The Sad Situation of 'Fifty Shades of Grey'

The release of "Fifty Shades of Grey" in theaters the day before Valentine's Day sends a disturbing message about love.

Of course, I don't expect non-believing, Christ-defying writers and movie makers and advertisers to avoid promoting sexual exploitation--if there's a profit to be made, the sad mixture of free enterprise and sexual chaos in our day is going to result in grim effects like "Fifty Shades."  Not surprised.

But sad, and grieved.

And yet always looking to Christ with hope.  Followers of Jesus, let's PRAY that our ingenious Lord would accomplish all kinds of good and God-honoring things in his round-about ways through this sorrowful situation (Genesis 50:20).

Here are a few thoughtful comments about "Fifty Shades":

• Owen Strachan:  "50 Shades of Grey speaks to where things are headed in our culture. We should not expect that postmodernism will protect women. It will do no such thing. We should not expect that it will ennoble men and call them to self-sacrificial responsibility. It will do no such thing. We should not expect that postmodernism will bless children and strengthen the family. It will do no such thing."
• Tim Challies and Helen Thorne:  "As 50 Shades of Grey hits the screens, let’s love God well by honoring him wholeheartedly with our eyes, ears, hearts and minds. Let’s love our brothers and sisters well by encouraging them with truth rather than lies. Let’s love our unbelieving neighbors by showing them how beautiful and alluring purity looks. And let’s love ourselves by committing ourselves wholeheartedly to living in light of the immense love that has been lavished on us. “See what a great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1)."
• Marshall Segal:  "The message that sex is selfish, manipulative, and even playfully violent will abuse and violate you. It might feel like a fun and harmless fantasy, but it’s not so subtly redefining the power and beauty of sex, creating spiritual blockages in your heart that will eventually kill you, and impairing your ability to enjoy real and lasting pleasure."
• Kevin DeYoung:  "There is nothing gray about whether a follower of Christ should see 50 Shades of Grey. This is a black and white issue. Don’t go. Don’t watch it. Don’t read it. Don’t rent it."

"This Life Only"

I'm struck by the logic and power of God's sharp word in 1 Corinthians 15:19 (it's like a scalpel--sharp but good):  "If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied."

Not only is it pitiful to follow a kind of "Christianity" that denies or disregards the historical, bodily resurrection of Jesus and/or the promise of bodily resurrection into glorious future life for all who trust in Jesus, but it's pitiful as well when we say we believe these things but still live in such a way that our heart's passion and energy and attention is all caught up in the here-and-now.

And yet, that kind of pitiful state is so easy to fall into!  "Lord, awaken my silly heart from its dream of earthly bliss and from the illusion of the world's security, and focus it in on real joy, the lasting and infinite joy of knowing you--now and forever."

The Pope and the Limits of Free Speech

In the wake of the Charlie Hebdo attacks, Pope Francis has made ill-considered remarks inviting the conclusion that, at some point or in some manner, insulting words will / do (must?) provoke a forceful reply.  This is being construed, for example, by Vox as follows:  "Pope Francis on free speech: if you insult religion, expect violence."  

According to the Vatican News Service, "Pope Francis said on Thursday that there are limits to freedom of expression, especially when it insults or ridicules someone’s faith....  Pope Francis was asked by a French journalist about the relationship between freedom of religion and freedom of expression.  He replied saying that both are "fundamental human rights" and stressed that killing in the name of God “is an aberration.” But he said there were limits to that freedom of expression.  By way of example he referred to Alberto Gasparri who organizes the papal trips and was standing by his side on the plane. The Pope said if “his good friend Dr Gasparri” says a curse word against his mother, he can “expect a punch”, and at that point he gestured with a pretend punch towards him, saying: “It’s normal. You cannot provoke. You cannot insult the faith of others.  You cannot make fun of the faith of others.”"  

How this "punch" fits into Christian teaching is a puzzle--it surely doesn't seem to square with Jesus' message about love for enemies (Luke 6:27, 35).  Better to leave the matter of applying force to the state, since civil government has the responsibility to preserve law and order and to use means, even force when necessary, to protect citizens and apply justice (Romans 13:1-7).

[Jan. 17 update:  Numerous other reports are questioning the pope's remarks--e.g., British Prime Minister David Cameron, who contends that it is wrong to endorse revenge:  "I think in a free society, there is a right to cause offence about someone’s religion. I’m a Christian; if someone says something offensive about Jesus, I might find that offensive, but in a free society I don’t have a right to wreak vengeance on them."  And former Bishop of Oxford, Richard Harries, writes, "I am a great admirer of the Pope but when, to make the proper point that we should not insult the faith of others, he said his assistant could “expect a punch” if he cursed his mother, I was aghast."]
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The Startling Good News

I appreciate Amy Hall's post at Stand to Reason about the startling figure of the suffering Messiah:  "We forget how entirely unexpected and shocking the humility and servanthood of Jesus is—how foreign it is to human expectations of God, and in this case, to Muslim expectations."

