Light-work

The Mega-Splash: A Galilean “Sea-Quake” Experience

In previous posts, we learned two principles pertinent to waiting on God in an escalating crisis. One, when waiting into the deep end, we are more prone to question whether God cares. Two, we are also at great risk of coming to the Lord out of fear, despite having every reason to seek Him in faith. Today, let’s pull back for a big picture view of what happened when Jesus stilled the storm. Doing so will arm us with another key principle on “The Art of Waiting on God.”

This incident on the Sea of Galilee occurs during a time of transition in Jesus’ earthly ministry. Opposition is growing and the fact that Jesus will be rejected is already baked into the cake. The need for the mobilization and training of harvest workers is now acute. So, Jesus is conducting an advanced course for the twelve that is designed to yield a greater understanding and appreciation of who He is. This is vital to their future effectiveness once He has returned to Father.

A night class was scheduled as a demonstration lab while transiting the Sea of Galilee. Both Jesus and the Father would co-teach. The Father would set up the perfect conditions for the demonstration, then Jesus would follow by putting on a convincing display. The demo would prove to the disciples a profound truth. By the end of class, they would not look at Jesus the same way!

Many commentators rightly point to Psalm 107:28–29 as an important filter through which to understand what Jesus did. According to these verses, when Jesus silenced the wind and calmed the sea, He was exercising divine prerogatives. But to fully appreciate what was going on during the class demonstration, we need to read the larger section of which these two verses are a part:

“Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business on great waters; They have seen the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep. For He spoke and raised up a stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. They rose up to the heavens, they went down to the depths; Their soul melted away in their misery. They reeled and staggered like a drunken man, and were at their wits’ end. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distresses. He caused the storm to be still, so that the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad because they were quiet, so He guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men! Let them extol Him also in the congregation of the people, and praise Him at the seat of the elders” (Psalm 107:23–32).

Based on Psalm 107:28-29, we rightly see Jesus’ action in stilling the storm as evidence that He is God. But, I have not yet encountered a commentator who cites Psalm 107 to affirm God’s role in setting up the demonstration. Did you note what verses 25-26 tell us about God: "For He spoke and raised up a stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. They rose up to the heavens, they went down to the depths." God does not just still storms, He also causes them. With mere words, no less!

Some might want to ascribe this storm on the Sea of Galilee to Satanic opposition. There is some support for this view: When Jesus rebukes the storm, He speaks to it as if it is a person. But, there is nothing in the text that clearly identifies Satan or his forces as the agents behind the storm. Further, even if forces of darkness had a hand in this sea-quake, we do well to remember that Satan is never allowed to do anything unless God permits. Whether directly or indirectly, God was the one responsible for this perfect storm.

This storm had a superb purpose. It was specifically designed to take the twelve to a place beyond their considerable sailing abilities, to escort them to a “no way” moment. In that precise moment, Jesus did what only God can do, and used but words to control the weather.

The Father and Jesus were like the ultimate tag team. First the Father immersed the disciples in a situation where they were ready for the lesson. Then Jesus tapped in and delivered big time! If Father had not taken the disciples to the brink, the lesson would have had far less impact. But because they were “at their wit’s end,” the truth about Jesus was etched on their hearts.

Imagine for a moment, that this demonstration was conducted in a calm sea, or perhaps even a moderately rough sea. The lesson would not have had the same impact. But put these seasoned fisherman in the perfect storm, allow them to fear for their lives, then rescue them with a mere word from the Lord, and the lesson was breathtaking. Dire peril prepared them for awe! The disciples grew in their ability to see in Jesus someone far greater than most men’s messianic expectations of the time. They encountered “God among us” and it left them in stunned silence and profound awe.

During the course of this demonstration, the disciples perceived themselves to be at risk of perishing, but they were in no real danger. As if riding a water park flume-ride designed to “safely scare people,” they were strapped into “The Mega-Splash, a Galilean Sea-Quake Experience.” Just when they thought they were goners, Jesus spoke the way God does, and the ride was over. Only this was no mere ride. It was real – breathtakingly real. But it was also safe, because, as they could now see, God was with them.

These men were now equipped to declare something new about their Master. They joined the club (Bumper stickers and T-shirts available at the gift shop: “I survived the mega-splash!”) and could use the Psalmist’s lyrics to sing about Jesus: “O Lord God of hosts, who is like You, O mighty Lord? Your faithfulness also surrounds You. You rule the swelling of the sea; When its waves rise, You still them” (Psalm 89:8–9).

Now let’s connect the dots between the disciples’ experience and ours. There are times when we are waiting on God, desperate for Him to intervene. But things might not be bad enough, yet! God might need to turn up the heat even more, and take things from bad to worse. Do not Panic! Trust Him! You are safe! Jesus has promised “I am with you” even as the storm intensifies.

God wants you to come to Him, not in panic, but because you trust Him. So keep coming boldly in the name of Jesus to the throne of grace to make your request known. Trust God to come through precisely when His deliverance will have maximum beneficial effect on your heart.

Waiting Into the Deep End, Part 2 of 2

Hit by a “sea-quake,” the disciples’ small fishing vessel was about to go under. Understandably, the disciples woke up the Master with cries for help. In a crisis, seeking the Lord is always the smart play. (It is the smart play in the calm, too!) But the twelve also betrayed something awry in their hearts when they asked Jesus, “Do You not care that we are perishing?” This sentiment is not unfamiliar to anyone who waits on the Lord while hovering on the brink.

