So I just read the article located at this link: http://news.yahoo.com/ghost-alps-antarctica-reveal-secret-181520334.html
I don't even know how to respond to it. I'm no scientist, but I don't need to be to point out the incredible, arrogant, foolish assertions that this article presents as fact.
In case you don't want to read the article, here are the highlights:
1. There is a subglacial mountain range that has caused the scientific world to be mystified until just recently. They were mystified because of its size and its youthful appearance.
2. They studied this range once before, but between 2007-2009 studied it again. This latest study is when the "geniuses" that produced their "findings" solved the mystery.
3. The mountain range is a geological fairy tale come true. I'm not joking. This article goes into some scientific mumbo jumbo that I readily admit to not understanding to support its assertion that range came to be over a period of hundreds of millions of years. How does it appear so youthful then? The answer, according to the article, is "Some 34 million years ago, the magnificent mountains became smothered by the East Antarctic icesheet, an area the size of Canada. Like Sleeping Beauty, they retained their eerie youthfulness." [Emphasis added]
That's right! In order to support an egregious claim that is dripping with evolutionary bias, these scientists have turned to a children's fairy tale. These mountains, against all odds, just simply "retained their eerie youthfulness" just like the princess who slept motionless until kissed by her prince. What a sweet story!
Again, I'm no scientist, but it doesn't take a scientist or any other advanced-degree-holding intellect to see the gigantic leap being made here. Once again, we have a world that is clearly and mercifully confronted with evidence of an Omnipotent Creator yet using fairy tales to back up what they seem to forget is still a THEORY. Creationism is not a theory. It is fact. The earth tells its story when judged without bias. But these individuals are so proud that they will not be convinced that God graciously created this earth and put them in it.
And to top it all off, at the end of the article talks of being humbled because their pre-conceived scientific notion is being challenged. They should be talking of being humbled by an Almighty, Holy God who graciously and mercifully gave them clear evidence of a young earth created by God Himself. One day they will bow the knee. They will have no choice then.
You and I should pray for these and all who believe the fairy tale rubbish that's being handed to them. This is how we should respond. Pray without ceasing. Pray for God's mercy to be extended. Pray for God's name to be made known. Pray for the hardness of hearts to be broken. Pray that God will continue the good work begun in you so you can boldly proclaim His truth when deceivers peddle their lies.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
Darkness and Light
So I live a very weird existence at times. I work third shift at a boarding school. I love my job. I provide multi-faceted support to the school. I'm the night watchman, the nighttime butler, the nightmare consoler, the morning facilitator, the occasional morning kitchen manager, and pretty much anything else my superiors ask me to do. That's all cool with me. Like I said, I love my job.
But it has its quirks too. In order to adequately provide the best safety, security, and care to my students, I sit on a landing - all night - in the dark. At times, it scares my students. If one of them gets up in the middle of the night and walks into the landing area, they see me sitting there in the dark. They usually ask me whatever it is they need to ask right away, but you can see in their squinting eyes that what they want to ask is, "Why are you just sitting here in the dark? Don't you think that's weird?" Of course, they don't ask, but they want to. And maybe it is weird. My co-staff, who works the nights I don't, used to sit in an office all night with the light on - it's on a different floor so the lights don't bother the boys. He now sits on the landing as I do - in the dark - most of the night.
That's a really weird introduction to this post. But here goes.
Scripture says that men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil. So many believers I know who learn of my nighttime predicament quote that passage to me in a jesting way. No harm intended. But I can tell you this - the imagery used by Christ in that passage is right on. As I navigate through the hallways of the boys' floor at night using my head lamp with a red night vision light, I often psych myself out. "What's around this corner? What's that noise? Who's walking behind me?" These are questions I find myself asking a lot. (So I might be a bit paranoid). But in reality, those are not bad questions. By its very makeup, darkness conceals. My comfort is usually restored when I shine my light at the area in question because only then can I truly see what's there and what's not there. If I had my way, I would leave a light on all night so I could see at all times, but that's not best for my students' sleeping. So I'm content to shine the light while I walk in the darkness.
Unfortunately, those who live in spiritual darkness have no light to shine at their choosing. They walk in complete darkness, and according to Jesus, they like it that way. They will sacrifice their own ability to see what lies in front of them in order to conceal the secret thoughts and habits of life. They know light reveals and they don't want that. Yes, we as believers can shine the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ to show them the end of their way and the better (and only) Way to have life. But they don't have at their disposal a headlamp or flashlight to shine for themselves. This is sad to me. Not because I believe God is unjust in not giving them that light - He has - but because they willingly leave themselves there.
I know many people (family and friends) who continue to choose this darkness because they don't want to give up the lifestyle that would be exposed by the light of Christ. I guess the belief is that there's time - what a damning belief. Christ tells them that it's not future judgment they should fear but the present condemnation. That's right - for those who have not obediently placed faith in Christ alone for salvation, condemnation is a present reality. And they are too blinded to see it! Would to God that they would see it. I pray God will open their eyes and hearts to the gospel.
