Be Still My Soul

"Be still, my soul: your Jesus can repay from his own fullness all he takes away."

Be Still My Soul, Katharina von Schiegel, 1752

Tr. by Jane Borhwick, 1855

If You Should Suffer, You Will Be Happy

Many look at suffering as if it were a grueling mountain to climb in their own strength. This past Sunday, I had the opportunity to preach from 1 Peter on how God, from His Word, paints a different picture of suffering for us. You can listen to the sermon by clicking on the link below.

All Of You, Fear Christ. Who Is There To Harm You?

Why God Gives Us More Than We Can Handle

I’ve heard the following phrase enough over the past ten years that I can almost steal the words from someone before they manage to escape their tongue: “God never gives us more than we can handle.” If these words are meant to encourage the hurting party directly then they’ll say, “Well, God will never give you more than He knows you can handle.” Comforters and counselors have this card handy and ready to draw when ever they’re in situations of suffering and tragedy. For many, these nine short words are often used as a last resort when the comforting party cannot come up with anything else to say. Sometimes, they can even be supplemented by a hearty pat and rub on the back or a confident look of assurance from the comforter, directly into the eye of the hurting party. These encouraging augmentations might actually bring comfort if the phrase, “God never gives us more than we can handle” was actually true.

The truth is, these nine words, that have been used time and time again in and out of Christian circles could not be further from the very truth that makes Christians, Christians. I know this first hand because God recently gave my wife and I something that we most certainly were not equipped to handle; we lost our son, Micah, at birth. We were and are faced with enduring something that we personally do not have the strength for. It goes without saying that death and dying are a part of this world that rock and sometimes shatter the infrastructures of people everywhere. The stories of people being effected by death and never recovering from the wounds are innumerable. So, when those nine words manage to force their way into someones rattled heart I’m less inclined to say, “Yes, I know,” and more inclined to say, “Really? I can’t believe that and still believe in the God of the Gospel.”

Here’s why:

To say that God never gives us more than we can handle is to say that God, in His love for us in times of tragedy and suffering leans in to us and says, “Well, my son, you know I never give you more than you can handle so. . .you’re on your own. You’ve got this. Tough it out. I love you.” To believe those slippery nine words is to believe that God’s desire for humanity is to walk out the hard roads of life on their own, in shoes made by their own hands. God’s only job is to give us a good, solid push on our way into on coming fire and wish us the best of luck.

This ever so common phrase is not God’s desire for man, it is not the Gospel, and it nullifies the cross of Christ and all that He accomplished.

The deep and short truth of the matter is that God does indeed allow overwhelming things like death and sickness to enter our lives and these things are too much for us to handle. The good news is that He is with us, because of what His Son has done. He will comfort us with a strength not our own. He will give us a joy awash with the saving blood of his Son and not the proverbial blood we shed in vain when we try to hold the prongs of death and suffering with our own hands. Life in a fallen world, with all of its traps, trials and broken surprises is more than any of us can handle. Strength is found in the Creator and the truth that Christ in us, is greater than anything that is in the world. We are not saved from hell by our own power and God does not intend for us to enter His Kingdom in our strength. For this, we ought to worship Him--He gives us great grace.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:8-10

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

2 Corinthians 4:7

Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.

2 Corinthians 1:9-10

If I Were the Devil (Typography)

If I Were The Devil - TheDevilisReal.com from Denton Bible on Vimeo.

God, the Father (John Piper Typography)

John Piper Typography from Daryl Hiebert on Vimeo.

