Thoughts on the Cultural Mandate
December 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Joe,
I know you have thought/spoken a great deal in the past year or two about the ‘cultural mandate’ toward the end of Genesis 1.
So I am curious what your thoughts are on this post from the 9 Marks Blog.
Let me know,
Larry
Running the Race
December 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Joe,
I’ve not yet watched the video you posted on the female basketball player, but I think I know the story well. While you missed this past Sunday’s sermon (being in another country is a good excuse!), I spoke about this same exact thing in exhorting our flock to run the race set before them in 2009.
Instead of using your illustration, I used the illustration of the movie Chariots of Fire. As you know, it is a story of two men who very talented runners, running for two entirely different motivations.
Harold Abrahams (pictured) tells us why he runs: ‘I have ten lonely seconds to justify my existence.’ For him, running was the way of feeling like he was someone. As a result, when he failed he was inconsolable, and when even when he succeeded he could not find happiness. ‘I’m forever in pursuit, and I don’t even know what I am chasing,’ he says.
On the other hand is Eric Ledell, a man who knew Christ and was secure in His love. He says, ‘God made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure.’
What an incredibly different dynamic was motivating the running of these two men! One was running to prove he was someone, and the other was running for the sheer joy of honoring God with the gifts that he had been given.
Embracing the Gospel makes all the difference between running (or playing hoops) with an oppressive burden on your shoulders, and running for joy and pleasure.
I highly recommend the movie Chariots of Fire, to see a vivid depiction of the difference between a religious motivation and a Gospel motivation.
Larry
A Challenge to Ministers
December 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment
I am presently reading a great book (especially for me), entitled, The Image of God in the Human Body: Essays on Christianity and Sports. In his chapter of the book, Erik Thoennes begins by listing five reasons why we must have a better understanding of play. His fifth reason is,
And finally, ministers should help people play well. A Christian who takes his role as a minister seriously must be able to lead people in godly play. As a pastor of a dear flock of growing saints and a teacher of college students who generally have a deep hunger to know God, I’m convinced that helping God’s people survive in a very broken world requires a well developed ability to play. A minister of the gospel must be able to cry and mourn, laugh and play with godly gusto, and lead others in these as well.
Remember, it is written within a certain context, but it is a context in which (in my opinion) the statement certainly stands. Finding out why is worth the intellectual pursuit. I commend it to everyone reading.
Motivation Without Burnout
December 29, 2008 | Leave a Comment
I’m not sure how many of you viewed that video I linked to earlier. For those who did, you might remember that in an earlier interview, her parents talked about how motivated she was to become a better basketball player, always wanting to practice, etc. That was the reason why they didn’t think she would burn out.
What they didn’t realize, however, is this crucial lesson: What causes burnout is not so much the amount of activity as it is the motivation for the activity.
Again, I speak from basketball experience, however, we all understand this lesson. After all, we all have particular topics of study or activities that we so readily enjoy that in large part, we can’t get enough of them. We have great capacity for improvement in the things the Lord has gifted and called us to do. (Larry, your study of the Scriptures serves as an example.)
The issue is the heart, the motivation, the reason why we keep on going, the reason why we are seeking constant improvement. If our core identity is wrapped around this pursuit, we are bound to burnout. If our security and fulfillment is dictated by whether or not we can achieve a certain status or reach a certain goal, we’ll end up ruining the goal. We might even reach it and then realize, it wasn’t all it was meant to be. Sure, some of us will last more than others. But we will all end up at the same place. Unfulfilled, longing for that which only Christ (and a robust understanding of what He is doing in the world) can provide.
But if Christ is the center and the development of our gifts and the fulfillment of our calling to God’s glory is our goal, I am convinced that we will not burnout. If we truly understand our God-given call to develop our God-given talents to His glory, within the context of a balanced, gospel-centered life, we will thrive rather than lose our zeal. Our gifts will be developed to the degree that the Lord wants them to be developed to our joy and God’s glory. We won’t ruin the gift, but instead, enjoy it and maximize it to the glory of the Giver.
May the Lord grant us the grace to do just that within our respective spheres. May we find motivation in God’s redemptive work and in turn, thrive in our respective callings as the Lord desires us to.