14 Ways to Sabotage Your Prayer Life

1. Pray only when you feel like it.  Disregard any fanatic ideas of praying “day and night” or “without ceasing.”
2. Try to impress God with pious prayer performances so that you can win max­imum spiritual credit.
3. Pray publicly with an eye to exhibiting your “spiritual maturity” for others to admire.
4. Let your prayers degenerate into mindless repetitions.  Re­cycle the same old phrases even when your mind is far away.
5. Imagine that it taxes God’s ability to meet your needs and respond in the best possible way to your prayers.
6. Convince yourself that God doesn’t really care about you and your silly little struggles and trials and tears anyhow.
7. Pretend that God doesn’t like to be bothered, and that he’s “put out” by your numerous cries and appeals.
8. View prayer as a way of putting God’s arm behind his back.
9. Demand instant results.  Dismiss the idea that God would have you persevere in prayer, or that your loving Heavenly Father might be free to answer, “No.”
10. Imagine that prayer won’t make any difference anyhow.
11. Shrink prayer by equating it with asking.  So bypass all that fluff (like praise, confession, thanksgiving) and go straight to the real thing:  your requests.
12. Reserve the worst hours of your day for prayer.  This way you can give to God what has the least value to you.
13. Think of prayer as doing God a favor.
14. Reduce prayer to a mental exercise, a sort of self-therapy to put the mind at ease, and in this way remove God from the picture entirely.  How about that, prayer without God!

Joy to the World!

Joy to the World (Isaac Watts, 1719)

Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room, And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing, And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

This song oozes with joyful praise rooted in Psalm 98.  But what is “joy”?  It’s so much more than mere thrills or pleasure or momentary happiness:  joy a deep peace in God’s love and a confident wonder at his majesty.  Now this coming of God into his world to reign as King demands a response:  prepare him room; enthrone him, exalt him!

Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

What’s all this about fields, floods, rocks, and hills?  Psalm 98:7-8, like Psalm 19:1 (“The heavens declare the glory of God”), tells us nature is programed to spotlight its brilliant, magnificent Maker.  And when we worship God, in a sense all creation echoes our praise.

No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found, Far as, far as, the curse is found.

Here we harken back to Genesis 3 and God’s curse upon sinful humanity and on nature itself.  We sing with hope for the day when sin will be no more, and the curse resulting from it (e.g., sorrows, thorns) will be undone, and death itself will be abolished.

He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love, And wonders, wonders, of His love.

The certainty of God’s final victory exudes from this stanza:  every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil 2:9-11).  God’s reign unites grace and truth, love and righteousness—the theological balance here is exquisite.  But in the end, Isaac Watts just can’t resist repeating the wonders, wonders, wonders, wonders, wonders, wonders of Christmas love!

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Sobering Reflections on De-Conversion

I appreciated Ed Stetzer's heart-felt, humble, and searching reflections on the de-conversion of Bart Campolo.
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Half-Truth and Happiness

I thank God for revealing his truth to humanity—for sending Jesus, who is the truth (John 14:6); for his written revelation:  “Your word is truth” (John 17:17).  The Scriptures give light to show the way in a dark world (Psalm 119:105).  How we need God’s truth!

But still, distorted or veiled or incomplete or diluted or slanted words of truth are dangerous:  half-truths hurt people.  Like teach­ing that “God is love” while ignoring the fact that “God is light.”  Or teach­ing that we’re not saved by good works without clari­fying that we are saved unto good works.  Or favoring the NT and ignoring the OT.  Or tell­ing people to love neighbors without helping them first love God.

A certain half-truth recently went viral online:  Victoria Osteen (co-pastor with Joel Osteen at Houston’s positive-thinking Lakewood Church) declared, “When we obey God, we’re not doing it for God … we’re doing it for ourselves, because God takes pleasure when we’re happy.  Just do good for your own self.  Do good because God wants you to be happy.  When you come to church, when you worship Him, you’re not doing it for God really.  You’re doing it for yourself, because that’s what makes God happy.”  Here's the video:

The Christian blog-o-sphere lit up like fireworks in response.  First it was everyone saying how outrageous Osteen’s remarks were.  Then, after a bit, it was how some of the criticisms revealed an opposite error.  One half-truth was being exchanged for another.

So, what’s the grain of truth from Osteen?  It’s that God doesn’t need our worship—he has no need.  We don’t do good “for” God in a way that makes up for any deficiency in God because, of course, he has no deficiency.  The Maker and Master of all things is not “served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything” (Acts 17:24). 

What’s more, everything that exists belongs to God (Psalm 24:1; 50:10-12).  We’re merely stewards of his property entrusted to our care (Luke 12:41-48; 1 Cor 4:7).  So we’re just not in a position to “give” God anything.  Even you yourself belong to God (“You are not your own, for you were bought with a price,” 1 Cor 6:19-20).