How to Fix NASCAR

I consider myself a lover of most sports--particularly sports that incorporate some sort of ball and/or some striking (of the ball), kicking, running, and vigorous physical activity. Just so I know I'm covering all of my bases I'll even throw in the sports that consist only of punching or hitting an opponent en route to victory. These sports are enjoyable to watch for a number of reasons; the objective is clear, the movements and action during the game, match, meet or event vary from moment to moment increasing the level of watchability and, there is quite a bit of room for commenting with your fellow spectators. For example, "Wow, that was a great pitch! He really brought his A-game today." or, "Man! He punched that guy square in the teeth. How could he just leave his whole face exposed like that?" or even, "Everything the offense throws at the defense is being shut down today! They're not giving them an inch! This game will go down in history as one of the greatest displays of defensive mastery ever played out on an athletic field."

These are just some of the reasons I, and many other sports lovers enjoy the sports we do. However, there is one sport I don't enjoy for one simple reason. I can't. The main reason is probably because I can't find room to incorporate my previous list of reasons why most sports are enjoyable to watch. This sport is the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, otherwise known as NASCAR. This dizzying sport was started by one Bill France Sr. and apparently finds its early origins in the bootlegging hills of the Appalachian region of the United States. I never knew Bill France Sr. and I don't know any bootleggers, but if I was ever given the chance I would suggest some ways to improve the great National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. So, what follows is a list of ways to improve this sport, written and compiled by myself and a good friend. They appear in no particular order or degree of importance simply because applying any one of them would bring NASCAR to its full potential of watchability. Here they are:

1. At any point during the race, pre-selected fans should be allowed to drive monster trucks onto the race track in the direction of the drivers. This would test the driver's hand-eye coordination as well as incorporate a sense of team pride into the race because the monster truck driving fans could drive towards an opposing team's car, upping the chances of a home team victory.
2. The Paintball Compton 500. Instead of an annular track, why not hold a race in Compton and have random drive by paintball shootings from red or blue cars equipped with hydraulics interfere with the race. This increases watchability while giving the drivers a new look at culture in an urban environment along with giving people a fun and safe alternative to actual bullets.
3. The James Bond Open. One car is equipped by Q to launch rockets and drop oil slicks during the race. The identity of the 007 car is not disclosed until the race is over.
4. Large gaseous men ride shot gun with the driver, prohibiting him to role down his windows until the race is finished. This would increase the speed of the race which would free up valuable air time for other sports. It would also get rid of that weird net window thing.
5. The Kids in the Car Sprint Cup Series. This race would take place during the summertime with two random, and fairly devious children in the back seat who constantly argue and ask, "Are we there yet!" This option allows children to enjoy the sport close up. We could even mic-up the drivers to hear their responses. I'd imagine they'd say something like, "WE'RE ALWAYS THERE! WE'RE DRIVING IN CIRCLES!!!!"
6. Include a half-pipe.
7. Include car jackers at pit stops. This would incorporate an element of competitive fighting during the race as opposed to the random angry tizzy fights that take place after a driver has already crashed or worse, after the entire race is over. I read an interesting article on this and discovered that one driver/angry loser was also a Golden Gloves boxer. Unfortunately the fight took place after the race. If only they could've found a way to incorporate the Golden Glover's skills into the competition.
8. Put the cars into a huge parking lot made to look like a football field and have eleven stock cars with convertible tops line up across from another eleven and play a game of NASCAball (National Association for Stock Car Ball). This makes the speed of the cars a bit more interesting to watch. It also gives the drivers a chance to use more of their insight and deductive reasoning as they construct different plays. It wouldn't be a bad idea to incorporate the Wonderlic test in there somewhere either. Maybe as an alternative to a qualifying race.
9. Allow texting while driving. This makes perfect sense because it incorporates two activities that are illegal and/or unwise everywhere else in the country besides a circle shaped race track: texting behind the wheel and driving over the speed limit. It could also be an educational tool used to teach teenagers and irresponsible, single thirty-somethings about the dangers of texting while driving.
10. Incorporate real soccer fans, anywhere. The mix of redneck silver-tongued, toothless swagger, light beer, and pure, unaimed, frenzied and chanting angry passion should make for an interesting day at the race track.

