The short answer is that you can’t start one. I picked up a copy of Revival and Revivalism by Iain Murray and have been working my way through it. One of the chapters started out painfully slow with all the statistics of congregational growth among the denominations in the early 1800’s but then the author started to reflect on what brought about revival. I thought his discoveries were very helpful and could be of benefit to the church today. Here are a few thoughts:
“ Thus what characterizes a revival is not the employment of unusual or special means but rather the extraordinary degree of blessing attending the normal means of grace. There were no unusual evangelistic meetings, no special arrangements, no announcements of pending revivals. Pastors were simply continuing in the services they had conducted for many years when the great change began.
( Page 129 Revival and Revivalism Iain Murray)
Later he talks about prayer and I thought this was very interesting:
“ As with the truth that is preached, prayer has no power inherent in itself. On the contrary, true prayer is bound up with a persuasion of our inability and our complete dependence on God. Prayer, considered as a human activity, whether offered by few or by many, can guarantee no results. But prayer that throws believers in heartfelt need on God, with true concern for the salvation of sinners, will not go unanswered. Prayer of this kind precedes blessing, not because of any necessary cause and effect, but because such prayer secures an acknowledgment of the true Author of the blessing. And where such a spirit of prayer exists it is a sign that God is already intervening to advance His cause. One thing that can be said with certainty about the 1790’s, before any general indications of a new era were to be seen, is that there was a growing concern among Christians to pray. “ ( page 129 ibid )
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Revival and Revivalism
There's a period of my life that I look back on with fond memories. In 1995 I had the opportunity to be a part of Lake Cities Bible Church in Lake Dallas, Texas and our pastor's name was David Kunz. We were going through seminary at the time and what I remember was the reading group that met weekly to discuss different books. We read things like John Owen's Sin and Temptation and Don Whitney's Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian life. This season of my life was my introduction to Banner of Truth publishing and I specifically remember David saying ( of that publisher): " they don't print junk." As a result, whenever I'm in a used book store I usually look at the publisher and author rather than the title as I walk through the shelves. One book I have never seen in a used book store is Revival and Revivalism by Iain Murray, so to own a copy I had to look to the publisher. I can tell you that I have no regrets. The vocabulary is challenging at times, but anything meaningful usually requires an effort. I was reading about the history of the Baptists around the time of the revolutionary war and came across this quote from Robert Semple who was 14 years old at the time of the war. He said:
"The war, though very propitious to the liberty of the Baptists, had an opposite effect upon the life of religion among them. As if persecution was more favorable to vital piety than unrestrained liberty, they seem to have abated in their zeal, upon being unshackled from their manacles. This may be ascribed to several causes... Perhaps many did not rightly estimate the true source of liberty, nor ascribe its attainment to the proper arm. In consequence of which God sent them liberty, and with it leanness of soul. This chill to their religious affections might have subsided with the war, or perhaps sooner, if there had not been subsequent occurrences which tended to keep them down. The opening of a free trade by peace served as a powerful bait to entrap professors who were in any great degree inclined to the pursuit of wealth. Nothing is more common than for the increase of riches to produce a decrease of piety. Speculators seldom make warm Christians. With some few exceptions the declension was general throughout the State. The love of many waxed cold. Some of the watchmen fell, others stumbled, and many slumbered at their posts. "
I'm not saying he was 14 when he wrote those words but he was 14 during the war. These comments are his reflections years after the war. The sentence in that quote that grabbed my attention was this one: " Nothing is more common than for the increase of riches to produce a decrease of piety." This really makes me think about how money affects our spiritual life. Sometimes, when we are "well fed" it tends to make us spiritually lethargic, so what do you do if you happen to have a lot of money ?
I would think that part of the answer would be to give generously and share. Keep putting yourself in a place of dependence on God. If you are in debt, you should pay off that debt, but then get to the place where you are giving sacrificially. The Bible affirms that the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil. How can you avoid falling in love with money ? I find things in myself that I despise when it comes to thinking about money. Greed has walked through my mind more often than I care to admit and it has this tendency to take over and control and connive for more and more money. There's a phrase from the book of Jeremiah that bothers me : "they were well fed lusty stallions." Biblically speaking, when we are full of the world, it dulls our spiritual appetite. How can you avoid this condition ?
1. Remember that wealth spreads wings and flies away. ( Prov 23)
2. The rich man and his pursuits will fade away. ( James 1)
3. We brought nothing into the world ... and we will leave the world with nothing. ( I Tim 6)
4. The desire for riches is a snare and can often cause people to shipwreck their faith.
5. Men have plunged into ruin and destruction because of money. ( Enron)
6. The love of it is a root of all sorts of evil.
7. People have been pierced with many griefs longing after money.
8. Alot of money can make you conceited if you are not guarded about it.
9. Here on the earth, our "treasures" can rust and be eaten by moths...
10. Our treasure is related to the condition of our heart. They are vitally connected.
When the Baptists in the 1700's were set free from British rule, their spiritual life declined because they shifted their dependence from God to money. Don't follow their example.
If you are poor right now, James says you should glory in your high position. However, if you are rich, beware of the fact that an increase in riches often leads to a spiritual decline.
"The war, though very propitious to the liberty of the Baptists, had an opposite effect upon the life of religion among them. As if persecution was more favorable to vital piety than unrestrained liberty, they seem to have abated in their zeal, upon being unshackled from their manacles. This may be ascribed to several causes... Perhaps many did not rightly estimate the true source of liberty, nor ascribe its attainment to the proper arm. In consequence of which God sent them liberty, and with it leanness of soul. This chill to their religious affections might have subsided with the war, or perhaps sooner, if there had not been subsequent occurrences which tended to keep them down. The opening of a free trade by peace served as a powerful bait to entrap professors who were in any great degree inclined to the pursuit of wealth. Nothing is more common than for the increase of riches to produce a decrease of piety. Speculators seldom make warm Christians. With some few exceptions the declension was general throughout the State. The love of many waxed cold. Some of the watchmen fell, others stumbled, and many slumbered at their posts. "
I'm not saying he was 14 when he wrote those words but he was 14 during the war. These comments are his reflections years after the war. The sentence in that quote that grabbed my attention was this one: " Nothing is more common than for the increase of riches to produce a decrease of piety." This really makes me think about how money affects our spiritual life. Sometimes, when we are "well fed" it tends to make us spiritually lethargic, so what do you do if you happen to have a lot of money ?
I would think that part of the answer would be to give generously and share. Keep putting yourself in a place of dependence on God. If you are in debt, you should pay off that debt, but then get to the place where you are giving sacrificially. The Bible affirms that the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil. How can you avoid falling in love with money ? I find things in myself that I despise when it comes to thinking about money. Greed has walked through my mind more often than I care to admit and it has this tendency to take over and control and connive for more and more money. There's a phrase from the book of Jeremiah that bothers me : "they were well fed lusty stallions." Biblically speaking, when we are full of the world, it dulls our spiritual appetite. How can you avoid this condition ?