Ruining a Planet
December 29, 2008 | Leave a Comment
This morning I came across this video at ESPN’s Outside the Lines. It chronicles a woman’s basketball player that I heard about a few years ago. She is from Delaware and was on pace to become one of the best women’s basketball players ever. But she burned out and, after two days at UCONN, walked away from the game (at least for now) in order to play Volleyball at the University of Delaware.
The video was particularly relevant to me, because I can relate to her. I myself faced basketball burnout more than a few times throughout my career. At the very least, I know exactly how she feels when she says that basketball no longer felt like a game, but simply like ‘work.’ Of course, now it really is work for me, but that is another matter. When you are 16 years old and it feels like work, something is wrong. By God’s grace, I enjoy the game now more than ever, even though it is my job.
I would like to say more about this sometime later, but essentially the lesson is this: If Jesus Christ is supposed to be the Sun in the solar system of every man’s soul, you will ruin a particular planet if you try to put it in His central place, especially the planet that you may have been uniquely created to invest into and enjoy.
I can speak to this firsthand. It wasn’t until I came to understand who Christ is and how basketball fits into His great plan of redemption that I could readily enjoy the game I was created to invest into and enjoy. Sound theology gave hoops its proper place and thus, its greatest chance to thrive. The more I understand ‘the Sun’ and His desire for the world, the more the ‘planet’ of basketball finds its proper place and thus, its greatest fulfillment. I wish I could have learned the lesson sooner, but I am hopeful that my learning it will help many others in the years ahead.
And I pray right now that young Elena Della Donne would come to learn that lesson as well. It’s a tough process of putting an idol in its rightful place, but it is well worth the Spirit-empowered work.
Mercy Over Sin
December 28, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Here is the first reason Watson gives for why one’s sin is no reason to be discontentment. In particular, he says that one’s disquiet about his sin is beyond its bounds when,
1….it is disheartening, that is, when it sets up sin above mercy. If Israel had only pored upon their sting, and not looked up to the brazen serpent, they had never been healed. That sorrow for sin which drives us away from God, is not without sin, for there is more despair in it than remorse; the soul hath so many tears in its eyes, that it cannot see Christ. Sorrow, as sorrow, doth not save, that were to make Christ of our tears, but is useful, as it is preparatory in the soul, making sin vile, and Christ precious. O look up to the brazen serpent, the Lord Jesus! A sight of his blood will revive, the plaster of his merits is broader than our sore.
Let us beware of the sin of setting sin above mercy and instead, be diligent to look to Christ.
A Year for the Books
December 27, 2008 | Leave a Comment
That’s the title of this article from Peggy Noonan. Personally, I had the best reading year of my life. I am hoping to do even better in 2009. I don’t think there is ever a time that I regret reading.
Third and Fourth Argument
December 26, 2008 | Leave a Comment
I found these too good not to share as well. Remember, Watson is giving reasons for why false teaching should not be an excuse for discontentment in us.
Third, God raiseth the price of his truth the more: the very shreds and fillings of truth are venerable. When there is much counterfeit metal abroad, we prize the true gold the more; pure win of truth is never more precious, than when unsound doctrines are broached and vented.
Fourth, Error make us more thankful to God for the jewel of truth. When you see another infected with the plague, how thankful are you that God hath freed you from the infection? When we see others have the leprosy in the head, how thankful are we to God that he hath not given us over to believe a lie and so be damned? It is a good use that may be made even of the error of the times when it makes us more humble and thankful, adoring the free grace of God, who hath kept us from drinking of that deadly poison.“
Second Argument
December 26, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The other day, I alluded to Watson’s second argument against discontentment amidst false teaching, but after reading the whole thing, I cannot help but quote it here. It led me to marvel at the wisdom and glory of our God. May it do the same for each of you.
