You Are Viewing Spiritual Markers

This is the first of my posts in reflection on my recent personal retreat. As an aside, I’m grateful to David James, the Arkansas Baptist Collegiate Ministry Team Leader, who effectively urged me to take a regular personal retreat each year that I served under him as a campus minister. It was a strange practice to me at first, but it’s become a cherished pilgrimage that I now seek to prioritize twice a year.

Since moving to Virginia, my family and I haven’t been east of Blacksburg except to go to the airport in Roanoke or attend a meeting in Richmond. I left last Thursday a.m. with Lynchburg in my sites for the first personal retreat in a year and a half. 2009 was just so crazy for me that I wasn’t able to schedule one.

My three days there were spent reading, writing, praying, and simply being. At times the quietness almost overwhelmed me. I am grateful for an incredibly supportive spouse who recognizes my need for solitude and for two kids who just seem to take for granted that dad needs time like this.

Bookstore melancholy

I visited a bookstore while in Lynchburg, and while there, I bumped into a familiar bookstore buddy of mine – melancholy. Typically I ran into Mr. M when I was in Mardel in Little Rock or Barnes & Noble. It was no surprise to find him there. He seems to ambush me frequently in between shelves.

As I tried to explain this to Carolyn the other night, I felt a little foolish, but after reflecting on this sense of sadness/longing that envelopes me in bookstores, I’ve reached some tentative conclusions:

• The Muzak is playing Back Street Boys, and I just haven’t realized it.
• A voodoo doctor is sticking pins in a doll of me somewhere.
• I wish I could have/run a bookstore.
• I am running face to face into my finiteness.

I tend to opt for the last one (although I really have dreamed of owning a bookstore throughout my life).

My own awareness of my great limitations is never more obvious in a bookstore. I am a reader and love to digest new material and be challenged. It’s in a bookstore that I have this sweeping realization that I will never be able to digest even the smallest portion of what’s available. I am doomed to perpetual ignorance.

Even if I had a photographic memory and started today, I would not in my lifetime be able to consume the material I want and that I’m hungry for. Even though Google has become a collective human database, it still cannot tap the innards of copyrighted material. Nor can I remember everything I read. On top of that, I can only read one thing at a time – for limited amounts of time. And so I’m left… melancholy.

The fact that I forget so much of what I’ve already read means that I have to spend a portion of my life re-membering, refreshing, reflecting and upgrading. I will never catch up. All of reading must be done in a linear fashion. I can’t read two books simultaneously.

It makes me hungry for heaven, actually.

When I am welcomed with joyful grace into eternity by my Lord Jesus, I firmly believe that the invitation of eternal blessing is matched with an invitation for eternal learning, discovery, and adventure. I’ll be able to spend a thousand years reading and then take a break with another thousand years of backpacking heaven’s equivalent of the Andes. What I’ll do next as I enjoy the glories of God’s Presence and Love is all cake.

As I bemoan my inability and finiteness, I am turned to praise the wonder and majesty of God. He is a God who created all things, knows all things, and is a Master of it all. He is not overwhelmed in Barnes & Noble. He is the Author of Life. His omniscience and immanence are stunning and beyond comprehension.

So while I can’t plug a USB cord into my neck and download (and remember) all the information I want here, it’s OK. Those surprise ambushes by Mr. M are counteracted with confident knowledge of future discoveries in the kingdom of God.

Be careful of pretensions of autonomy. Jesus reminds us, “I chose you.”

In the conclusion of this powerful message called “It Is the Spirit Who Gives Life” by John Piper of Bethlehem Baptist Church on December 27, 2009, Piper points out from John 6 that “whenever resistance to Jesus starts to mount – and we feel like in our culture that we’re losing our grip… Oh, what will poor God do without America? – whenever it looks like resistance to Jesus is winning, we Christians need a clear, robust vision of the sovereignty of God.”

Jesus’ hard words in John 6 did not pander to the crowds. Indeed, in John 6, Jesus’ ministry appears to be going downhill as many left Him. I listened to Piper’s message on the way home from our Christmas traveling today, and it struck me as a much-needed corrective to Christian-centered churches and ministries. It’s not about us; it’s about Him.

One of the most profound thoughts voiced in this message was about those who rejected (and are rejecting) Jesus. “Their unbelief is not a proof of their sovereignty,” he said.

I’ve included a clip of this part of the message for you to listen to, but I encourage you to listen to the whole message here.

