should all be ambitious, striving to have a greater impact on the world around us, striving for excellence in all we do. Christians should be the very best in whatever field God places them (movies, politics, missions, economics, sales, etc...). We should be driven by a desire to honor God with excellence. "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven" Matt.5.16.
I wonder, however, if ambition robs us of making the most of the opportunities that God sets before us today. Do you excel in your current job, ministry, schooling, etc. So that you can reach the next rung of the proverbial ladder? Or are you seeking to excel now so that you can have a greater influence on the people that are presently in your sphere if influence? The same Paul who challenges us to be ambitious and to strive for excellence reminds us to "look carefully how you live, not as unwise but wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil" (Eph 5.15,16 ESV). Carpe Diem! Are you having an eternal influence in your present sphere? Or are you consumed by effort to climb the ladder of success? Be motivated! Be diligent! Be ambitions! But be faithful in making the best use of the current moment as well.
More about Reagan another time.
Grace to You!
Please don't misunderstand me, ambition is a good thing. The Apostle Paul frequently talks about looking ahead pressing for a goal (2 Cor 5 and Phil 3 specifically). We should all be ambitious, striving to have a greater impact on the world around us, striving for excellence in all we do. Christians should be the very best in whatever field God places them (movies, politics, missions, economics, sales, etc...). We should be driven by a desire to honor God with excellence. "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven" Matt.5.16.
I wonder, however, if ambition robs us of making the most of the opportunities that God sets before us today. Do you excel in your current job, ministry, schooling, etc. So that you can reach the next rung of the proverbial ladder? Or are you seeking to excel now so that you can have a greater influence on the people that are presently in your sphere if influence? The same Paul who challenges us to be ambitious and to strive for excellence reminds us to "look carefully how you live, not as unwise but wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil" (Eph 5.15,16 ESV). Carpe Diem! Are you having an eternal influence in your present sphere? Or are you consumed by effort to climb the ladder of success? Be motivated! Be diligent! Be ambitions! But be faithful in making the best use of the current moment as well.
More about Reagan another time.
Grace to You!
Friday, February 25, 2005
The Best and Most Far Reaching Job in the World...
PARENTING... My wife and I have been thinking a lot lately about the task that God has set before us to raise our children. We what to proactive. We don't want to simply rush around putting out fires, praising success, or punishing the most recent display of rebellion. We want to be very deliberate about bringing Elisabeth, Rebekah and Jonathan up in the nurture and admonishion of the Lord. So we have established a list of goals - specific and measurable - for our child rearing endeavor. We have agreed to sit down monthly and evaluate our parental ministry in light of these goals.
Maybe these goals will be helpful to you. Maybe you can comment on them as to how they have payed out in your parental ministry. Anyway, here they are:
1. To expose them to the gospel, by life and by Word, from a very early age so that they have the opportunity to be saved at an early age.
2. To instill in them a love of family and desire to be an active part of the family unit so that they will contribute to the life and ministry of the family.
3. To teach them the Word of God so that they will allow the Word to dwell in them richly, so that they will develop a Biblical worldview regarding (family, education, ministry, current events, church, etc).
4. To guide them in becoming active, productive citizens so that they may let their light shine before the world so they me see their good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven.
5. To stir up a passion for reaching the unsaved so that they will be active in sharing the hope of the gospel.
6. To encourage faithful stewardship of all God’s resources so that they will honor Him with their time, talents and treasures.
7. To teach them the doctrine of the Church, so that they will desire active participation in and love for their local church at all stages of their life.
8. To challenge them to strive for excellence (academics, extracurricular activities, employment, etc.) in all they do so that God will glorified in the sight of the watching world.
Grace to You!
Maybe these goals will be helpful to you. Maybe you can comment on them as to how they have payed out in your parental ministry. Anyway, here they are:
1. To expose them to the gospel, by life and by Word, from a very early age so that they have the opportunity to be saved at an early age.
2. To instill in them a love of family and desire to be an active part of the family unit so that they will contribute to the life and ministry of the family.
3. To teach them the Word of God so that they will allow the Word to dwell in them richly, so that they will develop a Biblical worldview regarding (family, education, ministry, current events, church, etc).
4. To guide them in becoming active, productive citizens so that they may let their light shine before the world so they me see their good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven.
5. To stir up a passion for reaching the unsaved so that they will be active in sharing the hope of the gospel.
6. To encourage faithful stewardship of all God’s resources so that they will honor Him with their time, talents and treasures.
7. To teach them the doctrine of the Church, so that they will desire active participation in and love for their local church at all stages of their life.
