Friday, December 21, 2012

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star How I Wonder Where You Are: Daddy, do kindergartners go to heaven?

Sandy Hook Elementary School

I sat down on my couch around 8:30 pm exhausted from teaching 7th and 8th graders how to live and breathe and have their being in the fundamentals of math, science, history, etc.  I had just dropped off my oldest two children at a school function.  A few of the teachers thought it would be fun to have a Christmas pajama party for K-5th graders; making cookies and crafts and watching Polar Express.  I did not give it a second thought.  That is, until I opened my lap-top and read the headline, "20 children Massacred in School Shooting."

I read the article and found that in Newton, Connecticut  a twenty year old man shot his mother multiple times and then went to Sandy Hook Elementary School and slaughtered twenty kindergartners and six adults.  Then, in real heroic fashion, he turned the gun on himself, leaving a wake of terror, grief, and calamity across the nation.

This hit close to home.  I am an educator.  I interact with children like these everyday.  I have four children of my own, all who are around the same age.  At this point in our lives most of our friends have children this age.  This could have easily been us.  We could be wrestling with everything that comes when evil burst forth in creation attacking God's image in man (Genesis 1:27); which is what murder does in any case.  It just seems more heinous when it happens to children.

I resisted the urge to leave immediately and get my children.  Instead, I opted to talk to Stacy about it.  Eventually, I had to pick them up and eventually they would hear about what happened.  As their father, it is my responsibility to give them direction and a framework to deal with their feelings and to help foster their faith in Christ when they encounter evil and tragedy.

Innocence Gives Way To Brokenness

It was providential that we somewhat dealt with this a few weeks ago when we miscarried our child.  I gave them six truths from Psalm 139 about God in times of trials and tribulation (Monkeys and Miscarriages:  Daddy, why is mommy not having a baby any more?).  I decided to revisit these truths again and discuss them with the children over the weekend.

By the following night, my children had learned most of the details on the school shooting via the radio.  As usual  we read our bible and said our bedtime prayers.  I was intentional in praying for the Sandy Hook families.  After I was done, my oldest daughter asked a revealing question...one I was not fully prepared to answer; "Daddy, do kindergartners go to heaven?"

It was a totally appropriate question for her because she is only three grades removed from kindergarten. She has a common connection with these children.  She has siblings the same age as some of those who were slain.  She passes children like that in the hallway all the time.  In some ways, she can put a face to the victims, maybe she even pictured herself as one.  Maybe, what she was really asking was, "Would I go to heaven if I died right now?"

Talk about heart breaking.  I was struck back for a moment.  My daughter is contemplating her own death.  A part of her innocence has given way to the reality of our brokenness and mortality (Genesis 3:14-17).  She is moving away from her youthful naivety, into a more mature understanding of the consequence of sin, the certainty of death, and the hope we have in Christ.  The sting of the death of those children in Connecticut was radiating in the heart of my daughter, and she was looking for something to take it away.  After sixty seconds of contemplation, I gave her an answer.  But before I get to that, I want to share a few positions on the matter.  I briefly thought of these three perspectives as I was trying to put together a response to Naomi's question.

Baptism and Saving Grace: A Catholic Perspective

Monsignor Robert Weiss, pastor of St. Rose Lime Catholic Church of Newton, CT offered comfort to his community by saying, "There are twenty brighter stars in the heavens."  He is of course insinuating that the children are in heaven looking down on us.  The Roman Catholic Church holds that children need to be baptized by a priest because it is a means of God's grace for salvation.  The act of baptism causes regeneration.  The church bestows saving grace on people and it needs to be administered to all.  Ludwig Ott says quite pointedly, "Baptism by water...is, since the promulgation of the gospel, necessary for all men without exception for salvation (pg 356 "Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma").  According to this perspective, since the child received regeneration via the church through baptism, he or she would be safe in the arms of Christ if he/she died.  Moreover,  if a child is not baptized, traditionally speaking, the child is in limbo and is dependent on the mercy of God. (To see more on this you can read The Hope of Salvation for Infants Who Die Without Being Baptized)  The "bright stars" comment is vague enough to capture the essence of the doctrine.

In contrast to this view, scripture clearly says that salvation is by faith alone.  "It is by grace you have been saved, through faith; and this is not of your own doing, it is a free gift of God- not because of your works, unless any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8).   Paul explains that the free gift is eternal life in Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).  Moreover, baptism is taught as an act after one receives the word of God in faith. Acts 2:41, says that "those who received his word were baptized."  The implication here is that they trusted in Christ and then were baptized.  When Phillip preached the gospel  in Samaria, "they believed the good news about the kingdom of God and in the name of the Lord Jesus they were baptized" (Acts 8:12).  Also consider Acts 10:44-46; 47-48; Acts 16:14-15; 16:32-33; 1 Corinthians 1:16.  In regards to limbo, the bible does not speak of such a place.

Age of Accountability:  A Southern Comfort 

Dr. Lemke at New Orleans Baptist Seminary, in an article in the SBC Today "Distinctive Baptist Beliefs  Nine Marks that Separate Baptist From Presbyterians", said that the age of accountability is a distinctive Baptist belief.    He goes on to explain that the age of accountability reflects the child's ability to make moral decisions.  At this age, or "state of being" as Lemke notes, the child becomes aware of his/her sinfulness and the consequences of remaining in an unregenerative state.  There is no specific age.  Southern Baptist recognize that each child matures at a different age and therefore it is left for the church and parents to discern if the child understands.

There is some biblical justification for God regenerating infants.  John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb (Luke 1:15).  In a similar example, David says, "Since my mother bore me you have been my God" (Psalm 22:10).  Though this is not the usual way for God to save people, it does seem to imply that He can bring regeneration to an infant.

John Piper has argued that Romans 1:19-20 offers hope to parents who have lost a baby.  Romans 1:19-20 says that God and His attributes have been made known to mankind through creation, and those who can perceive creation are without excuse.  Since a child, particularly a baby, cannot perceive nature, sin, grace, holiness, and the such, they have an excuse.  Any person who does not have the mental ability to comprehend God's attributes in creation would fall into this category as well.

I am sympathetic to this perspective.  However, I see several hurdles to overcome.  First, the bible is clear about the inherited universal sinfulness of mankind and God's judgement on sinners (Psalm 14:3; Psalm 143:2; 1 Kings 8:46; Proverbs 20:9 Romans 3:9-10; Romans 3:23; James 3:2; 1 John 1:8-10). We are all born in our trespasses (Ephesians 2:1) and in need of redemption (Ephesians 2:3-8).  Second,  The bible does teach that babies are sinners in need of regeneration.  David said he was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin his mother conceived him (Psalm 51:5).  In Psalm 58:3, it says that the wicked go astray from the womb, they error from their birth.  Though the two examples mentioned above do show God regenerating an infant, the bible clearly shows that this is the exception not the rule.  Finally, the age of accountability is subjective.  The bible does not give any clear direction or indication of when a child reaches an age of understanding.  And frankly, in America, it seems that the age of accountability does not really apply to any Evangelical's child.  They kind of get there by default.

It Is By Grace You Are Saved...Not Your Perceived Innocence

Finally, I think it is worth mentioning that hell is not a popular subject in America these days.  We live in a culture that holds onto a veneer of Christianity; nice and shiny on the outside, but hard as wood on the inside.  Or better yet, American Christianity is like a buffet, we pick and choose the things we like about Christ and reject the rest.  Hell is definitely a dish that is rarely, if ever, served.  The reason for this is because we have rejected the notion of sin, especially personal sin against a righteous God.  In our culture hell is not a reality because sin is not a reality.  It might be well to note a correlation of our current societal morality and how our society struggles to call what happened at Sandy Hook an act of evil.

It would seem hard for anyone in America, maybe including myself,  to fathom God sending a child to hell.  This would  be and indictment against our understanding of God's justice and righteousness.  For Him to do so would affirm that all are sinners regardless of age, or race, or citizenship, or perceived innocence, and that salvation is by His saving grace alone.