You know the Rolaids commercials about “How do you spell RELIEF?” And they respond with “R-O-L-A-I-D-S?” Well…. last night I was preaching away in our second December Nights celebration at the BCM at Virginia Tech. It was packed. We had a special worship team in from Brentwood Church in Lynchburg led by Nic Carver. The stage was set for a momentous evening.

Until I reached my conclusion…

Let me back up a little.

We’ve focused our evenings around the Advent themes. Last night was about Peace, and the message was “Peace Follows Release.” We began by allowing Linus to read Luke 2 -our focal passage:

The interesting thing about that passage is how the King James Version says “Peace on earth, goodwill to men.” Most modern translations recognize that another alternate meaning is essentially “peace on earth to whom God is pleased.” In other words, God’s peace is conditional.

The angels weren’t pronouncing world peace at all, after all.

In fact, that little baby that they announced would later pronounce “Do not think I have come to bring peace to the earth…” (Matthew 10.34)

Was there a discrepancy between the promise of the angels and the mission of the Messiah?

That was the theme of the message. We looked at what Scripture describes as the person who pleases God. Hebrews 11.6 says, “Without faith, it is impossible to please God…”

The apostle Paul says in Romans 5.1 that since we are “justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

It is the person of faith that pleases God, in other words. Peace on earth is promised to those who in faith believe and love the Lord with all their hearts, minds, strength and souls. Peace on earth is not an amorphous promise. It’s succinct. It’s specific. Peace is promised, yes, but only “among those with whom he is pleased.” (ESV)

Those who release their lives to Christ find peace from Him. It is only through faith – trusting God instead of ourselves or others (or our things) that we find release.

And here’s where the Rolaids analogy comes in.

I played with the word RELEASE in my conclusion. I rarely do this, and it’s cheesy, but I used each letter to represent what we should release to Jesus.

R – Relationships. As Jesus said in the Matthew 10.34 passage, we should not allow any earthly relationship to compare to our love for Him.

E – Expectations. All ______ (anger, frustration, worry, anxiety, etc.) is the result of unmet expectations. We need to release our expectations to the Lord.

L – Lesser Loves. Anything good that demands our attention, time and effort is still a lesser love when compared to Christ. We need to recognize them for what they are – idols – if they come between us and our allegiance to the Lord.

E – Ego. Our pride and our relentless commitment to ourselves needs to be released. James 4.10 urges us to “humble ourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

S – Stuff. I know it’s not sophisticated or eloquent. But we all let stuff interfere with our love for God. Our possessions, our time, our checkbooks, our financial goals. We must release these in order to discover the peace that comes from God.

E – Experiences. Whether it’s past successes or failures, fantastic heights or stunning hurts, we cannot allow our experiences to define our obedience. We must release them all before the Father.

There you have it… except for the “A.” The A was “Attitude. We cannot allow a skewed perspective or negative viewpoint to hinder us from following Christ in faith. Our attitude can dramatically alter our ability to enjoy God because it reveals we cherish our emotions more than our Messiah.”

However, last night, I just missed it in my notes. Completely.

Most folks didn’t catch it (or were gentle enough to overlook it). Others were quick to assume that was the Arkansas spelling of RELEASE. And they pointed that out with great glee.

Fortunately, the Lord used it anyway. (I hope and trust.)

It’s not really important that you can spell “release” in all actuality. It’s just crucial that you can do it.

How do you come before the Lord? And, with what do you come before Him?

Psalm 100 is one of those magnificent and attention-altering passages of Scripture that beckon the reader out of temporal living.

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the LORD is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. (NIV)

The Psalm urges you to approach the Lord with some attitudes and actions. We’re counseled to do so “with singing” and “with thanksgiving” and “with praise.” It is the picture of jubilant entry. Let us as His people – as “the sheep of His pasture” – not stumble or drag ourselves dejectedly or halfheartedly into His presence.

The New Testament gives us another thing to bring with us as we come before Him:

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4.16, ESV)

Our approach to God reveals our attitude towards Him. Do we view Him as a loving Savior and Gracious Redeemer? Or do we view Him as a Capricious Creator and a Demanding Deity?

It’s obvious that the attitude that we approach Him with reveals our experience (or lack of) with His love. Even when times are bad, we are to approach Him with joyful trust. James 1.2 give us countercultural advice: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds…”

In truth, if we do not have a rejoicing heart towards Him and, we may not know Him. We may have only acquainted ourselves with a half-god that is no god – a figment, a fade, a little “g” god that disappoints, fails, and is unable to deliver. Our faulty approach may reveal that we’ve created a non-god out of all our disappointments  with ourselves, others, the church and life.

