In the Path of Spiritual Burden
August 25, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Lar,
(We don’t have Internet here yet, but we have started to settle in by the grace of God, so I am hoping to get back in normal blogging mode sometime soon–yes, something I haven’t been in in about a month or so!)
I could write about a host of things that have happened as of late, but one thing that happened today stands out quite a bit. It was actually so stirring that I felt compelled to write about it.
I was walking around downtown today, running some errands, when I could not help but be confronted with poverty, difficulty, and despair. Sometimes the effects of the Fall are impossible to ignore. Two people in particular stand out. The first was a gypsy woman who had two young children sleeping next to her on the hot concrete (it was 3:00 in the afternoon). The second was a man in a wheelchair who seemed to be barely alive (He seemed to be asleep, but even now, I am wondering if he was alive). His hospital records were in his lap along with a shoebox of some sort (for gifts of course). He also had a noticeable indent in his head.
The interesting thing about all of this, however, was not that I saw these people, but that I had to make a conscious effort to see this people. For I was so wrapped up in doing what I had to do during my time downtown that I barely noticed the first lady and virtually had to turn around to take notice of the second. Not only that, but after seeing them, I had to actually engage in the scene, so to speak. In a sense, it was as if I had to turn my heart on. To embrace the burden. To actively pursue feeling their pain.
In talking about the pursuit of greater personal holiness and joy in God (and the two go hand in hand, of course), Jonathan Edwards’ once said that it is necessary and wise for us to lay ourselves in the path of spiritual allurements. My experience today leads me to believe that we must do the same for spiritual burdens.
For as far as I see it, we (especially in the suburbs) can more or less live our lives without being confronted by the kind of people I saw today. We can insulate ourselves, even you might say, protect or guard ourselves from seeing such suffering. As followers of Christ, however, this simply will not do. Rather than guarding ourselves from the burden, we need to seek the burden. We need to lay ourselves in the path of spiritual burden, looking for ways in which we can bear the burdens of the weakest of the weak.
I know this is only a blog post Lar, but I want it to be more than that. I don’t want to live the same in light of what I saw today. And I don’t want you to do so either. I want us to actively pursue a burden for the unborn, the orphaned, the widowed, the sick, the imprisoned, the unreached. I want us to take steps. To set aside the time. To cease being so busy with work or ministry that we have time to love as we ought to love.
For me right now, it means going downtown with a pocket full of YTL (Turkish money), and a view towards seeing need. Not running errands. Not buying stuff for my kids. Not eating great chicken soup and baclava. But instead, laying myself in the path of spiritual burden. I ask you brother (and everyone else reading), what will you determine to do right now in order to do the same? What is your next action step? Where will you seek to confront yourself with great need? Let’s make it happen….very soon.
Seeking greater spiritual burden with you,
Joe
A Free Book’s Coming My Way
August 25, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Well, today was the day when Stephen Altrogge posted the ten greatest sports moments. I had to sweat it out, but when I got down to #9 I saw my entry had been selected, which means I will receive a free copy of Stephen’s book Game Day to the Glory of God.
I’m looking forward to reading it when it comes out at the end of September. Many thank to Stephen, for creating a fun contest.
PS — Stephen posted a different clip of Jordan’s last shot than the one I sent him, because he thought the video quality was a bit better. I sent him this one, because I enjoy hearing the live commentary from the game:
Spiritual Cancer
August 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment
This week I am preparing to preach a sermon on spiritual gifts at my church. I will be focusing on 1 Corinthians 12, and the image Paul gives us of the Body of Christ. I may or may not have time to use this illustration, but I thought it was worth posting here even if I don’t have time to mention it on Sunday. Those with a medical background can correct me if I’ve gotten something wrong:
We each have a unique and necessary gift to be shared for the common good of the body, and if we rebel against that purpose, then the whole body suffers. If we come to the body of Christ seeking only to receive and receive all the time, and never seeking to give to others out of the wealth that we have received from God, then we are rebels.
There is a condition in the human body that perfectly fits that description. It begins with a single, perfectly healthy fat cell which decides to mount a rebellion against the rest of the body. Fat cells are like the seemingly “weaker” parts of the body that Paul describes in verses 21-27. Most of us are trying desperately to get rid of them, but in reality they are indispensable. In his book Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, Paul Brand calls fat cells “banker cells” because in times of plenty they bulge with excess, as the body deposits more than it withdraws. But in time of lack they channel their abundance back into the bloodstream.
But sometimes a single fat cell chooses to rebel against the body, looking out for itself and not the interests of the body as a whole. It accepts deposits, but when the body is in lack, it does not let out its abundance. As that cell multiplies, daughter cells follow its lead, and a tumor grows bigger and bigger. When the cells choose to multiply without any checks on growth and spread rapidly throughout the body, they begin to choke out normal cells. White cells, which armed to attack foreign invaders and keep the body healthy, will not attack the body’s own rebellious cells. Such a malfunction is called cancer: healthy, functioning cells which are disloyal and no longer act with any regard for the rest of the body.