Maybe in the next few years one of these will catch on. In the meantime, I'll be watching football and hoping for the day I can enjoy a race with friends.

Here is that article I referenced: Flying Fists: Rating NASCAR's top 5 fights

* The name of my "good friend" was omitted from this entry to save his life from the angry pummeling he would get from another good friend who is a real lover of NASCAR and doesn't see the need for any improvements. I will endure whatever punishment would come his way as a result of his inclusion in this entry.

Faithful are the wounds of a friend;

profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

Proverbs 27:6

What Is Meekness?

I've been working my way through the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and read a great bit on meekness by James Montgomery Boice. Very convicting, and very rectifying.

"A final sense of the word "meek" comes from the fact that in biblical language the word is used most often to indicate a subservient and trusting attitude before God, and this makes meekness generally a vertical virtue rather than a horizontal one. It is the characteristic that makes a man bow low before God in order that he may stand high before other men; it makes him bold because he knows that his life has been touched by God and that he comes as God's messenger."

J.M. Boice, An Expositional Commentary: the Sermon on the Mount

Click on the book to get the commentary for the best price around.

You Are Your Father's Son

You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

1 Peter 1:18b-19

I Have Some Bad News

When I as eleven years old my grandmother (who raised me and who I call mom) brought me into my room for a chat about my dad. Even at the young age of eleven I had a limited but detailed cache of memories about my father, and somehow I knew that I wasn't in for good news.

"Your dad is sick," mom said, "he's sick with a disease that has no cure."

"You don't have to finish mom," I replied, "I know what it is."

I don't remember how I knew, I'm not sure it matters really. My mom went on to tell me that according to the doctors, my dad would have about 6-10 months to live and that he was in the hospital. I can distinctly remember tuning her out after that as anger washed over my insides. I couldn't help but think that for some reason this was all a result of some bad decision, some enormously selfish misstep on his part, and in less than a year I'd be without an already absent father.

In tears I muttered, "I never want to be like him. . .ever."

God was incredibly gracious to my dad; he is still here, but from age eleven on, in many ways, that was my goal--to not be like my father. Even in my love for him I made pointed attempts to avoid following in his footsteps. This was a heavy load to bare. Mostly because it's near impossible to avoid being like anyone you are hardly ever around. In many ways you have to know what someone is like in order to make an effort to do the opposite of what they do. Not to mention the fact that he was and is my own flesh and blood. In effect, I was running from a ghost. From age eleven into my very late teens I carried this impossible burden. Because of this, in the later years, for most of the time I ran on three emotions--anger, frustration and depression. As hard as I tried not to, I left traces of irresponsibility, apathy, selfishness, and faithlessness everywhere I went--I was my father's son. My motivations were pitifully misguided. Clearly, I was not created to live like this.

We Are Created to Be

Sadly, because of the fall, the stories of our lives are broken, our fathers and mothers can let us down, our expectations and needs for love can go unmet, and our lives can be filled with mountainous obstacles too big for any of us to overcome on our own. At the age of eleven, my zealous reaction to my broken story was to be the opposite of the person who'd hurt me. As strange as it may sound, my goal was to live in reverse and hope that my story would end up the way I wanted. Our hearts were not created to live out of these kinds of motivations. Living in reverse only results in us skidding our wheels, emotionally taxed, and frustrated that we simply can't get it right.

In the very beginning of God's story He calls man to action, and showers him with generosity, grace and good gifts, (Gen 2:8-16; 18-22). Even in his commands of omission (Gen 2:17) He doesn't leave his creation without an alternative call to commission that is honoring to Him and good for man himself (Gen 2:16). All throughout Christ's life He calls His followers to lives of being different things; salt, light, branches on a vine, proclaimers of His Gospel, lovers, peacemakers, and carriers of a cross. In Paul's epistle to the Romans, he urges believers to: abhor what is evil, and hold fast to what is good, love one another, be constant in prayer, bless those who persecute us, and overcome evil with good (Rom 12:9-21) Clearly, we are not created to live in reverse, but to live onward and into eternity. While we are called to "be" all of these things we are continually reminded of one thing--As hard as we try, we are our father's sons. It's inevitable.