If you regularly come before god with anger, with doubt, with anxiety and with _________, look up for a minute and realize that there’s no God there. You’ve got the wrong equipment and attitude.

You want to approach the Living God? The God of Redemption? The God of Salvation in Jesus Christ? Come before Him with singing, thanksgiving, praise and confidence.

That’s not to say that He doesn’t dwell with the brokenhearted and the contrite. He does. We don’t have to put on a false face of forced happiness. Rather, we clothe ourselves with humility (1 Peter 5.6) and trust (Proverbs 3.5) and come before Him with a new attitude. His perspective and knowledge is far grander than our own.

How do you come before God?

As a follower of Christ, I sense it all the time in conversations with others who a) are not a follower of Christ or b) are only a nominal Christian. It gets easier to detect the more contact you have with the person.

I usually notice it in the eyes. It’s a far-off look. A shift, a blink, a quick glance away. Sometimes I hear it in their voice or in their polite avoidance of topics of significance.

I’ve been marginalized.

You know what I’m talking about. It’s that feeling of being “labeled.” It can happen in any area of life for which you’re passionate. It’s how people deal with you. Heck, you do it to others. Typically, it’s how we relate with people that we may be a little uncomfortable with.

“He’s an Amway rep.” (or insert any other MLM company)

“She is a dog freak.”

“Uh-oh, here comes Mr. Granola. Don’t let him see the milk carton in your trash can.”

We label and compartmentalize people so that we can deal with them better. When we put them into a category, we marginalize them. When they’re marginalized, then their particular passion or interest has no effect on us. It’s been relegated to a file somewhere – to only be examined if we’re truly interested… later… if ever.

The problem with what we all do is that we miss out on truly relating with another person. And even if we’re not passionate about cloth diapers or homeschooling or pet adoption or the like, we can still relate and enjoy their part in the Grand Drama.

If everyone played the role I play, it would be a fantastic gig, but pretty short-lived, right? We desperately need to wide swath of colors, hues and views that other people’s passions paint on life’s canvas.

When we marginalize people, we force ourselves to see life in monotone.

Another danger in marginalization is that we may actually miss truth.

You see, when I sense that I’m being marginalized, it most often comes as a result of my joy in Jesus.

“Here comes the preacher…”

“He thinks he’s a real Christian…”

If Jeff Noble is being marginalized, that’s one thing. If the Gospel of Jesus Christ is marginalized, that’s an entirely other thing.

If you push truth to the side, if you relegate it to a mental file somewhere, if you stick it in a compartment… you essentially begin living half-life.

Even Jesus faced marginalization:

He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him.”

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

“You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.

Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6.65-68)

That’s the danger of marginalization. If you relegate an important/truthful message to some mental or digital graveyard, your world suddenly becomes only what you make it to be. You will suddenly begin living a life and reality that only you define. If you push the magnificent to the margins, you’ll discover at some point that your life page is bland – or even worse, blank. And if you choose to live in the margins, you’ll be ignoring the content that lies between them.

Rather than regurgitating my own notes from some of the other speakers at Catalyst, here are some links to their talks that have already been written about on other blogs. Just click on the image for the link.

Andy also opened up Catalyst with a great message which you can see summarized here.

One of the highlights of Catalyst for me was Chuck Swindoll’s message on Friday. I have been an appreciate follower of his as a pastor, author, leader at Dallas Theological Seminary and speaker on his radio show Insight for Living. One of my favorite, all-time books is his Grace Awakening.

He is one of those “elder statesmen” of the church that makes me pause and listen to what he says. He is consistently faithful to the biblical text while at the same time remaining eminently practical to applying its truth to life.

At Catalyst, he was presented with their Lifetime Achievement Award. It was a fitting honor for a humble leader.

The following are notes from his message to the crowd of 12K energetic, young (at heart) church planters, leaders and supposed innovators.

He began with a quote from Alan Redpath: “If God wants to do an impossible task, he will take an impossible person and crush them.” Swindoll echoed this by saying, “In all your dreams and enthusiasm, just leave room in your life for the crushing.”

This certainly hit home with me, and for the rest of his presentation, I was glued on his every word. He spoke with gracious humility mixed with apostolic authority.

