Resolutions

Just a few years ago, I was one of those people who stopped making New Year's resolutions, because so often I found that I lacked the will or desire to carry them through. But, what does such an admission say about my character. Some would say it says that I am human; its silly to think that just because it is a new year that things will be any different. Yet, as I analyzed my resolution against resolutions, I began to see something I didn't like. What does it say about me that I can make a commitment, and not keep it? Or worse, what does it say about me when I am unwilling to make new commitments, because I know I won't keep them? What does it say about me, when I live in direct violation to the scriptural call to disciplined living?

I am not saying that there is not something wrong with the way we do resolutions. Usually, they are the same type of generalized, half-hazard, dreamy, substanceless commitments that are easily discarded. You know what I mean. We resolve to lose twenty, thirty, or more pounds or join a gym, or make a list of fifty books to read, or find some recess of our home to clean out. The problem with these resolutions are that they lack the ability in and of themselves to bring about the desired change. Wanting to lose weight will not make weight fall off (believe me I know). Weight loss takes forethought, determination, planning, hard work, accountability, diligence, and maintainance. My parents taught me that anything worth having is worth working for. Although I have to admit that I didn't always believe that. I believed the lie of instant gratification--buy now, pay later. The Bible paints a different picture--believe now, receive later. The promises are ours in Christ Jesus, but we do not yet fully possess them.

The next problem with our resolutions is that they are often divorced from a biblical worldview. That is to say, we make our resolutions without asking God what he would have us resolve to do. We make plans as if we were the masters of our destiny (see James 4:13-17), when we should be asking the Master of our destiny what he wants us to do and to be. Two passages come to mind, "For this is the will of God, your sanctification . . ." (1 Thes. 4:3, see 4:1-12), and "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth" (John 17:17; see 17:6-19). In 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12, Paul informs his reader that God has called them to godly living, and will be pleased with nothing less. In John 17:6-19, Jesus is praying to the Father about the process of setting his people apart from the world in which they live. It is a process begun by his work of atonement, bringing life to those who believe the gospel and obey the word.

I am suggesting that we resolve to seek God's face, to search is his Word for guidance, and to ask him what would he have us to be. I am suggesting that we pray that God makes us the kind of people who live the disciplined life. I am suggesting that we make both long term and short term resolutions. I am speaking of prayerful planning that has sought the Spirit's assistance and enabling. We don't need more lists of things we aren't going to do. Yes, we need to make plans that are beyond our ability, although not beyond all possibility. There is a difference between planning to read your Bible everyday and planning to orbit the earth in a home made rocket. Almost any body can achieve the first, but the second takes a lot of money and at least some training. We need resolutions that will stretch us beyond our strengths, beyond our comfort zone, and beyond our ability. We need resolutions that will force us to lean upon the Lord to bring about their success. When success comes through these types of resolutions, God gets the glory and we grow in knowledge and maturity. If you are a "Resolution Quitter," I hope you will reconsider. Here are some suggested resolutions that will help you achieve God's will for your life--your sanctification:

1. Resolve to have a daily quiet time or to read Scripture daily.

There are many plans available. Justin Taylor has a post with a link to ten different plans. His article and the reading plans are valuable. He lists a few of the options he found helpful. These are excellent tools to help drive you daily reading, so why not pick one and get started. These reading plans break down the seemingly enormous task of reading through the Bible in a year, into between 300 and 365 easily acheived readings. Don't try to read through the Bible this year, get a plan and do it.

2. Resolve to memorize Scripture.

Dr. Jim Hamilton has a great post on the subject here. He also posts this link for verses to memorize each week. Use the version you prefer. I know that many of you feel that you cannot memorize Scripture. But let me ask you a few questions to test your memory. What was the last name of you third grade teacher? Think of someone you call frequently. What is their number? What is your zip code? Who was the 1st President of the U. S.? I am not saying the Scripture memorization is going to be easy. I am saying that it is necessary. We need it. If a verse or two is too much for you, focus on that verse or two for two weeks or a month. Keep at it and eventually some of it will stick.

3. Resolve to have a daily family altar time.

Family altar time is a time of family worship, with songs, prayer, Scripture reading, etc. It is especially important for families with children in the home, but is very helpful for couples as well. This time brings the family together in worship. It unites them around something greater than family tradition; it unites them in worship to the Lord. Terry L. Johnson, has written an excellent resource, the Family Worship Book (see the What I Am Reading List for a link). The book is written for Presbyterians, but has a lot of material that is helpful to any Christian family. In chapter five he gives a sample outline for family worship: 1) Call to worship/prayer of praise, 2) hymns/psalms, 3) reciting creeds and commandments (alternately), 4) Scripture reading, 5) prayers of confession and intercession, 6) ascriptions of praise, and 7) a benediction (Aaronic: Num. 6:24-26 or Apostolic: 2 Cor. 13:14). Daily worship as a family is important. Daily worship is also the pattern we see in Acts.

4. Resolve to share the gospel this year.

Think of a list of 10 people who you know personally that are lost. If you don't know 10 lost people, begin by asking the Lord to introduce you to lost people. Pray daily for the people on your list. Ask God to open their eyes to their lostness, to their need of salvation, and to the truth of Christ. Ask him to give you boldness to speak to them of their need and that he would allow you to speak the gospel with love and clarity. Trust the Spirit to convict them of sin and righteousness. Learn the essentials of the gospel backwards and forwards. Remember start with God, our holy Creator. Talk about the Fall of man, our sin nature and our sinfulness. Show them how God redeemed his creation, through Jesus Christ. Tell them about Jesus, the God-man, 100% God, 100% man, who took on human flesh, lived perfectly under the law, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate and was buried, who rose from the dead on the third day, and who is now ascended into heaven at the right hand of the Father as King of kings and Lord of lords. Tell them that God commands them to repent of (turn away from) their sin and to put their faith in Jesus Christ as their only means of salvation. There will be evangelism training during discipleship traing in 2009. Come, learn, and then go out and tell.

5. Resolve to pray.

Bible study, memorization, family worship, evangelism, ect. all need prayer to be truly effective. Find a place, find a time, and generate a list of people who need intercession. Begin crying out for the lost, for your family, for your church, for you friends, for our leaders, for our soldiers, for the sick, and most importantly for the glory of the Lord.

6. Resolve to pursue holy living.

The Bible is clear the God expects us to live holy lives. As Peter reminds us, "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written, 'Be holy, because I am holy'"(1 Pet. 1:15-16, NIV). The author of Hebrews warns, "Strive for peace with everyong, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord" (Heb. 12:14, ESV).

7. Resolve to be at church every time the doors are open, unless providentially hindered.

Peter states, "Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation" (1 Pet. 2:2, ESV, see also 1 Pet. 3:15; 2 Pet 1:3-11, 3:18). The author of Hebrews compels us, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching" (Heb. 10:25, NIV). In Ephesians 4:1-16, Paul explains what the church should be. The goal is that each member, and thus the church as a whole, will mature in knowledge of and service to the Lord, growing into the fullness of Christ, thus being able to discern true doctrine from false doctrine, and choosing to live in obedience to true doctrine. Yet, how can we accomplish this if we are not meeting together to learn that Word? If we are not holding one another accountable to live out that Word?

8. Resolve to develop an accountability relationship.

We need each other. An accountability relationship takes this reality into consideration and seeks the mutual encouragement and maturity of the partners. Married folks have a build in accountability relationship, but it may be wise and helpful for each to have other accountability partners. Some words of caution: nobody should have an accountability partner, other than their spouse, who is of the opposite gender. What is an accountability partner? It is a person with whom you spend time praying and studying Scripture. Here is a helpful post that gives the pros and cons of a one on one prayer and study relationship. Also, for families with children in the home it may be difficult to develop these relationships while your children are young. Don't worry, the time will come for you to take up this resolution, but it just may not be this coming (or the next several) year(s).

These resolutions seem basic, easy to do, and noble, but apart from the empowerment of the Spirit, no of us will accomplish them this year or any other. Let me ask you: Are you hungry for transformation? Do you want to know the Word of God better at the end of 2009, then you do at the end of this year? Do you want to walk closer to the Lord in 2009, then you did in 2008? Prayerfully consider these suggestions, check out the links and other resouces, sit down with the Scriptures and ask the Lord, "What would you have me to do?". Then by the grace of God, respond in obedience to what he says. Let me offer one more suggest: take it one day at a time. When the Lord gives you a day, seek his strength for that day and praise him for that strength at day's end. May God's providential hand guide you swiftly and safetly into the coming year, and may each event you encounter draw you closer to our perfect Father, through Jesus Christ the Son, by the leading of the Spirit.