"None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; on one seeks for God. There is no fear of God before their eyes."

Romans 3:10,11,18

In my endeavor to not be like my absentee father, I'd missed all of the signs that I was more like him than I'd imagined. Consequently I'd missed out on the freedom that comes from knowing you are created to be a recipient of a heavenly Father's forgiveness and grace for all of the ways you are like your parents. Even more so, I'd failed to realize that there is only one perfect Son, who had a perfect relationship with His Father, and who was perfectly like Him in every way. At the end of His life He was cut off, and abandoned by His Father at the cross, but on the third day He defeated death and the grave. All of this so that the fatherless and those living to not walk in their earthly fathers footsteps could be redeemed of their burdens, and called to follow a good, and perfect parent and live like His Son.

The truth is that the perfect story of a Father and His Son is the answer and remedy to all of those whose stories are fractured and in need of rescuing.

Here is a great book on this topic. Click on the book to get it for the best price:

The Promised Trouble

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

John 16:33

Summer sessions for high school football is the last time I can remember willfully and intentionally walking into something I knew was probably going to bring me some level of physical discomfort. At least, that's the first thing that comes to mind--there are certainly other instances for me I'm sure. Things were made very plain to me; a proverbial hell loomed ahead and it was fully supplied with enough whistle blowing, spit and "do it agains!" to go around for days. I was not naive, and still, I strapped up, sprinted out and ran around like a mad man in one-hundred degree heat. For what? As far as I can remember, I did it for what I got when it was over--an opportunity to do the exact same thing, but instead have it actually count for something. This made any discomfort I'd endure peripheral.

After a morning conversation with a brother, and an evening spent reading a book that's been plucking at my heart strings, I can't help but be reminded that Christianity is bound up with the same idea--adversity is inevitable. I also can't help but be reminded that the misery of two weeks spent toiling in the boiling heat is much easier than following a perfect King while inside of an imperfect body adrift in a world that's gone amiss. Trouble is promised (John 16:33), and yet, when it comes I'm wildly amnesic. I fumble around in my brain for some sort of explanation or conclusion I can come to that will explain why a day, a week, or a month has been riddled with difficulty. This is not a physical distress, it's an inner anguish and fatigue. Physical pain withers in the flame of the troubles of the heart and the mind.

In the world you will have tribulation. . . (Jn 16:33)

This is the "trouble" Jesus is vehemently driving at when He promises His disciples that they will have tribulation in the world. The word 'tribulation' is also used to mea pressure. Following Christ is always a matter of the heart. Loving people is always a matter of the heart. Living selflessly is a matter of the heart. So, when trouble comes it always comes to put pressure on my heart. Temptation to sin does not attack my arm, or my chest. Instead, it attacks my heart. What does my King tell me to do? He says, "But take heart. . ." The phrase actually means "to be of good cheer". Not confused, or discouraged, or depressed that I've failed. Gladness is the call for all instances of trouble. Smiles, singing, laughing, praising, and worshipping are right because of what's be done and because of what's ahead.

The truth is this; Christ would endure the greatest promised tribulation and misery so that we could endure the promised tangible and intangible trouble that comes with being broken people who are progressively being transformed into new and newer creations. "Take heart," Jesus said, "I have overcome the world." What a heroically confident statement! Jesus hadn't yet gone to the cross to overcome the world and make the promise true, and yet He knew His suffering along with His victory was inevitable.

As certain as we can be that the pressures of the world are coming in with the next sunrise, we can be more sure of the victory of the Cross and the Resurrection over those troubles.