10 things you need to know about leadership

1. It’s lonely to lead. Leadership involves tough decisions.
2. It’s dangerous to succeed – especially young in life. He said, “It’s rare for God to bring young men into vast areas of leadership.” If you’re under 30 and have experienced success in the church or ministry leadership, beware.
3. It’s hardest at home. That’s where the real you lives. No pretending there. Are you at your best at home, or does your family get leftovers? No one is applauding you at home saying, “Wow, Dad, you’re incredible!”
4. It’s essential to be real.
5. It’s painful to obey.
6. Brokenness and failure are necessary.
   Malcom Muggeridge says, “I can say with complete truthfulness that everything I have learned in my seventy-years in this world, everything that has truly enhanced and enlightened my existence, has been through affliction and not through happiness, whether pursued or attained. In other words, if it ever were to be possible to eliminate affliction from our earthly existence by means of some drug or other medical mumbo jumbo, as Aldous Huxley envisaged in Brave New World, the result would not be to make life delectable, but to make it too banal and trivial to be endurable. This, of course, is what the Cross signifies. And it is the Cross, more than anything else, that has called me inexorably to Christ.”
7. My attitude is more important then my actions. Swindoll said, “Some of you are getting hard to be around!”
8. Integrity eclipses image. What you’re doing is not a show!
9. God’s way is always better then my way. Our problem is that we’re too capable and can accomplish so much in the flesh. God cannot pour all of His riches into hands that are already full.
10. Christ-likeness begins and ends with humility.

Swindoll’s text was 2 Corinthians 4:5-7:

“For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”

The foundational principle he drew from this was: We should be willing to leave the familiar methods without disturbing the biblical message.

He went on to describe the difference between traditionalism and tradition:

• Traditionalism: the dead faith of those still living
• Tradition: living faith of those now dead

He made three important observations about the text:

1. With every ministry, a special mercy is needed.
2. In every ministry the same things must be renounced and rejected

• Hiding shameful things
• Doing deceitful things
• Corrupting truthful things

3. Through every ministry, a unique style should be pursued.

• We don’t need to promote ourselves.
• We declare Christ Jesus as Lord.
• We see ourselves as bondservants of Jesus Christ.
• We never forget what we are… And who He is.

He concluded his ministry to us at Catalyst with “5 statements for your next 50 years in ministry:”

1. Whatever you do, do more with others and less alone.
2. Emphasize quality not quantity.
3. Wherever you go, do it the same as if you were among those who know you. (It will keep you from exaggerating.)
4. Whoever may respond, keep a level head (whether you’re worshiped or crucified).
5. However long you lead, keep on dripping with gratitude and grace.

Note: Thanks to Tim Schraeder for allowing me to use the above graphic.

I returned from Catalyst 2009 late Friday-early Saturday with my church staff, and I wanted to post some quick reflections on the experience. I’ve been wanting to attend for 9 years, and finally made it this year to celebrate its 10th birthday.

I know of no other event that seeks to honor Christ and elevate joy as much as Catalyst. There were incredible moments of tear-jerking spirituality – such as when one man was brought on stage to promote Compassion International. He had been supporting kids through CI for 12 years. The Catalyst staff then surprised him by bringing up on stage a young man from Africa – one of the kids he had been supporting for years. It was the first time they’d ever met in person. The two fell to their knees in a sobbing, joyful embrace of love and overwhelming emotion.

On the other hand, another Guiness Book record was broken as Professor Splash jumped from a 35′9″ platform into a foot of water in a kiddie pool.

There was a impact-laden lineup of Christ-centered speakers and ministers that included the likes of Andy Stanley, Francis Chan, Dave Ramsey, Matt Chandler, Chuck Swindoll and Priscilla Schirer. These gracious leaders urged us to turn from sin, consumerism and shallow thinking.

Then there was the 10-minute football fight that literally looked like snow as the 12,000 participants launched mini inflatable footballs at each other and a group of kids wearing football uniforms on the stage. This preceded the introduction of Tony Dungy and his clear, unequivocal and humble talk that demonstrated how one can walk with Christ and ego-addicts at the same time.

We were challenged and exposed to the depth of need for ministry and intercession as we learned about the 143 million orphans in our world (check out 143million.org) and alternatively, we laughed our heads off at the inane videos of theme interpretation of “On Your Mark.” Two of the Catalyst staffers created some of the most Jackass-like videos with the tagline “That’s gonna leave a mark.”

