Some days you get lots of things done,... some days you spend the better part of the day trying to keep your head from pounding. Hopefully I bore it with patience; sometimes it's hard to tell how you're reacting without being able to watch yourself.
Watching an eHarmony talking about "what love is". If memory serves, it's run by a Christian outfit, which is probably the reason they put such an full-bored emphasis on objective compatibility. Amazingly though, they completely miss the point in their analysis of what love really is. Among the things they list are the following:
- emotional [being "in" love]
- acceptance [loves me "for who I am"]
- support
- unconditional
Each of these are very true, but each miss the mark in a very important way. Each focuses on what the other person does for me, when the real mark of love is self-sacrifice. Anyone can do such things when times are good, when the other person's being their sweet self, when there are perceived rewards for one's behavior. But when serving another's interests crosses self-interest, that's when the rubber hits the road. I suppose John F. Kennedy's famous words would well apply here, and I don't mean "Ich ben ein Berliner".
Monday, April 30, 2007
Sunday, April 29, 2007
So.....many......thoughts.....
It's easy to think that God will _always_ make His presence when you spend your Lord's day listening to His word, but sometimes He seems to draw closer in an even more special way. A number of things struck a chord with me, both in the preaching and in our guys' bible study afterwards; hopefully, I'll capture some of them here for later remembrance. I feel like a very full cup after today; Lord willing, I'll be able to put some of it to good use in the coming weeks, as I fight my sin, minister to others, and go about my daily life.
The preaching was drawn from Colossians 1 in the morning and James 4 in the evening.
Salvation is a work of God alone, but it doesn't happen outside ourselves; we are under obligation to believe. By nature, we are like a body at an open casket funeral. God commands us to rise and walk. All the human will in the world isn't going to get that body out of that coffin; it's simply impossible. Life must be infused into that corpse from outside itself. Some would like to think that our will must _cooperate_ to make this infusion a success, but our will is like that body, completely unable to render any assistance. The person choosing to get out of that coffin is seen as this cooperation, when in fact the choice to get out of the coffin is completely contingent.
Some people see their battles with sin as a reason to doubt their assurance of salvation, as if _real_ Christians wouldn't have to struggle with it as much as they themselves do. Pirates don't attack empty ships, and beggars don't have to worry about being robbed. Similarly, the attacks of the devil from without and the flesh from within are proof in themselves of the fact that spiritual life [and the Spirit Himself] are in fact present. If you're spiritually dead, then there is _no_ battle. You're just floating in the current of this world; the battle is proof that you've been made alive and are swimming upstream against the current.
God is a jealous God; He takes it seriously when any of His people begins to seek out their fulfillment in anything other than in Himself. As a jealous husband or boyfriend would react if his wife or girlfriend were to begin a close friendship with another man, so God reacts when members of His bride, the church, turn to other things ahead of Him. As I wrote earlier, nothing less than unrivaled attachment is His due, both because He is my creator and more importantly, my Redeemer, having paid the ultimate price in taking my sentence of eternal separation to Himself
It's an all-too-common distortion of the doctrine of God's overruling providence to believe that if God hasn't stopped me, then whatever I'm doing must be fine with Him; this delusion is perhaps most commonly associate with the so-called health-and-wealth gospel. God nowhere in His word promises to hold us back from sin or from its disastrous consequences. While He does keep His elect from ever completely falling away, He does allow us the freedom of choice and its associated consequences. Our choices will greatly affect our happiness and more importantly our usefulness in His kingdom. While our justification is secure, depending only on the finished work of Christ, our sanctification can be slowed, hindered, and even stymied at times by foolish choices. Praise God that He can (and often does!) override us and work good into our lives despite (and even through) our foolish choices.
The preaching was drawn from Colossians 1 in the morning and James 4 in the evening.
Salvation is a work of God alone, but it doesn't happen outside ourselves; we are under obligation to believe. By nature, we are like a body at an open casket funeral. God commands us to rise and walk. All the human will in the world isn't going to get that body out of that coffin; it's simply impossible. Life must be infused into that corpse from outside itself. Some would like to think that our will must _cooperate_ to make this infusion a success, but our will is like that body, completely unable to render any assistance. The person choosing to get out of that coffin is seen as this cooperation, when in fact the choice to get out of the coffin is completely contingent.
Some people see their battles with sin as a reason to doubt their assurance of salvation, as if _real_ Christians wouldn't have to struggle with it as much as they themselves do. Pirates don't attack empty ships, and beggars don't have to worry about being robbed. Similarly, the attacks of the devil from without and the flesh from within are proof in themselves of the fact that spiritual life [and the Spirit Himself] are in fact present. If you're spiritually dead, then there is _no_ battle. You're just floating in the current of this world; the battle is proof that you've been made alive and are swimming upstream against the current.
God is a jealous God; He takes it seriously when any of His people begins to seek out their fulfillment in anything other than in Himself. As a jealous husband or boyfriend would react if his wife or girlfriend were to begin a close friendship with another man, so God reacts when members of His bride, the church, turn to other things ahead of Him. As I wrote earlier, nothing less than unrivaled attachment is His due, both because He is my creator and more importantly, my Redeemer, having paid the ultimate price in taking my sentence of eternal separation to Himself
It's an all-too-common distortion of the doctrine of God's overruling providence to believe that if God hasn't stopped me, then whatever I'm doing must be fine with Him; this delusion is perhaps most commonly associate with the so-called health-and-wealth gospel. God nowhere in His word promises to hold us back from sin or from its disastrous consequences. While He does keep His elect from ever completely falling away, He does allow us the freedom of choice and its associated consequences. Our choices will greatly affect our happiness and more importantly our usefulness in His kingdom. While our justification is secure, depending only on the finished work of Christ, our sanctification can be slowed, hindered, and even stymied at times by foolish choices. Praise God that He can (and often does!) override us and work good into our lives despite (and even through) our foolish choices.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Are you in love?
