Who can count the value of motherhood? What an impossible task!
During this time of celebration we want to do two things:
1) Try to communicate our gratitude…. Impossible!
2) Try to support moms in the promised pain of Genesis 3:16
To all the moms out there I say, “You do not have to be super mom. It is still the work of the Lord. The Proverbs 31 woman is a checklist like I Corinthians 13 on “love”. Trust God to see you through day by day. Ultimately, He blesses through the circumstances of your life and you will be blessed by leaning on Him.
I hold up as an example Sarah Edwards, the unknown, beloved wife of famous theologian and pastor, Jonathan.
Sarah had a hard life. Much of it is recounted in a wonderful book entitled “Marriage to a Difficult Man- The Uncommon Union of Jonathan and Sarah Edwards”, written by Elisabeth D. Dodds.
The mother of 11 children, Sarah had the typical puritan wife’s role of hard work at home and support of a husband who spent a lot of his energy to ministry (I’m not condoning that, by the way. I need to be a great helper to my wife and children).
In the book, there is a reference to a study done by A.E. Winship comparing a family named ‘Jukes” and the Edwards family. The ‘Jukes’ (anonymously named to protect the family) were a notorious band of renegades who cost the state of New York 1.2 million dollars in welfare and custodial charges. They all originated from one immigrant who settled in that area in 1720 and produced a ‘tribe of idleness, ignorance, and vulgarity”.
Only 20 of the 1200 Jukes had ever had gainful employment!
Compare that to the legacy of Sarah Edwards. Her humble reliance on God allowed her to be a vessel of greatness to God’s kingdom. Of the 1400 Edwards linked to Sarah, the family produced:
13 college presidents
65 professors
100 lawyers (including a dean of an outstanding law school)
30 judges
66 physicians and a dean of a medical school
80 holders of public office including,
3 US senators
Mayors of 3 large cities
3 state governors
a vice president of the US
a controller of the US treasury.
Along with 135 authors and hundreds of missionaries!
Mr. Winship commented: “Much of the capacity and talent, intensity and character, of more than 1400 of the Edward’s family is due to Mrs. Edwards.”
My prayer is that our moms will see the fruit of this hard, frustrating, and beautiful labor of love!
Bless you!
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Saturday, May 03, 2008
John Calvin On Enjoying Life and Enjoying God
“Scripture gives us plenty of teaching about proper use of earthly blessings and as we plan our lives, we must not ignore it. If we are to live at all, of course we need certain essential supports. But we should not exclude many things which seem to have more to do with pleasure than necessity. We must find a happy medium, so that we use everything in the right way, with a clear conscience.
(The Lord says)… that this life is a kind of pilgrimage through which we press on to the heavenly kingdom. If we are only passing through we must, of course, use temporal blessings only as they assist our progress and do not hinder us.
This world is a slippery place and there is real danger of falling, so let us set our feet where we can stand securely.
There are some good and holy men who when they saw constant overindulgence wanted to curb and correct it, but thought there was no other way than to allow men only the bare necessities. This is godly advice but unnecessarily severe, because it binds our consciences in closer fetters than they are bound by God’s Word.
Necessity, according to them, meant abstinence from anything desirable, so that bread and water was the rule.
At the opposite extreme, many today look for an excuse for excessive self-indulgence in the use of material things. They take for granted their liberty must not be restrained in any way, but that it should be left to every man’s conscience to do whatever he thinks is right.
I agree that conscience should not be bound by rigid laws, but because Scripture has laid down general principles for the use of material possessions, we should keep within the limits laid down.”
John Calvin
From “the Institutes of Christian Religion”
Book 3 Ch 10
How to Use the Present Life and Its Comforts
(The Lord says)… that this life is a kind of pilgrimage through which we press on to the heavenly kingdom. If we are only passing through we must, of course, use temporal blessings only as they assist our progress and do not hinder us.
This world is a slippery place and there is real danger of falling, so let us set our feet where we can stand securely.
There are some good and holy men who when they saw constant overindulgence wanted to curb and correct it, but thought there was no other way than to allow men only the bare necessities. This is godly advice but unnecessarily severe, because it binds our consciences in closer fetters than they are bound by God’s Word.
Necessity, according to them, meant abstinence from anything desirable, so that bread and water was the rule.
At the opposite extreme, many today look for an excuse for excessive self-indulgence in the use of material things. They take for granted their liberty must not be restrained in any way, but that it should be left to every man’s conscience to do whatever he thinks is right.
I agree that conscience should not be bound by rigid laws, but because Scripture has laid down general principles for the use of material possessions, we should keep within the limits laid down.”
John Calvin
From “the Institutes of Christian Religion”
Book 3 Ch 10
How to Use the Present Life and Its Comforts
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
What Obama Should Say
I am a Christian first. This means that I willingly submit to the governing authorities (Rom 13) but I do not believe that the government can solve most human misery. The church is God's instrument for serving man's misery . The welfare state is a drain and massive bureaucracy is a burden.
I have voted republican all of my adult life. My decision to side with conservatives is that they presume to be for smaller government and traditionally have stood for values that confirm my world view.
The republicans have not followed the Reagan formula, in my opinion, and have not fulfilled my desires for what government should be.
All of this is a lead in to what I believe Barak Obama should say in regards to the Wright controversy. If he said this, and meant it- I might be persuaded to support him.
He won't say this- but it was fun typing it!
My Fellow Americans,
I’m standing before you today as I have throughout my campaign for President wanting to serve this country and lead.
My faith has been a foundational part of this quest and strengthens me even now. I know that I am in the exact place where God wants me. I wish the process were easy, but I also know that an easy process would not be a proper preparation for the office.
I addressed the nation some weeks back in an effort to make sense of the controversy surrounding my former pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright. He calls me a member and a politician and I call him a mentor and friend.
My relationship with Christ compels me to bear with others and forgive. The message of the gospel is one of universal flaw and individual responsibility. The gospel message is Christ’s atonement that covers man’s sin. Christ himself spoke of the potential divisive applications of his message. A holy God and flawed men creates constant dilemmas. This current dilemma regarding my pastor actually foreshadows the dilemma of being the highest executive officer of a pluralistic and free nation.
I am a Christian, and yet I will lead the hopes and dreams of people of many faiths. I am an African American, but will have to make decisions with no regard to color. The political lobbyists will hope to assume their usual roles in drafting the game plan for their President for what they want him to be. I am under no compulsion from any special group.
When Rev. Wright’s statements first hit the media, I realized the difficulty of the position I was in. To distance myself outright would appear disloyal and political, the very ideals I want my presidency to escape. It also puts my relationship with the black community in jeopardy because Rev. Wright couches his views behind the curtain of the black church.
I used the last situation with Rev. Wright to make a commentary on the complex issues of race in our country today.
I recently reviewed what I have said in my response to my former pastor. The words I spoke were true and filled with a desire to bring healing to our land.
Then I heard Rev. Wright’s answers to the media yesterday and I am appalled. I held out an olive branch, and he stripped off the leaves and used it as a switch to brow beat the American people.
I now am fully convinced that part of my Presidency should be to bring an end of this race baiting- not from the white community, but, sadly, from the black community.
I now openly condemn the bitterness of Rev. Jeremiah Wright and many others who see America in the lens of hatred. I believe firmly in their right to proclaim their views, but I boldly accept my responsibility to condemn it. In this country we treat addictive behavior, but we have an equal problem with cynical hearts.
America is not a terrorist nation. America did not invent the aids virus to use against the poor. Any person who espouses some of these ridiculous conspiracies, including the self-demolition of the World Trade Center, should be silenced by objective evidence and civilized discourse.
It is my faith that had me bear with Rev. Wright. It is that same faith today that has me denounce his venomous, non-biblical message. I want to be a human being who spares coat and service to those in need. However, I have erred. My mistake was walking miles too long with a man who I love for pointing me to Christ. This man has now pushed Christ out of the spotlight and is enjoying it all to himself.
I want to lead this nation past the debate of race. Dr King’s dream of’ judging the content of the character’ instead of the color of the skin needs to be seen in my desire to lead.
I ask your forgiveness in waiting too long to carry the mantle well and, as President, I will make sure it is a mantle for all Americans.
I have voted republican all of my adult life. My decision to side with conservatives is that they presume to be for smaller government and traditionally have stood for values that confirm my world view.
The republicans have not followed the Reagan formula, in my opinion, and have not fulfilled my desires for what government should be.
All of this is a lead in to what I believe Barak Obama should say in regards to the Wright controversy. If he said this, and meant it- I might be persuaded to support him.
He won't say this- but it was fun typing it!
My Fellow Americans,
I’m standing before you today as I have throughout my campaign for President wanting to serve this country and lead.
My faith has been a foundational part of this quest and strengthens me even now. I know that I am in the exact place where God wants me. I wish the process were easy, but I also know that an easy process would not be a proper preparation for the office.
I addressed the nation some weeks back in an effort to make sense of the controversy surrounding my former pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright. He calls me a member and a politician and I call him a mentor and friend.