Catalyst 2009 was both a circus and a sanctuary.

It was the best of times and the worst of times.

Considering that Dave Ramsey’s group co-sponsored the event and then gave out 6000 free t-shirts promoting Financial Peace also left one wondering about the mixed message.

While thousands drank the Catalyst Koolaid without question, thousands also whispered in private conversations over Rwandan coffee about the confusing message of Christ, sheer entertainment, consumerism and selfless service.

One was left wondering at times, should we be more focused and less fun? Is it sinful to have a great time – especially considering the suffering of other saints? Are we magnifying the frivolous at the altar of edgy?

Yet… the moments of worship that transcended frivolity were plentiful. The humility evidenced by most of the speakers was tangible. The name of Christ was consistently magnified, and some of His most unnoticed servants – adoptive parents – were given honor and attention. Andy Stanley spoke on areas of leadership so desperately needed by the younger generation of Christian wanna-be’s.

In these hours of near-reflection, I am both grateful and embarrassed that I was able to participate. I am not critical of Catalyst. Rather, I’m challenged by it. Truly, its name is appropriate.

I’ll be posting some thoughts later on some of the messages I heard. Three of them deeply ministered to me. Stay tuned…

In my line of “work,” I get to hear incredible stories of how people found God… or where they were when they realized God was looking for them. In Christian circles, we call this our “testimony.” Basically, it’s our Jesus-story. It’s how we share the tale of our spiritual surrender to the love of God in Jesus.

I count myself with others who marvel at stories of those whose coming to Jesus involved blood, alcohol, drugs, sex, astronauts and hostile takeovers. My own faith journey is so quiet in comparison. Yet it’s no less significant. Neither is yours – wherever you may count yourself on a continuum of faith.

In Judah, God is known; His name is great in Israel… Glorious are you… You are to be feared.” (Psam 76.1,4,7)

As a pastor, it is my earnest hope that my life and our church contribute and enhance God’s fame in our cities, campuses and homes. The difficult part of yearning for a better testimony – one that is more engaging, compelling, dramatic and gripping – is the extremes one must face and endure to get it.

I was at a coffee shop the other day where a man seemed compelled to share his opinion on everything ranging from politics to Christianity. He was extremely passionate and creative as he did so. I think he covered every known English profanity that I could possibly think of. I was also uniquely unimpressed by his churlish insistence on talking about male body parts. Out loud. Often.

As he opined on why Christians are narrow-minded idiots with a hapless seatmate, I couldn’t help but listen and marvel at the faith story this man could have should he find the joy he so desperately needs in Jesus Christ.

“He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing.” (Proverbs 29.1)

According to the verse above, the Lord doesn’t keep beating his grace against a wall. As kind as God is, there is a point at which He simply withdraws and allows a soul to choose its own path. Unfortunately for all those who attempt to do so… it’s a hot one.

I’m so grateful that my mild-mannered Clark-Kentish testimony exists. God found me. I responded to Him in simple faith. My life has not been perfect. Neither has it been worthless.

What about your testimony? How did God find you? What means did He use to graciously turn your head? Or was it a stern warning?

Before you crave a super-shiny-cool testimony and consider yours an inglorious one, think about where you could be without Christ. Perhaps sitting in a coffee shop over a life so close to hell that it’s not the coffee that’s steaming.

Psalm 67.1-2 says,

“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face to shine upon us, that Your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.”

Is the writer asking for blessing for God’s people selfishly? I think not. He gives the reason “that Your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.” He is essentially asking God for blessing so that others might notice the blessed and return glory to the Blesser.

This particular invocation echoes the priestly blessing in Numbers 6.24-26:

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.”

The idea of blessing – of receiving prescribed favor – from the hand of the Lord is an indescribably good feeling. It lifts the hearts and eyes of people off their present situation and implants a holy possibility within them. It makes a rebel pause with wonder, “If only that blessing could be real…”

The priests in Numbers had the authority of God behind the blessing.

“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘Thus shall you bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them…’” (v22-23)

I recently heard of a campus ministry in the northeast who set up a “Blessing Booth” at a local event that celebrated wicca. They dressed as monks and offered a blessing and prayer for those in attendance at the event who stopped by their booth. Many thought it was a joke, but those that stopped and inquired and agreed to be blessed were then prayed for passionately and lovingly. A deep, fervent desire for that person to truly know and experience the love of God was prayed over their life.