Saturday, a day made for breaking from the ordinary. In that spirit, I went to a LAN party for the better part of the day-- played some 007, Wii Tennis/Golf/Bowling/Baseball , and ate my share of pizza. Other than that, .... not a whole lot.
You can tell a lot about what kind of a Christian someone is by what they do on the Lord's day. There are many people who name the Name, and yet have no interest in Him besides going through some motions once a week. They'd say they have "faith" and even live a moral life [or at least enough to allay suspicion, but have no interest in the searching conviction of the Spirit and putting sin to death. But when it comes to giving Him 1/7 of their time and 1/10 of their money,...whoa now that's not for them.
Someone who is in love with Christ and not just a "Christian" who's following the rules is a different person entirely, and in very concrete ways. When it comes to what they get the most excited about, it's Him. When it comes to who they relate to most intimately, who they'd choose to spend their time with given the chance, it'll be the people who are equally in love with Him. When it comes to who gets top billing in their life, whether loved one, family or friend, He comes in first place by such a margin as that others may think you hate them by comparison. Only the indwelling presence and power of the Spirit can fuel such a devotion, imposed by a supernatural fiat of Divine providence. In the words of Paul, Glory to God for His indescribable gift!
Self-love comes in many forms; all must be put to death. Self-sacrifice comes in many forms; all are but dim reflections. --JB
You can tell a lot about what kind of a Christian someone is by what they do on the Lord's day. There are many people who name the Name, and yet have no interest in Him besides going through some motions once a week. They'd say they have "faith" and even live a moral life [or at least enough to allay suspicion, but have no interest in the searching conviction of the Spirit and putting sin to death. But when it comes to giving Him 1/7 of their time and 1/10 of their money,...whoa now that's not for them.
Someone who is in love with Christ and not just a "Christian" who's following the rules is a different person entirely, and in very concrete ways. When it comes to what they get the most excited about, it's Him. When it comes to who they relate to most intimately, who they'd choose to spend their time with given the chance, it'll be the people who are equally in love with Him. When it comes to who gets top billing in their life, whether loved one, family or friend, He comes in first place by such a margin as that others may think you hate them by comparison. Only the indwelling presence and power of the Spirit can fuel such a devotion, imposed by a supernatural fiat of Divine providence. In the words of Paul, Glory to God for His indescribable gift!
Self-love comes in many forms; all must be put to death. Self-sacrifice comes in many forms; all are but dim reflections. --JB
Friday, April 27, 2007
I serve a powerful God
Chorale is finally over and done with; the Celebration concert was tonight. I followed it up with little pool [for the first time in a while] with Richard; it's been a tiring day. I'm sure I'll miss it given some time but right now, I'm not.
One of the most comforting thing I've learned about God is that He is not constrained by my actions (in inaction) in his working out what He knows is best for me even though I, in my shortsightedness, don't understand it. Though I delay for a week, a month, or even a year or more, He has ways to make it happen. Whether through the agency of others or through His orchestration of circumstances, He's kept me from both things and people that would destroy my soul if given the chance. But the wonderful thing is, the reverse applies even more; He is not restrained in His bringing of good into my life by my own inactions brought on by fear, inhibition, or failure of faith.
If you think God is waiting around for your cooperation to save you or to put virtue into your life, then you're worshiping a figment of your imagination.
Romans 8 is the only real foundation for a "if I had it to do over, I wouldn't have it any other way" life. There is no thing that did happen that could have made my life better than it is right now, because if there were, He would have made it happen. If He's taken something away, then it was going to do you harm. It's the only way you can say with any conviction at all -- "the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord."
One of the most comforting thing I've learned about God is that He is not constrained by my actions (in inaction) in his working out what He knows is best for me even though I, in my shortsightedness, don't understand it. Though I delay for a week, a month, or even a year or more, He has ways to make it happen. Whether through the agency of others or through His orchestration of circumstances, He's kept me from both things and people that would destroy my soul if given the chance. But the wonderful thing is, the reverse applies even more; He is not restrained in His bringing of good into my life by my own inactions brought on by fear, inhibition, or failure of faith.
If you think God is waiting around for your cooperation to save you or to put virtue into your life, then you're worshiping a figment of your imagination.
Romans 8 is the only real foundation for a "if I had it to do over, I wouldn't have it any other way" life. There is no thing that did happen that could have made my life better than it is right now, because if there were, He would have made it happen. If He's taken something away, then it was going to do you harm. It's the only way you can say with any conviction at all -- "the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord."
Behold the power of words
I can remember days so hectic that I wished for nothing more than for a _boring_ day for once; well I got one.
I'm not usually very hard-spoken, but sometimes I surprise myself and not in a good way. Sometimes I just need to put the proverbial (or literal) hand on my mouth. Sometimes it's a case of "better to be silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt." My speech isn't always either imparting grace or seasoned with salt, but I'd like to think I'm at least aware of it. Sometimes it takes a faithful verbal slap to remind me; I'm glad I at least have people around me that are willing and able to pull that off.