My relationship with Christ compels me to bear with others and forgive. The message of the gospel is one of universal flaw and individual responsibility. The gospel message is Christ’s atonement that covers man’s sin. Christ himself spoke of the potential divisive applications of his message. A holy God and flawed men creates constant dilemmas. This current dilemma regarding my pastor actually foreshadows the dilemma of being the highest executive officer of a pluralistic and free nation.
I am a Christian, and yet I will lead the hopes and dreams of people of many faiths. I am an African American, but will have to make decisions with no regard to color. The political lobbyists will hope to assume their usual roles in drafting the game plan for their President for what they want him to be. I am under no compulsion from any special group.
When Rev. Wright’s statements first hit the media, I realized the difficulty of the position I was in. To distance myself outright would appear disloyal and political, the very ideals I want my presidency to escape. It also puts my relationship with the black community in jeopardy because Rev. Wright couches his views behind the curtain of the black church.
I used the last situation with Rev. Wright to make a commentary on the complex issues of race in our country today.
I recently reviewed what I have said in my response to my former pastor. The words I spoke were true and filled with a desire to bring healing to our land.
Then I heard Rev. Wright’s answers to the media yesterday and I am appalled. I held out an olive branch, and he stripped off the leaves and used it as a switch to brow beat the American people.
I now am fully convinced that part of my Presidency should be to bring an end of this race baiting- not from the white community, but, sadly, from the black community.
I now openly condemn the bitterness of Rev. Jeremiah Wright and many others who see America in the lens of hatred. I believe firmly in their right to proclaim their views, but I boldly accept my responsibility to condemn it. In this country we treat addictive behavior, but we have an equal problem with cynical hearts.
America is not a terrorist nation. America did not invent the aids virus to use against the poor. Any person who espouses some of these ridiculous conspiracies, including the self-demolition of the World Trade Center, should be silenced by objective evidence and civilized discourse.
It is my faith that had me bear with Rev. Wright. It is that same faith today that has me denounce his venomous, non-biblical message. I want to be a human being who spares coat and service to those in need. However, I have erred. My mistake was walking miles too long with a man who I love for pointing me to Christ. This man has now pushed Christ out of the spotlight and is enjoying it all to himself.
I want to lead this nation past the debate of race. Dr King’s dream of’ judging the content of the character’ instead of the color of the skin needs to be seen in my desire to lead.
I ask your forgiveness in waiting too long to carry the mantle well and, as President, I will make sure it is a mantle for all Americans.
Prayer for America- Re-post
originally in November 2004
Dear God Our Father,
In this time of great division and danger, we ask that you help us. Not that we deserve it, but we want to continue to be a beacon of hope and a model of success. This life is a mixed bag and a temporary host. May you allow us to continue being a preservative of the natural entropy of order.
Lord, the churches are dark in the old land and selfishness reigns. Intellectual imperialism tickles the ears but salve no wounds. Our churches are flickering. Please revive us- give us soft hearts of love and united hearts of courage. We wimper in our prosperity and hoard our greed.
Be gracious to our leaders and heal our land.
In the name and example of Christ,
AMEN
Dear God Our Father,
In this time of great division and danger, we ask that you help us. Not that we deserve it, but we want to continue to be a beacon of hope and a model of success. This life is a mixed bag and a temporary host. May you allow us to continue being a preservative of the natural entropy of order.
Lord, the churches are dark in the old land and selfishness reigns. Intellectual imperialism tickles the ears but salve no wounds. Our churches are flickering. Please revive us- give us soft hearts of love and united hearts of courage. We wimper in our prosperity and hoard our greed.
Be gracious to our leaders and heal our land.
In the name and example of Christ,
AMEN
What's Wrong About Wright?
II Timothy 3:1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.
I write this particular post with great sadness. After listening to the Rev. Jeremiah Wright over the last two days, I have felt my heart torn into when I see the disunity of our country and particularly the church.
At the National Press Club, yesterday, I saw this disunity personified in the comments of Rev. Jeremiah Wright. I heard a man who is so off the mark of true, Biblical Christianity that I bristle when I hear men call him a ‘scholar’….( “always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth”).
Where do you begin attacking such faulty theology and practice? His views are so outrageous. What is Rev Wrights source of truth? It can’t be the Scriptures. He spoke of being accountable to God, but He is dangerously accountable to no one and is a poor representative of the God he says he represents. He is enjoying his spotlight time so much. It almost seems he is enjoying taking his 'member' down. Great shepherd, huh?
He mangled the gospel of forgiveness by implying that if it is not asked for and proven in restitution, it is not given.
News agencies do not want to solve any conflict- they sell the controversy.
Some leading African American leaders profit from the controversy.
No white person will even dare touch it.
We are in trouble if this downward spiral is not brought under control. Our only hope is repentance and revival.
I will re-post my prayer for America.
And the call is now to the church- we have to stand on the truth of God’s word and boldly proclaim the true gospel.
Lord, please forgive us and save us. Turn our hearts back to You.
I write this particular post with great sadness. After listening to the Rev. Jeremiah Wright over the last two days, I have felt my heart torn into when I see the disunity of our country and particularly the church.
At the National Press Club, yesterday, I saw this disunity personified in the comments of Rev. Jeremiah Wright. I heard a man who is so off the mark of true, Biblical Christianity that I bristle when I hear men call him a ‘scholar’….( “always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth”).
Where do you begin attacking such faulty theology and practice? His views are so outrageous. What is Rev Wrights source of truth? It can’t be the Scriptures. He spoke of being accountable to God, but He is dangerously accountable to no one and is a poor representative of the God he says he represents. He is enjoying his spotlight time so much. It almost seems he is enjoying taking his 'member' down. Great shepherd, huh?
He mangled the gospel of forgiveness by implying that if it is not asked for and proven in restitution, it is not given.
News agencies do not want to solve any conflict- they sell the controversy.
Some leading African American leaders profit from the controversy.
No white person will even dare touch it.
We are in trouble if this downward spiral is not brought under control. Our only hope is repentance and revival.
I will re-post my prayer for America.
And the call is now to the church- we have to stand on the truth of God’s word and boldly proclaim the true gospel.
Lord, please forgive us and save us. Turn our hearts back to You.
Monday, April 28, 2008
The Wealth of Wisdom- Help When I'm Weary
This is a Monday.
This is one of those Mondays where my head is spinning. I have a lot going on right now and it all seems to be pressing in on me.
So in the quietness of the morning I will pray. It will be an earnest prayer.
Then I will get up and take it one step at a time, trusting my Savior to lead me in the paths of righteousness.... for His name.
Read the passage below from Job. Mankind does some amazing things. But there is only one place for wisdom. When I'm in over my head... I'm thankful that I don't have to trust in me.
Father, I need Your wisdom!
Job 28:1 "People know how to mine silver and refine gold. 2 They know how to dig iron from the earth and smelt copper from stone. 3 They know how to put light into darkness and explore the farthest, darkest regions of the earth as they search for ore. 4 They sink a mine shaft into the earth far from where anyone lives. They descend on ropes, swinging back and forth. 5 Bread comes from the earth, but below the surface the earth is melted as by fire. 6 "People know how to find sapphires and gold dust – 7 treasures that no bird of prey can see, no falcon's eye observe – 8 for they are deep within the mines. No wild animal has ever walked upon those treasures; no lion has set his paw there. 9 People know how to tear apart flinty rocks and overturn the roots of mountains. 10 They cut tunnels in the rocks and uncover precious stones. 11 They dam up the trickling streams and bring to light the hidden treasures. 12 "But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding? 13 No one knows where to find it, for it is not found among the living.
This is one of those Mondays where my head is spinning. I have a lot going on right now and it all seems to be pressing in on me.
So in the quietness of the morning I will pray. It will be an earnest prayer.
Then I will get up and take it one step at a time, trusting my Savior to lead me in the paths of righteousness.... for His name.
Read the passage below from Job. Mankind does some amazing things. But there is only one place for wisdom. When I'm in over my head... I'm thankful that I don't have to trust in me.
Father, I need Your wisdom!
Job 28:1 "People know how to mine silver and refine gold. 2 They know how to dig iron from the earth and smelt copper from stone. 3 They know how to put light into darkness and explore the farthest, darkest regions of the earth as they search for ore. 4 They sink a mine shaft into the earth far from where anyone lives. They descend on ropes, swinging back and forth. 5 Bread comes from the earth, but below the surface the earth is melted as by fire. 6 "People know how to find sapphires and gold dust – 7 treasures that no bird of prey can see, no falcon's eye observe – 8 for they are deep within the mines. No wild animal has ever walked upon those treasures; no lion has set his paw there. 9 People know how to tear apart flinty rocks and overturn the roots of mountains. 10 They cut tunnels in the rocks and uncover precious stones. 11 They dam up the trickling streams and bring to light the hidden treasures. 12 "But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding? 13 No one knows where to find it, for it is not found among the living.