Whether you agree with this ministry methodology or not, the greatest way that any person can be blessed is by knowing Jesus Christ as God and Lord of their life. By desiring that another person be truly blessed, you should desire that they fall truly in love with God through Jesus Christ.

The idea of blessing others is not asking for God’s favor in disregard of a person’s sinfulness. Rather, it’s in spite of a person’s sinfulness. It magnifies the love and grace of the Father. In such a way, the desired result is that by drowning a person in unmerited love and favor, they may learn to swim in faith.

So next time you are asking for God to bless you, remember that He delights to do so. Ultimately, His blessing comes so that others will regard the blessed and praise the Blesser. And when we pray that others might experience blessing, there is no higher blessing than loving and being loved by the One True God as revealed in Jesus Christ.

I read this week in Psalm 65 about the designer line that God has unveiled on the runway of the earth:

You crown the year with your bounty;
your wagon tracks overflow with abundance.
The pastures of the wilderness overflow,
the hills gird themselves with joy,
the meadows clothe themselves with flocks,
the valleys deck themselves with grain,
they shout and sing together for joy.. (v11-13)

I meditated on the colorful and descriptive language that Poet-King David used to describe the scenes he had so often feasted upon ocularly. Phrases like “overflow with abundance… hills gird themselves with joy… meadows clothe themselves with flocks… valleys deck themselves with grain…” all speak to the magnificent excess of praise that the Father so worthily receives from Creation. Who hasn’t been overwhelmed with a scene of unspeakable natural wonder? My family had the opportunity earlier this year to view Mt. McKinley from a distance, and it was simply stunning.

To consider how God has so carefully and beautifully adorned the created world is one thing. To drink deeply of His careful consideration of our lives is another. We tend to doubt His awareness of our needs and concerns. We tend to drink too deeply of worry and anxiety’s wells.

Yet Jesus – perhaps in reflecting of the majestic truths in places like Psalm 65 – reminds us in Matthew 6:

But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6.30-33)

Visions of creation’s clothing should encourage us for the Creator’s care. The valleys have nothing on us. While they are decked with grain, we are robed with salvation. If we neglect to praise Him for His love; however, Jesus hinted that the Creation will grow noisy with praise. (“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” Luke 19.40)

Let us rejoice in the clothing of creation. Its fashion line hints at the abundant love of the Father for those who trust in Christ Jesus.

“I love the house where you live, O Lord, the place where your glory dwells.” Psalm 26.8

“One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.” Psalm 27.4

From my early teen years I have been stunned continuously to discover the inclinations of my heart toward God. I love the Lord and His ways. He is the light and supreme meaning of my life. I did not cultivate this thirst on my own. Rather, it came from outside me and seems to be my very soul’s desire to seek and know God. I say that not pridefully but humbly. When I’m at my very best as a man, I am led to the Source of All Life. When I’m not, I seek to quench my life thirst in the offal of this world.

For more than 20 years now (I’ll pridefully be ambiguous about my age), I have been surprised by the Lord’s graciously consistent call on my heart. He is good, kind, and beautiful. I agree wholeheartedly with David the Shepherd King.

I take refuge in Christ’s love – often to an unhealthy extent. Let me explain that.

It’s very possible for me to lose myself in biblical study or meditations on God and musings about His church. I can retreat into His lap and ignore the world with ease. It’s at times like those that I sense the Father lovingly receiving me, but His silence becomes preponderous. It’s as if He holds me but does not comfort me.

I’ve come to realize that my place is in the world – as much as I desire to be in His temple. He does not allow His people to dwell in the Holy of Holies indefinitely. His glory is too great to simply be gawked at. He desires for His people to enjoy Himself and to spread that enjoyment to a world that still knows only a meal of offal. A banquet of grace awaits them, and it’s our highest privilege to be spiritual waiters.

In fact, I find after being gently “punted” back into the world after times of spiritual introspection that I discover more of God’s heart and will as I interact in His world than I do when I think I’m in the “place His glory dwells.”

It’s not just special “holy” places that God works and appears.

“The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” Psalm 24.1

I was looking through my writing folder on my computer where I keep ideas for blog entries or articles and came across one titled “Goals after death.” “What in the world possessed me to write such a thing?” I wondered. The entry was dated February 9, 2004, and for whatever reason, I must have heard a sermon or read something that challenged me to create the following:

• 10 friends at funeral who won’t look at watch (I know this isn’t original because I’ve heard it elsewhere.)
• People to tell my children that their father loved God not flesh.
• Look wife in face and say I’ve been faithful.
• Be thoroughly used by God.