Glory in the distant future is my desire, but not my confidence. God's good providence in the near future is my prayer, but not my confidence. The Spirit's conforming power in my life is my occupation, but not my confidence. The birth of my faith in the recent past is the spark that ignited my spiritual life, but not my confidence. The work of Christ in the distant past is the grounds for my relationship with God, but not my confidence. My confidence finds its substance in the electing choice of God before time began; it is what makes all these possible and even certain, and _that_ is what makes my world go round.
I'm not usually very hard-spoken, but sometimes I surprise myself and not in a good way. Sometimes I just need to put the proverbial (or literal) hand on my mouth. Sometimes it's a case of "better to be silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt." My speech isn't always either imparting grace or seasoned with salt, but I'd like to think I'm at least aware of it. Sometimes it takes a faithful verbal slap to remind me; I'm glad I at least have people around me that are willing and able to pull that off.
Glory in the distant future is my desire, but not my confidence. God's good providence in the near future is my prayer, but not my confidence. The Spirit's conforming power in my life is my occupation, but not my confidence. The birth of my faith in the recent past is the spark that ignited my spiritual life, but not my confidence. The work of Christ in the distant past is the grounds for my relationship with God, but not my confidence. My confidence finds its substance in the electing choice of God before time began; it is what makes all these possible and even certain, and _that_ is what makes my world go round.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Jesus, my great High Priest
Some days I'm crazy busy; the next I can't find work to do with a map. I headed back to Mebane for a prayer meeting featuring a visiting Andy Hamilton, hit campus for the last performance of the Last-Day-of-Classes concert featuring Jason Mraz, and now am watching poker on the tube after chatting with Hannah Hoffman for the first time in a few years.
We sang the hymn below this evening; it's one of my favorites. Perhaps that's because of all the past tense verbs in it, or because it contains no mention of a church, sacraments, good works, baptism, reformation of one's life, or "things you have to do", but rather focuses on what He has done. Anyone who's looking to these, even partially, to secure their relationship with God and hope of heaven has built their house on quicksand. The only secure bedrock for one's life is built on by looking outside of yourself, to the finished work of another.
Jesus, my great High Priest,
Offered his blood and died;
My guilty conscience seeks
No sacrifice beside.
His pow'rful blood did once atone,
And now it pleads before the Throne.
To this dear Surety's hand
Will I commit my cause;
He answers and fulfills
His Father's broken laws.
Behold my soul at freedom set;
My Surety paid the dreadful debt.
We sang the hymn below this evening; it's one of my favorites. Perhaps that's because of all the past tense verbs in it, or because it contains no mention of a church, sacraments, good works, baptism, reformation of one's life, or "things you have to do", but rather focuses on what He has done. Anyone who's looking to these, even partially, to secure their relationship with God and hope of heaven has built their house on quicksand. The only secure bedrock for one's life is built on by looking outside of yourself, to the finished work of another.
Jesus, my great High Priest,
Offered his blood and died;
My guilty conscience seeks
No sacrifice beside.
His pow'rful blood did once atone,
And now it pleads before the Throne.
To this dear Surety's hand
Will I commit my cause;
He answers and fulfills
His Father's broken laws.
Behold my soul at freedom set;
My Surety paid the dreadful debt.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Like Calvin's dad used to say-- "It builds character"
It's a rare day when my experience at work is _far_ more satisfying then the rest of my day. In the big picture, a lot of it was either my own pride being crossed or a big double standard on my part, but that's often little consolation.
There's an old theory regarding food-- if it tastes good, it must be bad for you. If it's good for you, then it won't taste good. That certainly seems to hold true when it comes to vegetables and chocolate, but is it indicative of a larger reality? Easy days may be more pleasant, but hard days are when you develop. Character is forged in the furnace of adversity, as iron sharpens iron. Father, help me to accept the good with the bad, the easy times with the awkward, irritating, frustrating, and perplexing times, trusting Your wisdom more than my own sense of propriety.
Anyone can be pleasant when they're being treated with honor, just as as anyone will do things for you if they think they'll be paid back in kind. What really tells your character is how you behave when someone is reviling you, when you won't get anything for your trouble, when someone could care less about your feelings. Do you react with aggressive self-vindication, retributive attacks, or passive aggression? Or do you hold your tongue, exercise humility, or
even return good for evil? Out of the fullness of the heart, the mouth speaks. Jesus, help me to learn from how You dealt with all the natural human emotions brought on by living among sinners who hated You.
I've been given a lot of natural gifts in my life, but God is fair. It's hardly a pleasant experience to have one's failings cataloged or dwelt upon for more than a few minutes, but I'd like to think that there's something to be learned at the same time. Spirit, put more people in my life who will tell it like it is, even when it hurts, but with grace and not with malice. You've given me some, but I need it more.
Whate'er my God ordains is right
Holy His will abideth
I will be still whate'er He doth
and follow where He guideth
He is my God though dark my road
He holds me that I shall not fall
And so to Him I leave it all
Whate'er my God ordains is right
He never will deceive me
He leads me by the proper path
I know He will not leave me
I take content what He hath sent
His hand can turn my griefs away
and patiently I wait His day
Whate'er my God ordains is right
though now this cup in drinking
may bitter seem to my faint heart
I take it all unshrinking
My God is true each morn anew
Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart
and pain and sorrow shall depart
What e'er my God ordains is right
here shall my stand be taken
though sorrow, need, or death be mine
yet I am not forsaken
My Father's care is round me there
He holds me that I shall not fall
And so to Him I leave it all
There's an old theory regarding food-- if it tastes good, it must be bad for you. If it's good for you, then it won't taste good. That certainly seems to hold true when it comes to vegetables and chocolate, but is it indicative of a larger reality? Easy days may be more pleasant, but hard days are when you develop. Character is forged in the furnace of adversity, as iron sharpens iron. Father, help me to accept the good with the bad, the easy times with the awkward, irritating, frustrating, and perplexing times, trusting Your wisdom more than my own sense of propriety.