We're Not in Eden Anymore

It appears that most of us have forgotten how far removed from Eden we are. We have developed some sort of mental defense against the hard realities of life. The Garden is gone, submurged long ago, by the flood of Noah's day. In reality, even in Noah's day the Garden had been long gone, lost in a single bite. Since the exile of Adam and Eve, humanity has been yearning to return to Eden. Many have tried to establish earthly paradises, but all fail. The utopias dreamed of by so many are so quickly spoiled by human nature. We are fallen creatures, living in a fallen world. We need more than a helping hand, we need total transformation. The only way to be transformed is to turn from sin and to trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Utopia, even on a small scale, is a human impossibility. Yet, as the church gathers to worship and serve her Lord, it is possible for us to glimpse heaven from earth. Every believer who draws closer to God is at the same time drawn closer to other believers. A. W. Tozer said something like, "One hundred pianos tuned to the same tuning fork will be more intune with each other than if they had been tuned to each other." The reality is that if I am truly close to God and you are truly close to God, we must also be truly close to each other. Our focus must always be on the Lord. He alone is able to bring us to a place of unity. As the Spirit works Christ's character out into our lives, he enables us to reflect the glory of Lord, in our obedience and his grace, in our restorations.

If we are not careful to remind ourselves of the reality that Eden is lost, then we might be overcome by frustrations as our goals and dreams fail to materialize. I don't mean to sound negative. Christ's kingdom is a guaraunteed reality, but it has not been established on the earth, yet. Until Jesus establishes his earthly kingdom, we must temper all of our expectations in light of what the Scriptures state (Matt. 5:11-12; 10:24-25, 34-39; John 16:33; 1 Pet. 5:12-19).

This reality should influence our understanding of all the areas of life. When if comes to parenting, we need to realize that our children are not going to become (nor are they already) perfect people. They, like us, are sinners in need of salvation. Mistakes will be made, milk will be spilled, but Christ can empower us to raise up redeemed people through faithful gospel-teaching and cross-centered living. Work is part of the created order. Adam had a job when all things were declared "very good." But, we should not be defined by our job. Our chief purpose in life is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever. Yet, if we define ourselves by our job, we will fail to achieve our greatest purpose. In marriage, the husband and wife are to cherish each other over all others, except the Lord. Yet, no marriage is perfect, sometimes affections shift. But again, we cannot be defined by our earthly relationships.

My point is that marriage, parenting, work, friendship, play, and other areas of life should not be our ultimate concern, nor should we allow ourselves to believe that there is such a thing as "perfection" or "utopia," to be found in any of them. When I say that they are not our ultimate concern, I mean that we should seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness (Matt. 6:33). When I say that there is no perfection or utopia, I do not mean there is not great joy to be found in these life pursuits. I mean that we will continually be going before the Lord seeking forgiveness and reconciliation, because we are sinners in a fallen world. Every life area is a means, appointed by God, through which we can acheive our greatest end: to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.

Big Shoes to Fill

This afternoon Sophia began to play with a pair of my shoes. I made some remark about having "big shoes to fill." But, even as I said it my mind began to think about the shoes each father must fill. I know that the type of father I am will determine how Sophia (and future children) will understand the fatherhood of God. I think that is what Paul meant when he warned, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" (Eph 6:4, ESV). And again he says, "Fathers, do not provoke you children, lest they become discouraged' (Col. 3:21, ESV). Just as the husband and wife relationship was created to reflect the relationship between Christ and his Bride, the Church. Parenting was also meant to reflect God's glory.

When a father fails to discipline his child, he provokes that child to anger, because the child feels as if no one cares and nothing matters. When a father harshly or rashly punishes a child, he provokes the child to anger, because the child feels that nothing he does is good enough or that there is no justice in the world. These are, of course, extreme images, but they help us to understand how the actions of a father can leave a negative imprint on the term father. If your father was a godly man, chances are that you are comforted by the Fatherhood of God. But, if your father was a tyrant, the Fatherhood of God may be difficult for you to comprehend in a positive way.

Let me state, no human father can fully reflect the perfect love of our heavenly Father. We are all sinners who have fallen short of God's glory, but we are called as Christ's followers to work in his strength to restore that image. The good news is that the Holy Spirit is bringing about the image of Christ in us throught the process of sanctification. So how do father's "fill the shoe's" of the heavenly Father? Just as Sophia could fill my shoes with her tiny feet, father's cannot fill the heavenly Father's "shoes." But, we can follow in his footsteps. We can seek to imitate him.

First, we must love unconditionally. It is a love that chooses to love its object, no matter the result (Rom. 5:6-8, 1 John 4:7-21; 1 Cor. 13:4-8). Secondly, our love must also be sacrifical. Not only must we be willing to love our children unconditionally, we must love them no matter the cost. Next, We must discipline our children (Heb. 12:5-11; Prov. 13:24, 19:18, 22:15, 23:13-14, 29:17). Discipline is not the same as punishment. Biblical discipline is about correction. Next, we must discern what is best for our children and safeguard it at all cost. Finally, we must remember our limitations.

We are not God the Father, but we are fathers who seek to imitate the Father. Even as we seek to imitate the Father, we must remember several important facts. First, the Father loves our children more than we ever could, and he loves them perfectly. Second, fatherhood was not meant to be practiced apart from God's gracious assistance (the Fall brought the possiblity of becoming a father without knowing the Father, and thus brought all sorts of negative ideas into the concept of fatherhood). Next, we need to remember the Father in heaven is perfect, we are not. We will often have to repent of our sinful attitudes about and behaviors towards our children. Yes, we will have to confess our sins to our children (I don't mean tell them everything you ever did wrong, but address ways that you have sinned against them).

For example, let's say you have had a bad day at work, you come home and the house is a mess. Your son was supposed to clean it up, but has been playing Nintendo Wii all day. When you see the mess you explode. By explode, I mean you throw a little temper tantrum and verbally lash out at your child. At this point, your action becomes sin, because you acted in anger, not for the correction of your child. So you would need to say something like, "Daddy shouldn't have yelled at you that way. There will still be disciplined for not doing you choirs, but it was wrong of me to act that way. Can you forgive me?"

Another important thing to remember is we are not all-knowing. Somethings are "no brainers" if you are a Christian, then it is God's will that you pray for your children. You should pray for them before they are born (or adopted). You should pray for their salvation, their future spouses, their giftings, and that God would use them in his service. You should teach them about our holy God. You should teach them about sin, the sinfulness of humanity, and their need of salvation. You should teach them that Jesus is God's answer for sin, and only Jesus can save us. You should teach them that God commands them to turn from sin and trust in Jesus. You should teach them that God calls them to a life of dedicated service. You should teach them to memorize Scripture, confessions of faith, creeds, catechisms, and hymns. You should teach them how all of Scripture points to Jesus. You should teach them how to witness to others, how to carefully think through their faith, and to be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks (1 Pet. 3:15). Even after all the prayers and training, you must trust the Lord to bring about his will. Ultimately, he knows all ends, not us. We just have to trust his providence.

In God's eyes success is not measured by the number of "World's Greatest Dad" mugs in the cupboard. It isn't measured by the response of our children. It's measured in faithfulness to his Word. If we did our best, in faith, through his strength to rear our children in accordance to his Word, that is success. I do believe that if we are faithful, more often than not, the fruit will bear out in our children, but that is not always the case. As I watch my sleeping daughter, I am reminded of what Henry Blackaby said, "Disobedience is costly." I realize that her eyes are watching me, her ears are tuned in to hear the words between the words, the wheels of her mind are analyzing everything I say and do. She is measuring the difference between what I say I believe and how I live. If she finds a vast difference between the two she may reject Christ out of hand, having concluded that Jesus did not make a difference in me, what could he do for her. But, if she finds no difference, or finds repenance in the face of error, and if she finds my profession and life to be in harmony, it may be that she may see that she, too, needs this Jesus.

We do well not to try and fill our heavenly Father's shoes; they would never fit. Instead, we must faithfully point our children to the one Father who is perfect. We do this through loving them unconditionally, sacrifically, through biblical discipline, and by teaching them the gospel. For the gospel reminds us all of our limitations, and points to the one who can save us. Pray for me, that I would be a faithful father. Pray that God would help me walk in integrity, humility, and faith. And pray, that in his gracious timing, he would open my little girl's eyes to his fatherhood, and draw her to himself through our precious Lord Jesus.

A Funny

I'm sitting at the computer checking email and watch Delia and Sophia play, when Sophia gets up and comes to me. She grabs my finger and makes me stand. She then signals for me to pick her up, and then sit back down. She then instructs me to sit her next to the computer. She then begins going through all her books. She is a very smart, determined girl. Right now she is signalling me to go, so I'll update more later.

Weather Update

Today has been a much better day for me. I am feeling pretty good. Sophia appears to be feeling a little bit better. She is sleepy today, but her stomach discomfort woke her up a few times last night. It appears we have weathered the toughest part (hopefully). Yesterday, whenever Delia would take her out for a walk, Sophia would signal for me to come with them (she motions with her hand). When I wouldn't get out of bed she would fuss a little. And at one point last night, when she wanted to go walk the halls, she tried to pull one of my shirts of the hanger so I would take her out. Since I am feeling better I have walked with her quite a bit today. It is good to be up and about. Thank you all for your prayers, and please continue to pray for us.