Sovereign Hands of God

After about sixty seconds I gave Naomi an answer.  I reminded her that God is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and rich in faithful love and truth to a thousand generations; forgiving wrong doing, rebellion, and sin...(Exodus 34:7).  I also explained that God is sovereign over every life that has existed and ever will exist (Psalm 139:10-17), and there is no place that I would want you or any child than in the faithful, all-knowing, omnipotent hands of our sovereign God.  Though I do not know what happens to a child when they die, I do know that God does and I trust that He knows they have perished and will do what is right and perfect.

After I was done, Naomi simply said, "Yes sir."  Her eyes gazed at the floor for a moment before she rolled onto her back.  I stood there for a second contemplating if my answer was sufficient for her.  I wanted to add more to what I said, but at that point I would have just rambled.  I have to trust the Lord that the answer will do for now.

I have to admit, when I look up at the night sky I am reminded of Monsignor Weiss's words.  And I can see where a parent would find comfort in believing that their child is looking down on them while sitting in the lap of God.  On the other hand, when I look at the stars in the sky I am reminded of the God spoke every star into existence.  He is not left wondering where they are...He put them exactly in their place and knows them all by name.




Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Miscarriages & Monkies: Why is mommy not having a baby anymore daddy?

I woke up Saturday morning to children harassing each other over Frosted Mini Wheat Cereal and Dora the Explorer.  It was a typical Saturday morning except for the fact that the night before we were told by an ER doctor that we had lost our baby.  Stacy was approximately eleven weeks pregnant.  She began showing a little bleeding mid Friday afternoon.  That evening the doctor did a cervix exam and ordered an ultra sound and blood-work.  Her cervix checked out fine but her ultra sound was a different story.

We had gone to the seminary doctor five weeks prior and were given the opportunity to see the baby's heart beating.  It was amazing.  When I saw the heart of my child beating on the screen it almost seemed as if my heart raced to keep up with it.  I was flooded with excitement, pride, love, hope, joy, and every other emotion that comes with being an expectant father.  You would think after four children you would get use to it.  I remember being so astonished at the work of God in creating life.

Needless to say, the second ultra sound did not prove to be as inviting.  As I mentioned before, I have four children.  I have seen several ultrasounds.  I am no expert by any means but I know what a heart beat looks like, and I did not see one.  I looked anxiously at the screen to see if I could make out anything, all the while keeping a straight face so not to invite fear in Stacy.  She could not see the ultrasound and was trying to read my face for a verdict.  With a bit of panic she asked me what I saw.  Truthfully, the only thing I could tell her was that I was not sure.  I had a hunch, though.

The doctor came in about an hour later.  He told us that Stacy's hormone levels were not where they should be for being eleven weeks pregnant.  The size of the baby was only eight weeks and there was no sign of a heart beat.  Considering that fact that we saw a heart beat at six weeks the doctor concluded that the baby had stopped developing and was dead.  Being that the baby was only eight weeks in size, Stacy's body would more than likely take care of things naturally (Unfortunately, this did not happen.  I will have to post another blog to explain it.).  Again, another phenomenal testimony of the complexity and sufficiency of human beings created in God's image, but an experience I would wish on no one.  There is something tragically surreal about having to flush down the toilet the remains of a child you'd hoped to love and raise up in the Lord.

What makes this more disheartening is that we made a big deal about being pregnant to our children.  We loaded the clan into the mini-van and went to Build-a-Bear.  All of the children were given a stuffed monkey when they were babies. Stacy and I thought it would be cool to tell the children about the baby by making a stuffed monkey and seeing if they could guess why we would need another one.  To make it even better, we took a picture of all the children sitting on a bench in sequential order holding their monkey and their birth number; Naomi was one, Ethan was two, Abigail was three, Abram was four, and the monkey was five.  It was a remarkable picture.  We posted it on Facebook to let everyone know we were expecting.  Oddly enough, the monkey and the picture serve as reminder of a baby that will not come.

I laid in bed for a few moments thinking about how I was going to lead my family through this experience.  I settled on making a big breakfast; pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice, etc, and discussing it with them at the table.  We do most of our family discussions at the table.  I rounded everyone for breakfast, said the blessing, and started with normal cordial conversation.  With a small prayer, I jumped in and asked for everyone's attention.  I glanced at my plate for a second, putting my thoughts and words in order, looked into the eyes of my children, and told them that mommy was no longer having a baby. The chitter-chatter that comes with small children at the breakfast table stopped.  Stacy and Naomi were visibly upset.  Ethan put his head down to think about what I had just said, and Abram just, well, kept on being Abram.  As far as he was concerned, his food was getting cold and he had a trike calling his name after breakfast.

Abigail threw us a curve ball.  With her head down, she pushed herself back from the table and walked upstairs to her room.  We could hear her crying.  Not very loud, just a touch of whimpering.  After a few moments she came back down stairs and sat in her mommy's lap and asked about the monkey.  "What are we going to do with the monkey mommy?" she asked quietly.  Stacy and I asked the same question.  What do you do with a sentimental gift that was meant someone who we will never meet?  We did not have an immediate answer.   She looked at me and asked, "Why is mommy not having a baby?"  Here is the million dollar question; and knowing Abigail, she was looking for a million dollar answer.

There are are two truths that umbrella this question.  First, God is in the heavens and He does what He pleases (Psalm 115:3).  That is, the universe is under His sovereign control and is guided by his all-knowing, absolute, uncompromising power.  God is the sole owner of everything in this universe (Psalm 50:7-15).  There is not a star in the universe that He does not call by name (Isaiah 40:26).  The sun obediently rises and sets at His command (Jeremiah 31:35).  The seasons come and go at His bidding (Genesis 8:22).  Kings and presidents are built up and torn down at His good pleasure (Daniel 2:21-22). He is the giver and taker of all life (Psalm 139:14-17; Job 1:21).

Second, we live in a broken world.  In Genesis 3:14-17, God curses the world for the rebellion of Adam and Eve.  Sin entered the world through their treason and brought death and destruction.  God told Eve that her womb would be broken.  Not only would she experience tremendous pain in child bearing, but death would also wreak havoc on her children; in and out of the womb.  Miscarriages are a part of the fall.

One of my responsibilities as a parent is to give my children a framework that helps them work through life's trials.  I do not have all of the answers.  In many situations, they will not be given a direct answer as to why something happened.  However, God has given us truths about Himself and about the world we live in that helps guide our thinking and comfort our soul in the midst of uncertainty and hurt.  There are six truths about God I gave my children to hold onto when they are troubled with wondering why mommy is not having a baby anymore.  All of them came from Psalm 139.

1.  God is sovereign (Psalm 139:1-6).  The text reminds us that there is not a word on our tongue that God does not know before hand (Psalm 139:4).  He knows our thoughts before we think them (Psalm 139:2).  He encircles around us.  Nothing can happen to us unless God gives His permission (Psalm 139:5).  Who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor; for from Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things (Romans 11:33-36).

2.  Nothing can escape His presence (Psalm 139:7-12).  There is no place on this earth (in or out of the womb), in this universe, or in heaven or in hell, where God does not say, "Here I am."  God is always aware, attentive, and acting for His glory and our joy.

3.  God creates life (Psalm 139: 13-16).  We all know the science behind how a baby is made.  The bible also makes clear that God is there in the womb creating, knitting, fashioning, a wonderful and remarkable life created in His image (Genesis 1:27).

4.  God numbers our days (Psalm 139:16).  The text tells us that our days are numbered and written in a book.  Some of us will live eighty years on this earth.  Others will perish weeks after conception.  Our baby was allowed to live in the womb approximately eight weeks.  Some would say that eight weeks in a uterus is not much of a life.  I would beg to differ.  My life is forever changed because of this child.  Because of the life of this child I have found a deeper intimacy with God, His church, and my family.  Because of the life of this child people are actively hearing and testifying to the glory and significance of our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Because the life of this child some are reading this blog right now and are being encouraged in the gospel.  For only living eight weeks in the womb, the child has done much for the kingdom of God.