In response to the disciples’ plea, Jesus asks some probing questions. Matthew, Mark, and Luke have each provided only part of Jesus’ words. To get the whole picture, we need to hear all three:

Matthew:  “He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?’ Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm” (Matthew 8:26).

Mark:  “ . . . it became perfectly calm. And He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? How is it that you have no faith?’” (Mark 4:39-40).

Luke:  “. . . it became calm. And He said to them, ‘Where is your faith?’” (Luke 8:24-25).

Matthew reports what Jesus said to the disciples before He calmed the sea. Mark and Luke report what Jesus said after doing so. Taken together, these accounts tell us that Jesus administered a double dose of discipleship. When roused from sleep, His first act was to pose a diagnostic question to the twelve. Then He performed an unbelievable miracle of deliverance by rebuking the wind and sea. In the perfect calm that followed, He returned to His lesson.

We can make several observations based on these “before and after” lessons. One, it is instructive that, for Jesus, dealing with the “faith-quake” of the disciples mattered more than addressing the “sea-quake.” The fierce storm is not enough to awaken Him. When finally roused, His first concern is not bodily peril but the disciples’ crisis of faith. He zeroes in on their hearts. After stilling the sea, He comes back to them. The text doesn’t explicitly say this: But it is as if the ruckus of the wind and waves is distracting His panicked students from their lesson, so He stands and commands the elements to pipe down! Then, in the resultant calm, He continues class.

Two, Jesus’ remarks clarify that fear and faith are polar opposites. When we trust God, we have no reason to fear! Yield to panic and faith will go out the window. The disciples were filled with dread and thus had no faith. Their fear was unjustified: Before they began their voyage, Jesus had said, “Let us go over to the other side of the Lake” (Luke 8:22). He did not say, “Let us go to the middle of the lake and drown.” The Master’s command declared His purpose and guaranteed its fulfillment, that He and His associates would complete transit to the other shore. Whatever might befall the twelve en route, Jesus had already given His word that they would make it to the other side.

Three, Jesus answers the disciples’ initial question with a matching question of His own. The implications of how Jesus responds are profound and will take a few paragraphs to sort out. The disciples had awakened Jesus by shouting, “Do You not care that we are perishing?” This complex question can be broken into a statement plus a question. Statement:  “We are perishing.” Question: “Do You not care?” By their statement, the disciples reveal what they consider a fact, they are perishing. The only thing about which they are in doubt – hence their question – concerns Jesus’ view on the matter. They ask “Do You not care” because they suspect He doesn’t.

Jesus’ immediate reply (the one recorded by Matthew) is also a complex question, that is, a statement joined to a question. Statement: “You are so afraid.” Question: “Why?”  He was not asking the disciples to state the obvious, that is, to say, “We are afraid because of the storm.” He was calling them to self-assessment. He was inviting them to discern in their fear the evidence of having lost their trust in Jesus. After stilling the storm, He asks again, “Why are you afraid?”

Think of a basketball coach who counsels a key player after he has blown a game. He asks, “Why did they beat you?” If the player says, “Because they scored more points,” the coach will chew him out for stating the obvious. The coach’s question invites the player to examine his own performance, to discern key mistakes that contributed to the loss. This is what Jesus is doing: He is calling the twelve to analyze exactly how they had arrived at the place where fear was crowding out trust.

Matthew, Mark, and Luke do not tell us what conclusions the twelve drew. But, we can identify solid evidence worthy of their consideration. First, there is Jesus’ statement of intention noted above - If Jesus says, “We are going to the other side,” you can KNOW that you are going to the other side. Second, based on the chronology in Mark, not too many days prior, Jesus had publicly declared His disciples to be His brothers (Mark 3:34). In this, Jesus had definitively answered the question – “Do You not care?” Third, the disciples allowed what is seen (a perfect storm) to overshadow their trust in the Lord’s sure promise and brotherly commitment. In short, they had allowed scary circumstances to drown out the truth.

The bottom line is this. The disciples did well to come to the Lord, but they should have come in faith, not fear. Their words should have reflected a confidence that the Lord loved them like brothers and that He would do what is necessary to fulfill His good purpose and to get them to the other side. Jesus did not challenge the disciples for coming to Him; He challenged them for coming to Him out of fear. I am grateful that He did not cite their fear as a reason to ignore their pleas. He most certainly stilled the storm in response to the disciples’ request. (Praise God for the many times He answers prayers, including yours and mine, that arise from fear!) But through His questions, He offered them insight into a better way.

Their fear was unwarranted! They thought they were perishing, but they were wrong. They were simply inserted into the perfect storm in order to receive a new level of insight into the identity of the Lord (more on that in the next post). They were not in any danger even though it looked like they were about to die. The Psalmist clearly spoke to their situation: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me” (Psalm 23:4).

Whenever I wait on God in an escalating crisis, I must resist the siren call of my senses. I must not allow my imagination of all that might befall me to take control. If I do, these fears will compromise my trust. Instead, I must fix my faith on these twin truths, God loves me like His son (John 17:23) and God is with me always (Matthew 28:20).

When we come to God in faith during a raging storm, it is good to express to God all the ways we desire Him to work. It is best when we do so from a place of trust, where we ask, knowing God loves us and will accomplish our good.

Waiting Into the Deep End, Part 1 of 2

Jesus had presented Himself to Israel. But, opposition from the religious leaders was now hardened, His crucifixion a fait accompli. So Jesus focused on the training of the twelve – so much to learn, so little time. More than once, Jesus used the Sea of Galilee as the classroom for His course on discipleship. Accounts of one such teaching session are provided by Matthew, Mark, and Luke (Matthew 8:18, 23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25). Let’s audit His class.