14 'It is not here,' says the ocean. 'Nor is it here,' says the sea. 15 "It cannot be bought for gold or silver. 16 Its value is greater than all the gold of Ophir, greater than precious onyx stone or sapphires. 17 Wisdom is far more valuable than gold and crystal. It cannot be purchased with jewels mounted in fine gold. 18 Coral and valuable rock crystal are worthless in trying to get it. The price of wisdom is far above pearls. 19 Topaz from Ethiopia cannot be exchanged for it. Its value is greater than the purest gold.
20 "But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding? 21 For it is hidden from the eyes of all humanity. Even the sharp-eyed birds in the sky cannot discover it. 22 But Destruction and Death say, 'We have heard a rumor of where wisdom can be found.' 23 "God surely knows where it can be found, 24 for he looks throughout the whole earth, under all the heavens. 25 He made the winds blow and determined how much rain should fall. 26 He made the laws of the rain and prepared a path for the lightning. 27 Then, when he had done all this, he saw wisdom and measured it. He established it and examined it thoroughly. 28 And this is what he says to all humanity: 'The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.'"
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Pillars of Purpose
I will turn 44 this August. I keep thinking at some point I will get a mid-life crisis. I can't remember having one or if I did, it was such a mild case there wasn't even a blip. If it is still to come, it make me feel better about mid-life. I'll take 88 or better.
I want to take a few posts to ramble about 4 foundation stones that have supported me, so powerfully, that my life is filled with excitement and peace. The architect of these stones is God the Father and the cornerstone is Jesus Christ. May all the glory go to Him as I relate these pillars of Purpose.
Dedication- I begin with dedication. What is the source of the sustainable desire to live for God and practice His truth? My dedication is wholly due to the glorious providence of God. Before the very foundation of the world, He graciously chose to adopt me into His family. At the right time, His spirit called be with an irresistible draw to which I responded by repentance and faith in the death of Christ as the covering of my sins. I am now being sustained by the power and working of His spirit. It is a persevering power. When I was little, I would 'turn over new leaves' and be a good boy for a little while. I actually made my bed everyday for 2 whole weeks! But every endeavor always wore thin and fizzled out. Since God's spirit has been in my life I have endurance to live and love. So when I say, "I'm dedicated"- it is due to His preserving sustenance and nothing within me. Sometimes, when I think I am at the end of my rope, tired and doubting, He comes to the rescue and fluffs the sails. Praise and thanks to Him alone!
Preparation- This dedication leads to preparation. God has given me a voracious appetite for truth. It begins in His word, which is my only rule of life and faith. But He has also given beautiful blessings of music, preaching, writing of other Christians and non-believers to push and prod, teach and transform. The internet can be used for evil, but it is my favorite source of knowledge. My hats off to monergism.com for pulling together the greatest resource of reformed ideas on the web! I could spend the rest of my life there. But with that I enjoy Ravi Zacharius, tons of itunes music, and random news from Matt Drudge. The Bible study, understanding doctrine (especially the Westminster Confession of Faith) and church history, and outside sources has prepared me even though I have miles to go. I am especially indebted to Covenant Theological Seminary and Reformed Theological Seminary for putting some of their courses online. I especially recommend Dr David Calhoun's courses at Covenant (all free!).
Proclamation- Preparation leads to proclamation. I am growing more excited about sharing my faith. Not just in a teaching ministry, but one on one. The Lord is making me aware of people that I need to share the gospel with and I am getting where I truly love doing it. Evangelism is not an activity for me to earn brownie points with God, but it is a privilege to be my Father's ambassador in this world. I want my words and actions to proclaim Him at all times!
Celebration- Finally....worship. Why has it taken me so long to learn how to worship my Creator and Savior? I can't explain how.. but my worship has been transformed. It is not a 'style'- I can worship in any environment. It is not a building- I can worship in a garbage can Worship is where I come to cry out to my God in celebration of all He has done for me. It is prayer and praise! It is hearing the Word being preached. It is especially sweet in the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's table.
I still have a long way to go in these 4 pillars. But my prayer is that you would find the sweetness of Christ in just this same way!
I want to take a few posts to ramble about 4 foundation stones that have supported me, so powerfully, that my life is filled with excitement and peace. The architect of these stones is God the Father and the cornerstone is Jesus Christ. May all the glory go to Him as I relate these pillars of Purpose.
Dedication- I begin with dedication. What is the source of the sustainable desire to live for God and practice His truth? My dedication is wholly due to the glorious providence of God. Before the very foundation of the world, He graciously chose to adopt me into His family. At the right time, His spirit called be with an irresistible draw to which I responded by repentance and faith in the death of Christ as the covering of my sins. I am now being sustained by the power and working of His spirit. It is a persevering power. When I was little, I would 'turn over new leaves' and be a good boy for a little while. I actually made my bed everyday for 2 whole weeks! But every endeavor always wore thin and fizzled out. Since God's spirit has been in my life I have endurance to live and love. So when I say, "I'm dedicated"- it is due to His preserving sustenance and nothing within me. Sometimes, when I think I am at the end of my rope, tired and doubting, He comes to the rescue and fluffs the sails. Praise and thanks to Him alone!
Preparation- This dedication leads to preparation. God has given me a voracious appetite for truth. It begins in His word, which is my only rule of life and faith. But He has also given beautiful blessings of music, preaching, writing of other Christians and non-believers to push and prod, teach and transform. The internet can be used for evil, but it is my favorite source of knowledge. My hats off to monergism.com for pulling together the greatest resource of reformed ideas on the web! I could spend the rest of my life there. But with that I enjoy Ravi Zacharius, tons of itunes music, and random news from Matt Drudge. The Bible study, understanding doctrine (especially the Westminster Confession of Faith) and church history, and outside sources has prepared me even though I have miles to go. I am especially indebted to Covenant Theological Seminary and Reformed Theological Seminary for putting some of their courses online. I especially recommend Dr David Calhoun's courses at Covenant (all free!).
Proclamation- Preparation leads to proclamation. I am growing more excited about sharing my faith. Not just in a teaching ministry, but one on one. The Lord is making me aware of people that I need to share the gospel with and I am getting where I truly love doing it. Evangelism is not an activity for me to earn brownie points with God, but it is a privilege to be my Father's ambassador in this world. I want my words and actions to proclaim Him at all times!
Celebration- Finally....worship. Why has it taken me so long to learn how to worship my Creator and Savior? I can't explain how.. but my worship has been transformed. It is not a 'style'- I can worship in any environment. It is not a building- I can worship in a garbage can Worship is where I come to cry out to my God in celebration of all He has done for me. It is prayer and praise! It is hearing the Word being preached. It is especially sweet in the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's table.
I still have a long way to go in these 4 pillars. But my prayer is that you would find the sweetness of Christ in just this same way!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Reformation Men’s Club Travels to Princeton University
The Reformation Men’s Club (RMC) traveled to historic Princeton University April 18-20 with Covenant Seminary Professor, Dr. David Calhoun. The theme of the weekend retreat was "Grace to Eternity: A History and Vision of Service to Christ's Kingdom."
Dr. Calhoun has authored a two- volume history of the University and Seminary. He writes, “From 1812 – 1929, Princeton Theological Seminary presented a coherent, continual effort to teach and practice what the Princetonians believed was historic Reformed Christianity. In this they were, in my opinion, successful. They taught theology as they found it in the Bible and it honored the faith and findings of Augustine, Calvin, and the Westminster Standards. They not only taught it, they lived it. They may have made mistakes, but they stood squarely in the great stream of historic Christianity and orthodox Calvinism.”
The group of 15 men stayed at the historic Nassau Inn in the heart of Palmer’s Square and enjoyed ‘the best spring day of the entire year’ according to a local shop owner. The Cherry trees were in full bloom and showered the campus with snow.
Dr Calhoun began Saturday morning with a history of Princeton before leading the group on a campus tour. This tour included an inspiring lecture in the famous “Oratory” of Alexander Hall. The group also had a pleasant and unscheduled encounter with Dr. Bill Frist, a Princeton Alum and current guest teacher.
After watching Princeton defeat Penn in an afternoon baseball game, the group then joined Dr. Calhoun at the Princeton cemetery often called ‘the Westminster Abbey of America’. Dr Calhoun shared stories of heroes of our faith as the group visited the tombs of Jonathan Edwards, Charles Hodge, B.B. Warfield, President Grover Cleveland, and others.
Sunday morning included worship at Nassau Inn with Dr. Calhoun preaching a sermon on applying lessons from Princeton to both CPA and Covenant Seminary and concluded with a time of prayer and meditation in Princeton’s beautiful chapel, the 3rd largest on-campus chapel in the world.
In the end, the trip allowed the group to see the fruit of Dr. John Witherspoon’s Vision to “produce consecrated Christian students with an integrated and thoroughly Biblical world view”. This vision produced 114 clergy, the founders of ten colleges, 13 college presidents, 1 president of US (James Madison), 1 VP, 9 cabinet officers, 21 US senators, 3 supreme court justices, 12 state governors and 39 judges during his administration of 26 years.
