The most precious two words in the Bible

Alright, I realize that may be a slight exaggeration, but if you have some time this weekend, read Romans 1:1 through 3:20, and then ask yourself if these two words at the beginning of 3:21 aren't among the most precious words in the entire Bible:

"But now..."

Remembering 9/11

Few days have caused our nation to groan like this one, eight years ago today. Even the most secular, moral relativist in the land had to look at these events and conclude, "This is evil."



For those in Christ, we groan with hope:

For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

(Romans 8:19-25)

My only critique with the song in the video is that I fear it gives a misleading hope. "Love" is indeed the answer; but if that love is not grounded in Christ, it is a hope built on sand.

Unexpected Mercy

"By tasting hell in this life I've been driven to think about what faces me in the next. Paralysis is my greatest mercy."

Joni Eareckson-Tada

God is big; we are small

I thought it was pretty cool that on the day these photos were released, my appointed reading in the Psalms said this:

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?

Toffee Donuts and Sin's Great Lie

Did anyone else get a Dunkin' Donuts ad in the mail last week with this picture on the front?

We're big on Heath Bar at the Lazarus home, so when we saw this picture we were pretty fired up. The morning after we got the coupons, I went out to pick up one for me and one for Michelle.

Let's just say that when we opened up the bag and looked at the donuts, they didn't exactly look like the picture in the ad. Have you had that happen to you? The picture in the ad looks so good...but then you get the reality and it's a total letdown.

As I finished Michelle's donut (she didn't even want to waste her weight watchers points on it!), I thought to myself, 'What a parable of sin this donut is." Like the picture in the ad, sin beckons to us of the pleasure to be found in it. But when you indulge, you're always left unsatisfied.

So I finished my "toffee for your coffee" donut with increased gratitude to Jesus, who alone is able to break the power of sin's empty promises by filling me with a superior satisfaction in Him. He says what no donut-manufacturer can say:

"I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." (John 6:35)

Are you growing in grace?

Some questions to help you arrive at an answer (adapted from Why Small Groups?):

Are you more aware of what Christ did for you at the Cross than what you have (or haven't) done for Him lately?

Are your weaknesses a point of discouragement or a place where you find God's strength?

When you haven't been diligent in spiritual disciplines, do you expect the worst?

Can you laugh at yourself?

Are you quicker to notice another believer's spiritual growth, or his or her faults?

After a good day, do you feel God is more pleased with you than after a bad one?

When you have been especially obedient, do you feel you deserve a unique measure of God's presence and power in your life?

Is the Cross a central focus in your life?

Is your relationship with God characterized by joy or rules?

Something to remember on your worst days...and your best

"Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God's grace."

Jerry Bridges

The Maker

Anyone want to take a stab at an interpretation of these song lyrics by Daniel Lanois?

Oh, Oh Deep water
Black, and cold like the night
I stand with arms wide open
I've run a twisted mile
I'm a stranger
in the eyes of the Maker

I could not see
for fog in my eyes
I could not feel
for the fear in my life
From across the great divide
In the distance i saw a light
John Baptist
walking to me with the Maker

My body is bent and broken
by long and dangerous sleep
I can work the fields of Abraham
and turn my head away
I'm not a stranger
in the hands of the Maker

Brother John
Have you seen the homeless daughters
standing there
with broken wings
I have seen the flaming swords
there over east of eden
burning in the eyes of the Maker
burning in the eyes of the Maker
burning in the eyes of the Maker
burning in the eyes of the Maker

oh river rise from your sleep....

Obama School Speech Controversy

I know I've got a few school teachers reading, and I'm curious to know (from them and from anyone else reading) any thoughts they have on this whole ordeal with Obama addressing students today.

Personally, this article from Al Mohler resonates with me. It seems like a lot of the concern from conservatives is irrational, yet Obama's administration is also responsible for a good bit of the controversy.

What do you think?

The hypocrisy of Coexisting

On my run this morning, I passed by a car with this bumper sticker. While I affirm that we should treat people who do not share our religious views with respect and civility, my guess is that the bumper sticker is intended to mean more than simply living respectfully with those of differing views.

It's probably intended to make a statement: Whether you get excited about the Cross, the star of David or the crescent moon, it's all basically the same anyway, so don't act like your particular view of the truth is THE right view. That would be narrow-minded and intolerant, and contrary to the call to "coexist."

Of course there is a built-in contradiction in such a view, isn't there? Because the statement that all religious views are basically the same, and that God doesn't really care about which way we worship, is a particular view of who God is. And by putting the bumper sticker on their car, aren't they suugesting that their view of God is the right view, and that other people should abandon their view and adopt that one?

So even those who call for coexisting argue for a certain view of religious truth. They have a hard time coexisting with people who don't support their plea for coexisting. And so, the call for "tolerance" (if tolerance means not saying that your view is superior to another) is inherently intolerant.

Choosing Thomas

I didn't enjoy watching this. But when it was over, I was glad that I did. It made me grateful for the promise that in Christ, one day all things will be made new.

I can't imagine that you'll enjoy watching it either. But please watch it anyway. It's important that we remember to groan.

Why the Cross is Folly

"The Cross is folly to the world because it's the end of human self-exaltation and the birth of human exultation in the exaltation of God."

John Piper

May this be the motto of all Christ's people:

“I would rather die now than to live a life of oblivious ease in so sick a world.”

Nate Saint, killed by the Auca Indians in Ecuador at the age of 32.

I'll be 32 in three months. Very sobering.

All I have is Christ

This song written by Devon Kauflin was sung a few times at Worship God 09, and has been on my mind since:

I once was lost in darkest night
Yet thought I knew the way.
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave.
I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will.
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still.

But as I ran my hell-bound race
Indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross.
And I beheld God’s love displayed
You suffered in my place
You bore the wrath reserved for me
Now all I know is grace.

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life

Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone
And live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands
Could never come from me.
Oh Father, use my ransomed life
In any way You choose.
And let my song forever be
My only boast is You.

Check out the video for a performance of the song from a Next conference last year:

All I Have Is Christ from Sovereign Grace Ministries on Vimeo.

Praying for the Spirit

On Sunday, my sermon focused largely on understanding and treasuring the work of the Holy Spirit. It was an opportune time for such a sermon, as it came two days before the first Tuesday of the month (today, that is), when we have our monthly prayer meeting in which we pray for personal and corporate spiritual renewal.

Yesterday morning in my devotions, I read these words of Jesus in Luke 11:

What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

What a great truth to be reminded of in preparing to pray for the more of the Spirit! And the parable that Jesus told immediately before these words indicates why it's important to pray for the Spirit over and over:

“Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs."

"Yet because of his impudence..." I think those are the key words. In light of this, I think gathering once each month to pray for the empowering work of the Spirit in our lives is certainly not too much praying!