5.  God is incomprehensible (Psalm 139:17-18).  God is vast and His thoughts are beyond our finite understanding.  He is eternal. It will take an eternity to scratch the surface of the mystery and complexity of our creator.  Nevertheless, He gives us His name and desires to be known.  He wants to know us and be with us.  His incomprehensibility does not prohibit his intimacy with us.  Even though David cannot understand the intricacies of Yahweh, he stills says, "I am with You." (Psalm 139: 18)

All of that being said, the question for us is not "why" this happened.  We know that part of God's sovereignty entails Him being omniscient.  Our faith is in the fact that He knows why things happen; namely because He ordains them.  The better question for us is, "How are we going to draw closer to God through this trial?  How are we going to be made more like Christ through trials and tribulations?  How will we learn to love our neighbor as our self?  How will we seek to uphold life in our culture?  Even more so, how will we embrace the gospel as Christ as embraced us?"  The answer to these questions will produce more fruit and more faith in our lives, in our church, and in our community than wondering "why."

6.  God is merciful.  Repent and seek the way of everlasting (Psalm 139: 19-24)  All who are born of Adam are sinners.  All of us are hostile to God and refuse to submit to His law (Romans 8:7-8)  We all walk in the flesh carrying out our evil desires. We are by nature children of wrath (Ephesians 2:3). However, by His grace He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins.  In doing this, He offers a way of reconciliation.  Those who embrace Christ move from being sons and daughters of wrath to sons and daughters of His inheritance (Ephesians 1:1-14).  Anytime we are faced with death we should remember that sin brings death; not only physical death but also eternal separation from our Creator.  It is by God's mercy that we are alive.  It is by His grace that we are hearing his word and have the opportunity to respond and accept his forgiveness.  Therefore, I encourage you to ask God to search you and know your heart.  Test your motives and see if there is something that is sitting on the rightful throne of God in your heart.  Death has a way of giving one strength to crush superficial idols.

With these six truths I hope my children will have a better understanding of the world they live in, the life they are called to, and the God whom they serve.  I cannot promise them that something like this will never happen again.  Actually, I can almost guarantee that more trials are on the horizon.  What I am certain of is that these six truths about God will give them everything they will need for navigating through life's difficulties.  Even more so, it will help them to do it with a heart of thankfulness and hope.  They will know that every ounce of pain will serve the purpose of a good and kind God who is working out His glory and their joy.  It will help them to work through the sadness of a miscarriage, hold onto the monkey in hope, and testify the goodness of King Jesus.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Marriage: Four Things I Have learned in Ten Years of Marriage


Tell Me No Lies and Keep Your Hands to Yourself

Gary Thomas wrote a book called "Sacred Marriage."  He writes the book on the premise that marriage is primarily about your sanctification.  In short he says, "Marriage is more about your holiness than it is about your happiness." I believe this statement is true.  Don't get me wrong, I am happily married and hope to stay that way until the Lord brings me home.  At the same time, I have to tell you after ten years of marriage it has not been all happy.  Stacy and I have had our moments, times of despair, maybe even hopelessness, when we did not know if the levy was going to hold.  We have experienced many of life's tsunami's; debt, disease, depression, death, (which all seem to come in waves of three) and have felt the immense weight they bring with them.   Every time our marriage was on the brink of being crushed to death, I found that death was not the ultimate goal.  A new understanding of our life together intermingled with profound purpose and deeper intimacy; that was the goal.  Anyone who has been married long enough can attest to the old adage of whatever does not kill you makes you stronger.  With that same essence, marriage has taught me that God intends marriage to be at work in making both Stacy and I more like Christ.  Sometimes that is worked out in seasons of joy and happiness.  Many times it is tried in fire and wielded with iron. (Proverbs 27:17)

More Than a Feeling

One of the biggest bubbles I had busted was my over romanticized view of love in marriage.  I grew up in a culture that taught love is a feeling that must be present in order to love someone.  If that feeling is not there, then you must not be in love, and therefore the relationship is finished; regardless of your children or the repercussions on other people’s life.  This is absolutely absurd.  Love is not merely a feeling.  Love is a choice.  It is a commitment.  Love sticks around when the feelings jump ship.  Love tells the self that it is not all about you.  It says, “Get off the computer, bathe the children, and give her a minute to herself;” even though you have had a long day.  Love values “I’m sorry” over “I’m right.”  Love does not need porn for arousal.  Loves thinks it is idiotic to drink from someone else’s drain when you have your own well at home. (Proverbs 5:15-23)  Love tells adultery to "get lost… and if I see you around here again you will be on the business end of butt whooping." (Proverbs 7:6-27)   Love is not bound by the laws of gravity.  It sees the as much beauty in the things that are now down that were once up.   Love actually believes for sickness and health, for richer or poorer, until death do us part actually really means for sickness and health, for richer or poorer, until death do us part.   In other words, after ten years of marriage, I have learned that love is more than said or felt, it is done. 

Grow Old with Me

I have come to realize that marriage is a marathon, not a sprint.  A marathon is trying and exhausting.  It takes a great deal of commitment and effort to prepare for and finish the race.  It is definitely not for the faint of heart, and neither is marriage.  After ten years of marriage, God has shown me that Stacy and I have really only just begun to know each other.  Marriage, with all of its complexities, cannot not be fully appreciated in 5-7 years; the going rate of most marriages today.  God intended marriage to a lifelong pursuit of deepening intimacy with Himself and your spouse.  Intimacy with your spouse takes a lifetime to enjoy.  I think it would be cool to cross the finish line of life wearing the crown of a fifty year marriage.  (Proverbs 5:18-19; Malachi 2:14-16; Romans 7:2)
  
It Takes Three To Make A Thing Go Right

Marriage is a one-flesh union, divinely bound by God, between a man and a woman who have committed to keep their covenant love, for God and one another, until separated by death. (Genesis 2:18-25)  Marriage is meant to display the covenant-keeping love between Christ and His church and to testify of His faithfulness.  Marriage is a parable of the way Christ loves His church and how He expects the church to love Him. In this light, I am to love my wife with a Christ like, sacrificial, life-giving kind of love that seeks to present Stacy blameless before the Lord.  Stacy is to honor and affirm my headship with a Christ-centered submission that sees to use her gifts in accordance with my leadership (Ephesians 5:18-25).  In this, the world will see the magnificence of the glory of God and the fidelity of Christ to His church.  This cannot be done with grit and shear determination.  The Lord must be at the core and center of the marriage.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Inter-Generational Relationships: Tending The Vine of Family Discipleship

Inter-generational Relationships and the Church

Inter-generational relationships in the church provide a wonderful context for family discipleship.  Every family whom the Lord brings into the church is at a different stage of their journey.  Some are newly married, just beginning their walk on life's road as a couple.  Other families are either dealing with the terrible two's or the tumultuous teens.  And yet, others are in the golden years enjoying the blessing of grandchildren.  This diversity of generations in the church accentuates the richness of God's design for community.   The book of Titus gives us a glimpse of what this richness looks like.

Paul explains to Titus that there are people in the church who will help lead and guide the body.  Some will be elders and take on vocational shepherding roles.  Others will shepherd as mentors.  It is expected that the older men will help guide the younger men and the older women will do the same for the younger women.  This discipleship formation can range from one on one relationships to older families disciplining younger families as a whole.   The fruit of this is that believers/families will be better equipped to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and will live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, while waiting for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:12).

Inter-generational Relationships: Tending the Vine

Inter-generational relationships are in some degree like that of the vine and vine dresser.  In order for the vine to grow and produce fruit, it must be cultivated, pruned, and protected.  The vine needs substance and nutrients to grow.  So the vine dresser cultivates the soil and waters as needed.  When fruit is produced there are limbs and branches that must be trimmed for more fruit to grow.  So the vine dresser helps expose what needs to be trimmed and helps in the pruning process.  When the rain falls hard and the winds blow uncontrollably, the vine must be protected.  So the vine dresser does in providing a lattice and a cover.

I know this analogy falls in many areas, but the general idea is helpful.  The vine, being a younger family, is better equipped to survive and thrive when an older family (the vine dresser) comes along side them and intentionally cultivates, prunes, and protects their spiritual vitality.  By God's grace, my family was privileged to be cultivated, pruned, and protected by a vine dresser in our congregation.

Inter-generational Relationships at Franklin Street Church

Last Sunday the Lord blessed my wife and I with a conversation with and older gentleman in our church.  My wife and I were sitting at a table in the fellowship hall when the Sunday School teacher, a man in whom our family is very familiar with, came over and sat down.  This man is level headed, worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in faith, love, and endurance (Titus 2:2).  He is a man I admire and respect.  When he told me he wanted to talk to me about something, I gave him my full attention.