Dr. Calhoun has authored a two- volume history of the University and Seminary. He writes, “From 1812 – 1929, Princeton Theological Seminary presented a coherent, continual effort to teach and practice what the Princetonians believed was historic Reformed Christianity. In this they were, in my opinion, successful. They taught theology as they found it in the Bible and it honored the faith and findings of Augustine, Calvin, and the Westminster Standards. They not only taught it, they lived it. They may have made mistakes, but they stood squarely in the great stream of historic Christianity and orthodox Calvinism.”
The group of 15 men stayed at the historic Nassau Inn in the heart of Palmer’s Square and enjoyed ‘the best spring day of the entire year’ according to a local shop owner. The Cherry trees were in full bloom and showered the campus with snow.
Dr Calhoun began Saturday morning with a history of Princeton before leading the group on a campus tour. This tour included an inspiring lecture in the famous “Oratory” of Alexander Hall. The group also had a pleasant and unscheduled encounter with Dr. Bill Frist, a Princeton Alum and current guest teacher.
After watching Princeton defeat Penn in an afternoon baseball game, the group then joined Dr. Calhoun at the Princeton cemetery often called ‘the Westminster Abbey of America’. Dr Calhoun shared stories of heroes of our faith as the group visited the tombs of Jonathan Edwards, Charles Hodge, B.B. Warfield, President Grover Cleveland, and others.
Sunday morning included worship at Nassau Inn with Dr. Calhoun preaching a sermon on applying lessons from Princeton to both CPA and Covenant Seminary and concluded with a time of prayer and meditation in Princeton’s beautiful chapel, the 3rd largest on-campus chapel in the world.
In the end, the trip allowed the group to see the fruit of Dr. John Witherspoon’s Vision to “produce consecrated Christian students with an integrated and thoroughly Biblical world view”. This vision produced 114 clergy, the founders of ten colleges, 13 college presidents, 1 president of US (James Madison), 1 VP, 9 cabinet officers, 21 US senators, 3 supreme court justices, 12 state governors and 39 judges during his administration of 26 years.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
RMC Goes to Princeton
We have 15 men leaving from Nashville tomorrow headed to Princeton for a weekend trip with Dr. David Calhoun of Covenant Seminary.
I am really excited to see history up close and meditate on what made Princeton one of the most stalwart institutions for the historic reformed faith in America and what may have led to the dimming of that light.
As a Christian educator, I want God to make our school in Nashville like that renowned place of old. We want to be in the historic stream of the gospel and see men and women prepared to impact culture for Christ.
Hope to give a good report soon!
I am really excited to see history up close and meditate on what made Princeton one of the most stalwart institutions for the historic reformed faith in America and what may have led to the dimming of that light.
As a Christian educator, I want God to make our school in Nashville like that renowned place of old. We want to be in the historic stream of the gospel and see men and women prepared to impact culture for Christ.
Hope to give a good report soon!
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Pushing Past Apathy
We finished up this week in Biblical Principles class a unit called "A Life of Meaning, Purpose, and Service". It comes at an interesting time for seniors. We are far enough past 'spring break' that they are counting the days left in 'teens'- the sun is out, the flowers are in bloom, and they will lose enormous amounts of energy for work in the few days ahead.
Class will become somewhat of a torture chamber and I will be figuratively beating dead bodies in mere days.
This was one more good last shot at trying to push them out of the lull that permeates the post-modern world of personal peace and affluence.
My greatest frustration with the current crop of teens (and there will always be frustrations- them with me and I with them) is the 'casualness' that robs their zeal for living. Sometimes it is seen in "I'm too cool to care" or worse "I'm callous and do not want to feel inwardly at all".
I am not an emotional or flamboyant teacher- I wake up some mornings this time of year and pray, "Lord, make me interesting today" to no avail. (That is why I am definitely a believer in differentiated teaching techniques).
But we all have to WAKE UP. Our post-modern carnage has left us fractured from no consensus- shallow from endless sound bites and sloganeering (please- no more snappy mission statements)- disillusioned from no appeal to truth, and fatigued from microwave, fast paced activities, but no form to support the pressure.
My message is that it is never too late. A great joy it is to say, "I'm tired of this world and I will now worship God is spirit and truth. I will trust Christ alone for salvation and serve him. I serve him by loving others. I love others by serving them."
The great thing is that it doesn't mean we have to live in monasteries. We live in the world He created, we enjoy all of life as He intended, we have the most freedom with the least regret. And we have no fear because of Christ's love.
My goal is to work, and pray, and even fast for this type of revival among our young people and in the church.
Classic NFL films show a coach giving a famous half time speech "You men can do it- you can do it- you can do it, but what's more.... YOU HAVE TO DO IT"
That is my message- when you see the past civilizations who have tried other world views and philosophies to support a culture, they always crumble and fall. Only the Christian consensus can hold us together. It is literally... turn or burn.
No need to fear- the remnant is always cared for. Cling to the cross regardless, but Oh Lord... for our children's sake- Let us see revival again"
Class will become somewhat of a torture chamber and I will be figuratively beating dead bodies in mere days.
This was one more good last shot at trying to push them out of the lull that permeates the post-modern world of personal peace and affluence.
My greatest frustration with the current crop of teens (and there will always be frustrations- them with me and I with them) is the 'casualness' that robs their zeal for living. Sometimes it is seen in "I'm too cool to care" or worse "I'm callous and do not want to feel inwardly at all".
I am not an emotional or flamboyant teacher- I wake up some mornings this time of year and pray, "Lord, make me interesting today" to no avail. (That is why I am definitely a believer in differentiated teaching techniques).
But we all have to WAKE UP. Our post-modern carnage has left us fractured from no consensus- shallow from endless sound bites and sloganeering (please- no more snappy mission statements)- disillusioned from no appeal to truth, and fatigued from microwave, fast paced activities, but no form to support the pressure.
My message is that it is never too late. A great joy it is to say, "I'm tired of this world and I will now worship God is spirit and truth. I will trust Christ alone for salvation and serve him. I serve him by loving others. I love others by serving them."
The great thing is that it doesn't mean we have to live in monasteries. We live in the world He created, we enjoy all of life as He intended, we have the most freedom with the least regret. And we have no fear because of Christ's love.
My goal is to work, and pray, and even fast for this type of revival among our young people and in the church.
Classic NFL films show a coach giving a famous half time speech "You men can do it- you can do it- you can do it, but what's more.... YOU HAVE TO DO IT"
That is my message- when you see the past civilizations who have tried other world views and philosophies to support a culture, they always crumble and fall. Only the Christian consensus can hold us together. It is literally... turn or burn.
No need to fear- the remnant is always cared for. Cling to the cross regardless, but Oh Lord... for our children's sake- Let us see revival again"
"...it has become abundantly clear in the second half of the twentieth century that Western Man has decided to abolish himself. Having wearied of the struggle to be himself, he has created his own boredom out of his own affluence, his own impotence out of his own erotomania, his own vulnerability out of his own strength; himself blowing the trumpet that brings the walls of his own city tumbling down, and, in a process of auto-genocide, convincing himself that he is too numerous, and labouring accordingly with pill and scalpel and syringe to make himself fewer in order to be an easier prey for his enemies; until at last, having educated himself into imbecility, and polluted and drugged himself into stupefaction, he keels over a weary, battered old brontosaurus and becomes extinct.”
- Malcolm Muggeridge, Seeing Through the Eye: Malcolm Muggeridge on FaithMonday, March 10, 2008
Quotes and Notes
Updated note- It is with great sadness that I must add to the top of this post that Ravi Zacharius is very likely to be guilty of sexual abuse to a number of women. Though he worked hard to dispute the accusations throughout his later years of ministry, posthumus investigations confirmed some tragic and inexcusable sins by Ravi.
I add this comment to the top of this old post to say that at the time I did not even have a question of his life and ministry. And though there are questions about his genuine salvation (I cannot judge) the content that he espoused still has biblical accuracy and application.
I am not removing any content from this blog in regards to Ravi and I pray mercy and healing toward his victims.
Sinful human nature..... tragic and wounding beyond belief... but God's grace still stands in the midst of hypocrisy and shame... unshaken.
Romans 3:4 "Let God be true, and every man a liar".
Every time I listen to him, I am enthralled with his passion, points, and story telling. I especially like his podcast of the program, “Let My People Think.”
Below is a summary of some of the notes I have taken from the last few sessions:
In Darkest moments- the church shines the brightest
All news is old news happening to new people
Absolutes removed become disorientation
Holbart Maurer committed suicide in 1982 at the age of 75. He was a professor at Yale, Harvard, and president of the American Psychological Association.
"For several decades, we psychologists have looked upon the whole matter of sin and moral accountability as a great incubus, and acclaimed our liberation from it as epic-making. But at length we have discovered that to be free, in this sense to have the excuse to being sick rather than being sinful, is to court the danger of also becoming lost.
This danger, I believe, is betokened by the widespread interest in existentialism which we are presently witnessing. In becoming a-moral, ethically neutral, and free we have cut the very roots of our being, lost our deepest sense of selfhood, and identity. And with neurotics themselves, we find ourselves asking, who am I, what is my deepest destiny, and what does living really mean?"