1. Remember that wealth spreads wings and flies away. ( Prov 23)
2. The rich man and his pursuits will fade away. ( James 1)
3. We brought nothing into the world ... and we will leave the world with nothing. ( I Tim 6)
4. The desire for riches is a snare and can often cause people to shipwreck their faith.
5. Men have plunged into ruin and destruction because of money. ( Enron)
6. The love of it is a root of all sorts of evil.
7. People have been pierced with many griefs longing after money.
8. Alot of money can make you conceited if you are not guarded about it.
9. Here on the earth, our "treasures" can rust and be eaten by moths...
10. Our treasure is related to the condition of our heart. They are vitally connected.
When the Baptists in the 1700's were set free from British rule, their spiritual life declined because they shifted their dependence from God to money. Don't follow their example.
If you are poor right now, James says you should glory in your high position. However, if you are rich, beware of the fact that an increase in riches often leads to a spiritual decline.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
the devil and gossip
I was thinking about the word "gossip" and just looked in Titus 2:3 for the greek word. I had forgotten that the word used there in original language was "diabolos." Basically, the word dia ballo in greek means to throw through. This is why satan is referred to as the accuser of the brethren. He is an accuser/ a slanderer,if you will, of the saints. Why would I want to help satan's cause by slandering anyone ?
I was stunned by this realization that when I slander someone, I am in league with the devil.
Wow... this should stop us in our tracks before we gossip again.
I was stunned by this realization that when I slander someone, I am in league with the devil.
Wow... this should stop us in our tracks before we gossip again.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
help each other endure to the end
great article about bearing one another's burdens
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/espn25/story?page=moments/94
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/espn25/story?page=moments/94
Thursday, September 16, 2010
pressing into the kingdom
recommendation:
There is an article called: " pressing into the kingdom of God" written by Jonathan Edwards on the web. You can just google that title and it should come up... good read. It's actually a sermon and I found it helpful.
There is an article called: " pressing into the kingdom of God" written by Jonathan Edwards on the web. You can just google that title and it should come up... good read. It's actually a sermon and I found it helpful.
beware of a search for authenticity
I just want to speak a word of caution about the search for authenticity. Sometimes in a search for what is "real," we can become cynical. If you think that you are "spiritual" and that everyone else is shallow because they don't read the authors you read or know what you know... be careful. You have started down a path of spiritual pride and arrogance. God has much to say about how He brings down those who are "lofty" in their thinking.
Be on guard against an overly zealous search for something genuine... there is a cliff there: it's called cynicism. You can begin to think that no church is good enough, no article is deep enough and no person is "wise" enough to speak into your life. This is a dangerous place to be and the Bible warns us repeatedly : "don't go there."
Be on guard against an overly zealous search for something genuine... there is a cliff there: it's called cynicism. You can begin to think that no church is good enough, no article is deep enough and no person is "wise" enough to speak into your life. This is a dangerous place to be and the Bible warns us repeatedly : "don't go there."
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
it's worth it
Sometimes, you wonder if it's worth it... I'm talking about the extra work required to dig a little deeper into Scripture; to push yourself a little further than you think you can go. I remember reading that the fruit of God's word does not yield itself to the lazy.
I was reading in Philippians 4 and thinking about the word : "think." Chapter 4 of this book gives us a list of things to "think about" or to "dwell on."
Finally, brethren, whatever is true
whatever is honorable
whatever is right
whatever is pure
whatever is lovely
whatever is of good repute
if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise,
dwell on these things.
What have you been dwelling on today ? money, whether or not she likes you, your grades, your homework, your savings account, your lack of motivation.... God's word tells us to dwell on what is right and pure. Here's a thought I found while researching this idea:
" The sharing of the logizesthai ( greek word for 'think about') through faith is not a case of merely holding something to be true but is also an inspiration and activity, as in the OT hasab. Philippians 4:8 and I Corinthians 13:5 are to be expounded in the light of Zechariah 8:17 and not of 2 Tim. 4:16. This kind of thinking is not solely an intellectual construction, but can arrive at factual conclusions which demand corresponding actions ( Romans 14:14), just as the word and the act are one with God. Hence, we should evaluate others and ourselves rightly, not by false standards, but as they and we stand in God's sight.
( Colin Brown Dict of NT Theo p 825 Vol 3)
I was impressed by the idea that "dwelling on these things" is not just sitting and thinking, but sitting, thinking and then acting on those thoughts. This is only meaningful when we draw conclusions from our thoughts and those ideas shape how we act. Here is an example:
When I go out in public, what do my eyes see in the mall, at blockbuster, standing in the check out line at Wal Mart ? The world says it is just fine to stare at women dressed immodestly. Philippians 4:8 tells me to dwell on those things that are pure. How can I read Philippians 4 and then stare at something impure ? I can't do it and keep a clear conscience. If I have to walk through the mall to get to a store that has what I'm looking for and I pass by a store that is advertising things that should remain private, what do I do ? I have to look in the other direction. This is not the only area; there are others. When I sense that a friend is about to go down the road of gossip, do I keep listening or stop them ? Will I rob God of tithes of offerings ? ( and think about how I could use the money differently ... for more noble purposes ? ) When I am alone in a hotel for 6 hours, how will I use that time ? When I am hungry, lonely and tired will I become a total jerk to get relief ? When the person I'm meeting is late, will I seethe with resentment ? When I wake up in the morning, will I start the to do list or humble myself before the Lord ?
Whatever is right .... dwell on these things. Whatever is right .... do these things.
I was reading in Philippians 4 and thinking about the word : "think." Chapter 4 of this book gives us a list of things to "think about" or to "dwell on."
Finally, brethren, whatever is true
whatever is honorable
whatever is right
whatever is pure
whatever is lovely
whatever is of good repute
if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise,
dwell on these things.
What have you been dwelling on today ? money, whether or not she likes you, your grades, your homework, your savings account, your lack of motivation.... God's word tells us to dwell on what is right and pure. Here's a thought I found while researching this idea:
" The sharing of the logizesthai ( greek word for 'think about') through faith is not a case of merely holding something to be true but is also an inspiration and activity, as in the OT hasab. Philippians 4:8 and I Corinthians 13:5 are to be expounded in the light of Zechariah 8:17 and not of 2 Tim. 4:16. This kind of thinking is not solely an intellectual construction, but can arrive at factual conclusions which demand corresponding actions ( Romans 14:14), just as the word and the act are one with God. Hence, we should evaluate others and ourselves rightly, not by false standards, but as they and we stand in God's sight.