I trust God will do that which pleases Him to do. I believe in His sovereignty. I believe in His mercy and goodness and I believe in His justice and holiness. The Apostle Paul desired so badly that the Jews, his kinsmen, would be reconciled to God. But He also recognized that it didn't matter how badly he desired their salvation. It's not up to those who desire others to be saved nor those that work hard at evangelizing others. It's up to God to do the work in hearts. This, at times, has been hard for me to accept. But I have come to not only accept it, but to pray earnestly for it, and to be comforted by it. If it were up to me, I would have few relatives and friends in glory because I cannot save anyone. But since it's up to God, I choose to boldly proclaim the gospel with my voice and strive, by grace, to live it out in my life. This is not necessarily an easy place to come to, but because it pleases Him, He continues in me the good work begun.
If you are a relative or friend of mine reading this post and you are trusting yourself, your own good works, or any thing other than Christ for your salvation, I want you to know two things. First, I had no one specifically in mind while writing this post. Sure, I thought of a few people, but that's a natural outflow of my prayers - this is not a jab at anyone. Second, you can turn from your own way to The Way today. Jesus Christ said that any who come to Him would not be cast away or turned away. If you are clinging to your lifestyle I want you to know that your lifestyle ends in death. The Bible says that every man wants to go his own way, but the end of that way is death. So I'm not picking on your lifestyle, but any lifestyle that isn't directed by the Spirit of God through salvation. Will you choose today to leave the broad path that leads to death and join the narrow way that leads to life? Is the Spirit of God urging you, convicting you, trying to begin in you a good work?
But it has its quirks too. In order to adequately provide the best safety, security, and care to my students, I sit on a landing - all night - in the dark. At times, it scares my students. If one of them gets up in the middle of the night and walks into the landing area, they see me sitting there in the dark. They usually ask me whatever it is they need to ask right away, but you can see in their squinting eyes that what they want to ask is, "Why are you just sitting here in the dark? Don't you think that's weird?" Of course, they don't ask, but they want to. And maybe it is weird. My co-staff, who works the nights I don't, used to sit in an office all night with the light on - it's on a different floor so the lights don't bother the boys. He now sits on the landing as I do - in the dark - most of the night.
That's a really weird introduction to this post. But here goes.
Scripture says that men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil. So many believers I know who learn of my nighttime predicament quote that passage to me in a jesting way. No harm intended. But I can tell you this - the imagery used by Christ in that passage is right on. As I navigate through the hallways of the boys' floor at night using my head lamp with a red night vision light, I often psych myself out. "What's around this corner? What's that noise? Who's walking behind me?" These are questions I find myself asking a lot. (So I might be a bit paranoid). But in reality, those are not bad questions. By its very makeup, darkness conceals. My comfort is usually restored when I shine my light at the area in question because only then can I truly see what's there and what's not there. If I had my way, I would leave a light on all night so I could see at all times, but that's not best for my students' sleeping. So I'm content to shine the light while I walk in the darkness.
Unfortunately, those who live in spiritual darkness have no light to shine at their choosing. They walk in complete darkness, and according to Jesus, they like it that way. They will sacrifice their own ability to see what lies in front of them in order to conceal the secret thoughts and habits of life. They know light reveals and they don't want that. Yes, we as believers can shine the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ to show them the end of their way and the better (and only) Way to have life. But they don't have at their disposal a headlamp or flashlight to shine for themselves. This is sad to me. Not because I believe God is unjust in not giving them that light - He has - but because they willingly leave themselves there.
I know many people (family and friends) who continue to choose this darkness because they don't want to give up the lifestyle that would be exposed by the light of Christ. I guess the belief is that there's time - what a damning belief. Christ tells them that it's not future judgment they should fear but the present condemnation. That's right - for those who have not obediently placed faith in Christ alone for salvation, condemnation is a present reality. And they are too blinded to see it! Would to God that they would see it. I pray God will open their eyes and hearts to the gospel.
I trust God will do that which pleases Him to do. I believe in His sovereignty. I believe in His mercy and goodness and I believe in His justice and holiness. The Apostle Paul desired so badly that the Jews, his kinsmen, would be reconciled to God. But He also recognized that it didn't matter how badly he desired their salvation. It's not up to those who desire others to be saved nor those that work hard at evangelizing others. It's up to God to do the work in hearts. This, at times, has been hard for me to accept. But I have come to not only accept it, but to pray earnestly for it, and to be comforted by it. If it were up to me, I would have few relatives and friends in glory because I cannot save anyone. But since it's up to God, I choose to boldly proclaim the gospel with my voice and strive, by grace, to live it out in my life. This is not necessarily an easy place to come to, but because it pleases Him, He continues in me the good work begun.