A crowd had gathered around the Lord near the Sea of Galilee. As evening neared, Jesus announced His intention to travel to the other side of the lake and gave orders for His disciples to depart. Some in His crew were master fishermen and more than competent to handle their vessel. The Master promptly settled into a sound sleep on a cushion in the stern.

Once in the deep, a “sea-quake” unleashed fierce winds and great angry waves that crashed over the gunwales. At first, the disciples might have taken measures to ride it out. But things quickly went from bad to worse. Experts are the ones who know when to panic. The experts on this boat knew it was time! Their vessel was rapidly taking on water. Without an immediate miracle, the ship and crew would most certainly be lost.

As a last resort, the disciples roused their Teacher, still fast asleep amidst the chaos. Unchecked fear drove them to shout above the storm. The accounts in Matthew, Mark, and Luke each capture a different fragment of what they yelled:

Matthew: “Save us, Lord, we are perishing!”

Mark: “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?

Luke: “Master, Master, we are perishing!”

The common denominator in all three accounts is the declaration, “We are perishing.” Matthew adds the terse command, “Save us, Lord.” Mark addresses Jesus as “Teacher” and includes the question, “Do You not care?” Luke adds the double address, “Master, Master.”

It is easy for preachers dwelling in safety to berate the disciples for all manner of perceived failures as they braced for death. I find much to commend! First, they address Jesus as “Lord,” “Teacher” and “Master.” Obviously, they respect Him and are voicing their dependance on Him for guidance. Second, when someone has expertise in an area, like the fishermen, it is easy to keep thinking in a crisis, “I can fix this.” But the disciples prove capable of recognizing a situation in which they are in over their heads, despite their competence. They can admit they have a problem that is beyond them. Third, their pleas for help are deadly earnest, the very kind of asking, seeking, and knocking that Jesus elsewhere encourages His disciples to bring to Father. Fourth, their request, “save us,” possibly suggests a modicum of belief, if not at least hope, that Jesus can indeed do something about their plight. These are all commendable responses.

But in one particular, their words gives rise for concern. The question – “Do You not care?” – expresses doubt. The disciples are sure that they are perishing but unsure whether this matters to the Lord. Theirs is a crisis of trust in Jesus!

The disciples’ doubt is familiar to all who are waiting on the Lord in a crisis. In an impossible situation and desperate for a miracle, it is easy to wonder if the Lord cares. Our minds fixate on questions like these: Why don't You act? Where are You in this? Have I done something to disappoint You? Am I getting the silent treatment? God, does my plight even matter to You?

This incident on the Sea of Galilee presents a classic case of “waiting into the deep end.” Any acute and escalating crisis that threatens to deal us a crushing blow would qualify. When taking on water and at imminent risk of going under, asking God – “Do You not care?” – will seem a perfectly reasonable question. It is NOT, but it will seem so. Whoever waits into the deep must be prepared, indeed, he must anticipate the inexorable pull of the very reasonable lie embedded in these words, “Do You not care?”

Breakthrough!

My 29 year old son faced cancer, chemo and radiation treatment, an insurance debacle, and an uncertain future. But God supplied grace: A little over a year after first being diagnosed, God had sustained him through his treatment and recovery, released him from cancer and delivered him from a crushing financial burden. One last breakthrough remained, a job.

As Austin, Rochelle, and I waited, we trusted God that He was preparing our hearts to receive His good gift, sought to learn whatever He intended during our time in His waiting room, and prayed for breakthrough. Here is text from one of my prayer cards: “Do him good in a way that provides grist to make much of You, even to those who do not believe.” I asked God to provide Austin with a job but to do so in a way that deserved an exclamation point.

For years, Austin had done all the things one is supposed to do to find a job. His efforts yielded nothing. It was time to adopt a new strategy, to do something radical. Austin wrote a letter to the senior litigator of a firm where he most wanted to work. The letter explained why he wanted to work at the man’s firm and under his tutelage.

Two weeks later, Austin followed up by sitting in the firm’s lobby on a Thursday morning, hoping for a meeting. The man was out of the office the entire day. Austin did the same on Friday with the same result. But on Sunday afternoon, he received a phone message inviting him to an interview on Monday. That evening, a “polar vortex” – that’s what the weather folk called it –  dumped enough snow and ice on Memphis to shut down everything. Austin's appointment was cancelled. The vortex was still “vortexing” on Tuesday, so there was no meeting on that day either. On Tuesday night, the lawyer called and instructed Austin to come in for work the next day.

When he arrived for work on Wednesday morning, he was informed that he was being hired for a 30 day period, at the end of which a decision would be made. After 30 days, Austin was hired on a permanent basis.

Here is the exclamation point: Austin was hired for his dream job. The job opening was never posted. He had completed no application. He was granted no interview. He began his first day on the job never having met the man who hired him. Just like that, the door that had been sealed shut now swung wide in a way that shouted the goodness of God. Exclamation Point!

After earnestly pleading, “Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me; O Lord, be my helper,” Father gave Austin, Rochelle, and me abundant reason to join the Psalmist in declaring, “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, that my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever” (Psalm 30:10-12)!

God's Magazine Rack

Often, we must take a number and sit in God’s waiting room. We may be desperate for Him to break through; to put things to right; to rescue us; to perform miracles; to do it NOW! Instead, it feels like He is “off in the back somewhere” and not aware of, let alone particularly interested in, our problems. So we sit alone or with a friend or family member in His waiting room, sometimes for months, even years, listening to elevator music, marking time, and wondering when God will show up.

