Man Enough to Cry
December 28, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Yesterday I read this article from ESPN.com about Jameer Nelson, who played college ball at St. Joseph’s and now plays for the Orlando Magic. In August, Nelson’s father passed away in a mysterious accident at work.
The article talked a lot about how Nelson is coping with the pain of losing his father, who was his best friend. It was a heartbreaking story. One of the things that I found most heartbreaking is the way that it describes Nelson’s unwillingness to let others into his pain. It said that he would go out of his way to cry only in private, and not to show his emotions to others. He learned this, the article said, from his father.
I do not mean this to say anything negative about Nelson or how he is handling his sorrow. That would not be my place. But as I read this article I found great admiration for Jesus. Because while our society tells men to suppress their emotions and suggest that crying in front of others is effeminate, Jesus let others into His pain, and was not afraid to let others see Him cry.
He was a perfect Man, the only perfect Man, and when told of Lazarus’s death in John 11, and upon seeing the pain that this situation caused the others who were involved, we’re told, ‘Jesus wept.’ Right there in front of a crowd, the Son of God broke down in tears, showing the world that crying is masculine.
I pray that Jameer Nelson would have the strength to imitate Jesus, by allowing others to see him cry. I pray he would know that we were not made to cope with grief in isolation. And I pray that he would find comfort in his sorrow in the Son of God, who wept tears of sorrow, so that in the life to come ours might be wiped dry.
Assassination in Pakistan
December 27, 2007 | Leave a Comment
As I watched this short clip and saw the carnage in Pakistan, and the pain in the eyes of these victims, I could not help but think of Revelation 21,
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
Jesus is coming. He will make all things new.
Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!
Aslan
December 27, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Today I’ve been re-reading a bit of Lewis’ Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe. This quote is among my favorites outside the Bible. While I thoroughly enjoyed the movie that came out a couple of years ago, I thought it was awful that they left this piece of dialogue out of the movie:
“Is - is he a man?” asked Lucy.
“Aslan a man!” said Mr. Beaver sternly. “Certainly not. I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-Beyond-the-Sea. Don’t you know who is the King of Beasts? Aslan is a lion - the Lion, the great Lion.”
“Ooh!” said Susan, “I’d thought he was a man. Is he - quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.”
“That you will, dearie, and no mistake,” said Mrs. Beaver, “if there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly.”
“Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy.
“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver. “Don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
Heaven and Starbucks
December 27, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Here’s an interesting post from Randy Alcorn’s blog on the effect of his Heaven book one a cynical, unbelieving journalist from the LA Times.
Quote of the Day
December 27, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Michelle and I are reading through Piper’s Future Grace together, and last night we read a great chapter on Faith in Future Grace vs. Impatience. In it Piper shared the strange turn of events that led to the building of the second temple as recorded in the book of Ezra. This short quote really resonated with me:
‘The path of faithfulness is seldom a straight line to glory.’
That gave me great encouragement to press on in the hard and rewarding work of ministry.
Larry
Post-Christmas Reflections
December 26, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Jon Bloom from Desiring God posts some reflections on that after-Christmas feeling of emptiness, which can happen to kids and adults.
Merry
December 25, 2007 | 2 Comments
Growing up in a Jewish family, I think I am more puzzled by the phrase ‘Merry Christmas’ than the typical Christian who grew up saying this. Why do you we use the word merry? Do you ever use the word merry for anything else except when talking about Christmas? So, puzzled by this word, I looked it up in the dictionary. Here’s what I found:
| 1. | full of cheerfulness or gaiety; joyous in disposition or spirit: a merry little man. |
| 2. | laughingly happy; mirthful; festively joyous; hilarious: a merry time at the party. |
| 3. | Archaic. causing happiness; pleasant; delightful. |
With those definitions, I’m quite happy to tell someone, ‘Have a merry Christmas.’ And I’m actually quite glad that hardly anyone ever uses that word for anything else. For what could be more festively joyful than to ponder that the eternal Word has become flesh and dwelt among us, revealing His Father’s glory and laying down His life as the ransom for our sins.
May this Christmas make you exceedingly merry,
Larry
Not Emergent
December 24, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Joe,
Saw this book on JT’s blog, and it looks like a good one. And with endorsements from DA Carson, Mark Dever and Ligon Duncan, it looks even better!