Anyone can be pleasant when they're being treated with honor, just as as anyone will do things for you if they think they'll be paid back in kind. What really tells your character is how you behave when someone is reviling you, when you won't get anything for your trouble, when someone could care less about your feelings. Do you react with aggressive self-vindication, retributive attacks, or passive aggression? Or do you hold your tongue, exercise humility, or
even return good for evil? Out of the fullness of the heart, the mouth speaks. Jesus, help me to learn from how You dealt with all the natural human emotions brought on by living among sinners who hated You.
I've been given a lot of natural gifts in my life, but God is fair. It's hardly a pleasant experience to have one's failings cataloged or dwelt upon for more than a few minutes, but I'd like to think that there's something to be learned at the same time. Spirit, put more people in my life who will tell it like it is, even when it hurts, but with grace and not with malice. You've given me some, but I need it more.
Whate'er my God ordains is right
Holy His will abideth
I will be still whate'er He doth
and follow where He guideth
He is my God though dark my road
He holds me that I shall not fall
And so to Him I leave it all
Whate'er my God ordains is right
He never will deceive me
He leads me by the proper path
I know He will not leave me
I take content what He hath sent
His hand can turn my griefs away
and patiently I wait His day
Whate'er my God ordains is right
though now this cup in drinking
may bitter seem to my faint heart
I take it all unshrinking
My God is true each morn anew
Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart
and pain and sorrow shall depart
What e'er my God ordains is right
here shall my stand be taken
though sorrow, need, or death be mine
yet I am not forsaken
My Father's care is round me there
He holds me that I shall not fall
And so to Him I leave it all
Progress.... finally.
After several days of stuckness, I've finally gotten back on the driver development bandwagon. You know you have a good job when you get so wrapped up in what you're doing that you don't end up eating lunch and don't notice until hours later. It was nice to have a day free of hectic running around, singing, and random stupidity; it's always nice, but more so after a few days of nothing but.
it's not about you
better get over yourself
you are much too vain
--apparently I think in haiku when I'm bored
now it's time to make amends
for burning the candle at both ends
--Dirty Vegas
If God's effectual call changed your mind without your consent or cooperation,... how would you know?
Contentedness begins in the mind, not in your circumstances, and ends with God.
it's not about you
better get over yourself
you are much too vain
--apparently I think in haiku when I'm bored
now it's time to make amends
for burning the candle at both ends
--Dirty Vegas
If God's effectual call changed your mind without your consent or cooperation,... how would you know?
Contentedness begins in the mind, not in your circumstances, and ends with God.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Where do _you_ find fulfillment?
Not your standard Lord's day, between a missed Sunday school and a long Rachmaninoff concert. That said, the message I _did_ hear was an excellent one, drawn from James 4:1-10, on the ultimate causes and resolution of conflict between both Christians and non-Christians.
Today's message was from James 4:1-10, concerning the ultimate causes of conflict in the world around us, and even between fellow believers. It was particularly relevant because verse 2 is almost a verbatim description of the Virginia Tech tragedy, from the killer's own mouth. "You lust and have not, therefore you murder."; Cho blamed all he did on the failure of other people in his life to fulfill his own expectations.
Every person on this planet is driven by a desire to seek their own pleasure. It isn't wrong; that's how God designed us. The trouble comes in our selection of what we find our pleasure in and ultimately, to what or whom we look for our ultimate fulfillment. Everyone finds it in different things or people, but all will ultimately disappoint, save one. If you're looking to a job, a relationship, a philosophy of life, or even Christianity to fulfill you, you're going to be sorely disappointed, both in this life and more so in the next. Jesus Christ is the only one who can fill that void, answering that deep-seated desire for fulfillment. Anything or anyone else simply can't fit the bill.
It seems like such an obvious truth, but at the same time it's completely unnatural to the human heart. God's beaten it into me, not completely but certainly much more than I'd have realized previously. I've already graduated from the school of hard knocks, but I have to keep going back for night classes. Thankfully, the professor is Someone I trust implicitly.
Today's message was from James 4:1-10, concerning the ultimate causes of conflict in the world around us, and even between fellow believers. It was particularly relevant because verse 2 is almost a verbatim description of the Virginia Tech tragedy, from the killer's own mouth. "You lust and have not, therefore you murder."; Cho blamed all he did on the failure of other people in his life to fulfill his own expectations.
Every person on this planet is driven by a desire to seek their own pleasure. It isn't wrong; that's how God designed us. The trouble comes in our selection of what we find our pleasure in and ultimately, to what or whom we look for our ultimate fulfillment. Everyone finds it in different things or people, but all will ultimately disappoint, save one. If you're looking to a job, a relationship, a philosophy of life, or even Christianity to fulfill you, you're going to be sorely disappointed, both in this life and more so in the next. Jesus Christ is the only one who can fill that void, answering that deep-seated desire for fulfillment. Anything or anyone else simply can't fit the bill.
It seems like such an obvious truth, but at the same time it's completely unnatural to the human heart. God's beaten it into me, not completely but certainly much more than I'd have realized previously. I've already graduated from the school of hard knocks, but I have to keep going back for night classes. Thankfully, the professor is Someone I trust implicitly.
