I love this one: “Dad, tell me when we get there.” If they really meant that, then what is the purpose of: “Are we there yet,” and, “How much farther?” These are constant refrains of kids on long trips...or is it really just the kids? I’ve realized my own restless spirit on trips, both at destinations along the way, and en route.
Not satisfied with what is going on at the time, I’m always looking forward to something—anything, whatever is next. If I am driving, I want to get there. If I get there, I want to unpack. If I unpack, I want to do something exciting. If I do something exciting, I get tired and I’m ready for bed. In the morning, I’m ready to pack up and move on to the next location, or the next mini-adventure.
I’ve realized this phenomenon is not just on trips but with all of life. And in light of our restless, selfish spirits, Scripture teaches us not only to be content, but to make the most of every opportunity. While the context of that passage may be directly with our Christian witness, I believe Christ is pleased when we carpe diem; when we seize the day.
God, help me to slow down and enjoy the trip. Help me to enjoy the drive and the scenery. Help me enjoy catching up with old friends, and building blocks with my kids. Help me to realize I’m not in nearly as big a hurry as my speedometer reveals. Help me to bring life and breath and salt into these relationships along the way.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Much More than my Co-pilot
When a foreign king was outsmarted by Israel in 2 Kings 6, his advisors said to him, "Elisha, the prophet tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.” This is how close God is to us all the time. Sometimes this helps us to resist temptation.
Over breakfast this morning a friend and I discussed the temptation of passing an attractive joggers, and how it helps to imagine that our wives are in the car with us. Then I said, “You can also imagine that Christ is riding with you,” and I think we both realized at the same time, this is something we don’t have to imagine—it is actually the case. And even more than just ‘riding with me,’ he is reading my thoughts. This is how close God is to us all the time.
And much more than just the negative (protection against temptation), there is also a positive application of the nearness of God. If I am lonely and single, I have the constant companionship of my best friend. If I am being wheeled into surgery, the Great Physician will watch over the physician’s every move. If I have lost my spouse, my Bridegroom will never die. This is how close God is to us all the time.
God, help me to know and feel deeply your presence today. And help me to act and will and live today with such courage and contentment that shows the world that this is all I need.
Over breakfast this morning a friend and I discussed the temptation of passing an attractive joggers, and how it helps to imagine that our wives are in the car with us. Then I said, “You can also imagine that Christ is riding with you,” and I think we both realized at the same time, this is something we don’t have to imagine—it is actually the case. And even more than just ‘riding with me,’ he is reading my thoughts. This is how close God is to us all the time.
And much more than just the negative (protection against temptation), there is also a positive application of the nearness of God. If I am lonely and single, I have the constant companionship of my best friend. If I am being wheeled into surgery, the Great Physician will watch over the physician’s every move. If I have lost my spouse, my Bridegroom will never die. This is how close God is to us all the time.
God, help me to know and feel deeply your presence today. And help me to act and will and live today with such courage and contentment that shows the world that this is all I need.
Friday, May 15, 2009
In John Grisham’s The Firm, the main character (who is married) is propositioned at a bar on a business trip far away from home, and he nobly turns the girl away. He wins the battle, he goes for a walk on the beach, and rescues another girl from a (supposed) attacker. But his guard is down, and he succumbs to lust and adultery in a most unexpected and unanticipated scenario.
We think of Jesus’ victory over Satan’s temptation in the wilderness a time of great triumph, and it is. But Lk 4:13 contains a chilling phrase I do not remember seeing before: “When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left Jesus…until an opportune time.”
For the Christian, “Greater is he who is in you (Jesus) than he who is in the world (Satan),” but Satan is still very real and very powerful. Another chilling phrase is that he “prowls about as a roaring lion seeking someone to devour” (1 Pet 5:8). This verse confuses me because Satan is as shrewd as a serpent but gives the appearance of an innocent dove. He doesn’t usually make a frontal assault with guns blazing, he tends to come in behind the lines after the battle is over to offer fruit to a hungry, tired soldier.