The issue he wanted to discuss revolved around how I had handled Ethan during a time of discipline when we were in their home having dinner.  Ethan is a playful little boy, who every now and then, let's his playfulness get the best of him.  This particular time he thought it would be funny to waylay his sister with a ball.  Unfortunately, it hit her in the face causing her to deeply resent her brother, and pursue her own vigilante justice.  Trying to avoid all of that, I called Ethan front and center and asked why he did what he did.  Twice I asked him and twice he shrugged his shoulders.  Frustrated, I put him in timeout for a time, made him ask for forgiveness of his sister, and implored him to play nice.

The man politely complemented Stacy and I on how we manage our children and affirmed us to continue pursuing our children in the Lord.  With that, he humbly asked if he could speak a few words of wisdom into our life; particularly in how we deal with our children in times of discipline.  The older saint had noticed that I asked Ethan why he did what he did twice, and twice he shrugged his shoulders.  This gentleman suggested that instead of asking why, that we should ask him if he knew what he did, and if it was right or wrong.  He explained that we know why he disobeys, or acts foolishly.  Ethan is a sinner just like you and me.   However, Ethan does not have a category for his sinfulness yet.  To help develop his understanding of sin, it might be better to identify what he did, and if it was right or wrong.  If he does not know it is wrong, you have an opportunity to instruct him on the morality of God.  If he knows it is wrong, then you will have the opportunity to teach him the consequences for violating God's righteousness, and the grace available in Christ.

Protected, Pruned, and Cultivated

My wife and I deeply appreciated what this man did for us.  He protected our faith in the gospel by speaking truth into our lives in a loving and humble manner.  He pruned our parenting in helping us cut away something that was not helpful in bringing clarity and understanding to my sons faith.  He cultivated our family, particularly our children, by providing a solution that better presented the gospel in times of direct instruction or discipline.  In short, he and his wife, are a means of God's grace for the health and spiritual growth of my family.

Something To Consider: Courage and Humility, Love and Submission

The beauty of the above example is two fold; the vine was willing to be dressed by the vine dresser, and the vine dresser was willing to nurture the vine.  It took love and courage for the older saint to come to me and tell me that my way of instructing my child needed to be tweaked.  It took love and submission to be able to hear his words and joyfully accept them.

From this experience I have learned that inter-generational relationships are means of God's grace in tending the vine in a families spiritual health and gorwth.  My family is now more in line with the gospel than it was before.  I am using what I was given to provide clarity for my son and his relationship with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  I look forward to spending more time with this vine dresser.  I pray that he will help me learn the way of tending the vine as well.

Monday, July 16, 2012

A Past Time Redeemed: How Stacy and I Tried to Teach Our Children Christ Centered Baseball

This last spring our family entered the American sports arena.  Naomi and Ethan were given their first taste of America's favorite past time; baseball.  Ethan and I have been hitting the ball around in the backyard for the last couple of years.  Naomi had just recently shown some interest this last year in wanting to learn how to play the game.  Seeing that both of them had decent hand eye coordination and a good work ethic, Stacy and I decided to put them in a low competitive league.  However, before we did this, we had some stipulations for our family.  We came up with two overarching principles that were going to guide our involvement in sports, followed by three immediate criteria that we would use to evaluate how we redeemed our time at each game or practice.

Maintain Your Center

First, we committed to each other that sports were not going to dominate the nucleus of our family.  Stacy and I have seen first hand how sports centered a family can become; spending three to four nights a week at games and practices and not getting home until after 10pm.  This is not healthy on all kinds of levels.  For starters, in order for a family to maintain this schedule it is going to have to give up something, and more times than not, it is the priority to maintain fellowship with God and His people.  Late nights and weekend tournaments tend to work against family devotions and corporate worship on Sundays.

Redeem Your Time & Presence

Another thing we were committed to was a Christ centered testimony to fellow parents and players.  If we were going to spend several valuable hours of our precious family time to something, it needs to be done in a way that is edifying and worth it.  Anytime you get involved in a sport of any kind, you are making an investment.  You are expecting a return of some kind, whether it is in your child's skill set, social posterity, or even a bit of leisure time.  The return that Stacy and I were looking for is for our family to draw nearer to Christ and to display his worth to the world.  In order for this to happen we needed to have a plan in place to redeem our time and presence on the ball field.

Teaching Our Children Christ in Baseball

This worked itself out in three criteria, in the form of three questions, that I gave the Naomi and Ethan to evaluate every game and practice. First, "did you play to God's glory (1 Corinthians 10:31)?"  Both of them must have heard me say, "Do everything with a hustle" a hundred times.  I expected them to try their hardest, whether they succeeded or not, at running, catching, hitting, fielding, etc.  I did not mind if they struck out every single time they were at bat, as long as they struck out swinging. 

The second criteria was, "Were you a testimony of God's grace to your coach, teammates, and opponents (Philippians 2:1-11)?"  In short, did you have the mind of Christ when you interacted with everyone you came in contact with while playing baseball?  We expected both of them to play hard and compete to the best of their ability, but we also expected that they do it a manner this is dignified, and that testified that God is more valuable than being the best player on the team or winning the game.

Finally, the last criteria was, "Did you have fun (Philippians 4:4)?"  Many times Christians get a bad reputation for being a bit bland or stoic.  I get that.  The general perception of us Christians from those looking on is that we are bound by a bunch of rules and God has forbidden us to have an ounce of fun in this life.  Ya right!  God has given us a wonderful freedom to truly enjoy His creation and the life He has given us.  Baseball is a gift from God.  He gave us this wonderful creation to not only work but also to play.  The green grass, cool breeze, and perfect baseball playing temperature of 72 degrees on a trim dusk spring evening is part of the blessing of God.  Even the knowledge of the game itself comes from the one whom every good and pleasing thing comes (James 1:17).  Yes, amen, enjoy the game of baseball and have lots of fun fielding grounders, hitting home-runs (or singles), and sliding into second base on a steal (oh the irony!).  Our joy in baseball can also testify of our joy in Christ, as long as we understand from whom the blessing comes.

These questions would be rehearsed before and discussed after each game and practice.  Nothing elaborate, just a brief session while walking to the field or to the car afterwards.  The purpose was to be intentional in exposing the children to God's presence in every aspect of life.

Does All of This Matter?

The stipulations set in place were to help protect the center of our family's theology and our nucleus.  The center of our family's theology is that Christ is our Lord and He takes first place in everything we aim to be and do.  The nucleus of which our family orbits is Christ and His the word.  By protecting our center of theology we protected the nucleus of our family.  By setting our criteria for evaluating our involvement in baseball, we reinforced our center of theology and further strengthened our nucleus.  In essence, we intentionally sought to make much of Christ in our involvement in sports because we see Him as Lord over everything, we want our children to taste and see that He is Lord over everything (Psalm 34:8), and we wanted to make sure that nothing altered His position as Lord over everything in our family.

Sports in America has an unprecedented ability to take over the height and length and breadth of a family.  To stop this from happening, a family needs to put some gurards in place to keep the center from imploding. This is one way in which used to ensure we did not loose sight of our family's center and redeem our time in America's pastime.