“What was once called selfishness is now called fulfillment”
The Church needs:
Content
Conviction
Communication
Consistency
Before it can speak to our relativistic world today.
We have to recognize that this generation has lost its imagination-
The charge of hypocrisy is the compliment that vice pays to virtue
3 applications:
Proclamation without presence is dangerous
Faith without faithfulness is flawed
Peace without joy is contradictory-
Worship has lost its worth- it is now a burden- Worship involves sacrifice- we give the world our best and we give the worst to God.
Worship binds it all to submission
Quickening of conscious by his holiness
Nourishment of mind by his truth
Purifying of imagination by His beauty
Opening of the heart to His love
Submission of will to His purpose
All gathered under adoration of our highest
If you do not know how to worship.. even God will disappoint you
When you understand how worship binds- worship is not a service- God does not live in buildings- we take our temples with us- life is worship- moment by moment
Worship is co-extinsive with life
O Thou Who Camest from Above
By Charles Wesley
O Thou who camest from above,
the pure celestial fire to impart
kindle a flame of sacred love
upon the mean altar of my heart.
There let it for thy glory burn
with inextinguishable blaze,
and trembling to its source return,
in humble prayer and fervent praise.
Jesus, confirm my heart's desire
to work and speak and think for thee;
still let me guard the holy fire,
and still stir up thy gift in me.
Ready for all thy perfect will,
my acts of faith and love repeat,
till death thy endless mercies seal,
and make my sacrifice complete.
The greatest pursuit of the Hebrews was light
The greatest pursuit of the Greeks was knowledge
The greatest pursuit of the Romans was glory
Apostle Paul II Corinthians 4:6- “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
Friday, March 07, 2008
The Greatest Danger of Educational Theories in Vogue
I am definitely interested in educational theory. Even back in my days of college, I was always immersed in the study of how effective education takes place. If the goal of education is a definite change of behavior, attitude, or position… how are we doing?
The most damaging idea inherited in the wake of the Enlightenment is this… man is good. In this course of thinking, it only takes education to rid the heart of the evils it possesses. The teacher entrapped by this philosophy believes that, deep down, the child wants to learn and wants to get better. The administrator believes if they can create the perfect learning environment, the correct strategies, and differentiated instruction… the student will soar.
This is nowhere near what the Bible teaches.
Dr. Archibald Alexander of Princeton in 1844 wrote very clearly:
The education of children should proceed on the principle that they are in an unregenerate state, until evidences of piety clearly appear, in which case they should be sedulously cherished and nurtured. These are Christ's lambs—"little ones, who believe in Him" (Matt 18:6; Mark 9:42)—whom none should offend or mislead upon the peril of a terrible punishment. But though the religious education of children should proceed on the ground that they are destitute of grace, it ought ever to be used as a means of grace. Every lesson, therefore, should be accompanied with the lifting up of the heart of the instructor to God for a blessing on the means. "Sanctify them through your truth; your word is truth." (John 17:17)
I challenge all of us to continue to search and test whether these evidences of grace are visible.
Again I admire Dr. Alexander’s questions:
Let the most moral and amiable of mankind, who are in this natural state, be asked such questions as these: Do you take real pleasure in perusing the sacred Scriptures, especially those parts which are most spiritual? Do you take delight in secret prayer, and find your heart drawn out to God in strong desires? Do you spend much time in contemplating the divine attributes? Are you in the habit of communing with your own hearts, and examining the true temper of your souls? No unregenerate people can truly answer these, and suchlike questions, in the affirmative.
Test us O Lord and see where we are. May all of our efforts be in praying the Holy Spirit in to do what no educational theory can.
The most damaging idea inherited in the wake of the Enlightenment is this… man is good. In this course of thinking, it only takes education to rid the heart of the evils it possesses. The teacher entrapped by this philosophy believes that, deep down, the child wants to learn and wants to get better. The administrator believes if they can create the perfect learning environment, the correct strategies, and differentiated instruction… the student will soar.
This is nowhere near what the Bible teaches.
Dr. Archibald Alexander of Princeton in 1844 wrote very clearly:
The education of children should proceed on the principle that they are in an unregenerate state, until evidences of piety clearly appear, in which case they should be sedulously cherished and nurtured. These are Christ's lambs—"little ones, who believe in Him" (Matt 18:6; Mark 9:42)—whom none should offend or mislead upon the peril of a terrible punishment. But though the religious education of children should proceed on the ground that they are destitute of grace, it ought ever to be used as a means of grace. Every lesson, therefore, should be accompanied with the lifting up of the heart of the instructor to God for a blessing on the means. "Sanctify them through your truth; your word is truth." (John 17:17)
I challenge all of us to continue to search and test whether these evidences of grace are visible.
Again I admire Dr. Alexander’s questions:
Let the most moral and amiable of mankind, who are in this natural state, be asked such questions as these: Do you take real pleasure in perusing the sacred Scriptures, especially those parts which are most spiritual? Do you take delight in secret prayer, and find your heart drawn out to God in strong desires? Do you spend much time in contemplating the divine attributes? Are you in the habit of communing with your own hearts, and examining the true temper of your souls? No unregenerate people can truly answer these, and suchlike questions, in the affirmative.
Test us O Lord and see where we are. May all of our efforts be in praying the Holy Spirit in to do what no educational theory can.
‘Impressing’ Our Children With the Gospel
‘Impressing’ Our Children With the Gospel
Thoughts Taken from Archibald Alexander’s “Thoughts on Religious Experience” 1844
When we speak of Christ and the gospel to children, we get clear evidence of man’s original sin when we see some who react so negatively to the message. Even as a high school Bible teacher, I see physical evidence of real animosity to the things of God. I can’t count the constant references to cries from our student body about “shoving it down our throats”.
This is echoed back to 1844 when Archibald Alexander lamented, “From this cause it proceeds, that many children who have the opportunity of a good pious education learn scarcely anything of the most important truths of Christianity. If they are compelled to commit the catechism to memory, they are accustomed to do this without ever thinking of the doctrines contained in the words which they recite; so that, when the attention is at any time awakened to the subject of religion as a personal concern, they feel themselves to be completely ignorant of the system of divine truth taught in the Bible.”
Dr. Alexander goes on, however, to make a most important point. He said that these truths that seem to be a source of great contention, are hidden treasures that actually have wonderful benefits.
He says it this way: “Of two people under conviction of sin, one of whom has had sound religious instruction and the other none, the former will have an unspeakable advantage over the latter in many respects.”
No doubt that some children of Christian parents experience God’s love in a variety of ways. They may be awakened early to stories of Christ and His sacrifice or God and His mercy. But these early experiences do not always manifest themselves in immediate conversion.
It is hard to know sometimes, if a child is truly converted. The Puritans were very careful in their use of the term. To them, “faith that fizzles was faulty from the first”. They instructed their children in the catechisms, but took no hope in externals and misleading ‘juvenile exercises’.
We must never take lightly the enemies of our souls: the world, the flesh, and the devil. Could it be that the great deceiver would use childhood practice with piety as a veil for true conversion? What if the appearance of salvation prevented true confessions of no faith as the child finally becomes aware of his sin?
Dr. Alexander was not fearful of this line of reasoning. He clearly states:
“While I would not deny that Satan may take advantage of these transient exercises to induce a false hope, I cannot be persuaded that he produces these impressions; for often the people, before experiencing them, were as careless and stupid as he could wish them to be, and because the tendency of these impressions is beneficial. The youth thus affected becomes more tender in conscience, forsakes known sin before indulged, has recourse to prayer, and feels strong desires after eternal happiness. These are not what Satan would effect, if he could, unless we could suppose that he was operating against himself, which our Savior has taught us to be impossible.”
If we understand the work of God’s spirit in a less than immediate or linear experience, we are more able to see that even these transient times of experiencing God are beneficial to conversion- even if it is many years down the road.
I love Dr. Alexander’s point here:
“So, when a revival occurs under the awakening discourses of some evangelist, people are ready to think that he only is the successful preacher whose labors God owns and blesses; whereas he does but bring forward to maturity, feelings and convictions which have been long secretly forming and growing within the soul—but so imperceptibly that the person himself was little sensible of any change.”
And what of those who do not receive adequate religious instruction or have these early impressions? No doubt they can be converted, but the soil is much less ready for the good seed of the word.
So I continue to say to parents and Bible teachers of the young- preach on! You don’t think you are making an impact, but you are! You never know what conditioning is taking place in the depths of the heart.
This doesn’t mean that we not try to find creative, encouraging, and loving attempts to share the good news. But every prayer and every attempt may be having fruit that we know nothing of, until we see it in eternity!
God bless those who labor among the young!
Thoughts Taken from Archibald Alexander’s “Thoughts on Religious Experience” 1844
When we speak of Christ and the gospel to children, we get clear evidence of man’s original sin when we see some who react so negatively to the message. Even as a high school Bible teacher, I see physical evidence of real animosity to the things of God. I can’t count the constant references to cries from our student body about “shoving it down our throats”.