If you are a relative or friend of mine reading this post and you are trusting yourself, your own good works, or any thing other than Christ for your salvation, I want you to know two things. First, I had no one specifically in mind while writing this post. Sure, I thought of a few people, but that's a natural outflow of my prayers - this is not a jab at anyone. Second, you can turn from your own way to The Way today. Jesus Christ said that any who come to Him would not be cast away or turned away. If you are clinging to your lifestyle I want you to know that your lifestyle ends in death. The Bible says that every man wants to go his own way, but the end of that way is death. So I'm not picking on your lifestyle, but any lifestyle that isn't directed by the Spirit of God through salvation. Will you choose today to leave the broad path that leads to death and join the narrow way that leads to life? Is the Spirit of God urging you, convicting you, trying to begin in you a good work?
Friday, October 14, 2011
Called
I’m called – why does it matter?
I’m called – what does it mean?
I’m called by God the Father
I’m called and now I’m clean.
I’m called not to my credit.
I’m called not for my deeds.
I’m called not for my deeds.
I’m called by God the Spirit.
I’m called for Him it pleased.
I’m called from death and danger.
I’m called from sin and shame.
I’m called by Christ my Savior.
I’m called to bear His name.
I’m called – oh what redemption.
I’m called – why should it be?
I’m called – why such a sinner?
Called, my God, to worship Thee.
I’m called – and there are others.
I’m called – where do I go?
I’m called to preach the gospel
To a world that doesn’t know.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Matters of the Heart
When Leah was born with three different heart defects, our world was momentarily brought to a halt. My baby girl, or Sweet Angel, as I call her, who had danced and spun herself around enough to wrap her cord around her throat a couple of times and almost caused my wife to go in for a c-section because the cord was keeping her from traveling down the tunnel - that daughter now had three abnormalities in her heart. This consumed us as we learned that it could affect her growth, weight gain, and breathing. This was not comforting news. We prayed. We asked others to pray. We took her to the cardiologist. (It still seems a bit scary saying that my 20-month old has a cardiologist.) We got good news. The defects were there but didn't seem to be a major cause of concern to the cardiologist. In fact, we haven't been back to see him since that first visit in February 2010.
Occasionally, when Teresa or my mom tell me that I don't discipline her as consistently as I should, I joke that she has a heart condition to which they reply, "Yeah, it's called sin." Now, I know my Sweet Angel is really no angel and I know she has a sinful heart, but for some reason I just can't come down on her like I do the other kids. She's not a favorite - she's just...Leah Baby Girl.
Now for the real reason I posting all of this - Leah does have a heart condition, both in the physical sense and the spiritual sense but I'm more reminded of late, of my own heart condition.
No, I haven't had a heart attack or any other physiological heart difficulty, but I do have a heart condition. And like Leah's, it's called sin.
Teresa has told me several times that I was way more patient when we were dating. Obviously, from a human perspective, this is easy to understand. I was trying to woo her, to win her, to convince her that I was worthy of her affection and love. But what about God's perspective and that of the Scriptures? Is it so easy to understand when thinking in those terms?
I used to think it wasn't so easy to understand. After all, how could I, as a believer who is to be growing in godliness regress instead of progress? That doesn't make much sense to me. She must just be blind. Either that, or she knows how to better push my buttons to surpass my wonderfully patient demeanor. While I don't doubt that the latter is true, this is neither the point nor the reason for my seeming regression. I say "seeming" because in reality there has been no regression. In fact, the very opposite is true. I have grown in my patience since we've been hitched. Are you confused yet? It all goes back to Leah's heart condition. Her heart has three very real defects. They are there and can be dangerous. But by God's grace, they have not affected her at all. That is, they have not manifested as a problem. They are there but hidden, so to speak, because of their lack of visible manifestation. You see, my heart condition while dating Teresa was the same it is today - impatient and quick-tempered. But it didn't show on the outside so she presumed I was more patient then. The reality is that I wasn't more patient, but my desire for her affection and love was greater than my desire to react in anger or impatience when something didn't go my way. And now that I've "got her" (for lack of a better term only), I don't have to hide what was there all along. Pretty poor thinking, huh?
I agree. And now that God has allowed me to see this so clearly, the process of growth and change can begin in this area of my life.
Teresa,
It has not been my intention to deceive you, but I did. It has not been my intention to respond poorly when things don't go my way, but I have. I haven't become more impatient, I've just stopped hiding what was always there. While it's respectable to admit that it's always been there, it's sinful that I haven't dealt with it until now. God says I am to treat you as a fragile vessel - patient and kind. I now commit myself to dealing with my sin at the heart level so it will be lasting change. Please forgive me and continue to pray for me. Thank you for being an instrument in God's hand to show me my sin.