I’m supremely honored and humbled that the Lord broke through my stubborn and self-determined plans when I was 21 to call me to serve His people. As I often tell our church, at that time I put my “yes” on the table for Christ, and it has remained there to this day. He has the perfect right, and it’s my ultimate joy to follow as He directs.

There was a young preacher in the New Testament named Timothy who must have experienced some of that joy as he received a charge from his mentor, Paul. Timothy was urged to do precisely what cost the Paul and the other apostles their lives: “Preach the Word!” (2 Timothy 4.2)

I can’t help but read the New Testament and marvel at and drink enviously of the first century Christ-followers’ passion for the Gospel. Their goal seemed to be: Full-out, finish strong, fight to the end.

In one of my favorite movies of all time, William Wallace in Braveheart utters, “Give me the strength to die well.”

While William Wallace lived and fought for the freedom of Scotland, the epic struggle raging for spiritual freedom has been fought throughout time by ordinary men and women. They have never had movies made of them. Hebrews 11.35-40 records about these unnamed, persevering saints:

Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

To further contrast with our own attitudes, the apostle Paul also saw his death as an act of worship. He said, “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.” (2 Timothy 4.6). He understood that the highest level of worship to offer to God is dying for one’s faith.

Justin Martyr (100-165 AD) said, “If you want to know if what we believe is true, then watch the way we die.”

Paul had lived his life as an act of worship (“fought the good fight”). Herein we must ask, “Is my life a life of worship? Would my death be a sacrifice of worship?” God doesn’t call you to fight without calling you to finish. One of our greatest concerns for the church today should be that we burn up before we burn out.

Yet there are too many of us who are barely flickering. As I shared in my sermon this past week, the name “Jesus” must cross our lips in conversation with our community. We cannot play charades any longer and hope they guess that we’re acting like “Christians.” It’s not enough to sing Christian songs, go the right churches, wear the right clothes, listen to the right podcasts or read the “in” books. Too much input has led us to spiritual constipation. Most of us desperately need a gospel laxative.

Voddie Baucham said, “For 17 months after I became a Christian, I didn’t know that Christians weren’t supposed to witness.” He sadi this in reference to the sad truth that the church he attended and the Christians he associated with during that first year and a half of following Christ were tragically silent about their Savior.

Have we “gotten over it?” In a desperate yet majestic prayer of repentance, David sorrowfully begged the Lord, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (Psalm 51.12) Perhaps we too need to humbly cry out to the Lord at the realization that our joy, our enthusiasm, our hope has been all but snuffed out in this culture of materialistic self-dependency.

Reflecting over those goals after death makes me hope that I will pray that God will help me long for heaven – not just for myself but for all with whom God might kindly give me influence. And may the name of Jesus cross my lips… and my keyboard.. often.

Since I was 7 years old, Jesus Christ has been my light and my hope. He has done great things for me, my family and all those who put their trust in Him. He is the hope of the world. May you find hope in Him as well. The church that Jesus established was to be the light of the world. The image was of a lamp – with its wick lit and trimmed, it was set on a lamp stand to light the way for others. Let us burn up before we burn out.

Every now and then we all get “hung up” in our prayer life. We are deeply thirsty for intimate communion with our Father, but our words seem like a helpless rehash of yesterday’s grocery list. We find ourselves repeating phrases that we have always voiced. We regretfully admit that our prayers are more pitiful than passionate.

One wonderful approach that I’ve found to renew and assist my prayer life is simply to pray some of the prayers of scripture. Besides the Psalms, there are literally 100s of deeply moving prayers – many of which we know God answered. Perhaps as we attune our hearts to the heart cries of others from scripture, we will find that our prayer lives are changed and our spiritual pump becomes primed once again.

Here are some helpful beginning points from the New Testament:

Ephesians 1.16-18: I have not stopped giving thanks for them, remembering them in my prayers. I keep asking that you, oh God of our Lord Jesus Christ, our glorious Father, may give them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that they may know You better.  I pray also that the eyes of their hearts may be enlightened in order that they may know the hope to which You have called them, the riches of Your glorious inheritance in the saints,

Philippians 1.9-11: And this is my prayer: that their love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,  so that they may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,  filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ — for Your glory and praise.