What is his most opportune time with you? Maybe it is when you are sick, maybe after a spiritual high. Perhaps when you have had a fight with your spouse, on a business trip, or watching the morning soaps on the phone with a friend. Satan will wait for the most opportune time.
Father, help me to be alert, save me from myself, the world and the Devil. By grace through faith, strengthen my resolve, my dependence upon you, my defenses. May Satan’s attacks fail to knock me over because I am on my knees before you, my God, my Deliverer.
We think of Jesus’ victory over Satan’s temptation in the wilderness a time of great triumph, and it is. But Lk 4:13 contains a chilling phrase I do not remember seeing before: “When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left Jesus…until an opportune time.”
For the Christian, “Greater is he who is in you (Jesus) than he who is in the world (Satan),” but Satan is still very real and very powerful. Another chilling phrase is that he “prowls about as a roaring lion seeking someone to devour” (1 Pet 5:8). This verse confuses me because Satan is as shrewd as a serpent but gives the appearance of an innocent dove. He doesn’t usually make a frontal assault with guns blazing, he tends to come in behind the lines after the battle is over to offer fruit to a hungry, tired soldier.
What is his most opportune time with you? Maybe it is when you are sick, maybe after a spiritual high. Perhaps when you have had a fight with your spouse, on a business trip, or watching the morning soaps on the phone with a friend. Satan will wait for the most opportune time.
Father, help me to be alert, save me from myself, the world and the Devil. By grace through faith, strengthen my resolve, my dependence upon you, my defenses. May Satan’s attacks fail to knock me over because I am on my knees before you, my God, my Deliverer.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Blessed Light
I’ve been in a deep, dark valley for several months and am seeing lots of sunshine now in the area of parenting. I continually remind myself through my experience that parenting well doesn’t come naturally, and it is not automatic. What makes it more difficult is that as kids mature, practices that worked last year need some adjustments because you are in a different relationship now. And though many principles are good and time-less, parents are not. We begin to let things slide as we get comfortable and busy and lazy.
So, where did the sunshine come from? The first ray was advice from others. My wife was infinitely wise and humble to ask my mother on a recent visit, “What advice do you have for us in the area of parenting?” It takes a daughter-in-law who is confident in the righteousness of Christ to ask such a question (and listen to the critical advice without getting defensive). Proverbs 19:20 says, “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.”
Another ray of light came from reading. I’ve been through at least three dark parenting valleys, and each time I’ll pick up a good book. This one was Have a New Kid by Friday by Kevin Leman. Yes, I was that desperate. Actually, it was a gift from my mom—no new earth shattering secrets; only solid reminders and signs for someone who is lost on the valley floor.
A final ray of light came through prayer. I have shared my struggles with each of my small groups and men’s groups, crying out to them for help, prayer and advice (a small group is worthless if you can’t do that). Paul writes to the Corinthian church that, “God will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers (2 Cor 1:10-11).
I have a close friend who has been through an even deeper, darker valley than myself who shared with me how the church has loved him and his wife through their trial. He said, “We actually felt they prayers of the church.”
God, I am weak. May it be that I am helped by the prayers of your church. But even more so, may I pray in such a way, with such passion, such fervency, such belief that others are helped by my prayers, as they are applied by your Spirit.
So, where did the sunshine come from? The first ray was advice from others. My wife was infinitely wise and humble to ask my mother on a recent visit, “What advice do you have for us in the area of parenting?” It takes a daughter-in-law who is confident in the righteousness of Christ to ask such a question (and listen to the critical advice without getting defensive). Proverbs 19:20 says, “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.”
Another ray of light came from reading. I’ve been through at least three dark parenting valleys, and each time I’ll pick up a good book. This one was Have a New Kid by Friday by Kevin Leman. Yes, I was that desperate. Actually, it was a gift from my mom—no new earth shattering secrets; only solid reminders and signs for someone who is lost on the valley floor.
A final ray of light came through prayer. I have shared my struggles with each of my small groups and men’s groups, crying out to them for help, prayer and advice (a small group is worthless if you can’t do that). Paul writes to the Corinthian church that, “God will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers (2 Cor 1:10-11).