Waiting on God can seem like a penalty, perhaps even the consequence of having disappointed Him in some way. When in His waiting room, it helps to remember that sometimes God withholds the good He intends for us, for a season, in order to prepare us to receive His gifts. It also helps to remember His promises: If even despicable men give their children good gifts, how much more will our perfect Father give perfectly valuable gifts to His children who are asking? These two acts of remembering can go a long way toward fueling hope during an extended stay in God’s waiting room. Here is another vital strategy - check out what God has in His magazine rack.

Especially in the days before iPhones, I would sign in at the doctor or dentist’s office and then seek out some reading material. I might grab a magazine to which I would never subscribe, perhaps even something I would never choose to read outside the waiting room. But given the choice between boredom and reading a magazine about fishing, food, or forestry, I regularly chose the latter. I was often amazed by things I learned that I would have never otherwise known.

God often uses our time in the waiting room to show us things that cannot otherwise be discerned. In the previous post, I recounted how God kept us in His waiting room for years. Our son diligently applied for hundreds of jobs. Not once in the span of almost four years did a prospective employer say, “We want you!” Over and over, He was rejected.

As Austin’s father, it was excruciating to witness. This rejection was so profoundly out-of-step with my own assessment of my son. On our children’s birthdays, we give them their “birthday blessing.” My words to Austin during a birthday celebrated in God’s waiting room capture whom I knew him to be:

Here are some of the things I appreciate and admire in You:

• You have a robust conscience. You are strong in your desire to do whatever you are convinced is right.
• You have sought the Lord even as you have gone through deep waters.
• You love Scripture and love to discuss how it applies to our lives.
• You are willing to do hard things when God asks.
• You have sought to honor Mom and me by supporting us in the ministry at CBC.
• You are an amazing teacher - patient, gentle, and nurturing.
• You are a gifted musician - I marvel at your ability to sprinkle jewels on a song.
• You are passionate about the Lord and truth.
• You are teachable and responsive to our counsel. You are willing to receive from others who have something to contribute.
• You are a good friend - so many have been on the receiving end of your commitment to be true to them.
• You understand what confession and forgiveness are about!
• You are a disciplined individual who makes it a priority to do what is most important each day.
• You are my true friend.

What a joy and honor to call you my son and to celebrate a year of growth and a new year to come!

The bottom line was that I knew my son to be a good man. Not a perfect man, to be sure, but a good man. Yet the consistent response from every possible employer was unequivocal rejection.

I remember crying out to God and protesting, “How much more can he take? I am so tired of my son being rejected.” I cannot explain this, but it was as if God answered, “Tell me about it!” I gasped at the thought. My experience was mirroring God’s. He was allowing me, in some small way, to experience something of what He Himself felt. To be sure, His Son was not just a good man; He was perfect. And the rejection of Jesus was not just about a job but a cross: “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed” (Mark 8:31). In that moment, I caught a glimpse of the pain of the Father.

As I looked through my experience to the Father's, I connected the dots between His pain and His love. Unlike me, God had chosen this pain. God loved me (and you!) enough to knowingly and consciously commit His Son to the supreme rejection of men. The pain I was feeling was God’s pain, but a pain He chose for Himself, in order to claim me. The anguish of soul that I would wish away God elected for Himself, in the name of love. In the quietness of God's waiting room, this breathtaking picture filled me with awe. I saw something precious and encouraging I would never have seen otherwise.

Waiting for Breakthrough!

By God’s delay to solve man’s “alone” problem in the Garden of Eden, Adam’s heart was prepared to greet God’s gift of a “suitable helper” with supreme joy. The delay was not the product of God’s displeasure with Adam but of His love.

Think of a young man who intends to “pop the question” to his beloved. He has covertly determined her ring size, found creative ways to benignly discover what she would like, and secretly purchased the perfect engagement ring. Now he delays to give his gift until he can arrange for the perfect moment. Love compels this delay as he plans a special occasion that will climax in dramatically revealing a ring and placing it on the finger of his intended. He wants everything about this moment to shout, “I love you with all my heart.”

While the young man is engaged in his clandestine activity, his bride-to-be feels the pull of two opposing forces. She can wait patiently, trusting in her heart that she is loved. Or she can yield to fear, doubting by what she sees (or actually doesn’t see) that her yearning will ever be fulfilled. The longer her wait, the easier it becomes to trust her eyes more than her heart.

This same battle makes waiting on God a challenge: We must hold fast in our hearts what we know from God’s Word while denying our perceptions the power to shake our trust. The longer the wait, the more easily our eyes convince us that there is no good gift coming.

In the summer of 2010 and shortly after our oldest son graduated from law school, he was diagnosed with cancer.  Praise God for two gifts He provided in the year that followed: He healed our son and delivered him from an overwhelming financial burden. But there was another gift that God withheld. We prayed; we pled with God; we cried; we battled discouragement; yet, we saw no daylight.

From the time of his diagnosis till March of 2014, our son applied for hundreds of  jobs with judges, law firms, and legislatures. He was personally interviewed dozens of times. He was told “you’re our second choice” for several positions. (Jobs are not given to the second choice candidate.) But not once in the span of almost four years did someone say, “We want you!”

These were dark days and it was hard to hold ourselves in a place of trust. This excerpt from my journal (dated December 23, 2013) captures it: “Today, Austin should hear back from [a firm where he interviewed]. In every respect, as far as we can see, this is an ideal setup. I have been praying non-stop for months and this looks like a perfect and impossible miracle. If he is rejected, the pull of despair will be overwhelming. A ‘no’ will bring us close to breaking – I am afraid of this one. Despite my fear, I am thanking You God, in advance, for whatever You give because I am choosing to trust in Your goodness more than my perceptions.” A few days later, my son learned he was their second choice.

