" Most men are not satisfied with the permanent output of their lives. Nothing can wholly satisfy the life of Christ within His followers except the adoption of Christ's purpose toward the world He came to redeem. Fame, pleasure, and riches are but husks and ashes in contrast with the boundless and abiding joy of working with God for the fulfillment of His eternal plans. The men who are putting everything into Christ's undertaking are getting out of life its sweetest and most priceless rewards."
J Campbell White
( qtd in Desiring God by John Piper page 222)
Thursday, May 7, 2009
thoughts on the family
Taken from New International Dictionary of Theology ( Colin Brown - roots of education)
Vol 3 page 776
“ The OT bears witness to God’s self revelation to Israel and intervention in his life. In response to His love and care for the chosen people, He expects in return trust and obedience. The priestly nation is to be stamped with God’s nature, and to become increasingly fitted for the sphere of His holiness. The trouble that God has with His people forces Him to severe disciplinary measures, or chastening. But God does not educate in order to achieve an ideal; He watches over His people’s faithfulness, which He intends should flow from trust and from that constant readiness to hear and truly listen which arises from obedience ( to the prophetic message). This education by God, which Israel is ever trying to escape, although for its own good, is shared equally by all members of the nation. There is no special religious education of the young. It is God who educates, and the upbringing of children takes place within the sphere of this God who instructs in love and punishes because of the recalcitrance of His own.
The educational aim of God is to lead His people ( ministry not tyranny) to the realization that they owe their existence to the saving will of Yahweh alone, and therefore owe obedience to their divine instructor ( Deut. 8:1-6). “
Stop – take a breath ---
Page 777
“How does the education of the young proceed in Israel ? God commands that they obey their parents, who are next to Him in importance. The father acts like a priest to the family. He hands on the tradition to the family; he does so in answer to the question of his children ( see Exodus 12:26 ff), and his answer is a confession of God’s saving activity towards Israel. The children are told of this not only in words, but also by means of impressive signs in the form of monumental stones ( Joshua 4:6,21). Education takes place in the execution of justice ( see Achan /and Deut 21:21), and in the teaching of the law. There is no theory of education, no special institutions; but the young become accustomed to the life of the nation, which stands under the loving discipline of God. Watching and listening, they enter into the inheritance of their forefathers. For he who hears aright will obey.”
Vol 3 page 776
“ The OT bears witness to God’s self revelation to Israel and intervention in his life. In response to His love and care for the chosen people, He expects in return trust and obedience. The priestly nation is to be stamped with God’s nature, and to become increasingly fitted for the sphere of His holiness. The trouble that God has with His people forces Him to severe disciplinary measures, or chastening. But God does not educate in order to achieve an ideal; He watches over His people’s faithfulness, which He intends should flow from trust and from that constant readiness to hear and truly listen which arises from obedience ( to the prophetic message). This education by God, which Israel is ever trying to escape, although for its own good, is shared equally by all members of the nation. There is no special religious education of the young. It is God who educates, and the upbringing of children takes place within the sphere of this God who instructs in love and punishes because of the recalcitrance of His own.
The educational aim of God is to lead His people ( ministry not tyranny) to the realization that they owe their existence to the saving will of Yahweh alone, and therefore owe obedience to their divine instructor ( Deut. 8:1-6). “
Stop – take a breath ---
Page 777
“How does the education of the young proceed in Israel ? God commands that they obey their parents, who are next to Him in importance. The father acts like a priest to the family. He hands on the tradition to the family; he does so in answer to the question of his children ( see Exodus 12:26 ff), and his answer is a confession of God’s saving activity towards Israel. The children are told of this not only in words, but also by means of impressive signs in the form of monumental stones ( Joshua 4:6,21). Education takes place in the execution of justice ( see Achan /and Deut 21:21), and in the teaching of the law. There is no theory of education, no special institutions; but the young become accustomed to the life of the nation, which stands under the loving discipline of God. Watching and listening, they enter into the inheritance of their forefathers. For he who hears aright will obey.”