For the rest of you, heed Jeremiah's words - your heart is deceitful and can't be trusted. So if your spouse or anyone close to you is bold and loving enough to point something out to you, don't just dismiss it. Ask yourself what could be lying under the surface at the heart level. None of us are immune to the blinding nature of our own sin. I certainly haven't been. My intent in this post is not to highlight, condone, or parade my sin. My desire is that you will see one man's honest struggle with matters of the heart and be encouraged that God is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse, just as He promises. After all, He also promised to continue in you the good work begun.
Occasionally, when Teresa or my mom tell me that I don't discipline her as consistently as I should, I joke that she has a heart condition to which they reply, "Yeah, it's called sin." Now, I know my Sweet Angel is really no angel and I know she has a sinful heart, but for some reason I just can't come down on her like I do the other kids. She's not a favorite - she's just...Leah Baby Girl.
Now for the real reason I posting all of this - Leah does have a heart condition, both in the physical sense and the spiritual sense but I'm more reminded of late, of my own heart condition.
No, I haven't had a heart attack or any other physiological heart difficulty, but I do have a heart condition. And like Leah's, it's called sin.
Teresa has told me several times that I was way more patient when we were dating. Obviously, from a human perspective, this is easy to understand. I was trying to woo her, to win her, to convince her that I was worthy of her affection and love. But what about God's perspective and that of the Scriptures? Is it so easy to understand when thinking in those terms?
I used to think it wasn't so easy to understand. After all, how could I, as a believer who is to be growing in godliness regress instead of progress? That doesn't make much sense to me. She must just be blind. Either that, or she knows how to better push my buttons to surpass my wonderfully patient demeanor. While I don't doubt that the latter is true, this is neither the point nor the reason for my seeming regression. I say "seeming" because in reality there has been no regression. In fact, the very opposite is true. I have grown in my patience since we've been hitched. Are you confused yet? It all goes back to Leah's heart condition. Her heart has three very real defects. They are there and can be dangerous. But by God's grace, they have not affected her at all. That is, they have not manifested as a problem. They are there but hidden, so to speak, because of their lack of visible manifestation. You see, my heart condition while dating Teresa was the same it is today - impatient and quick-tempered. But it didn't show on the outside so she presumed I was more patient then. The reality is that I wasn't more patient, but my desire for her affection and love was greater than my desire to react in anger or impatience when something didn't go my way. And now that I've "got her" (for lack of a better term only), I don't have to hide what was there all along. Pretty poor thinking, huh?
I agree. And now that God has allowed me to see this so clearly, the process of growth and change can begin in this area of my life.
Teresa,
It has not been my intention to deceive you, but I did. It has not been my intention to respond poorly when things don't go my way, but I have. I haven't become more impatient, I've just stopped hiding what was always there. While it's respectable to admit that it's always been there, it's sinful that I haven't dealt with it until now. God says I am to treat you as a fragile vessel - patient and kind. I now commit myself to dealing with my sin at the heart level so it will be lasting change. Please forgive me and continue to pray for me. Thank you for being an instrument in God's hand to show me my sin.
For the rest of you, heed Jeremiah's words - your heart is deceitful and can't be trusted. So if your spouse or anyone close to you is bold and loving enough to point something out to you, don't just dismiss it. Ask yourself what could be lying under the surface at the heart level. None of us are immune to the blinding nature of our own sin. I certainly haven't been. My intent in this post is not to highlight, condone, or parade my sin. My desire is that you will see one man's honest struggle with matters of the heart and be encouraged that God is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse, just as He promises. After all, He also promised to continue in you the good work begun.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Sweeping up the crumbs...
"Here's your sign."
"That was bright."
"You're so pretty." (Inside to FCB friends)
"That was smart."
"Genious!"
These witty snippets of sarcasm are commonly used when someone's proverbial light bulb just isn't getting enough juice. However, they can be (and sometimes are) used when that same light bulb comes on for someone who is surrounded by others who have long-before been enlightened. Such is the case for me today.
No, neither my wife nor my kids had to snap me into reality using one of these ever-so-gentle reminders of my hard time with getting it. It can be any number of things. I don't know why some things are difficult for me to get. I'm not the wittiest, funniest, or sharpest guy in any group and I'm okay with that. But I will tell you this - when I do finally get it, I GET IT.
So after I fed Leah tonight, I went back to clean her up and get her out of the high chair. Of course, half of her food was in her stomach and the other half was on the floor - that's her way of telling us that she's done. So as I grabbed the broom, frustrated at having to sweep (again) I started mumbling to myself. This is, as Teresa would tell you, one of my favorite pasttimes- mumbling, that is. I began to sweep. Audibly talking to my innocent one year old, I said, "Here I am sweeping the floor because it's what I do. It's what I do because throwing food on the floor is what you do." I was obligated to finish my poetic thought because it sounded so good in my head. So I finished it despite the interruption in my thinking at the half-way point.