Part of what God used to sustain me were the lessons from Beauty of the Barren Land and Blessed Deprivation in Eden. I fixed my trust on these statements: There is no such thing as delay in God’s gift giving; He gives His gifts in the perfect moment; That moment will yet come.

In sadness from watching my good son be unceasingly rejected, I added my voice to the Psalmist: “I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait, and in His word do I hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than the watchmen for the morning; Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning” (Psalm 130:5–6). Did you catch the phrase, “in His word do I hope?” A bold declaration from the lips of Jesus became the word anchor for my hope: "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:11). If even despicable men give their children good gifts, how much more will my perfect Father give perfectly appropriate gifts to His children who are asking? My mind retraced its steps on this promise a thousand times over. Choosing again and again to rest on His Word and His character, I waited for breakthrough.

Blessed Deprivation in Eden

True, there are times when God denies us good things as a consequence of our failures. Being cast from the Garden of Eden is a preeminent example. But not every unfulfilled longing signals God’s displeasure. Quite the opposite! Sometimes God withholds the good He intends for us, for a season, in order to prepare us to receive His gifts. This deprivation is not a penalty but a blessing, a gift God bestows on those in whom He delights. It is designed to help us see what life is like without God’s good gifts, so that when those gifts are delivered, our praise soars.

This form of blessed deprivation can be clearly seen in the Garden of Eden. Shall we take a stroll? Genesis 2 provides an expanded account in narrative form of the events that were summarized in Genesis 1:26-28. In Genesis 2, God functions as a father. He brings Adam into existence, assigns him a place in life, gives him vital guidance and counsel, and then provides him with a suitable wife. The genealogy of Jesus found in Luke affirms God’s fatherly role when it references Adam:  . . . Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God (Luke 3:38). I find the process that God employs to provide a wife for his son singularly instructive.

God could have taken a very different path. He could have created the man and woman simultaneously or formed the woman from Adam’s rib mere moments after Adam’s creation. Instead, man was created first. Although everything God had created to this point was good, it was decidedly not good that Adam was alone. Then God arranged for the man to embark upon a search for a solution to his “alone” problem.

Please try to put yourself in Adam’s shoes. (Yea, yea, he wasn’t wearing shoes, much less anything else.) Adam had never laid eyes on a woman; she hadn’t been invented yet. So he is searching for something he has never seen. Maybe it was an “I’ll know it when I see it” kind of search. Was God chuckling to himself in anticipation of the moment when He would give Adam that for which his son’s heart ached? All Adam knew was that this exhaustive parade of animals had gone nowhere. Adam would have been justified in thinking, “There is nothing I can see to solve my ‘alone’ problem.”

Adam’s heart was now prepared to receive God’s gift. God tells Adam to take a nap, then creates woman, and finally wakes up Adam for the big reveal. When God presents Adam with his bride, Adam is beside himself (I couldn’t resist!) and exclaims: “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man” (Genesis 2:23, ESV). Did you catch the terms translated “at last” by many English translations? (The Hebrew is ha pa-am.) Adam takes a deep breath and says, “Finally!” Adam is relieved and overjoyed. His bride is perfect and more than worth the wait.

By God’s delay to solve man’s “alone” problem, Adam’s heart was prepared to greet God’s gift with greater joy. Does God know how to give perfect gifts when the time is just right, or what?

Beauty of the Barren Land

Israel was about a month and a half into it’s journey from the Red Sea to Sinai when the grumbling broke out: “There was good grub aplenty in Goshen - but a big nothing here in the wilderness.” Instead of giving these whiners what they deserved, God served up a hearty helping of grace for the journey!

The miracle of manna was less flashy than the Egyptian plagues and Red Sea Victory, but it was a wonder, the original wonder-bread! Manna tasted like honey wafers and sustained the people of Israel for all of their wilderness camping adventure.

Near the end of his life, Moses reflected on the manna project and recalled, “And He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 8:3). Notice the sequence – hunger first, then satisfaction.

God had a plan all along. He knew exactly what He intended – to take care of His people by supplying them with daily bread. And He could have easily provided manna from the very first day of Israel’s journey. But He did not: He dished out a hearty helping of deprivation. For 45 days, God required Israel to experience first hand what trying to live off the land was like when said land is a desert. Why did God do this? God wanted Israel to learn something profound: The presence or absence of resources (like bread) does not make the difference in how (and if) a man lives. Whatever God says does.

I am intrigued by something else. A period of going without was part of God’s preparation of Israel to receive what He intended to give them. Deprivation allowed them to appreciate manna for what it was, something unprecedented; something spoken into existence by God Himself; the precious gift of life. Manna was not just an improvement in wilderness life. It was life and Israel’s previous campaign of “45 days of hunger” proved it.

This incident provides a window into how God operates. He often withholds the good He intends for us, for a season, precisely because He is using deprivation to prepare us to receive His gifts. When we are ready, when we will receive His gift with the joy of a famished man given bread, He will speak into existence what we need. The beauty of the desert lies in how it readies the heart. Do not despise your sojourn in a barren land. It is preparing your heart to receive what can only come from the good hand of God.

Sara's Weaker Brother

We're currently doing a sermon series at CBC on the "weaker brother." He's not who you think he is! You can go here (listen to the 08/05/2012 sermon from the "48" series) to get the full message. For those of you who want to talk about the Sara scenario now, here you go. I'll be waiting for your pearls!