And this is what we become when we receive bountifully from God’s storehouse of gifts, without depositing those gifts back into the Church for the health of the body. We become spiritual cancers, seeking our own interests, but not the good of the whole. The body can’t live like that. But that is just what is happening when people choose to ignore the gifts God has given them, and come to church looking only to receive, and never to give.
Leroi Moore: 1961-2008
August 20, 2008 | Leave a Comment
As regular readers of the blog may know, the Dave Matthews Band has been on my heart in recent months, as I’ve pondered the joy I have in much of their music though it does not come from a Christian perspective. On and off for the past 8 years I have prayed for the members of the band, that God would so work in their lives that they would consciously desire to magnify Jesus Christ with the great gifts that He has blessed them with.
With that in view, I was particularly hit hard this morning when I read that Leroi Moore, the saxophonist for the band, died yesterday at the age of 46 due to complications that arose from an ATV accident he had in June.
Please join me in praying for his family and for the band, that God would use this situation to open their eyes to the hope that is found in Christ.
I found it…hope-giving (?) that the band opened their concert last night with a song called Bartender:
If I go
Before I’m old
Oh, brother of mine
Please don’t forget me if I go
Bartender, please
Fill my glass for me
With the wine you gave Jesus that set him free
After three days in the ground
Oh, and if I die
Before my time
Oh, sweet sister of mine
Please don’t regret me if I die
Bartender, please
Fill my glass for me
With the wine you gave Jesus that set him free
After three days in the ground
Bartender, please
Fill my glass for me
With the wine you gave Jesus that set him free
After three days in the ground
I’m on bended knees, I pray
Bartender, please
When I was young, I never think about it
Now I can’t get it out of my mind
I’m on bended knees
Father, please
Oh, and if all this gold
Should steal my soul away
Oh, sweet mother of mine
Please redirect me in this gold…
Bartender, you see
The wine that’s drinking me
Came from the vine that strung Judas from the Devil’s tree
His roots deep, deep in the ground
Bartender, you see
The wine that’s drinking me
Came from the vine that strung Judas from the Devil’s tree
His roots deep, deep in the ground
In the Ground…
I’m on bended knees
Oh, Bartender, please
I’m on bended knees
Father, please
When I was young, I never think about it
Now I just wanna run and die
I’m on bended knees
Oh, Bartender, please
Bartender, please…
Hypocrisy
August 19, 2008 | 3 Comments
One of the things that most irritated me about Obama’s chat with Rick Warren was listening to him speak compassionately about how America would be a better place if only we heeded Jesus’ words to care for ‘the least of these.’
Do the unborn not also count among ‘the least of these’? Yet Obama contends that if one of his daughters ‘makes a mistake’ (ie, gets pregnant), she should not be ‘punished’ with a baby. So much for the least of these.
Then it dawned on me that I am every bit as much a hypocrite as Barack Obama is. Haven’t I also quoted, memorized, preached on, passages of Scripture which I fail to live out consistently in my daily life? Don’t I preach that God gives sleep to His children, yet grumble when Halle isn’t sleeping well?
I cannot say whether Barack Obama is really in Christ or not. But I am so grateful God has counted righteous the hypocritical writer of this blog post, not because of the consistency of my life, but because of the perfect obedience of Jesus.
Obama and McCain chat with Warren
August 18, 2008 | Leave a Comment
CNN has posted the full footage from the ‘civil forum’ held the other night at Saddleback Church. I have watched the first part of Obama’s interview and found it worth the time investment to watch the rest.
The Harsh Words of the Bible
August 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Joe,
As you know, Mark Driscoll has gotten himself into some trouble over the years because of his tongue. I am currently reading one of his books and several times have asked myself, ‘Why does he say things like that?’
In view of that, I am particularly interested to hear him talk on the issue of: Christ, Controversy and Cutting Words at this year’s Desiring God National Conference.
DG has posted this video clip of an interview with Mark, to whet our appetites for the conference. Watching it certainly peaked my interest to hear Driscoll speak more on this issue.
Larry
China’s Twisted Priorities, and Ours
August 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Many people were indignant of the decision made by Chinese Olympics officials to put a girl on stage during the Opening Ceremony who was lip-synching to the voice of another girl, only because they deemed the one to be cuter than the actual singer.
In this short post, Kirk Wellum challenges us to consider whether we in America should look at our own twisted priorities before condemning China for its twisted priorities.
Great Influence, Great Responsibility
August 13, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Lar,
1 Samuel 3 was one chapter in my reading today. Verses 11-14 especially stood out. They read,
“Then the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.’”
I wrote a few paragraphs on this and posted them on Joe’s Notes this morning, but just take notice of the responsibility Eli had to lead his house. This should serve as a sobering reminder to every husband and father out there. The Lord has entrusted to us great influence and thus, great responsibility. Our influence is so great that every weakness in our home reflects a weakness of our own. And our responsibility is so great that any issues we find in our home, we are responsible to adequately address.
Humbled again by this great reality….
Joe
Thankful for the DMV
August 12, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Lar,
It’s been too long I know. At least last week I had an excuse (no Internet). Of course, as I said to you yesterday, it’s been weeks since I checked any blog. And you know that is quite rare for me. I am sure that will change after I get settled in in Turkey (next week, Lord willing). I usually blog better overseas, for the pace is usually much slower.