That interruption was my get it moment. Sweeping the floor is what I do and that's not a bad thing. I do that, not only because Leah throws her food down there, though admittedly there would be much less to sweep if she didn't. But I do it because of who I am. I am a father. I'm a dad and dads clean up after daughters. Nothing hard about that. Millions of dads have come to that conclusion with much less than it has taken to convince me. The job doesn't end. Whether it's cleaning a mess on the floor or helping Leah with a "messy" problem with a friend (or, dare I say, a boy?!?...nah) later in life, that's what I do. And it's right for me to do it. It's my responsibility. It's my duty. It's my...privilege?
That's right. As I was sweeping up bits of chicken and cheese off the floor, I realized that I am privileged to sweep the floor of my daughter. A lot goes in to that. I have a daughter. I have a daughter who is developing appropriately to the point of feeding herself. I have a daughter who knows when she's had enough. I have the physical capacity to care for that daughter. I have a daughter who is dependent upon me and God has given me the grace to love her enough to clean up after her.
So, my thoughts, in no particular order:
1. I can show myself as a servant to my family so that they will hunger and thirst to be servants of God. Oh to be the floor sweeper at the table of the LORD.
2. What a tremendously, all-wise God I serve. And that is an understatement! He allows my daughter to be dependent upon me to clean up her messes in order to show me His own mercy in my life as He has "cleaned up" many messes that I've made.
3. What a gracious Teacher He is. I didn't get it in front of a bunch of highly esteemed colleagues or friends. I was in the presence of my youngest daughter who neither smirked at my idiocracy nor judged me for just now getting it. He could have taught this lesson in a much more humiliating fashion, but He chose my kitchen with no one else around.
So, the next time you're "doing what you do" remember - it is a privilege to serve and a privilege to be counted among those in whom a good work has begun.
"That was bright."
"You're so pretty." (Inside to FCB friends)
"That was smart."
"Genious!"
These witty snippets of sarcasm are commonly used when someone's proverbial light bulb just isn't getting enough juice. However, they can be (and sometimes are) used when that same light bulb comes on for someone who is surrounded by others who have long-before been enlightened. Such is the case for me today.
No, neither my wife nor my kids had to snap me into reality using one of these ever-so-gentle reminders of my hard time with getting it. It can be any number of things. I don't know why some things are difficult for me to get. I'm not the wittiest, funniest, or sharpest guy in any group and I'm okay with that. But I will tell you this - when I do finally get it, I GET IT.
So after I fed Leah tonight, I went back to clean her up and get her out of the high chair. Of course, half of her food was in her stomach and the other half was on the floor - that's her way of telling us that she's done. So as I grabbed the broom, frustrated at having to sweep (again) I started mumbling to myself. This is, as Teresa would tell you, one of my favorite pasttimes- mumbling, that is. I began to sweep. Audibly talking to my innocent one year old, I said, "Here I am sweeping the floor because it's what I do. It's what I do because throwing food on the floor is what you do." I was obligated to finish my poetic thought because it sounded so good in my head. So I finished it despite the interruption in my thinking at the half-way point.
That interruption was my get it moment. Sweeping the floor is what I do and that's not a bad thing. I do that, not only because Leah throws her food down there, though admittedly there would be much less to sweep if she didn't. But I do it because of who I am. I am a father. I'm a dad and dads clean up after daughters. Nothing hard about that. Millions of dads have come to that conclusion with much less than it has taken to convince me. The job doesn't end. Whether it's cleaning a mess on the floor or helping Leah with a "messy" problem with a friend (or, dare I say, a boy?!?...nah) later in life, that's what I do. And it's right for me to do it. It's my responsibility. It's my duty. It's my...privilege?
That's right. As I was sweeping up bits of chicken and cheese off the floor, I realized that I am privileged to sweep the floor of my daughter. A lot goes in to that. I have a daughter. I have a daughter who is developing appropriately to the point of feeding herself. I have a daughter who knows when she's had enough. I have the physical capacity to care for that daughter. I have a daughter who is dependent upon me and God has given me the grace to love her enough to clean up after her.
So, my thoughts, in no particular order:
1. I can show myself as a servant to my family so that they will hunger and thirst to be servants of God. Oh to be the floor sweeper at the table of the LORD.
2. What a tremendously, all-wise God I serve. And that is an understatement! He allows my daughter to be dependent upon me to clean up her messes in order to show me His own mercy in my life as He has "cleaned up" many messes that I've made.
3. What a gracious Teacher He is. I didn't get it in front of a bunch of highly esteemed colleagues or friends. I was in the presence of my youngest daughter who neither smirked at my idiocracy nor judged me for just now getting it. He could have taught this lesson in a much more humiliating fashion, but He chose my kitchen with no one else around.