Monday, April 27, 2009
update
I'm sitting in Rudy's BBQ right now using space on their free wi fi network. It's really hard to sit here and not go to the counter and request about 3 pounds of moist brisket...you know the kind that slides down your throat and comforts you in times of trial. The boys are by my side soaking in a few precious wi fi moments themselves. We chose deliberately to not have internet at the house and so in order to surf the web we go hunting for free wi fi signs.
As I read through the gospels and notice all of the people that Jesus healed there seems to be a thread:
" Go, your faith has made you well." Jesus really focused in on the faith of those who were seeking to be healed. His first priority was not physical healing but that their sins would be forgiven and that they understand His mission was not to be a miracle worker but to establish their hearts in faith toward God. I remember hearing someone say :" When you put your faith in God, you see the results of His power." When I read the Psalms, I feel a kinship with those who wrote: " It is better to trust in the Lord than to put your trust in man." There's a song by Ross King called: "Anchor." I highly recommend this song and the rest of the cd... it's called " Perhaps I've said too much." ( available on i tunes)
As I read through the gospels and notice all of the people that Jesus healed there seems to be a thread:
" Go, your faith has made you well." Jesus really focused in on the faith of those who were seeking to be healed. His first priority was not physical healing but that their sins would be forgiven and that they understand His mission was not to be a miracle worker but to establish their hearts in faith toward God. I remember hearing someone say :" When you put your faith in God, you see the results of His power." When I read the Psalms, I feel a kinship with those who wrote: " It is better to trust in the Lord than to put your trust in man." There's a song by Ross King called: "Anchor." I highly recommend this song and the rest of the cd... it's called " Perhaps I've said too much." ( available on i tunes)
If you recently sent me a message on facebook, I would be glad to respond through my email account. I would welcome emails but didn't feel like I could manage facebook as well.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
off the grid
I feel like I have been off the grid for awhile...which isn't all bad. I have time to think now during my daily commute to work and I just wonder how many people we can have meaningful relationships with in the course of our life. I am thinking of a verse I can't place right now but I think it goes something like this: " a man of many friends will come to ruin...." I will have to get a concordance. I do believe that Luke 6:26 says: " Woe to you when all men speak well of you for this is how they treated the false prophets." In the course of a day with work, family, the word and prayer I don't see how it's realistic to maintain so many friendships. I don't mean this in an isolated way or to be rude... just confused by it. I have emailed people or called people who never wrote back and never called back. I don't think I'm angry because I see that there's a limit to one person's capacity. It could be that I'm the lazy one....
Anyway, I have experienced times of loneliness and know the desire for authentic community. I believe God wired us for relationships and to be encouraged by each other. I think my expectations are definitely unrealistic at times when it comes to what a Biblical friendship looks like. I just read the story of Jonathan and David and was impressed by their loyalty to each other. I think we all want something like this. What's interesting is that the harder you try for a friendship, the more it seems to elude you. However, if you relax and live before the Lord, the friendships seem to have their proper place.
I guess I wrote this blog after looking at facebook for 5 minutes. A word to facebook people: is this a tool for you or an idol ? I think it's fair to ask that question. I have to ask that question about other areas in my life too.
Anyway, I have experienced times of loneliness and know the desire for authentic community. I believe God wired us for relationships and to be encouraged by each other. I think my expectations are definitely unrealistic at times when it comes to what a Biblical friendship looks like. I just read the story of Jonathan and David and was impressed by their loyalty to each other. I think we all want something like this. What's interesting is that the harder you try for a friendship, the more it seems to elude you. However, if you relax and live before the Lord, the friendships seem to have their proper place.
I guess I wrote this blog after looking at facebook for 5 minutes. A word to facebook people: is this a tool for you or an idol ? I think it's fair to ask that question. I have to ask that question about other areas in my life too.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
weird
I just wrote an entire blog, published it and then the computer erased it.
The Lord gives and the Lord takes away
The Lord gives and the Lord takes away
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