So anyway, I was at the DMV inspection station yesterday. As you might expect, I wasn’t exactly looking forward to it. Particularly because I had to get my Jeep re-inspected b/c of a brake light issue. And, in general, I don’t know many people (or maybe anyone) who actually enjoys doing anything with the DMV. Whatever you have to do - get a license, tags, inspection, etc. - usually falls into the mundane, necessary things of life that no one looks forward to.
But as I was there, I realized how thankful I should be (and now am) for a thing called a DMV and a building that is dedicated to inspecting the cars in which we drive. This is a privilege that we are quite apt to take advantage of (or even despise?), yet in many parts of the world (parts that I spend time in), there is no such thing. Consequently, the roads are less safe and the cars emitting all sorts of fumes that would never get passed inspection.
Of course, the DMV is just one privilege we enjoy living where we do. And I would argue that many of these privileges (and the organization behind them) flow from gospel light. Not that they are gospel light, but they are blessings that come as the gospel brings life into its rightful order.
Enough for now…at least to get back on track.
Seeking Him with you,
Joe
Cool Contest
August 11, 2008 | 3 Comments
The sports fans among our readers might enjoy this one:
Stephen Altrogge has a cool contest going at his blog: pick what you think is the greatest sports moment, and send Stephen a video clip of it from youtube. Stephen will pick the ten best moments, and those who selected those moments will receive a free copy of his forthcoming book, Game Day to the Glory of God.
Any guesses on which moment I sent in? (Hint: I’ve posted on the Seeking Him blog before)
Larry
PS — I HATE Duke (can a Christian say that?), but even a Duke hater has to admit that this shot was one of the great moments in NCAA hoops history. No, that’s not the one I sent to Stephen!
More Great Music from Sovereign Grace
August 7, 2008 | Leave a Comment
While I was at the Worship God ‘08 conference last week I bought Come Weary Saints, one of Sovereign Grace’s newest CD’s. I am really enjoying it, and particularly enjoy this song written by Mark Altrogge, called As Long as You are Glorified:
Shall I take from Your hand Your blessings
Yet not welcome any pain
Shall I thank You for days of sunshine
Yet grumble in days of rain
Shall I love You in times of plenty
Then leave You in days of drought
Shall I trust when I reap a harvest
But when winter winds blow, then doubt
Refrain:
Oh let Your will be done in me
In Your love I will abide
Oh I long for nothing else as long
As You are glorified
Are You good only when I prosper
And true only when I’m filled
Are You King only when I’m carefree
And God only when I’m well
You are good when I’m poor and needy
You are true when I’m parched and dry
You still reign in the deepest valley
You’re still God in the darkest night
What a wonderful expression of love for and trust in God’s good purposes in all things. Every time I listen to it, I find myself praying that God would make my heart really embrace what I am confessing.
You can listen to an audio clip of the song here.
Longing (and longing to long) for His will to be done in me,
Larry
Book Review — Respectable Sins
August 5, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Again, sorry blogging has been very light. I’m in the midst of another busy week, but I wanted to post this book review. I just wrote it for my church’s bi-monthly newsletter, and thought I would post it here as well.
In Respectable Sins, Jerry Bridges attempts to expose the subtle sins that we often justify in ourselves, even while we lament how godless and immoral the culture is around us. Among the sins that Christians often tolerate, Bridges takes a closer look at anxiety, jealousy, pride, ingratitude, judgmentalism and anger, to name a few. Before examining the ‘respectable’ sins, Bridges spends six chapters of the book giving general instructions on sin and the power of the gospel to destroy both the penalty and the power of sin.
I could go on and on writing about what a valuable resource this book is. So I will confine myself to sharing with you four reasons I found this book so helpful:
It is Gospel-Saturated – In chapter after chapter, Bridges explains that the remedy to the respectable sins is not through exercising greater will-power, but through the power of the gospel. It is only when we know that Christ has died to free us from the wages of our sin, that we can truly find the freedom and joy we need to put these persistent sins to death.
It is full of Scripture to empower you to fight these sins – Sin is appealing because it promises us satisfaction, and the only way to fight its deceitful promises is with a superior satisfaction in God. By filling his book with promises from God’s Word revealing the nature and character of the God we worship, Bridges gives us just what we need to make war on sin.
It beautifully mingles toughness and tenderness – Bridges is not shy about calling sin what it is: ugly, treasonous, and a stench in the nostrils of a holy God. He writes many things that pierced my heart as I saw just how serious my sin is. Yet Bridges does not write like a man who has conquered sin, but as one who is fighting with us. This book is humbly written by a man who has looked deeply at his own heart.
It encourages people to fight sin in community – In just about every chapter, Bridges urges the reader to speak with a spouse or close friend(s) for help in identifying and being held accountable for the sins we are struggling with. As the writer of Hebrews said, “Exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.“ Fighting sin is a community project, and Bridges repeatedly encourages the reader to elicit the help of other Christians as we fight sin.
I am confident that any Christian will profit immensely from reading and applying the contents of this book. May we be known as a people who make war on sin, even the ‘respectable’ ones.
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