Friday, July 13, 2012

From Eden to the New Jerusalem Review


Alexander, Desmond T. From Eden to the New Jerusalem. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2008. 208 pp., $19.99

Summary
  From Genesis to Revelation, the idea of Yahweh creating the earth with the intention of constructing an arboreal temple-city that was inhabited by people who display His holy nature is seen consistently and coherently in the biblical meta-narrative. (188) Yahweh created the heavens and the earth as a place where He would dwell and live among a people made in His image that existed to display His glory.  The world is His temple and those whom He created are to worship Him and enjoy His blessings.  Though the world and mankind was thrown into catastrophe and separation by the fall of man, Yahweh tenaciously keeps to His plan to provide a place where He and man will dwell forever in harmony in the New Jerusalem.
T. Desmond Alexander in his book, From Eden to the New Jerusalem, argues that the new earth and the new heavens are very likely to have much in common with the present cosmos (11).  He begins in the end with the intent to go back to the beginning.  A story’s conclusion provides a good guide to the themes and ideas dominant throughout (10).  The New Jerusalem not only gives us a taste of what the future holds for believers, but also gives us insight to the process that began the Garden of Eden.  Alexander seeks to show the links between Genesis 1-3 and Revelations 20-22 and argues that these links frame the entire biblical meta-story (10).
   He begins by offering two things that are evident with a proper study of Revelations 20-22.  First, the biblical description of our future existence has more in common with our present life than most people assume, and second, the concluding chapters of Revelations offer a window through which the main themes of the biblical meta-story may be studied. (7)  It is through this window that chapters two through seven give clarity to the major themes presented in the biblical narrative.
In chapter two, the longest chapter of the book, Alexander argues that Revelation 20-22 represents the fulfillment of Yahweh’s original blueprint for the earth.  From the outset of creation, Yahweh intended that the earth would become a holy garden-city in which He would dwell alongside human beings (74).  Starting with a brief overview of the theme of the divine presence on earth (19), Alexander shows Yahweh’s desire to dwell with his people by examining the motif of the temple and the temple-garden of Eden (15-19).  He examines Genesis one and identifies parallels that exist between the Garden of Eden and later Israelite sanctuaries (21).  He spends most of the chapter showing how these parallels of the garden and sanctuaries are seen in the tabernacle (31), Jerusalem temple (42) and the church as a temple (60).
The first part of chapter three observes how Adam and Eve were thrown from the Garden of Eden, stripped of their priestly status, and was not allowed to facilitate God’s creation plan (74). The remainder of the chapter is spent showing how God is restoring his sovereignty through Israel and the church.
 Alexander builds on the theme of God’s presence with images of John’s vision in Revelation 22:1-3; specifically the throne of God.  He establishes Yahweh’s sovereign right to rule the earth and make viceroys of Adam and Eve (76).  Adam and Eve were given complete dominion over all of the earth to grow and guard the garden for Yahweh’s namesake.  Adam and Eve fail to do this by allowing the serpent to usurp God’s authority from them.  The ones through whom Yahweh’s sovereignty was to be extended throughout the earth side with His enemy.  By heeding the serpent they not only give it control over the earth, but they themselves become its subjects (79).  Yahweh then moves to restore His sovereignty over the earth through two major events in the bible; setting up Israel as a theocracy and the church as the kingdom of God.
In chapter four Alexander identifies Satan as the nemesis who deceived Adam and Eve.  Alexander uses Revelations 20:2 and Genesis 3:15 to launch into a brief biography of the ancient serpent and his place in historical redemption.  The serpent is cursed in Genesis 3:15 to a destiny of judgment.  Yahweh pronounces that the serpent’s seed will be crushed by the seed of the woman.  From here a dichotomy is created in mankind; those of the serpent and those of the woman.  This is first recognized early in Genesis when examining the lines of Cain and Seth.  Here we encounter the idea that human beings may by their actions be perceived as belonging either to the unrighteous ‘offspring of the serpent’ or to the righteous ‘offspring of the woman’ (107).  Jesus makes this distinction in John 8:39-44 when He told the Pharisees that they were of their father the devil.
In the end, the serpent will be defeated by the seed of the woman and ultimately cast into eternal punishment.  All who are of the serpent will perish with him in the lake of fire, and all who are of the seed of the woman and the promised Seed, will live in an eternal rest with Yahweh in the New Jerusalem.
Crucial to the demise of Satan is Jesus Christ, for He is the one who overcomes the devil (121).  Chapter five explains how the redemption of creation is accomplished through the slaughtering of the Lamb, Jesus Christ.  Noting several verses in Revelations 21, Alexander spends some time showing the significance of Christ being compared to a sacrificial lamb. He then points to the Passover and makes the connection of the ritual in that event and the sacrifice of Christ for believers.   In the Passover in Exodus, the sacrifice of the animal atones for the sin of the people, the blood smeared on the doorposts purifies those within the house, and the sacrificial meat sanctifies or makes holy all who eat it.  The Passover ritual enables all the Israelites to obtain a holy status, an important requisite for becoming a royal priesthood (129).  The Passover sacrifice provides an important paradigm for the process by which the holy status of human beings is restored.  Only those who have been sanctified through the sacrificial death of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, can expect to enter the New Jerusalem (135).
Because of the sacrifice of the Lamb, the royal priesthood of believers will have life abundantly in the New Jerusalem.  This hope is reflected in themes found in Revelations 21-22 and reappears throughout the biblical meta-story in three concepts; holy people, tree of life, and nations (139).  Chapter six explores these themes in detail hitting on particular motifs such as holiness, cleanliness, wholeness, abundant life, and diversity of worshipers.  Alexander encourages his readers by concluding this chapter in saying “Life in the New Jerusalem will be very different from how we experience it now.  As a holy and whole people, we shall inherit a perfect world where everything is in harmony (170).”
Chapter seven highlights the continuity of both the Old Testament and the New Testament.  Alexander argues that by drawing attention to the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, John’s vision of the New Jerusalem emphasizes the intimate relationship and continuity that exist between them.  Both Old Testament tribes and New Testament apostles contribute to the construction of the New Jerusalem (172).  From this foundation Alexander offers clarity of what true Christian hope is and how our hope in the future rest we will receive in the New Jerusalem will encourage those who love Christ now in this present day.
The last chapter concludes with a review of the main thesis of the book.  He ends with these encouraging words, “Although our future experience of life will have something in common with the present, it will also be radically different.  Everything that detracts from experiencing life to the full will one day be totally eradicated.  Then, and only then, shall know life as God intends it to be.  Then, and only then, shall we truly grasp the immensity of the grace of God, whose love for rebellious and errant human beings was demonstrated through the gift of His own unique Son.  Then and only then, shall we know God fully in all his majestic glory and splendor (192).
Critique
T. Desmond Alexander, in his book, “From Eden to the New Jerusalem,” sought to answer two of life’s most fundamental questions; why does the earth exist and what is the purpose of human life?  Using well organized chapters and succinct trains of thought, Alexander clearly answers these questions by exploring the authoritive meta-story of the bible.  He begins each chapter with a review of the last and provides a clear transition into an overview of the next theme he is tracing.  He stays away for weighty theological terms and does not entertain areas that are obviously on the periphery of the theme he is discussing.  This provides the reader with a smooth read and comfortable understanding of the reasoning of argument.  Alexander cautions that this study is not exhaustive, but rather indicative, outlining some of the central themes that run through the bible (11).
Alexander clearly accomplishes his goal of answering two of life’s fundamental questions by showing that Yahweh has intended from the very beginning to dwell with his creation in harmony.   He accomplishes this by analyzing the bible in its literary context connecting themes that center around a unique deity (10).  As he connects the themes, a picture emerges of a God intentionally designating purpose to the existence of the earth and mankind.  Alexander is careful to provide exegetical evidence for each argument making sure that the continuity of the bible as a whole is the center of focus.   One example of this is happens early in chapter one.  Alexander argues that the Garden of Eden was not just a habitat for mankind and animals, but served as a temple.   He then compares the garden to other Israelite sanctuaries six parallels of the garden and the tabernacle, and the temple.  He analyzes provides Hebrew syntactical analysis and cross-references over fifty scriptures in the Pentateuch (21-23).
There are two things I found extremely helpful in the book.  First, the footnotes alone are worth the price of the book.  It is here Alexander offers further evidence and direction for his thesis.  The notes are elaborate in one sense, and yet concise enough to not be overwhelming.  Second, Alexander took great care to offer pastoral guidance in his application points.  Towards the end of most chapters, Alexander pointed out several considerations in how that particular chapter applied to the Christian life today.  This is especially seen in chapter four when he gives advice in resisting the devil. 
Overall, I would highly recommend this book to someone who is looking for answers to two of life’s fundamental questions, and to one who is discouraged by the world they live in.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

What is Truth?



John 18:28-37

     The Sanhedrin has decided that this blasphemous man must die.  The problem is that they did not have the legal authority to enact capital punishment under Roman rule.  Therefore they brought Jesus before Pilate, the Roman governor.  Pilate takes Jesus away from the Jews and into the Praetorium.  From here a back and forth sparring occurs between Pilate, the Jews, and Jesus which ends with an open question saturated with irony; “What is truth?”