Busyness never felt so good
Today ended up being social day- a semi-aborted attempt to get people together for frisbee, brunch with Mike and Keith, shoe shopping at the mall, a psalm100 concert, and playing board games with Randy & co., and that doesn't even count missing an attempted meeting with multiple Christophs in the mall. Sadly this game so took my attention that I didn't realize it was after 1am until I left, which means I'm going to have to prop myself up with caffeine tomorrow to give the day it's due, since I have a 90 minute concert in the afternoon rather than my usual nap.
I'm glad for the mix of decisiveness, opinionatedness, and put-myself-last that God's given me. It's far from the synergy that it would be apart from sin, but I'm glad for the freedom I've learned in social situations that I have only developed over the 3-4 years. God has been good, even in His using of hard knocks and blows to my pride to bring my perspective in line with His own.
It's a wonder to hear the gospel proclaimed any time, but hearing it from college kids is perhaps the most moving. Once you look past the inevitable "like"s and "basically"s in the presentation, it's an impressive thing to see, especially in the sinkhole of godless thought and behavior that our university systems have become in recent times. It reminds me line from the of the old hymn "I love to tell the story, and those that know it best, seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest". Every story of the work of God in the heart is the same, yet equally unique. I've heard it a million times, and yet there's nothing I'd rather hear.
I'm glad for the mix of decisiveness, opinionatedness, and put-myself-last that God's given me. It's far from the synergy that it would be apart from sin, but I'm glad for the freedom I've learned in social situations that I have only developed over the 3-4 years. God has been good, even in His using of hard knocks and blows to my pride to bring my perspective in line with His own.
It's a wonder to hear the gospel proclaimed any time, but hearing it from college kids is perhaps the most moving. Once you look past the inevitable "like"s and "basically"s in the presentation, it's an impressive thing to see, especially in the sinkhole of godless thought and behavior that our university systems have become in recent times. It reminds me line from the of the old hymn "I love to tell the story, and those that know it best, seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest". Every story of the work of God in the heart is the same, yet equally unique. I've heard it a million times, and yet there's nothing I'd rather hear.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Irony
After waking up with a headache and being miserable all afternoon, I recovered enough to drag myself to a 3 hours rehearsal and an evening in with the Christoph clan. We ended up watching a movie or two but it being so late, everyone was a little low on gas. Still, it was good to see them all in the same room for once, though we were short a Liz. Combine that with a showing of the Chronicles of Riddick and a copy of SpaceBalls, and you've got yourself an interesting evening.
Living in a world where so much has been brought under the control of mankind, feeling ill is a potent reminder of the illusory nature of that control. We're all Arminians at heart; we'd all like to think that the human will is capable of anything, when in fact it takes no more than a simple disruption of blood flow to bring us low. It's not without a spiritual analogy; it's an irony, I suppose, that those who think they belong in heaven won't end up there, while those who realize that they don't belong there, will. As Paul said, "when I am weak, _then_ I am strong."
"Having begun in the spirit, you will not be perfected by the flesh, will you? So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?" -- and people wonder why preaching is so important.
Living in a world where so much has been brought under the control of mankind, feeling ill is a potent reminder of the illusory nature of that control. We're all Arminians at heart; we'd all like to think that the human will is capable of anything, when in fact it takes no more than a simple disruption of blood flow to bring us low. It's not without a spiritual analogy; it's an irony, I suppose, that those who think they belong in heaven won't end up there, while those who realize that they don't belong there, will. As Paul said, "when I am weak, _then_ I am strong."
"Having begun in the spirit, you will not be perfected by the flesh, will you? So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?" -- and people wonder why preaching is so important.
Friday, April 20, 2007
...and me without a kilt
It's been a rather busy day, starting with an international call from my couch and ending with a eardrum-shattering Celtic concert courtesy of Albannach. In between, I got some work done. Lord willing, I'm going to have a rather busy weekend, including a long rehearsal, performing a concert, attending a different concert, frisbee, and some time spent hanging out with the closest thing I have to sisters.
I had a good thought to put here this afternoon, but it's gone now. Oh well, can't have a great epiphany _every_ day.
I had a good thought to put here this afternoon, but it's gone now. Oh well, can't have a great epiphany _every_ day.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Old habits die hard... thankfully
No more reverse-video with a quarter of my screen dead and lots of rows of saturated pixels for me... my monitor replacement came in today! Thanks to Evan, who caught the UPS guy as he was leaving, it's installed and working great. Checked in my BladeCenter driver and began work on another; other than that and a long chorale rehearsal, it's been an ordinary day.
I burn the candle at both ends far too often; keeping late hours is in my blood. It's served me well over the years; God has given me quite the work ethic to go with it. I owe that to my parents, because it's something I grew into pretty early. Which is probably also the reason I'm an engineer, a history nut, a halfway decent decorator, can fix most anything, and the neatest person I know. I certainly come by it honestly and I certainly haven't thanked them enough.
"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it."
I burn the candle at both ends far too often; keeping late hours is in my blood. It's served me well over the years; God has given me quite the work ethic to go with it. I owe that to my parents, because it's something I grew into pretty early. Which is probably also the reason I'm an engineer, a history nut, a halfway decent decorator, can fix most anything, and the neatest person I know. I certainly come by it honestly and I certainly haven't thanked them enough.
"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Hey Hey Hey it's just an ordinary day
If it weren't for a long lunch with one of my pastors and the fact that I just hooked up a new bluetooth headset for my phone, this _would_ have been an ordinary day. That, and the dell guy that came by to fix my computer. If I can just get my laptop monitor fixed, that'll be the trifecta.