( Colin Brown Dict of NT Theo p 825 Vol 3)
I was impressed by the idea that "dwelling on these things" is not just sitting and thinking, but sitting, thinking and then acting on those thoughts. This is only meaningful when we draw conclusions from our thoughts and those ideas shape how we act. Here is an example:
When I go out in public, what do my eyes see in the mall, at blockbuster, standing in the check out line at Wal Mart ? The world says it is just fine to stare at women dressed immodestly. Philippians 4:8 tells me to dwell on those things that are pure. How can I read Philippians 4 and then stare at something impure ? I can't do it and keep a clear conscience. If I have to walk through the mall to get to a store that has what I'm looking for and I pass by a store that is advertising things that should remain private, what do I do ? I have to look in the other direction. This is not the only area; there are others. When I sense that a friend is about to go down the road of gossip, do I keep listening or stop them ? Will I rob God of tithes of offerings ? ( and think about how I could use the money differently ... for more noble purposes ? ) When I am alone in a hotel for 6 hours, how will I use that time ? When I am hungry, lonely and tired will I become a total jerk to get relief ? When the person I'm meeting is late, will I seethe with resentment ? When I wake up in the morning, will I start the to do list or humble myself before the Lord ?
Whatever is right .... dwell on these things. Whatever is right .... do these things.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
the value of church history
I came across this recently:
" ...a knowlege of the history of doctrine ( teaching) supports the Bible's witness to the triumph of the church. Through times of duress and trial, the people of God have been preserved and have steadfastly proclaimed the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. The devil has employed every strategy to destroy the church; armies have marched against it; unbelieving scholarship has relentlessly assaulted it; internal bickering has torn it; and martyrdom has depleted its ranks from time to time. Yet the church marches forward in triumphal anticipation of the great consummation when the kingdoms of the world will be put under Christ's feet and when the bride, without spot or blemish, will be given to the Bridegroom. "
This thought encourages me especially through all the discussions of church models that I have read about.
Page 13 Our Legacy John Hannah
" ...a knowlege of the history of doctrine ( teaching) supports the Bible's witness to the triumph of the church. Through times of duress and trial, the people of God have been preserved and have steadfastly proclaimed the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. The devil has employed every strategy to destroy the church; armies have marched against it; unbelieving scholarship has relentlessly assaulted it; internal bickering has torn it; and martyrdom has depleted its ranks from time to time. Yet the church marches forward in triumphal anticipation of the great consummation when the kingdoms of the world will be put under Christ's feet and when the bride, without spot or blemish, will be given to the Bridegroom. "
This thought encourages me especially through all the discussions of church models that I have read about.
Page 13 Our Legacy John Hannah
I am often outside during the summer and the heat in south Texas can be stifling. I came across this verse in Psalm 74 and it was reminder to me of how God is still in control of the weather.
Psalm 74:16-17 " Yours is the day, Yours also is the night... You have made summer and winter."
For some reason, this assurance helped me realize that God has made both heat and cold and it was a reminder to be thankful even when the humidity and the temperature are about the same.
Psalm 74:16-17 " Yours is the day, Yours also is the night... You have made summer and winter."
For some reason, this assurance helped me realize that God has made both heat and cold and it was a reminder to be thankful even when the humidity and the temperature are about the same.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
the creativity of God
"What the church has been used to, is not a rule by which we are to judge; because there may be new and extraordinary works of God, and He has heretofore evidently wrought in an extraordinary manner. He has brought to pass new things, strange works; and has wrought in such a manner as to surprise both men and angels. And as God has done thus in times past, so we have no reason to think but that he will do so still. The prophecies of Scripture give us reason to think that God has things to accomplish which have never been seen."
Jonathan Edwards On Revival page 89
Jonathan Edwards On Revival page 89
Saturday, May 29, 2010
what we think about God
I once heard someone say that one of the most important things about you is what you think about God.
Today I realized something that I have been waiting for several months to understand. For some reason it just clicked today and it's related to 2 Samuel 7:18-19
" Then David the king went in and sat before the Lord, and he said, ' Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house that You have brought me this far ? 19. And yet this was insignficant in Your eyes, O Lord God, for You have spoken also of the house of Your servant concerning the distant future...'"
Most of us have time to think about the past, present and future and if we are not careful we can begin to say to ourselves: " Man, I'll never have it as good as I had it in ( fill in the blank). " We begin to compare our current situation to former situations and feel a certain way.
Today, for the first time in about 9 months, I realized that when I say those things I am basically saying that God has peaked in His ability to provide for me; which cannot be true and so I have to think biblical thoughts about the past and the future.
So, here it is again:
When we start to think: " I will never have life as good as I had it in _____________", we are essentially saying that God has peaked in His ability to provide for us. This idea is emphatically false and should therefore be rejected as unbiblical thinking.
Do you really believe that the grace God provided you in the past will be there for you in the future ?
Today I realized something that I have been waiting for several months to understand. For some reason it just clicked today and it's related to 2 Samuel 7:18-19
" Then David the king went in and sat before the Lord, and he said, ' Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house that You have brought me this far ? 19. And yet this was insignficant in Your eyes, O Lord God, for You have spoken also of the house of Your servant concerning the distant future...'"
Most of us have time to think about the past, present and future and if we are not careful we can begin to say to ourselves: " Man, I'll never have it as good as I had it in ( fill in the blank). " We begin to compare our current situation to former situations and feel a certain way.
Today, for the first time in about 9 months, I realized that when I say those things I am basically saying that God has peaked in His ability to provide for me; which cannot be true and so I have to think biblical thoughts about the past and the future.
So, here it is again:
When we start to think: " I will never have life as good as I had it in _____________", we are essentially saying that God has peaked in His ability to provide for us. This idea is emphatically false and should therefore be rejected as unbiblical thinking.
Do you really believe that the grace God provided you in the past will be there for you in the future ?
Saturday, May 15, 2010
The daily arrival of fresh supplies of grace
I started reading Matthew 8 this morning and came across the line that tells us that Jacob is in the kingdom of heaven. When I read about Jacob in the OT, I read about all the times he messed up and how he was labeled a deceiver. Yet, he walked with God and believed God. I am encouraged to read this and my belief that Christianity is true is confirmed by the idea that someone like Jacob was saved by faith. If you keep reading in Matthew 8-9 and other places you see phrases like this often :
“ … it shall be done for you as you have believed…” and “ Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘ take courage, son, your sins are forgiven’ “ and “ it shall be done to you according to your faith….”
In Matthew 9:22 you find the phrase: “ Daughter, take courage, your faith has made you well…”
In Luke 22:31 Jesus prayed for Peter that his faith would not fail. You notice Jesus, as intercessor, praying that the faith of His children would not fail.
When Jesus prays for you, what does He pray ? Answer: that your faith would not fail.
If all this is true, then what can we do to “increase our faith” ?
#1. Ask for faith. The disciples said: “ Lord, increase our faith…”
#2 Listen to God’s word. Romans 10:17 “ faith comes hearing and hearing by the word of Christ…”
#3 Take risks. I think of Jonathan and his armor bearer who went up against 20 Philistines. Jonathan said: “ The Lord is not restrained to save by many or by few.”
