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Wednesday, April 30, 2008

The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. Rom 13:12

The Bible is fascinating in that it uses metaphors in different, sometimes opposite, ways. For example, usually yeast is bad (1 Cor 5:6), but sometimes it is good (Mt 13:33). It is the same with sleep, which is typically a metaphor for death (1 Cor 15:6). And isn’t it the case, from our standpoint here on earth, that the dead appear to be sleeping?

But the most powerful use of this metaphor is when it is reversed, as in Rom 13:12: "The night is nearly over; the day is almost here." Here, the perspective is from heaven. This life is as a dream in the night, and it is nearly over. This life is compared with the darkness because it is dark, compared to the New Heavens and New Earth where the Lord God himself will be our light. This life is compared with the night because it is as a hazy dream compared with the new life which is truly life. When we "wake up" in heaven, it will be as waking up from a dream.

So we do not grieve as those without hope (1 Thess 4:13), because when our loved ones die in Christ, they will wake up and see their Savior’s face (Ps 17:15).

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

More Jamaican Musings

More thoughts of the Jamaican interior come to mind from my trip last week, this time of those with disabilities. There is a Jamaican in the deaf village who has a dog which got into a fight with another dog one evening. It was so loud, our team meeting was interrupted; we all ran to the window to watch this man try to separate the dogs—at one point swinging the two dogs around in a circle to get the one to release the other's ear.

Later we were together, and he was laughing and recounting the full story (in sign language) to a few people standing around who could understand. Interestingly, the normal roles were reversed. Usually, those with hearing loss would be insecure and out of the loop. Here I was, watching this hilarious story being told in a way that was unintelligible to my eyes. It gave me a sense for how they feel when they are out of their element.

But what was most interesting about this guy was that he was really cool. He had a sense of humor, he was a hard worker, he had bright eyes and strong arms, and he was completely at peace and confident with those around him. Too often I put the disabled in a box and automatically have pity on them. This guy didn’t need a bit of pity. Maybe I was the one who needed pity for feeling insecure and not being able to relax and just enjoy the smile on his face as he told his story with his hands.

Monday, April 28, 2008

Jamaican Joy

I just returned from touring several schools and a village for deaf children in Jamaica. Interestingly, I barely got a glimpse of the “Jamaica” that most tourists see—the beaches, beautiful water, the endless rows of shops with local trinkets (stamped ‘made in Taiwan’ on the back). My trip started at the non-air conditioned Kingston airport with one broken water fountain. I drove with a handful of new friends to the urban deaf school past some Jamaican homes not fit for a dog, sometimes made out of a couple pieces of corrugated aluminum and plywood.

The school included dorms, class rooms, a kitchen and several other buildings necessary to run a small, basic boarding school. The dorms were tidy and sparse with a couple small ragged posters here and there, and one or two knick-knacks on well-used dressers. My son asked later if they had toys, and I had to think before I answered, “About one each.” (This led him to the desire to send me down with some of his toys on the next trip, which warmed my heart.)

But the most surprising aspect of this school was not the lack of comforts, but rather the presence of joy. After a few awkward moments of the kids wondering who these wealthy looking white people were, our group began playfully competing with the kids doing chin-ups on their monkey bars. A couple men kicked the (well-worn and flat) soccer ball around, making make-shift goals with shoes. As I reflect now, I don’t remember any kids arguing or complaining or fighting.

One leader was there who will be with us this summer as we take down teens for a mission trip. As we talked about team devotions on the trip, he said, “I don’t want our devotions to communicate, ‘Let’s consider how blessed we are in the US, and how much we have, and how thankful we should be.’” I understood what he meant as I looked around and noticed how blessed the kids were with how little they had.

Paul tells us in Phil 4:12, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” Surly the physical blessings in the US is very often a curse because we have grown so accustomed to our comforts and so dependent on them. A more helpful devotional study would be to consider how blessed the Jamaicans are by finding the secret of contentment no matter what the circumstances.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Why One More Blog?

Why do I write, someone asked?

My writing started on a vacation to Europe in 1999. Some travel expert had suggested keeping a diary of one’s trip to look back on. But the main purpose of my writing (under the umbrella of the glory of God) was for my children. I realized that I would love to have had my father write about his life experiences—what was it like to grow up in small town Kentucky, what was his grandfather like, what were his disappointments and triumphs, and so on. I labeled my first journal “Memoirs”—I still don’t know why Lucibeth laughed at that, having little faith that it would be a best seller one day.