This is echoed back to 1844 when Archibald Alexander lamented, “From this cause it proceeds, that many children who have the opportunity of a good pious education learn scarcely anything of the most important truths of Christianity. If they are compelled to commit the catechism to memory, they are accustomed to do this without ever thinking of the doctrines contained in the words which they recite; so that, when the attention is at any time awakened to the subject of religion as a personal concern, they feel themselves to be completely ignorant of the system of divine truth taught in the Bible.”
Dr. Alexander goes on, however, to make a most important point. He said that these truths that seem to be a source of great contention, are hidden treasures that actually have wonderful benefits.
He says it this way: “Of two people under conviction of sin, one of whom has had sound religious instruction and the other none, the former will have an unspeakable advantage over the latter in many respects.”
No doubt that some children of Christian parents experience God’s love in a variety of ways. They may be awakened early to stories of Christ and His sacrifice or God and His mercy. But these early experiences do not always manifest themselves in immediate conversion.
It is hard to know sometimes, if a child is truly converted. The Puritans were very careful in their use of the term. To them, “faith that fizzles was faulty from the first”. They instructed their children in the catechisms, but took no hope in externals and misleading ‘juvenile exercises’.
We must never take lightly the enemies of our souls: the world, the flesh, and the devil. Could it be that the great deceiver would use childhood practice with piety as a veil for true conversion? What if the appearance of salvation prevented true confessions of no faith as the child finally becomes aware of his sin?
Dr. Alexander was not fearful of this line of reasoning. He clearly states:
“While I would not deny that Satan may take advantage of these transient exercises to induce a false hope, I cannot be persuaded that he produces these impressions; for often the people, before experiencing them, were as careless and stupid as he could wish them to be, and because the tendency of these impressions is beneficial. The youth thus affected becomes more tender in conscience, forsakes known sin before indulged, has recourse to prayer, and feels strong desires after eternal happiness. These are not what Satan would effect, if he could, unless we could suppose that he was operating against himself, which our Savior has taught us to be impossible.”
If we understand the work of God’s spirit in a less than immediate or linear experience, we are more able to see that even these transient times of experiencing God are beneficial to conversion- even if it is many years down the road.
I love Dr. Alexander’s point here:
“So, when a revival occurs under the awakening discourses of some evangelist, people are ready to think that he only is the successful preacher whose labors God owns and blesses; whereas he does but bring forward to maturity, feelings and convictions which have been long secretly forming and growing within the soul—but so imperceptibly that the person himself was little sensible of any change.”
And what of those who do not receive adequate religious instruction or have these early impressions? No doubt they can be converted, but the soil is much less ready for the good seed of the word.
So I continue to say to parents and Bible teachers of the young- preach on! You don’t think you are making an impact, but you are! You never know what conditioning is taking place in the depths of the heart.
This doesn’t mean that we not try to find creative, encouraging, and loving attempts to share the good news. But every prayer and every attempt may be having fruit that we know nothing of, until we see it in eternity!
God bless those who labor among the young!
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
The Heart of the Reformation- THE GOSPEL
I love reading about the reformation and I call myself a “reformed, covenantal, believer in Christ”
In all the technical jockeying about what the reformation means and endless echoing of the great “solas”- the heartbeat of the movement is still the true gospel.
The reformation was a re-discovery of the good news of salvation to all who believe. It was a new realization to living by faith in Christ’s death. It was a childlike, simple allegiance to Christ’s righteousness and confession of man’s sinfulness.
Have you heard the good news lately?
Salvation is based on the existence of God. He has been revealed as owner and Lord of all creation. Because of our total inability to acknowledge or follow God, we are destined to be obliterated by His wrath. All of my apathy, all of my waywardness, all of my selfishness- is facing a judgment day that has been largely ignored in my shallow and superficial life.
Left to my own merit- I would be in desperate trouble when faced with the Holy God.
Now the good part- Jesus stood in my place. He took my pain. He experienced my shame. He suffered for all the judgment due to me, the sinner.
In a simple matter of trust in His sacrifice, I am delivered from darkness and the reign of terror and placed in God’s family. My record is completely changed. Christ took my sin and gave me His righteousness.
On top of all that- He even granted me faith. He chose to purchase me. He chose to love me. He chose to forgive me! HOW CAN THIS BE?
It is the gospel my friend. I am still baffled by it.
But when you see me, you see a free man. There is no condemnation because I am in Christ Jesus.
My peace….my joy….. my life…. Has been secured in Jesus. What can man do to me?
All of this…. to God Alone be the GLORY!
In all the technical jockeying about what the reformation means and endless echoing of the great “solas”- the heartbeat of the movement is still the true gospel.
The reformation was a re-discovery of the good news of salvation to all who believe. It was a new realization to living by faith in Christ’s death. It was a childlike, simple allegiance to Christ’s righteousness and confession of man’s sinfulness.
Have you heard the good news lately?
Salvation is based on the existence of God. He has been revealed as owner and Lord of all creation. Because of our total inability to acknowledge or follow God, we are destined to be obliterated by His wrath. All of my apathy, all of my waywardness, all of my selfishness- is facing a judgment day that has been largely ignored in my shallow and superficial life.
Left to my own merit- I would be in desperate trouble when faced with the Holy God.
Now the good part- Jesus stood in my place. He took my pain. He experienced my shame. He suffered for all the judgment due to me, the sinner.
In a simple matter of trust in His sacrifice, I am delivered from darkness and the reign of terror and placed in God’s family. My record is completely changed. Christ took my sin and gave me His righteousness.
On top of all that- He even granted me faith. He chose to purchase me. He chose to love me. He chose to forgive me! HOW CAN THIS BE?
It is the gospel my friend. I am still baffled by it.
But when you see me, you see a free man. There is no condemnation because I am in Christ Jesus.
My peace….my joy….. my life…. Has been secured in Jesus. What can man do to me?
All of this…. to God Alone be the GLORY!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
The CPA Football Creed
CPA Football Creed
I believe in CPA football- a special time in my life, ordained by God
I AM A BROTHER- Alone I will fail, together we WILL succeed
I AM A WARRIOR -We suffer together so that we WILL persevere together
I AM A CHAMPION -We WILL Train and We WILL play to exhaustion
We WILL always honor THE MISSION - TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY
AND ONE DAY I WILL LAY DOWN MY GOLDEN ARMOR
AND FIND THAT I AM SOMETHING MORE- I AM A MAN
WE DEFEND THIS CREED WITH FIERCE INTENSITY
NO RETREAT NO RESERVE NO REGRET
COURAGE STRENGTH HONOR
WELCOME TO THE DEN
WRITTEN BY THE 2007 SENIORS
I believe in CPA football- a special time in my life, ordained by God
I AM A BROTHER- Alone I will fail, together we WILL succeed
I AM A WARRIOR -We suffer together so that we WILL persevere together
I AM A CHAMPION -We WILL Train and We WILL play to exhaustion
We WILL always honor THE MISSION - TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY
AND ONE DAY I WILL LAY DOWN MY GOLDEN ARMOR
AND FIND THAT I AM SOMETHING MORE- I AM A MAN
WE DEFEND THIS CREED WITH FIERCE INTENSITY
NO RETREAT NO RESERVE NO REGRET
COURAGE STRENGTH HONOR
WELCOME TO THE DEN
WRITTEN BY THE 2007 SENIORS
A CREED TO LIVE BY
DAY 31 Winning Edge Devotions
2 TIM. 1: 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. 13 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
One year my football seniors met for a leadership retreat at the beginning of the season. We worked through expectations, goals, and requirements for the team. In the six sessions, each senior was asked to consider what it meant to be a leader and a Biblical man. One of my activities that season was to begin writing a football creed. We challenged the seniors to work with the coaches to come up with a creed that expresses the special process of our football program and include our Christian distinctive.
I split the seniors into three groups and made it a competition to see which group could come up with the best “creed”. Here are some of their individual lines within the results:
“Alone you will fail, together we will succeed”
“We suffer together so that we can persevere together”
“Be bold to stand against culture”
“Train and play like a champion”
“Live with humility”
“Honor your brothers”
The coaches and seniors worked on this throughout the season and presented the results at the football banquet. They did a great job! They had Christ as their example and God’s word as the standard.
Football is a special game. The pressure of competition and the physical contact creates a need for “brothers”. The heat and humidity of tough two-a-days and the soreness of a body from intense hitting forges a relationship that is very hard to communicate. It is the hard work and sacrifice that makes “Friday Night Lights” a significant rite of passage for millions of young men in our culture every year.
I am also confident that this process will be more than words. These guys are writing a creed that they will live by. Have you thought about doing the same? At the end of this 31- day project I encourage you to sit down and write a statement about who you are and how you plan to live each day as a champion! May the Lord continue to bless your walk!
Check the next post to read the Creed.
2 TIM. 1: 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. 13 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
One year my football seniors met for a leadership retreat at the beginning of the season. We worked through expectations, goals, and requirements for the team. In the six sessions, each senior was asked to consider what it meant to be a leader and a Biblical man. One of my activities that season was to begin writing a football creed. We challenged the seniors to work with the coaches to come up with a creed that expresses the special process of our football program and include our Christian distinctive.