“ … it shall be done for you as you have believed…” and “ Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘ take courage, son, your sins are forgiven’ “ and “ it shall be done to you according to your faith….”
In Matthew 9:22 you find the phrase: “ Daughter, take courage, your faith has made you well…”
In Luke 22:31 Jesus prayed for Peter that his faith would not fail. You notice Jesus, as intercessor, praying that the faith of His children would not fail.
When Jesus prays for you, what does He pray ? Answer: that your faith would not fail.
If all this is true, then what can we do to “increase our faith” ?
#1. Ask for faith. The disciples said: “ Lord, increase our faith…”
#2 Listen to God’s word. Romans 10:17 “ faith comes hearing and hearing by the word of Christ…”
#3 Take risks. I think of Jonathan and his armor bearer who went up against 20 Philistines. Jonathan said: “ The Lord is not restrained to save by many or by few.”
Saturday, May 1, 2010
the body
But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body just as He desired.
I Corinthians 12:18
What I like about reading God's word is the ability that it has to sustain me over a lifetime. Chapters that I read years ago continue to unfold and teach me even though " I thought I knew it." So, when I read I Corinthians 12, it's good to be reminded that God has placed the members in the body...just as He desired.
I think in the immediate context this has to do with who is a foot and who is an eye, etc. However, it also tells us that God has placed you where He wants you according to His desire. I found this comforting and liberating.
When you start to read this whole chapter, it also speaks to our tendency to compare ourselves to each other. All of us can't be (fill in the blank) with your favorite teacher. If we tried to be, we would be miserable and everyone around us would be turned off. If all of us were the same... there would be no body. It is the different members that actually allow the body to carry out the diversity of functions. I can't type with my eyeballs, and I can't see with my hair. I think if we began to see ourselves like I Cor 12 tells us to see ourselves, we would be kinder to one another; for we are members of one another. In another passage, we are told not to lie to each other because we are members of one another. If I dropped a bowling ball on my toe and the nerve endings told my brain: " all is well," I would be in trouble. I need my body parts to tell the others that I'm hurt. If my body starts lying to itself, I will have major problems in a hurry. When I treat my family with respect and kindness... I am essentially doing these things to myself ( because they are a part of me.) When I am rude and irritable and difficult, the whole family suffers. " If one members suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it."
Multiple times in the NT we see the phrase " each one" with regard to spiritual gifts. Each one of us has been given abilties by the Holy Spirit for the common good. How are you using your spiritual gift in the church right now ?
I Corinthians 12:18
What I like about reading God's word is the ability that it has to sustain me over a lifetime. Chapters that I read years ago continue to unfold and teach me even though " I thought I knew it." So, when I read I Corinthians 12, it's good to be reminded that God has placed the members in the body...just as He desired.
I think in the immediate context this has to do with who is a foot and who is an eye, etc. However, it also tells us that God has placed you where He wants you according to His desire. I found this comforting and liberating.
When you start to read this whole chapter, it also speaks to our tendency to compare ourselves to each other. All of us can't be (fill in the blank) with your favorite teacher. If we tried to be, we would be miserable and everyone around us would be turned off. If all of us were the same... there would be no body. It is the different members that actually allow the body to carry out the diversity of functions. I can't type with my eyeballs, and I can't see with my hair. I think if we began to see ourselves like I Cor 12 tells us to see ourselves, we would be kinder to one another; for we are members of one another. In another passage, we are told not to lie to each other because we are members of one another. If I dropped a bowling ball on my toe and the nerve endings told my brain: " all is well," I would be in trouble. I need my body parts to tell the others that I'm hurt. If my body starts lying to itself, I will have major problems in a hurry. When I treat my family with respect and kindness... I am essentially doing these things to myself ( because they are a part of me.) When I am rude and irritable and difficult, the whole family suffers. " If one members suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it."
Multiple times in the NT we see the phrase " each one" with regard to spiritual gifts. Each one of us has been given abilties by the Holy Spirit for the common good. How are you using your spiritual gift in the church right now ?
Monday, March 8, 2010
exhortation from the 1600's
I was reading a book by Richard Baxter recently and came across this:
( this was written in the 1600's)
" If you be in prison, He will open the doors; but then you must relieve imprisoned souls. He will give you a tongue and wisdom that no enemy shall be able to resist; but then you must use it faithfully for Him."
" Up then, and work as the redeemed of the Lord, as those that are purposely rescued from ruin for His service. If you believe that God has rescued you for Himself, live to Him, as being unreservedly His who has delivered you."
Page 129
I don't know if you have ever tried this: to live unreservedly His.... We all have reservations from time to time. Have you ever peeled back the layers of your heart and asked God to deal with those areas you know you don't want to change in ? I think this is something of what Baxter is talking about when he says : "unreservedly."
( this was written in the 1600's)
" If you be in prison, He will open the doors; but then you must relieve imprisoned souls. He will give you a tongue and wisdom that no enemy shall be able to resist; but then you must use it faithfully for Him."
" Up then, and work as the redeemed of the Lord, as those that are purposely rescued from ruin for His service. If you believe that God has rescued you for Himself, live to Him, as being unreservedly His who has delivered you."
Page 129
I don't know if you have ever tried this: to live unreservedly His.... We all have reservations from time to time. Have you ever peeled back the layers of your heart and asked God to deal with those areas you know you don't want to change in ? I think this is something of what Baxter is talking about when he says : "unreservedly."
Sunday, February 28, 2010
In over my head
It seems like the Psalms become more meaningful when you are in a place of dependence. I read recently that if all seems well with you, then you probably won't surrender to the Lord. We are often taken back to a place of dependence when it comes to life with God.
Psalm 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God who is our salvation.
Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.
I have been in a concordance lately tracing the word : "presence." It seems to me that the presence of God means alot more to you when you are "in over your head."
Psalm 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God who is our salvation.
Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.
I have been in a concordance lately tracing the word : "presence." It seems to me that the presence of God means alot more to you when you are "in over your head."
Saturday, February 20, 2010
modern day parable of confrontation
I found this story on the internet and thought it was a great illustration of our need to "admonish one another." This fisherman fired a flare gun at a trucker who was about to drive over a collapsed bridge in Oklahoma.
Tragedy on I-40
When the Interstate highway bridge collapsed, sending traffic plunging into the Arkansas River far below, these bass fishermen helped keep the dangerous situation from becoming far worse.
by Mike Lambeth
In the stillness of early morning, several bass boats idled near the Webbers Falls city boat ramp. Kirk Washburn and Alton Wilhoit had high hopes as they waited their turn to blast off. The two fishermen from Harrah, OK - normally fellow competitors - were partnered in the Jimmy Houston Outdoors Team Tournament held May 26, 2002.