Colossians 1.9-14: Oh God, help me to consistently pray for them without ceasing and to keep asking You to fill them with the knowledge of Your will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.  And I pray this in order that they may live a life worthy of You and may please You in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in their knowledge of You,  being strengthened with all power according to Your glorious might so that they may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to You, for qualifying them to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.  For You have rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of Your Son that You love,  in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

John 17.9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

John 17.20-23: My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in You through their message, May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

2 Corinthians 13.7-9: Now I pray that they will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that we will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed …our prayer is for their perfection.

Ephesians 3.16-19: I pray that out of Your glorious riches that You may strengthen them with power through Your Spirit in their inner beings,  so that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith. And I pray that they will be rooted and established in love, and will have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,  and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that they may be filled to the measure of all of Your fullness.

Colossians 4.3-4: And I pray for me, too, that You would open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ.  I pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

2 Thessalonians 1.11-12: With this in mind, I constantly pray for them, that You, our God, may count them worthy of Your calling, and that by Your power, that You would fulfill every good purpose that they have and every act prompted by their faith.  I pray this so that the name of the Lord Jesus may be glorified in them, and them in You, according to Your grace oh God, and that of the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 3.1-2: Finally, I pray that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored.  And I pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.

Philemon 1.6 I pray that they would be active in sharing their faith, so that they will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.

Jude 1.20 And I pray that they would build themselves up in their most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.

Try praying one or more of these earnestly for yourself, your church, and the people of God around the world. You may be surprised how praying God’s Word will reform your prayer life and refine your spiritual focus.

Sundown Friday. In years long before my own ancestry can be traced, a man’s body was removed from rough wooden poles before dusk. For religious reasons, the body must be buried before dark. He was dead, certainly. A staggeringly unusual death. Drama. Political intrigue. Controversy. Desertion.

In only six hours, a man hailed as the nation’s next King-Deliverer was no longer preaching or healing. He was simply… dead. As were the dreams and hopes of all who had dared imagine that this man, this strange man, from a ridiculed backwater village offered more than just welfare. He had claimed to offer life.

Unceremoniously, he was urgently thrust into a new tomb. The gathering dark even prevented proper annointing. Women would return later to properly prepare his body. Friday night signaled the Sabbath’s beginning, however. It would be no sensational worship event. Jesus was dead.

As I pause to reflect on this “Good” Friday, I am sobered by the truth that it is only good because through Christ, I am now good. His death meant my forgiveness. His sacrifice meant my salvation.

In the soaring chorus of Nothing But the Blood, there is a line that I am today cherishing:

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

When Horatio Spafford wrote these lines in the early 1870s, he was suffering the loss of his children on a transatlantic voyage. In fact, his wife survived the crash of two vessels and telegrammed back to him these words: “Saved alone.”

As he traveled to join her, he was notified when his ship passed over the location of the shipwreck that killed his children. It was on that ship that the above words were penned, along with the astonishing chorus:

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

On this silent night, with gathered dark threatening victory over all souls so many years ago, I for one am grateful that God was not inactive. Rather, He was purchasing for Himself the souls of all who would through faith trust in Christ alone.

My sins, not in part, but the whole… They are thrown as far as the east is from the west! Allelujah. Truly. May Christ be praised.

Such joyful truth has prompted John Piper to write the following entry on this Good Friday:

CHRISTIAN:

Hello, Death, my old enemy. My old slave-master. Have you come to talk to me again? To frighten me?

I am not the person you think I am. I am not the one you used to talk to. Something has happened. Let me ask you a question, Death.

Where is your sting?

DEATH, sneeringly:

My sting is your sin.

CHRISTIAN:

I know that, Death. But that’s not what I asked you. I asked, where is your sting? I know what it is. But tell me where it is.

Why are you fidgeting, Death? Why are you looking away? Why are you turning to go? Wait, Death, you have not answered my question. Where is your sting?

Where is, my sin?

What? You have no answer? But, Death, why do you have no answer? How will you terrify me, if you have no answer?

O Death, I will tell you the answer. Where is your sting? Where is my sin? It is hanging on that tree. God made Christ to be sin—my sin. When he died, the penalty of my sin was paid. The power of it was broken. I bear it no more.

Farewell, Death. You need not show up here again to frighten me. God will tell you when to come next time. And when you come, you will be his servant. For me, you will have no sting.

O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)

It’s not just my sin. It’s yours too – the whole. Victory in Jesus, our Savior forever…

Go to church this Easter.