Sara Scenario

A woman, Sara, has opened her home from time to time to friends from church. She issues a general invitation to the members of her small group to come spend a Friday evening at her house cooking out.  The event is not officially sponsored by the church; it is pure “hang out” time.  Sara’s circle of friends, including nonbelievers, will likely attend.  Sara uses these times to build relationships with people whom she wouldn’t ordinarily meet if she only did “church functions.” Her clear purpose is to minister to her nonbeliever friends and she has led more than a few of the people she met at these types of events to Christ.

Sara routinely drinks a beer or two whenever she cooks out, as do many of her friends.  There have been a few occasions in which some of her rowdier friends have had too much to drink.  When that happens, she or one of her godly friends will politely “cut-off” the rowdy and call him a cab.  But, Sara has accepted a certain level of rambunctiousness from some of the people who come as the natural result of reaching out to nonbelievers.

One of the members of Sara’s small group, Tim, believes that all drinking is sinful, and plans on attending her event.  However, prior to coming, he insists that Sara not drink, and demands that she enforce a “no-drinks” policy on everyone who attends her imminent get-together.  There is sufficient time between when Tim makes his demand and the date of the party for Sara to comply with Tim’s demand.

What should Sara do? Is Tim’s request legitimate? Is this a case where Sara should defer to Tim who is a “weaker brother?” How would the answer to the above change if:

1. Tim is a recovering alcoholic?
2. The party is held at someone else’s home (someone who routinely keeps alcohol on hand) and Sara is the one organizing the get-together?
3. Tim claims to be an alcoholic, but Sara has seen him out with non-church friends on multiple occasions nursing an appletini?
4. Tim requests, but does not insist, that Sara refrain and require others to refrain?
5. Sara uses these times to hang with unbelievers but has not used these get-togethers for outreach and has no evangelistic fruit to show for these get-togethers?

A Prayer for the Church

Today is National Day of Prayer and I enjoyed praying in a parking lot with my brothers and sisters in Christ. As I consider the state of the church, I am concerned that God's people have forgotten who they are, lost their courage, and compromised their credibility. So here's my prayer for the church.

Gracious Father,

• We were dead in our trespasses and sins;
• We formerly walked according to the course of this world, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath;
• We were separate from Christ, having no hope and without God;
• We were hostile toward God and incapable of subjecting ourselves to the law of God.

 

• But You, God, being rich in mercy made us alive together with Christ, raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus;
• By grace, we have been saved through faith - In Jesus, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of Your grace lavished on us;
• We are Your workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works;
• Through Jesus we have access to You in one Spirit, by whom we have been sealed;
• You blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ;
• You have made known to us the mystery of Your will;
• You have given us everything pertaining to life and godliness.

Open our eyes to see the great gulf between what we once were and what we now have. Give us the wisdom, the insight, the knowledge to appraise the breadth and depth of these exquisite gifts. Touch our eyes so that we are awed to silent wonder by the inestimable greatness of your grace. Deliver us from gloomy, bitter, pessimistic religion that chokes the life out of us. Replace our fixation on disappointments and things lost with an unfettered joy in all that we have gained in You. 

Deliver us from debilitating fear. When we long for the approval of men, we will only say what the world agrees with. Give us an unbounded exuberance in all we have in You that delivers us from bondage to the fear of men. Fill us with joyous enthusiasm to unflinchingly declare what the world most needs to hear, even when our message is what the world least wants to accept.

We seem to be slouching toward Gomorrah. Our culture is rife with immorality and heartily approves those who live on its terms. As we are entertained by the world’s vision of living for self, we have lost our way and yielded the moral high ground. Purify your people! Kindle our hearts with a burning love for your holiness and an unquenchable passion for purity. Deliver us from the bland kind of “spirituality” that makes us indistinguishable from those who do not know you. Deepen our love for your Son and transform us into people who are like salt on tasteless food and light in a dark place.

Our hearts ache for your return, Jesus. Come soon! We live in a world that is broken, dark, and cold. We long for the day when we will see you face-to-face, when we will eat at your table, bask in your glory, and see things finally put to rights. But until that day, supply what we need to partner well with You as You build your church. For your glory and in your name, Jesus. Amen.

Peace or Fire on Earth

When Jesus was born, the angel chorus sang, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” So it is a little surprising to hear Jesus say something that sounds quite different: “I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division” (Luke 12:49-53).

In the latter passage, Jesus is declaring that He will someday bring judgment on the earth and that it can't happen soon enough. Before that fire falls, however, Jesus Himself must be immersed in God's judgment. Peace will not flow from this baptism, but "division;" Even the most basic of family connections will be upset with fathers taking sides against sons and daughters taking sides against mothers. Their disagreement has to do with fire and peace.

It is not politically correct to say it, but the world stands under the shadow of God's wrath (Col. 3:6). Fire will fall! Here is some good news -- There is an escape plan! The Apostle Paul explained it to the Thessalonian church: For they themselves report . . . how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come (1 Thess. 1:9-10). When Jesus returns, He will save His own from the falling fire.

How can He do this? Remember that baptism Jesus underwent! When He died on the cross, He experienced the wrath of God as a substitute for men. The fire of judgment fell on Him so that it need not fall on us! He offers this supreme service as a gift for any who want it. Receive this gift and enjoy true peace. Or refuse it and fire will fall.

This notion of "targeted peace" aligns perfectly with what the angels promised: “And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” Those with whom God is pleased will enjoy peace. Those who reject His Son and refuse the supremely costly gift for which He paid, will not.