     We live in a Post Modern culture which denies any existence of absolute truth. Nevertheless, though we deny its existence that does not mean the truth is not starring us right in the face.  Take Pilate for example, he was caught between two worlds, the Jews and Jesus, the worldly and the divine.  You can almost sense the tension of Pilate’s predicament as he goes back and forth between the two worlds trying to discern the truth.  One has the outer showings of religious fervor, but he cannot help to question their corrupt motives.  On the other hand, what he sees standing before him does not look like a king or a real threat for that matter.  However, the problem with Pilate is that his criterion for truth was focused on self-preservation.   We know this for two reasons.  First, he eventually sides with the Jews and delivers Jesus to be crucified because he was afraid of an uprising that could threaten his status as a Roman governor.  Second, he had the truth staring him right in the face and he chose to walk away.  He knew Jesus was an innocent man, but the cost was too great to free him.

      Isn’t self-preservation the root of our rejection of truth?  You can hear it in the saying “You believe what you believe, and I will believe what I believe.”  That is another way of saying, “I want to be my own God.  Your truth may dispose of my kingdom.”  Post Modernism rejects the idea of absolute truth because it rejects Christ.   Those who embrace this world view are lost and are not hearing the voice of our Savior.  May this not be said of Christ’s people today!

     Father, please continue to make us a people who hear the voice of our Lord and proclaim His truth everywhere we set our feet.



Saturday, April 7, 2012

The Gospel Will Prevail


John 17:6-19
The time has come for Christ to depart and return to the immediate fellowship of the Father.  His disciples will be left to proclaim and defend the gospel to the ends of the earth.  They will be hated and despised just as their master was (17:6, 14).  They will be tempted to abandon the faith and succumb to the intentions of the world; deny Christ and live.  Once the Shepherd is gone, will the sheep totally scatter and the gospel be lost forever?  The answer is a resolute no!  Why? Jesus’s prayer reveals three things that give us hope that the gospel will never be lost.

First, the Father chose a people for His Son.  In verse 6-10, we see that the Father gave the disciples to the Son out of the world.  Before he creation of the world (Ephesians 1:4), their names were written in the Lamb’s book of Life (Rev 17:8).  They belonged to God (John 6:37) and were given to the Son so that they could glorify the Son in the world (John 17:10).  This truth is not for the disciples only, but for every believer in Christ (Romans 9; Ephesians 1; Rev 13:8).

Second, the disciples have received the gospel.  In verses 8 and 11, Jesus tells the Father that his disciples have received the words in which you gave me and that I come from You.  In short, the disciples believed the gospel, that Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah for the world. They realized that Jesus is the Way and the Truth and the Life and that no one comes to the Father except through the Son (John 14:6).  This same truth the disciples took with them everywhere they went, making disciples, and baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 22:18-19).  It is the same message you were given when you became a son of daughter of God, and it is the same message you are preaching to the ends of the earth.

Finally, Christ prays for their unity in the gospel.  In verse eleven Christ asked the Father to keep the disciples unified just like the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are unified.  The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit live in complete harmony with one another.  Their love for each other is unbridled.  Their commitment for each other is firmly loyal.  This is how the disciples were to live and breathe and have their being.  This is how the church is to testify to the world that Christ is the Savior of sinners.
Take heart Christian, no matter how dire things may appear, or how lost the world may seem to be, the gospel will always go forth.

Father we pray that your purposes will be competed and that those whom you are calling will hear your voice.  We pray that the church will testify of the beauty and magnificence of the gospel.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Can I Just Pretend Daddy...

A few days ago my sister called to tell me that my mother's dog, Biscuit, died suddenly.  He was a nine year old Golden Retriever who was gentle with the children and loyal to his owners.  Evidently, he developed cancer in his liver and lymph-nodes.  He quit eating and was bleeding internally.  My parents had to make the decision to put him down after consulting with a veterinarian.

We live in a time and place where pets can be more to us than just stewards or sources for our substance.  God uses animals to comfort us and to bring a certain degree of joy and peace in our lives that relationships with other people do not seem to bring.  God has given many animals a keen sense of intuition that keys in on our feelings and emotions; I think of dogs in particular.  It was uncanny how many times I would be sitting on the couch lost in my thoughts about life and all of its worries, and Biscuit would jump up and lay his head on my lap and lift his eyes at me almost as if to say, " I know what you mean."   It is no wonder we get so attached to our pets when they are with us, and why we grieve so much when the Lord takes them away.

My daughter Naomi and my son Ethan are old enough to have a history with Biscuit.  My mom and dad got Biscuit about a year before Naomi was born.  Biscuit was the only pet she had ever known.  My wife broke the news to Naomi while picking her up after her piano lesson.  Naomi was obviously upset and began to cry.  She asked about grandma Susan and Papa Mike and how they were doing, which I thought was thoughtful.  Then she asked a very interesting question, one that caught my attention and opened my eyes to what was going in in her heart.  She asked if she could just "pretend that Biscuit was still alive."

 It may seem innocent enough and rather appropriate for an eight year girl to want to just assume that death never really happens.  And heaven knows that our culture strives to medicate reality in such a manner that suffering and death seem taboo.  However, the way I see it, death is a reality that she is going to deal with in her life, and as her father, it is my responsibility to help her cope with death in a gospel-centered manner.

The death of a family pet is an opportune training ground for gospel-centered grieving or mourning for my children.  Loosing a pet is hard, but it is not nearly as traumatic as loosing a parent or a sibling or a friend.  God has allowed my daughter to feel the loss of a pet, one that is even not in the immediate family, to help her to learn to come to Him when He allows death, or whatever suffering she may endure, to enter her life.

As her father, I want to give her secure footing for when her life is turned upside down. I want her to know that God is faithful and good and loving and will be her refuge in a time of strength.  And if He will be that to her when a dog that she cares about dies, how much more will He be all of those things and more to her when I die, or some else she is close to?

Later that night, before bed, I answered Naomi's question.  We prayed and read the bible and then dealt with the matter at hand.  God was very gracious to us and these four ideas came to mind that are mentioned below.

1.  I affirmed her grief.
     Naomi was hurt.  I wanted her to know that her hurt was real and that God cared about it.  2 Corinthians
1:3-7 affirms that God seeks to comfort us in our affliction.  1 Peter 5:7 tells us to cast all of our cares on Him for He cares for us.  God cared about Naomi's grief and did not belittle her for feeling it.

2.  I took her to Genesis 3.
     After affirming her grief I wanted her to understand where death came from.  Why do we die?  Why does the world around us seem to fall apart?  Why do bad things happen?  Understanding this is essential for her in dealing with her grief in a gospel centered manner.  She needs to know that under the condemnation of sin, the whole world groans (Romans 8:22). Through sin, death entered the world and spread to all men because all men have sinned (Romans 5:12); this includes animals.  We live in a world that is deteriorating and we need to come to grips with this.  This is what sin has done and continues to do; sin brings death.

3.  I reminded her of God's faithfulness.
     Though we live in a world that is consumed with the effects of the fall, this does not mean that God is absent.  He has taken great care to show us that he is committed to pursuing us for his kingdom.  I wanted Naomi to see that God is faithful in caring for his people and using sin and death for his glory.  So I asked her to recount times in the bible when God was faithful to His people.  We looked at things like His provision for Adam and Eve even after they sinned (Genesis 3), Joseph's brothers after they had beaten and sold Joseph into slavery (Gen 38-50), Noah and his family during and after the flood (Genesis 5-8), King David after he sinned with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11-12), the people of Israel in the wilderness (Exodus-Numbers), the apostle Paul before and after his conversion Acts (Acts 9), and most of all, Christ our Lord (Luke 23-24).  (These are paraphrased ideas.  I cannot remember exactly everything we discussed, but this is the gist of it.)

4.  I shared the Gospel with her.
     By this point Naomi's tender heart was beginning to be encouraged.  She had stopped crying and was eagerly involved in our discussion.  It was at this point I told her that though death surrounds us on every side, we have a hope, and it is in Christ Jesus.  I reminded her that all of have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23); including her.  And that as she has seen, the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:23).  I encouraged her to seek the Lord for forgiveness of her sin and believe in her heart that Jesus is the Son of God and the only hope for her salvation and she will be saved (Romans 10:7-8).   I told her that if this is so in your heart that "All things work out for the good of those who lvve Christ and are called according to his purposes (Romans 8:28); even the death of a pet.