The previous day Washburn and Wilhoit pre-fished the Arkansas River, part of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigational System, a waterway used for recreation, water supply, fish and wildlife conservation, hydropower and as the navigational means of moving barges from Oklahoma to New Orleans. They caught several fish, and gained knowledge that, they hoped, would land them a full livewell and a nice check.
"Alton and I had a good feeling that day," Washburn recalled. "We felt like we were going to catch some good fish. The water level was up and we found some productive weedbeds that held good numbers of fish."
Wilhoit shared his partner's enthusiasm. "It was a great morning for fishing and we were ready."
The pair drew an early starting time, leaving around 6:15 a.m. to fish their first spot - three miles south of the launch area. Crossing under the Interstate 40 Bridge, both fishermen noticed the ideal weather for fishing - air temperature was nearly 70 degrees with no wind.
Upon arriving at their first spot, the pair caught a 2 1/2-pound bass. Their plan was to fish a half-hour, then head 25 miles downriver to Sallisaw Creek, where they would spend the better part of the day.
Satisfied that they had caught all they could, Washburn suggested they change plans and go back to the bridge to try the nearby weedbeds. With life jackets on and rods stowed, the pair motored to the overpass.
The bass tournament that Kirk Wasburn (l.) and Alton Wilhoit were fishing on the day the I-40 bridge fell was rescheduled for six weeks later, which was when trucker Rodney Tidwell was reunited with the heroes who'd pulled him from the river. Photo courtesy of Alton WilhoitAs their boat planed out at 70 mph, Washburn remembers looking back and seeing, 200 to 300 yards behind them, a barge heading north in their wake. The barge appeared to be in the very center of the channel and headed toward the generous clearance where barges cross under the bridge daily.
Washburn and Wilhoit fished a weedbed on the south edge of the bridge without success, and then slowly idled across to a wing dam just under the north side of I-40. The pair alternated throwing jigs, spinners and tube baits to entice a strike.
Suddenly - there was a roar!
The morning's tranquility was shattered with a sound Washburn compared to a sonic boom. The deafening roar reverberated throughout the entire span of the bridge. Wilhoit assumed there had been an automobile accident overhead. Nearly 150 yards away on the western end of the bridge the unthinkable had occurred - a tugboat pushing twin barges had veered off course and struck a piling with incredible force.
Witnesses recall hearing the thunderous sound miles away. When the boom silenced, the catastrophe unfolded. The impact of the 400- to 500-ton barges instantly collapsed the west end of the bridge. A chunk of the interstate between 500 and 600 feet long fell into the river. Now part of I-40, the most traveled highway between the East and West Coasts, crumbled as if moved by an earthquake. The void created a deadly trap for unsuspecting motorists.
Washburn and Wilhoit had been listening to the clopping noise made by tires running across the jointed sections of the bridge overhead. The pair was suddenly jolted into reality.
In an instant, rods were stored and life jackets put on. Wilhoit fired up the motor and jetted to the accident site. "The trip took no more than 15 to 20 seconds," said Washburn.
While en route, the pair watched in horror as a truck heading west flew off the bridge. It was then that they realized approaching traffic had no warning of the calamity ahead. Their boat idled 20 to 30 yards away from the collapsed span when another semi with a double tandem trailer sailed into the murky water and vanished.
Washburn dialed 911 on his cell phone and alerted an "unbelieving" sheriff to what had happened. "The sheriff didn't believe the bridge had actually collapsed. I had to assure him that I wasn't joking; this was a very serious matter. I told him to send emergency help at once."
In a matter of seconds, 10 vehicles eerily plunged into the murky water nearly 70 feet below the bridge. There were trucks with horse trailers, semis, and cars all unable to stop, plummeting into the turbid river. Wreckage debris littered the water's surface.
Washburn and Wilhoit stood waving their arms in an effort to ward off more tragedy. "We felt helpless; it seemed there was nothing we could do to stop the traffic," Washburn recalled.
"At one point our boat drifted directly under the bridge, pulled by the strong current," said Wilhoit. "We looked up to see a truck plunge directly overhead, narrowly missing our boat."
In desperation, Washburn told Wilhoit, "We have to back up farther from the bridge so people can see us." It was then that Wilhoit remembered having a flare gun on board - required safety equipment from a tournament they'd fished years earlier.
Wilhoit placed the boat in reverse and motored north in the current while at the same time aiming the flare gun at an approaching semi. Miraculously, the gun fired and the flare actually struck the truck's windshield. The trucker slammed on his brakes, stopping literally at the edge of the damaged bridge.
With traffic finally stopped, the anglers idled toward the barge, looking for survivors in the water. The current was strong and the men struggled to keep their boat away from the mangled wreckage. It was then they heard a resounding, "Hey," from near the barge. Mississippi truck driver Rodney Tidwell had miraculously surfaced and, though badly injured, beckoned for help.
Washburn and Wilhoit quickly tied a flotation cushion to a rope and tossed it out as the injured trucker struggled to remain afloat. Tidwell was pulled to safety by his two "heroes" and later admitted he couldn't have tread water much longer.
Thirty feet away, the bleeding and badly injured body of Arkansas truck driver James Bilyeau surfaced. His desperate pleas for help weakened as the current pulled him under the front of the barge. Washburn and Wilhoit saw Bilyeau, but were penned by the strong current to the mangled pylon and protruding rebar.
The Harrah fishermen encouraged the trucker to hang on to some floating boxes nearby. It was then that Norman Barton Jr. of Sallisaw and Randy Graham of Wagoner arrived. The anglers had been some 700 yards away when the collision occurred.
The badly injured Bilyeau was nowhere in sight. Graham maneuvered their boat under the front of the barge, and noticed a strange object. The object turned out to be the blood-covered head of Bilyeau. Norman and Randy tossed the victim a cushion on a rope and pulled him to safety.
A short distance away, John Swain and his son Gabe pulled a third victim into their boat. With injured survivors onboard, the boats headed to the ramp a little over two miles away. They cared for the victims the best they could. Emergency help was on the scene when they arrived.
The tranquil morning had turned deadly, and now ominous black clouds halted rescue efforts until the storm passed. The aftermath left 10 vehicles in a watery grave, and claimed 14 lives. The victims were: Andrew Clements, 35, of California; Jeanine Cawley, 48, of Lebanon, Ore.; Margaret Green, 45, of Stockdale, Texas; Gail Shanahan, 49, of Corpus Christi, Texas; James Johnson, 30, of Lavaca, Ark.; Misty Johnson, 28, of Lavaca, Ark.; Shea Johnson, 3, of Lavaca, Ark., Paul Tailele Jr., 39, of Magna, Utah; Wayne Martin, 49, of Norman, Okla.; Susan Martin, 49, of Norman, Okla.; Jerry Gillion, 58, of Spiro, Okla.; Patricia Gillion, 57, of Spiro, Okla.; David Mueggenborg, 52, of Okarche, Okla.; and Jean Mueggenborg, 51, also of Okarche.