When "Peace on Earth" is assumed to be a privilege enjoyed by all men simply because "it's Christmas," the very purpose for which Jesus came to earth is trivialized, men are dulled to the fact that the place is about to go up in flames, and the profound value of what Jesus accomplished is diminished.

The angel chorus understood it perfectly. A myriad of them came near Bethlehem to celebrate the first phase of a grand undertaking, a peace initiative that would make it possible for some to avoid the fire that would otherwise consume all. This is definitely something worth singing about!

Elusive Christmas Peace

The shepherds were doing what shepherds do at a certain time of year - hangin' with the sheep. It was all pretty routine camping under the stars until a terrible figure flashed onto the scene. He exuded an intense light "not of this world" and left the shepherds groveling in abject terror. Perhaps their fear began to fade when this angel announced some good news, namely, the date and location of a Saviour's birth. Next, a heavenly chorus beamed down, declaring “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased” (Luke 2:13-14). The fanfare was not lost on the shepherds who concluded something big was afoot. They acted on this angelic intelligence report and were not disappointed.

Since that night almost two millennia ago, Christmas cards have heralded the moment using the phrase "Peace on Earth" as the focal point of their cover art. The phrase seems to anchor a lot of our culture's Christmas sentiment, which ranges all over the peace map. Some celebrate God's initiative to restore peace between Himself and men through His Son, Jesus. The more politically correct celebrate a hippie inspired notion of world peace. For families in conflict, Christmas peace is a relational cease-fire, a brief truce where everyone tries to "get through the holidays" without igniting renewed hostilities. Merchants are looking for some sort of peace connection to their products which they can exploit to boost Christmas sales figures.

I found this ad a creative example: Having your septic tank cleaned for visiting family and friends is how to enjoy peace of mind at Christmas. Wow! Peace on earth from something as simple as septic service. Who knew?

So are we honoring the birth of Jesus in all this? I am not denying one jot or tittle of the angels report to the shepherds. But are we justified when we connect the angelic declaration to the enjoyment of some sort of generalized peace in our time?

Here is a passage that must be placed alongside Luke 2:13-14 because it seems contradictory. It captures words of Jesus uttered about 30 years after the angels' birth announcement. Jesus declares to his followers, “I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division” (Luke 12:49-51).

So who's right? The angels who suggest that Jesus came on a peace mission? Or Jesus who declares He has come to grant anything but peace? What do you think?

Bunker to Sunlight

A month and a half after his graduation in May, 2010, our son was diagnosed with stage II Hodgkin’s disease. Six months of intensive chemo and radiation followed. Tests in May, 2011, confirmed his cancer was in remission and his counts were trending positive. Also in May of 2011, his medical insurance provider denied all of his claims, asserting that his cancer was a "pre-existing condition."

We were profoundly grateful for God's goodness in healing our son, but now overwhelmed by medical bills of almost $250,000. We pled with God for grace, determined that we would not choose bankruptcy, and set about the task of satisfying twenty different medical providers.

Now six months later, we have written the last check and put it in today's mail. As of Dec. 8, 2011, every account has been paid in full because God provided! We are emerging from our emotional bunker into sunlight and joy. The great weight of uncertainty and financial pressure has been lifted. God has lavished us with grace and we are humbled by His goodness. The sunlight feels good!

Book of Revelation Dominoes

Here is the stated purpose of the Book of Revelation from the first verse: The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place (Rev. 1:1). It is obvious that Jesus made this book available to His people for the purpose of generating understanding, not confusion. Alas, there are a lot of people who are confused by the book. So here is my attempt to simplify and clarify. In the interest of simplicity, I have not gone into all the background for each element in this chart - but you can click here if you want to listen to the 60 sermons that provide the explanation for this framework.

The chart above (click on the chart to view a larger version) shows three series of seven (identified as seals, trumpets, and bowls, respectively). Think of these as a series of twenty-one dominoes which fall sequentially. When domino seven falls, it causes the next series of seven to occur. When domino fourteen falls, it puts in motion the last series of seven. These dominoes represent mostly natural disasters, political developments, and supernatural events. The severity of these events is intensified with each new series. The last series of seven represents "full strength wrath."

I am suggesting that the timing of these events is represented by a sort of logarithmic scale. The earlier events (dominoes on the left) describe events that may or may not overlap but which, in some cases, span a period of months. However, the last series (the dominoes on the right) represent a quick succession of events. Taken together, the twenty-one dominoes fall with accelerating momentum that builds to a crescendo of final judgment.

In chapters 10-14, we learn about three developments which will be synchronized to the fall of the fourteenth domino. The amazing prophetic ministry of two Jewish witnesses, the supernatural protection of Israel, and Satan's war against the saints will all culminate in the last series of seven that is set in motion by domino fourteen. This last series will involve the outpouring of "full strength wrath" on those who dwell on the earth. It will also culminate in the judgment of the economic and religious center that is Babylon, as described in chapters 17-18. The fall of domino twenty-one will be synchronized with the victory of the Lamb over all opposition and the revelation of His bride.

The bars for the three periods that end at the fourteenth domino have an indefinite starting point. These periods are all 42 months in duration, but we cannot pinpoint which domino falls 42 months before the fourteenth. The bar for the judgment of Babylon also lacks a precise starting point, but there is no doubt about its end point which is synchronized to the fall of the last two dominoes.

Seems pretty simple, right? Are you tracking with me? So where would the rapture described in 1 Thess. 4:13-18 fit?