I have a close friend who has been through an even deeper, darker valley than myself who shared with me how the church has loved him and his wife through their trial. He said, “We actually felt they prayers of the church.”
God, I am weak. May it be that I am helped by the prayers of your church. But even more so, may I pray in such a way, with such passion, such fervency, such belief that others are helped by my prayers, as they are applied by your Spirit.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
I am a masochist. My men’s group is extremely painful yet for some reason I keep going back. We talked this morning about the motives behind our good works—that often we do things not out of a love for God or a love for others, but out of a love for ourselves. We want to be recognized, we desire to receive praise, especially when we give the appearance that we are not seeking it.
I shared an example from my life of how I was glad that someone noticed a ‘good work’ last Sunday. Several of us confessed, we prayed, we broke up to go our separate ways. It is 7:57 a.m. and I’ve already done the same thing again. There is not even anyone in the office yet—I don’t need actual people present to seek to impress, I found out I can do it just as effectively by e-mail.
Pride, self-righteousness, twisted motives, reputation-seeking. These are all deep sins that take time and effort even just to recognize. But if we don’t see these ‘sins of the heart’ in our hearts, we are not living the victorious life, we are living in denial.
Another huge questions is this: Why do we want to root out these sins? Is it just because we want to be better (good for goodness sake?) Is it to join an elite group that is proud of their depth of understanding of the Gospel (how insidious is that)? Or is it because God has allowed us to turn to him, as he runs to us, is it because we know we have offended a holy God, is it because the splinters are deep and only our Father can pull it out, is it because we are in love with him and we love to please him because he already loves us?
Now it is 8:03 and I’ve done it again; I’m proud of my blog, thinking that both of you readers will be impressed. Jeremiah 17:9 reads, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” God, surely my heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure; and I can’t even fathom the depths. But you can! By your grace may I recognize and turn from these sometimes socially acceptable sins, and as I do so would you not only cleanse the deep waters of my heart, but also heal the source of the spring from which they flow.
I shared an example from my life of how I was glad that someone noticed a ‘good work’ last Sunday. Several of us confessed, we prayed, we broke up to go our separate ways. It is 7:57 a.m. and I’ve already done the same thing again. There is not even anyone in the office yet—I don’t need actual people present to seek to impress, I found out I can do it just as effectively by e-mail.
Pride, self-righteousness, twisted motives, reputation-seeking. These are all deep sins that take time and effort even just to recognize. But if we don’t see these ‘sins of the heart’ in our hearts, we are not living the victorious life, we are living in denial.
Another huge questions is this: Why do we want to root out these sins? Is it just because we want to be better (good for goodness sake?) Is it to join an elite group that is proud of their depth of understanding of the Gospel (how insidious is that)? Or is it because God has allowed us to turn to him, as he runs to us, is it because we know we have offended a holy God, is it because the splinters are deep and only our Father can pull it out, is it because we are in love with him and we love to please him because he already loves us?
Now it is 8:03 and I’ve done it again; I’m proud of my blog, thinking that both of you readers will be impressed. Jeremiah 17:9 reads, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” God, surely my heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure; and I can’t even fathom the depths. But you can! By your grace may I recognize and turn from these sometimes socially acceptable sins, and as I do so would you not only cleanse the deep waters of my heart, but also heal the source of the spring from which they flow.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Albert Mohler recently asked on his radio show, “How do you know what excess is?” How about not only disposable cameras, but disposable video cameras? We are a people accustomed to instant gratification. Instead of full contentment in whatever situation, we demand full comfort in any situation. So, when something goes wrong, when we experience pain, when we are tested, our faith wavers when our prayers are not immediately answered.
Ps 99 tells us “Moses and Aaron were among God’s priests, Samuel was among those who called on his name; they called on the Lord and he answered them.” Moses wandered in the desert for 40 years. I don’t know about you, but that would have tested my faith: “How much longer God?? Ok, I get it! I learned my lesson after one day of this! How many more days, or perhaps even weeks?” 40 years.
Interestingly, Samuel anointed Saul king who reigned miserably for…40 years. Imagine his sorrow, his temptation to regret having participated in bringing Saul to power, though it was part of God’s plan. Imagine his prayers, pleading for a new, godly king who would lead the people justly.