“Be not sinfully discontented, for God can make the errors of the church advantageous to truth. Thus the truths of God have come to be more beaten out and confirmed; as it is in the law, one may lay a false title to a piece of land, the true title hath by this means been the more searched into and ratified; some had never so studied to defend the truth by Scripture, if others had not endeavored to overthrow it by sophistry; all the mists and fogs of error that have risen out of the bottomless pit, have made the glorious Sun of truth to shine so much the brighter. Had not Arius and Sabellius broached their damnable error, the truth of those questions about the blessed Trinity had never been so discussed and defended by Athanasius, Augustine, and others; had not the devil brought in so much of his princely darkness, the champions for truth had never run so fast to Scripture to light their lamps. So that God with a wheel within a wheel, over-rules these things wisely, and turns them to the best. Truth is a heavenly plant, that settles by shaking.”
Marvel at this reality historically, yes, but also do so in relationship to your own life. For the Lord has used similar means for each of us to confirm us in the truth. What wisdom and mercy.
One Solitary Life
December 25, 2008 | Leave a Comment
You have probably read this before, but it is worth reading every Christmas. I was thankful I did so today.
“He was born in a lowly manger, the child of a peasant woman.
He grew up in an obscure village.
He worked in a carpenter shop until he was thirty, and then for three years he was an itinerant preacher.
He never wrote a book.
He never held an office.
He never went to college.
He never owned a house.
He never had a family.
He never traveled two hundred miles from the place where he was born.
He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness….
He was turned over to his enemies.
He went through the mockery of a trial.
He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves.
His executioners gambled for the only piece of property he had on earth while he was dying—his coat.
When he was dead, he was taken down and laid in a borrowed tomb through the pity of a friend.
Nineteen wide centuries have come and gone. Today he is the center-piece of the human race and leader of the column of progress.
I am within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that were ever built, and all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that one solitary life.”
- Phillips Brooks
Christmas Traditions
December 25, 2008 | Leave a Comment
This is the second straight year I have spent Christmas in a country that doesn’t celebrate the holiday. It’s an interesting experience. Just looking around and realizing that you are one of the few who consider this day a ‘holy’ day.
Of course, in the United States, the day isn’t ‘holy’ to most of the people enjoying it, but the fact that stores are closed and there is a relative spirit of community and enjoyment does make a big difference. Various decorations all serve to make the holiday experience all the sweet. Not to mention the various family traditions you employ along with your friends and family. These cannot be underestimated.
These things are missed, but we are still enjoying a semi-quiet holiday focused on the fact that Jesus Christ was born. It’s incredible isn’t it? Lord willing, this event will be celebrated by every tongue, tribe, language, and nation in the centuries to come…on into the long eternity. Long for that day, for the celebration will be grand. Everyone will be united in it for the same reason, with the same heart. The spirit of such an event will be tangible, I believe. And the best of traditions, I suppose, will be employed for the good of all and the glory of God.
Sure, traditions here can be watered-down by a thousand lesser things. But at the same time, they can be employed to great affect to increase our affections for all that God has done for us in Christ. May we remember that and celebrate this day accordingly.
Good Post from Mahaney
December 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Entitled ‘Disturbing Christmas.’
Error and the Exposure of Men
December 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Back to Watson’s Art of Divine Contentment. He is focused now on the excuse discontentment gives that ‘the times are evil.’ First, he deals with the subject of heresy. He aims to convince the reader that false teaching is still not a reason for discontentment within. His first argument is this,
“Error makes a discovery of men. Bad men; error discovers such as are tainted and corrupt. When the leprosy brake forth in the forehead, then was the leper discovered. Error is a spiritual bastard; the devil is the father, and pride the mother; you never knew an erroneous man but he was a proud man. Now, it is good that such men should be laid open, to the intent, first, that God’s righteous judgement upon them may be adored; secondly, that others, who are free, be not infected. If a man have the plague, it is well it breaks forth; for my part, I would avoid an heretic, as I would avoid the devil, for he is sent on his errand. I appeal unto you; if there were a tavern in this city, where under a pretence of selling win, many hogsheads of poison were to be sold, were it not well that others should know of it, that they might not buy? It is good that those that have poisoned opinions should be known, that the people of God may not come near either the scent or the taste of that poison.
Error is a touch-stone to discover good men: it tries the gold: ‘there must be heresies, that they which are approved, may be made manifest.’ (1 Cor. 11:19). Thus our love to Christ, and zeal for truth doth appear. God shows who are the living fish; such as swim against the stream: who are the sound sheep; such as feed in the green pastures of the ordinances: who are the doves; such as live in the best air, where the spirit breaths…”
So, in the first place, doctrinal error should not be an excuse for our discontentment, because it is a means through which those who are true are revealed. “Error is a touch-stone to discover good men.” Error is a means through which true teaching is clarified and the church strengthened (which in large part, is Watson’s second argument).
Let us marvel at the way in which the Lord uses those who are in error to strengthen His people and bring glory to His name.
Fighting for Contentment
December 22, 2008 | Leave a Comment
I can’t help but share more thoughts from Watson today. There is such a clarity and conviction in his thought, one that I rarely encounter in preachers and writers today.
The section I am reading focuses on the excuses a discontented person makes for their own lack of contentment. The loss of one’s estate was one. Here is another ‘apology.’
He writes, “The next apology [discontentment makes] is, I meet with very great sufferings for the truth.”
Simple enough. I am discontent because I suffer much for the sake of the truth. Now ask yourself, if I offered this ‘apology’ to you, how would you respond? What reasons would you give me for why I should still be content? At the very least, what is the first thing that comes to mind?
Well, here is consideration number one for Thomas Watson.
“Consider, 1. Your sufferings are not so great as your sins: put these two in the balance, and see which weighs heaviest; where sin lies heavy, sufferings lie light. A carnal spirit makes more of his sufferings, and less of his sins; he looks upon one at the great end of the perspective, but upon the other at the little end of the perspective. The carnal heart cries out, take away the frogs: but a gracious heart cries out, ‘take away the iniquity.’ (2 Sa. 24:10) The one saith, never any one suffered as I have done; but the other saith, never one sinned as I have done. (Mi. 7:7).”
Such a consideration cuts right to the heart of the matter. It exposes our pride. Sure, it must be stated carefully and in the proper context. But let us first ask ourselves: would it even have come to mind to answer like this? And if not, why not? At the very least, let us learn for the sake of our own hearts, so that we might question ourselves accordingly when we are struggling with discontentment. For this must be where the lessons begin.
Financial Loss in Perspective Part 2
December 22, 2008 | 2 Comments
Watson’s third argument for contentment in the midst of great financial loss is that we can be content with little because God loves to bless a little. After all,
“It is not how much money we have, but how much blessing. He that often curseth the bags of gold, can bless the meal in the barrel, and the oil in the cruise. What if thou hast not the full fleshpots? yet thou hast a promise, ‘I will abundantly bless her provision,’ (Ps. 132:15) and then a little goes a great way. Be content thou has the dew of blessing distilled; a dinner of green herbs, where love is, is sweet; I may add, where the love of God is.”
Fourth, he argues,
“You did never so thrive in your spiritual trade; your heart was never so low, as since your condition was low; you were never so poor in spirit, never so rich in faith. You did never run the ways of God’s commandments so fast as since some of your golden weights were taken off. You never had such trading for heaven all your life; this is most abundant gain. You did never make such adventures upon the promise as since you left off your sea-adventures. This is the best kind of merchandize. O Christian, thou never hadst such incomes of the Spirit, such spring-tides of joy; and what though weak in estate, if strong in assurance? Be content: what you have lost one way, you have gained another.”
The key to this argument is, of course, valuing (deep down) the right things.
Fifth, Watson argues,
“Be your losses what they will in this kind, remember in every loss there is only a suffering, but in every discontent there is a sin, and one sin is worse a thousand sufferings. What! because some of my revenues are gone, shall I part with some of my righteousness? shall my faith and patience go too? Because I do not possess an estate, shall I not therefore possess my own spirit? O learn to be content.”
We should fear discontentment much more than we fear losing our entire estate. For the effect of the former is actually much worse than that of the latter.
I confess that such thinking is rather difficult for me. But by God’s grace, I and you can grow in it. Whatever we have lost, we have actually lost nothing in the end. We can rejoice and rest content, knowing without a doubt that we have a Father in heaven who is actively tracking us down with goodness and mercy all the way.
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