Read this book:

The King's Throne

It's probably because the summer is coming up; that would explain the dozens of advertisements I've noticed for how to lose weight fast and get the beach body you've always wanted so that you don't look like a dork in front of all the non-dorks this summer. Just about every where turn (outside the confines of our own homes) there are ploys, and posters, and promotional ads that beg us to be. . .whatever it is they're asking us to be. Many of us buy it until our pockets, or hearts are empty and found wanting--fooled, by the sirens allure yet again.

In Revelation 4, Jesus shows his servant John a celestial vision that flies in the face of any bedazzled ad that might wheel past us during the day. This past Sunday I had the opportunity to preach on this passage. You can listen to the sermon by clicking on the link below.

The King's Throne

Here is a commentary that served to be very useful during my preparation. I strongly recommend it to anyone who's looking to take a Christ-centered trek through the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Click on the book to get for the cheapest price around.

Eavesdropping On A Phone Call

I over heard my wife's phone conversation with her sister. She was telling her sister that God had been crashing, and smashing some of her idols lately. As a result of my listening, I was moved to write this. I hope you like it.

Crashing

by Anthony Coughlin

Crashing

Crashing

my statues came crashing down-down-down

Crashing

Crashing

all my treasures were dashed to the ground

Oh, I tried to pick up the pieces

but there were too many to count

I crawled in the dirt

and I fumbled around

as I searched for the jewels of my crowns

Crashing Crashing

my dummies came crashing down-down-down

Crashing

Crashing

my reverie’s fading out

these ventriloquial puppets seem to’ve lost all the stuffing

now their handler’s pulling his big guns out

the pain’s hard to stomach

but the reign from the Bludgeon

keeps bringing my images down

Crashing

Crashing

my pinups are falling down-down-down

Crashing

Crashing

me and my favorites are falling-out

through the settling mist

kicked up from the fists

all bloodied from punching my pipe dreams out

I see a disfigured

man on a single

Bludgeon

--He’s bleeding out

Crashing

Crashing

my cash I can’t cash in now-now-now

Crashing

Crashing

I’m left to leave it on the ground

As I sit on the hill

amidst all my thrills

the Aftermath’s gazing down-down-down

a pitiful cretan

who sees he’s been beaten

at the Bludgeon

in dust

I’ve been found

Crashing

Crashing

my statues came crashing down-down-down

Crashing

Crashing

all my treasures were dashed to the ground

Here's a great book on the central theme of my poem:

Hated Like Jesus (John 15:18-16:4)

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

1 Pet 4:13

If we're honest, none of us relish the thought of being disliked, standing at the sharp end of ridicule, or enduring hardship. Christ promises the Christian all of these things if they are going to live in the world and run hard after Him. He also assures them why this must be so, and what He will provide.

Listen to the sermon by clicking on the link below, and grab an extremely helpful book on the same topic for a discounted price by clicking on the book.

Hated Like Jesus

God Ruined My Dinner

Last night my wife and I had a friend over for dinner. We don't have any children yet, and so we have the luxury of entertaining company in the cozy confines of our little apartment. Cindy made pork loin, roasted potatoes and mixed veggies; the table was set, the company had arrived and we were gathered around our sturdy, pine Ikea dining room table to pray. As I lead us in the prayer I thanked God for the food and acknowledged Him as the giver of all things good, I thanked Him for the company of friends and community, then I prayed that His hand would be on our time and that He would use it to bring glory to Himself by way of His Spirit. In Jesus' name I prayed, Amen.

Pork is not something we make often and Cindy, forgetting that it is "the other white meat" kept asking, "Babe, is it done? I'm not sure if it's done. Is it done? Look at it, is it supposed to be that color?"

"Babe, it's done," I said poking at the meat, "It's the other white meat. That's the right color and--Mmmm. Yea babe, it's really good. This is good." Our dinner guest agreed, but noted that it was a little salty. In a few seconds, the salty quality of the meat or its color wouldn't matter at all.