So, the next time you're "doing what you do" remember - it is a privilege to serve and a privilege to be counted among those in whom a good work has begun.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Still Learning
"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall."
Those are the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:12. Now I don't know if this is the biblical equivalent to the well-known proverb "the bigger they are the harder they fall" but I do know the "fall" spoken of by Paul does indeed hurt. No, not physically, though I guess in some circumstances a natural consequence could have physical ramifications. But the hurt is just as real, I assure you.
To illustrate, I tell you of two recent falls I've taken. Names have been changed to protect the innocent. Not really, but I have to lighten the mood.
I've struggled for my entire life with making good choices when it comes to food. The past few years, this struggle has become greater and more evident as it has financially affected my family. There's no telling the amount of money I have spent on fast food, lunches out, and other junk. Well, my wife and I have begun a new program to get out of our debt and begin to steward our money better. I've been doing really well in the last few weeks. But this past week I messed up. It's nothing that's going to bankrupt us - just a stop at one of my old favorite fast food places. It's not the stop that is the worst thing, though it's hard to explain when there is no legitimate reason for it. No, the problem is twofold. First, I stopped really for no reason. It was like I was in the Twilight Zone and just stopped because it's what I used to do. So that was problem number one. No reason. No justification. Not starving. Nothing. Second, it was after I had paid and gotten the food and had departed for home that the following words entered by brain. "Why did I just do that. That was stupid. [So far so good.] I've been doing so well denying myself. How could I do that?" Did you smell the self-righteousness in that? "I have been doing so well denying myself." As if, by some overnight will-power I have gotten a handle on a life-long struggle apart from the grace of God. I was quickly pricked in the heart and brought to repentance, to the praise of the glory of His grace.
My second fall just happened today (or last night). I have this bad habit of responding to things as I hear them instead of "hearing" all that I need to hear before responding. Proverbs 18:13 warns against this, by the way. Teresa made a comment tonight about some things I need to accomplish tomorrow. The forecast calls for severe storms and high winds tomorrow. So she suggested I run my errands in the morning before the storms begin. My reaction? "Sure honey, if that will make you feel comfortable. That's a great suggestion." Not even close. I said, "I'm not going to let a storm dictate my schedule." What did I really mean? "I'm not going to let you [Teresa] dictate my schedule." So for the next 1.5 hours I tried to defend my position. Was my loving wife trying to dictate my schedule? Of course not. She only wanted me to consider her suggestion while remembering that she gets nervous about strong storms and especially wind. Could I have done that? Yes. Should I have done that? Yes. But I want to set my schedule myself and no "weather" [or wife] is going to set it for me. The selfishness is putrid, I know.
In the end, I am forgiven by Teresa and by God. My position of His child has not changed. My marriage is not irreparably damaged. God and Teresa are both fully aware that I am not perfect. However, they both expect me to be growing. Teresa needs me to grow so I can lead her. So, I'm growing. Not by leaps and bounds. Not without faltering. But I am growing. I have to be. Not only for Teresa. Not only for my kids. Not only out of necessity. But I literally have to be growing. Because faithful is He Who promised Who also will do it. That is, God is faithful to complete the good work begun. And I'm glad He is because I'm tired of falling in the same pothole over and over - kind of like the scene from Groundhog Day.
Teresa, thanks for bearing with me. I'm trying. But more than that, you can have confidence in God. He's doing the work!
Those are the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:12. Now I don't know if this is the biblical equivalent to the well-known proverb "the bigger they are the harder they fall" but I do know the "fall" spoken of by Paul does indeed hurt. No, not physically, though I guess in some circumstances a natural consequence could have physical ramifications. But the hurt is just as real, I assure you.
To illustrate, I tell you of two recent falls I've taken. Names have been changed to protect the innocent. Not really, but I have to lighten the mood.
I've struggled for my entire life with making good choices when it comes to food. The past few years, this struggle has become greater and more evident as it has financially affected my family. There's no telling the amount of money I have spent on fast food, lunches out, and other junk. Well, my wife and I have begun a new program to get out of our debt and begin to steward our money better. I've been doing really well in the last few weeks. But this past week I messed up. It's nothing that's going to bankrupt us - just a stop at one of my old favorite fast food places. It's not the stop that is the worst thing, though it's hard to explain when there is no legitimate reason for it. No, the problem is twofold. First, I stopped really for no reason. It was like I was in the Twilight Zone and just stopped because it's what I used to do. So that was problem number one. No reason. No justification. Not starving. Nothing. Second, it was after I had paid and gotten the food and had departed for home that the following words entered by brain. "Why did I just do that. That was stupid. [So far so good.] I've been doing so well denying myself. How could I do that?" Did you smell the self-righteousness in that? "I have been doing so well denying myself." As if, by some overnight will-power I have gotten a handle on a life-long struggle apart from the grace of God. I was quickly pricked in the heart and brought to repentance, to the praise of the glory of His grace.