Under the Weather

I have been in bed most of the day. I'm not sure if I ate something bad, or got a virus. Either way I am praying that the Pepto does the trick. Please, pray that Sophia and I will wake up well tomorrow. God bless.

Joy Amid Sorrow

The passing of my grandma has been eased by the antics of my precious daughter. I have been asking for a kiss (un veso) all morning, but she kept shaking her head no. I even brushed my teeth thinking it was bad breath, but she still wouldn't give me a kiss. As I was writing about my grandma's passing and crying a little, Sophia blew me a kiss and smiled at me. It is hard to keep crying in the presence of such joy. I thank God that we are here with Sophia; I realize we all needed each other. (Also, we got her some medicine-which she took without a problem, thank you, Lord,--and she is feeling better). May the God of all comfort, comfort you, by his joyous presence. It may be in the smile of a little child, a moment of repentance, the remembrance of a better time, or any number of other things, but if you keep your spiritual eyes open you are sure to see his glorious work.

Sad News

I found out that my grandma, Edith Butler, passed away this morning. She was born May 16th, 1921. She was my mom's mom. She had been sick for awhile. I was supposed to do her funeral in the event of her passing, but I will not be able to do so now. The last time I spoke to her she told me how much she desired to see Sophia. We regret that they never got the chance to meet. My grandma was a wonderful grandma. I loved her deeply, and I know that she loved me. I will miss her very much.

Please pray that whoever does the service will present the gospel clearly. Pray that they offer the only true comfort any of us can have--Jesus Christ. My grandma professed faith in Christ, but many in my family have not. Pray that the Lord will open their eyes to the truth, so they may be saved. Please, keep my mom and our family in prayer throughout the days ahead.

Day After Christmas Update

Shortly after my last post we lost internet. I assume the internet wanted to celebrate Christmas. Poor Sophia has had diarrhea since Christmas Eve. The transition seems to be going smooth, other than her tummy troubles. Yesterday, was "Mommy Day." Sophia didn't want Daddy to pick her up or carry her. She would, however, blow kisses at Daddy. She even went to sleep without a big struggle last night, but she didn't sleep through the night. All in all we had a wonderful Christmas. If I can update later I will. God Bless.

The Temptations of Jesus

"And the tempter came and said to him, 'If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.' But he answered, 'It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but every word that comes from the mouth of God"'"(Matt. 4:3-4, ESV).

It intrigues me that Satan would begin the tempting of Jesus by calling into question his identity as the Son of God. The tiny word "if" has powerful implications in this passage. Satan is in essences asking if it is possible that Jesus got it all wrong. Satan subtly implies, "Are you sure you got it right?". It should not suprise us that Satan would take this tactic, seeing how it is his favorite. Didn't he ask Eve a similar question? His interrogation of Eve in the garden was meant to generate a doubt in her mind as to whether or not they had really understood the Lord and a doubt concerning the Lord's trustworthiness.

Just as Eve was tested to eat outside of the Lord's provisions (i.e., the forbidden fruit), so to Jesus was tempted to eat outside of the Lord's provision, because the Father had not provided food for him to end his (40 day) fast. Satan is relying on Jesus' human appetites to drive him to sin against the Father. Yet, Jesus' God was not his belly, but his eternal Father. Jesus' response is powerful and informative, "Man does not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4, ESV). If man's life is not sustained by the Word of God, then he will die no matter how much bread he eats. The spiritual needs of man far outweigh the physical needs of man, because "it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment" (Heb. 9:27, ESV).

Jesus was firmly convinced that the Father would provide for his needs. The Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness; ,thus, into the fast. The Father, in his timing, would send the necessary resources for the Son to break his fast and to be strengthen. As the eternal Son of God, Jesus was there when the Lord provided Elijah with food by the ravens. Jesus knew that he was beloved of the Father, and could rest in that love. The Father would, at precisely the right time, meet his physical needs. Thus the promises sustained him. He could not be drawn into doubt, nor tricked into usurping the Father's place.

Many have seen in these tempations John's threefold explaination of worldliness (see 1 John 2:16). The King James Version calls them: the lust of the flesh (stones to bread), the lust of the eyes (the kingdoms of the world in all their splendor), and the pride of life (throw yourself off the temple and the angels will catch you). What is definitely clear is that Jesus cannot be lured away from singleminded devotion to the Father. Nor can Jesus deny himself. Another important reality in all of these temptations is that Jesus never questions the Word, yet relys upon it with full confidence as his sole authority. That reliance is a sure testimony to the full trustworthiness of the Word, and a clear call to entrust our lives to it. Humble obedience to the Word of God is how we overcome the world and worldliness.

I would like to mention one other important fact of this account: Satan often twists Scriptures in order to lead people to misapply them. In Matthew 4:6, Satan quotes two Scriptures that are twisted out of their context in order to bait Jesus. But, Jesus didn't take the bait. I want to focus on a major implication from this particular temptation; it is crucial that we rightly understand the Scriptures in their context. In order to rightly apply the Scriptures, we must first rightly interpret them. Throughout the event of his temptations Jesus demonstrates the the trustworthiness of Scripture.

Photo of Sophia and Me

Here is a picture of Sophia and me. If you look closely you can see Santa in the background about to karate chop me. Fortunately, I survived the incedent unscathed. However, I will not be on Santa's "nice" list this year. All kidding aside we are having a wonderful Christmas Eve. We want you all to know that we love and miss you.

Thinking About Jesus

"And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased'" (Matt. 3:16-17, ESV).

It is hard to read this account, so close to Christmas, and not think of the implications. Jesus comes to John to be baptized. John, realizing who Jesus is wants to refuse, because his baptism is a baptism for repentance. John recognized the Jesus did not need to repent in order to be right with the Father. Jesus' baptism was a confirmation of John's ministry, a continuation of the parallels between Jesus and the nation of Israel, and the institution of the ordinance of baptism.

The Father wants the crowd to understand that John was right; Jesus didn't need repentance. He was the sinless Son of God. The Father states, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." It is a statement of Jesus' innocense as well as a publicly expressed seal of approval upon the upcoming ministry of the Son. Many would reject Jesus' claim that he was the Son of God, but here the Father confirms it. Many would reject Jesus' ministry, claiming he was empowered by Satan to do the works he did, but here the Father states he is "well pleased" with Jesus.

As we gather this Christmas, around the tree or table, I hope we realize the true worth of the gift God has given by sending his beloved Son to die on our behalf. I hope that you have placed your trust in the One of whom God said he was "well pleased." Remember this Christmas (and everyday) the Jesus has purchased our way to God. After all the presents are unwrapped and the thank yous are said, don't forget to offer up thanks to God for the greatest gifts of all.

Smiles

We thought you all would like to see a picture of Sophia's beautiful smile. Although she smiles frequently it is hard to get it caught on camera, because she likes to move a lot. I think I have already lost two pounds.

All I Want for Christmas

The Lord has been teaching me how truly blessed I am. I have been blessed with many gifts. Here is a picture of two of the greatest gifts I have been given. We went to the mall today and then ate lunch at McDonald's (yes, McD is everywhere; although I'm not sure I'm loving it). Our little girl is contantly on the go, except when she is napping (She needs those naps). I'll post more photo's later. I hope you realize how blessed you are, and may God continue to bless you this Christmas season.

A Good Night to End a Great Day

Sorry I haven't posted sooner, but you can't have your cell phones turned on while you are on the airplane. Then I had to teach this computer and my phone Spanish before I could access the internet. The Lord blessed us with a safe trip and with Sophia's presence. We were hoping they would bring her today, but were not quite sure if they would. But we got her around 5:30 pm and have been busy every since. We had a tearful good by with her foster mother; I ask you to keep her and her family in your prayers. Our precious Sophia is resting quietly now. We have all had a long day. I had hoped to publish some pictures today, but we brought the wrong cord. I plan on taking some with my phone tomorrow, and now that it speaks Spanish I should be able to post them tomorrow (no promises).

Leaving on a Jet Plane

It's 3:30 in the morning, and we are at the Nashville airport. Thanks to all the waiting over the last several weeks I don't mind that there is nobody at the check-in, even though we are supposed to be here two hours early. We are just excited to be going to see our little girl. You all have a blessed Christmas.

Sermon Review 12-21-08

Bro. Eric brought a powerful message about "the Testimony of John," from John 1:19-28. He reminded us that John chief concern was pointing others to Jesus. He reminded us of John's boldness, faithfulness, and humility. He left us with the question: is our life pointing others to Jesus? This season presents us with a perfect opportunity to point others to Jesus.

Thank You

Now that our plans our in motion the pace is beginning to quicken. I am sorry I haven't been posting more or more regularly. There are a lot of things I hope to cover here soon. The past few weeks have weighed heavily on my mind and I found myself overly distracted. I am grateful for the leave Monticello has granted me. It came at just the right time. I have been praying and studying to renew my heart. I am glad that I can now focus on the future. A new year stretches out before us and I am excited about all the possibilities. It will be good to get away for awhile, get Sophia's adoption finalized, and to get back home. So many people, ones known to us and unknown, have lifted us up to the Lord. He has graciously borne us throughout all of our difficulties. His love endures forever. If I can update the blog while we are in Guatemala, I will do so. Thank you all for you continued support. The Lord has used you to encourage us, and we are forever in his debt. God bless you.

The Pink Slip for Which We Have Been Waiting

This time of year (or any time) the term "pink slip" can cause a man to pause in his tracks. Rarely is the term a cause for joy. But, this pink slip doesn't concern our jobs. This pink slip is our appointment for Sophia's visa. We got confirmation today that our appointment is scheduled for January 6th. We are planning to leave the Monday before Christmas and return January 9th. We appreciate all your prayers, and ask you to continue to pray for safe travel, a joyous reunion, and a smooth appointment.

Wednesday Night Recap

I don't usually recap the Wednesday night service, but last night's service was special. Tony Wilson filled in for me. He brought a lesson entitled, "What God Wants in Way of a Gift." He lead us through several passages (Isa. 56:7, Phil. 4:18, Heb.13:16, Prov. 15:8, Isa. 1:11-15, Jer. 6:19-20) and we looked at the types of gifts offered to God and his responses to them. We ended by looking at Romans 12:1-2. We were reminded as we looked through these passages that the attitude of the heart was more important than ritual and that God desired obedience over sacrifice. Paul's call to present our bodies as a living sacrifice reminds us that our sacrifices are not based in death and bloodshed, but through living and obedient faith. As we seek to live for him, He will guide us into his good, perfect and pleasing will. Thank you, Lord. And thank you, Tony.

I Would Follow You

I would follow you wherever you may go, only don't make me go in there. This thought occurred to me the other day as I watch the The Lord of the Ring: Return of the King. In one scene Aragorn (the returning king) and his friends Legolas (an elf) and Gimli (a dwarf) have to enter into a haunted mountain pass and a city built by spirits of the dead. Just prior to entering into the city, Gimli has a look on his face that says, "I would follow you wherever you go, only don't make me go in there." Throughout the movie (and the book its based on, excellent movie/better book) Gimli proves his love and loyalty for Aragorn. Yet, for the briefest of moments he seems unwilling to take the next step. Finally, in a mixture of shame and trust, he pushes beyond his fear and follows after the king.

I saw myself in Gimli--caught at a crossroads, forced to chose. Will I continue to trust my King and follow him even if I am uncertain where his footsteps will lead me, or will I in fear stop following him? It is easy enough to say that we follow Jesus. After all, nearly 2 billion people claim Christianity in this world, yet at times it is hard to distinguish the "believer" from the non-believer. But following Jesus is more than praying a prayer, or being baptized, or mentally accenting to some collection of facts. When the Holy Spirit awakens us to believe the gospel, he works a mighty transformation in us. That transformation brings about a desire to walk in humble obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Richard Belcher reminds us, "the essence of worship is submission to God" (in A Journey in Providence). If we can stand at the beginning of a trial and say to the the Lord, "I would follow you wherever you would go, only don't make me go in there", what does that say about our faith? Is a faith not submitted to God able to save? The New Testament says "no." Thus we must conclude, we must humbly submit to the will of God and trust him as he leads us. We walk through difficult paths because we know our King goes before us, and he is forever with us and we are forever in him, by grace through faith. May we have the courage to say in the face of danger, "I would follow you wherever you may go." Then, may we step out in faith, knowing that our Lord will lead us to victory.

More Sophia Pics

Delia thought I should add a few of the better pictures. Enjoy. Thank you for your constant prayers.

Sophia Update

We received new pictures today, but no word on our appointment. We think this picture was taken after they asked Sophia how she felt about the waiting. The new pictures should be incorporated into the slideshow soon. God bless.

A Sophia Update

FedEx delivered our second set of results this afternoon. We have contacted our case worker and an Embassy contact. We are now waiting for the results to be processed and our appointment to be issued. Hopefully, we will hear something soon. Please, keep praying. God Bless

Concerning the Word

"So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us" (Heb. 6:17-18).

The author of Hebrews expresses an important truth in this passage, it is impossible for God to lie. This truth teaches us that, at the fundamental level of his nature, God is above deception. He is incapable of misleading. The truth that God cannot lie informs us as we read other Scriptures. When Paul states, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (2 Tim. 3:16), he is stating that the words of Scripture are trustworthy and true; because, they have been spoken by God.

The God of Scripture reveals himself to be holy, righteous, and perfect (see 1 Pet. 1:13-21). This depiction of God leads us to the logical conclusion that Scriptures are without error. Any perceived error in Scripture ultimately rests in a mistrust of God. When we doubt the Scriptures it really means we are doubting God. Our confidence in Scripture rests in our belief that it was the Holy Spirit who spoke through the prophets and other writers (2 Pet. 1:20-21). Since it was God who spoke, it is God who preserves.

For this reason, Jesus instructs us to build our lives upon his word (see Matt 7:24-27). What did Jesus teach about the Scripture? In Luke 24:44, Jesus makes reference to the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms which is a reference to the divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures which (although divided differently) correlates to our Old Testament. These Scriptures according to Jesus all point to him. As we study the Old and New Testaments we see the prophets, the apostles, and even Jesus pointed to a divinely inspired, accurate, and authoritative Word. We are called to trust this Word from beginning to end.

A Helpful Link

There is a helpful post on study Bibles on Dr. Albert Mohler's site today. Dr. Mohler lists ways to use a study Bible and suggests three resources he finds particularly helpful. His blog is a rich resource for cultural commentary from a biblical worldview. Check it out sometime.

Choices

At this time last week Delia and I were making plans to leave for Guatemala; however, many of our friends and family members gently urged us to think through our plans more wisely. Our main reason for desiring to go so early is to be with our daughter. Once we get to Guatemala (depending on the time and day) they will bring her to us and we will get to keep her. But, we are stalled right now because we don't have the pink slip (our appointment with the Embassy). Without the appointment, we don't know how long we would be in Guatemala or how to budget for such a stay. There would be additional fees for changing our tickets, additional nights at the hotel, etc., and without knowing when it all would be over, we had to make a choice.

With no known end date, wisdom dictated that waiting was the best choice. Now by best, I do not mean most pleasant or easiest. I mean that it is the mature decision. We must always remember that when we seek to live in Christian maturity we will often have to choose paths that are unpleasant and difficult. It is also important to remember as we endure these challenges, by grace through faith, we are never alone. The Lord is with us, strengthening us for the task, working his will through us, and encouraging us through his people. We, as the children of God, are called to persevere until we reach full maturity in Christ. Let us turn to him day by day and seek the grace and help we need to endure to the end, for he will surely grant it.

Sermon Review 12-14-08

Morning: Bro. Eric did a marvelous job reminding us of the truth that Jesus was the God-man. His sermon was drawn from John 1:1-18. He reminded us that Jesus existed from eternity, that Jesus was God (along with the Father and Holy Spirit), and that Jesus came and dwelt among us in human flesh. These truths are not only essential to understanding who Jesus was and is, but they are also essential to eternal life.

Quick Update

There isn't much news from Guatemala. We know that the second set results are in Guatemala, but we don't know if they made it to the Embassy yet. Hopefully, we will hear something Monday. Please keep praying.

Parenting Resources

I just read an important article by Dr. Russell Moore, The Eschatology of Parenting. The article stresses the importance of disciplining children. Another helpful resource for parenting is Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp. Both sources remind us that a parent's goal should not be on behavior modification, but on change of heart. We must not forget the fallenness of humanity as we rear our children, nor should we forget the role of grace. As Dr. Moore reminds us, the goal of discipline is to prepare the heart for the gospel. If the Lord disciplines the ones he loves, what does it say about us if we don't discipline our children?

Quick Update

Just wanted to give you a quick update on Sophia. Our case worker has asked the lab to re-send our results to the Embassy, because no one can find them. The results should be there by tomorrow. Pray they find the missing ones today. We'll keep you posted.

Don't Lose Heart

" And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart" (Luke 18:1, ESV).

For reasons to obvious to write, I have been thinking about Luke 18:1-8. After telling the parable of the widow and the unjust judge, Jesus asks three questions: "Will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night?," "Will he delay long over them?," and "When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 8:7-8). Jesus is trying to get his disciples to understand is that our Heavenly Father is not like the unjust judge. There is a temptation on our parts to think of God as a cosmic killjoy (although it is an equally dangerous temptation to think of God as a cosmic genie). Two things I think we must firmly establish in our mind in regards to God, he is not unaware of our situation nor is he unconcerned. To state it positively, God is aware and he cares about what is happening to us.

For this reason, Jesus stated, "I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily" (Luke 18:8, ESV). God cares for his children. He is not a tyrant who is unmoved by our circumstances. We do not have to nag God to get what we want, but that doesn't mean that we do not have to persist in prayer. There is wisdom in his delay, even when we do not understand it. What Jesus would have us to do in response to a delayed answer to prayer is "to pray and not lose heart." He doesn't want us to just continue to pray, but to pray and not lose heart. He drives this point home by asking, "When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" Friends, what do you do when it seems like the whole world is against you and heaven isn't listening? Do you pray harder? Do you devote more time to prayer? Or do you just give up?

The key is to remember who God really is. He is "The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty . . ." (Ex. 34:6-7, ESV). His is "Our Father in Heaven" (Matt. 6:9). We must continue to remember who God really is. He is the One who created us, who redeemed us, who called us to himself, who gave us a new heart, and who has called us his children. For any one of these reasons, we should give him our undying trust, but he has given us all of these and many more.

I know at times is can be tough to pray and not lose heart. Some days are harder than others. But we have to keep asking ourselves, "When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?". Will he find faith in me? Then we need to look to the One who is working faith in us and say, "I believe, help my unbelief!" Don't lose heart, the Lord loves you and is faithful.

Sermon Preview

Morning: For the next couple of Sunday mornings my good friend, Bro. Eric Martin, will be preaching. Please keep him and his family in prayer as he prepares for this task.

Evening: During my absence we won't be having discipleship training classes on Sunday nights so that the choir can have extra time to practice the cantata.

Wednesday: One of our deacons, Tony Wilson, will be filling in for me on December 17th. Tony does a wonderful job and I am grateful for his assistance. December 24th is our Christmas Eve service (I hope to be back).

Maybe Tomorrow

The day is quickly coming to a close. Once again we have taken up the refrain, "Maybe tomorrow." We had hoped to hear something by this afternoon, but we have not. In the back of my mind I hear the old revival song, "Why Not Tonight?". We want to hop on a plane and fly to Guatemala, but we are hesitant to do so without our pink slip. We are still prayerfully considering leaving Thursday, but we want to have that appointment in hand. Please continue to pray with us (I know you already are), and maybe tomorrow we will get our appointment. God bless you all.

Tested Faith

Socrates once said, "An unexamined life is not worth living." Inquisitive fellow that he was, I assume he meant that we must all be on a quest for understanding ourselves and the world around us. Someone said something to me about the testing of the faith and this Socrates quote to mind. My mind began to shuffle Socrates' words to fit the Christian life. Here is what I came up with, "An untested faith is not alive."

Many of us seem genuinely surprised when facing difficulties. Peter responds to our surprise, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you" (1 Pet 4:12, ESV). The fiery trial Peter addressed was persecution, but author of Hebrews reminds us that all hardship is to be endured as discipline from the Lord (Heb. 12:7). When we understand testing (trials/difficulties) as discipline, and remember that God disciplines those he loves, difficulty then becomes a confirmation of God's love for us.

I have to stress here that there is a real difference between punishment and discipline. Discipline is meant to bring about correction, to form, and to shape. Discipline is restorative; its function is reconciliation. Punishment is meant to bring about justice. Punishment is retributive; its function is to penalize wrong doing. Also, it is important to stress that not all hardship in a believer's life is the direct result of sinning. We do, however, have to remember that every follower of Jesus Christ is a redeemed sinner and that the Holy Spirit is continually at work in us to eradicate our sin nature (this is the process of sanctification). We need to make these distinctions so we will understand that God is not punishing us for our sin (he has already punished Christ for our sin), but he is disciplining us (correcting us) so that we may reflect Christ's glory.

How does this understanding help us in the midst of a trial? If we understand trials to be a sign of God's love for us, his desire to cleanse and accept us, and his continual work in us, then it should bring us great joy that we are undergoing difficulty. You may ask, "How can it bring us great joy?". James commands, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing" (James 1:2-4, ESV). How can we count it all joy to suffer trials? Because we know the trials are being used by God to make us into fully matured followers of Christ who possess all they need.

Peter reminds us of our "inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven" for us (1 Pet. 1:4, ESV). He goes on to say, "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith--more precious than gold that perishes thought it is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 1:6-7, ESV). Thus Peter calls on us to reflect not on what we have suffered, but on what we are about to gain when Christ appears. Our joy comes from the knowledge that we, as saved sinners, are being fashioned into glorious saints, and that the trials that we go through are preparing us for Christ's return.

Let's return to our statement, "An untested faith is not alive." What does it mean? It means that if we are not be tested we are not truly of the faith. As the author of Hebrews stated, "If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons" (Heb. 12:8, ESV). If a person can continually habitually live in unrepentant sin, and not undergo the severe discipline of the Lord, then that person has no reason to believe that they truly know the Lord. If there is no conviction of sin, no desire for repentance, and no perception of the need of reconciliation, then there is no life. A faith that is not tested is a faith that will not grow; a faith that does not grow is not alive.

Rejoice the next time difficulty comes your way, because the Lord is at work in you. Ask the Lord, "What lesson would you have me to learn?", "What sinful behaviour or attitude must I depart with?", "What must I do to make it right?". Listen for the answers and then respond in obedient faith. Remember God is not out to harm you, but he is in the process of transforming you into the image of the Son.

Sophia Update

We know that they have the 2nd DNA results at the embassy. Now all we are waiting on is an email that tells when are appointment will be. This appointment is called "the pink slip." We are praying to hear something today. Thank you for your continual prayers.

Planning for Christmas Break

'Tis the season. Soon Christmas break will be upon us. I know that many of you have a lot of holiday plans. There are countless Christmas "classics" to entertain, encourage, and enjoy. There will be family get-togethers and neighborhood parties. There will be church events to attend. But the Christmas season is a good time to slow down and reconnect with family. I hope you have a holiday plan that allows you focus on your family. A good way to do that is to turn off the t.v., shut off the gaming system and computer, put down the ipod (or other musical devices) and cell phones, and to do something together as a family. A family could sit around talking or playing a game or reading a book together.

If you have small children or grandchildren who will be spending a lot a time with you during the Christmas break, I want to recommend a book to you. Actually, I want to recommend it to everybody. Could you imagine a world where it was always winter, but Christmas never came? Such is the world discovered by young Lucy and her siblings: Peter, Susan, and Edmond in C. S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (LWW). The story is rich with Christian themes. Lewis wrote the Chronicles of Narnia series (there are seven books, LWW is 2nd in the series, but they can be read separately) to teach children the basics of the Christian faith.

So during this Christmas break, when the weather outside is frightful, gather by the delightful fire and begin reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Of course, you can still read it even if you don't have a fire to gather by and the weather is delightful. It will still be a great way to spend a few hours together.

We Know "No News" Stinks

The old expression, "No news is good news," is not quite accurate. I want to apologize to you all for not keeping you better informed concerning Sophia. Right now we are waiting for the results of the 2nd DNA to be received in Guatemala and for our appointment at the embassy to be made. Once the appointment is made we will know exactly when we will be home with out little girl.

We are making arrangements to go down to Guatemala early to be with Sophia. We will be able to keep her with us while we wait for our appointment. Monticello has graciously given us leave to be with Sophia, and for that we are eternally grateful. A lot of people are behind the scenes enabling this reunion. I thank God for all of you, and thank you for your loving support. And we are well aware that all of you are praying for us daily.

In the days ahead I will try to keep everybody posted. As soon as I can I will post information here. I know you all are as eager as we are to get Sophia home. We love you all.

Sermon Review 12-7-08

Morning: We looked at Luke 1:46-56 in a sermon entitled, "A Lesson from Mary." Mary reminds us of the important truth that the Lord's mercy endures for all those who fear him. In his mercy he is mindful of us, he works mightily to deliver us, and he is continually faith to his promises. Mary is a good example of humble obedience and whole-hearted faith.

Evening: We had business meeting during this service.

God is in Control

Many of you are wondering if we have heard any news concerning our reunion with Sophia. Unfortunately, we have not heard anything definite. We know she is our daughter, we know we are going to go and get her, but we just don't know when. Dear friends I know that your frustration is mounting like ours, but we must continue to entrust ourselves and this situation to the Lord. Frustration is the result of unfulfilled expectations. We just have to keep reminding ourselves that the Lord is in control and things will work out in his timing. Some of you may be wondering what good it will do to think this way, so let me offer a few ways this line of thinking can help us:

1. The Lord Jesus is to be the focal point of our lives, not our desires. We should desire Jesus above all other things and people. This is what David meant when he said, "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart" (Ps. 37:4, NIV). To delight ourselves in the Lord is to desire him above all things, and the promise is that the Lord will not withhold himself from us. Jesus said, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:26, NIV). The focal point is Jesus; he should be our all consuming desire.

2. There is comfort in the knowledge that we rest in the One who is in control. There is so much of our lives that we cannot control. We don't know if someone will run through a red light and hit us in an intersection. We don't know when we sit down to a meal if we will get food poisoning. We don't know what person will pass us and infect us with some contagion. There are no guarantees that hard work will pay off in this life. However, we do not despair because "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Rom. 8:28, NIV). God is not set on destroying us, but on conforming us into the image of his Son, Jesus Christ. His purposes and plans for us will not fail.

3. Anxiety never made anything better. Jesus chided, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" (Luke 12:25, NIV). He later stated, "But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:31-32, NIV). We are called as Christ's followers to trust his intentions as well as his actions. We cannot see the end of all things, but God knows the ends even as he knows his appointed means. Worrying about it doesn't make a positive impact on the circumstances.

4. It offers greater testimony to the faithfulness of God. There is a difference between saying we believe that God is faithful to his promises, and living out our trust in that faithfulness. Anxiety says to the world that we believe our God to be fickle or faithless or incapable. It reveals a deep seeded mistrust in our Sovereign. Our actions and attitudes are often better reflections of our true beliefs than our statements and confessions. We all understand this principle. We are all leery of a person who feels the continual need to "convince" us of his honesty, but give us a person who has consistently proven his honesty in his dealings and we know we can trust him. Likewise, a believer who consistently lives out his life with confidence in the Lord is more readily believed than someone who is always trying to convince the world that they believe. Or as we say in my native Missouri, "Show me!"

May God grant us the wisdom to live in complete trust in him. He alone is the only one worthy of absolute trust, because he alone is absolutely trustworthy. May he be glorified by our confident faith, as we seek to walk in obedience to his will and purposes. And know this, dear friends, as soon as we hear about our appointment we will let you all know. Until then, continue to trust the wisdom of our Lord.

Go to the Ant

"Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise" (Prov. 6:6, ESV).

Every so often I am reminded that hard work, physical or mental, is not part of the curse placed on Adam and his descendants. We are called to be diligent in mind and body. We are to labor with intensity and passion. We see here that there exists, within the natural order, patterns for us to observe and learn from. Solomon calls his reader to consider the diligence of the ant. The ant is about the task of preparing and approaches the task with determination.

The term "sluggard" carries with it a degree of shame. It describes someone who is lazy. The book of Proverbs has a lot of things to say against the sluggard. Even in the descriptions of the sluggard are harsh. The sluggard is supposed to be scorned by Solomon's readers, and his ways rejected. As Solomon describes it, laziness is rewarded with poverty and hardship, but hard work is rewarded with wealth and success.

The sluggard is one who will not lift a finger to help himself. He thinks it is everyone else's job to provide for him, and that work is for suckers. As believers in Christ this kind of attitude is to be rejected by us. We want to display the glorious character of Christ. We cannot do that by being lazy. Jesus was continually doing what the Father called him to do.

I am not suggesting that we never take a break. Sabbath, after all, was made for man, Jesus said. We are creatures who need rest, but if our default mode is procrastination; if we are always ready to put off until tomorrow what we should do today, then we may be lazy. Solomon says, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might . . ." (Eccl. 9:10, ESV). Paul also states, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31, ESV). We should seek to serve the Lord with diligence in all we do.

So the next time you find an ant searching your kitchen for provisions, and before you kill it for its trespass, ask yourself, "Am I that diligent?" Have you looked to the ant to learn from it? Have you heard all that he has to teach you? Then roll up your sleeves and get back to work.

Sermon Preview 12-07-08

Special Note: Due to the fact that Delia and I are still not certain if we will be in town this coming Sunday I am torn as to what to do about this preview. Please pray that God would grant me the wisdom to know if I am going to speak this Sunday, and if so, what I should preach on.

Morning: We will have the "Hanging of the Greens" ceremony as well as our annual holiday meal. The sermon is pending.

Evening: I am still not quite sure what this service will look like.

Thank you for your prayers and patience.

Waiting

The last few weeks have had their highs and lows. It seems that the closer we get to our reunion with Sophia, the more our frustration increases. The days drag by so slowly, yet even as I type everything seems to move so quickly. It feels as if a single hour lasts a day, but before I know it another week is gone. We are caught in kind of timelessness, where today and tomorrow and yesterday are all relative. Time passes, sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly, but we are are always pulled along.

The silence is the worst part for me. There is always a sense of "not knowing" that eats at me. While we were waiting for Sophia to get out of PGN, I was a nervous wreck. Then came the waiting for the birth certificate. And then it was the passport. And then it was the 2nd DNA. Now it is our appointment that is lingering in some nebulous limbo. It rests somewhere out there beyond us. And the long slow tick of the clock makes me want to scream. I just want to know when.

Please, don't miss understand me. I do not doubt the goodness of God. I am not questioning his wisdom. I am fully confident that he is in total control. But anxiety and mistrust are not so easily crucified. The will is not so easily slain. Our desires for control and comfort are forever battling against the knowledge of God. The liar comes and whispers, "Surely if he loved you, he would make this all go faster," or "I wouldn't make my children wait for their desires" or some other nonsense. It may be true that the deceiver gives his children whatever they want and quickly, but it is always to their harm.

Our Father cares for us. He knows us. This wait is not meant to harm me (or Delia), but it is meant to make us more dependent upon him. He knows that there will be a time when we will be tempted to make an idol out of our daughter. He knows that we will be tempted to teach her to love us more than him. We pray that we will not surrender to such temptations. We pray that the Lord will enable us to teach her to know him, to love him, and to depend upon him above all others. I know that as long as I walk this earth there will exist a sense of not knowing, but by the grace of God some day I will learn how to completely lean on him and find confidence in the reality that I am known. I also realize that in learning to submit to God's will, I will one day be able to model that behavior for my children. And I will know from experience, when we are teaching them to be patient and to delay gratification, that the wait will not harm them. It may make them cry, it may make them pout, it may even make them angry, but it will not harm them.

Sermon Review 11-30-08

Morning: We looked at Hebrews 9:1-10:18. The author of Hebrews reminded us that "by one sacrifice [Jesus] has made perfect forever those who are being made holy" (10:14). The sermon, entitled "Nothing but the Blood," looked at how the sacrificial system pointed to the coming of a greater sacrifice that would actually bring forgiveness, it looked at why Jesus had to die, and it looked at the fact that Jesus was a willing sacrifice.

This passage emphasized the fact that our righteous standing before God has been secured by Jesus' sacrifice. He has saved us from all of our sins. He not only cleansed us outwardly, but inwardly. He not only went into the presence of the Father, but ushered us into his presence as well. These truths compel us to cling to Christ alone and to reject legalism and lawlessness. It calls us to worship the Lord for his grace. It calls us to walk in confident faith, know that Christ has secured our way to God. It also calls the unbeliever to turn from self-righteousness and to trust the Lord.

Evening: We looked at giving thanks. We focused on Psalms 30 and 100. Gratitude is a word that is often hard for me to define. I know what it is, but it is often hard to put it into context. The important issue to remember is that gratitude should be the dominate attitude of our life. Gratitude is a joyous celebration of the fact that someone has thought of us and acted kindly. When applied to God, giving thanks should include his person, as well as his work. In other words, be more thankful for the Gift-giver than the gift.

Fear of Man

"The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe" (Prov. 29:25, ESV).

Do you worry about what other people think about you? Do you feel the crushing pressure to think, act or appear a certain way? Are you afraid to relax? Afraid to let people see the real you? Solomon tells us that this way of thinking is a snare. This way of thinking holds us prisoner to others opinions and strips us of safety. When we live in the fear of man we cannot please God. How different would the ministries of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, or any of the prophets for that matter, have been if they had let their fear determine what they would say and do? Instead of yielding to their fear of man, they trusted in the Lord.

Did trusting the Lord keep them safe? Yes and No. It did not keep them safe in the sense that everything was perfect. They faced ridicule, abuse, rejection, hardship, and so on. Trusting in the Lord did not spare them from the wrath of man, but it did keep them safe from the wrath of God. Their obedience was pleasing to the Lord and he preserved them through all of their difficulties and continued to care for them.

Speaking of the fear of man, Jesus said, "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matt. 10:28, ESV). Jesus stresses the futility of fearing man by expressing the limitations that man has. Man can only kill the body. In one sense, the killing of the body is a temporal thing. It does not determine where a person will exist after death, only that they are no longer alive. However, God not only has the power to terminate life, but the authority to determine where a person exists after that termination. We creatures are finite by nature, and thus our actions against each other have only finite consequences. God is eternal, thus our actions against him have eternal consequences.

The fear of the Lord has to do with hating evil (Prov. 8:13), it is the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 1:7) and the key to insight (Prov. 9:10). The fear of the Lord is not fear in the sense of terror. The Lord is not like some masked gunman breaking into our life or some crazed axe-wielding maniac. The fear of the Lord is a humble submission to his sovereignty that produces a life of trusting obedience and dependency. It is a life that looks to him to see what should be done next, because he alone possesses wisdom. As we follow in his footsteps, he leads us safely in the paths that please him most, draws us to himself, and sustains us by his power. Don't give in to the fear of man; it is a trap that will draw you away from God and away from safety. Look to the Lord who lovingly sustains you, and rest in him.

Wilderness Wonderings

A friend and I spent some time traversing through the woods today on 4-wheelers. As we drove through the paths so many things went through my mind. I was captured by the beauty I saw. My mind began to wonder what it must have been like for our first parents, Adam and Eve, in the garden of Eden. What did an unspoiled world look like?

On one path we had to pass through some brambles and I was quickly reminded of the curse brought into this world because of Adam's sin. Now amid beauty there is thorn and thistle. As we passed by a creek, I was reminded of how much the world must have been changed by the Flood of Noah's day. The world we now see must be so different from the world Adam first laid eyes on.

I thought about the hours I spent as a child playing in the woods in my backyard. I thought about the trails I hiked with friends when I lived in Pineville. I thought about a similar excursion Delia and I had two years ago in Cozmel, Mexico, and I hoped I wouldn't kill my friend's 4-wheeler (like the one I killed in Cozmel).

One thought that kept coming back to my mind revolved around our Lord. I kept thinking, if this place is so beautiful, so majestic, so breathtaking, so enlivening, what will it be like when we see Jesus face to face? When Jesus comes in all his glory, and we are able to behold him in his splendor, what will that be like? I can't say that I came up with an answer. I only know that if this world, even in its fallen state, is any indication of the beauty of that moment, then it will be something marvelous to behold. In that moment we will truly know what "awesome" means.

I thank the Lord for his marvelous creation, for the eyes to see it, the ears to hear it, the nose to smell it, the ability to taste it, and to be able to feel it. I am thankful for wonderful friends. I am grateful for the opportunity to just hang out and have a good time. I am thankful for so many things, things that I often take for granted, but bless my life in so many ways. I am grateful that I was able to get out and enjoy a glorious day, to laugh, to pray, and to play.

Reflections on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is finally here. I had hoped to have Sophia home by now, but we are still waiting. I know many of you have plans of turkey and stuffing, laughter and naps, football and parades, and so on. I also hope you have plans to actually spend time in giving thanks to God for the gifts and blessings he has poured into your life.

The story of God's grace begins with the creation. When God spoke the world into existence and created a lush paradise that was to be ruled by his image bearers. God formed man out of dirt and woman from man's side. He created them to reflect his glory, but our original parents, Adam and Eve, rebelled against God when they ate the forbidden fruit. Their sin brought death into the world and separated humanity from its Creator. God was not willing to let death reign over mankind. The eternal Son of God, stepped out of heaven, taking on flesh in the person of Jesus the Christ, lived a sinless life, willingly dying on the cross, to make atonement for the sins of the world, was buried and rose again on the third day. Now ascended into heaven, Jesus is king over all and extends forgiveness to whosoever will believe. Jesus is the only way that sinful humanity can be reconciled to their holy Creator, therefore every person is called upon to repent and believe. When we turn from our sin to the Lord, trusting Jesus' work for our salvation and righteousness, we enter into eternal life. It is a life that Jesus describes as "abundant" (John 10:10).

For those of us who have embraced this good news there is an unending stream of gracious care and blessing that flows into our lives. I am not saying that there isn't difficulty in the Christian life. There will be tribulation, trouble, turmoil, grief, hardship, testing, and suffering, however, where these are present, the grace of God is there also. That grace strengthens us for the task, empowers us to endure, and points us to the day when God rewards us with the desire of our heart--Himself. Everything else will fade away on the day we meet our Creator-Redeemer. When we see Jesus face to face our troubles and trials will melt away like butter over a hot flame, and in the glorious joy that will accompany that moment all will be forgotten except for our Master.

I hope this Thanksgiving is your best to date. I hope you carve out pleasant memories that will endure throughout your lifetime. I hope your family is strengthened as you gather around the table this year. But, I also hope you will look at your feast and realize that a greater feast is still to come--when Christ returns for his bride. I pray as you bow your heads for grace today your heart will overflow in gratitude for your Lord and Savior, and not just for the gifts he has provided. I hope your turkey is moist and your yams are sweet, but I pray that you have truly tasted the goodness of your God, and yearn for more. I hope you have pleasant dreams when you nap today, but I pray that you are consciously resting in the Lord. Have a great Thanksgiving.

Sermon Preview 11-30-08

Special Note: Since the 30th is a 5th Sunday there will be donuts and coffee in the basement at 9:30 am. Everyone is welcome.

Morning: Lord willing, we will conclude the sermon series, Jesus Our Great High Priest. This sermon is entitled, "Nothing but the Blood" and comes from Hebrews 9:1-10:18. The main idea of the the passage is, "By one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy" (Heb 10:14).

One of my favorite hymns asks:

What can wash away my sins? (Nothing but the blood of Jesus)
What can make me whole again? (Nothing but the blood of Jesus)

This passage expresses this truth through an elaborate discussion of the tabernacle and the sacrificial system. The author tells us that the tabernacle pointed to the coming of a greater sacrifice that could cleanse the conscience, not just make one ceremonially clean. He tells us that Christ had to die to cleanse us, because "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" (Heb. 9:22). And he also demonstrates that Jesus willingly shed his blood on our behalf.

I. The division of the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place points to the reality that the sacrifices were not sufficient to cleanse the conscience (9:1-10).
Hebrews 9:9 states, "This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper."

II. The Law decrees that blood must be shed in order for sins to be remitted (9:11-28).
Hebrews 9:22 states, "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."

III. It was for this purpose that Jesus willingly entered our world (10:1-18).
Hebrews 10:9-10 states, "Then he said, ‘Here I am, I have come to do your will.’ . . . And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

This passage compels us to cling to Christ alone as our righteousness. It calls us as believers to worship the Lord for his gracious gift. It calls us to walk in confident faith, knowing that Christ has perfected us in righteousness. It compels the unbeliever to turn to Christ and find forgiveness.

Evening: We will look at giving thanks.

Seasons of Grief

"Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda" (Prov. 25:20, ESV).

What does this proverb mean? What is Solomon trying to tell us? More importantly, what is the Holy Spirit trying to tell us?

It appears that there is a conspiracy to minimize grief. Stand in line at a funeral home and it won’t be long before you hear someone say, "God has a plan in this," or "God is in control" or "Eventually it will get better" or some other well-worn, good intentioned cliché. From experience, I can say, that walking through the line and greeting the family is always difficult for me. I want to comfort them. I hate that they hurt. I am made uncomfortable by their discomfort and I am afraid I may cry (this fear is a vestige left over from my life before Christ that seems almost impossible to shake). I often say the only thing that will come out, "We are so sorry for your loss. We’ll be praying for you all." I want to escape this discomfort, and experience has taught me I am not alone.

Grief is a solemn reminder that all is not well in our world. Death is not natural, even though it currently operates within the natural order. Humanity was intended for more. Grief seemingly functions like a person, coming and going freely, in the lives of those it has stricken. For some grief is a nearly constant companion, although never a positive one. For others grief is more like an unwelcomed house guest rushed away at the first opportunity. Is all grief bad? I mean bad in a moral sense. Is grief sin?

Speaking of Jesus, Isaiah prophesied that he was "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief" (Isa 53:3, ESV). During his final hours Jesus told his disciples, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death" (Matt 26:38, ESV). These passages demonstrate that grief is not, in and of itself, sinful. Jesus never sinned, but did know grief. Therefore, since grief is not bad in a moral sense, we need to avoid minimizing it. Grief is a powerful means appointed by God to bring about some greater end. Or it may be better to say, that God has order circumstances in such a way that he can bring about good from even the worse situation (i.e., the cross).

The experience of grief is like coming to a crossroads in life. As Yogi Berra allegedly said, "When you come to a fork in the road, take it." Grief presents us with two distinct alternatives. It will either drive us to God, who alone is sufficient to help us. Or it will drive us away from God in search of something else, something that will ultimately leave us worse off than when we started. Some may be inclined to argue that there must be other alternatives. However, Jesus strips us of such arguments when he states, "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters" (Matt 12:30, ESV). Exodus 20:2-3 remind us that there is but one God, he alone must be served.

It is important to understand the positive role suffering plays in the life of a believer. Paul states, "We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us" (Rom. 5:3-5, ESV; see also James 1:2-4, 2 Pet. 1:3-11). Paul also states that God comforts us "so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God" (2 Cor. 1:4, see 2 Cor. 1:3-11). Thus, the Scriptures teach us that grief (suffering or affliction) is used by God to shape our character and faith, as well as, to equip us to minister to others who grieve. Therefore, any attempt to minimize grief short circuits the process.

Grief, and the emotions that come with it, create within the griever a vacuum. It leaves them searching for something to anesthetize them to their pain, to rescue them from their situation, and to help them carry on. This response is natural and is often used by God to draw his people to him (see 1 Sam. 1:10; 2 Sam. 22:7; Neh. 9:27; Pss. 4:1, 6:7, 13:2, 18:6, 25:17, 31:7, 9, 55:4, 81:7, 106:44, 107:6, 13, 19, 28, 118:5, 120:1; Isa. 26:16). 2 Chronicles 15:4 states, "but when in their distress they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him, he was found by them" (ESV). In essence, grief has the power to be a good thing if it draws us closer to God. If in our grief we are sent scrambling for God, then we will find in him our all-in-all.

This truth brings us back to Solomon’s words, "Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda" (Prov. 25:20, ESV). The Spirit is saying through Solomon that the wise know that there is a time for grieving (see Eccl. 3:1-8). It is cruel and aggravating to stop the grieving process short of its goal. There is a place for encouragement, but sometimes we need to just mourn with the mourners. Ask questions, seek understanding, listen attentively, and when appropriate, gently point them to God. Don’t feel the need to correct them for expressing their grief. Give them the benefit of the doubt, but if necessary, gently remind them of God’s grace and his love for them. Don’t talk about you and your experience too much. If you are moved to tears, let them flow. Allow their pain to affect you, and ask God to use you as an agent of comfort. Wisdom instructs us to distinguish between those who are grieving in a healthy manner and those who are grieving in an unhealthy manner.

Bitterness and apathy are often signs of unhealthy grief. These people have become stuck in grief like a boot in thick mud. Some people wallow in grief, allowing the loss to define them. Others consciously deny grief, while being slowly eroded away by feelings of despair. As believers, these options are not open for us. We know that we are not to grieve like those who have no hope (1 Thes. 4:13). We know that the things we suffer are not worthy to compare to the glory we will receive (Rom. 8:18; 2 Cor 4:17-18). And we know that the Lord will remove our sorrow (Isa. 51:11; Jer. 31:13, 25; Rev. 21:1-4). Until our final foe, Death, is cast into the lake of fire, we will continue to mourn. However, we must always remember that God is willing and able to comfort us. The next time you are in line at the funeral home; don’t worry about what to say. Instead, pray that God will grant the grieving the wisdom to draw close to him. Pray that he will comfort them as only he can. Pray that at this crossroads of life, they choose to run to Jesus. Then when it is your turn, let them know that you love them and are praying for them.

Sermon Review 11-23-08

Morning: We continued the series Jesus Our Great High Priest. The sermon was entitled, "The Nature of His Priesthood," and came from Hebrews 7:1-8:13. The main point of the passage is that we have a priest who has sat down an the right hand of the throne of Majesty in heavy. That is to say, Jesus has completed his work and upholds us before the Father. The sermon sought to answer three questions: What does it mean that Jesus was a priest in the order of Melchizedek? Why was another priesthood necessary? and How was Jesus' ministry different from the Levitical priesthood?

What does it mean that Jesus was a priest in the order of Melchizedek? It means that Melchizedek foreshadowed Christ and that we can draw parallels out of his life that help us to understand Jesus' priesthood. First, he was a king. More specifically, he was the king of righteousness and the king of peace (Salem). Likewise, Jesus is a king who reigns in righteousness and is referred to by Isaiah as the Prince of Peace. Second, the are both priests of the God Most High. Jesus is even called the Son of the Most High. Third, Melchizedek's story possesses no genealogy. He appears in Genesis 14, seemingly out of nowhere (chronologically), and blesses Abraham. The fact that there is no reference to his beginning or end, is used by the author of Hebrews to stress Jesus' own timelessness. Before he was the man Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God, existed eternally with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. Forth, Jesus is greater than Abraham, as he states in John 8. As the author of Hebrews states the greater blesses the lesser.

Why was another priesthood necessary? Because the old one was flawed. It demanded a righteousness that it could not produce. Unlike the old one, the new priesthood came sealed with an oath that guaranteed success. The old order of priests died, and thus had to be replaced. Our resurrected Lord cannot die. The old order of priests sinned, and therefore had to offer sacrifices for their sins before they could offer sacrifices for the sins of the people. Jesus had no sin--in fact, that author states that Jesus is , "one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above he heavens" (Heb. 7:26). Thus, he could offer one sacrifice once for all. Therefore, his work is finished.

How was Jesus' ministry different from the Levitical priesthood? It was superior. While it was still a ministry that offered gifts and sacrifices it offered them in a better place and was built on better promises. The sacrifice was offered in heaven on the original altar of God, not a copy like the earthly tabernacle and temple. Jesus was at the right hand, the place of honor. It was the right hand of the throne of Majesty, that is God's throne, and he was seated which indicates the completion of his task. The location of his service placed him above his earthy counterparts. Also, his ministry was founded on better promises. It was not man who found the Old Covenant to be useless, and thus, required God to come up with a new one. No, it was God who saw the flaw (man was unable to keep the covenant; there was no flaw in the covenant itself), and promised a new one. In the New Covenant, God would place the ability to keep the law within man, through his indwelling presence. The Lord expresses this truth by saying he will write his law on their hearts and minds. In the New Covenant sins are forgiven and remembered no more, because Christ, our great High Priest, has offered himself in payment for our sins and has cleansed us in the sight of God. Our crucified and resurrected Savior has secured our way to God.

Evening: We had a good time watching "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything." This VeggieTales movie is a modern parable that reminds children and adults that God will enable us to do what he has called us to do; we need to only trust and obey.

The Gospel According to Luke

I started reading through the Gospel of Luke today. I was struck by three themes God's sovereignty, his covenantal faithfulness, and his providential care for his people. There is no doubt that the Scriptures present God as Sovereign. Luke's Gospel is no different. God' s sovereignty is demonstrated in his pronouncements concerning John the Baptist and Jesus. It is further demonstrated by his opening of the barren womb and then the virgin womb.

Mary states, "He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever" (Luke 1:54-55). And Zechariah proclaims that Jesus' coming was "to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our father Abraham" (Luke 1:72-73). We should not underestimate the importance of covenant faithfulness. The covenantal promises defined the people of God and their relationship to them. Just as Israel's identity was tied to the Old Covenant, so our identity as believers is tied to the New Covenant. But more important than the Covenant is the One on whom the Covenant rests. It was God who promised, and confirmed it with an oath, and God cannot lie. Jesus' coming is demonstrated to be the fulfillment of the promises and the completion of the covenant.

We also see God's providential care in Luke's Gospel. He demonstrates God's providential care through his references to the ordering of circumstances. Such facts as "in the days of Herod," "[Zechariah] was chosen by lot," and "the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David" (Luke 1:5, 9, 26-27) all demonstrate God's ordering and his care. These events are no mere coincidence, but a clear plan emerges as we are reminded that these events have been forth-told by the Lord through His prophets.

These concepts are the heart and soul of practical theology. God's sovereignty, His covenantal faithfulness, and His providential care are all practical matters. If we understand these realities correctly they will shape our lives and bring us great confidence in the Lord. They help us to move beyond our circumstances and feelings. They aid us in pressing forward in faith and obedience, confident in the knowledge that God is in control and he cares for us.

Overcoming the Fear of Hope

"Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will never believe" (John 20:25).

We often label Thomas "the Doubter," but I have often wondered if that was a fair nickname. Surely this one event in his life should not be the defining one. Why don't we call him "Worshiping Thomas" since he also said to Jesus, "My Lord and My God!" If we were fair we would acknowledge that Thomas' response was the natural one. He watched them take his Master away, crucify him, and place him in the grave. Men just don't come back from that kind of thing.
Even as his friends tried to encourage him with the news of Jesus' resurrection, Thomas wouldn't believe. Many would say that Thomas' response was that of a realist. He just took the facts, crunched the numbers, and drew the only logical conclusion. However, when we are tempted to be "realists" we better make sure we are dealing with reality. Resurrection, while difficult for Thomas to accept, was a reality. Thomas knew that Jesus had raised people from the dead. He had witnessed it, but when he was told that Jesus had been raised he doubted. He wasn't crunching all the numbers; he had not collected all the facts.

The Scriptures don't say why Thomas didn't believe Jesus had risen. I choose to believe that it was because of his grief. Often grief is accompanied by bitter despair. Grief can make one cynical, even skeptical. I believe that Thomas' response is the response of the discouraged, the broken-hearted, the bereft. His response demonstrates his fear of hope. If he should let hope ascend in his heart and believe that Jesus was alive, and it be proven untrue, then he would be crushed beyond repair. Yet, without hope, he was already crushed. He took what he thought was the safe road.

But there is no safety in a hopeless road. The trials we face in this life are meant to stir hope in our heart. When I stated that I thought Thomas' response was the natural one, I did not mean that it was a good one. We have a God who can do the impossible. He is a God who can do beyond what we can even imagine. And while many of us are just as afraid to hope as Thomas was, most of us are not as honest about it. Scripture teaches us that God is faithful to his promises. God's faithfulness never changes, it never lags, and it never expires. When we truly rest in this knowledge we find hope kindled. Circumstances which are often beyond our control are never beyond His. Things that occur in our lives that the enemy meant for evil, God means for our good.

The burdens you are enduring right now may have you saying, "Unless I see God do a good thing (like removing this trial) I will never believe." However, we must remember when Scriptures tell us that God is always faithful it does not mean he is faithful to our agenda. God is faithful to his plans and purposes. His plans for us include our salvation, our sanctification, our perseverance, our obedience, and our glorification. His plans are for us to be conformed into the image of His Son. He will faithfully, and without fail, bring his plans to completion. If we are to imitate Thomas, let it be his worshipful attitude, not his skepticism. As God speaks to us through His Word, revealing his nature and character, let us fall down and proclaim, "My Lord and My God." I pray we become those who say, "Until I see . . .I will believe," instead of those who say, "Unless I see . . . I will not believe." For we are waiting for the day when we will see Christ face to face, and until that that day we must press forward in faith.