After two journals, I began moving from paper to computer. (I don’t have Ken Charlton’s handsome script). I also realized that my writing was changing from private thoughts and remembrances to more general insights and thoughts on life, philosophy and theology.

This brings me to my second purpose in writing, which is for the church. Abraham Piper suggests that writing a blog is a great way for the congregation to get to know a pastor and to see his heart. It is also another avenue for teaching important things for which there is no time or place in a sermon. So, let me know if anyone appreciates this and receives encouragement.

My third and final purpose in writing is for my own development. Pastor Ligon Duncan has written: “There is no discipline more suited to force the mind to organize and communicate the truth than that of writing.” So, if there were no other purpose, writing is good for my mind, it forces me to categorize and organize my thoughts, and helps me to think through how to communicate them to others.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Spiritual ADHD

St. Augustine once wrote, “Thou hast formed us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee.” Centuries later Blaise Pascal wrote that there is a “God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God.” These are well-known quotes, but I continue to be amazed at how often this idea comes up in Scripture. In 2 Chronicles 28, King Ahaz is seeking fulfillment in other things and is serving other gods. And when God brings judgment to get his attention, Ahaz only calls on help from another country, Assyria. But in verse 20, “the king of Assyria came to him, but he gave him trouble instead of help.”

God, how often do I run to anything else for help, besides you? When will I learn, when will we learn that we will never be satisfied; things will never go well when we are working against you? When will I learn that when anything is more important than you it is simply not going to work out?

Two verses later Ahaz becomes “even more unfaithful to the Lord.” He offered sacrifices to the god of another country who had defeated him, thinking they would help him. This is nothing short of desperation; a last ditch effort at success, pleasure, satisfaction.

We will try anything, won’t we? We will look anywhere else for life-anesthesia, we’ll try any activity, any distraction, any sport, TV show, or drug. We have spiritual ADHD, with our attention jumping around to anything or anyone that will soothe our problems for a moment. Just as long as we don’t have to make the effort and swallow our pride, and bow the knee to the one true God. The sad irony is this: that is the only place where real rest, and pleasure, and satisfaction exist. God, help me to find my rest, my life, my all in you.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Very Loud Voices

Continuing from my last entry, 2 Chronicles 20 has some amazing insights for our prayer and worship lives. King Jehoshaphat is being surrounded by his enemies. In v. 15 a prophet tells him, “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the battle is not yours but God’s.” The phrase “do not be afraid” is repeated over and over again in Scripture, probably because we are so likely to be just that. But if you are a Christian, the battle is not yours, but God’s. He will deliver us ultimately because he is a warrior God who fights for his people (Ex 15:3), he has in store vengeance for his enemies and comfort for his people (Is 61:2), and restores all things for those who trust in him (Acts 3:21).

Amazingly, Jehoshaphat and the people believed God’s message and fall down in worship (v. 18). Often, I wish I were more physically expressive in life. My truncated or suppressed emotions may allow me to timidly raise a hand in the back of the church from time to time (Ps 28:2; 1 Tim 2:8). But this passage reminds us is that lifting hands to God is not the only right posture of worship (in heart or hand). Here God’s people are bowing down low to a powerful, mighty, sovereign, and holy God. Lord, may I be so overwhelmed by your goodness and grace toward me that I freely express that gratitude toward you. And may I also be in such awe of the majesty of your holiness that I would bow down low to you in humble submission, reverence, and wonder.

Finally, the people praised God with a “very loud voice” (v. 19). Often worship arguments center on style and instrumentation. My personal belief is that many kinds of styles are beautiful when they accompany very loud voices (in spirit and truth, with reverence and joy). I enjoy very much the contemporary band and instrumentation at our church (a visiting friend recently asked, “Have they put out a CD?”). But also one of the best worship experiences I have had was a room of 200 men, with very loud voices, accompanied by nothing but a piano.

Father, may we be so in love with you that not only would worship wars fade away, but also the self-consciousness of our voices being heard by others. And may we shout out your praise with joy overflowing from our hearts.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Lord, I Don't Know What To Do

Can anything good come out of 2 Chronicles, some wonder? Chapter 20 contains some of the most challenging and encouraging verses on worship and prayer. Jehosaphat’s enemies are advancing against him and he immediately inquired of the Lord (v. 3). God, how often do I quickly run to secure my own defenses, how often do I look to physical protection instead of immediately turning to you?