And the kicker is this: Moses never got out of the desert, on earth at least. He died before Israel entered the Promised Land full of gardens and homes and livestock and vineyards. And Samuel? He died while Saul was still king, before David began his reign. They called on the Lord, and he answered them.
Could it be that we are presumptuous and prideful in our expectations of God to instantly answer our every whim? Could it be that we have no idea what it means to live in the presence of God, fully satisfied with Him? Could it be that God answers prayers more often measured in lifetimes than in days and weeks?
God, that the earth would have nothing I desire besides you, and that it would be good for me simply to be near you (Ps 73).
Not one of all the LORD's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled. - Joshua 21:45
Ps 99 tells us “Moses and Aaron were among God’s priests, Samuel was among those who called on his name; they called on the Lord and he answered them.” Moses wandered in the desert for 40 years. I don’t know about you, but that would have tested my faith: “How much longer God?? Ok, I get it! I learned my lesson after one day of this! How many more days, or perhaps even weeks?” 40 years.
Interestingly, Samuel anointed Saul king who reigned miserably for…40 years. Imagine his sorrow, his temptation to regret having participated in bringing Saul to power, though it was part of God’s plan. Imagine his prayers, pleading for a new, godly king who would lead the people justly.
And the kicker is this: Moses never got out of the desert, on earth at least. He died before Israel entered the Promised Land full of gardens and homes and livestock and vineyards. And Samuel? He died while Saul was still king, before David began his reign. They called on the Lord, and he answered them.
Could it be that we are presumptuous and prideful in our expectations of God to instantly answer our every whim? Could it be that we have no idea what it means to live in the presence of God, fully satisfied with Him? Could it be that God answers prayers more often measured in lifetimes than in days and weeks?
God, that the earth would have nothing I desire besides you, and that it would be good for me simply to be near you (Ps 73).
Not one of all the LORD's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled. - Joshua 21:45
Monday, April 13, 2009
I’m reading The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, a Puritan classic, with a small group of pastors in Sarasota. Isn’t it enough that when I am afflicted I am quiet outwardly and don’t complain to others? I’m learning this is not the case. Jeremiah Burroughs writes in this book the most challenging of definitions: “Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.”
Freely submits? Ok. But delights in? That is going too far. Burroughs writes as if he knows me: “while there is a serene calm upon their tongues these people have blustering storms upon their spirits, and while they keep silence their hearts are troubled and even worn away with anguish and vexation. They have peace and quiet outwardly, but within war from the unruly and turbulent workings of their hearts.”
I can put on the stoic, spiritual pastor’s façade, but don’t look at my heart. Doesn’t Paul teach us in Philippians that it is not the outward expression, but a deep, mysterious inner thing of the soul? “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation…”
God, teach me the secret of contentment in any and every situation; whether healthy or sick, wealthy or pinching pennies, sunny or rainy, cheerful or quarreling kids, bright road ahead or foggy path in the woods, sweet unity in marriage or struggling to see eye to eye. Be enough for me, be my all in all. May my warring heart be calmed as it looks to you alone, the giver of every good gift and the satisfier or souls.
Freely submits? Ok. But delights in? That is going too far. Burroughs writes as if he knows me: “while there is a serene calm upon their tongues these people have blustering storms upon their spirits, and while they keep silence their hearts are troubled and even worn away with anguish and vexation. They have peace and quiet outwardly, but within war from the unruly and turbulent workings of their hearts.”
I can put on the stoic, spiritual pastor’s façade, but don’t look at my heart. Doesn’t Paul teach us in Philippians that it is not the outward expression, but a deep, mysterious inner thing of the soul? “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation…”
God, teach me the secret of contentment in any and every situation; whether healthy or sick, wealthy or pinching pennies, sunny or rainy, cheerful or quarreling kids, bright road ahead or foggy path in the woods, sweet unity in marriage or struggling to see eye to eye. Be enough for me, be my all in all. May my warring heart be calmed as it looks to you alone, the giver of every good gift and the satisfier or souls.
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