The medical examiner ruled the manner of death as accidental drowning on 13 victims, with one dead from blunt trauma to the head.
Washburn and Wilhoit humbly insist that they are not heroes. In fact, they were doing what anyone else on the scene would have done. They regret they couldn't have done more.
Because of the tragic events, tournament director Carl Woods cancelled the bass competition. As the shaken Washburn and Wilhoit reflected on the emotional events that had unfolded that day, they chose to unwind in the best manner they knew. The two fishermen climbed into their boat and went fishing.
Tragedy on I-40
When the Interstate highway bridge collapsed, sending traffic plunging into the Arkansas River far below, these bass fishermen helped keep the dangerous situation from becoming far worse.
by Mike Lambeth
In the stillness of early morning, several bass boats idled near the Webbers Falls city boat ramp. Kirk Washburn and Alton Wilhoit had high hopes as they waited their turn to blast off. The two fishermen from Harrah, OK - normally fellow competitors - were partnered in the Jimmy Houston Outdoors Team Tournament held May 26, 2002.
The previous day Washburn and Wilhoit pre-fished the Arkansas River, part of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigational System, a waterway used for recreation, water supply, fish and wildlife conservation, hydropower and as the navigational means of moving barges from Oklahoma to New Orleans. They caught several fish, and gained knowledge that, they hoped, would land them a full livewell and a nice check.
"Alton and I had a good feeling that day," Washburn recalled. "We felt like we were going to catch some good fish. The water level was up and we found some productive weedbeds that held good numbers of fish."
Wilhoit shared his partner's enthusiasm. "It was a great morning for fishing and we were ready."
The pair drew an early starting time, leaving around 6:15 a.m. to fish their first spot - three miles south of the launch area. Crossing under the Interstate 40 Bridge, both fishermen noticed the ideal weather for fishing - air temperature was nearly 70 degrees with no wind.
Upon arriving at their first spot, the pair caught a 2 1/2-pound bass. Their plan was to fish a half-hour, then head 25 miles downriver to Sallisaw Creek, where they would spend the better part of the day.
Satisfied that they had caught all they could, Washburn suggested they change plans and go back to the bridge to try the nearby weedbeds. With life jackets on and rods stowed, the pair motored to the overpass.
The bass tournament that Kirk Wasburn (l.) and Alton Wilhoit were fishing on the day the I-40 bridge fell was rescheduled for six weeks later, which was when trucker Rodney Tidwell was reunited with the heroes who'd pulled him from the river. Photo courtesy of Alton WilhoitAs their boat planed out at 70 mph, Washburn remembers looking back and seeing, 200 to 300 yards behind them, a barge heading north in their wake. The barge appeared to be in the very center of the channel and headed toward the generous clearance where barges cross under the bridge daily.
Washburn and Wilhoit fished a weedbed on the south edge of the bridge without success, and then slowly idled across to a wing dam just under the north side of I-40. The pair alternated throwing jigs, spinners and tube baits to entice a strike.
Suddenly - there was a roar!
The morning's tranquility was shattered with a sound Washburn compared to a sonic boom. The deafening roar reverberated throughout the entire span of the bridge. Wilhoit assumed there had been an automobile accident overhead. Nearly 150 yards away on the western end of the bridge the unthinkable had occurred - a tugboat pushing twin barges had veered off course and struck a piling with incredible force.
Witnesses recall hearing the thunderous sound miles away. When the boom silenced, the catastrophe unfolded. The impact of the 400- to 500-ton barges instantly collapsed the west end of the bridge. A chunk of the interstate between 500 and 600 feet long fell into the river. Now part of I-40, the most traveled highway between the East and West Coasts, crumbled as if moved by an earthquake. The void created a deadly trap for unsuspecting motorists.
Washburn and Wilhoit had been listening to the clopping noise made by tires running across the jointed sections of the bridge overhead. The pair was suddenly jolted into reality.
In an instant, rods were stored and life jackets put on. Wilhoit fired up the motor and jetted to the accident site. "The trip took no more than 15 to 20 seconds," said Washburn.
While en route, the pair watched in horror as a truck heading west flew off the bridge. It was then that they realized approaching traffic had no warning of the calamity ahead. Their boat idled 20 to 30 yards away from the collapsed span when another semi with a double tandem trailer sailed into the murky water and vanished.
Washburn dialed 911 on his cell phone and alerted an "unbelieving" sheriff to what had happened. "The sheriff didn't believe the bridge had actually collapsed. I had to assure him that I wasn't joking; this was a very serious matter. I told him to send emergency help at once."
In a matter of seconds, 10 vehicles eerily plunged into the murky water nearly 70 feet below the bridge. There were trucks with horse trailers, semis, and cars all unable to stop, plummeting into the turbid river. Wreckage debris littered the water's surface.
Washburn and Wilhoit stood waving their arms in an effort to ward off more tragedy. "We felt helpless; it seemed there was nothing we could do to stop the traffic," Washburn recalled.
"At one point our boat drifted directly under the bridge, pulled by the strong current," said Wilhoit. "We looked up to see a truck plunge directly overhead, narrowly missing our boat."
In desperation, Washburn told Wilhoit, "We have to back up farther from the bridge so people can see us." It was then that Wilhoit remembered having a flare gun on board - required safety equipment from a tournament they'd fished years earlier.
Wilhoit placed the boat in reverse and motored north in the current while at the same time aiming the flare gun at an approaching semi. Miraculously, the gun fired and the flare actually struck the truck's windshield. The trucker slammed on his brakes, stopping literally at the edge of the damaged bridge.
With traffic finally stopped, the anglers idled toward the barge, looking for survivors in the water. The current was strong and the men struggled to keep their boat away from the mangled wreckage. It was then they heard a resounding, "Hey," from near the barge. Mississippi truck driver Rodney Tidwell had miraculously surfaced and, though badly injured, beckoned for help.
Washburn and Wilhoit quickly tied a flotation cushion to a rope and tossed it out as the injured trucker struggled to remain afloat. Tidwell was pulled to safety by his two "heroes" and later admitted he couldn't have tread water much longer.
Thirty feet away, the bleeding and badly injured body of Arkansas truck driver James Bilyeau surfaced. His desperate pleas for help weakened as the current pulled him under the front of the barge. Washburn and Wilhoit saw Bilyeau, but were penned by the strong current to the mangled pylon and protruding rebar.
The Harrah fishermen encouraged the trucker to hang on to some floating boxes nearby. It was then that Norman Barton Jr. of Sallisaw and Randy Graham of Wagoner arrived. The anglers had been some 700 yards away when the collision occurred.
The badly injured Bilyeau was nowhere in sight. Graham maneuvered their boat under the front of the barge, and noticed a strange object. The object turned out to be the blood-covered head of Bilyeau. Norman and Randy tossed the victim a cushion on a rope and pulled him to safety.