In the end, the answer to Naomi's question as to if she could "pretend that Biscuit was still alive" is no she cannot.  The reality is Biscuit has died and we need to deal with death head on.  However, we are not without help or hope.  God has promised us that he will never leave or forsake us and that he will help us in our time of trouble (Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 46:1-3).  Death is a part of our life for now, but for those who are in Christ there will be a day when death will reign no more and eternal life will be ours, and we will never again deal with its harsh consequences.  Until then, we will seek the Lord and find our rest in Him.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

He Must Die For the People



But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, ‘You know nothing at all.  Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.’” V 49-50
John 11: 45-57

Jesus had just raised Lazarus from the dead.  Many of the Jews believed He was the Messiah.  Jesus was beginning to turn the nation of Israel upside down and away from their long held mores.  The Pharisees saw him as a threat to their way of life, their traditions, their politics, and their relationship with Rome; particularly their own position of power and prestige.  If something was not done, Caesar would divide the nation and take them away from the temple.  The decision was made that Jesus must be put to death.

In this text we see two extraordinary realities (God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility) converging to explain one ultimate truth; Christ’s substitutionary death.  When Caiaphas spoke of Christ dying for the people, he did so from his own motive of political and self-preservation.  His personal intention was to murder Christ.  However, as a prophet, God spoke through him prophesying the ultimate reality of Christ’s death; to be a ransom for the people and to gather them together (v52).  Caiaphas spoke of his own will and desire, yet, ultimately, it was God’s will for Christ to die to redeem sinners (Acts 4:27-28; Ephesians 1:3-15; Revelations 13:8).

Caiaphas was right; Jesus was to die for the people.  But his death would not be for political gain or personal satisfaction, and it was not going to be at Caiaphas’s choosing.   Jesus decided when and where he was going to die for the people (John 10:18).  Moreover, his death accomplished what was necessary to deliver those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage and captivity (1 John 5:19; Hebrews 2:15).  Jesus’s death satisfied the wrath of God and gave us the promise that sin, with its guilt and its consequences, will no longer have dominion over us (Romans 6:11).  Jesus died so that many would not perish.

This story has a similar flavor to the story of Joseph.  Read the story of Joseph in Genesis 37-50.  How does God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility play out in this story?  Do you see any similarities in Joseph in comparison to Jesus?





Saturday, January 21, 2012

Behind a Frowning Providence Hides A Smiling Face


Photo courteous of fotosearch
http://www.fotosearch.com/GLW159/gwt109037/

Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, nor his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.” v3
John 9:1-12

He was a man.  Not just a normal ordinary Jewish man, but one blind from birth (v1).  His parents were no longer able to support him and he was forced to make his living from begging (v8).  It was no secret to his neighbors, and the disciples for that matter, that he was a sinner, scorned by God.  How else could you explain why he was born with so much misfortune, right?

Jesus points out the error of this assumption to his disciples.  This man’s blindness was not from a specific sin, but served a divine purpose of God.  This blind man, a man considered unable and invalid by the world’s eyes(John 5:3), was to be an instrument in revealing light to a darkened a world; namely Jesus is the Christ.   In this light, the man’s disability was a blessing.

We live in a time where fate dominates the scene of our thinking.  How many times have we heard, when dealt with a tragedy, “It happened for a reason.” without knowing what the force behind the “it” really is?  Is it mere circumstance, fate, or happen chance?  No.  The bible is clear.  All things are from Him, through Him, and to Him, even blindness from birth (Exodus 4:11, Romans 11:36).  Everything we endure in this life, every moment of pleasure, every ounce of pain, comes from the sovereign hand of God.  And for the believer, the promise is even sweeter, it all works for our good (Romans 8:28).

We live in a world filled with darkness.  In darkness we groan in our disability, pain, unbelief, and death.  Take heart Christian, Christ is the light of the world (John 8:12).  He shines most in our weaknesses and gives them purpose.

Father we know You move in a mysterious way, Your wonders to perform; You plant Your footsteps in the sea and ride upon the storm…Help us not to judge Your works by feeble sense, but trust You for Your grace; because we know behind a frowning providence hides Your smiling face.”
                                                               “God Moves in a Mysterious Way”
                                                                        William Cowper

A Short, Free eBook on Abortion

A Short, Free eBook on Abortion

Monday, January 16, 2012

Pleading: Prostrate Before God For My Family

The children and I have set out on a great task.  We have decided to read through the bible in one year.  The decision was more coincidental than intentional.  At the beginning of the year I picked up my old MaCarthur Daily Bible and began reading to the kids for our family devotions.  After a week or so we realized that we could read the entire bible together in one year.  The kids got excited about it and that made me excited to do it.  Every morning we read a section of the Old Testament before school; right now that is Genesis.  In the evening before bedtime, we read a section of the Psalms, Proverbs, and a New Testament book; currently, we are going through Matthew.  

The other day, while we were reading, we came upon two passages that really struck me.  The first passage was Genesis 25:21.  Isaac is praying for his wife.  In the version we read, the text said that he was "pleading" for his wife.  Isaac had been married to Rachel for almost twenty years and she had not borne him any children.  In Isaac's time, childlessness was the greatest of misfortunes.  Children were a blessing from God.  To not be able to have children showed her to be deficient, culturally speaking, cursed by God, and potentially  undesirable to her husband.  It would have been totally appropriate for us to read that Rachel was pleading to God for a child.  However, we see that it is Isaac interceding for his wife.

The second passage was Matthew 9:18.  In this text a ruler's daughter had just died and he has come to Jesus with the hope that He could resurrect her.  The man was a public authority figure who was probably well known to the crowd.  That did not matter.  His daughter was in need of life and he knew the only person who could give it to her was Jesus.  Without any hesitation, he prostrates himself before the Lord and pleads for his daughter's life.

Directly speaking, these text have nothing to do with each other.  However, in the context of our family devotions, they spoke a loud clear message to me; Jason, plead for your family.  Isaac sought the Lord's favor for his wife.  She was probably hurting, feeling misplaced shame and humiliation.  She was inadequate as a wife and could not fulfill her duties.  Worst of all, she knew that God had promised that from Abraham a mighty nation would arise and that could only happen if Isaac had children.  Maybe she felt like God was disappointed with her.  Who knows?  But what we do know is that her husband went before the Lord and begged Him to grant them a child.  He did not just pray for his wife, he pleaded for her, begging God to do the impossible.  I believe this shows the tenderness Isaac had for his wife.

Many times we save pleading with God for times of immediate crisis.  Isaac and Rachel were married for almost twenty years for God granted them a child.  I do not believe this was Isaac's first time on his knees for his wife.  I pray for my wife often, but I do not plead for her.  Isaac was desperate before the Lord for Rachel.    He wanted God to do something that transformed her.  As her husband, I want God to do something that will transform Stacy, transform her into the image of His Son.  The text left me asking myself, "Am I desperate for my wife?"

The passage in Matthew 9:18 reminded me of the peril of my children.  God has blessed me with four adorable children who are at enmity with God (Romans 8:7-8).  All of them are in need of redemption.  As their father, God has commanded me (Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Psalm 78, Ephesians 6:1-3, Colossians 3:20-22) to faithfully live and proclaim the gospel in such a manner that they have every opportunity to genuinely know God, enjoy Him, and glorify Him forever.  In essence, I am to go to Jesus and say, "My children are dead. Only you can give them life.  I come before you and plead for you to grant them salvation."  The same desperation the ruler had, the same faith, the same worship, is what I need for my children in pleading for them.

All of this of course comes from a heart that is transformed by the gospel.  Isaac believed in God and His power, ability, mercy and compassion.  The ruler believed that Christ was divine and was capable of giving life.  A pleading heart comes from the overflow of a believing heart.  A heart that loves God and knows that God loves him.  Only through the love of God through Christ can I truly plead for my family.  This year I hope more fathers plead for their families before the Lord.  Maybe it is here we will see revival. 

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Do you know Him?