I may not be a lot of things, but I live a very WYSIWYG life. It's a fine line to walk, between being indecisive and being a bulldozer, between being completely honest with what I think and holding secret grudges when people do things that offend me. I know people that are at either ends of the spectrum, and both types are equally poor representations of Christ. He was furious and compassionate, both "what can I do for you?" and "you're worse off than residents of Sodom", sometimes patient and sometimes acerbic, yet always without sin. He is the ultimate proof of the fact that no emotions are inherently negative, if they are subjected to an overriding God consciousness and its accompanying selflessness.
I may not be a lot of things, but I live a very WYSIWYG life. It's a fine line to walk, between being indecisive and being a bulldozer, between being completely honest with what I think and holding secret grudges when people do things that offend me. I know people that are at either ends of the spectrum, and both types are equally poor representations of Christ. He was furious and compassionate, both "what can I do for you?" and "you're worse off than residents of Sodom", sometimes patient and sometimes acerbic, yet always without sin. He is the ultimate proof of the fact that no emotions are inherently negative, if they are subjected to an overriding God consciousness and its accompanying selflessness.
Monday, April 16, 2007
It's not every day you finally get a work assignment.... 15 minutes before leaving the office.Well, at least I'll finally have lots to do tomorrow, that plus lunch with Pastor Andy and hopefully a night of trivia and pool. Today wasn't nearly that exciting, though I have nearly finished unpacking. My closet is now clean and 99.44% of the things in my room are put away.
It's instructive to contemplate that temptation often comes on like a commercial advertisement; satisfy this or that craving, presented as appealing as possible, no mention of what it'll cost you. Granted, the latest deal at Red Lobster won't cost you your soul or scar you for life, but most people don't think that indulging in sin, whether a one-time happenstance or a yearlong slide, will do them any long term damage either. Sadly, nothing could be further from the truth; where there's bait there is a hook, line, and sinker right along behind.
It's instructive to contemplate that temptation often comes on like a commercial advertisement; satisfy this or that craving, presented as appealing as possible, no mention of what it'll cost you. Granted, the latest deal at Red Lobster won't cost you your soul or scar you for life, but most people don't think that indulging in sin, whether a one-time happenstance or a yearlong slide, will do them any long term damage either. Sadly, nothing could be further from the truth; where there's bait there is a hook, line, and sinker right along behind.
What is the "gospel" anyways?
There are some Lord's days when by the next morning, I have to think for a minute to remember what the messages were about. It's not like I wasn't paying attention at the time; it's just that for whatever reason it doesn't stick in my mind. God willing, this won't be one of those days; I think it's changed for the better how I will present the gospel at every future opportunity.
We were asked "if you were put on the spot in a meeting like this and asked to describe the gospel, what would you say?" You'd expect that to be a no-brainer, but what is perhaps the most natural response is at best incomplete and at worst, a complete distortion of the gospel's intended purpose. "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved." It sounds right, but it's really not. That statement is the gospel's promise, but it's not the gospel itself. He took us to 1 Corinthians 15:1-4:
"Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand,... that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures."
One can take the time, after saying the above, to describe what sin is, who Christ is, and the significance of His death, but the central nature of the gospel is what God has done. To say that the gospel is "believe in Christ" incorrectly focuses the hearer's attention on himself rather than on God, who has done everything necessary for anyone to have their broken relationship with Him restored. There's nothing we can or should do to obtain this mending, because He has done it all. All we need do is take Him at His word. Sacraments are meaningless when it comes to salvation, as are ecclesiology, eschatology, what you think about alcohol and how long you think men's hair should be. All that really matters is whether you're simply trusting in the finished righteousness of Christ or your own good works, church attendance, moral living, etc. If you're trusting the latter then you are not going to be a happy person, and for good reason, because no one can live up to the absolutely perfect obedience that God's justice requires. You can't even get the flame of faith started without the heart surgery that the Spirit carries out at His own discretion, let alone keep the fire burning. If you're trusting in Christ's already finished work, your hope is secure. If you've been given the heart transplant required to believe, then you're going to be so amazed and attracted to that sacrifice that you're going to want to obey Him and serve Him in every nook and cranny of your life even though you could do anything and He will not turn His love away. The freedom we have in Christ means that even we can never sin away His grace, sin is what our Spirit-installed, Christ-enamored heart most despises.
It's a mystery of the sovereign grace of God that the only people who have the blank check of grace and free forgiveness are also the very same people most loath to use it.
We were asked "if you were put on the spot in a meeting like this and asked to describe the gospel, what would you say?" You'd expect that to be a no-brainer, but what is perhaps the most natural response is at best incomplete and at worst, a complete distortion of the gospel's intended purpose. "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved." It sounds right, but it's really not. That statement is the gospel's promise, but it's not the gospel itself. He took us to 1 Corinthians 15:1-4:
"Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand,... that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures."
One can take the time, after saying the above, to describe what sin is, who Christ is, and the significance of His death, but the central nature of the gospel is what God has done. To say that the gospel is "believe in Christ" incorrectly focuses the hearer's attention on himself rather than on God, who has done everything necessary for anyone to have their broken relationship with Him restored. There's nothing we can or should do to obtain this mending, because He has done it all. All we need do is take Him at His word. Sacraments are meaningless when it comes to salvation, as are ecclesiology, eschatology, what you think about alcohol and how long you think men's hair should be. All that really matters is whether you're simply trusting in the finished righteousness of Christ or your own good works, church attendance, moral living, etc. If you're trusting the latter then you are not going to be a happy person, and for good reason, because no one can live up to the absolutely perfect obedience that God's justice requires. You can't even get the flame of faith started without the heart surgery that the Spirit carries out at His own discretion, let alone keep the fire burning. If you're trusting in Christ's already finished work, your hope is secure. If you've been given the heart transplant required to believe, then you're going to be so amazed and attracted to that sacrifice that you're going to want to obey Him and serve Him in every nook and cranny of your life even though you could do anything and He will not turn His love away. The freedom we have in Christ means that even we can never sin away His grace, sin is what our Spirit-installed, Christ-enamored heart most despises.