A short distance away, John Swain and his son Gabe pulled a third victim into their boat. With injured survivors onboard, the boats headed to the ramp a little over two miles away. They cared for the victims the best they could. Emergency help was on the scene when they arrived.
The tranquil morning had turned deadly, and now ominous black clouds halted rescue efforts until the storm passed. The aftermath left 10 vehicles in a watery grave, and claimed 14 lives. The victims were: Andrew Clements, 35, of California; Jeanine Cawley, 48, of Lebanon, Ore.; Margaret Green, 45, of Stockdale, Texas; Gail Shanahan, 49, of Corpus Christi, Texas; James Johnson, 30, of Lavaca, Ark.; Misty Johnson, 28, of Lavaca, Ark.; Shea Johnson, 3, of Lavaca, Ark., Paul Tailele Jr., 39, of Magna, Utah; Wayne Martin, 49, of Norman, Okla.; Susan Martin, 49, of Norman, Okla.; Jerry Gillion, 58, of Spiro, Okla.; Patricia Gillion, 57, of Spiro, Okla.; David Mueggenborg, 52, of Okarche, Okla.; and Jean Mueggenborg, 51, also of Okarche.
The medical examiner ruled the manner of death as accidental drowning on 13 victims, with one dead from blunt trauma to the head.
Washburn and Wilhoit humbly insist that they are not heroes. In fact, they were doing what anyone else on the scene would have done. They regret they couldn't have done more.
Because of the tragic events, tournament director Carl Woods cancelled the bass competition. As the shaken Washburn and Wilhoit reflected on the emotional events that had unfolded that day, they chose to unwind in the best manner they knew. The two fishermen climbed into their boat and went fishing.
Our attitude toward the sin of others
Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God
Jonathan Edwards
Jonathan Edwards
the fear of man is a snare
A people pleaser is not a peace maker, but rather a peace lover. A peacemaker is willing to endure the discomfort of conflict in the hope of bringing about a peaceful resolution. ( Peace not only is the absence of conflict, but is often the result of it.) A peace lover is so afraid of conflict that he will avoid it at almost all costs. He is so concerned with keeping the peace with his fellow man that he is often willing to forfeit the peace of God that comes from standing up and suffering for the truth. He is essentially a coward at heart.” ( People pleasing p 25 Lou Priolo)
The people pleaser overreacts to any hint of disapproval. He feels a pinprick as keenly as a knife in the back. He is overly sensitive because he is too concerned about his own glory ( and popularity). He sees any constructive criticism or suggestion for improvement as a threat to his reputation rather than as an opportunity to grow or as an indication of the reprover’s love for him. ( p 31 ibid )
The people pleaser overreacts to any hint of disapproval. He feels a pinprick as keenly as a knife in the back. He is overly sensitive because he is too concerned about his own glory ( and popularity). He sees any constructive criticism or suggestion for improvement as a threat to his reputation rather than as an opportunity to grow or as an indication of the reprover’s love for him. ( p 31 ibid )
Saturday, February 13, 2010
dangerous places
I came across this earlier today and was encouraged by it.
" Unfortunately, the resolve to be courageous in the pulpit can result in our becoming headstrong and arrogant. We may succeed in being outspoken, but spoil it by becoming proud of our outspokenness. Truth to tell, the puplit is a perilous place for any person to occupy. It is 'high and lifted up,' and thus enjoys a prominence which should be restricted to Yahweh's throne ( Isa 6:1). We stand there in solitude, while the eyes of all are on us. We hold forth in monologue, while all sit still, silent and subdued. Who can endure such public exposure and remain unscathed by vanity ? Pride is without doubt the chief occupational hazard of the preacher. It has ruined many, and deprived their ministry of power."
taken from Between two worlds by John Stott page 320
" Unfortunately, the resolve to be courageous in the pulpit can result in our becoming headstrong and arrogant. We may succeed in being outspoken, but spoil it by becoming proud of our outspokenness. Truth to tell, the puplit is a perilous place for any person to occupy. It is 'high and lifted up,' and thus enjoys a prominence which should be restricted to Yahweh's throne ( Isa 6:1). We stand there in solitude, while the eyes of all are on us. We hold forth in monologue, while all sit still, silent and subdued. Who can endure such public exposure and remain unscathed by vanity ? Pride is without doubt the chief occupational hazard of the preacher. It has ruined many, and deprived their ministry of power."
taken from Between two worlds by John Stott page 320
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Septic tank theology
I get to talk to college students at Texas A&M as we travel around Brazos county officiating basketball games. In the course of our 2 hour conversation I end up asking them about their purpose in life. Many of them have no idea what that is and seemed stunned that someone asked them the question. Our purpose is directly tied to the Person who made us and the only way to find that purpose is to discover it in Scripture. For some reason, this morning, an old truth made so much sense to me in a new way. Faith needs something to bite into in order to strengthen us. These students that I'm talking to don't have faith in anything substantial and the faith that they do have is starving for substance. It's like the lids on a septic tank. When we are done working with them, they must be secured. They have to be screwed back in place, but often because of time and the elements, the place where the screw grabs on to is deteriorated so badly, that it will not hold. It seems to me that this is like the faith of some. There is nothing for their "faith" to grab hold of because there is nothing substantial to hold it in place. If this is confusing to you then maybe this author can explain it better:
" ... it simply stands to reason that faith feeds on the Word because the Word is what faith trusts. And where trustworthy words are not present, faith has nothing to bite into. That's the nature of faith. It exists by what it trusts. It has no life but what it gets from the truth it believes. So if we do not feed it with a substantial diet of life giving truth, it will shrivel. " *
If you don't have the luxury of opening a Bible every hour, you do have the ability to consult your memory. When your memory goes walking down the corridor of your mind opening doors, what does it find ? Does it find Ephesians 2, does it find Proverbs 25, or does it find other things ?
* John Piper A Godward life Book 2 page 215
" ... it simply stands to reason that faith feeds on the Word because the Word is what faith trusts. And where trustworthy words are not present, faith has nothing to bite into. That's the nature of faith. It exists by what it trusts. It has no life but what it gets from the truth it believes. So if we do not feed it with a substantial diet of life giving truth, it will shrivel. " *
If you don't have the luxury of opening a Bible every hour, you do have the ability to consult your memory. When your memory goes walking down the corridor of your mind opening doors, what does it find ? Does it find Ephesians 2, does it find Proverbs 25, or does it find other things ?
* John Piper A Godward life Book 2 page 215
losses and crosses
The woman at the well in John 4 made a statement to Jesus: " Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep." This thought is running through my mind right now after reading A Quest for Godliness by J I Packer. Sometimes, I feel like in our life we have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. I found something this morning that is deeper than I have the ability to draw from... the puritan experience. I am humbled by their life and sobered by Packer's description of their maturity. It makes me feel very shallow when I stand next to them.
His vocabulary makes the book worth reading and I feel like I need to go read a dictionary and learn some new synonyms.