By God's grace I have been asked to write a series of devotionals for a ministry that seeks to reach the people of India (We Go India).  I must provide some context, insight, application, and a prayer.  And oh ya, I must keep it under 300 words.  I am finding this incredibly difficult.  I have always heard great writers are able to communicate wonderful truths in small spaces.  Undertaking this opportunity is showing me that I am far from great.  With that said, I have posted my first devotional below.  I would love your feedback and help.  Please read the devotional and let me know what you think, the good, the bad, and the ugly.  I appreciate your time and input.  Be good and God bless.


John 7:1-9

For not even His brothers believed Him.”

The “Feast of Booths” was a time when Israel would live in leafy shelters in remembrance of God’s faithfulness to their forefathers in the wilderness at the time of the Exodus.  Many Jews came to celebrate and give thanks to God for the harvest.  This festival would be another great opportunity for Jesus to marvel the crowd with his power and ability; at least that is what his brothers believed.

I believe many in the church today are a lot like Jesus’s brothers.  James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas (not Iscariot) (Matt 13:55) knew Jesus very well.  They lived their whole lives in community with him; eating, sleeping, working, playing, etc.  They were aware of his power to perform miracles (v 3-4).  Jesus’s brothers knew he was a great man, but they did not believe he was the promised Messiah.  Jesus affirms this by telling them that they were of the world (v6).

 How many of our churches are filled with people who believe that Jesus was a great man, but not the Son of God?  It is one thing to know about Jesus.  It is something altogether different to be known by him as Lord, Savior, and Treasure.  In the last day Jesus will say to many, “I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil.” (Luke 13:27)  Many of these people will have spent much of their life in the church, serving with great fervency alongside many of Christ’s true brothers and sisters.  Today I ask you, “Are like Jesus’s brother, or are you his brother?”

Father, I ask that you reveal your Son to me more and more every day.  Lord, I believe, help my unbelief! 

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Four Joys of Adoption


4But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
                                                                                                                                Galatians 4:4-6

I believe adoption is the gospel manifested in the world for God’s glory and the hope of the nations.   Adoption shows what happens when love pursues the unwanted and showers them with grace.  Adoption helps the unknowable have a legitimate and lasting identity.  In this text, there are four joys that help us better grasp the beauty of our adoption into God's family; what it cost, what it does for us, and how the world is changed.  

The Cost

First, our adoption was costly.  John Piper points out that to redeem something is to set free by paying a price.[1]  Redemption denotes ransoming someone from captivity or from slavery.[2]  We are dead in our trespasses and held captive by our sin.  If left on our own we would simply perish.  Nevertheless, God sent his Son into the world not to be exalted or served as He deserved to be, but he was sent to give His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45; 1 Timothy 4:6).  Adoption is costly. 

The Change

Second, our adoption transferred us from “sons of disobedience” to “sons of God.”  The life, death, and resurrection of Christ not only satisfied God’s wrath for our sin, but also made us righteous in His sight.  1 Corinthians 5:21 says that he became sin that we would become his righteousness.  We are unified in the Son.  When God looks on us He sees the beauty of Christ, not out our total depravity.  Our adoption was legally secured through the blood of Christ and our debt was paid.  “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death… [and] you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"’ (Romans 8:1, 15)

The Validity 

Third, the Spirit testifies of the legitimacy of our adoption.    The Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are his children.  It testifies to the world that we are set apart and are loved by God, our Father.  Moreover, God in His mercy, pours out His Spirit to comfort and counsel us in the world.  The Spirit of His Son grants us to feel the affections of belonging to the very family of God. [3]  When we cry out "Abba Father," it both confirms our identity and comforts our souls.  In this we have much to rejoice in.

The Value

 Fourth, our adoption makes us heirs to the kingdom of God.  It is fitting to revisit our definition at this point.  Simply, our adoption is God’s distinct act of grace, different and additional to justification, that created a permanent relationship between the Father and the sinner, in which the sinner is graphed into the family of God legally, socially, and emotionally; enjoying all rights and privileges as a son or daughter in the warmth, love, and gladness of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  As sons and daughters we have been given all legal, social, and emotional privileges as Christ Himself.  We are in the warmth, love, and joy of the Father.  The Father has seen fit to give His kingdom to His children.  We are Christ brothers and sisters and will inherit our Fathers kingdom as fully legal and familial heirs.   

How does this affect us as individual believers?

As individual believers we can have a tremendous amount of peace and hope knowing that God has purposely and joyfully welcomed us into all satisfying communion of the Trinity.  And this communion will never end because it was willed by God, purchased in Christ, and secured in the Holy Spirit.  You will never be an orphan.  Though your earthly parents will die, you will never be without the love of the triune communion.

This frees us to go forth and make disciple of every nation (Matt 28:18-19); particularly through adoption.  Earthly adoption is a manifestation of the gospel.  It outwardly shows the world the reality of God’s love and pursuit of us.  Jason Kovacs explains this wonderfully in his piece called Adoption and Missional Living,  he says,

 “Adoption and our care for the fatherless provide a visible demonstration of the gospel.  Our adoption of children serves as a window into Christ’s rescue of us.  Adoption displays gospel justice.  Adoption displays the patience pursuit and sovereign choice of God for us.  Adoption displays the heart of God rescuing a people from every nation, tribe, and tongue.  Because of what God has done for us in Christ, adoption and orphan care are signs that God’s kingdom and rule are present in our world and will one day come in all their fullness.[4] 

God, through our adoption through Christ, has made the believer a living conduit of His grace to orphans and the nations.  God’s adoption of us should in effect cause every believer to pause, and at the very least consider, adoption as a means of growing their family and God’s kingdom.  If adoption is not where God is moving you then supporting families who are adopting or are doing orphan care on the mission field is just as supportive. 

How does this affect the church?

Here are some basic facts about adoption and foster care in America and around the world.  Currently, there are approximately 500,000 children in foster care in America alone.  Almost 130,000 of these children have been deemed orphans and are available for adoption.  There are approximately 163 million orphans globally.[5]  Forty-million of these children are of unreached people groups.  Jason Kovacs points out that if there are roughly 130,000 children waiting to be adopted, then the United States has more evangelical churches than it does waiting children.[6]

In light of the above information and what we know about adoption, the church should be a beacon of hope to every orphan of the world.  Caring for orphans (adoption, foster care, or meeting physical and emotional needs) should not just be a program among programs in the church.  For it to be  effective, it needs to be interwoven in the very DNA of the missional philosophy of the church.  Because the church is formed and transformed by vertical adoption, the world can taste and see that the Lord is good through horizontal adoption.  


[1] Piper, John. "Adoption: The Heart of the Gospel." In Reclaiming Adoption: Missional Living Through the Rediscovery of Abba Father, by Dan Curver, edited by Dan Curver, 95-107. Adelphia, MD: CruciformPress, 2011.
[2] Baugh, S.M. "ESV Study Bible." In Ephesians Commentary Notes, edited by Justin Taylor, Bill Deckard, Sherah Grose Dennis T. Lane, 2262-2263. Wheaton, IL: CrossWay Bibles, 2008.
Burke, Trevor. Adopted into God's Family: Exploring a Pauline Metaphor. Edited by D.A. Carson. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 2006.
[3] Piper, John. "Adoption: The Heart of the Gospel." In Reclaiming Adoption: Missional Living Through the Rediscovery of Abba Father, by Dan Cruver, edited by Dan Cruver, 95-107. Adelphia, MD: CruciformPress, 2011.

[4] Kovacs, Jason. "Adoption and Missional Living." In Reclaiming Adoption: Missional Living Through the Rediscovery of Abba Father, by Dan Cruver, 83-94. Adelphia, MD: CruciformPress, 2011.
[5] Kovacs, Jason. "Adoption and Missional Living." In Reclaiming Adoption: Missional Living Through the Rediscovery of Abba Father, by Dan Cruver, 83-94. Adelphia, MD: CruciformPress, 2011.
The statistics are taken from Kovacs section of the book pages 89 & 91.  He provides no other sources for this information.
[6] Kovacs, Jason. "Adoption and Missional Living." In Reclaiming Adoption: Missional Living Through the Rediscovery of Abba Father, by Dan Cruver, 83-94. Adelphia, MD: CruciformPress, 2011.