As I reached for a bit of my taters I heard a weird cracking noise, a loud pop and Cindy yelling, "Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!" Now the details are a little fuzzy for me because everything happened so fast, but I do remember one thing distinctly; looking up at the ceiling fan above the table, seeing its light bulb explode and then saying something like, "WHAT IS THAT! WHAT IS THIS?! WHAT?!" It wasn't the pop, or the bulb that caused my quizzical expression. It was the steady stream of water coming out of the ceiling fan, around the bulb's glass cover, plummeting onto our dining room table and into the lovely sodium filled pork loin my wife had prepared.

By this time Cindy and our dinner guest had scurried into the kitchen with the plates, and I followed close behind with the other white meat in hand. Once the food was safe, like a good husband, I walked back over to the scene of the crime to investigate. What was I supposed to say or do really, water was coming through the ceiling at a place I never expected to see water come from. I couldn't fix it, and didn't want to touch it because I remembered hearing somewhere that water and potentially live wires filled with electricity don't go well together, especially when a person is involved. I called maintenance.

"Yes, hello. Yes, I'm--Oh my name? Anthony. Yea, well there's wat--my apartment number? One-one-zero-six. You see the problem--My building? I'm in the first building and there's water coming through my ceiling fan and onto our dining room table." A few minutes later a portly gentlemen came knocking on the door and we got to the bottom of our dining room now turned water wonder land amusement area. There was a leak in the kitchen above us that managed to make it's way through the floor and eventually through our ceiling fan onto dinner. The leak was fixed but dinner was not, and we frankly had lost our appetites.

We made our way into the living room where for the next couple of hours we spent time talking about the Gospel's work in our hearts, we challenged each other to live out the Gospel in areas we noticed were in need of growth and sought ways to help one another in those areas, we brainstormed and made plans for how we could as a community group serve a newly married couple who is in need of some encouragement in their first few months of marriage, and we prayed for them, one another and our local church community. God had taken plans for dinner and used them solely for His purposes. I am certain that none of that would have happened had it not been for the unlikely leakage on dinner. Praise God, for He does all things well.

For from him through and to him are all things. To him be glory for ever. Amen.

Rom 11:36

And he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, "What have you done?"

Daniel 4:35

See the Grace of God, And Be Glad

Every other Tuesday night I work out with a friend and afterwards we head to Starbucks to talk and pray. Right now we're going through this book, so far it's been very helpful and one of the reasons is because there are questions at the end of each chapter. One question that guided a lot of our conversation was, "Whom have you seen changed by the outworking of God's grace, and how?" We talked about this and why being intentionally involved in others lives makes this kind of question easier to answer. One of the passages I brought to the conversation was Acts 11:22-24, it talks about this very thing.

The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.

The people at Antioch that Barnabas was going to visit had just endured persecution, traveled out of Jerusalem to Antioch, and established a church. Barnabas goes to visit and encourage them, and when he gets there he sees the grace of God and it makes Him glad, he rejoices. Why? What did he see that made him rejoice?

He sees them glad and growing, and being sanctified by the very same grace that saved them. He sees them doing what God’s grace does in others: Trains them to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our (their) blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of God and Savior Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:11-13) He sees them doing, increasingly, the good works that they’ve been created, by grace, in Christ Jesus, to do; and all of this after they just had their lives threatened. That’s why they were called Christians (Acts 11:26), not because of their conversion, but because of the grace of God manifested in their lives post conversion—their conversations, their motivations, their happiness, their free time—all of it changed and changing for God’s glory, because of God’s grace.

We’re so prone, in our pride (I know I am) to think at times that because we know so much about the doctrine of grace (or pick anything) that we some how have arrived at some sort of spiritual plateau--we’re mature now. Maybe you struggle with the idea that suggests, if someone can’t articulate their understanding of grace the way that we can, or even the way the people we know can, well, then they just aren’t very holy or spiritually mature.