8. To challenge them to strive for excellence (academics, extracurricular activities, employment, etc.) in all they do so that God will glorified in the sight of the watching world.
Grace to You!
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Morning Musings
Luther the Movie
Last weekend I watched LUTHER staring Joseph Fiennes. In fact, I watched it twice. It was awe inspiring, a very compelling film about arguable the most important events in the history of the church since the days of Peter and Paul. It was quite true to history, not very kind to the Roman Catholic Church at all. It was certainly a dark period in Roman Catholic history and the filmmakers capitalize on that. The Church was on the verge of a split already, factions warring over control. In the midst of all that a young monk, so moved by his fear of God and desire to experience the acceptance of a loving God, began to read the New Testament. There he discovered the opportunity to experience the righteousness of God because Christ already experienced the wrath of God.
We often think of Luther as an extreme revolutionary. In fact, this film bordered on overemphasizing that aspect of his nature. Luther was a revolutionary, but not extreme. He certainly had propensity to publically preach rather privately in his own parrish. But Luther was not altogether condemning the Roman Church, in fact he continued to show support for Pope Leo. His famous 95 Thesis were meant to emphasize the sincerity required in true penitance, not condemn that practices outright. Pentitence could not be bought with indulgences, but must proceed from a broken heart. A heart that is crushed by the reality of offending an Holy God. He maintained that true penitence will have an outward expression, but is rooted in heart. (see Psalm 51 for a model of true repentance.)
I wonder how much fear of being too "Catholic" drives the average protestant's theology. Are we so afraid to look too Catholic that we never allow for an outward expression of repentance? The Bible is clear that true repentence will have an outward expression (see 2 Cor 7.9-11 and parable in Luke 15). Are our hearts truly broken over sin? Do we really repent? Something to think about...
DENNY IN FOR GLENN BECK
One of my favorite people to listen to on the radio is Glenn Beck... the fusion of entertainment and enlightenment. What a job! He gets paid to sit in a chair and talk about the news of the day and make fun of it.
This week Mr. Beck is on vacation. He frequently has friends fill the void of his empty voice. This morning a commentator from my home town, Toledo, OH, was filling in, Denny Shaeffer from WSPD 1370. Denny is a professing born-again believer. It is amazing in a town so politically liberal and unionized as Toledo that Denny could not only keep, but dominate, the afternoon drive spot. But he does, and he does it very well. Denny's name will probably frequent this Blog, but for today I simply wanted to mention the way he responds to the question almost every caller starts with, "How you doing?" Denny simply responds, "Blessed!" Profound, is it not? What does it mean to be blessed? I was thinking about that this morning as I was listening to Denny take calls.
Psalm 1 indicates that blessedness is not so much a state of mind, but a state of activity. Blessedness is a direct result of activity, or the lack thereof. When we avoid the paths of the unrighteous around us and we "delight in the law of the Lord," we find true blessedness. Amazing, is it not, that the Word of God can have such a profound impact on our lives? It is not a good luck charm or a secret weapon, but it certainly has immediate and far reaching implications in the life of a beleiver. Do I delight in the law of Lord? Do you? Something else to think about...
Grace to You!
Last weekend I watched LUTHER staring Joseph Fiennes. In fact, I watched it twice. It was awe inspiring, a very compelling film about arguable the most important events in the history of the church since the days of Peter and Paul. It was quite true to history, not very kind to the Roman Catholic Church at all. It was certainly a dark period in Roman Catholic history and the filmmakers capitalize on that. The Church was on the verge of a split already, factions warring over control. In the midst of all that a young monk, so moved by his fear of God and desire to experience the acceptance of a loving God, began to read the New Testament. There he discovered the opportunity to experience the righteousness of God because Christ already experienced the wrath of God.
We often think of Luther as an extreme revolutionary. In fact, this film bordered on overemphasizing that aspect of his nature. Luther was a revolutionary, but not extreme. He certainly had propensity to publically preach rather privately in his own parrish. But Luther was not altogether condemning the Roman Church, in fact he continued to show support for Pope Leo. His famous 95 Thesis were meant to emphasize the sincerity required in true penitance, not condemn that practices outright. Pentitence could not be bought with indulgences, but must proceed from a broken heart. A heart that is crushed by the reality of offending an Holy God. He maintained that true penitence will have an outward expression, but is rooted in heart. (see Psalm 51 for a model of true repentance.)
I wonder how much fear of being too "Catholic" drives the average protestant's theology. Are we so afraid to look too Catholic that we never allow for an outward expression of repentance? The Bible is clear that true repentence will have an outward expression (see 2 Cor 7.9-11 and parable in Luke 15). Are our hearts truly broken over sin? Do we really repent? Something to think about...
