Galatians, pt. 2: There is only One Gospel!

"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ & are turning to a different gospel--not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you & want to distort the gospel of Christ." Galatians 1:6-7

Our culture is so infiltrated with this notion: "There are many ways to God." Yet, if we take the authority of the Bible literally, there is no possibility for this to be true. Either we have a gospel that evolves & is subject to enlightening or there is only one gospel & it does not change. 

I recall a time in college when my fear of a teammate's opinion kept me from speaking the truth of the gospel. I can still remember the situation when he approached me & began to inquire of my interest in religion/theology. Although I was typically quite courageous, something about him made me want him to approve my opinion rather than hear the truth (fear of man vs. fear of God). It was not that much different than Peter's behavior in Galatians 2 that was so worthy of rebuke. I will spare you the details, but lets just say that I blew it. Because, there is only one gospel. What is so deceiving is when false teachers pervert the gospel. 

John Stott helps us recognize the true gospel. He offers two tests: its substance (what it is) & its source (where it comes from). 

Test 1: "It is the gospel of grace, of God's free & unmerited favour. To turn from Him who called you in the grace of Christ is to turn from the true gospel. Whenever teachers start exalting man, implying that he can contribute anything to his salvation by his own morality, religion, philosophy or respectability, the gospel of grace is being corrupted. That is the first test. The true gospel magnifies the free grave of God." 

Test 2: " The true gospel is the gospel of the apostles of Jesus Christ, in other words, the New Testament gospel...Any system 'other...than', or 'contrary to', or 'at variance with' this apostolic gospel is to be rejected." 

In closing, Dr. Alan Cole states it best, "The outward person of the messenger does not validate his message; rather, the nature of the message validates the messenger." 

"Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel...

To my dear friends who would give their lives in service to the Lord, I simply offer this blessing on your behalf: 

"The Lord bless you, and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace." Numbers 6:22-26

Brennan's New Wagon

Brennan got a new Christmas gift from Grandaddy...it is a big red wagon. And, because the temperature in East TN today is +70 degrees, we thought we would take Brennan & Bailey (our Chorkie [1/2 Chihuahua, 1/2 Yorkie = 100% maniac dog]). It was quite the thrill. We even had a neighbor run out of the house & take some pictures. Who would've thought it would be so beautiful 2 days after Christmas? Oh well, we will just accept is as a gift from God. 

Another Post on Humility

You may wonder why there are so many quotes, insights, & references to humility on this blog. Well, truth is, I (Ben) have become so much more aware of the extent of my pride that I must ask God for humility daily. With God's help, I must root out "the most hidden, secret & deceitful of all lusts," namely pride (Advice to Young Converts, Edwards). 

The other night I mentioned to Joy that God, through His word, has been teaching me a great deal about pride. It seems that the more He allows my eyes to be opened to pride in my life, the more discerning I am of it in other people's lives. I catch myself just prior to saying out loud, "That is pride in your heart & you need to deal with it." But, the gentle touch of God reminds me first of my own sin. And, therefore I keep myself from "casting the first (verbal) stone." Pride is so ugly. 

Plus, I have seen & continue to see the implications of having a proud heart before God. And, who am I to be proud before our God? And, for that matter, who are you before our Sovereign God? 

"Humility is honesty assessing ourselves in light of God's holiness & our sinfulness" (Humility, Mahaney). Mahaney further said, "Pride is when sinful human beings aspire to the status & position of God & refuse to acknowledge their dependence upon Him." 

Edwards wrote, "what a foolish, silly, miserable, blind, deceived poor worm am I, when pride works" (Memoir of Jonathan Edwards). He even viewed pride, spiritual pride, as the greatest cause of the premature ending of the Great Awakening (Mahaney). 

John Stott instructed: "In every step of our Christian growth & maturity, & throughout every aspect of our Christian obedience & service, our greatest foe is pride & our greatest ally is humility." 

A New Investment

What does a camera have to do with this blog? Well, I have recently made a decision to invest into a new video camera (a Sony HD A1U) & it arrived this week. I had already been struggling with the decision due to the cost of the equipment, but I am so excited & now more settled. I opened the package & thought, "Oh know, what do I do now?" 

Well, in case you are wondering, I have so many ideas about how to use it. And, I know for sure that it is going to make a difference for this blog as well. Let me share a few ideas:

• First, I am going to be able to use it for my consulting work & to help teach my book...you can check out a preview at http://aremarkablepractice.blogspot.com (this is a test blog site for some of our consulting projects). 
  
• Also, The Visible Group (www.thevisiblegroup.net) is going to be able to now do video promotions & professional commercials for our clients & friends. I can already see this making a difference in the way our church does announcements. This is great.
• Third, I am going to be able to film some on-location teachings when I take my next trip to Israel & the Middle East. Our next trip is supposed to include the Exodus route as well as the background to Jesus' world. Praise God!
• Last & what I am most excited about is that I am going to use it for this blog to help equip people to do the work of the ministry. One idea I have is that we can post video interviews of some of our favorite pastors & teachers sharing insights into disciplines & values such as scripture study, sermon/lesson prep., worship, marriage, parenting, community, etc. I am so stoked about this I can barely keep myself from calling all the people I want to interview. Who knows, I may already have you in mind. 

So...if you have some ideas about how to use this for God's glory, please let me know. Or, if you have some subjects that you would like further insight into, feel free to post a comment or send me an email.

Lecrae Interview by Tim Smith

In case you haven't seen this of Lecrae, I don't want you to miss it; it is phenomenal! I would encourage you to go to iTunes & download one of his albums; I recommend his latest, Rebel.

Pastor Tim Interviews Lecrae from Re:Sound on Vimeo.

Uncle Lewis on Charity

This morning I realized how gracious God is that I was so eager to reread Mere Christianity; it has been like a breath of fresh air (or kind of like that Vick's vapor rub that opens up your chest when you are congested).

Here are a few snippets that stood out to me that helped affirm some of my thoughts:

• "The worldly man treats certain people kindly because he 'likes' them: the Christian, trying to treat every one kindly, finds himself liking more & more people as he goes on--including people he could not even have imagined himself liking at the beginning."
• *"Good & evil both increase at compound interest. That is why the little decisions you & I make every day are of such infinite importance. The smallest good act today is the capture of a strategic point from which, a few months later, you may be able to go on to victories you never dreamed of. An apparently trivial indulgence in lust or anger today is the loss of a ridge or railway line or bridgehead from which the enemy may launch an attack otherwise impossible."

*For some reason this quote really stood out to me...possibly because of the war imagery. It really reinforces our need for daily spiritual disciplines or as Paul says...'training in godliness.' We are often disillusioned when we think that our big decisions are more important than the thousands of little ones we make daily. It seems our character is formed by the seemingly small decisions.

• "But the great thing to remember is that, though our feelings come & go, His love for us does not. It is not wearied by our sins, or our indifference; &, therefore, it is quite relentless in its determination that we shall be cured of those sins, at whatever cost to us, at whatever cost to Him."

What a wonderful assurance it is that He would take whatever measure needed to determine that 'we shall be cured of those sins.' Thank God that He is far superior to me--the contrast is startling.

The Great Sin: Pride

The discussion this morning in our men's group centered around our fight against pride, as C.S. Lewis stated, "The Great Sin." The sin of pride is apparent in my life in numerous ways, most of which are quite devastating as it manages to "eat up the very possibility of love, or contentment, or even common sense" (Mere Christianity, 106). It has been pride which has often hindered me from experiencing deep friendship with others, intimacy with my wife, & forgiveness that I so desperately needed. 