The real question isn’t, can they articulate it with eloquence, but can you see it, in their life? Do you see it!? Does your looking for God’s grace in the lives of others stop at how well they know something and can articulate it? Let me assure you, and you probably already know this but let me just assure you, if someone can give me facts about grace, or a detailed outline on the doctrine of grace and say, “See I know that.” And then, they can cut someone down with their words or look down their nose at them because they don’t know the name of some theologian or don’t subscribe as tightly to a particular doctrine, then they don’t know grace. Because that’s not grace. That’s not the grace that they we’re given by God, in Christ—that’s arrogance, and grace doesn’t make arrogant people, it makes humble people.

Now, can knowledge be evidence of God’s grace? Yes. Is it something to be glad about when we see it gained by someone else? Yes. But what should make you really glad is the manifestation of that knowledge into the actual life, actions, words and motivations of another person.

Here’s another thought: Someone lives with perpetual guilt and depression because of their sin, feeling like every sin they commit and every time they miss “quiet time” is a rung that they’ve dropped on the ladder of God’s love and acceptance towards them and another step they have to take back to God’s loving embrance—they don’t get grace. Because that’s not grace, that’s a lie called legalism. You were saved by grace, through faith in the finished work of Christ alone, not your works.

Do our sins cause grief? They should? Do they cause a feeling of distance from God? Yes. Should that grief disable us to the point of, “God hates me now. . .He hates me! No! Grace says with Micah:

Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression

For the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. (Micah 7:18)

Rejoice not over me, O my enemy;

When I fall, I shall rise;

When I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me. I will bear the indignation of the LORD because I have sinned against him, until he pleads my cause and executes judgment for me. He will bring me out to the light; I shall look upon his vindication. (Micah 7:9)

Embracing the cross where Jesus died, as your payment for your sin. Debt paid! That’s a good work of grace.

So, what are you focused on? Are you looking for it in others? Are you like Barnabus, “God, I’m going to Antioch and I know they’ve been enduring persecution, I pray their still strong and I hope when I see them they’re still enduring and bearing fruit and growing in the midst of loss and suffering . . .show me your grace in their lives!” Barnabus saw them inside the sovereignty of God’s grace. He understood how they got to the point they were at—by God’s sovereign grace and choice. We ought to as well.

Death of A Young Egg Shocks Neighborhood

It was a tragic scene yesterday at the corner of the 52^nd block of Chestnut street in West Philadelphia. Humpty, a young egg walking home from school with his friends as usual, fell victim to a horrific accident. He, along with his companions thought it might be fun to climb a wall in the backyard of Philadelphia resident James Kingcrumb. “I didn’t even know the kids were out there, not until I heard the noise,” tells Kingcrumb. The noise Kingcrumb heard was Humpty, who lost balance along the wall and plummeted to the pavement, his hard shell and gooey insides leaking out into the street. Kingcrumb hastily tried to assemble the pieces, but it was too late.

Kingcrumb relayed his feelings to reporters with a mixture of anguish and aggravation, “I knew he was gone when I could smell him cooking on the hot summer pavement--that’s when I called the police. It’s sad you know, because this stuff happens too often in this neighborhood; just the other day a young piece of cheese was sliced to bits up on Baltimore Avenue, right outside the pizza place. It just really upsets me. . . makes me sick, because. . . you know. . .we all have to live here and nobody wants to live like this. I feel for the young kids in this neighborhood, they’re the ones who have to grow up in this environment and, well. . . it’s just horrible. Something needs to be done, this is just ridiculous…this can’t go on.”

Humpty’s friends declined to comment for reporters but have been seen entering and exiting the Humpty home all day, more than likely to offer their condolences and express their sorrow for the tragic accident.

“You never expect this kind of thing to happen right in you’re own backyard,” said Kingcrumb, “I guess now that it has, it’s not going over very easy for me. It’s just hard.”