So Victoria Osteen touches on something true:  we don’t act for God in a way that makes up for any lack on his part (he lacks nothing).  Plus, all that we might give to God is really his already.

But still, there is a grievous distortion of God’s true word in Osteen’s remarks.  In response, Ligon Duncan points to the Westminster Catechism:  “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.”  Duncan contends, “Our fullest joy cannot be realized or exper­ienced apart from the pursuit of God’s glory.”  “True worship is both God-glorifying and soul-satisfying.”  Psalm 73:25 comes to mind, Whom have I in heaven but you?  And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.  And 16:11, You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

The whole truth is that God does want you to be happy—so much so that he insists you find your happiness in what’s truly, eternally satis­fying.  So don’t just worship or do good because “it’s the right thing to do.”  Saying the right words or doing the right thing without a heart of love for God is not Christian worship (Matt 15:8; Rev 3:16).

Here’s a good word from eighteenth century evangelist, George Whitefield:  “A life spent in communion with God, is the pleasantest life in the world” (from his sermon, “Walking with God”).

The Bible commands us, “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).  So again, God wants you to be happy.  Now a reckless reading of this verse locks in on Part B:  Hey, here’s my ticket to getting what I desire—let’s see, I desire a big house, luxury cars, perfect health, high status, trouble-free rela­tionships…  But that interpretation is crazy—and wrong.  Any response to Psalm 37:4 that takes joy in God’s gifts more than in the All-Satisfying Giver himself (remember:  “Delight yourself in the Lord”) amounts to idolatry. 

It would have been so much better if Victoria Osteen had said, “God wants you to be happy in Jesus:  in his love and acceptance, in his forgiveness and comfort, in his purifying and refining work to make you holy and help you walk in his steps!  That’s what you were made for, and no pleasure in mere prosperity will ever satisfy your heart.”

(For a devastating critique of prosperity theology, see John Piper, Let the Nations Be Glad, 3rd edn., pp. 15-32.  For other helpful resources, search on “prosperity” at Desiring God.  See also the Sept­em­ber 3 article from Al Mohler).
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Discontented Contentment

This summer has been a season of wrestling to find the wise and healthy “place” the Lord has for me—and for all his children—somewhere between chronic restlessness and sinful complacency.

On the one hand, Jesus offers us “rest”:  Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matt 11:28).  He brings peace (John 20:19, 20).  So release your anxieties into his fatherly care (Matt 6:25-34)!  Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything—that’s how we receive God’s peace that passes understanding (Phil 4:4-7).  Christians under pressure (e.g., 1 Pet 4:12) are to cast their anxieties on God since he cares for them (5:7). 

The life Christ calls you to, here and now, is one of peace, rest, and humble trust.  Anxiety breaks out in our souls when we forget who we are—and who the Lord is!  But godly contentment takes root as we lift up our eyes to the One who loves and saves and sustains and cares for us eternally (Psalm 121:1-2; 123:1-2).  Are you walking with Jesus today in an attitude of contentment?  Or is your heart being lured by the Enemy into a fretful, anxious, contentious state? 

The thing about the restless, straining, driven, overly idealistic path is that, the further you take it, the harder it is to get back.  We know we ought to “be still” (Ps 46:10), but we feed off of the ego boost that comes with all our great work and in imagining our­selves so far ahead of others, and we want more.  And more!  Yes, God is able to deliver us from this swamp—but you may lose the desire to turn to him! 

So peace, rest, calm… that’s the one hand.  On the other hand, the Bible calls us to a life of striving:  Jesus goes on in Matthew 6 to teach his disciples to “seek first God’s kingdom.”  Seek.  Paul tells his story of relentless straining and striving, pressing on, pursuing the prize (Phil 3:12-14); he portrays the life of faith in terms of diligent labor (2 Tim 2:1-7).  God says, You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart (Jer 29:13).  Lukewarm, ho-hum, blasé spirituality in the church is revolting to the Lord (Rev 3:16).

So we’re called to a restless restfulness, a discontented contentment.  That’s our paradox.  And it’s a very delicate balance:  we fallen humans easily slide into one sad propensity or the other—that is, to relax our way beyond contentment into complacency and self-serving mediocrity, OR to strive our way beyond the quest for growth in godliness so we end up as proud, straining achievers who really long to feature our own success rather than the glory of Christ.

What’s more, in some seasons of life we lose balance in an ambitious, striving direction, while in others we tip toward sloth, stifled imagination, and lost vision of earlier dreams.  In light of the fact that we oscillate like that, how can we thrive together in Christ as a church community?  For example, as a family with loved ones at different “places” along the continuum living under the same roof—strivers and resters?  Or as a church family made up of members who are in every possible position along the striving-resting spectrum?

Here are a few words of encouragement when it comes to shaping a life of discerning, humble, hopeful spirituality.  First, remem­ber that we all still have a long way to go in terms of spiritual growth.  Which is to say:  you have not “arrived,” nor is your case hopeless, nor are you too old to make new strides, nor are you too young to have grand hopes.  Settling into a life of “settling” dishonors the Lord:  he is at work in you to will and to accomplish his good pleasure (Phil 2:12-13), and his good pleasure includes your development of a healthy, humble rhythm of spiritual life that truly rests in God’s love and that also truly presses on in pursuit of Christ.

Second, be on the lookout for your own “signature sins” (to borrow a phrase from Michael Mangis’s book by the same title).  Know thyself.  Are you prone to slip into the mire of self-pity or doubt or sloth—and are those actually expressions of unbelief?  Or are you inclined to plateau and lock in to a no-change life—and is that actually a way to try and exert control and insulate yourself from life’s harsh winds and waves?  Or, in the other direction, are you prone to push and pull and strive and strain, always seeking more, never at peace, ever chasing some magnificent ideal—yet is that actually a way your heart slides into self-promotion mode while sidelining Jesus Christ?

Third, have mercy on your brothers and sisters in Christ, even if they’re driving you crazy with raging ambition or torpid sluggish­ness.  Be patient (1 Thess 5:14).  Lovingly encourage one another (Heb 3:12-13).  And bear with one another, always ready to forgive:  you must forgive, just as Christ has forgiven you (Col 3:13).

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Ice Bucket Options

Since the ALS Association allocates some of its funds for research that uses stem cells from aborted children, those who wish to respect human life may want to choose other options for helping to fund ALS research.  See this article for some ideas.
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Some Insight about Ferguson

Pastor Bob Bixby's thoughts are shared by Justin Taylor--helpful insights for white Christians to probe and pray over.
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Obscene Indifference

This New York Times editorial about the world's response to ISIS is sobering and serious.
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On Singleness

A good word that gets to the heart of the matter when it comes to following Jesus as a single person.

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Swift Change

Kevin DeYoung points out how rapidly President Obama's and Vice President Biden's positions on gay marriage have changed:  just six years ago, the conversation was entirely different.
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About the "Nominal Christian"

Helpful thoughts from Mike McKinley:


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"Faith Is..."

I love this vivid word-picture of Christian faith given by nineteenth century pastor J. C. Ryle—it shows both the active nature of trust in Jesus, yet faith is rightly portrayed not as our work but dependence on the all-sufficient work of Christ: 

Saving faith is the hand of the soul.  The sinner is like a drowning man at the point of sinking.  He sees the Lord Jesus Christ holding out help to him.  He grasps it and is saved.  This is faith (Hebrews 6:18). 

Saving faith is the eye of the soul.  The sinner is like the Israelite bitten by the fiery serpent in the wilderness, and at the point of death.  The Lord Jesus Christ is offered to him as the brazen serpent, set up for his cure.  He looks and is healed.  This is faith (John 3:14-15). 

Saving faith is the mouth of the soul. The sinner is starving for want of food, and sick of a sore disease.  The Lord Jesus Christ is set before him as the bread of life, and the universal medicine. He receives it, and is made well and strong. This is faith (John 6:35). 

Saving faith is the foot of the soul. The sinner is pursued by a deadly enemy, and is in fear of being overtaken.  The Lord Jesus Christ is put be­fore him as a strong tower, a hiding place, and a refuge.  He runs into it and is safe. This is faith (Proverbs 18:10).

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Logic of the Resurrection

I am struck afresh at the relentless and hope-giving logic stemming from Jesus' resurrection from the dead and giving hope for future resurrection to all who trust in him.  See HERE on 1 Corinthians 15.
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Visits to Heaven?

David Platt compiles an array of recent publications featuring visits to and returns from heaven, and he also shows from Scripture why these fanciful accounts should be dismissed:


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Cosmos

I noticed today that the new FOX / National Geographic thirteen-week TV series, "Cosmos:  A Spacetime Odyssey," makes a bold philosophical statement in the first line of their primary promotional video in which they lay their worldview cards on the table.  The voice of Carl Sagan declares, "The cosmos is all that is, or ever was, or ever will be."  

So there.

Update March 9:  episode 1 of the rebooted "Cosmos" series began with that same line from Sagan:  "The cosmos is all that is, or ever was, or ever will be."  This "in your face" philosophical/ideological agenda is stunning.  One thing it isn't, however:  science.
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Winter of Discontent

As I write, pellets of sleet are tapping on the window in front of me.  And I wonder:  is ice accumulating on those oak branches hanging high above the power lines out back?  Is our house about to go dark—again? 

This has become the “winter of our discontent” (that may have been Shakespeare’s line, but it has found new meaning in 2014):  freezing rain, sticky snow, tree limbs crashing down, raging icicles, plus some nasty cold temperatures.  And yet, of the many ways to describe this winter’s weather (such as horrendous, unprecedented, relentless, stunning…), I’d like to suggest a different term:  meaningful.  Packed with significance.  The convulsions of nature are one way God speaks.  So just what is he saying through the wild winter weather?

God exhibits his raw power through Nor’easter and Polar Vortex systems that bring our routines grinding to a halt.  It’s a not-so-subtle reminder that he’s charge and we’re not.  Are you at peace with that?  Or do you get all bent out of shape when conditions don’t toe the line for your “well-laid plans”?

Remember, Psalm 19:1 is true all the time, not just with pretty sun­sets:  “The heavens declare the glory of God.”  The Lord’s creative power and sovereign majesty are on display this winter:  do you have eyes to see?  Praise the Lord, fire and hail and snow and frost! (Ps 148:8). 

God is always at work for the good of his people (Rom 8:28), so let’s be on the lookout for the good in having our agenda squashed.  May­be we need to be disrupted.  Disruption gives us a chance to live by faith—to trust the Lord with down time, loss, discomfort, even pain.  Don’t forget: the Father “disciplines those he loves” (Heb 12:6).

James 4:13-16 confronts our vain self-assurance:  “Of course we’ll go here and there and do this and that tomorrow and the next day!”  Winter Storm Pax reminds us that tomorrow is God’s domain.  The One who runs the universe also holds our future in his hand.  Are you content with that, even amidst the storm?

One more thought:  could it be that God gives us this mild misery to awaken us from our self-sovereignty stupor so we’d see a world in need—people facing affliction far worse than our blizzard?

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The Value of a Super Bowl Victory

I have to hand it to the folks at Mars Hill Church for connecting with various followers of Jesus who are part of the Seattle Seahawks organization and providing video interviews of them.  It helps put things in perspective--that is, that knowing the Lord and being eternally loved by him is FAR more precious than a Super Bowl ring.  Here is an interview with Mark Driscoll asking several of the Seahawks who they think Jesus is.  In this one Russell Wilson is featured and shares his story of faith.  Plus, a 20-minute halftime video is provided--no doubt a more enriching presentation than what will come from the stadium during halftime.
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Loving God's Word

I appreciated Steve Fuller's blog post about the treasure we have in the Word of God, the Bible.  He draws attention to a video of a group of Chinese believers receiving their first Bibles--take a look.

Some may call this kind of love for the Scriptures "bibliolatry," but the charge misses the point:  this is not worship of a book but the adoring and trusting devotion of believers for the Lord who speaks to them in his Good Book.  No need to try and drive a wedge between God and his revelation.
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Alone, Yet Not Alone

Here's the song and a glance at the recording of it by Joni Eareckson Tada, "Alone, Yet Not Alone," which has been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song from the movie, "Alone, Yet Not Alone."

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Sobering Information about Abortion

Serious and sobering words about the ongoing tragedy of abortion in our world.

See also David Murray's list of resources on this topic.
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Paying Attention to God

Taking God seriously--wise words from a senior saint:
Taking God Seriously - J.I. Packer from Crossway on Vimeo.
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Ideas About and From the Manger

Food for thought from Ross Douthat in the New York Times.
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Ronnie Smith Killed in Libya

On Dec. 5, 2013, American teacher Ronnie Smith was shot to death while jogging near his home in Benghazi, Libya.  Smith had been a Chemistry teacher at an international school in Benghazi for the last year and a half.  Prior to that he had served on the ministry staff at Austin Stone Community Church in Texas.

ASCC provides helpful guidance and resources for their congregation, and for the wider public, in the aftermath of this tragedy.  If you want to get a feel for Ronnie's passion for Christ and the gospel, watch his sermon, "The History of Redemption" (see video below), which is made up entirely of memorized Scripture.  He tells the story of the whole Bible, and he tells it well.

Ronnie's widow, Anita Smith, has spoken out in a CBS interview in a most thoughtful, gracious, kind, Christ-honoring way.  Especially noteworthy is her open letter to the Libyan people, along with her specific remarks to the killers of her husband.  See also her remarkable interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper.  Note also this collection of news reports.

"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39, ESV).

Jesus said, "In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

Sermon - The History of Redemption from The Austin Stone on Vimeo.
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Mez McConnell's Story

Mez McConnell's Testimony from 20 Schemes on Vimeo.

Bible Reading Plan

Plan now to begin the New Year in God's Word!  If you don't have a plan to read, you're planning not to read.

I've found that reading the Bible through over a two-year period can be "just about right."  That is, the pace is swift enough to allow one to keep both the beginning and the end in mind, yet slow enough to allow some reflection on what the Lord has to say.  On this plan you'll read two chapters most days, and only one on weekend days.  All in all, about 15 minutes a day will do it.  But beware:  anything and everything will compete for your attention in those precious minutes.  So guard them.  And match them with daily prayer, so you can enjoy a rich spiritual conversation with the Lord!

Click HERE to download the 2014-2015 Bible Reading Plan.
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Church Clutter

Some good food for thought on church programs and busy-ness and the danger of overloading God's people and failing to safeguard time and space to seek the Lord (regarding the danger of letting the cart (structure) get ahead of the horse (relationships), see also The Trellis and the Vine, by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne):

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A Word of Hope

A message of God's transforming power--don't miss it:

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Pale Blue Dot

A good word from David Murray reflecting on Carl Sagan's message.

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Live Forever?

This week Slate.com ran an article entitled, “Why No One Actually Wants to Live Forever.”  Subtitle:  “It would be really, really dull.”  Let me tell you why I both totally agree AND vehemently disagree with the author, Gemma Malley.

The article is mostly about the quest to extend the human life­span.  “We’re already living for decades more than our grand­parents.”  And who knows how future medical breakthroughs could elongate lifespans decades further!  But is that what we really want?  Malley concludes, “If we were to live forever, even if we lived in perfect health every day of our lives, it wouldn’t be long, in my view at least, before we were all lying in bed in the morning wondering why we should bother to get up and get dressed.”

I can appreciate this point—given a life with no Savior and no real purpose beyond oneself.  But I cannot appreciate viewing eternal life as a bore—given that I belong to Jesus and cherish his promise of resurrection life and ever-increasing joy in his presence forever!

Malley is on to something when she points to the human drive that insists, “We cannot die—there must be some way of cheating … the system.”  What she doesn’t consider is that this will to live may be a sign of something “transcendent” about beings made in the image of God and for the ultimate satisfaction of unbroken fellow­ship with him.  C. S. Lewis contends, “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”

But Malley does not seem to be willing to imagine what wonders the Awesome Lord of All Things has prepared for his beloved children in the age to come, or how profoundly satisfying it would be to revel in Jesus’ presence “world without end”!  Just think:  even now he’s preparing a place for us (what does it mean that the eternal Son of God is working on the future home of his people?!), and Jesus will come again to gather us to be with him (John 14:3).  Just think:  No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined what the Lord has prepared for those who love him (1 Cor 2:9)!

So the next time you hear someone say they’ll take a pass on heaven (“What a dull ordeal to sit on a cloud endlessly strumming a harp…”), pray that our gracious, almighty, and unbelievably amazing Lord would breathe life, eternal life, into their dead heart (Eph 2:1-5)!

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The Gospel and the Fear of Death

The gospel of Jesus Christ is not just for getting saved in the first place, but it is for living as a child of God.  And that gospel life we now live by faith in the Son of God makes all the difference when it comes to the looming reality of death.  John Piper speaks to this:

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The Casting of Crowns

At our church we recently sang “Holy, Holy, Holy” and read Revelation 4:8-11 together, and the Lord grabbed my attention afresh with the image—there in both the hymn and the biblical text—of passionate worshippers casting their crowns before him.  Think of it:  joyfully-reverent praise to Christ expressed by the throwing of crowns!

Here’s a Scripture preview of heaven’s exuberant worship: 

And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever.  They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created” (4:9-11).

And here’s verse two of Reginald Heber’s great hymn (1826): 

Holy, holy, holy!  All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

So what’s this business of “casting crowns”?  Let’s back up:  in the age to come believers will be rewarded for godly, faithful living by the granting of crowns (e.g., 2 Tim 4:8; James 1:12; 1 Peter 5:4; Rev 2:10).  And as those appointed to rule with Christ (see Luke 22:28-30; Rev 3:21), it’s imaginable that faithful disciples would receive and be adorned by the symbols of his royalty.

So, then, what might it signify to have been granted a royal crown and yet to take it off and hurl it down before the Lord?  A snubbing of God’s gift?  Hardly.  Instead, it’s the reflex of joyful zeal and love for Christ—that the All-Glorious Lord seated on his throne would be fervently praised!  And more:  that the reigning King of Kings would look out over the faces of his beaming subjects and see their gesture of pure, glad submission to his authority.  And further:  that the greatest reward of every citizen of heaven is not a crown or any other blessing given to us, but simply to be in the all-satisfying, ever-radiant, eternally-increasing delight of God’s presence! 

My mind gets going as I imagine the throwing capabilities of believers in glory:  how far and how fast will we be able to cast those crowns?!

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Night Driving Without Headlights?

Mark Dever is asked if you can be a Christian and not be a part of a church.  His answer, yes, it's possible, but it's kind of like driving at night with your headlights off:  "I don't think you want to do it."  Listen to this six-minute excerpt of his conversation with David Platt:

Platt and Dever on Disciple-Making: Part 6 from David Platt on Vimeo.
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About Miley

Trevin Wax has helpful and sobering thoughts in response to the lewd performance by Miley Cyrus on MTV's Video Music Awards--including deep sadness, yet not erasing the hope of gospel grace.

Update, Aug. 29:  Laura Leonard has an insightful post at CT's Her-meneutics site reminding the world that Jesus loves Miley.  Good point--great point, in fact.  And a vital word to be spoken in the midst of all the outpouring of dismay and revulsion.  Yes, the loving arms of Christ are open wide to Miley, as they are to any and all.  And yet, not sure what Leonard means by saying, "Nothing she [i.e., Miley] could do could separate her from his love."  It's one thing to state that the love of Christ is extended to all the world--i.e., that the offer of life, eternal life, is held out to any and every kind of sinner on earth (so John 3:16).  That's at the heart of the gospel message.  It's another to suggest Miley has actually received the love of Christ, or will definitely receive it, so that, ultimately, she will not be separated from him.  It is those who are "in Christ" who will never be separated from his love (Romans 8:1, 38-39).  But we do not know that Miley is "in Christ," nor do we know if she will turn to him in faith during this life.  So in keeping with the tone of Leonard's article, let's pray that Miley would indeed lay her life in the hands of the loving and all-satisfying Savior, Jesus Christ!
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Cross Confusion

Adrian Warnock summarizes Brian McLaren's musings about the cross in which McLaren eventually concludes that he doesn't know why Jesus had to die.  The departure from a biblical doctrine of the atonement is breathtaking.  See also this overview of the atonement debate provided by Warnock.
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PCUSA Vetoes "In Christ Alone"

Timothy George analyzes a recent action of the Presbyterian Church (USA) to exclude the gospel-centered contemporary hymn by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty, "In Christ Alone," from their newly revised hymnal.  Turns out, the song's reference to "the wrath of God" being satisfied at the cross was deemed unacceptable:  the notion of divine wrath against sin, despite its massive biblical basis and theological centrality, was rejected.  Denny Burk also comments on this sad development.  See also the remarks of Sam Storms.  Here is a link to the song at the Gettys' website, complete with lyrics.
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Screwtape Abbreviated

See Andy Naselli's post offering a one-sentence summary of each chapter in the classic work by C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters.
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Spurgeon on God's Blessing

Charles Spurgeon offers thought-provoking words about just what God's blessing involves (from ch. 12 of his work, An All-Around Ministry):

"Do you not think that we all make mistakes as to what will be a blessing? In the matter of faith-healing, health is set before us as if it were the great thing to be desired above all other things. Is it so? I venture to say that the greatest earthly blessing that God can give to any of us is health, with the exception of sickness.  Sickness has frequently been of more use to the saints of God than health has. If some men, that I know of, could only be favored with a month of rheumatism, it would, by God's grace, mellow them marvellously. Assuredly, they need something better to preach than what they now give their people; and, possibly, they would learn it in the chamber of suffering. I would not wish for any man a long time of sickness; and pain; but a twist now and then one might almost ask for him. A sick wife, a newly-made grave, poverty, slander, sinking of spirit, might teach lessons nowhere else to be learned so well. Trials drive us to the realities of religion. You may feed on chaff until you have real work to do, or real grief to bear; but then you want the old corn of the land, and you must have it, or else you will faint and fail."
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Internet Porn

Make time to read Russell Moore's recent post on internet pornography and what's really at stake.
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Making Sense of Perfection

A must-see video about life, beauty, disability, love, humility, and so much more.

Doing "Church Stuff"

A story of grace in a series of videos from Renovation Church on "Making beautiful what is broken."  The love of Jesus Christ is sufficient to cover even our hypocrisy.

Jesus Loves Whores & Hypocrites - Michael Wang from Renovation Church on Vimeo.
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Being Mr. Right

I've often taught and preached that, more important than finding Mr. Right / Miss Right is BEING the right person.  That is, growing strong in Christ and deep in faith and mature in service to the Lord with his church and in his world.  Rather than pining away waiting, or fretfully hunting for that ideal soul, ask the Lord to help you become the person he wants you to be.

I appreciate Suzanne Gosselin's summary article on "10 Ways To Be Marriable" along these lines.
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The Bachelor Pastor

For a great message on God's good pathway of sexual purity, check out Steve DeWitt's last sermon as a bachelor pastor.  His story includes how that pathway can be a long road--Steve got married at the age of 44.
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Faith Matters

Love cares about faith—1 Thessalonians 3:1-10 makes this point with urgency.  Five times Paul says that one thing weighed most heavily on his heart:  the vitality of their FAITH.  3:2 we sent Timothy … to establish and exhort you in your faith,… 3:5 when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith,… 3:6 Timothy has brought us the good news of your faith… 3:7 we have been comforted about you through your faith… 3:10 we pray that we may supply what is lacking in your faith. 

Faith is the heartbeat of Christian life; without faith there is no spiritual pulse (Heb 11:6).  Love compels believers to check one another’s vital signs.  If we love people, we’ll care about their faith (or their lack of it); if we don’t care about their faith, we don’t love them.

Think of some of the good things Paul does not mention five times in this chapter.  He does not say five times that he could no longer bear not knowing about their feelings—were they feeling positive, feeling happy?  He does not say five times how deeply con­cerned he is for their health—was anyone sick or injured?  And he does not say five times how he just had to know about their safety, were they all safe and sound, free from harm?  These good things are overshadowed by what really moves Paul’s heart.  FAITH is what counts (cf. Gal 5:6); Paul loves them, so he simply must know about their faith.

What about us?  Are we content to rub shoulders at church without getting to know about each other’s faith?  It’s nice if we can testify of one ano­ther’s pleasant demeanor or regular attendance or church activities.  But do we see faith?  I don’t mean fuzzy “faith” that’s little more than optimism:  I mean conscious dependence on the mercy, power and shepherding care of Christ.  I mean serious confidence in the Great Hero of the Uni­verse, such that we take bold steps to honor him.  As we watch one another walk this earth, do we see evidence of strong, heart-felt, biblically-informed trust in Christ?  Do we look in the mirror and in the pew and find faces that light up at the wonder of God’s majesty and gift of his grace through Jesus?  What do our conver­sations, spending habits, and scheduling patterns say about our faith in Christ?  Do we know each other well enough to have a sense for these vital signs?  How is your faith today?

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Trusting God through Trials

Very helpful, encouraging, challenging words of testimony from the Harms family.

Smooth Sailing?

The Lord definitely called Paul and Silas on mission to Macedonia—it was indisputable:  “And a vision appeared to Paul in the night:  a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’” (Acts 16:9).  So they sailed from Troas across the north Aegean Sea toward Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea.

And in so doing, the Lord definitely led his global ambassadors into places where they’d face fierce opposition and violent persecution.  At Philippi Paul and Silas were arrested, flogged, and shackled—all due to false accusations.  In Thessalonica a mob drove them out of town (they escaped by cover of darkness).  Then, after preaching in the synagogue of Berea, raging Thessalonian adversaries hunted Paul and Silas down, and they had to run for their lives once again.

This seems unsettling:  God leads his missionary team into Mace­donia, but then he doesn’t protect them from hostile powers and intense suffering while they’re proclaiming the gospel and planting churches there. What do we make of this apparent tension?

I say “apparent” because, in God’s scheme of things, all things work together for the good of his people (Romans 8:28).  It’s just that we must allow the Lord to achieve that good on his terms and in his time.  We may think it’s wrong for Christian witnesses to suffer harm as they spread the truth of Christ.  But have we considered the value of the testimony of Christians who find their true joy in the love of Jesus even though they suffer?  Don’t forget 1 Thessalonians 1:6:  the newly born-again believers there received the word of Christ amidst much affliction “with the joy of the Holy Spirit” (cf. James 1:2-4).

Or think back to Philippi (Acts 16):  what does it say to the jailer when his Christian prisoners, bleeding from flogging, feet fastened in the stocks, sing songs of praise to God in their dark cell?  We might assume it would have been better if Paul and Silas had been kept comfortable all along their mission journey, but that assumption is entirely now-centered and self-focused.  What about eternal conse­quences?  And what about the potential impact on unbelievers?

Here’s the point:  when the Lord’s at work in our lives, his leading does not and is not supposed to mean smooth sailing.  So if you assume God owes you smooth sailing, think again.  And if your “faith” in Christ is conditional upon being granted smooth sailing, you need to get on your knees before the One who called you to take up your cross (Luke 9:23) and ask if it’s really faith that you have. 

Assuming we should have a comfy, cushy Christian lifestyle, and supposing that our witness in this world ought not to bring us into any kind of trouble, is just wrong-headed, unbiblical thinking.  Plus, that kind of self-oriented, comfort-driven vision for the church will divert us from Jesus’ mission.  He’s called us to go and make disciples among all the people groups of the world—including those in “hard” places (Matthew 28:18-20).  Scripture speaks with eyes wide open about the dangers:  “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12).  “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 Peter 4:12).

Another part of the biblical picture, of course, is that the Lord will not give us more than we can handle (1 Corinthians 10:13), and that he’ll be with us, right beside us by his Spirit, as we face any and every kind of trial (Hebrews 13:5).  We’re never alone.  “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:15-16).  The biblical picture, then, is not of Christian life bypassing suffering but of Jesus’ loving presence with his children in and through and beyond all of this world’s sorrow.

It is extremely important that those who make up a local church family—as disciples of Jesus Christ, as children of the living God, as citizens of heaven traveling together through this world—lock it down in their hearts:  trouble will come; the Lord does not intend to insulate you or me from pain.  In fact, in his wisdom and sovereign ingenuity the Lord orchestrates our lives so as to bring about great good and great gain through the afflictions we face while trusting in him:  our own hearts are reassured at the genuineness of our faith, nonbelievers are struck by the compelling joy of our authentic witness under pressure, and the Lord we love and trust is honored.  And that is GOOD.

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Sin's Devastation

Jim Elliff's list of 35 reasons not to sin piles on the sobering biblical truth of how sin brings misery and ruin upon ourselves and others--not to mention bringing dishonor to the Lord.

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