I split the seniors into three groups and made it a competition to see which group could come up with the best “creed”. Here are some of their individual lines within the results:
“Alone you will fail, together we will succeed”
“We suffer together so that we can persevere together”
“Be bold to stand against culture”
“Train and play like a champion”
“Live with humility”
“Honor your brothers”
The coaches and seniors worked on this throughout the season and presented the results at the football banquet. They did a great job! They had Christ as their example and God’s word as the standard.
Football is a special game. The pressure of competition and the physical contact creates a need for “brothers”. The heat and humidity of tough two-a-days and the soreness of a body from intense hitting forges a relationship that is very hard to communicate. It is the hard work and sacrifice that makes “Friday Night Lights” a significant rite of passage for millions of young men in our culture every year.
I am also confident that this process will be more than words. These guys are writing a creed that they will live by. Have you thought about doing the same? At the end of this 31- day project I encourage you to sit down and write a statement about who you are and how you plan to live each day as a champion! May the Lord continue to bless your walk!
Check the next post to read the Creed.
THE GLORY OF ACCOMPLISHMENT
DAY 30 WINNING EDGE DEVOTIONS
REV. 5: 11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” 13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” 14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
There is a purpose in winning and losing. The purpose is part of the design of measurement and meaning. Losing peaks our hungers and hurts. The importance of losing is the feeling we have. It is a reality. We suffer loss and the suffering pulls off all the facade of false living and idolatry. It also prepares us for winning.
The joy of winning is maximized to the degree of probability of loss; the greater the conflict, the more dangerous the foe, the greater the win. The thrill of winning is a type of glory. Think about a team that has always come short, year after year. There is a nemesis that has always taken away their joy. After years of failing, that same losing team finally breaks through. The joy of that celebration! The satisfaction of that accomplishment!
The gospel account is really a story of a great victory in the aftermath of great loss. God and man experienced pain over the fall in Eden. God’s holiness demanded wrath. There was the administration of a curse: thorns, sweat, pain,…and death.
A hero came and took on the curse. He took on the thorns, sweat, pain, and death on a cross. What seemed like a tragic loss as He was placed in the tomb was actually a preparation for final victory.The celebration of the resurrection was magnified by the loss and suffering of sin. It was a type of glory, the story of accomplishment.
This is lived out day by day in our lives. The seasons of defeat seem to beat us down and wear us out. We hide in shadows of sin and shame. Our enemies continue the accusations and threats. We retreat on roads of cynicism or addictions.
But the losses are preparing us for victory. We hunger for love and hold on to hope. We cry out to our Father and His love for us never stops. We feebly reach out one more time and step into a glorious win!
The above passage is the celebration of eternal championships. That same type of celebration is available to our hearts. We must keep preaching the gospel to our selves everyday, fight the good fight of faith, persevere through times of defeat, and expect sudden victory! God is too good to not right all the wrong!
Lord, I want to have the glory of accomplishment written on my heart. Give me the strength to keep hanging on! AMEN
REV. 5: 11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” 13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” 14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
There is a purpose in winning and losing. The purpose is part of the design of measurement and meaning. Losing peaks our hungers and hurts. The importance of losing is the feeling we have. It is a reality. We suffer loss and the suffering pulls off all the facade of false living and idolatry. It also prepares us for winning.
The joy of winning is maximized to the degree of probability of loss; the greater the conflict, the more dangerous the foe, the greater the win. The thrill of winning is a type of glory. Think about a team that has always come short, year after year. There is a nemesis that has always taken away their joy. After years of failing, that same losing team finally breaks through. The joy of that celebration! The satisfaction of that accomplishment!
The gospel account is really a story of a great victory in the aftermath of great loss. God and man experienced pain over the fall in Eden. God’s holiness demanded wrath. There was the administration of a curse: thorns, sweat, pain,…and death.
A hero came and took on the curse. He took on the thorns, sweat, pain, and death on a cross. What seemed like a tragic loss as He was placed in the tomb was actually a preparation for final victory.The celebration of the resurrection was magnified by the loss and suffering of sin. It was a type of glory, the story of accomplishment.
This is lived out day by day in our lives. The seasons of defeat seem to beat us down and wear us out. We hide in shadows of sin and shame. Our enemies continue the accusations and threats. We retreat on roads of cynicism or addictions.
But the losses are preparing us for victory. We hunger for love and hold on to hope. We cry out to our Father and His love for us never stops. We feebly reach out one more time and step into a glorious win!
The above passage is the celebration of eternal championships. That same type of celebration is available to our hearts. We must keep preaching the gospel to our selves everyday, fight the good fight of faith, persevere through times of defeat, and expect sudden victory! God is too good to not right all the wrong!
Lord, I want to have the glory of accomplishment written on my heart. Give me the strength to keep hanging on! AMEN
Monday, February 25, 2008
A WARNING TO WARRIORS
DAY 29 Winning Edge Devotions
1 CORIN. 2: 14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
Every army, in order to prevail on the battlefield, needs a certain number of people capable of courage, initiative or leadership beyond the norm.” Max Hastings, Warriors
We train our football players to be young warriors. Early in their football experience, we do drills where they put on the equipment and physically compete. There is a winner and a loser in almost all the drills. The intensity of the fight can be very dramatic! Over the course of training, these young men learn to fight.
It is the warrior spirit that causes some people to take notice, and often this characteristic has been admired. Many cultures have been established and maintained by prowess on the battlefield.
At the same time, their peers in society have also disliked many warriors. Some people feel uncomfortable around ‘fighters’ because warriors are the type of people not afraid to 'stir the pot' or face awkward circumstances.
I find it interesting to watch different reactions to my football players. Some people are ready to elevate them just because they play football and others are ready to tear them down for the same reason. I constantly advise our players to be careful as to how they walk, knowing that some natural detractors exist. And they sometimes add to the fire of dislike by doing foolish things.
As Christians, we also have natural detractors. The Bible describes them as ‘natural men’ who cannot comprehend the ways of God. We are encouraged in scripture to make every effort to live in peace with all men, but the above passage and many others guarantee that the majority will never accept us. Our relationship with Christ will always cause a separation with the world.
I write this for us to remember to be careful. And we must never water down what we believe in order to be accepted. We live to fight for our faith, but we also do so trying to keep a loving spirit about us as we walk.
The harder we fight for our faith and families, the more we will face misunderstanding and even persecution. If you are a good fighter, be careful, because there are a lot of people who do not like that ‘warrior spirit’. If you are a man's man and have grown up fighting for what you get- look out- this culture will not accept you with great comfort. It doesn’t keep us from fighting for the truth, but it does prepare us for misunderstanding in the midst of this fallen world.
Some of my greatest hurts in life have come from friendly fire of Christians who do not back me in a good cause. It hurts, but that is life. We must not hold grudges and move on. Most men are at their core, weak and they flee from conflict. There are few who will stand and fight well. And that is not going to change anytime soon. Sometimes you fight with a few, but if the battle is a worthy one- fight on!
Lord, you are pictured as a ‘warrior God’, fighting for what is right. Help me have great discernment about the noble causes and help me stand firm when others flee, fail, or lash out at me in misunderstanding. AMEN
1 CORIN. 2: 14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
Every army, in order to prevail on the battlefield, needs a certain number of people capable of courage, initiative or leadership beyond the norm.” Max Hastings, Warriors
We train our football players to be young warriors. Early in their football experience, we do drills where they put on the equipment and physically compete. There is a winner and a loser in almost all the drills. The intensity of the fight can be very dramatic! Over the course of training, these young men learn to fight.
It is the warrior spirit that causes some people to take notice, and often this characteristic has been admired. Many cultures have been established and maintained by prowess on the battlefield.
At the same time, their peers in society have also disliked many warriors. Some people feel uncomfortable around ‘fighters’ because warriors are the type of people not afraid to 'stir the pot' or face awkward circumstances.
I find it interesting to watch different reactions to my football players. Some people are ready to elevate them just because they play football and others are ready to tear them down for the same reason. I constantly advise our players to be careful as to how they walk, knowing that some natural detractors exist. And they sometimes add to the fire of dislike by doing foolish things.
As Christians, we also have natural detractors. The Bible describes them as ‘natural men’ who cannot comprehend the ways of God. We are encouraged in scripture to make every effort to live in peace with all men, but the above passage and many others guarantee that the majority will never accept us. Our relationship with Christ will always cause a separation with the world.
I write this for us to remember to be careful. And we must never water down what we believe in order to be accepted. We live to fight for our faith, but we also do so trying to keep a loving spirit about us as we walk.
The harder we fight for our faith and families, the more we will face misunderstanding and even persecution. If you are a good fighter, be careful, because there are a lot of people who do not like that ‘warrior spirit’. If you are a man's man and have grown up fighting for what you get- look out- this culture will not accept you with great comfort. It doesn’t keep us from fighting for the truth, but it does prepare us for misunderstanding in the midst of this fallen world.