My second fall just happened today (or last night). I have this bad habit of responding to things as I hear them instead of "hearing" all that I need to hear before responding. Proverbs 18:13 warns against this, by the way. Teresa made a comment tonight about some things I need to accomplish tomorrow. The forecast calls for severe storms and high winds tomorrow. So she suggested I run my errands in the morning before the storms begin. My reaction? "Sure honey, if that will make you feel comfortable. That's a great suggestion." Not even close. I said, "I'm not going to let a storm dictate my schedule." What did I really mean? "I'm not going to let you [Teresa] dictate my schedule." So for the next 1.5 hours I tried to defend my position. Was my loving wife trying to dictate my schedule? Of course not. She only wanted me to consider her suggestion while remembering that she gets nervous about strong storms and especially wind. Could I have done that? Yes. Should I have done that? Yes. But I want to set my schedule myself and no "weather" [or wife] is going to set it for me. The selfishness is putrid, I know.
In the end, I am forgiven by Teresa and by God. My position of His child has not changed. My marriage is not irreparably damaged. God and Teresa are both fully aware that I am not perfect. However, they both expect me to be growing. Teresa needs me to grow so I can lead her. So, I'm growing. Not by leaps and bounds. Not without faltering. But I am growing. I have to be. Not only for Teresa. Not only for my kids. Not only out of necessity. But I literally have to be growing. Because faithful is He Who promised Who also will do it. That is, God is faithful to complete the good work begun. And I'm glad He is because I'm tired of falling in the same pothole over and over - kind of like the scene from Groundhog Day.
Teresa, thanks for bearing with me. I'm trying. But more than that, you can have confidence in God. He's doing the work!
Friday, February 25, 2011
So I'm not really sure what to say today or where to go with this post. Today was pretty regular in some senses and not in others.
I got off work this morning and came home, excitedly checking my blog stats to see all the people reading my post and joining as regular readers. Have you ever had your bubble burst? Major league bursting going on this morning. I had only one follower and that's only because I asked him to read. (Thanks Pastor Phillip!) I did have 15 page views which I thought was pretty good after only a day.
Things got worse from there. I checked my wife's blog stats trying to bolster my wounded pride. After all, her blog had only been in existence for eight hours. Talk about a slap in the face! My wife had six, count them six followers (who's even up from 1am to 8am?) and 34 page views including one from Italy. My wife doesn't even know anyone in Italy!
With my tail between my legs, I began to prepare for sleep after an appointment seemingly fell through. Right after taking off my shoes, the phone rang. The appointment was back on and I had ten minutes to travel thirty minutes away. I got there and the meeting went well. After a stop at the grocery store, I drove home, staying awake for about seventy-five percent of the way. I rejoice in God's goodness and grace in protecting me as I made it safely home.
Teresa asked me to stay up for a bit and join her and kids for some worksheet activity (Michael starts school in the fall!!??). That quickly ended with Teresa waking me up from a nice doze sitting up at the dining room table and sending me to the solace of my king-size bed. Nice!!
Everything was pretty normal from there. I was awakened by Lexi slapping my thigh saying "Time to get up. Dinner's weddy." Here we are a few hours later. Teresa just finished watching the same movie she's been trying to watch for two weeks. The kids are at my mother's and I'm headed to work in thirty seconds.
All in all a nice day, even if a busy one. I haven't determined exactly how this day is to provoke my growth in godliness, but that's just because I haven't tried. Some how or another, it's a part of His plan to complete the good work begun.
I got off work this morning and came home, excitedly checking my blog stats to see all the people reading my post and joining as regular readers. Have you ever had your bubble burst? Major league bursting going on this morning. I had only one follower and that's only because I asked him to read. (Thanks Pastor Phillip!) I did have 15 page views which I thought was pretty good after only a day.
Things got worse from there. I checked my wife's blog stats trying to bolster my wounded pride. After all, her blog had only been in existence for eight hours. Talk about a slap in the face! My wife had six, count them six followers (who's even up from 1am to 8am?) and 34 page views including one from Italy. My wife doesn't even know anyone in Italy!
With my tail between my legs, I began to prepare for sleep after an appointment seemingly fell through. Right after taking off my shoes, the phone rang. The appointment was back on and I had ten minutes to travel thirty minutes away. I got there and the meeting went well. After a stop at the grocery store, I drove home, staying awake for about seventy-five percent of the way. I rejoice in God's goodness and grace in protecting me as I made it safely home.
Teresa asked me to stay up for a bit and join her and kids for some worksheet activity (Michael starts school in the fall!!??). That quickly ended with Teresa waking me up from a nice doze sitting up at the dining room table and sending me to the solace of my king-size bed. Nice!!