The Story of Conversation

Someone recently asked me the question, "What is effective Gospel-centered conversation?" I had to think about it, in fact, I'm still thinking about it.

My wife and I lead a home community group in our local fellowship and conversation is part of what drives the group, you might say that without conversation the group would falter. Why? Why is conversation so important? What kind of conversation is important? What kind of conversation is most effective? I thought, if I'm going to get my understanding of this from Scripture I have to read "backwards" in God's story to get a better understanding of conversation and where it comes--what is the "story of conversation"?

The Great Announcer: God as the First Initiator of Conversation

God has the first conversation with Himself (Gen 1:26) and the next He has with Adam and the basis of conversation is announcing Adam's privilege(s) (Gen 2:17). God is proclaiming to Adam, "This is what I have for you to enjoy. Enjoy it!" So, it seems to me that if conversation is going to be understood properly we have to understand that it started with, comes from, and was first initiated by God.

The Questions of Conversation: Deviating From the Plan

The next conversation is not so helpful. There's no announcing or proclaiming, nothing said that can be stood on or trusted in. In fact, all that has already been proclaimed is now being called into question (Gen 3:1). All the questioning and debating about what has already been affirmed is really just temptation to throw out what God has already said in the name of, "good, thoughtful, intuitive conversation". Nothing good can come from this, right?

The Gracious Confronter: God as the First to Confront, Convict and Give Hope

The next conversation God has with man is unlike the first in that it is an actual conversation; meaning there is dialogue involved. Once again, it is initiated by God (Gen 3:9a). There is some questioning (Gen 3:9b; Gen 3:11, 13), all of which is done by God and all of which leads Adam and Eve to realize the weight of the error and the foolishness of their "intuitive conversation" and dismissal of all that was announced and proclaimed to them. Then, God does some more proclaiming and promising (Gen 3:14-19). Part of this announcement is a curse on a now fallen world, but in the midst of the curse there is a promise (Gen 3:15). So, to answer my previous question--Yes! Good can and did come from Eve's interrogative conversation in Genesis 3:1-7. In the midst of His promise to curse, God promises to redeem and in doing so He gives hope to an otherwise hopeless Adam and Eve. This hope is of coarse found in the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Our Conversation

God's conversation with Adam, Eve and the serpent in Genesis 3 is the Gospel. He confronts, which is what the Gospel does to us, He convicts them of sin, which the Gospel does, He promises a redeemer and victor over sin and death, which the Gospel does also, and all of this is done to lead Adam and Eve back to the God that they doubted and distrusted.

Shouldn't we pattern our conversation after this? If our most important moments of conversation are going to truly be effective and helpful then taking opportunities to lead one another to our Redeemer and King is crucial. This doesn't mean every word we speak to someone has to be about the Gospel but it should be driven by the Gospel. Are we loving enough to confront with grace when confrontation is needed? Do we believe in the power of the Gospel enough to rebuke and correct with gentleness when we know it is necessary. Is Christ's atonement and the hope of the coming Kingdom such a reality to us that we are eager and able to encourage others with its truth?

Does the history of our conversation mirror His-story of conversation?

The Bible is written to show us the true nature of reality. Scripture will either affirm or confront the stories by which we make sense of the details of our daily lives.

- Michael R. Emlet, CrossTalk: Where Life & Scripture Meet

Counting the Cost of Our Worship

So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have not lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing God.

Heb 13:12-16

All of the decisions we make in life have something to do with how we perceive things, and so, our choices, our life, is very much a matter of perception. What does the Gospel have to do with our perception?

This past Sunday, I had the privilege of serving and worshiping with my local church through preaching on John 12:1-9. I pray the sermon diagnoses, convicts and encourages your hearts with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and what it has to do with our perception of reality.

The link is below:

Counting the Cost of Our Worship

A commentary that helped my preparation and will certainly help your study of John. Click on the book to get it, and other Cross-centered books: