Psalm 127

(Note: I originally wrote this over a year and a half ago. For some reason, I didn't think it was ready to share, so I just saved it as a draft. Now, as I read it, I don't know why I hesitated.)

First, a translation:

Psalm 127

A Song of Ascents, of Solomon
If YHWH does not build a house, the builders exert themselves in vain.
If YHWH does not watch over a city, the watchman is vigilant to no avail.
It is worthless for you to get up early, to delay sitting down, 
you who eat the bread of hardship, for He will give sleep to His beloved.
You see, children are given by YHWH; the fruit of the womb is a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a hero, so are the children of one’s youth.
Blessed is the young, strong man who fills his quiver with them.
They will not be ashamed, for they will speak to their enemies at the gate.

When one becomes a parent, this is truly a gift from the Lord. Although we can explain the whole process of reproduction biologically, something about the privilege of being used by God to create a new life is truly breathtaking. In fact, seeing the face of one’s child is one of the greatest joys in life. To quote cartoonist Stan Lee, however, “with great privilege comes great responsibility.” Post-baby, life has suddenly changed. We are no longer free to follow our own whims and to live footloose and fancy free. This 8 pound bundle changes everything.

As a husband and a father, my main concern is to be a provider and a protector for my family. Safety and security are basic human needs, and it is our job as parents to provide them for our children. As breadwinners, we earn money to feed and clothe our children. As nurturers, we build their self-esteem and give the needed assurance that they are loved. We teach and train them, and we hope that they will grow up to be good, responsible citizens. But there are no guarantees.

So what does this have to do with Psalm 127? Everything! I think that the whole psalm is about childrearing. At first reading, it appears that verses 1 and 2 have little to do with verses 3-5. In fact, some interpreters have speculated that these are two different compositions that have been joined to form this short psalm. However, this conclusion seems unwarranted.

Verse 1 speaks of “building a house.” Is it a stretch to relate this to building a home (a family)? I don’t think so. In Genesis 16, for example, Sarai refers to having children as “building a family”. In fact, the verb “to build” (bana) may derive from the noun for “son” (ben). Providing (v. 1) and protecting (v. 2) are integral parts of building a family.

How do I as a dad relate to building a home? I immediately think of being a breadwinner (verse 2) and providing for the material needs of my family. In addition, I want to establish in my children a sense of responsibility, of morality, of kindness, and of self-esteem. I want my children to be established in the faith; thus, I must not only teach, but model a life built in relationship with Jesus. If I hope for such a home, the Lord needs to be the architect and the contractor.

"Unless the LORD build the house..."

What about the lengths we go to in trying to make our family safe? There are so many baby safety products, so many rules, so many precautions, so many doctor visits, and so much advice. So do I rely on Parent’s magazine, immunizations, and 5-point safety harnesses to “guard” my family? Am I to put my trust in teachers, extracurricular activities, and sex-ed programs to guide my children’s choices? Unless the Lord is watching over them, all our precautions are worthless.

"Unless the LORD guard the city..."

In fact, all of our efforts, our strivings, are useless if the Lord doesn’t mold and protect our families. We need Him. He is not an optional extra. He is the foundation, the only source of the Life that is truly Life. It is a matter of entrusting the home building to Him. It is a matter of trust. Derek Kidner, in his commentary on this psalm, points to a parallel in Genesis 11. While men rely on their own ability to build a tower that reaches the heavens, God is choosing a man whom He would bless with a son, through whom He would build a great nation.

Verse 2 speaks about the uselessness of breaking one's back to "get ahead" in life and pile up possessions. The psalmist contrasts the "bread of hardship" (or pain) with "sleep." The frenzied striving of the overachiever is shown to be ultimately fruitless.

Luke 12:20 But God said to him, "Fool! This very night the demand will be made for your soul; and this hoard of yours, whose will it be then?"

The beloved of God can close his eyes and sleep, knowing that God will provide for all of his needs.

Luke 12:24 Think of the ravens. They do not sow or reap; they have no storehouses and no barns; yet God feeds them. And how much more you are worth than the birds!
Luke 12:27-31 Think how the flowers grow; they never have to spin or weave; yet, I assure you, not even Solomon in all his royal robes was clothed like one of them.
Now if that is how God clothes a flower which is growing wild today and is thrown into the furnace tomorrow, how much more will he look after you, who have so little faith! But you must not set your hearts on things to eat and things to drink; nor must you worry. It is the gentiles of this world who set their hearts on all these things. Your Father well knows you need them. No; set your hearts on his kingdom, and these other things will be given you as well.

As the saying goes, the best things in life are free. Children are one of those blessings, a gift from the Lord. We do not deserve them. We did not earn them. They are graciously entrusted to us, and yet do we dare try and raise them on our own? Do we trust in our own power and wisdom to rear our children? No, we dare not. They are a blessing, but they must be given back to the Lord's care. We must teach them to walk in the fear of the Lord. We must cover them in prayer. We must ask the Holy Spirit to bear fruit in them. We must train them up in the way they should go. We must speak the strong name of Jesus over them as a shield. In short, we must lift them up and give them over to God. As Abraham surrendered Isaac, and Hannah devoted   Samuel, so must we entrust our children to the care of the Lord.

Only in the Lord can we have the assurance that they will be well. Only in God is our soul at rest (Ps. 62:1). He is the Father, the Daddy who can look after our children and provide for them in ways that our sins and shortcomings would never allow. He gives grace in our parenting flaws. He can understand, comfort, guide, shape, and protect our children in ways that we could never imagine. Trust Him. They will deal with their enemies and will not be put to shame (verse 5). They will be established by the Lord. They will not be moved.

Love them. Pray for them. Teach them the fear of the Lord. Then sleep, knowing that He who gave those little blessings to you is faithful. So shoot your arrow. Let God guide, build, and protect your home.

Jeremy Lin

I don't know if you've heard of Jeremy Lin, the Asian-American basketball phenom. I really like his story.
Check out this interview with him while he was a basketball player at Harvard.

Cuthbert's Devotion

I came across this account of Saint Cuthbert in a beautiful book that was lent to me:

While on Lindisfarne, Cuthbert used to pray day and night. Sometimes he prayed in solitude on Hobthrush Isle (also known as St. Cuthbert's Island -- my note). At other times he used to work with his hands so he could stay awake to pray. He also walked all around the island to see how everything was getting on. As he walked he sang psalms. He slept little, sometimes going all day without sleep. Even when he was sleeping if he was unexpectedly awakened he was never angry. He used to say, "No one who awakens me angers me. He who wakes me up makes me happy for driving away the heaviness of sleep and making me think of something useful." When Cuthbert celebrated Mass he could not do it without shedding tears. When he sang he sang from a full heart. The music often broken by the sound of his sighs. He was upright and holy in his personal life. He reproved wrongdoing in others but was most kind and gracious with the penitent. He was even known during confession to break into tears, thus by his example prompting greater penitence and more complete forgiveness.
As time went on Cuthbert had a greater desire to be alone with God. He withdrew more and more to spend time on Hobthrush Isle....

from p. 33 of Cuthbert and the Animals by John McManners

Psalm 126

This is the 7th of 15 Psalms of Ascent.

First, my translation:

PSALM 126
A song of ascents.
When YHWH ended the sojourn of Zion, we became refreshed, like people who have just woken from a dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, our tongue with a cry of joy.
Then among the nations they said, “YHWH has done a great thing with these people!”
YHWH has done a great thing with us.
We have become filled with joy.
Restore the captives, O YHWH, like wadis in the Negeb.
Those sowing in tears will reap the harvest in a cry of joy.
Surely he who goes out (and weeps), carrying his pouch of seed, will come in with a cry of joy, carrying as much bundled harvest as he is able!


When the LORD ended the sojourn of Zion… Does this not describe our condition? Are we not sojourners? We are not captive, yet we have not yet reached the promised land. How will it be when we finally arrive at home? How will we react when we see our Father, our Savior, our Breath of Life face to face? Will we not be like those who dream? “This is too good to be true!” Will our mouths not be filled with laughter? Will our throats not send forth cries of joy?

Or maybe, as this translation suggests, we will not be like dreamers. Rather, we will be like those who have just awakened from a dream. We will experience a reality that is more real, not less, than what we experience here and now. I am not denying the reality of this world but proposing the super-reality of the world to come. We will be refreshed. We will awaken from the deep sleep of death and will breathe the sweet, clean air of eternity.

The restoration of the captives is a foreshadowing of our eternal restoration in Christ. We must know that we will reap a harvest in time. Our identity must be so tied up with Christ that we know we are not at home here. Our sights must be set on eternity. The decisions we make must be based on this reality, and because we live “out of step” with the world, we should expect to suffer. When we hold fast to our faith (like Daniel) and speak truth boldly (like Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael in Daniel 3:17-18), the world may be impressed or it may turn against us. But even in the fire, the Son of God will accompany us (Daniel 3:25).

Are we not rejoicing even now? We should be! We are going home, and the LORD is leading us. Shouldn’t our mouths be filled with laughter, our tongues with a cry of joy (the sound I can most liken this to is the interjections often heard in Mexican music)-- a big “woo-hoo!” The Negeb (v. 4), a dry and desolate place, can quickly turn into a land of flowing streams after the rains come. We must wait in hope for the Lord to transform our desolation. We who sow in tears will reap more than we can possibly carry. But, I notice two things here. First, we must go out. No matter what our circumstances, even through the tears, we must faithfully press on. This is an act of faith. Second, we must carry our pouch of seed. We do not rely on God to do everything. We are active participants. Whatever we are sowing to in the Lord, we should work at it with all of our hearts. In time, we will reap a joyful harvest, for we know that our work in the Lord will not be in vain.

What an encouraging song. (Have you ever sung the Matt Redman version in a jubilant assembly? I have, and it is truly wonderful!) What the Lord has done for Israel, he will do for us. We are part of a nation of overcomers. The nations know it. They will see it again. Let us live in the knowledge that we are blessed, that we have a great God, that we serve the Great Redeemer, the Giver of Life, the Fount of Eternal Joy. The Lord has indeed done great things for us and is doing a great thing with us…and we are filled with joy!

Caim Prayer

In my last blog entry, I examined Psalm 125. In this psalm, God's encircling protection is compared to the mountains encircling Jerusalem. It's a beautiful visual reminder of God's presence and concern.

Well, that's all well and good for the people in Jerusalem, but I live in the flattest place in the entire world! What possible visual reminder of God's encircling love could there be for me?

Well, it just so happens that the Celtic saints had a prayer that they called an "encircling" prayer. Their word for it is caim. When saying a caim prayer, you draw a circle around yourself with your finger. "This symbolizes the encircling love of God....See yourself and others encircled and be aware that the living God surrounds and encloses with His love, care and protection." -- Celtic Daily Prayer: Prayers and Readings of the Northumbria Community, p. 297.

An example of a caim prayer is:

Circle me, Lord.
Keep protection near and danger afar.
Circle me, Lord.
Keep hope within and despair without.
Circle me, Lord.
Keep light near and darkness afar.
Circle me, Lord.
Keep peace within and anxiety without.
Circle me, Lord.
Keep comfort near and discouragement afar.
Circle me, Lord.
Keep holiness within and sin without.
The eternal Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
shield me on every side.
Amen.

Of course, the "me" above could be replaced with us, him, her, them, or someone's name or names as needed. (This example is again taken from the Celtic Daily Prayer book.)

Naturally, there is nothing magical about making a circle with your hand. But as physical beings, engaging our bodies in prayer and in worship can be very helpful. I have found the encircling motion to be a very powerful reminder of the reality of God's presence and power when I pray.

So if you're a flatlander like me, try the caim prayer. The Lord surrounds us all in His unfailing love.

Psalm 125

First, a translation.

PSALM 125
A song of ascents (a going up song)
Those who trust in YHWH are like Mount Zion.
They will not be made to stumble, abiding for eternity.
Jerusalem, the mountains surrounding her,
and YHWH surrounding His people for all eternity.
For the rod of the wicked will not rest
on the lot of the righteous,
so that the righteous will not let their hands go to wickedness.
YHWH, treat graciously the good and upright in heart.
But those branching off on their twisted, winding paths
YHWH will send off with those who practice sin.
Peace be upon Israel.


Imagine a group making a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. They see the mountains ahead of them. As they ascend to the dwelling place of God, they sing this hymn. They equate the protection, majesty, and surety of the mountains with the strength and certainty of God. Those who trust Him will be made like these mountains.
“My dear friends, stand firm and don't be shaken. Always keep busy working for the Lord. You know that everything you do for him is worthwhile.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Those who trust will not be moved. They won’t totter or be shaken.
(Cue “Those Who Trust” from Enter the Worship Circle.)
It isn’t that they won’t experience trouble or hardship, but the LORD is surrounding them. His protection is sure.

Yes, the Lord protects. But what about the wicked who seem to be in control? How can that coincide with the LORD’s protection? Why do they prosper and thrive?

Psalm 125 says that such a situation is temporary. The rod of the wicked may indeed lean upon the upright, but it will not remain there. If it did, good people might be tempted to get ahead by joining in with the evildoers. Too many people fall into this trap. They see a "shortcut" to happiness and abandon the Way.

Psalm 73 explores this temptation so well. Here the psalmist is frustrated by the prosperity of the wicked. Where’s the justice?! But then, he sees their end. Believers can’t be shortsighted. We must be among those who TRUST. So, though the days are evil, and though the tares and the wheat grow side by side in the field, their end is coming. The rod of the wicked will not rest upon the lot of the righteous.

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:15-16)

In verse 4, the psalmist prays for the Lord to be gracious to those who are good and upright in heart.

He was…
and His graciousness cost Him His Son.

The psalmist’s prayer was answered in a more profound way than he could have imagined.

So, having assured us of God’s protecting & sustaining presence and answering our concerns about the place of the unrighteous, the psalm ends with a warning—those who abandon God and choose evil will be punished with the ungodly. To receive God’s reward, believers must stand firm to the end. Just glancing over the New Testament, I see that we “stand firm” through faith (1 Corinthians 16:14, 2 Cor. 1:24), prayer (Colossians 4:12), God’s empowerment (2 Corinthians 1:21), holding firm to the Word (2 Thessalonians 2:15), following the example of the saints and anticipating Christ’s return (Philippians 3:17-4:1), wearing the heavenly armor (Ephesians 6), resisting the devil (1 Peter 5:9), and through the Spirit (Philippians 1:27, 2 Thessalonians 2:13)

Eugene Peterson sees this psalm as an assurance of our salvation. God will remain faithful to us through all our ups and downs. We can remain confident, because our souls are secure in His hand. The Good Shepherd protects us. His rod and His staff (His protection and guidance) give us comfort.

Charles Spurgeon has a great quote regarding this psalm:

As Jerusalem is fortressed by the mountains, so are God’s people castled in the covenant, fortressed in the Omnipotence of God, and therefore they are impregnably secure.

No hardship or persecution can separate us from the love of God— not the rack, nor furnaces, nor crosses, nor stakes, nor martyrdom, nor being forced from our homes. Not calumny, scorn, nor slander. Not heresy nor divisions. We are secure.

Though I feel I could write much more, I’ll go ahead and conclude with a hymn that Charles Wesley wrote based on Psalm 125:

1 WHO in the Lord confide,
And feel his sprinkled blood,
In storms and hurricanes abide,
Firm as the mount of God:
Steadfast, and fixed, and sure,
His Zion cannot move;
His faithful people stand secure
In Jesu's guardian love.

2 As round Jerusalem
The hilly bulwarks rise,
So God protects and covers them
From all their enemies.
On every side he stands,
And for his Israel cares;
And safe in his almighty hands
Their souls for ever bears.

3 But let them still abide
In thee, all-gracious Lord,
Till every soul is sanctified,
And perfectly restored:
The men of heart sincere
Continue to defend;
And do them good, and save them here,
And love them to the end.

Amen. Rest secure in God’s encompassing protection!

Self-Control

During this Lenten season, I did some fasting. (I realize that by sharing this I may be violating the spirit of Matthew 6:16-18, but I think this is important to share.)

Why did I fast?
Fasting is...
* a way to show God that I love Him more than _________.
* a reminder that "Man does not live on bread alone..."
* a way of identifying with the sufferings of Jesus.
* a chance to say "no" to bodily desires and thus build my Titus 2:11-14 muscles. (If I can learn to say "no" to food when I'm hungry, I can say no to sinful temptations as well. It's a way of practicing self-denial.)
* a reminder that our business here on earth is not just to "eat, drink, and be merry." We, too, have food to eat that too many men know nothing about--to do the will of God (John 4:31-34)
* a reminder to pray (often with a certain focus).
* a means of humbling oneself and relying on God.

I'm sure there are many other reasons to fast, but these come to mind now.

I've fasted before and have been blessed by it. This time, however, it was harder than normal. By the evening of a fast day, I sometimes felt weak or cold.
I was very irritable, overly sensitive, short-tempered, and, at times, downright mean.
Darina's comments about how my fast was adversely affecting the family and about how unspiritual this seemed were right on target. And they stung. This was not the kind of fast the Father desired.

I began to be aware of how physical discomforts affected my moods. Fasting then became an opportunity to work on exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit, even as my body didn't feel like it. While I am sure that my moods affect the way I act all of the time, fasting made me realize this acutely. Praise God that as I prayed for a gentler, more loving, and more self-controlled spirit, I believe He answered me. It seemed (to me at least--I hope my family would agree) that I was nicer on fast days toward the end of Lent.

Today is Good Friday.
And because of fasting, I am now aware of another aspect of the crucifixion that I had never before considered.
Think of how physically taxed Jesus must have been during his last hours. He did not sleep. He did not eat or drink. He was interrogated and falsely accused. He was abandoned. He was mocked and beaten. He bled. He was forced to do physical labor. He was crucified.
Now if I'm irritable and short-tempered after a day without food, imagine how Jesus' mood must have been affected by all of these trials.
I am amazed that he did not sin during this time!

I have always taken the passages concerning Jesus' silence as if He simply had nothing that needed to be said. Today, however, it strikes me that Jesus' silence may well have been His self-control on display. If the tongue is a fire, how easy it would have been to strike that match during the extreme and unjust trials He was undergoing.

But He kept silent. He did not lash out. He did not defend Himself. He did the will of the One who sent Him. He finished His work...without sinning.

This makes me love Jesus even more. This act of faithful, self-controlled silence. In His anger (if indeed He was angry--I think He may have been more sad than angry) He did not sin. What a Savior.

Thank You, Lord, for Your obedience unto death. Thank You for Your love, for Your sacrifice, for Your self-control. May I learn from You. May Your Spirit lead us into Your fulness.
Amen.

Maundy Thursday Quote

"The Eucharist is far more than just a meal;
it has cost a death to provide it,
and the majesty of death is present in it."

--Pope Benedict XVI

Stuff Christians Like

Here's a site worth checking out.

Happy April Fool's Day!

(The book's also the Free Audio Download of the month at christianaudio.com.)

A Lenten Quote

"Fear can be a good counselor,
welding our frightened selves to God's sufficiency."
--Calvin Miller, The Christ of Easter

I am thinking of this quote in connection with repentance, godly sorrow, and fear of the Lord.

Psalm 124 (Reflections)

I've been living with this psalm for a while now. As Eugene Peterson says in Eat This Book, I've had time to gnaw on it, like a dog lingering over a bone. I don't know that this equates to any great insight, but I've lived with the psalm for a while...had a chance to marinate in it.

I like this psalm. It's a psalm of remembrance, acknowledgment, thanksgiving, and praise.

I like how it begins, with a corporate admission of dependence.
I like how the psalmist breaks off in mid sentence to exhort the congregation.

"Hey. Come on, now. This applies to all of us. We have all been delivered from the same trouble. Let me hear you declare it!"

Let ALL Israel say...

Every Christian was in dire straits until the Lord, in His love, stepped in to deliver us. This applies to individual instances of God's intervention, too, but I'm thinking specifically of the salvation accomplished through Jesus Christ.

Psalm 124 spells out what would have happened if He were not on our side.

This is the good news--the Lord is FOR us!!!

If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)

The first image is one of enemies attacking in their anger, devouring us whole.
This reminds me of the devil, prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

We've been delivered from the mouth of the lion.

Then the imagery shifts to water. Three different pictures of watery peril are repeated in rapid succession: Water rushing over someone and sweeping him away, like a flood of troubles. A river rising over one's mouth, drowning one in despair. "Raging" waters passing over the top of someone, overcoming any resistance. This is scary imagery. It's an inescapable fate, like the floodwaters that destroyed during the days of Noah or the Tolkienesque wall that washed over the Egyptians during the exodus escape.

This is what would have happened to us.
From this we were rescued.

We were not left as prey to the enemy's teeth, either. Though we were trapped in sin, trapped like a bird in a fowler's snare, the trap was broken. We are free as a bird! We are safe in the arms of Jesus! The devil has no hold on us.

Our help is in the Name of the Lord...who is for us.

For God so loved the world that He gave His Son that whosoever will believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32)

So, as we look on our present (& momentary) troubles, let us remember the fate from which we have been delivered. We were drowning in the quagmire of sin. There was no escape. We were caught in a trap. But then, because of His great love for us, the LORD stepped in. He is our help. He is for us. Let all Israel say...

No matter what is overwhelming you, no matter what enemy is assailing you, no matter how hopeless your situation seems, the Lord is for you. He has proven it. He whom you have never seen with your eyes, but whom you love, has delivered you from the whelming flood, freed you from the snare.

It lies broken.

He is still on your side. He loves you. He is still mighty to save.

Trust Him. Our help is in the Name of the LORD.

Psalm 124 (Translation)

This is the fifth of fifteen "Songs of Ascent" that I hope to comment on.
And though I don't have comments ready, I want to go ahead and post my translation.
Enjoy this great psalm!

Psalm 124:1-8

Song of Ascents. Of David. If it were not YHWH who was for us--
Come on, Israel. Say it:
If it were not YHWH who was for us when men arose against us:
then they would have swallowed us alive when their anger broke out against us.
then the waters would have washed us away, the stream would have passed over our throats.
then, covering our throats, the raging waters would have passed over.
Blessed be YHWH, who has not given us over as prey to their teeth.
Our lives were like a bird saved from a birdtrap; the birdtrap, catching birds in its snare, was broken, and we have gotten ourselves to safety.
Our help is in the Name of YHWH (His being & power), Maker of heaven and earth.

Deep Rooted in Christ

Last Christmas I received a book called Deep Rooted in Christ: The Way of Transformation by Joshua Choonmin Kang. I was excited to read it after Richard Foster recommended it so heartily. Upon opening the book, I noticed that it had 52 chapters, so I decided to read a chapter a week and just kind of "live" with the book for a year. I started out reading the same chapter each day for seven days so the words could really sink into my soul. And they did. I didn't maintain that dedication (especially during December), but I have soaked in the book somewhat and been blessed.

In this entry, I'm going to post quotes that capture the essence of each chapter. For me, it's just kind of a way to end the year by looking back at what I learned from this Korean pastor.

BEGINNING
1) For the sake of eternal blessings, we must give up earthly things.
2) True ministry begins not with giving but with receiving. We need to be filled up before we have anyting to give to others.
3) Emptying and filling, that was the rhythm of Jesus' life, and so it should be ours. In a very real sense the Christian life is like a pitcher; it's not something in which to store blessings up; it's a vessel out of which to pour blessings from.
BECOMING ROOTED IN JESUS
4) Life's problems are best solved at the root level; that's where we care for our souls; that's where the medicine is spiritual discipline.
5) Spiritual formation isn't like a quickly spreading fire; it's like a tree with deeply descending roots, establishing a foundation for future growth and fruitfulness.
6) Jesus is our foundation in the Christian life.
Seeking spiritual formation is like taking hold of the eternal foundation, seeing everything in the light of eternity.
Where we begin is vital. It's better to build correctly than to build quickly.
We must invest time and energy to build a solid foundation for living.
7) In short, spiritual formation is about cultivating the inner world...cultivating the heart.
Without it we cannot present pure hearts to God.
8) A deep well is untouched by changes of climate.
When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, our inner world is stable in spite of the shifting world outside.
GROWING IN GRACE
9)Deep people are those who practice spiritual disciplines in depth.
What brings us into depth and maturity?
1. the Word
2. the Holy Spirit
Unless we abide in the Word and under the power of the Holy Spirit, we can't know the depths that God intends for us.
10) Apart from the grace of God spiritual growth is simply impossible.
11) The understanding and insight to distinguish good from evil come through meditating on the Word.
When our eyes are fixed on the Lord Jesus and we trust in his Word, we will be steadfast and mature.
12) We can experience God only to the degree to which he makes himself known to us. He reveals himself through his Word and by his Holy Spirit. We'll experience and know God when we read the Word under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
13) Before we can obey God's Word, we have to understand it.
14) Competitive athletes must train their physical bodies; serious Christian thinkers must rigorously train their minds.
For disciplined training of our thoughts, constant study and reading are our greatest tools.
15) Before God, we need to be like lambs. In our relationship to other believers, we must act with sacrificial love. But against sin, the world and Satan, we have to be like valiant lions.
16) God not only implants the desire for transformation into our lives but also supplies the strength to make transformation a reality.
In reality, we can't separate grace and disciplines; they're deeply intertwined.
Followers of Jesus Christ are supposed to be disciplined people. They're supposed to discipline themselves under the grace of God.
WILDERNESS--A PREPARATION
17) A man or woman of God isn't made in palaces, in comfortable classes or quiet dormitories.
Men and women of God get their spiritual training in the wilderness.
18) One way we are trained in the desert is by waiting.
While a servant of God waits, he or she has a chance to anticipate and look forward to what God has planned.
19) Every spiritual leader needs discernment about God's time...one of the fruits of desert education.
An impatient person is unwilling to wait upon God.
20) We need to make time to be alone with God.
God seeks those who like to be alone with him.
21) Servants of God aren't controlled by what they hear from fellow human beings; they are controlled by the voice of God.
To be a servant of God we must sharpen our hearing.
22) ...prayer time is never wasted time.
Before trying to move the hearts of other people, we should try to move the heart of God.
23) God won't consider using someone who trusts only in himself.
Our own meager strength isn't enough to do the work God wants. The great tasks are possible only through his power.
24) The power of God becomes a reality in our lives when we deny our nature; this is a basic principle of ministry.
25) It was the good shepherd who knew the value of each member of his flock.
26) Those who uphold the kingdom of God have to become servants.
27) Those who are especially chosen by God have one common experience, a special anointing by the Holy Spirit.
SOUL CARING
28) The most important task for true servants of God is to take time off to look at one's inner life, to care for one's own soul.
Taking a step back, spending some time together with our Creator, is a small but critical move.
29) To keep in top spiritual condition, our souls need daily devotional time.
Early morning devotions help us tune our will to God.
30) The discipline of silence can still the noise of the world.
Silence is a friend of God.
31) In the garden of our hearts, we want splendid fruit-bearing trees.
Meditate and pray, plant the Word, and there will be good and beautiful fruit.
32) Spiritual disciplines will make us more like Jesus; they'll make our lips and heart become one. Being like Jesus, avoiding hypocrisy, is all about taking care of our souls.
WAYS TO FRUITFULNESS
33) God didn't tell us to become beautiful flowers. Instead, he commanded us to bear fruit.
34) Can we come down from our own high places to serve others? Only then will we really be following our Lord Jesus. And we'll bear splendid fruit when we do.
35) Let God do the publicizing.
Self-promotion isn't what pleases God.
36) When our walls of self are shattered, this life in us pours out.
How can we let the let the life of God flow free? One way is to deny ourselves.
37) God...wants a close friendship.
Without a close friendship with Jesus, our ministries won't count. Working hard is only the half of it. Friendship is the other half.
RIGHTEOUSNESS HAS A HEART
38) What kind of person does God work through? Not a person who boasts about his or her own competence. Instead, God looks for someone who maintains power inwardly.
39) God sets a great value on those who endure great trials. He purifies his servants through suffering and readies them for his ministries.
40) Holiness is having a heart for God.
What's the secret of having such a heart for God?
We must decide to please God only.
41) God is looking for just one person who hates sin, fears God and is willing to lay his or her life aside to fulfill God's mission.
Because of one righteous person, a blessing will come to our own place and time.
God wants to find those who aren't seeking popularity and fame but are looking for genuine holiness, and we are the ones.
42) Righteous influence can be corrupted by sin.
Those who long for righteousness imitate Jesus.
43) Is righteousness a gift, or must we cultivate it? Righteousness comes as part of the gift of faith--when we first believe in Jesus. But to complete that righteousness is a lifetime process. God did not give us a short cut.
44) Understand our true identities...our ugly side...our splendid, unlimited potential.
Those with deep spirituality have a strong conviction about their sinful natures.
Sometimes, as we grow in grace, we get the feeling that we're growing in sin.
45) Patience is the essence of love.
Let's have patience. Let's think about Jesus and endure.
46) Self-control is the height of spiritual discipline.
First, it comes through the Holy Spirit.
Second, self-control comes about through all the spiritual disciplines.
47) Jesus possessed the word power to move human souls.
His words spoke to the people. His words revealed his own spirituality.
Once we are filled with the Holy Spirit our language will change.
48) What distinguishes mature servants of God? They're content with what they have.
Believers don't have to look far for happiness; they find it in Jesus who makes his home right here with us. Let's gaze on him, the source of all satisfaction.
49) How do true servants of God behave?
For the sake of the gospel, they embrace everyone; they open their hearts to receive one and all.
50) The heart of Jesus is gentle and humble.
It embraces everyone.
51) The abundant life Jesus was talking about is the happy life.
It's the life filled with spiritual meaning and worthwhile tasks.
An uncomfortable life isn't necessarily a miserable life. On the other hand, a comfortable life doesn't guarantee a happy life.
The abundant life comes when we live a life of mission (Acts 20:24); a life that serves others has meaning and purpose.
52) What then is the prescription for maintaining exceptional spirituality?
1. We must learn to walk the straight path.
2. We must abide in Jesus always.
3. We must have a Sprit-filled life.
4. To follow Jesus we must deny ourselves daily.
5. To do battle against Satan, we must try to be always awake and on guard.
6. Our love of God in Jesus compels us to serve others.
7. Our ministry calls for a balance in spirituality and the Word.
Because human character is so limited, we must always trust and lean on the working of the Holy Spirit, the blood of Jesus and his righteousness. We must attend to the work of the ministry in the power and authority of Jesus' name.
The life of a Christlike person...sets a goal and imitates Jesus in a lifelong process by and in the grace of God.

If anyone has actually read all of this, you are obviously concerned about spiritual transformation and should buy the book!

Happy New Year everybody!

Stefanovden

(This entry was obviously started on the day after Christmas...)

December 26th, Saint Stephen's Day.
Also, my Grandmother's birthday.
It has always been overshadowed by Christmas...an afterthought of sorts.

Saint Stephen's day gets overlooked, too.
Obviously, the first Christian martyr is not on par with the incarnation, but Stephen's death did set major events in motion. "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church," after all.

My friend Joseph reminds me that martyrdom is not a thing of the ancient past. Members of his Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt are still being persecuted and killed today. In muslim Egypt, Joseph explains, Christian parents are told that their child has "converted to Islam," and they never see the child again. In actuality, the child has more likely been abducted and sold into slavery (as was St. Patrick).

Such persecution has increased in recent years in Egypt, and Joseph tells me that believers there have recently been comforted and encouraged by appearances from the Virgin Mary, seen worshiping before the cross.

Another Josef was also born on Saint Stephen's Day, 2007. He was born prematurely, but the Lord has brought him through many ordeals. His family is preparing to go to Ethiopia to serve homeless and oppressed children. Ethiopia is another nation in conflict. So please pray for the Gross family, for Ethiopia, for Egypt, and for all who are persecuted for the sake of Christ Jesus.

And let us also live up to these words from 2 Corinthians 4 (a very appropriate Stefanovden meditation):

8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.

11 Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. 12 So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you.

13 But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.” 14 We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. 15 All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.

16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

New Living Translation

Flesh and Bone

In college, I sang in a quartet. One of the songs we sang was a Michael Card song called Flesh of His Flesh. The chorus goes like this:

We are flesh of His flesh
Bone of His bone
His Spirit has brought us
Together as one
Though we may be separate
We're one perfect whole
For we are His body
And He is our soul

The song combines elements of Romans 12:5 and Genesis 2:23.

I was reading some commentary a few days ago on Genesis 2:23 and I discovered something interesting. This phrase "bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh" may mean more than one thinks. Victor Hamilton suggests that "flesh" often symbolizes weakness in the Old Testament. "Bone," on the other hand, may be seen as a symbol of strength. The phrase "my/your bone and flesh" also connotes relationship. Walter Brueggemann argues that this phrase is used as a covenental formula--a pledge of mutual loyalty.

So, in this first instance of direct human discourse, Adam may be stating much more than the fact that he and the woman are made of the same stuff. It could very well be a statement of commitment.

Thus it would serve as the biblical counterpart to the modern marriage ceremony, "in weakness [i.e., flesh] and in strength [i.e., bone]."

Wow, can you believe this may have been Adam & Eve's way of marrying, becoming "one flesh" with her? Makes sense in context...

I read this on my anniversary. Darina is my bone and my flesh. We share in each others' strengths and weaknesses, and the Lord is there with us through it all.

What a nice anniversary present. Thank you, Lord.

--Brueggemann, Walter, "Of the Same Flesh and Bone (GN 2,23a)," CBQ 32 (1970) 532-42
--Hamilton, Victor P., The Book of Genesis: Chapters 1-17, The New International Commentary on the New Testament

The Brothers Karamazov

This classic work is being offered as a free audiobook download until the end of 2009.

If you haven't read The Brothers Karamazov (or listened to it), you really should.

I think it's my all-time favorite novel!

Hallelujah Chorus -- Performed by Silent "Monks"

I thought this video was really enjoyable.

Ramblings of Discontent (The Search Goes On...)

Yesterday we were in Dallas renewing Darina's Bulgarian passport. On the way back to Lubbock, we had lots of time to talk about our future. For a couple of years, I've been searching for exactly what I should do professionally. While searching & asking, thinking & waiting, there have been times when I've gotten discouraged.

Recently, I finished reading The Idiot, by Dostoevsky. Surprisingly, I didn't like it very much. There was a particular passage that hit me though.

The narrator is discussing different types of people--those who think they are clever and those who truly are. He muses that clever people are sometimes truly honest and good, but unsuccessful.

One of these luckless men...is the guardian angel of his family, maintains by his labour outsiders as well as his own kindred, and yet can never be at rest all of his life! The thought that he has so well fulfilled his duties is no comfort or consolation to him; on the contrary, it irritates him. 'This is what I've wasted all my life on,' he says; 'this is what has fettered me, hand and foot; this is what has hindered me from doing something great! Had it not been for this, I should certainly have discovered -- gunpowder or America, I don't know precisely what, but I would certainly have discovered it!' What is most characteristic of these gentlemen is that they can never find out for certain what it is they are destined to discover and what they are within an ace of discovering. But their sufferings, their longings for what was to be discovered, would have sufficed for a Columbus or a Galileo.

(Part IV, Chapter 1, page 433 in my version, emphasis mine)

It's not that I think I'm terribly clever or gifted. But I do feel unfulfilled. I don't think it's just pride that causes me to feel that I should be doing more. I know that God can use me for something great. I just lack faith that He will use me. Yet Satan does use this discontent to make me discount my here and now.

I've heard much about being content lately. I trust that God will use me as He chooses. (Self-contradictory much? Yes, I know.) Another passage from The Idiot may also have something to say to my situation:

You know it's a matter of a whole lifetime, an infinite multitude of ramifications hidden from us. The most skillful chess-player, the cleverest of them, can only look a few moves ahead; a French player who could reckon out ten moves ahead was written about as a marvel. How many moves there are in this, and how much that is unknown to us! In scattering the seed, scattering your 'charity,' your kind deeds, you are giving away, in one form or another, part of your personality, and taking into yourself part of another; you are in mutual communion with one another, a little more attention and you will be rewarded with the knowledge of the most unexpected discoveries...All your thoughts, all the seeds scattered by you, perhaps forgotten by you, will grow up and take form. He who has received them from you will hand them on to another. And how can you tell what part you may have in the future determination of the destinies of humanity?

(Part III, Chapter 6, p. 378)

(Of course this speech was delivered by a scoundrel who was contemplating suicide, but still...)

I certainly don't want this blog to lapse into a self-reflective journal. That's not my intent. I'm sure there are others who feel unfulfilled and are seeking direction as well. Perhaps I would feel better about my situation (and become more productive) if I would just spend less time watching TV and playing computer games. Who knows?

Lord, have mercy...

The Net

Jesus has many parables, sayings in which he throws a spiritual concept out alongside a more familiar circumstance. He often leaves us to draw the connections. Many times people didn't get the point he was trying to make. They heard with their ears but did not understand. I have often been in their shoes.

But that somewhat cryptic (or at least obscure) quality of the parables is part of what makes them special. We have to keep coming back to them and looking at them afresh. Our job is not just to say, "I got that one" and move on. We get to repeatedly explore the comparisons that Jesus made. I think that's one reason He spoke in this manner.

Recently I heard my favorite teacher, Roger Forster, interpret the parable of the net. Before I share his interpretation, here's the parable:

The Parable of the Net
Matthew 13
47"Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. 49This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
51"Have you understood all these things?" Jesus asked.
"Yes," they replied.

I had always just kind of taken this parable at face value. There will be a judgment, a harvest, an end. It happens when the net is full. There are all kinds of fish. Just because you're in the net doesn't mean you're a keeper! The bad fish will be thrown away (burned). No catch and release here.

But Forster focuses on the composition of the net. He supposes that the individual knots of the net are church congregations and the ropes that connect the knots are the Holy Spirit. That really struck me. This is how people come to the Lord--through the Lord's Body, the Church. And what does that say about church unity? We are bound to one another more than we realize. We're not just separate gatherings or denominations functioning independently of one another (or, worse, competing or even judging one another). There is a unity in the Spirit that is a vital part of our role in the harvest. Jesus prayed that we would be one so that the world may believe in Him (John 17:20-21).

If the Church's unity is threatened, the net's structural integrity is damaged. Thankfully, not only are we "fishers of men," but we have a great Fisher of Men, the Lord Jesus. What were several of the disciples doing when they were called? They were "mending their nets." Perhaps this is not just a throw-away detail. Could it possibly be a picture of what Jesus is doing even now--preserving the unity of His Church...mending His Net?

I don't know that Forster's take on this parable is the right one, but it sure is thought provoking. It makes tons of sense to me, too. I'll keep that image of the Fisherman caring for His Church by mending the net, along with the Gardener pruning the Vine and the Builder building His house. In my mind, it's a good one.

A King's Copy

Once again, this blog is on life support. Can't skip a month...
Actually, I've had lots of thoughts to blog about--just no discipline to sit and write.

Earlier in October, I was reading a passage from Deuteronomy that struck me. The passage is Deuteronomy 17:14-20. It's a section of the law advising Israel about choosing a king. It also gives direction to future kings.

Verses 18-20 are the ones that impressed me:

When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his brothers and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel.

I've read this before, but I guess I never really noticed it. At the very beginning of his reign, the king was required to re-copy the entire law! He didn't have a servant do it for him; he was to do it himself. Can you imagine how much time that might have taken? Plus, I'm sure it was somewhat expensive. Papyrus wasn't cheap. But the king's knowledge of the law was a priority. It was worth the time, effort, and expense.

After making himself a copy, he was required to keep it with him. He couldn't just forget about it. I wonder if he kept it with him when he met with foreign dignitaries. What about when he went to war?

He was to read it "all the days of his life." It remained a priority. Reminds me of the parable of the sower. So many people today make a good start in the Christian life, but then, when trouble comes, they "stop believing and turn away from God" (Luke 8:13) or "they let the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life stop them from growing. So they never make good fruit" (Luke 8:14). If we don't make meditation on the Word a priority, life will displace God's ways with its own substitutes.

Also, the king read with a purpose. His reading was to teach him:
1) to revere the Lord
2) to obey the Word faithfully
3) to remain humble
His reading was not just to gain knowledge (informative). It was to shape his heart and his will (formative). I think this requires pondering the word. It means that the king took the law with him spiritually as well as physically. He kept it in his mind, letting it penetrate into his spirit through rumination. Do we do this?

I urge you to make the Bible a priority. Take up the Word. Read it all the days of your life. If we are to reign with Christ, shouldn't we too practice keeping His law with us at all times?

What would recopying a book of the Bible by hand teach us?
I think I may try it.