Discerning the Steps
December 23, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Lar,
I like this quote and believe there is a great deal of truth to it. Too often I over think what I should or should not do next. This quote is just one means through which that perspective is being changed. In the end, isn’t it just wonderful that no matter what we decide, the Lord is working all things out for our good and His glory? That doesn’t mean we don’t think, of course. But it does mean that no matter what we decide, we can be at rest in the sovereignty of God. Indeed, we can rest in the Lord of the Dance.
Our life’s dance is not painted for us in footsteps on the floor. It’s not laid out so we know where to place our next step. We simply have to judge which steps best fit the rhythms that we hear.
One thing this quote points to is our great need to hear the right rhythms. This is of course why knowing the Word is so vital to our well-being all around. This is also why a redemptive worldview is so vital in discerning through decisions. I could go on, but I was just going to post the quote!
By the way Lar, that quote came from a book called Heaven is Not My Home by Paul Marshall. You will really enjoy it.
Loving the Lord of the Dance,
Joe
Christmas Treat from DG
December 23, 2007 | Leave a Comment
I have written previously of the impact that John Piper’s book The Pleasures of God has had on my life.
I know many of our readers have already read it, but if there are some who haven’t, treat yourself this Christmas to this excellent book. And Desiring God has given you a treat as well: the book is just $4.99 this week while supplies last.
Larry
Spending Christmas with the Unsaved
December 22, 2007 | Leave a Comment
If you are spending the upcoming holiday with family members and friends who do not know Christ (as I will be), you may find this post by Mark Altrogge helpful.
Manhood
December 20, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Lar,
Justin Taylor linked to this message by Ray Van Neste a while ago. I think I may have linked to it as well. Well, I finally was able to listen to the message tonight. After doing so, I felt compelled to post the link again and encourage every man reading this blog to listen to it.
He was speaking to college guys, but his message is still perfect for any man of any age. I am sure it will speak to each of you. It certainly spoke to me. I will warn you though, if you don’t want to be humbled, don’t click here!
I hope to write more next week Lar. Some reflections possibly of what the Lord is currently working on. This area of manhood is certainly one!
Seeking to be a man of God,
Joe
Jesus Disturbs the Peace
December 19, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Today I listened to this sermon by Mark Dever, called Jesus Disturbed the Peace, based on Luke 19.
I’ve not listened to Dever much, but I enjoy hearing him preach on such a long passage of Scripture. It is a discipline that I can learn a lot from, as I often preach on just one or two verses at a time.
I also was appreciative of the way Dever speaks to both believers and unbelievers in his message. It is so hard to speak to a large group of people who are all over the map spiritually. I think Dever does it quite well.
Larry
Book Recommendation
December 19, 2007 | Leave a Comment
While taking some time off from regular ministry responsibilities, I am hoping to do a lot of reading over the next couple of weeks. Last night I finished a book that Joe had loaned to me, Heaven is a Place on Earth. I found this to be one of the most helpful and thought-provoking books I have read in some time.
I think it is helpful for just about every Christian. For the layman, it will help to give meaning to even the most mundane tasks you do in a given day. For those in vocational ministry, it will help to relate and connect with those who don’t have the time we do to devote to spiritual disciplines.
Jesus’ prayer that His followers not be removed from the world, but protected from the evil one, are among the most challenging to apply. What does it mean to be in the world, yet not of it? This book was quite helpful in helping me to wrestle through that question. Ultimately much of the answer is going to be a matter of conscience. But as Joe always says, it is good to have a well-informed conscience.
This book did a great job of that. If you can’t tell already, I highly recommend it!
Larry
Blogging Hiatus
December 18, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Joe,
As 2007 comes to a close, I have decided to take a break from blogging (among several other ministry responsibilities) to focus a bit more on reflection and renewal as this year concludes.
Since I know you will be unable to blog also, I will try to post a few links here and there as I see things that I think are notable. But since I am also trying to cut down on my internet time over these couple of weeks, that too will be limited.
For now, here is a great deal I saw on Justin Taylor’s blog. Westminster books is selling all their ESV Bibles at 45 % off the retail price.
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