I Am Job's Friend

In my Bible reading recently, I happened to land upon the section where Job is being 'counseled' by his 'friends'. To be honest, I tend to become a scanner in this part of the Book, because you already know the narrative and you know that this is just philosophical back and forth and I want Job to get better... so I just scan until God confronts him face to face and rush to the good part....restoration.

And I know all the commentary about how this advice or teaching from Job's friends doesn't really help. They are telling Him it is sin to doubt God, or that Job must have done something to deserve this, and all the normal things people say in the midst of inexplicable tragedy and suffering.

But as I was reading Job's friends. It wasn't that they were speaking heresy to Job... it was the fact that they were speaking at all.

I am all for long discussion of theological approaches to suffering- but their teaching wasn't much help to a man who had lost everything and was scrapping wounds inflicted by Satan under God's allowance.

Job did not need a lecture. He was merely spewing rhetorical exasperations. He was in pain.

A godly friend, confident in God and His divine purposes, should never feel pressure to defend God during these times- they need to be heartbroken, pray, and serve. The only words that matter here are "I love you" and "I am here".

In the dark of night, that friend would remember Job and reach out to him. And as Job cries out "Why is this happening" the only proper answer is "I don't know, my friend, but here is a cool taste of water and ointment for those wounds."

I get so sad that I always lead with words and rarely with sacrificial service.

The time for truth will come- but in the early stages of loss my friends and family need a shoulder and a servant and a heart of compassion.

God's people understand that.

When 200 mph winds destroy homes and schools- they pack their trucks with chainsaws and water and run to the hurting. They give money to support. They pray with tears of sorrow.

And them some, like me, sit back and pontificate on the problems.

I want to do better here. And it starts with my wife and children.

I have a tendency when some in my family come home- and they have had a hard day- and there are tears of pain or frustration or anger- I tend to work to 'explain' and 'teach' responses. Sadly, there have been times when the lecture begins with "you are wrong which means your emotions are a result of wrong" like that helps one bit.

Lord, make me more willing to say nothing at all and hug, pray, and serve.

Those other conversations will come... in time. But even then- the hug will go to the heart and my words will sound hollow without the love.

In our society right now- as I read the www. there has never been more suffering.

And yes, suffering of this magnitude is often exaggerated because of our distance from God and His gospel promises. Romans 1 is very clear... the consequences of sin are contained in the lawless acts themselves- a type of moral physics. Not all suffering is a direct application of personal sin Jesus and Job said that over and over, but we all suffer directly or indirectly because of sin. And sometimes we are left in the wreckage of natural disaster or providential tragedy- for the Lord allows the rain to fall on all.

But that whole last paragraph- full of truth- says NOTHING if it is not lived out in LOVE and compassion and mercy.

Many of us moralists will retreat and flee when the consequences of sin come full bloom. But God's people never retreat. They bind the wounds of the sinners because that is where we all are in gospel terms. Many, including me, will become teachers of the Law and, in mostly civilized and kind terms say, "see I told you so" and watch the carnage with little sympathy.

This doesn't mean that we never correct or discipline our children. But it does mean that even when we discipline we need to have the HEART of the Father as well. "He whom the Lord LOVES He disciplines".

This is how it should work:

A sinner, despite knowing better, stays in his sin until the hammer finally falls. He receives penalty and punishment. If he is still breathing, God has been merciful- but no one ever realizes that.

God's child steps in and sees a man suffering. He begins to pray, and love, and serve. He does these acts of mercy without expectation of gratitude or payback- he knows that God is his reward. He never PARTICIPATES in the sin, he doesn't enable or become a co-dependent the sin. But he prays, and loves, and helps with an non-condemning attitude.

One day, it is the sinner who begins the conversation.."Why do you do these things? I am not worthy of this!" And the Holy Spirit has now opened the door to gospel truth.

"We are all sinners, but God demonstrates His love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. His call is on you now..Come and follow Me."

Now in reality- this is a long and complex process in a sea of rejection and mis-understanding and hearts hardened by sin.

But we should be in the process offering rest for the weary, help for the hurting, and prayers for all.

Today, I am going to stop being a bad friend to Job- I am going to be a godly friend.......by God's grace.

Song: I Am Job's Friend

The Ministry of 'Mess Up, 'Fess Up, and Grow Up

About to finish an amazing two years of serving as the Dean of Students at our school. And it has made me even more amazed at the 20 plus years that Coach Fred Yancey served in this role. Sometimes I feel like I have served 20 years in two- and if that is true- he did 200 years in twenty.

He has been the one that has been so helpful as I go to him and talk through different situations and he always has an example of things he did right and things that he wished he had done differently. I don't care what your degree is or how many books you read- there is NO substitute for a mentor.


And last night- he summed up my job in such a clear and concise way that I will never forget it. He was talking to our team and said- "the ministry of mess up, fess up, and grow up"- and it clicked like a light bulb.

MESS UP

My job is the most consistent one on the planet next to funeral services. I go to work everyday with a small to do list that I never really get to because e-mails, phone calls, and stop-ins begin to line up the long list of disobedience or rules infractions. Dress code, classroom disturbance, inappropriate humor, possible cheating, plagiarism, tardies, twitter fights, student concerns, parking or driving issues, skipping class, family issues, and I can go on and on. Some VERY light and some deep and serious.

I have never had one school day in 2 years where everyone did it right- which is a picture of where we all are in terms of human nature. We can't follow man's rules- how much more we violate God's rules. Some struggle in areas where others do not- but everyone has that area where no matter how hard they try- they come up short on their own. Now, the vast amount of our students NEVER come to see me for discipline issues. But no one is perfect..... no, not one.

FESS UP

Here is where the rubber meets the road. It is not normal to fess up.

This is as old as the Garden of Eden where Adam and Eve refused to come clean with God. The natural tendency is to lie and deny til you die. It is easy to blame others or complain that others are guilty and geting away with it.

It takes a lot of courage and grace humility to look someone in the eye and say "I did it and I am sorry".

This is going to sound weird, but some of my most rule breaking students are ones I admire the most because they are honest in admitting what happened. Even more are the ones who know they need to accept hard consequences- but have the inner strength to take them.

I try to help my students here in the process. I never want a false confession (and I get those at times) but I do work with them on the process of admitting a wrong doing and teaching a process of apology and moving forward.

GROW UP

The Book of Hebrews has a lot to say about the necessity of discipline:

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,    and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,    and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”
 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.  Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! ¹⁰ They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.  No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

I get to see the fruit of this process almost everyday.

I will read this passage to my students from time to time- including the inference of verse 10 that 'fathers' sometimes make the wrong decision in discipline thinking we are doing good- but God disciplines us for good.

But I do see a fruit of standing firm in business-like discipline. Not yelling but explaining punishment and gradually increasing the severity until the message clicks- it is much better and easier to obey.

However, it is a PROCESS- "those who have been trained by it"


APPLYING THIS MINISTRY:

Personally- I need to fess up to God and see the areas that I need more self control and need to practice being more disciplined. This includes applying the disciplines of grace- Bible study, prayer, to my life in a more consistent way.

As a Dad: I do not like disciplining or correcting my children. I like peace. But if I do not correct them, I AM NOT LOVING THEM. My tendency was to do great while they were little but back away as they get more sophisticated. But if I do not address issues of laziness, or respect, or attitude... I am not helping them. There are times to do this and times to back up..... but hard conversations and possible consequences that stick need to be administered. Our youth tend to disregard authority and our role as parents is to nip that in the bud. A child left alone will not move upward.

As a Church Member: I need to practice Matt. 18 and be willing to lovingly confront obvious sin. Not to remove a speck where I have a log, but in love have a conversation. I also need to be willing to hear rebuke from others.

I am so thankful for Coach Yancey and his ministry and I pray that God would grant His grace for me to grow in this area.......

A Dangerous Disorientation

The speed, fragility, glut, and gloom of events within in a 24 hour news cycle acts like a continuous pounding of stormy seas on our souls.

The rapid change and complication of worldview opinion without real thought or analysis is a constant erosion of necessary essentials of civilization and survival.

There has never been a more important time for steady and sturdy truth-telling. We are in need of precision and authentic application of these truths to the sandstorm of conflict and chaos.

PRESSURES ON CHURCHES: The more I read the 7 letters to the churches in Revelation, the more astounded I am on the relevance of the message. The church today faces many of the same problems that the first century church faced- it is just clouded in technology and shrouded by the withdrawal of gospel light in the world.

What is the pressure? It is always compromise.When you study the decline of gospel impact, it is proportional to the surrender and retreat of the church. A quick study of liberalism will always point to good intentions- a desire to remain relevant as culture grew to rely on science/technology more and supernatural faith less. It is a divorce that did not have to happen- but is an area that we still struggle with.

It has always been my belief that if science moves honestly through its method and the church honestly studies the Word as written there doesn't have to be a disharmony. It is when science extrapolates into mere speculation and theology presupposes science in Scripture, that is where we get into conflicting conundrums.

By the way, I am not talking about  a situation where the church expresses legitimate doubt on a scientific theory as long as the effort is made to thoroughly look at it and patiently persevere as the evidence is weighed.

I always point to Charles Hodge as an example of how the Church should have responded to the explosion of science. He saw it fitting in with how Calvin perceived it.

“ Science is the elegant structure of the world and serves as a mirror in which we see God." 

  “Science gives us the full accord of facts. It costs the church a severe struggle to give up one interpretation and adopt another, but no evil need to be apprehended. The Bible still stands in the presence of the whole scientific community, unshaken”

His compatriot, Archibald Alexander agreed:

 “Science and the Bible are allies in establishing truth. God is author of both revelations. The truth has nothing to fear from the truth”

Charles Hodge and the Princetonians successfully navigated through the Origin of the Species

Princeton received “Origin” with great interest in 1859.

In 1862, Charles Hodge noted Darwin’s own admissions: “his frank admission of  the difficulties of the theory and in the absurdity of its conclusion”.

Hodge’s main problem with Darwinism was its commitment to random chance and not directed by God.

According to Hodge, the fatal flaw of Darwinism is the denial of design in nature. “If you deny design,you in effect deny God. Darwin says he believes in a creator, but if the creator, billions of eons ago, called a germ in existence and abandoned its development to chance has pretty much consigned himself to non-existence. So what is Darwinism? It is Atheism.”

Hodge rejected Darwin’s views, with respect in1862.

And I believe that their analysis remains valid when you consider how much of Darwinian theory still stands and how much of it has not endured.

PROBLEM 1: ANTI-INTELLECTUALISM, DISDAIN OF DOCTRINE

Where the church really dropped the ball was an unwillingness to engage from a conservative point of view the various challenges that began to surface in the wake of Darwin and the rise of skepticism. If we are honest, we will agree that the venue for legitimate debate was slanted- but liberalism's fatal flaw was to capitulate in academic arenas to maintain peer prominence. The pressure to keep the money flowing and academic credibility in tact allowed for certain worldviews to gain a foothold without challenge. And we all know the tragic result- the philosophy in the classroom of one generation will be the philosophy in the stateroom of the next.

Even today, great Christian leaders will back away from doctrine like it is a cancer. But what sound doctrine does is keep us oriented in the storm. Without the precision of doctrine, we get lost in the shadows.

PROBLEM 2: DOCTRINAL TRUTH WITHOUT AUTHENTIC PASSION

Another problem is that where we find sound theology, it often is presented without a deep heart confirmation. We have a religion of the head, but no fire from the heart. We beat people to death with the truth... right and DEAD RIGHT. Boldness with coldness.

The preachers of the reformation and great awakenings brought the Word to life. It doesn't mean emotionalism- no one could accuse Jonathan Edwards of that- but it was an intensity of the Spirit. Men who were moved to tears- unafraid of criticism- and held out their hearts even though the world often shattered them.

I place myself in this category and I often pray that God would prevent me from acting like a cold robot... I am discovering little slivers of change within deep prayer and thirst for worship.

A STRANGE HELP WITHIN A POWERFUL PROBLEM

This is going to sound confusing- but a help in this disorientation is an INSTITUTION and a problem in this area is an INSTITUTION.

I often feel the Lord challenging me to step beyond my institutional faith.

That is a faith that is just built into my routine. I work in a Christian School... which means on my calendar is prayer time, worship time, devotional time, instructional time, fellowship time, study time.

But if all I have is the routine, all I have is the ritual.

Does this mean we reject institutions? Heavens no! Where would we be without solid institutions of family, school, churches, civic organizations to uphold values and integrity. What is a strength of institutions is the ability to change slowly. The negative aspect of this is that the form of institutional values can be cemented in a tradition where the human touch is lost through decay and only a fossil remains.

But is that all lost? No. I can tell you walking the halls of places like Princeton, the US Capitol, or Westminster Abbey... the stones themselves cry out the glory of gospel truth!


THE CHARGE OF THE COMMISSION REMAINS UNCHANGED

My role in the arena of presuppositional opinions and kaleidoscope buffet ethics is to keep my feet firmly planted in the historic stream of gospel proclamation.

A Christian in today's world needs to pay closer attention to the historic narrative and cling to the historic writing that was paid for by spilled blood. The message is not quantum physics- it is a simple proclamation.

"The witness is this, God has given us eternal life and this life is in His Son, He who has the Son has life. He who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things have been written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know you have eternal life. I John 5:11-13"

HOW THIS HELPS IN THE INTOLERANT TOLERANT CULTURE

If we are willing to know the Word and give a defense of the existence of God- the reliability of His revelation- the testimony of the Saints- worship in Spirit and truth- boldly serve and love without condemnation- we can suffer the slings and arrows of turbulent times.

FOR EXAMPLE- Much is being made of the recent battle of Gay Marriage and the NBA basketball player coming out of the closet. How does gospel proclamation and precise doctrine help us in the arena of endless soundbites and opinions?

In the end- all men have to answer 1 question- it has nothing to do with morals or orientation- "What have you done with the Holy God's crucified and resurrected Son?" Everything else is trivial.

If we stay on that question and harp on that subject- we can stay on true North in the dizzying chaos!

Going Forward When Everything Screams Stop

Over and over again yesterday, like reliving a bad dream, I watched video of the bomb going off at the finish line of the Boston Marathon.

Each time my eyes focused on an elderly man, just yards from the finish line, in a bright orange running shirt- knocked down by the concussion of the blow or maybe even a victim of shrapnel.

Today I learned his name- Bill Iffrig, 78 a retired builder who was running his 3rd Boston.

The picture posted on this blog was a lead photo in a number of news sites, I just stared at it for a solid 6 or 7 minutes. When tragedy strikes, there are always heroic responses. Seeing the full detail and resolve of the Boston policemen and women is motivation enough.

But it is what happened after this photo took place. It is what happened after the video view moved and I spent all day wondering what happened to the man in orange.

Bill Iffrig got up and finished the race.

Not only that, he found his son who was waiting for him, and they walked back to his hotel room about a half mile away.

This 2009 Washington Herald's Man of the Year- did what he was trained to do- finish. Move forward when everything was screaming to quit.

Where does that come from?

News reports say that Bill began running in the 1970's. I see where he was going to finish yesterday's race in just over 4 hours. Elite marathoners or accomplished distance runners may not even blink at that. But I'm thinking "78!" not only is he a qualifier and three time finisher- but he is pushing a great pace for those 26.2 miles!

The long hours.. the grueling training- fighting pain and discouraging injuries. Being on a road all alone with no one to keep you going. Hearing an inner voice that says 'slow down and walk' but learning how to say 'No' to those cries- marathoners know those moments.

No matter how good they are- a marathoner will hit the wall when every fiber of their body says "Quit"- but the ones who finish learn to say 'march on' no matter what.

People will say how 'brilliant' the evil person or persons who did this were to move in, pass by, and get out while hurting such a soft target.

I say those evil perpetrators are actually stupid.

They picked on some of the best people in our society and will lose.

I predict a record turnout on Patriot's Day 2014- in both runners and spectators.

I already imagine someone finishing on a prosthetic, defying the odds of recovery from yesterday's carnage.

The terrorist messed up- he picked the wrong city, wrong event, and wrong target.

A terror event is meant to paralyze a people into fear and hiding.

But marathoners don't know how to quit and they won't.

As Americans- we need to dig deep down and find that same resolve to get up and finish well.

They won't win because we never say 'quit'.

I'm going to pray and serve and run a little harder today.... how about you?

Bill Iffrig Finishes

How Worship Elevates Everything

I have blogged before about the now decade long struggle I have had with a Biblical understanding of worship. It is an area where I have had to learn so many of the nuances, because my default understanding of worship is as flawed as my default understanding of the gospel is.

And this is no declaration that I have 'arrived' in this area. It is just like the gospel in that the 'sweet center' of Spirit led understanding seems to always leak out of me. I need to constantly pay close attention the simple gospel and I need to constantly challenge my understanding and experience of Biblical worship.

I want to stop here and reference our outstanding pastor/teacher at Briarwood Presbyterian Church, Harry Reeder and his recent series: 'Worship God' on this vitally important issue. Click this link for links to this series: REV. HARRY REEDER- WORSHIP GOD

There are two aspects of worship- Life Worship and Corporate Worship- both having connections with each other and very important in the life of a believer.

I enjoy hiking and running. In a sense, both accentuate heart desires I have and represent aspects of worship.

This past Saturday though- I have a real life example of how by prayer and preparation- Biblical illumination and Spirit initiated intentionality- a 'normal' run became a mini clinic of how we can worship our way through life.

The tough thing about the following example is that it is not as common as I wished it were and I don't expect it to be an every time type of thing. I think part of real worship is doing the routines faithfully and trusting God to add the Spirit/Truth/Circumstances/Awareness as needed for our growth.

And the following example is easy to mis-understand. I am NOT a mystic, nor am I a Christian version of a transcendentalist. The experience and practice of worship begins and ends with the reality of God, who HE is, and what He has accomplished... no other additives are needed. But in His grace and tender understanding, He adds the things we need as our hearts cry out for 'more of Him'!

So... I wake up this past Saturday, knowing that I am supposed to run at least 12 miles in preparation for the half marathon race I have coming up. I was excited to get an early phone call from my oldest daughter- she wants to join us!

Our plan is to meet at O'Henry's Coffee shop in Homewood and use it as our central point for the run.
We would do our normal 7 mile loop and then I could drop the girls off to enjoy coffee and the new Target while I did about another hour of training.

Create Maps or search from 80 million at MapMyRun

This running part of Birmingham is one of the great places in our city. You go though Mountain Brook Parkway, past Mountain Brook Country Club cut across Montevallo Road, past Crestline Village, by Birmingham Country Club, through Mountain Brook Village and then I do the Samford/Homewood Greenway on the other side of the coffee shop. It is flat, beautiful, woods, water, quaint shops, golf courses, amazing homes.. terrific place to run!

But true worship 'elevates' this experience... here is how....

It started with Scripture and prayer. As I was getting ready, God's Word was rich in my mind. I was meditating on the Psalms, especially the Psalms of Ascent which I am teaching on right now in Sunday School.

Being with my wife and daughter is a great part of this. I can be alone and worship- but when you have the joy of being with loved ones- it lifts the soul!

We had our coffee, we laughed- small talk stuff and then we started the run...

As we got into the trail part of Mountain Brook Parkway, I couldn't miss the CREATOR aspect of God. It was a gorgeous spring morning. Birds and blooms and bubbling brooks. A lot of my worship has always been centered on the design, intricate beauty, power, and life of all creation. From pictures of distant galaxies taken by Hubble, to animal planet cameras capturing beasts and deep sea creatures, contemplating the double helix of DNA, to having my breath stolen by majestic seasides, mountains, or canyons- My heart leaps in awe of the Creator. Always has.... Always will.

But knowing this God through Jesus creates an intimate awareness of these variety of colors, shapes, sounds, and smells- He did this because He loves us! He designs these things with us in mind! And these are just the temporary wall hangings- ready to be burned and changed... what an amazing God!

And then, by God's grace and Spirit.. I got another blessing. I was just behind my wife and daughter... and they were jogging and talking and laughing, what an uplifting moment. I just thanked God right there in my mind, "Lord, they are really loving this! Thank-you!"

Praising God for His creation and thanking Him for this beautiful picture of mother/daughter are aspects of worship.

Then as we came toward Crestline Village, I was blessed (as I have been many times) by the Cross in front of St Luke's Episcopal Church on Old Leeds Road. They have it up throughout Easter season, but it doesn't stay up all year.

I go right by it on the sidewalk.

At that point songs and thoughts of Christ's sacrifice came flooding in my mind. What He had done for me and how I don't deserve it.

My slight discomfort in running is NOTHING compared to His suffering on that tree.

Thorns on His head, wounds on His body... and that also became a part of this ordinary run that God allowed to become a time of life worship.

Once I dropped the girls off at O'Henry's and continued on- all of these elements continued to carry on. The Creator God, the thankfulness of all of his blessings especially rich relationships of family, the Savior God and the sacrifice needed, and the joy of persevering in a pursuit to 'finish the course'.

I have had other memorable experiences like that. I remember a day at Shoal Creek years ago with my spiritual mentor, Mr. Bill Stegall. I remember a time fishing out of Venice, LA with my good friend, Bill Hawkins. And there have been a myriad of other times- even just sitting at my desk or eating a meal.

So what are some common factors in these life worship experiences? And is there a way for it to be more common?

ACKNOWLEDGE GOD

It is easy to slide through a day with little acknowledgement of God. "Many hours for the world and few minutes for Christ" There are times at the end of a day I come to a disappointing realization that I rarely addressed the Lord, if at all. There are times I realize I have gone a short season with little prayer, thought. no Bible reading.

But there are other times where I have had that 'prayer without ceasing' time of a day long conversation with the Lord. Usually spurred on by Scripture, or listening to a good sermon or devotional, Christian music.

I wish I INITIATED this invitation more often and I realize without the Holy Spirit prompting me, I likely would not do it. But I am slowly improving in my practice of asking the Lord to be with and engage in whatever I am doing

 "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."                     I Corinthians 10:31

PRAYER AND SCRIPTURE PREP

Jesus: God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth. John 4:24

Part of my journey in understanding the nature of acceptable worship is the process of learning from God's Word the truth...who God is, the grand narrative of history, the covenant promise, the act of redemption, the growth and function of God's church.

The craziest aspect of this is that no matter how well I know the Word, I must keep re-visiting it over and over- because it is a dynamic and living Word. Without worship, we shrink and without God's Word, we starve.

Prayers and petitions, supplications... the discipline of prayer- prostrating before the King in submission, yet pleading with Him at the same time.


ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

Philippians 4 says "with thanksgiving" let our requests be made known to God. When I count my blessings it keeps me in a positive frame of mind. Observing/experiencing life positively allows me to love better, to hope better, to bear better, to overlook more.

When I get weighed down with how unfair and hard life is- I see things more negatively and I become more cynical and sarcastic. It is hard to grow a tree of worship in such foul soil.

CAREFUL ATTENTION TO THE GOSPEL OF GRACE

The message of God's grace has to be central in this quest for worship. We don't worship to somehow earn a merit badge. We don't do it because we are good. We don't do it in our strength. We have to be aware that worship could become an idol. We have to be suspicious of our on sinful hearts to slide... prone to wander.

RELATIONSHIPS MATTER

We can effectively worship God alone. But God has designed us to fellowship with one another. My best friends deepen my thirst for God. I can play golf alone. But it is always better with a friend. Even better with 3 friends. And even better when we all commune with God-glorifying talk in the process.
Life goes better when I learn to enjoy it with others and focus on them more than me.

PRETENDING/ PRACTICE/ PATIENCE/ PERSEVERANCE

Finally, as much as we would like for it to happen- a powerful worship experience will not always take place. And it is good that it doesn't, because our expectations spoil reality. We are still swimming upstream in a now but not yet existence.

I have learned to not be so cynical at religious routine. It is a dress rehearsal that points to future fulfillment. God gives shadows and hints of this in this life.

C.S. Lewis makes an astute point in Mere Christianity:

     Why? What is the good of pretending to be what you are not? Well, even on the human level, you know, there are two kinds of pretending. There is a bad kind, where the pretense is there instead of the real thing; as when a man pretends he is going to help you instead of really helping you. But there is also a good kind, where the pretense leads up to the real thing. When you are not feeling particularly friendly but know you ought to be, the best thing you can do, very often, is to put on a friendly manner and behave as if you were a nicer person than you actually are. And in a few minutes, as we have all noticed, you will be really feeling friendlier than you were. Very often the only way to get a quality in reality is to start behaving as if you had it already. That is why children’s games are so important. They are always pretending to be grownups—playing soldiers, playing shop. But all the time, they are hardening their muscles and sharpening their wits so that the pretence of being grown-up helps them to grow up in earnest.     Now, the moment you realise ‘Here I am, dressing up as Christ,’ it is extremely likely that you will see at once some way in which at that very moment the pretense could be made less of a pretence and more of a reality. 

I will run again soon and though all of the elements will still be there, it still doesn't 'rise' to the level of God authorized approved worship- and that is OK.

But I eagerly prepare for enjoying Him again in that intense and intimate way.

I may fall today, I may fail today- but He is worth the pain of perseverance and the weariness of patience. Because true worship elevates everything.

Acts in April- Spring Time Renewal

1 

In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptizedwith the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Luke is writing his second volume to the Gospel of Luke. He is writing both accounts to Theophilus "Friend of God"- what a great title! It is interesting to me that Luke says 'all Jesus began to DO and teach'- we often reverse those. Jesus did both- but his acts gave weight to His words. We frequently lift up teachers and rarely notice those who speak less but do more.

There was a 40 day period after the resurrection where Jesus did essential work before His ascension. Some of it was presenting 'many proofs' presenting Himself alive. Human belief is difficult and clouded with doubt and presuppositions- it takes time to build the foundation of understanding.

I love that He COMMANDED them to wait- I'm sure they were ready to head out in the flesh- especially after the pep talk to take the good news to the world! But as good as the gospel message is- we need the Spirit to deliver it in power and effectiveness.

The disciples were yearning for the restoration of the Kingdom... they had seen how unjust man's world was- it had just killed the Prince of Glory.

Even though Jesus says over and over- it is not for us to know when- we still struggle over that 'need to know', reading tea leaves and charts.

All we really know is that the angel said, He will come back in the same way He went up.

I get caught gazing a lot- when there is important work to do.

Lord, I commit this month of April to you. A time of renewal. Who do I need to share with? Pray for? Serve?  

I wait this morning for Your Holy Spirit.

"You know, I have this sense of motivation, and I picked it up from the Apostle Paul and from my understanding of Acts 1:1...that I must finish the work that Christ has given me. Now I don't know how much time I have, but I know I have a limited amount of time." You know, we can finish the work that Jesus gives us to finish of His unfinished work...we can. We have everything...all the things we need...the right message, the right manifestation...the living Christ, the right power...the Holy Spirit, the right mystery...we don't know when He's coming, so we work all the time occupying until He gets here...the right mission, we're witnesses, and the right motive. He is coming to reward us who are faithful.

"What makes you think you're going to finish your work?" Well, I just have this tremendous inspiration that comes to my heart from my friend, the Apostle Paul, and I want you to hear what he said. 2 Timothy 4:6..."For I am now ready to be offered. Lord, I can die now. I'm ready to go. Please take me home. The time of my departure is at hand. It hasn't been easy. I have fought a good fight. I have" what? "Finished the course. I have kept the faith, henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness." Paul says, "Lord, I can die now; I'm done." Boy, wouldn't that be fantastic?

Listen, I can believe that a Christian can finish the work that Christ gives him to do. I don't think the Lord wants to frustrate us. But in order to do it, you've got to take advantage of all of the ingredients that are given to you, see, and maximize your ministry. 

'Looking Out'- A Maundy Thursday Message

We had a terrible tragedy in Birmingham recently where a giant, free-standing flight information sign at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Airport fell onto a woman and her children- killing one 10 year old boy and severely injuring the others.

There is nothing anyone can do to take away that loss and the grief of such an event. And the impact is far reaching and inexplicable.

But there was a simple act of mercy yesterday in the aftermath of such darkness that added a sliver of light and a seed of healing.

 As Reported by By Sherea Harris - (Original Source Link)

 

The Bresettes' special visitors pose with Sam (in chair) during their visit. Source: Comilia Williams

 

Marcell Dareus (L) holds Tyler Bresette during the visit. Source: Comilia Williams

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) -

Some former Tide players helped cheer up a family dealing with a heartbreaking tragedy.

Luke Bresette was killed last week when a flight status board fell on top of him, his two brothers and his mother. His mother, Heather, is in fair condition at UAB Wednesday night. Sam Bresette, 8, was discharged from Children's Tuesday and Tyler Bresette, 5, was released from Children's Sunday.

To help cheer up the siblings and give the family a distraction from their pain, a group of Tide players made a special visit last Sunday. Marcell Dareus, Jerrell Harris, Marquis Maze and Antonio Langham chatted with the family, signed 8-year-old Sam's leg cast and posed for pictures.

"Just looking at the kids' faces, looking at the tragic incident [they were] still in good spirits. [I] felt overwhelmed being around them," Dareus said.

Comelia Williams is Dareus' personal assistant and arranged for the players to visit.

"My heart just went out to them. I tried to just keep myself together," she said.

Williams said the family was happy and appreciative for the support of the players.

Langham let Sam wear his championship ring and those present said Sam enjoyed that. The players also gave Sam an autographed Alabama picture, hat and football.

Talk about being worthy of a big "Roll Tide"...

There is a connection of this and an important ministry message going on at the University of Alabama. I credit Dr. Kevin Elko, for instilling a very important attribute among the Crimson Tide community. There are many schools around the country who employ chaplains and 'character coaches'- and you cannot credit Dr. Elko alone in this work- indeed Comelia Williams effort to organize the visits is to be deeply commended.

Dr. Kevin Elko

But if you listen to Dr. Elko's message- like I do frequently on Monday mornings subscribing to his Monday Cup of Inspiration- you hear a gospel awareness that turns outward; responding to God's goodness by serving others.

It is an important part of the gospel that we tend to miss- being filled up so that we can fill others.

When we first respond to God's grace, it is expected and understandable to turn inward. We see ourselves as God sees us and we begin to experience the joy of being filled and ministered to.

But an interesting thing happens along the way.

If we stay turned in- things become stale. Grace is like manna- it is good to be used daily for our needs, but cannot be stored without spoilage.

To whom much is given, much is required. In other words- we cannot keep it all for ourselves. As soon as we are filled, we need to turn outward and live lives that minister, free, lift up, soothe and heal others.

Have you ever battled depression as a believer in Jesus? A fast route out is to serve someone else.

That is what is so cool about being a follower of Jesus. The best way to receive an energy explosion from God's Spirit is to become employed in His service. I have personally experienced this on mission trips- there is almost a 'high' you feel by reaching out to others.

When Jesus was talking to the woman at the well- this idea is emphasized- John 4:

Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

So many college football players live lives where they are served and glorified. One of the smartest things a spiritual mentor can do is to charge them to live unselfishly, joining others and committing to service. It becomes liberating- it becomes life changing- and it is a key component to living as a champion- giving yourself to a cause bigger than yourself.

AND that is the idea of 'MAUNDY THURSDAY"- Maundy (mandate)- the command to 'love one another'- and the example of Christ's love... He gave it ALL for us.

He humbled Himself- He washed feet- He gave his body and blood- and when He says, "Do this in remembrance of Me " could He be implying more than just a meal...but a lifestyle built on giving rather than consuming?

Can you imagine the transformative power if God's children... so full of grace and so satisfied in Jesus.. loved one another with passion and that love spilled out to loving even the 'least of these'?

It is happening all the time- that is why there are orphanages, hospitals, shelters, clinics, well diggers, and medical missionaries in some of the most destitute places on the planet.

And I am sorry if this hurts..... but these bear the name of Christ, these places lift a rugged cross- very few (if any) of these missions of mercy have been inaugurated in the name of atheism.

When we reach out this way... it doesn't explain the 'why' of a fallen sign- but it does point to a 'WHO' to cling to when it does fall.

There will always be a need to turn in- that is a part of what Sunday Worship is about.

But as soon as we are refreshed- the very best thing to do is 'turn out'.

HEAVEN AND HELL

I heard a speaker one time paint a mental picture of hell.

He said think of a dark room and a table where starving men are sitting around a large table. They are chained to the chair and long wooden spoons are fastened to their hands. A large bowl of tasty porridge is in the middle of that table. Sadly, the spoons are too long- they reach the bowl- but no matter how hard they try, the men cannot bring the spoons to their mouths to eat.

Then he said... here is heaven.

Same room, same bowl, same spoons- but the huge difference is that the men use the long handles to feed one another.

On this day before Jesus went to the cross..... may we find the initiative and joy of going to one another ... in love..... in humility.... in service.

That is an Easter resurrection waiting to happen!

If There Is No Meaning in Marriage- Why the Fuss?

The definition of marriage is now in the fire of the culture war as the Supreme Court weighs legal challenges to the very definition of marriage, who is eligible to be married, and what all of society must accept as the law of the land once the decision is announced this summer.

A deeper issue is the quest for gay and lesbian Americans to continue their desire to see sexual orientation as the new civil rights struggle of the 21st century.

This is such a tough topic to deal with- almost impossible to present it as a social issue Biblically because the entire fabric of such a debate is included in the entire Christian world-view of sin, redemption, grace, freedom, Scriptural authority, and the mandate to 'hate sin' but 'love the sinner' application of the entire system, pulled in tow by Jesus' reminder to 'pick out the plank' out of our eyes before judging the speck in others.


We have to be careful here- because there can be no doubt that gay and lesbian human beings have suffered unjust treatment by some- both in the past and currently. I am often touched by the compassion that especially our young people feel when anyone suffers at the hands of others and applaud that empathy.

If we single out any homosexual as 'more sinful' or 'hideous' than other sinners- we have lost an essential concept of the gospel narrative.

But equally important- if we say any sin is OK which God has communicated is not OK- we are ignoring the Biblical surety of consequences built into the activity itself. Whatever a man sows....he will also reap- and empathy can be harmful if we do not lovingly, but boldly state the truth.

I think the hardest part of the entire debate for 'the Church' is that we haven't protected the covenant of marriage within our own walls. Our actions have demonstrated no real value to marriage, so why do we  even feel we have ground to defend it. I know we do and that it is an institution of God- but it is hard to stand firm for something that we let go of so easily.

The saddest stance of all is when officials who say they are ministers of the gospel twist and pervert the Scriptures to OK lifestyle decisions in an effort to seemingly avoid conflict.

Have you ever paid attention to what Jesus said on the subject of marriage?

3 And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one's wife for any cause?” 4 He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” 7 They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?” 8 He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.” (Matthew 19:3-9, ESV)

I have always been intrigued about this concession or compromise allowed by Moses. In Deuteronomy 24 an allowance was granted- but what were the circumstances there?

The divorce rate was so rampant at this time in Mosaic history- that the allowance was an attempt to restrain or 'reign' in rebellious sin. That is why Jesus says it was 'because of hardness of heart'- man is going to do it come hell or high water- but this is not the creation mandate or God's design.

Bible believing Christians are in no legitimate grounds to compromise as such- but what if we did?

Would this compromise work?

We will allow same sex marriages if all of society would declare adultery and sexual immorality 'wrong'. All sexual relations would be experienced within a consummation of a lifelong, monogamous marriage vow and divorce would only be granted for reasons of adultery or desertion of an unbelieving spouse?

Of course it would not- it is not a fair fight. Those who desire equal ground desire all the benefits but none of the limitations.


For the Bible believing Christian, there is never going to be a fair fight in the process.

When a protest was called against Chik-Fil-A by the Gay and Lesbian lobby- conservative people rallied from all different motivations to 'undo' the boycott. The large numbers who showed to buy chicken up were criticized by those on the outside and on the inside. The outside argument was this was a show of hate and homophobia. The inside attack was that it was a poor demonstration of love and understanding- clouding the message of mercy by taking a stand that was perceived only as condemnation and hate.

Yet, when the CEO of Starbucks suggests that supporters and shareholders leave his company because they refuse to support same sex marriage- hardly a word is mentioned and the same critics will find fault with anyone who now boycotts the coffee based on a religious belief or moral conviction.

Some will see my stance as 'hate' even though I advocate no violence against any person- I ask that all people be civil in debate and loving in responses- and desire no harm to come to anyone in the process.

The only civil right in this quest is the quest for ultimate autonomy.. I am my own God, my own church is my own opinion- get out of my way even if you are the Creator Yourself!

A bigger question is: where should the line of restraint be drawn, if it is to be drawn at all?

What would be the bottom line, common denominator, consensus of all of American society when it comes to standards of sexual morality?

How old? How private? How much? How little? I don't have much hope that we find a happy medium within the workings of state. By the way...how much pressure will the state place on churches to perform and recognize SSM's? It will be some of the same oppression that the health care law is having in the area of abortion rights.

This is why Christianity never really fairs well in the arena of hypothetical or theoretical ethics. It is hard to win on one social argument or another- we are part of a different kingdom with a different assessment.... a judgement of the heart first and actions second. A judgement ultimately reserved for God Himself, even though He has granted great authority to His Church on earth.

There are Biblical principles- rock solid ones- and we have broken every one of them.

The only assurances in the Bible believing world are the gospel message based on Biblical promises and Christ's life, death, and resurrection.
Godly law rooted in Biblical mandates.
And the promise that we will all stand in judgement...either an ally of the Lamb of God or offering our own stained record of sin and rebellion to the Holy Creator of the Universe.

There is a marriage of meaning that all marriages are a limited shadow of- the wedding of the Son of God to His Washed and Pure Bride. All paid for and promised by the groom.

When the Son returns, there will be a joyous wedding feast- and others outside weeping and gnashing their teeth.

So the real issue is where do you stand with the offer of the Son?

And have you considered what He says about marriage, divorce, and immorality?

"You who are without sin, cast the first stone"- to the religious.

"Go and sin no more"- to the adulterer.

See how He challenges all of us?

And the only response is a universal cry for mercy............


By God's grace, my wife and I are celebrating 25 years of marriage on April 2- but fewer and fewer are getting to such milestones.

I have great friends... much BETTER men and women than me.. who for various reasons saw an end to their marriage... this is not a post about heaping guilt on the hurting and there are Biblical warrants for divorce. But the rise in the divorce rate has had an impact on our society in tangible ways.....


So what of my marriage? My wife of 25 years is my best friend- the godly mother of 3 amazing girls. We are walking out a promise made to God, in front of witnesses, to join together for the purpose of living a life of joy and celebration which glorifies God. Though we struggle and fail, we cling to the good news promise of salvation through faith in Jesus the Christ.

This covenant agreement was officiated by a minister of the gospel who also believes in the Biblical promises of God. We have persevered well..in sickness and in health and not looking forward to ' til death do us part'.

What God has joined together... let no man separate.
Conversely- what God separates... no man may join... even if he passes laws to the contrary.

In oral arguments today, Justice Roberts asked if this argument is just over the term 'marriage'

CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERTS: So it's just
about -- it's just about the label in this case 

 MR. OLSON: The label is -­ 

CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERTS: Same-sex couples
have every other right, it's just about the label. 

 MR. OLSON: The label "marriage" means
something. Even our opponents -­ 

CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERTS: Sure. If you
tell -- if you tell a child that somebody has to be
their friend, I suppose you can force the child to say, 

this is my friend, but it changes the definition of what 

it means to be a friend.

In the long run- the 'term' may be added to a couple- 'married'- but based on where we seem to be headed in this society... I'm sad and afraid that the 'label' won't be worth much...........