May I share with you a few quotes from Lewis that have helped define pride in my life:

• "Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man...it is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest." 
• "Pride always means enmity--it is enmity. And not only enmity between man & man, but enmity to God."
• "In God you come up against something which is in every respect immeasurable superior to yourself. Unless you know God as that--and therefore, know yourself as nothing in comparison--you do not know God at all." 
• On the religious proud..."They theoretically admit themselves to be nothing in the presence of this phantom God, but are really all the time imagining how He approves of them & thinks them far better than ordinary people." 
• "He wants you to know Him: wants to give you Himself. And He & you are two things of such a kind that if you really get into any kind of touch with Him you will, in fact, be humble--delightfully humble, feeling the infinite relief of having for once got rid of all the silly nonsense about your own dignity which has made you restless & unhappy all your life. He is trying to make you humble in order to make this moment possible: trying to take off a lot of silly, ugly, fancy-dress in which we have all got ourselves up & are strutting about like the little idiots we are."
• "Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble man he will be what most people call 'humble' nowadays...Probably all you will think about him is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in what you said to him. If you do dislike him it will be because you feel a little envious of anyone who seems to enjoy life so easily. He will not be thinking about humility: he will not be thinking about himself at all." 

As I reflect, I must conclude that one of the greatest gifts that God may grant me would be that of self-forgetfulness. For my consistent habit is that of self-concern & inward focus. Yet, I occasionally catch a glimpse of God & find that He is much more worth being enamored by. And, for that matter, everyone is grateful for my being with God. 

May we be so consumed with Him that our thoughts of self seem to diminish. 

Galatians, pt. 1: Paul "sweeps the leg" on performance-based salvation

If there is a book in Scripture that seems to address some of the fatal errors that I see manifesting themselves in our religious culture, it may be Paul's letters to the Galatians. Now, I am fully aware that this is an opinion based upon my current culture, but it just seems to be fitting. A majority of my personal Bible study time is currently being spent in this book. I would like to share some things (e.g. word studies/structure/background/etc.) that I am learning & would like to hear your insights as well. 

"Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), and all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia: Grace to you & peace from God our Father & the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God & Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen."  

Galatians 1:1-6 

Background

Paul was writing a group of churches in the a region known as Galatia. We are not sure when the letter was written--whether it was his first letter or written some time later (there are discrepancies between the two views). 

But, we are certain that he is writing to maintain the centrality of grace in salvation & to address a group of people who had infiltrated the church--the Judaizers. A reference to the book of Acts clarifies that "some men came down from Judea & began teaching the brethren, 'Unless you are circumcised according the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved' (Acts 15:1)." In essence, the churches in Galatia were experiencing substantial growth yet there were dissenters who were making there presence known by presenting "a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you & want to distort the gospel of Christ" (1:6-7). Verse 7 says that the Judaizers were disturbing you (tarassontes [Gk]: to shake back & forth--used of political agitators who cause confusion & turmoil) & want to distort the gospel (metastrepsai [Gk]: to pervert or change from one thing to another--a political term with revolutionary action in view with the intention of complete change). These people were saying in short, "trust Christ & follow the Torah laws, rules & regulations for salvation." Questions arose such as: Do Gentile Christians need to be circumcised to be saved? Yet, Acts 15 records that the elders & apostles came together & looked into the matter. As a result, Peter stood up & said to them:

"...Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are." Acts 15:6-11

Why the gospel is not legalism.

Let's face it--we too naturally gravitate towards the same problem that the Galatians encountered. There are tendencies in the church to creep in that add to the gospel of grace & undercut the foundation of salvation. For some reason, we want to perform in order to please God. Maybe this is because we have been told that in order for God to be happy with you--you must...pray a certain prayer, attend church, abstain from drink, etc. But, my friends, it is simply no different than what the Judaizers were doing in Galatia. Granted, we are not having discussions concerning circumcision, but we are adding to the gospel with our own religious mandates or even obedience to God. (We get the idea in Galatians 1:11 that Paul is asserting that the historical roots of the Christian church does not extend back to the community of the Torah covenant, but had an independent foundation confirmed by the Jerusalem church, thereby proving the legitimacy of Gentile salvation outside the covenant law. [Rogers & Rogers]) We simply cannot be convinced of the gospel--that we had (& have) nothing to do with our acceptance before God & that we are completely dependent upon Jesus. Galatians 1:4 says that the Lord Jesus Christ "gave himself for our sins." God in the person of Jesus literally delivered Himself up so that he might "rescue us" from the power of sin. God's pleasure in you is not based upon your performance before God but is based upon Jesus--His life, death, & resurrection. 

A Big Deal

Many may read this & not really understand why this is such a big deal. Well, I believe all of us war against our performance based, legalistic mentality. Yet, when compared to Jesus, who can perform at such a high level? Who can stand before God clean? Who can stand before God pure? Who among us can cast the first stone? And who can say that sin has not left them dreadfully empty-handed before God? 

My friends, the gospel is a big deal! It is our only hope before the Sovereign God. And without God awakening our souls & revealing His Son to us, we shall live without hope before God. 

Until tomorrow! 

Clive Staples Lewis on Temperance

Biblical teachers, authors & preachers must quote C.S. Lewis more than any other modern writer. It is rare that a month goes by that I do not hear or read a quote by Clive Staples (maybe it is because he has the first name 'Clive' & middle name 'Staples'). I am in the process of rereading the classics of Lewis: Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, The Abolition of Man, The Great Divorce, The Problem of Pain, Miracles: A Grief Observed, & The Weight of Glory. Hopefully soon I will take on The Chronicles of Narnia again. So...here & there, I may scatter in some thoughts, quotes, reflections, & such on the blog of my readings. 

On a recent trip to Lexington, I had about an hour or so of extra reading time before I had to teach. It occurred to me that much of what Lewis said wouldn't go over too well in many of our churches (I had this same feeling a few months ago reading Spurgeon's view that 'the doctrine of justification...as preached by an Arminian, is nothing but the doctrine of salvation by works'). But, to make my point I would like to share a few excerpts on Temperance from Mere Christianity. 

"Temperance is, unfortunately, one of those words that has changed its meaning. It now usually mean teetotalism...Temperance referred not specially to drink (alcohol), but to all pleasures; & it meant not abstaining, but going the right length & no further. It is a mistake to think that Christians ought all to be teetotallers...Of course it may be the duty of a particular Christian, or of any Christian, at a particular time to abstain from strong drink, either because he is the sort of man who cannot drink at all without drinking too much, or because he is with people who are inclined to drunkenness & must not encourage them by drinking himself. But the whole point is that he is abstaining, for a good reason, from something which he does not condemn & which likes to see other people enjoying. One of the marks of a certain type of bad man is that he cannot give up a thing himself without wanting every one else to give it up.  That is not the Christian way. An individual Christian may see fit to give up all sorts of things for special reasons--marriage, or meat, or beer, or the cinema; but the moment he starts saying the things are bad in themselves, or looking down his nose at other people who do use them, he has taken the wrong turning." 

As Lewis concluded, "There is a difference between doing some particular just or temperate action & being a just or temperate man." 

"God is not deceived by externals." I am challenged to become a person of a certain quality of character rather than one whose externals merely seem temperate. Because let's face it--we can be people of moral excellence & still be opposed by God. God wants our hearts!

Insights from "The Advent of Humility"

If you haven't read Tim Keller's article, "The Advent of Humility," featured in this month's issue of Christianity Today, I would compel you to do so. I would like to share a few insights & quotes that I took away from the article. It was deeply challenging & revealed much pride in my heart that I often choose to overlook.

• "Humility is so shy. If you begin talking about it, it leaves." --Tim Keller
  
  
• "Humility is a byproduct of belief in the gospel of Christ. In the gospel, we have a confidence not based in our performance but in the love of God in Christ (Rom. 3:22-24)." --Keller
  
  
• "Religion & morality inhibit humility." --Keller
  
  
• "Christian humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less." --C.S. Lewis
  
  
• "Moralism is the default mode of the human heart." --Martin Luther
  
  
• "If we find that our religious life is making us feel that we are good--above all, that we are better than someone else--I think we may be sure that we are being acted on, not by God, but by the Devil." --"The Great Sin" in Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
  
  
• "So let us preach grace till humility just starts to grow in us." --Keller

Grace to you & peace from God our Father & the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God & Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.

Know the Word Archive

I am presently incorporating more scripture memory & meditation into my life as a personal spiritual discipline. The following "Know the Word" Archive is courtesy of The Church of Brook Hills in Birmingham, AL. Please join with me as we hide the Word of God in our hearts. As I have been challenged in our men's accountability group, we must Preach the Word to ourselves.

Weekly
Memory Verse, Memory Passage

• Acts 4:34-35, Matthew 25:35-40
• 1 Corinthians 11:26, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
• Acts 5:5, Acts 5:1-6
• Habakkuk 2:14, Acts 12:1-7
• Psalm 46:10, Acts 4:23-31
• Acts 5:14, Acts 5:12-16
• Matthew 9:36, Matthew 9:35-38
• Genesis 3:15, Genesis 3:1-6
• 1 Peter 1:18-19, Ruth 1:16-17
• Nehemiah 6:16, Nehemiah 1:8-11
• John 1:14, Philippians 2:5-8
• Hebrews 7:23-24, Philippians 2:5-8
• Galatians 3:13, Philippians 2:9-11
• Isaiah 42:8, Philippians 2:9-11
• Mark 8:25, Mark 87:22-25
• Matthew 4:19, Matthew 4:18-22
• John 17:20, John 17:20-23
• 1 Corinthians 11:1, 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1
• Isaiah 55:11, Isaiah 55:8-11
• John 17:17, John 17:15-17
• Matthew 28:19, Matthew 28:16-20
• Luke 6:40, 1 Corinthians 12:21-27
• Philippians 1:3, Philippians 1:9-11
• Philippians 1:27a, Philippians 1:27-30
• Philippians 2:4, Philippians 2:1-4
• Philippians 3:7, Philippians 3:7-11
• 1 Corinthians 1:30-31, 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
• Philippians 3:14, Philippians 3:12-14
• Galatians 4:4-5, Galatians 4:4-7
• Ephesians 5:19-20, Nehemiah 12:40-43
• Revelation 19:6, Revelation 19:6-10
• John 4:23, John 4:21-24
• Psalm 119:105, Psalm 19:7-10
  

A Christian Perspective of "safety."

I leaned over to Joy last night in bed & said, "Why do you think that you hear so many people praying to God for safety?" They say, 'Lord, keep them safe on their trip home...Lord, help us to be safe...etc.' It is not that I don't want to be safe, but if that is what drives my decisions then I might always choose safety even at the expense of the gospel. This concerns me. I've wondered what a Christian perspective of safety would look like.

This past summer I accepted an engagement to lead a college-aged discipleship weekend for a neighboring church. Much of what I taught about was the 'Kingdom of God.' I am so thankful for some of the fruit that resulted from the weekend & how many students began to find contrast between their form of spirituality verses the gospel.

During our last session, a college student, who had recently returned from a missional summer in the Grand Canyon, raised his hand to ask a question. He was responding to a statement that I made saying, Your life can serve as an object lesson of God's love toward people (of course, I am fighting the desire to give you the context of that statement because of all of the misunderstandings of God as love. But, just go with the story; it isn't the main point. Whew! I feel better.). He posed, "Ben, what do we do when we are trying to live a life of obedience to Christ & our parents are more concerned about our personal safety than the gospel?"

At this point, I turned to my wife who happened to be with me, & gave her a big honkin' grin. As a side note, I don't smoke (never have for that matter) but I imagine I had the same feeling as a smoker getting his "fix" when the student asked that question. I caught myself off guard when I shouted, "yes, what a great question!" What a great place to be at when you must wrestle with when your love for Christ & the proclamation of the gospel may interfere with your personal safety.

Yet, I was caught off guard when his mother, who happened to be the college pastor's wife, spoke up, "Ben, I am concerned that he is going a little too far when he picks up people off the side of the road & when he goes downtown to periodically do life with the homeless. I don't think he is being safe."

I was very cautious in my response. I said, "I imagine it must be very difficult to fear for your son's safety, but I must wonder where you got the idea that God is more concerned with our safety & being comfortable than with the gospel. I don't get the idea that Paul & many other biblical examples would say that they were out of harm's way. Yet, they were consumed by the gospel & that should mean more than personal safety, even when our mothers are fearful."

We ought not be reckless, but sometimes the gospel costs people their lives. And, it is our best day when we gain Christ. For me personally, I am having a dramatic paradigm shift in my mentality as God is moving me from a more man-centered view of life to a more God-centered view of life. They seem at opposites. I don't want to reach life's end & say, "Boy, I sure had a safe life. Man...nothing ever touched me." Rather, I would dare say, "I gave it all for the glory of Christ...what seemed like such a risk is pale in comparison to knowing & gaining Christ."

As it was said of Aslan in Chronicles of Narnia, "He is not safe, but He is good!"

In Christ's refuge.

A Fatal Error

I recently came across the following quote from Luther:

"As sinners, we are prone to pursue a relationship with God in 1 of 2 ways. The 1st is religion/spirituality & the 2nd is the gospel. The two are antithetical in every way."

It seems that Luther had his hand on the pulse of the culture where I live.

I spent some time with dear friends last night in the small group that meets in our home on Sunday nights. I couldn't help but read this quote as it pertained to our discussion. We commented & even lamented over the fact that many Christians in our community are pursuing God by religious practice & a form of spirituality. Yet, many do not understand how their religion contradicts the gospel. Rather than using action as a support for the gospel, often times, religion replaces the gospel. So, I find that much of what is practiced is man-centered rather than God-centered. We have turned the gospel into a list of do's & don'ts, choosing rather to be moral than to know Christ. Therefore, sin is seen only in light of morality rather than in light of total depravity.

Tripp stated, "Sin is much, much more than the violation of a set of rules. Sin is more profound than rebellion against a moral code. Sin is about something deeper than behaving inappropriately. It's deeper than bad actions & wrong words...the desire to be God rather than to serve God lies are the bottom of every sin that anyone has ever committed...sin is rooted in my unwillingness to find joy in living my life under the authority of, & for the glory of, Another" (81).

My dear friends, our only hope is the gospel. There is no other leg to stand on.

Voice this to the Lord today:
"Take my life & let it be...everything, all of me...here I am use me for Your glory.
In everything I say & do, let my life honor You...here I am living for Your glory." -Tim Hughes

Charles Benjamin

Pardon me for my brief hiatus. Last week our family went to Alabama to share in the birth of our nephew (Charles Benjamin, born to Joy's sister, Hope & her husband, Ben); Charlie was born Monday, November 24 in Montgomery. Congrats Hope & Ben (& Anna Beth).

A Student of Your Spouse

Pastor Mark Driscoll recently challenged me in his self-proclaimed "most practical sermon he has ever preached." It really began me thinking about how much time I spend in pursuit of various studies & how little time I spend studying my wife (her likes/dislikes, dreams, passions, pleasures, schedule, etc.). As you well know, these types of things often change over time. So...I took a break from work the other day & shot her an email including some questions. I want to always stay up to date with her interests & also what God has been teaching her. I want to be her #1 student. These are some of the questions I asked:

• What have been some of your favorite date memories? Where? What? Why?
• If you could vacation anywhere this next year, where would you want to go? When?
• Are there people you would like to go visit or spend time with for a few days?
• How often a month do you need a day to just go shopping/eat out/etc. where I can either keep the kid(s) or get childcare?
• If you could plan 2-3 days to be with some girls & go on a trip, who would they be? Where to go? When?
• If you were to designate a place in our home that would be our "connection" place (a place to sit together, read, pray, talk, no TV, no internet, etc.), where would it be? What would you want it to look like?
• If you could change one thing about our home to make it feel more like a place of rest/Sabbath for you, what would it be?

Still studying!

A Hurried Existence, Part 5

"...they'd been moving much too fast & it was time to stop & let their souls catch up with their bodies" (McDonald).

Does this sound like you? Is your private world in disarray? I've often thought, "I am living at such a pace that I cannot even distinguish what I really enjoy from that which just seems necessary for achievement or expansion." Until recently I didn't realize how much I was "gaining the whole world but forfeiting my soul." John Wesley said, "Every man is a fool who gets rich on earth but not in heaven." In order for our souls to be fit, they must be nurtured, namely by the Lord himself.

I would like to offer 3 spiritual disciplines helpful in making Sabbath real in the midst of life: (Willard, The Great Omission)

1. Solitude: time alone, out of contact with others, indoor or outdoor, doing no work; "you don't have to Do to Be."
2. Silence: quietness, freedom from sounds except natural ones; also means not talking.
3. Fasting: abstinence from our ordinary food to some significant degree & for some significant length of time.
   

If you are going to incorporate Sabbath principles into your life, you will have to be counter-cultural, even counter to most evangelical church cultures. Sabbath rest is a gift of grace that few of us ever accept. Realize there is nothing you can do to earn God's love & there is no labor you can work that can produce eternal good unless the Holy Spirit causes growth. Maybe a few months from now you will be in a routine of weekly rest & be able to say that your soul has finally caught up with your body. You will be renewed & you will trust the Lord in a new way. You may conclude that so much energy was spent in hurry & stress, worry & fear, when the Sabbath was there all along, waiting to be received. Be blessed for His glory!

"God be gracious to us & bless us, & cause His face to shine upon us--
Selah.
That Your way may be know on the earth, your salvation among all nations.
Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You.
Let the nations be glad & sing for joy; For You will judge the peoples with uprightness & guide the nations on the earth.
Selah.
Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You.
The earth has yielded its produce; God, our God, blesses us.
God blesses us,
That all the ends of the earth may fear Him." Psalm 67

For those of you who would like to explore the topic of Sabbath further, I would like to offer a list of resources that may be useful:

• The Sabbath, Abraham Heschel
• Sabbath Keeping, Lynne M. Baab
• Mudhouse Sabbath, Laura Winner
• Sabbath, Wayne Muller
• Receiving the Day, Dorothy Bass
• Keeping the Sabbath Wholly, Marva Dawn
• The Sabbath: Entering God's Rest, Barry Rubin & Steffi Rubin

A Hurried Existence, Part 4

Bill Hybels, Pastor of Willow Creek, stated in the early '90s, "The pace at which I've been doing the work of God is destroying God's work in me."

For you, this may be a series of tidbits on Sabbath; I hope it is more than that. For me, it is a testimony of God restoring His work in me.

A few nights ago Joy & I were lying in bed reading a book together. We try to make this a habit; right now we are reading an incredible book, "The 3 Big Questions for a Frantic Family" by Patrick Lencioni (For those of you who have read my book, you realize his impact on my life). At some point between reading & discussing, I began to get quite emotional. I came to the realization that God was restoring me from years of allowing my "serving God" replacing my "knowing God." For years I kept rationalizing to myself that this was only a really busy season & that it would soon slack off. Numerous times I would approach my pastor & say, "I think I need to back off from this activity, I am becoming very unhealthy." A common reply among pastors, "I'm afraid that this is just the nature of the beast (ministry)." After hearing this countless times I concluded, "Well, if that is the case, then I would rather be a lay person who loves God than a pastor who is bitter." I remember saying to Joy, "I dread to think, if we had children, the impression of God they would have because of my life; it is not worth it. I choose Jesus over my ministry." And so I did.

Back to the other night in bed, I turned to Joy & said, "I am so thankful that God is restoring His work in me; I need Him so desperately. I hope you can see the difference--my life is changing." My eyes teared up as she responded, "I am finally beginning to see again the man of God that I fell in love with."

You may conclude from this post, what does this have to do with Sabbath? Well...everything. Sabbath means to stop. For me, it also means "to be connected." If you are living a 'hurried existence,' maybe you simply need to stop. Stop & be connected...with God...with your spouse...with friends....with children...stop.

Until tomorrow, I leave you with this:
"We feel honestly the pull of man obligations & try to fulfill them all. And we are unhappy, uneasy, strained, oppressed, & fearful we shall be shallow...We have hints that there is a way of life vastly richer & deeper than all this hurried existence, a life of unhurried serenity & peace & power. If only we could slip over into that Center!...We have seen & known some people who have found this deep Center of living, where the fretful calls of life are integrated, where No as well as Yes can be said with confidence." --Thomas Kelly

Grace & peace.

A Hurried Existence, Part 3

A hurried life is quite empty; beware!

"We do not rest because our work is done; we rest because God commanded it & created us to have a need for it."

We need rest.
And, this is difficult for someone as driven for accomplishment as myself. When is the last time you heard someone say, "You look so rested & renewed."? In my life this statement is rare. I suppose I have only heard it a few times during my ministry & it has only been when I was able to get away to attend a retreat or time of renewal. And, during that time I spent a significant amount of time resting & receiving ministry from the Lord.

One author stated, "God gave His work meaning & acknowledged its completion. In doing so, He taught us that there is a necessary exercise of appreciation & dedication for our routines." In essence, the Sabbath is to 'close the loop' on our work; it is the completion of the cycle.

May I offer 3 meanings of Sabbath Rest: (please forgive my inability to acknowledge the source, I failed to take complete notes).

1. The rest God instituted was meant...to interpret our work, to press meaning into it, to make sure we know to whom it is properly dedicated." It causes us to ask questions such as: What does my work mean? For whom did I do this work? How well was the work done? Why did I do this? What results did I expect & what did I receive?
2. True rest is happening when we pause regularly amidst daily routines to sort out the truths & commitments by which we are living.
3. When we rest in the biblical sense, we affirm our intentions to pursue a Christ-centered tomorrow. We ponder where we are headed in the coming week, month, or year. We define our intentions & make our dedications."

Selah.

A Hurried Existence, Part 2

"Remember the sabbath day, & keep it holy. Six days you shall labor & do all your work. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work...for in six days the Lord made heaven & earth, the sea, & all that is in them, but rested the seventh day." Exodus 20:8-11 (see also Exodus 31:13).

Routines are to stop.
Labor is to cease.
A day set aside in obedience to God.

What does it mean to Sabbath? Well, in the simplest form it means "stop." Personally, the sabbath has served as a metaphor for salvation. When we rest, we are reminded that God is in control of our labor, our planting, our fruit, etc. It is a reminder that nothing we do will earn God's love--we are loved apart from what we do. As Muller said, "If we refuse rest until we are finished, we will never rest until we dies. Sabbath dissolves the artificial urgency of our days, because it liberates us form the need to be finished."

As one said, "A restless work style produces a restless person."

Before I continue, I ask that you consider your posture before God. Are you constantly striving, trying to "make something happen?" Are you lazy during the 6 days that you feel the need to work a 7th? Do you need to set aside time for the Lord, to "be still & know that I am the Lord?" Only you know these answers, be honest.

Until tomorrow.

God rested.

A Hurried Existence, Part 1

For years, I didn't know I was allowed to rest.

"Our culture invariably supposes that action & accomplishment are better than rest, that doing something--anything--is better than doing nothing" said Wayne Muller.

When I entered my doctoral studies at Regent University we were tested for burnout. Guess what? I tested "burnt." From years in ministry I had developed 'compassion fatigue.' Or as Mark Driscoll experienced, 'death by ministry.'

If I were to confess addiction, I suppose my substance of choice is that of achievement, recognition, accomplishment, & action. I know it is a highly acceptable addiction in most communities, yet acceptance does not mean virtue. Something can be extremely popular & be dead wrong.

For the next few days/weeks/whatever, I am going to dedicate some blog space to principles of Sabbath keeping & rest. As one person said, "KEEP THE SABBATH" is the only commandment people brag about breaking. Personally, I do not want to be disobedient in this area. So...I am going to be sharing some failures & successes in this area & suggest readings for further study.

If you are a person in ministry (or just addicted to control), I beg you & offer a loving rebuke if you are ignoring this principle. You & I must realize that God will do more with 6 than 7 (days). You will be a drastically more compassionate & loving person if you would accept God's gift of Sabbath. Lynne Baab said, "Without time to stop, we cannot notice God's hand in our lives, practice thankfulness, step outside our culture's values or explore our deepest longings."

Accept the grace of rest.

Advent Conspiracy

I'm hoping that this Christmas is going to be different; I suppose the change must begin with me.

What kind of love is this?

Photo by Mark Hemmings at the Budapest Museum of Fine Arts: “THE PRODIGAL SON” - by Constantin Meunier.

This morning marks the most powerful time we've had yet in our men's small group; I can't help but share. Through the help of dear friends, God is doing in my life what I have only dreamed of. I feel hopeful that regardless of circumstance, we will each spur one another along in faith. I can be myself & that is okay.

Today we all teared-up as we spoke of the defenses we build against others; in essence, we shared of our inability to trust. It is not that we don't desire to trust God or others, it is just that we have & have been hurt. Because of this, we often do not know how to accept the perfect love of God--a love without conditions. We sometimes believe the lie that God is just like everybody else...He will let us down.

I was reminded of a verse foreshadowing Christ's ministry. Of Him is said, "A bruised reed He will not break & a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish" (Isaiah 42:3). Though you may feel bruised, He will not break you & extinguish your dim spirit. Rather, He will minister & cultivate your heart. You can trust Him; Jesus reveals the heart of the Father.

I was reminded of His love through the story of Dox Quixote, The Man from La Mancha. If you remember, Quixote would always speak words of love, kindness, & beauty over his beloved; her name was Aldonza. He called her Dulcinea, "sweetness." Because of her lifestyle (a life of blatant promiscuity--a whore), Aldonza would refuse his comments & lash out in frustration at him. In the climax of the story she says, "Tenderness I cannot bear." She was so accustomed to being used, mistreated, & taken advantage of that she couldn't accept his love. Yet, his kindness would eventually overcome her & tear down her defenses; love won. Eventually, Aldonza begins to believe the man from La Mancha. She says to him, "My name is no longer Aldonza, I am now Dulcinea."

The Father rejoices over the humble. He is forever patient in our brokenness as we say, "tenderness I cannot bear." Yet, He speaks over you a new name--a name you will grow into as you come to trust His goodness. He is the Father of the prodigal & is near to the broken-hearted.

-Prodigal Me

Humility...

I am in the middle of a book by Wayne A. Mack, Humility....The Forgotten Virtue. Nothing challenges me much more than when I am confronted with my lack of humility. I am such a prideful man and in constant need of embracing humility through the preaching of the gospel to myself. The gospel always reminds me of my desperate need of Christ in my daily struggle with self-sufficiency. May I also suggest another book on this subject that God used to confront me with my pride and how pervasive it is in my life, Humility...True Greatness, by C.J. Mahaney.

Yesterday, I came across an excellent portion in Mack's book of some ways that humility manifest itself in our attitudes and actions.

True humility manifests itself before God....

• by the free and sincere confession of one's insignificance and sinfulness
• by a complete lack of trust in one's own heart and complete dependence on God for all things
• by totally renouncing any glory coming from our own good and by giving all glory to God for all things
• by respecting, receiving, and responding to the Word of God
• by completely submitting to God's own will even if His will is difficult
• by submitting oneself to the Providences of God without complaint
• by delighting in the worship and praise of God
• by continually seeking God in prayer
• by considering it a privilege to serve Christ in any capacity...a privilege we are not worthy of or deserving
• by being willing to acknowledge God's infinite wisdom and knowledge

All of these are so challenging and applicable to my life, but the one that stops me in my tracks is...by submitting oneself to the Providences of God without complaint. I am one that not only complains but lives as if I am entitled that things should go well for me. Maybe it would help me in those times to ask this question...You're not going to hell are you?? When I answer no to that question it should remind me that anything above hell is an incredible act of the grace and mercy of God. It should remind me of the gospel. Then I can read, believe, and apply Philippians 4: 6-8 with confidence.

And finally, enjoy this Spurgeon quote that says it so well...as only he could say it.

O! strange mystery, that thou, who has borrowed everything, should exalt thyself; that thou, who hast nothing of thine own, but hast still to draw upon grace, shouldst be proud; a poor dependent pensioner upon the bounty of thy Savior, and yet be proud; one who hath a life which can only live by fresh streams of life from Jesus, and yet proud!

May these words and this truth create within us all the realization of how desperate we are for Christ and Him crucified.

Remaining desperate...

Free eBook of my book

I am giving away my book in eBook form for free; I can't help it, I love giving stuff away. I am set to receive my first hard copies in a matter of days but I didn't want to wait to pass it on to you.

A little more info about the book:
Currently I am in the final stage of publishing a leadership/business book that I have written to use in numerous organizations in the U.S. The name of it is A Remarkable Practice: Developing Leaders Personally & Professionally. So far, I have been able to present the books content at the University of Indiana, a private practice in Phoenix, AZ, & am going next month to Louisville, KY. For the last 16 weeks I have been training a network of 16 optometric practices in leadership using the book; it has been really fun.

A brief description of the book:
A Remarkable Practice uses a music analogy to help communicate business & leadership principles. The first five chapters deal with the characteristics of remarkable organizations, they include: teamwork (musicians), purpose (melody), communication (harmony), systems (rhythm), and customer service (audience). Chapter six is slightly different as it introduces an Action Plan to help stimulate personal leadership ability. It then examines six key relationships for leadership development & suggestions on how to improve these relationships. It is intended for those who want to better understand the aspects that make up a healthy organization. It is also targeted at those of us who have a sincere desire to become better leaders. It will benefit those in leadership in any organization, small business, home, church, & etc.

So...with that said, it would be my pleasure for you to go to www.aremarkablepractice.com & fill out the contact form. Be sure to check the box "free eBook." As soon as you submit the form an automated email will be sent to you with the book in .pdf form. Very simple.

It is such an easy read--many could read it in a short sitting. I hope you find it beneficial. Please feel free to get the word out & send people to the website so that they can get the free eBook. Thanks so much!

Fall in TN

I really love Fall; it is one of the most beautiful times of the year, especially in East TN. The other morning I took advantage of the early morning & went out for a sunrise photo shoot. I thought I would share with you my favorite two pics. Enjoy & feel free to share.

Logos Bible Software: If you love the Bible, if you have a Mac!

Let's just say that it is an exciting day for me or really for anyone who loves the Bible & has a Mac. One of the only downsides I have experienced in the last 5-6 years using the Mac was not having the Logos Bible Software that was native to Mac users. Lets just say that there were times where I almost bought an inexpensive PC strictly to use for this program. This is no longer a problem. 

By no means do I want to sound like a salesman; I just know that this is going to make a big difference in the way I approach biblical study. If you have a desire for some of the most reputable & robust Bible software available at your fingertips & you have never heard of Logos Bible Software, you should check it out at www.macbiblesoftware.com or www.logos.com. 

When I was in seminary, I used to envy the guys who had this program because it put so many resources immediately into their arsenal. I was hauling around 80 lbs. of books in my backpack & they had it all on their computer. I'm not bitter! (or am I?).

There are 5 different versions ranging from $194.96-$1034.96 (retail). Most students will not need anything over the Scholar's Library unless you are really into Ancient texts beyond Greek, Hebrew, & Aramaic as well as ancient texts in translation such as Philo & Josephus. But, who am I to judge? If you are really eager to read the Codex Sinaiticus for yourself, I wish you God-speed. 

If you are wondering, I am going to purchase the Scholar's Library ($472.46); this should suffice for my needs. As funds arise, I will consider adding on other libraries & downloads. Plus, I am going to recommend this to all of my friends in ministry & laymen who have a hunger to see God's word enriched. And to those who are still in seminary, be sure to take advantage of your special savings as a student. From what I remember, the savings are quite substantial.

Be sure to check it out when you have a minute. Stay hungry, stay foolish!

The Prosperity Gospel

I hope the title Prosperity Gospel intrigues you, yet the content of this post may be slightly different than you thought. 

My wife & I have always been really blessed, even with material possessions (many of which were gifts by gracious people). There is no getting around it...we have a nice home, nice vehicles (if you consider an '89 Grand Wagoneer nice--I do!), nice furniture & things (my favorites are the pictures in our home), nice clothes, etc. For years we have almost felt guilty for having such nice things. Yet, I have come to a few conclusions: 

• God blesses us so that we may be a blessing to others. "Let love be without hypocrisy...give preference to one another in honor....contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality" (Romans 12:9-13). 
• It is a never ending battle to want & desire more stuff, the discipline of contentment is to be pleased with what you have. I recently heard a man from India who stated (my paraphrase), "I wish your missionaries from America would quit bringing over more stuff, thinking that what we need are more things. It is much different over here, our happiness is not based upon having more things." 
• I disagree with most of the "health & wealth gospel." As Paul David Tripp stated, "Those prayers for prosperity have one fatal flaw in them. They are prayers for prosperity for the purpose of the delight of the person praying the prayer" (55).
• We should be praying for prosperity so that God's kingdom purposes may be advanced on earth: 

"Give wisdom to a man who is living for God's kingdom & he'll use that wisdom to advance God's kingdom. Give money to a man who loves God's kingdom & he'll look for ways to invest that money in kingdom causes. Give a house to a person who seeks God's kingdom and his house will be a place of hospitality, love, and ministry" (Tripp, 56).  

• Use your prosperity for God's glory; if you have been saved, you are different now. Be blessed not for the sake of your kingdom, but the furtherance of His. Tripp said, "When God prospers people who are living for him, they use that blessing to serve him all the more, and for this he gets glory and in this he finds great delight" (56). 
• I should take inventory of what I really need & then get rid of the rest by giving it to people who need it. 
• Remind myself that all things are from God so that I do not hold too tightly to any of my possessions. God may very well want to use me as an instrument to bless others. In fact, I know this is true.

So there you have it...just a few thoughts that I hope would be beneficial for your consideration. Have a great day!

Stay hungry, seek to learn & grow!

Spiritual Leadership in My Home

My confession is simple: I have often misunderstood what it means to be the spiritual leader in my home.

Explanation: In theory, I understand what it means to be the spiritual leader of my home; in practice, it is not so easy. It reminds me of what Dallas Willard said, "very little of the Christian life works in theory, but rather only in practice; it must be tried by faith."

This morning our men's group met for our time of community & accountability. Our curriculum generally begins by talking about what stood out to us in the relevant chapter of "Whiter than Snow" by Paul David Tripp (aka P-Diddy Tripp). Somehow we landed on the topic of leadership & I was deeply confronted with something that is true in my life. A dear spiritual friend, Mike, said (my paraphrase), "I thought I was a good leader in the home by keeping peace by way of not dealing with conflict, instead of realizing that through the pain of confrontation, we are able to confront sin (& lies, etc.) & grow." In many ways, he described my "default" leadership.

To be at "default" is to do what is natural, or when nobody is looking, or when you are within the comfort of home without the pressure to perform. I realized that my "default" is often to ignore problems hoping that time will solve the issue. I know that it seems dumb to think that [problems + time - confrontation = spiritual leadership]. I know this in theory, but practice is different. What I really need to do when there is unrest, unforgiveness, tension, discipline, etc. that needs resolved is to confront the issue & take appropriate action. This is a much better way to lead...much better, but harder. Also, what I have realized is that my wife respects me more for this. In reality, she needs & desires me to tackle tough issues & confront sin & problems--it is me that isn't too keen on the idea. What is completely ironic is that I recently authored a book on leadership & the first section deals largely with the need for confrontation in team health. You would think I could heed my own advice.

Truth is, I know I am not alone. I am aware that you deal with this as well. But, I am hopeful of the growth that is becoming evident in my life.

Consider this resource from my former pastor, Sam Shaw, on 25 Ways to Be the Spiritual Leader in Your Home:


25 Ways to Be a Spiritual Leader in Your Home

A spiritual leader includes his wife in envisioning the future.
A spiritual leader accepts spiritual responsibility for the family.
A spiritual leader is willing to say, “I’m sorry “ and “forgive me” to his family.
A spiritual leader discusses household responsibilities with his wife and makes sure they are evenly distributed.
A spiritual leader seeks the consultation of his wife on all major financial responsibilities.
A spiritual leader follows through with commitments he has made to his wife.
A spiritual leader anticipates the different seasons his marriage will pass through.
A spiritual leader anticipates the different stages his children will pass through.
A spiritual leader frequently tells his wife what he likes about her.
A spiritual leader provides financially for his family’s basic living expenses.
A spiritual leader deals with distractions so he can talk with his wife and family.
A spiritual leader prays with his wife on a regular basis.
A spiritual leader initiates meaningful family traditions.
A spiritual leader initiates fun outings for the family on a regular basis.
A spiritual leader takes time to give his children practical instruction about life, which, in turn, gives them confidence with their peers.
A spiritual leader manages the schedule of the home and anticipates any pressure points.
A spiritual leader keeps his family financially sound and out of harmful debt.
A spiritual leader makes sure he and his wife have drawn up a will and arranged a well-conceived plan for their children in case of death.
A spiritual leader lets his wife and children into the interior of his life.
A spiritual leader honors his wife in public.
A spiritual leader explains sex to his children in a way that gives them a wholesome perspective.
A spiritual leader encourages his wife to grow as an individual.
A spiritual leader takes the lead in establishing with his wife sound, biblically supported family values.
A spiritual leader joins a small group of men who are dedicated to improving their skills as a man, husband and father.
A spiritual leader provides time for his wife to pursue her own personal interest.

Stay hungry, stay foolish!

New Book Idea

I would like ask for your help in a book idea that I have been considering. For about the past year, it has been on my mind to study & write a book about the life of Jacob (name later changed to Israel), son of Isaac (refer to Genesis 25 +). There are a number of different ideas that I have in mind as for an outline; my focus so far has been studying the events of his life in Scripture & the personal application that could be drawn from his life. Also, I am trying to get to the root of the original Hebrew (& Greek LXX) Language. All of this to say, that if/when you run across different resources (sermons, books, articles, etc.) that are relevant to Jacob & his life, please forward them to me. Or, if you have personal insight through Bible study about Jacob & wouldn't mind sharing it, please do so. I value your insight & know that I could learn a great deal more with your help. 

Thanks so much!

Two Debtors: A Parable

A religious leader asked him over for a meal. He went to the house & sat down at the dinner table. Having learned that Jesus was a guest in the religious leader's home, a prostitute from the city came with a bottle of very expensive perfume & stood at his feet, weeping, her tears falling on his feet. She let down her hair, dried his feet, kissed them, & put perfume on them. The religious leader saw this & said to himself, "If Jesus were really the prophet I thought he was, he would know this woman who is falling all over him is a whore."

The Parable:

Two men were in debt to the bank. One owed $20,000, the other $2,000. Neither of them could pay up, & so the head of the bank had mercy & cancelled both debts. Which of the two would be more grateful? 

Yes, the one who was forgiven the largest amount. He who was forgiven the largest amount is the most grateful. Yet if the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal. 

Personal Application: 

"If we could see how much You're worth, You're power, You're might, You're endless love, then surely we would never cease to praise You." 

I believe one of the greatest challenges church leaders face is to help people realize the depth of their sin. Otherwise, we have a community of people who, like Simon the Pharisee (Luke 7:36-50), do not realize the expanse of God's active mercy, grace, & forgiveness. They, in essence, have fallen for the temptation to "look good without being good" (Brennan Manning). Hoping that "mere time cancels sin. But mere time does nothing either to the fact or the guilt of sin" (C.S. Lewis). One must realize that in order for atonement to be efficient in one's life they must sense it's necessity (Lord Byron). Otherwise, the Pharisee within is all too willing to make himself known in our lives arguing, "compared to _________, you are a really incredible person; what matters most is to be respected." 

Yet, the Bible teaches that God is "opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). To our detriment, we have churches full of prideful, self-sufficient & self-righteous individuals (I include myself in this description). We have either forgotten the depths of sin that we were saved from, have become too accustomed (& numb) to the religious activities of our churches, or we haven't been saved at all. I believe this is manifested in the lack of compassion & love for God that is seen in my life & my church. As John M. Shanahan stated, "Personal sin reflected upon breeds compassion." Sometimes I read the gospels & realize that I resemble those Jesus confronted rather than Christ Himself. Because, "other men's sins are before our eyes; our own are behind our backs" (Seneca). 

I encourage you to spend sometime before God today. "Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts..." (Hebrews 3:15). May God reveal to us the depths of our sin so that we may realize the great expanse of His love. While we were opposed to God, enemies of the cross, He gave His life a ransom so that we may be reconciled to God. Our atonement is Christ himself. 

May God have mercy on us for we are sinners & we don't even realize it.

Gospel Incomplete

The topic of the gospel has been mentioned in numerous conversations as of late. Not that any of us can adequately grasp the completeness & complexity of the gospel, yet those I speak with agree that for years something has been missing in our "gospel." Or, if not "missing" in our gospel, there seems to be something "incomplete" or "misguided." I'll do my best to organize some thoughts I have been having:

Coming from a Baptist background (the last 8 years or so), I learned that some denominations were liberal based upon the portions of Scripture that were stressed. For example, those who focused too much upon social aspects of the gospel were liberal, not stressing enough doctrine. Yet, there were those who were strict on Bible teaching & yet permitted drinking responsibly...liberal. In Seminary, I heard a pastor of a very prominent Baptist Church in the mid-South who had written his PhD. dissertation on the topic of "elders is in the church." According to Dr. B (code-name), "elder rule is directly from the pit of hell"; churches that have elders are...liberal. By majoring on these issues I feel like we have made God look small & petty. 

What am I not saying? 

• I am not saying that we shouldn't adopt a creed or doctrine. Actually, I think we should have very inflexible aspects to our beliefs. I agree with Mohler who said, "it is nonsense to say Christianity is about Jesus without confessing who Jesus is...we must declare what Scripture declares concerning Jesus." 
  
• I am also not saying that the entire counsel of God is not beneficial (2 Timothy 3:16). Yet, you & I both know that certain preachers stress certain aspects of the gospel & favor specific mandates above others. 
• I am also not saying that the church doesn't have a prophetic voice in the world, declaring to the world God's judgment against sin. 

What I am saying?

• Consider that far too many people in my church (& yours as well) believe the gospel is about the minimal entry requirements to get you into heaven when you die. As John Ortberg said, trusting Jesus has meant "are you counting on a certain arrangement that got made so that you can go to heaven when you die?" If this is what Jesus taught, then I have been reading the wrong Bible. 
• People are confused & lost. As a result, many are fundamental about issues that are highly important but yet they are forgetting some of the most important commands. I believe many have been given false assurance of salvation & believe that to be moral is to be saved. As Brennan Manning stated last week, "How many times have you heard anyone say, 'Wow, those Christians really love one another. Rather, we are only known for our opposition to abortion & homosexuality." 
• Jesus speaks of both our social responsibility to the "least of these" & the poor as well as the Great Commission of discipleship. I love what Greg Pinkner said, "the church must care for those in need because it is the best way to remind us of what Christ has done for us." 

A few ideas on what I would hope to see:

• Stress the sovereignty of God in all things & proclaim the gospel. Mohler said, "If true gospel has content, it is irreducible, it is non-negotiable, it is glorious. It saves. It is the gospel that redeems." 
• Find theological "non-negotiables, absolute essentials, unconditional assertions," aka doctrine & bind it to social responsibility. Not either/or but both/and. 
• Have churches that are birthed out of mission rather than dissension. I would dare say that the majority of churches in my region were planted due to irreconcilable differences with their "former" church. Many of these churches need to "die & be born as a mission" (Schuller). I may be naive but I sincerely believe that if our churches (specifically leaders) would demonstrate a missional lifestyle, many of our narcissistic idols could be destroyed. 
• Develop a curriculum of teaching within our churches that allowed church members the opportunity to hear the whole counsel of God. Instead of preaching on random texts every week which can be confusing when you try to piece it all together, why not develop a curriculum for Scripture teaching. 
• People need to hear even the portions of Scripture that are very difficult to hear. When is the last time you heard a preacher stress Jesus' teaching "it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven"? Have we forgotten that if we make over $1500/month, we are in the top 3% of the wealthy in the world. If anyone is rich, surely it is us. We need to take inventory of what we really "need" & give away a bunch of stuff/possessions & take responsibility for the poor, orphaned, widowed, etc. in our backyard & overseas. 
• New generations are going to challenge our thinking in how we view the gospel. We must be prepared to have our minds enlightened to Scripture & how it is lived out. 

I could go on & on. I am not pointing fingers unless first the finger is in my face. I just know that there needs to be reform in our churches. I believe this is slowly but gradually taking place. If anything, I hope to be a part of a people who are taking Jesus' teachings literally, even the ones that cause me "sacrifice." But, I am sure I will echo with the great missionary Hudson Taylor who said, "I never made a sacrifice." A life given in abandoned service to Christ is your "best life now". 

Please join the discussion. 

May the Lord interrupt our lives...

I would like to share with you a prayer that has meant a great deal to me lately as I have prayed to God that He would interrupt my life. 

May all your expectations be frustrated.

May all your plans be thwarted.

May all your desires be withered into nothingness.

That you may experience the powerlessness & the poverty of a child & sing & dance in the love of God the Father, the Son, & the Spirit. 

--Henri Nouwen

A Song I Couldn't Sing

Years ago a worship song was released by Vineyard called, "Breathe." As a worship leader, I used to kind of avoid doing this song. At the time I wasn't quite sure why, but I always had trouble singing it. It wasn't because it was a difficult song to sing vocally or a tough one to play on the guitar. No, it was & is the lyrics that led it to become the song I couldn't sing. Consider the lyrics:

This is the air I breathe, this is the air I breathe, Your holy presence living in me.

This is my daily bread, this is my daily bread, Your very word spoken to me.

And I, I'm desperate for You. And I, I'm lost without You. 

There is nothing within the lyrics that I disagree with in my belief, creed, or theology. It is only in my living (practical theology) that I tend to ignore my desperation for God. Although I am crucially aware of my desperation for God as literal sustainer of life, I often live in such a way as Nietzsche metaphorically stated, "God is dead." 

And this I know, that God is the only One who is truly alive. And, I am learning to sing this song with new life. The last thing I ever wanted to do was lead songs for my congregation that made them hold promises or confessions that they never intended to live out (see Ecclesiastes 5:4-7). I suppose that is why I prefer songs that make a great deal of God's sovereignty & power--that we are not dependent upon our performance, rather God's mercy. 

I am desperate for God. And you are desperate for God. And everyone is desperate for God. If only we lived this way. 

This past Friday night I sat in the balcony of a large church auditorium & beneath me were roughly 600 men & women who were in recovery of either drug or alcohol addiction. As we worshipped together I couldn't help but sense the overwhelming presence of God. I thought to myself, "I have finally come to a service where there are none righteous & they realize it." Everyone there knew they were barely hanging on & were desperate for God to do something. Without God showing up, there was no hope for these people. All they would look forward to is sinking back into addiction & pain. I couldn't help but weep. 

Then...I returned Sunday to my church. As I led our congregation in worship, I felt like I was in another world. Rather than sensing a spirit of desperation, I sensed a spirit of self-righteousness. In general, the people of our church do not "need" God. This too made me weep, yet in a totally different way. 

Stay hungry, stay foolish!

Lunch with Brennan

As many of you know, my life has been fundamentally impacted by the writings of author Brennan Manning. So much so, my son's name is John Brennan. As a new Christian, I happened to pick up his book, A Ragamuffin Gospel, & my life would never be the same. I read numerous stories of God's redeeming grace & how it changed peoples' lives. I read of Brennan's journey as he volunteered to be a prisoner in order to share God's love toward the inmates. Again, of the time when he served the homeless by becoming homeless. Also, I read stories of how the religious became disciples of Jesus, prostitutes who became loyal wives & mothers, prisoners whose spiritual chains were broken, alcoholics who became pastors, & more. Personally, God revealed to me through Brennan's writing that I could come to God as I am, not as I should be. I found freedom from legalism & accepted Christ's invitation to mercy. Even at this moment, I find it hard to adequately express what his writings have done for me. I have a deeper love because Brennan helped me realize the expanse of God's grace. 

So, as a gift from my wife, she found out that Brennan Manning was going to be in Birmingham this weekend & contacted the host organization, thefreedomsource.com, to arrange my registration for the conference. (The director, Sandor Cheka, was very gracious & a pleasure to meet. We are about the same age & I was totally encouraged by his work to form the Addiction Coalition). When I arrived, I was met by the staff of Freedom Source & they allowed me some personal time with Brennan. In fact, I had the opportunity to have a brief lunch with him, just the two of us. May I share with you my journal entry from Friday:

"Its Octover 24th & I drove down to Birmingham this morning to see & meet one of my heroes of the faith--Brennan Manning. I was so nervous on the trip down because I wanted to find him as graceful as I had always imagine (or sensed from his books). By an act of grace from the Lord, I was privileged to sit & visit with him over a brief lunch. I told him that through his books, he has been a mentor to me & has helped heal my image of God & self. I was so grateful for the moment he turned to me, placed his hand on my forearm & said, "I am so glad you are here!" I couldn't agree more. Thank the Lord for His kindness--He made a dream of mine come true." 

Conversation before lunch:

Myself & Brennan Manning

Scripture Meditation as a Spiritual Discipline

The past few weeks at church my pastor has been teaching on the topic of Scripture Meditation as a Discipline for Spiritual Growth. If you know me very well, you would realize that this is very exciting for me. Something about spiritual growth & the disciplines gets my blood pumping. 

One of the comments that Wayne stated was, "multi-tasking is not a virtue." As I received his instruction I couldn't help but think, "he just called me out." Regardless of his intention, I was reminded that I am practically always multi-tasking. Let me offer some examples of my common behaviors: I read while watching television; I type while talking on the phone; I journal while listening to music or a sermon; I listen to music while mowing or driving or working; I work on a minimum of 3-4 projects at a time; I read approximately 3-4 books at a time. In summary, rarely does anything have my full attention. This is not a virtue. 

I suppose many spiritual disciplines are helping me realign with God's values. For example, taking a sabbath rest is helping me cease from trying to create anything & simply enjoy God's good gift of today. Journaling is helping me voice prayers to God that I wouldn't normally say (I am not that talkative of a person). But currently, the discipline of scripture meditation is probably most beneficial. I ask myself the question, "what do I spend most of my time thinking about?" Well, when I have not spent time reading & internalizing God's word, the answer is dreadful. Yet, when I fill my mind with God's precepts...I am refreshed. Consider just a few passages:

"And I shall lift up my hands to Your commandments, which I love; & I will meditate on Your statutes." Psalm 119:48

"I will extol You, my God, O King, & I will bless Your name forever & ever. 

Every day I will bless You, & I will praise Your name forever & ever.

Great is the Lord, & highly to be praised, & His greatness is unsearchable.

One generation shall praise Your works to another, & shall declare Your mighty acts.

On the glorious splendor of Your majesty & on Your wonderful works, I will meditate.

Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts, & I will tell of Your greatness.

They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness & will shout joyfully of Your righteousness." Psalm 145:1-7

"These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.

You shall teach them diligently to your sons & shall talk of them when you sit in your house & when you walk by the way & when you lie down & when you rise up. 

You shall bind them as a sign on your hands & they shall be as frontals on your forehead.

You shall write them on the doorposts of your house & on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:6-9

May we give ourselves the gift of Scripture meditation. Let it be something that we schedule into our daily/weekly routine. Surely we will be changed & our character reformed as the instrument of God's word works in our hearts. 

Ben Finch

Abandoning Outcomes pt.2

When we abandon outcomes, not only do we rest in what God may accomplish through us, but also we find peace in what Christ may accomplish in us. Specifically, I am speaking of God's sanctifying work in the life of the believer through the written law & the Spirit's work (consider Psalm 19:7-14, Psalm 119, Hebrews 4:12). 

When we receive, study, & internalize God's word (the law of the Lord), "there is nothing lacking in it for its intended purpose" (Willard, Rev. of Character, 167); it "restores the soul." Consider this: "Nothing in the Old Testament suggests that what the law does in the human heart is a human accomplishment. Rather, all benefit is ascribed to the law itself and to its giver...The benefit of the law would be a loss if we viewed it as something we must achieve on our own. For in attempting to use the law in this way, we will throw ourselves back into the position of self-idolatry, attempting to exploit the law as a tool for managing ourselves and God" (Willard, 167). The law can become a tool of self-righteousness rather than an instrument of grace. 

Willard graciously stated, "The presence of the Spirit and his grace is not meant to set the law aside but to enable conformity to it from an inwardly transformed personality...we cannot separate spirit from law, though we must separate spirit and law from legalism--righteousness in terms of actions" (Willard, 167). 

What is the point? The point is that our aim should be obedience to the word of God in the Spirit and power of Jesus. As Christ is formed within us, our actions will be more like His. We cannot produce Christ-likeness anymore than we can save our own souls; it is the work of Christ. Otherwise, we may become proud, self-righteous, and a bigot--walking around thanking God that we are not like "those sinners." We must see for ourselves the depths of our own "total" depravity so that we may catch a glimpse of the magnitude of His grace toward us (refer to Ephesians 2). 

Yet, I must remind us that grace is not opposed to effort but achievement. We must continually pursue spiritual disciplines as a means by which God does and will demonstrate His sanctifying work. Only realize that any real growth or success in sanctification (becoming more like Christ) is a product of God's grace working within you. If you boast of your "achievement", you are a "glory-robber," taking credit for something you have not done. 

May He fashion within us a heart after His own. 

"The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes." (Psalm 119:8)

Abandoning Outcomes pt. 1

Question: Will you trust God enough to quit attempting to manipulate outcomes? 

In other words, do you believe that you are clever (also substitute persuasive, smart, godly, etc.) enough to accomplish what only the Spirit of God may accomplish? I believe we all fall prey to these thoughts.  

Yet, there is so much peace that comes when we trust God & that He is going to do what is right. In this, we accept that within ourselves, we cannot make anything turn out right; we abandon the outcomes to God. (Willard, Rev. of Character, 165). This allows us to trust in the sovereignty of God. I personally find great satisfaction that after I have poured out myself in worship & work that I am utterly dependent upon Him to accomplish growth. 

I struggled for years in ministry as I "burned at both ends" trying to accomplish something that might merit God's favor. What I soon realized is that the only favor I was really trying to receive was that of being recognized by colleagues, church members, & others as a sort of Christian spiritual prodigy. Therefore, I poured out much energy that may not have had any eternal value whatsoever. I now call it pride. 

I suppose at the heart of trusting God is the virtue of humility. Angela of Foligno stated, "One of the signs by which a man may know that he is in a state of grace is this--that he is never puffed up." Further, Willard said, "Humility is the great secret of rest for the soul because it does not presume to manipulate outcomes" (166).  

My dear friends, work in the service of Christ with all your heart & be obedient even to the point of life's end. But, trust the outcomes to God & the peace of Christ will release all anxiety. "Because of the Christ revealed in the Bible, we know that God is good" (166). 

Tomorrow: Abandoning Outcomes pt. 2

Also, stay tuned for a link to a free download of my book, A Remarkable Practice, in digital (.pdf) format. I would love your insight.