Jehosaphat then proclaimed a fast for all Judah (v. 3). This reminds me that Jesus didn’t abolish fasting when faced with abuses; he didn’t say if you fast; rather he said “when you fast… (Mt 6:16). A practice of fasting serves the Lord, and would serve us well by reminding us of our utter dependence on God in this age of instant gratification and self-reliance.

Jehosaphat continues in verses 6-7 with deep words of praise not often found on our lips, and then prays boldly in a way that almost challenges and tests God, as if to say, “God, isn’t this land something that you promised, which is about to be taken away? Won’t you bring glory to your name by answering this prayer?” Father, inspire us to pray in such accordance with your will that we can use equally bold words in our supplication.

The end of his prayer has become a standard prayer in my own life. He concludes, “For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” Most of us are not attacked by physical armies, but we are attacked daily by spiritual ones: doubt, various temptations, physical suffering, insecurities, indecision, fear, and the list goes on. Lord, I don’t know what to do when I am trying to solve conflict between neighborhood kids (or adults). Sometimes I don’t know what to say when I am counseling individuals at church. I have no idea what to say when a brilliant neighbor argues against your existence and I am tongue-tied. But my eyes are on you.

I’ve taught this simple, yet profound, prayer to my kids that I pray will be pulled out and used years later: “I do not know what to do, but my eyes are on you.” It even rhymes.

Friday, April 4, 2008

The Glory of Our King


There is something particular missing in Christian outreach today. An understatement? Any number of us could come up with a long list of elements, whether it has to do with the content of our message, our lack of Biblical literacy, our misunderstanding of the gospel, a lack of love for our neighbor, an over-emphasis on canned tracts, decisionalism instead of discipleship, or a lack of relationships with non-Christians to begin with. All this may be true, but in preparing to teach on evangelism I became aware that in all the resources I found not much is said of God’s kingdom and his glory.


God’s kingdom and glory are, to me, among the most difficult to teach, and yet are so prevalent and prominent in Scripture. God is zealous for his own glory in Is 48:8-11, Moses wants to see God’s glory in Ex 33:18, the Psalmist wants to proclaim God’s glory in Ps 57:5, and the King displays his glory in Ps 24:7-9. What is the connection with evangelism? Simply this: If we envisioned ourselves more so as citizens of a heavenly kingdom under the rule of a glorious, mighty, brilliant, eternal King, who promises expansion of his kingdom and ultimate victory…wouldn’t we want to be caught up in the privilege of being a part of its growth and success?

Sam Storms touches on this in One Thing when he writes about a grander vision of his glorious King, ““I often try to envision what my life would be like if this were an accurate description of my relationship with God…I trust that I would display an uncommon boldness and courage in sharing Christ.” Surly the glory of our King, and the expansion of his kingdom are worthy concepts of our meditation for the rest of our lives, and will in turn have a profound impact on us as we reach out to others.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

I performed my first wedding this past weekend. Somehow the entire extended family knew it was my first and didn’t tire of reminding me of that fact leading up to the ceremony. But at the rehearsal dinner, I asked the father of the bride what it was like to give a daughter away, as I have two. I was looking for some deep wisdom, and somehow his only words were, "start saving your money." Somehow I wanted more than that.

I suppose some dread those days because college and weddings can be so expensive. Maybe even more dread those days because little girls can be so cute and innocent; grandparents say, “Now you stop growing, ok? Don’t get any taller!”

I believe the answer to this frustration is not the futile wish that they would stop growing, but in the vision of seeing them as already grown up. When I look at them, I say to myself (and pray to God): “This child is going to be an adult very, very soon, Lord willing. And either they will be taking care of me as a childlike elderly man, or I will be long gone from this world.

What wisdom, skills and abilities do they need to develop and hone now, to prepare them for those days? What sin patterns do they need to be aware of and work on overcoming?

God, I pray that my sons would be mighty warriors for your kingdom. By your grace, help me to equip and prepare them as such. Father, I pray that my girls would be faithful women, able to teach and equip younger women; that they would be godly wives, that they would raise faithful children of their own who would in turn be used to expand your name, your glory, and your kingdom. And I pray that generations of faithfulness would come from them, until Christ returns.