DENNY IN FOR GLENN BECK
One of my favorite people to listen to on the radio is Glenn Beck... the fusion of entertainment and enlightenment. What a job! He gets paid to sit in a chair and talk about the news of the day and make fun of it.
This week Mr. Beck is on vacation. He frequently has friends fill the void of his empty voice. This morning a commentator from my home town, Toledo, OH, was filling in, Denny Shaeffer from WSPD 1370. Denny is a professing born-again believer. It is amazing in a town so politically liberal and unionized as Toledo that Denny could not only keep, but dominate, the afternoon drive spot. But he does, and he does it very well. Denny's name will probably frequent this Blog, but for today I simply wanted to mention the way he responds to the question almost every caller starts with, "How you doing?" Denny simply responds, "Blessed!" Profound, is it not? What does it mean to be blessed? I was thinking about that this morning as I was listening to Denny take calls.
Psalm 1 indicates that blessedness is not so much a state of mind, but a state of activity. Blessedness is a direct result of activity, or the lack thereof. When we avoid the paths of the unrighteous around us and we "delight in the law of the Lord," we find true blessedness. Amazing, is it not, that the Word of God can have such a profound impact on our lives? It is not a good luck charm or a secret weapon, but it certainly has immediate and far reaching implications in the life of a beleiver. Do I delight in the law of Lord? Do you? Something else to think about...
Grace to You!
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Evangelistic Implications of Romans 1.18-20
I am teaching a class at my church on Tuesday nights called Grace Evangelism. We meet at 6:00 PM for a time of study then go out on visitation. This week the topic of study was the evangelistic implications of Romans 1.18-20 and Romans 2.14-15.
Romans 1.18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
There are certain gospel truths that all humankind already know. God uniquely designed the entire universe to point to Himself. From creation, there are at least two attributes of God that all humanity have embedded on their minds. According to verse 20, all men clearly perceive God's eternal power and His divine nature.
God's eternal power is evidenced in His personal creation of all the world through the person of Jesus Christ and his moment by moment sustaining its very existence. Every man, woman and chiild who every lived or ever will live on this earth knwo that. Why do you think people instinctively call on God when an earthquake or a tsunami rattles their existence? Why do they call out to God when traumatic circumstance beset them? Because they instinctively know of the eternal power of God.
All humankind are also clearly aware of God's divine nature, that is His goodness and grace commonly spread to all humanity. To a limited degree, God's grace is made available to every person without regard to location, religion, gender, race, etc. He rains on the just and the unjust alike (cf Matt 5.45). This is why even the unsaved both plead for God to deliver rain and curse His name when they get too much of it. They know the divine nature of God.
If the Bible is true, and I believe that it always is, there are no atheists! There may well be professing atheists, much as there are professing Christians who are not genuine. All men have the very existence of God already etched on their minds. According to verse 18, they "By their unrighteousness supress the truth." That means it is there, just pushed down under layers of disobedience, rebellion and denial. But it is there.
I have a young friend named John who claimed for many years to be an atheist. He is very intellectual, very sharp. The very beauty and order of the created world sent him on a religious search for the essence of reality and source of life. He eventually landed at the Gospel and God turned his life around. What was it in John that sent him searching for Truth? That's right, it was the very truth of God already inscribed on his heart.
What is the evangelistic implications of this truth? There are no atheists, so what of those who claim to be atheists? We do not argue for the existence of God or His authority. We rather confront the point of sinful rebellion by building on the foundation of truth God has already put in his heart.
Evangelism is the work of God. We get to be His mouthpieces, but He completes the work He began in creation!
In a future post we will look at the evangelistic implications of Romans 2.14-15. In the meantime, read it for yourself.
Grace to You!
Romans 1.18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
There are certain gospel truths that all humankind already know. God uniquely designed the entire universe to point to Himself. From creation, there are at least two attributes of God that all humanity have embedded on their minds. According to verse 20, all men clearly perceive God's eternal power and His divine nature.
God's eternal power is evidenced in His personal creation of all the world through the person of Jesus Christ and his moment by moment sustaining its very existence. Every man, woman and chiild who every lived or ever will live on this earth knwo that. Why do you think people instinctively call on God when an earthquake or a tsunami rattles their existence? Why do they call out to God when traumatic circumstance beset them? Because they instinctively know of the eternal power of God.
All humankind are also clearly aware of God's divine nature, that is His goodness and grace commonly spread to all humanity. To a limited degree, God's grace is made available to every person without regard to location, religion, gender, race, etc. He rains on the just and the unjust alike (cf Matt 5.45). This is why even the unsaved both plead for God to deliver rain and curse His name when they get too much of it. They know the divine nature of God.