It's a mystery of the sovereign grace of God that the only people who have the blank check of grace and free forgiveness are also the very same people most loath to use it.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Long Day
Today was a busy Saturday for once; woke up at a bright and early 8:30, helped move out Granny Scott, played frisbee at Forest Hills, sung in the PRISM concert, picked Abby up from Mebane, ate dinner with a few Christophs at Olive Garden, took Abby back, and now I'm watching an episode of Stargate Atlantis on the tube with Evan and Christy. It's been a full day.
It's funny how people say "forgive and forget" as if they were separate things; as if you could do either one without the other!
It's been a long week; Sunday can't come soon enough.
"Many people think that all religions lead to God, when in fact no religions lead to God. Christianity won't lead you to God and neither will any Church no matter what it's doctrine. Only a personal relationship with Christ will get you there."
--Pastor Andy
It's funny how people say "forgive and forget" as if they were separate things; as if you could do either one without the other!
It's been a long week; Sunday can't come soon enough.
"Many people think that all religions lead to God, when in fact no religions lead to God. Christianity won't lead you to God and neither will any Church no matter what it's doctrine. Only a personal relationship with Christ will get you there."
--Pastor Andy
Self Control, the most difficult virtue
Self control is last in the list of the fruits of the indwelling presence of the Spirit in Galatians 5; as a result it is given much less emphasis by many in comparison to love, joy, peace, and the rest. I've been accused in the past of having too much self-control, as if control over my feelings and reactions were somehow a bad thing, but I think it is the most important of the seven, principally because none of the other virtues are even possible without a developed capacity for self-control.
Love, in its supreme self-sacrificing meaning, doesn't come naturally to the soul. We live in a world of sinners and those sinners are going to offend us often. A person without self-control is going to react to this, both by passive withdrawal and most especially active tit-for-tat. The desire for retribution must be controlled or love will disappear.
Joy isn't possible in this world when one considers the overwhelming amount of evil, both without and within one's own soul. Looking to Christ and His power to affect good and restrain evil in our lives takes effort and a determined looking away from one's circumstances and looking to Him.
Peace and Patience in the face of adversity requires a firm grip on the sovereignty of God, knowing that He has His purposes in situations that aren't going as we would have them go. A natural reaction of frustration, anger, and the acting out of these is completely natural, when you've put yourself in the driver's seat of what's "good" for your life. It takes a self-controlled mind to surrender and admit you haven't the foresight.
Gentleness & Goodness in the face of the overwhelming amount of need in the world isn't something that comes naturally; it's far easier just to sit on your butt and leave it to all the activists. It doesn't take much self-control to sit around; it takes an enormous amount to have the "well, I don't really feeeel like it, but I'm do it anyways."
Self-control is the most difficult aspect of living in a sin-cursed world, with an inborn bent to sin that persists so long as we are in this world. Thank God we aren't judged on how well we've lived or how much self-control we've shown, because we would all at our best fall hopelessly short. The perfect Example of self-control has lived for us the life we should have lived.
Love, in its supreme self-sacrificing meaning, doesn't come naturally to the soul. We live in a world of sinners and those sinners are going to offend us often. A person without self-control is going to react to this, both by passive withdrawal and most especially active tit-for-tat. The desire for retribution must be controlled or love will disappear.
Joy isn't possible in this world when one considers the overwhelming amount of evil, both without and within one's own soul. Looking to Christ and His power to affect good and restrain evil in our lives takes effort and a determined looking away from one's circumstances and looking to Him.
Peace and Patience in the face of adversity requires a firm grip on the sovereignty of God, knowing that He has His purposes in situations that aren't going as we would have them go. A natural reaction of frustration, anger, and the acting out of these is completely natural, when you've put yourself in the driver's seat of what's "good" for your life. It takes a self-controlled mind to surrender and admit you haven't the foresight.
Gentleness & Goodness in the face of the overwhelming amount of need in the world isn't something that comes naturally; it's far easier just to sit on your butt and leave it to all the activists. It doesn't take much self-control to sit around; it takes an enormous amount to have the "well, I don't really feeeel like it, but I'm do it anyways."
Self-control is the most difficult aspect of living in a sin-cursed world, with an inborn bent to sin that persists so long as we are in this world. Thank God we aren't judged on how well we've lived or how much self-control we've shown, because we would all at our best fall hopelessly short. The perfect Example of self-control has lived for us the life we should have lived.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Performance isn't everything
Today was a pretty uneventful day, except for the fact that I stepped on my laptop monitor today and am writing this post on a cracked screen. God's given me a lot of coordination, but at times you wouldn't know it; I managed to step on it while, of all things, trying to hook it up to my TV as a second monitor. I followed it up by watching Office Space with a few friends; MAN am I glad my office isn't like that :-)
I got my performance review today; I thought I'd been doing pretty well but apparently my boss things I've been doing downright awesome. God has been really blessing my work and as a result it's been a really good fit for me. God has directed my steps in my taking of that job, even though my original motivations for taking the job really didn't have a spiritual impetus. Romans 8 is proof enough that, in the end, every choice I make will lead to my ultimate good because He directs me steps.