Here's what I found particulary meaningful:
( before you read, keep in my mind, the use of the word "reformed" here is not a branch of theology, but renewed, re-shaped, and revived...)
"...the ideal for the church was that through 'reformed' clergy all the members of each congregation should be 'reformed' , brought that is, by God's grace without disorder into a state of what we would call revival, so as to be truly and thoroughly converted, theologically orthodox and sound, spiritually alert and expectant, in character terms wise and steady, ethically enterprising and obedient and humbly buy joyously sure of their salvation."
" ...and their ( the puritans) knowledge was no mere theoretical orthodoxy. They sought to reduce to practice all that God taught them. They yoked their consciences to His word, disciplining themselves to bring all activities under the scrutiny of scripture, and to demand a theological, as distinct from merely pragmatic, justification for everything that they did. "
I like that phrase: " they yoked their consciences to the word of God..."
more:
" Puritan authors regularly tell us, first of the mystery of God: that our God is too small, that the real God cannot be put without remainder into a man made conceptual box so as to be fully understood, and that He was, is, and always will be inscrutable in His dealing with those who trust and love Him, so that 'losses and crosses' , that is bafflement and disappointment in relation to particular hopes one has entertained, must be accepted as a recurring element in one's life of fellowship with Him."
" By ministering to us these precious biblical truths the Puritans give us the resources we need to cope with the 'slings and arrows of outrageous fortune', and offer the casualties an insight into what has happened to them that can raise them above self pitying resentment and reaction and restore their spiritual health completely. "
( pages 29-34)
His vocabulary makes the book worth reading and I feel like I need to go read a dictionary and learn some new synonyms.
Here's what I found particulary meaningful:
( before you read, keep in my mind, the use of the word "reformed" here is not a branch of theology, but renewed, re-shaped, and revived...)
"...the ideal for the church was that through 'reformed' clergy all the members of each congregation should be 'reformed' , brought that is, by God's grace without disorder into a state of what we would call revival, so as to be truly and thoroughly converted, theologically orthodox and sound, spiritually alert and expectant, in character terms wise and steady, ethically enterprising and obedient and humbly buy joyously sure of their salvation."
" ...and their ( the puritans) knowledge was no mere theoretical orthodoxy. They sought to reduce to practice all that God taught them. They yoked their consciences to His word, disciplining themselves to bring all activities under the scrutiny of scripture, and to demand a theological, as distinct from merely pragmatic, justification for everything that they did. "
I like that phrase: " they yoked their consciences to the word of God..."
more:
" Puritan authors regularly tell us, first of the mystery of God: that our God is too small, that the real God cannot be put without remainder into a man made conceptual box so as to be fully understood, and that He was, is, and always will be inscrutable in His dealing with those who trust and love Him, so that 'losses and crosses' , that is bafflement and disappointment in relation to particular hopes one has entertained, must be accepted as a recurring element in one's life of fellowship with Him."
" By ministering to us these precious biblical truths the Puritans give us the resources we need to cope with the 'slings and arrows of outrageous fortune', and offer the casualties an insight into what has happened to them that can raise them above self pitying resentment and reaction and restore their spiritual health completely. "
( pages 29-34)
Monday, January 18, 2010
quenching the fire
What quenches the fire of people who used to be " on fire for God" ? I can't speak for everyone, but I have identified one thing for me: selfishness. Self absorbed wallowing in self pity is such a deterrent to evangelism and discipleship. When I sit and think about the past in destructive, fruitless ways I am the furthest from being a disciple who is pleasing to the Lord. There is too little time during our lives to waste it pondering the things of the past. Past, present and future is such an interesting idea because the present is such a thin slice of who you are. Who is making you ? What are you reading, thinking and talking about ? Who is influencing you ? You are being conformed to something right now. What is it ? I know that when I neglect to read, I feel shallow, disinterested and bored. When I read the word and other men who follow God, I feel invigorated, challenged, bold and armed. I suppose that media is like sugar...we reach for the m&m's when we should be cutting up cucumbers and carrots. It's not that you can never have the m&m's , but too much of them and you end up with diseases. Here are some cucumbers and carrots:
1. Holiness by JC Ryle
2. From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya Ruth Tucker
3. Just Do Something Kevin DeYoung
4. Spiritual depression Martyn Lloyd Jones
5. Proverbs
6. The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment Jeremiah Burroughs
1. Holiness by JC Ryle
2. From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya Ruth Tucker
3. Just Do Something Kevin DeYoung
4. Spiritual depression Martyn Lloyd Jones
5. Proverbs
6. The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment Jeremiah Burroughs
worth repeating
You may have read or heard this before ...but it's worth repeating here :
I was searching in a greek dictionary for the development of the word : COURAGE and came across the greek word for boldness ( parrhesia) which means the freedom to say all.
In the same definition I found this sentence in the discussion of the boldness that the disciples had in the book of Acts.
Here it is: " This boldness which provokes astonishment, division, and persecution is not something that man has under his control. It is the fruit of the Holy Spirit ( Acts 4:31) that has to be sought again and again ( 4:29). " Later on this sentence appears: " Such courage is not a human quality; it comes from God and Christ ( see I Thessalonians 2:2 and Philemon 8).
I am struck by the phrase: " sought again and again."
So I looked up I Thessalonians 2:2 " For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain, but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition. 3 For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts."
Footnotes: Colin Brown Dictionary of New Testament Theology
So, this raises a question in my mind : " Why do we hesitate to share the gospel with all boldness ? " It could be because we haven't been willing to seek that courage "again and again." We had it at one point in our lives because we were excited about something, but the inevitable fade happened and we went back to the rut of just work, eat, sleep, tv, internet,etc. What keeps that fire burning to see the truth spread out in the city you live in ? Faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word of Christ.
I was searching in a greek dictionary for the development of the word : COURAGE and came across the greek word for boldness ( parrhesia) which means the freedom to say all.
In the same definition I found this sentence in the discussion of the boldness that the disciples had in the book of Acts.
Here it is: " This boldness which provokes astonishment, division, and persecution is not something that man has under his control. It is the fruit of the Holy Spirit ( Acts 4:31) that has to be sought again and again ( 4:29). " Later on this sentence appears: " Such courage is not a human quality; it comes from God and Christ ( see I Thessalonians 2:2 and Philemon 8).
I am struck by the phrase: " sought again and again."
So I looked up I Thessalonians 2:2 " For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain, but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition. 3 For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts."
Footnotes: Colin Brown Dictionary of New Testament Theology
So, this raises a question in my mind : " Why do we hesitate to share the gospel with all boldness ? " It could be because we haven't been willing to seek that courage "again and again." We had it at one point in our lives because we were excited about something, but the inevitable fade happened and we went back to the rut of just work, eat, sleep, tv, internet,etc. What keeps that fire burning to see the truth spread out in the city you live in ? Faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word of Christ.
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