Some of my greatest hurts in life have come from friendly fire of Christians who do not back me in a good cause. It hurts, but that is life. We must not hold grudges and move on. Most men are at their core, weak and they flee from conflict. There are few who will stand and fight well. And that is not going to change anytime soon. Sometimes you fight with a few, but if the battle is a worthy one- fight on!
Lord, you are pictured as a ‘warrior God’, fighting for what is right. Help me have great discernment about the noble causes and help me stand firm when others flee, fail, or lash out at me in misunderstanding. AMEN
CONDITIONED AND CONFIDENT
DAY 28 Winning Edge Devotions
PHIL. 1: 3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Moments before a big game, I look around the locker room at my team. I know that we have done all we can to be ready for this moment. It takes hours of training to prepare a team for this game.
We have conditioned in the heat. We have run gassers, and shuttle runs, and cone drills. We have hit the ground and gotten up time and time again. I have seen almost all of these players hang their heads in fatigue- sweat dripping off their bodies, chests heaving for breath.
We have lifted weights and done sit-ups and push ups. We have diagrammed every formation and play. We have done drills every practice. We have used cadence and stance, we have rehearsed almost every conceivable formation and motion. We have worked substitution patterns, personnel packages, and injury plans.
We have put out and put up our equipment day after day. We have watched hours of film and discussed our plans for untold hours. We have worked together, cried together, broken up soldier fights, and iced sore bruises.
I look over this incredible group of young men and they seem so conditioned and very confident. The repetition together has produced an expectation of success. We are ready to translate the preparation into a product of winning plays and we seek a win.
I also know that we are prepared for all kinds of situations that the game nay present. We have worked situations on offense, defense, and in the kicking game. I also have trained us to be tough and conditioned in the late stages of battle. We are ready!
In our spiritual development, Christ takes on the role of training. He takes us through life and gives us the rehearsal and life experiences we need for future victory. As I look over my 25 years of walking with Him, I see moments where He was preparing me. Sometimes those moments were incredibly painful. I have spent lonely nights in darkness asking the whys. He never directly answers, but He will never miss an opportunity to show me where He was leading.
It is hard to wait for Him in this training; I get impatient and want the reward- NOW. But He gently guides in His perfect timing and plan. A friend of mine told me that ‘God is never late, but He is seldom early’. I have waited sometimes 10 or 15 years for Him to finally come through and realize that it was just the right moment.
So I am back in the locker room. The training has us conditioned and the conditioning has sprouted confidence. It is time to go and fight for the prize!
Father, You are always working on us. As we move forward in this partnership of the gospel, thank you that You care enough to prepare us. I thank You for Your timing and grace. I thank You that You always provide the training we need. Help us be patient in the process!
PHIL. 1: 3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Moments before a big game, I look around the locker room at my team. I know that we have done all we can to be ready for this moment. It takes hours of training to prepare a team for this game.
We have conditioned in the heat. We have run gassers, and shuttle runs, and cone drills. We have hit the ground and gotten up time and time again. I have seen almost all of these players hang their heads in fatigue- sweat dripping off their bodies, chests heaving for breath.
We have lifted weights and done sit-ups and push ups. We have diagrammed every formation and play. We have done drills every practice. We have used cadence and stance, we have rehearsed almost every conceivable formation and motion. We have worked substitution patterns, personnel packages, and injury plans.
We have put out and put up our equipment day after day. We have watched hours of film and discussed our plans for untold hours. We have worked together, cried together, broken up soldier fights, and iced sore bruises.
I look over this incredible group of young men and they seem so conditioned and very confident. The repetition together has produced an expectation of success. We are ready to translate the preparation into a product of winning plays and we seek a win.
I also know that we are prepared for all kinds of situations that the game nay present. We have worked situations on offense, defense, and in the kicking game. I also have trained us to be tough and conditioned in the late stages of battle. We are ready!
In our spiritual development, Christ takes on the role of training. He takes us through life and gives us the rehearsal and life experiences we need for future victory. As I look over my 25 years of walking with Him, I see moments where He was preparing me. Sometimes those moments were incredibly painful. I have spent lonely nights in darkness asking the whys. He never directly answers, but He will never miss an opportunity to show me where He was leading.
It is hard to wait for Him in this training; I get impatient and want the reward- NOW. But He gently guides in His perfect timing and plan. A friend of mine told me that ‘God is never late, but He is seldom early’. I have waited sometimes 10 or 15 years for Him to finally come through and realize that it was just the right moment.
So I am back in the locker room. The training has us conditioned and the conditioning has sprouted confidence. It is time to go and fight for the prize!
Father, You are always working on us. As we move forward in this partnership of the gospel, thank you that You care enough to prepare us. I thank You for Your timing and grace. I thank You that You always provide the training we need. Help us be patient in the process!
Friday, February 22, 2008
WINNING THE SUDDEN CHANGE
DAY 27 Winning Edge Devotions
1 JOHN 1: 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
In football, we teach a principle called ‘winning the sudden change’ and it takes place after we have some type of turnover. If we give up a fumble, throw an interception, or have a punt blocked we ask the defense to run on the field with a lot of enthusiasm and resolve to stop the momentum and fight to limit points.
I remember one game in particular where we fumbled early in the game and our defense hit the field with so much excitement that even the officials looked at us like we were crazy. Our defense went out with such an attitude that we stopped the opponent and ended the threat.
When we make mistakes, it puts us immediately in a negative spin. If we are not careful, one slip up can create all kinds of errors and poor attitudes. As a coach, I am always looking for ways to not follow up mistakes with more mistakes. Sometimes the errors come in bunches.
The quicker we can recover and get back in the competition, the better. It takes a focused and poised demeanor to face the problem head on and work through it.
This passage in I John is a great balance for us in handling mistakes or errors in our spiritual lives. The first principle in this passage is that we will sin. When we become Christians, we still have to live out our life in the flesh. We are new creatures in Christ, but there is a process where we begin to grow in the new nature that God has given us. The Bible speaks of putting off the old and putting on the new. It is a sometimes frustrating process of 2 steps forward and 3 back, 4 steps forward and 2 back, until, over time, we begin to show the habits of what Christ desires in us.
I think one of the key points in this process of sanctification is ‘winning the sudden change’ or, in other words, quickly rebounding from sin into repentance. I believe this passage is encouraging us to quickly confess and not spend long times weighed down by sin.
God forgives us, in His love and mercy, and restores us. His forgiveness is cleansing and redemptive. The quicker we can agree with Him our errors, the sooner we can begin the steps of progress and not decline.
If you know you have blown it and the game momentum is changing. Win the sudden change by turning to the God of grace and trust Him to make things right. The sooner we do that, the quicker we can get back to walking with Him in meaning and victory!
Father, forgive me for coming up so short. I marvel at Your love for me and Your readiness to cleanse and restore me. Do not allow me to wander from You or spend time running from Your grace. Help me to see this as a sudden change opportunity to leave it before the cross and continue my journey with You!
1 JOHN 1: 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
In football, we teach a principle called ‘winning the sudden change’ and it takes place after we have some type of turnover. If we give up a fumble, throw an interception, or have a punt blocked we ask the defense to run on the field with a lot of enthusiasm and resolve to stop the momentum and fight to limit points.
I remember one game in particular where we fumbled early in the game and our defense hit the field with so much excitement that even the officials looked at us like we were crazy. Our defense went out with such an attitude that we stopped the opponent and ended the threat.
When we make mistakes, it puts us immediately in a negative spin. If we are not careful, one slip up can create all kinds of errors and poor attitudes. As a coach, I am always looking for ways to not follow up mistakes with more mistakes. Sometimes the errors come in bunches.
The quicker we can recover and get back in the competition, the better. It takes a focused and poised demeanor to face the problem head on and work through it.
This passage in I John is a great balance for us in handling mistakes or errors in our spiritual lives. The first principle in this passage is that we will sin. When we become Christians, we still have to live out our life in the flesh. We are new creatures in Christ, but there is a process where we begin to grow in the new nature that God has given us. The Bible speaks of putting off the old and putting on the new. It is a sometimes frustrating process of 2 steps forward and 3 back, 4 steps forward and 2 back, until, over time, we begin to show the habits of what Christ desires in us.
I think one of the key points in this process of sanctification is ‘winning the sudden change’ or, in other words, quickly rebounding from sin into repentance. I believe this passage is encouraging us to quickly confess and not spend long times weighed down by sin.
God forgives us, in His love and mercy, and restores us. His forgiveness is cleansing and redemptive. The quicker we can agree with Him our errors, the sooner we can begin the steps of progress and not decline.
If you know you have blown it and the game momentum is changing. Win the sudden change by turning to the God of grace and trust Him to make things right. The sooner we do that, the quicker we can get back to walking with Him in meaning and victory!
Father, forgive me for coming up so short. I marvel at Your love for me and Your readiness to cleanse and restore me. Do not allow me to wander from You or spend time running from Your grace. Help me to see this as a sudden change opportunity to leave it before the cross and continue my journey with You!
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