If the Bible is true, and I believe that it always is, there are no atheists! There may well be professing atheists, much as there are professing Christians who are not genuine. All men have the very existence of God already etched on their minds. According to verse 18, they "By their unrighteousness supress the truth." That means it is there, just pushed down under layers of disobedience, rebellion and denial. But it is there.
I have a young friend named John who claimed for many years to be an atheist. He is very intellectual, very sharp. The very beauty and order of the created world sent him on a religious search for the essence of reality and source of life. He eventually landed at the Gospel and God turned his life around. What was it in John that sent him searching for Truth? That's right, it was the very truth of God already inscribed on his heart.
What is the evangelistic implications of this truth? There are no atheists, so what of those who claim to be atheists? We do not argue for the existence of God or His authority. We rather confront the point of sinful rebellion by building on the foundation of truth God has already put in his heart.
Evangelism is the work of God. We get to be His mouthpieces, but He completes the work He began in creation!
In a future post we will look at the evangelistic implications of Romans 2.14-15. In the meantime, read it for yourself.
Grace to You!
Jose Canseco on Hannity
I listened to Sean Hannity a bit last night. I like to hear this Catholic man's view of current events. Hannity has a Christian, if not a Biblical, worldview that allows him to see current events in a different perspective than the average national commentator.
He did an interview with Jose Canseco last night that I found revolting! First off, let me say right up front, I DID NOT read Canseco's new book Juiced. And I do not intend to read it. But Canseco came across as completely cold, arrogant and blantantly self absorbed. He talked about women throwing themselves at him and other professional athletes. He talked about repeated cheating on his wife and made little of the vows he has taken, multiple times by the way. He blew it off, simply saying "we're not perfect, we all have limbidos!." He willing admitted, yea even bragged about, using and abusing performance enhancing, ILLEGAL, steroids. He commented on the supposed rampant lack of integrity among his fellow players. He claims that he only personally knows one professional player that never cheated on his wife and never used steroids.
Jose, who are you hanging around? The issue is not that all baseball players cheat on their wives, just all the losers that Canseco hangs with! There are great guys in baseball. Go meet Travs Fryman and John Smoltz. There are stnad up men of integrity in the sport, Jose just doesn't like to hang around them.
I could not help, as I listened to this interview, to feel sorrow and grief in my gut for any woman Canseco has taken advantae of, any child he has fathered (and who knows how many their are), and any fan that actually still likes this guy. I can't stand him! He makes me sick!
But I love him! That's right! That is the heart of the gospel message after all, isn't it? Jesus died to save sinners, of whom I am chief. My lifestyle choices are markedly different from Jose Canseco's. But I am no less a sinner who has horribly offended the holiness of God! That is why Jesus had to bear the total wrath of God to pave a way for me to go to heaven someday.
We must remember to view the news and the people around with this in mind. "But for the grace God, that could be me!"
He did an interview with Jose Canseco last night that I found revolting! First off, let me say right up front, I DID NOT read Canseco's new book Juiced. And I do not intend to read it. But Canseco came across as completely cold, arrogant and blantantly self absorbed. He talked about women throwing themselves at him and other professional athletes. He talked about repeated cheating on his wife and made little of the vows he has taken, multiple times by the way. He blew it off, simply saying "we're not perfect, we all have limbidos!." He willing admitted, yea even bragged about, using and abusing performance enhancing, ILLEGAL, steroids. He commented on the supposed rampant lack of integrity among his fellow players. He claims that he only personally knows one professional player that never cheated on his wife and never used steroids.
Jose, who are you hanging around? The issue is not that all baseball players cheat on their wives, just all the losers that Canseco hangs with! There are great guys in baseball. Go meet Travs Fryman and John Smoltz. There are stnad up men of integrity in the sport, Jose just doesn't like to hang around them.
I could not help, as I listened to this interview, to feel sorrow and grief in my gut for any woman Canseco has taken advantae of, any child he has fathered (and who knows how many their are), and any fan that actually still likes this guy. I can't stand him! He makes me sick!
But I love him! That's right! That is the heart of the gospel message after all, isn't it? Jesus died to save sinners, of whom I am chief. My lifestyle choices are markedly different from Jose Canseco's. But I am no less a sinner who has horribly offended the holiness of God! That is why Jesus had to bear the total wrath of God to pave a way for me to go to heaven someday.
We must remember to view the news and the people around with this in mind. "But for the grace God, that could be me!"
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