Everything was pretty normal from there. I was awakened by Lexi slapping my thigh saying "Time to get up. Dinner's weddy." Here we are a few hours later. Teresa just finished watching the same movie she's been trying to watch for two weeks. The kids are at my mother's and I'm headed to work in thirty seconds.
All in all a nice day, even if a busy one. I haven't determined exactly how this day is to provoke my growth in godliness, but that's just because I haven't tried. Some how or another, it's a part of His plan to complete the good work begun.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Introduction
Hello! My name is Jonathan, though most people call me Jon - without an "H".
I really have no idea why I'm beginning this blog, other than the fact that my wife and I have both decided to do so. I enjoy writing and hope to have a sense of direction at some point, but for now I'm content with an introduction and maybe some basic posts about life in general.
I guess the most appropriate introduction of me as a person is to let you check out my profile. That way, you can choose if you want background info or not. This blog is supposed to be for your benefit, right? So, if you're so inclined, check out my profile. Otherwise, read on.
The introduction here is of the blog. Why call it, "A Good Work Begun"?
Philippians 1:6 says, "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."
Some would call this my "life verse." I have a hard time choosing one inspired verse over another to be "the one for me" but I understand the concept. This verse is one to which I refer maybe more than any other. It certainly causes me to think of other great passages and truths, so maybe it's better called my "spring board." I look at the verse and am immediately reminded of who I am in Christ - a sinner saved by grace. I'm also reminded that any change in my heart and life is the result of His working in me, not my ability. This is a work that is on-going. You can trust me on that, but if you want third-party verification, ask my wife. You could ask anyone who knows me, but I'd like to save some face.
The last thing I'll mention is in the first part of the verse. I am confident that God is working. And maybe that is the true intention of this blog. I know it is the continual testimony and praise of my heart. Thus the reason for the title of this blog. I hope to exalt the name of Christ for every aspect of my life as He continues the good work begun in me.
So, if you want to read about the life of a saint who has a handle on everything, please don't waste your time here. If you want to (hopefully) be encouraged by seeing God's sovereignty as He works in the details of an average man and his family, come back and read. I'm not sure of the frequency of my posts, but it will be more frequent than my FB attendance.
A quick word to those who might happen across this blog who are not redeemed. You may or may not understand some of the posts in this blog as no doubt there will be seemingly "bad" things for which I will praise and honor God because I believe Philippians 1:6. You might think that I'm crazy. My hope is that God will use this blog to draw you to Himself. He requires and desires your worship. But without faith it is impossible to please Him. So my prayer is that you will search the Scriptures to see what they say about faith and where it should be placed.
To those of you who are believers, thanks for taking the time to read my intro. Might God continue the good work begun in you.
Jon
I really have no idea why I'm beginning this blog, other than the fact that my wife and I have both decided to do so. I enjoy writing and hope to have a sense of direction at some point, but for now I'm content with an introduction and maybe some basic posts about life in general.
I guess the most appropriate introduction of me as a person is to let you check out my profile. That way, you can choose if you want background info or not. This blog is supposed to be for your benefit, right? So, if you're so inclined, check out my profile. Otherwise, read on.
The introduction here is of the blog. Why call it, "A Good Work Begun"?
Philippians 1:6 says, "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."
Some would call this my "life verse." I have a hard time choosing one inspired verse over another to be "the one for me" but I understand the concept. This verse is one to which I refer maybe more than any other. It certainly causes me to think of other great passages and truths, so maybe it's better called my "spring board." I look at the verse and am immediately reminded of who I am in Christ - a sinner saved by grace. I'm also reminded that any change in my heart and life is the result of His working in me, not my ability. This is a work that is on-going. You can trust me on that, but if you want third-party verification, ask my wife. You could ask anyone who knows me, but I'd like to save some face.
The last thing I'll mention is in the first part of the verse. I am confident that God is working. And maybe that is the true intention of this blog. I know it is the continual testimony and praise of my heart. Thus the reason for the title of this blog. I hope to exalt the name of Christ for every aspect of my life as He continues the good work begun in me.
So, if you want to read about the life of a saint who has a handle on everything, please don't waste your time here. If you want to (hopefully) be encouraged by seeing God's sovereignty as He works in the details of an average man and his family, come back and read. I'm not sure of the frequency of my posts, but it will be more frequent than my FB attendance.
A quick word to those who might happen across this blog who are not redeemed. You may or may not understand some of the posts in this blog as no doubt there will be seemingly "bad" things for which I will praise and honor God because I believe Philippians 1:6. You might think that I'm crazy. My hope is that God will use this blog to draw you to Himself. He requires and desires your worship. But without faith it is impossible to please Him. So my prayer is that you will search the Scriptures to see what they say about faith and where it should be placed.
To those of you who are believers, thanks for taking the time to read my intro. Might God continue the good work begun in you.
Jon
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