You'd think that thoughts of the sacrifice of Christ would be enough to dissuade me from sin, but it's sadly not the case except for the grace of God working in the soul. Imputed righteousness never means quite so much as when a Christian is forced to consider his own behavior. Worldlings may think of us as goody-two-shoes who are trying our best to placate God, but nothing could be further from the truth, praise God, or we'd all be very miserable. Would that more people would realize that they're completely unable, so that they'd run to their only Hope. God, may I be a faithful witness to my confidence not being placed in my own works.
Lord, let me shine
but shine like the moon
a reflection of You
I got my performance review today; I thought I'd been doing pretty well but apparently my boss things I've been doing downright awesome. God has been really blessing my work and as a result it's been a really good fit for me. God has directed my steps in my taking of that job, even though my original motivations for taking the job really didn't have a spiritual impetus. Romans 8 is proof enough that, in the end, every choice I make will lead to my ultimate good because He directs me steps.
You'd think that thoughts of the sacrifice of Christ would be enough to dissuade me from sin, but it's sadly not the case except for the grace of God working in the soul. Imputed righteousness never means quite so much as when a Christian is forced to consider his own behavior. Worldlings may think of us as goody-two-shoes who are trying our best to placate God, but nothing could be further from the truth, praise God, or we'd all be very miserable. Would that more people would realize that they're completely unable, so that they'd run to their only Hope. God, may I be a faithful witness to my confidence not being placed in my own works.
Lord, let me shine
but shine like the moon
a reflection of You
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Iron sharpens Iron
Today was a pretty slow day; more waiting on other people before I can do what I need to do. I'm sure I'll pay for it later on when I get a burst of new work.
As I've recently been reminded, I'm an engineer and (for better or for worse) I act like one more often than even I myself realize. It's an advantage to be serious, straight-spoken, good at solving problems, thorough, and particular when it comes to syntax. That said, an engineering mindset also makes it very easy to be critical, emotionally detached, know it all, and condescending.
An arrogant spirit tops the Proverbs 6 list of things God abominates, surpassing lying, strife, and even murder. While God has protected me from many the outward expressions of sin, I've still got enough in my soul to leave me no room to be judgmental of anyone. If you don't think so, then you don't know me very well. Father, help me to realize why my election is unconditional; if it depended on my worthiness, I'd be first in line for immediate hellfire.
"Iron sharpens iron; so one man sharpens another" is as true now as it was then, praise God. While His spirit operates neither requires the words of others nor my own cooperation, He often uses means. God has used several people in recent years to smooth off the rough edges, but it's been a grinding experience with sparks and a lot of friction. Spirit, keep it coming because You're far from finished.
As I've recently been reminded, I'm an engineer and (for better or for worse) I act like one more often than even I myself realize. It's an advantage to be serious, straight-spoken, good at solving problems, thorough, and particular when it comes to syntax. That said, an engineering mindset also makes it very easy to be critical, emotionally detached, know it all, and condescending.
An arrogant spirit tops the Proverbs 6 list of things God abominates, surpassing lying, strife, and even murder. While God has protected me from many the outward expressions of sin, I've still got enough in my soul to leave me no room to be judgmental of anyone. If you don't think so, then you don't know me very well. Father, help me to realize why my election is unconditional; if it depended on my worthiness, I'd be first in line for immediate hellfire.
"Iron sharpens iron; so one man sharpens another" is as true now as it was then, praise God. While His spirit operates neither requires the words of others nor my own cooperation, He often uses means. God has used several people in recent years to smooth off the rough edges, but it's been a grinding experience with sparks and a lot of friction. Spirit, keep it coming because You're far from finished.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Just another day
Today was an ordinary day by most standards, though I didn't get all that much done at work but instead spent most of the day waiting on other people. I watched the Holiday this evening which served to confirm a prejudice of mine: Jack Black has no business in any romantic comedy. The plot was fairly well constructed and I could relate to it; not really surprising when you think about it.
It's often instructive to watch the relational mistakes of others, and this movie was chock full of them. God has worked many specific relational improvements into my character over the last few years; I don't think I'd recognize myself if I could go back. One by one, He's knocked down every thing and person that's rivaled His relationship with me. His methods have been painful at times, pleasant at others, but always purposeful, and I wouldn't have had it any other way.
"When an omnipotent, sovereign Will meets a free, responsible will, something has to give."
--yours truly
It's often instructive to watch the relational mistakes of others, and this movie was chock full of them. God has worked many specific relational improvements into my character over the last few years; I don't think I'd recognize myself if I could go back. One by one, He's knocked down every thing and person that's rivaled His relationship with me. His methods have been painful at times, pleasant at others, but always purposeful, and I wouldn't have had it any other way.
"When an omnipotent, sovereign Will meets a free, responsible will, something has to give."
--yours truly
Day One
"and God said, 'Let there be John's blog', and there was John's blog. And God saw that John's blog was good. And there was evening and there was morning, one day."
I've meant to keep a blog for some time, combining the functions of my preexisting spiritual journal and the makeshift scheduling task that runs in my brain with my desire to document and reflect on the Spirit's work in developing my character. If you're the least bit curious, morbidly or otherwise, keep your hands and arms inside the browser, it's going to be a bumpy ride.
I've meant to keep a blog for some time, combining the functions of my preexisting spiritual journal and the makeshift scheduling task that runs in my brain with my desire to document and reflect on the Spirit's work in developing my character. If you're the least bit curious, morbidly or otherwise, keep your hands and arms inside the browser, it's going to be a bumpy ride.
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