Babylon's World of Extremes

JD asks a great question from the sermon series on Revelation: In the last couple weeks we have touched on Babylon and the type of city it will be; my questions are: Is Babylon spared or sheltered in some way from the devastation of the judgments poured out? If not, how is such wealth and opulence available and usable so soon after the global devastation of the judgments? We spent a number of weeks going thru the tough times ahead spiritually and how it will become economically oppressive and devastating worldwide and exponentially so for believers - how does what we are now hearing about Babylon and it's wealth and comfort correlate with what we have previously gone through? World wide famine, economic collapse, enormous loss of human life, natural disasters on a scale unseen previously - and then a city where pleasure rules and stuff is God- where does it all come from in the wake of such devastation and catastrophic losses?

Essentially, she is asking how a city experiencing plenty can exist in a world of devastating want. First, let me affirm what she is saying about the hard times ahead. The second vision in the book of Revelation (Chapters 4-16) outlines an event sequence that consists of three series of seven. Think of them as a line of 21 dominoes representing global natural disasters and political shifts. With the fall of domino seven and domino fourteen, the dominoes that follow take it up a notch from the previous group of seven. JD is exactly right that these will be the worst of times for those who dwell on the earth.

So, how can it be the best of times for Babylon? We are provided with a hint in Rev. 6:6: And I heard something like a voice in the center of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not damage the oil and the wine” (Rev. 6:6). This verse is connected to the third domino. It describes runaway inflation. A denarius (see above for a sample coined in 2nd C. BC) in John's day represented about 3 grams of silver and was the equivalent of a laborer's daily wage. It would buy about 10 quarts of wheat. So John is describing an economic climate in which the value of money has been reduced by a power of 10. Stated in another way, the cost of basic commodities has increased by a factor of 10. No matter how you slice it, this is a description of not much bread for your dough.

But then there is the last phrase, "do not damage the oil and the wine." This suggests a glaring disparity. Those dwelling in the land of subsistence will be in a world of hurt. But those sitting in the lap of luxury will be unfazed - the economic crisis associated with the 3rd domino will not inhibit those who are enjoying the good life. Babylon is not named here but could easily be such a place of living the good life unhindered.

Certainly by the time we conclude the last set of dominoes, whatever protections Babylon has erected will come to naught. But until then, Babylon will hold onto enough of her greatness and grandeur to effectively convince herself that she is beyond the reach of the misfortune that befalls the "little people." Such a grand delusion!

 

The Babylon Code, Pt. 2 of 2

In a previous post, I indicated my preference for an interpretation that connects Revelation 17-18 to Babylon on the Euphrates. I closed with two questions. The first concerns the "imminence" of the Lord's return. If the events of the tribulation will occur at a time when ancient Babylon has returned to become a thriving religious and economic center (which it is anything but today), wouldn't this suggest that the return of the Lord lies far in the future? I also asked, "Does the urgent appeal for saints to 'come out of her [Babylon]' (Rev. 18:4) have any relevance to saints living today since this Babylon does not yet exist?"

To answer the first question, I would point to Dubai as an illustration. (The luxurious Burj Al Arab hotel is pictured above.) This city has a lot in common with future Babylon, and the pace of its emergence as a mecca of opulence has been brisk. Babylon will apex at the end of the seven year long tribulation. A petro-dollar fueled orgy of construction begun a few years (or decades) before the start of the tribulation could repeat the "miracle" that is Dubai. So while I can say we are not there yet, we may only be not QUITE there yet.

As to the second question, understanding the Babylon Code is critical. Based on Revelation 17-18, we can identify five statements which capture Babylon's creed. These declare how future Babylon thinks:

• “I live for me.”
• “You cannot argue with my success.”
• “Get in my way and you will regret it.”
• “There is no ‘right and wrong,’ only what makes me feel better.”
• “No one can stop me from doing what I want.”

Do these not have a familiar ring to them? Do they not sound like the mantra's of western materialism? So I am inclined to suggest that while the city of Babylon is not yet built, the Code of Modern Babylon is very much in evidence. In which case the urgent appeal for God's people to make a clean break makes perfect sense. We live in a day and age when the spirit of Babylon is alive and well even though the city has not yet made her grand entrance. Saints who prevail when she does will have learned how to defy her philosophy even while living in Pre-Babylonian times.

Prevailing saints disagree with the five tenets of the Babylon Code, and they are capable of expressing that disagreement even when it is unpopular to do so. Learn how to recognize it today, how to make a clean break from it, and you will ready when construction gets underway in earnest.

The Babylon Code, Pt. 1 of 2

The Book of Revelation is quite graphic in its description of the Fall of Babylon. This city boasts a long history and notorious reputation. Originally founded by Nimrod (Gen. 10:8,10), it soon became the focal point of men's celebration of their own accomplishments. Bad idea! God intervened and the city was branded with a fitting designation: Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of the whole earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of the whole earth (Gen. 11:9).

Despite this setback, Babel refused to go away nor mend its ways. Notably, Babylon (same city) was the destroyer of Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC. In her historic heyday, power, wealth, commerce, and wisdom were hers. The OT prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah would describe her as idolatrous, wicked, arrogant, self-confident, covetous, cruel, and domineering. Babylon is less than a shadow of her former self today, so it is curious that she is presented once more in Revelation 17-18 as the global focal point of man centered religion.

Bible students differ in their identification of "Babylon" in Revelation. It would seem straightforward to identify it with a rebuilt city on the Euphrates river (see image above). The vast gap between the current state of affairs (quite humble) and the future state of Babylon (grand and impressive) suggests the merit of finding another interpretive option. So some have proposed that "Babylon" is a code word for some other physical city (Rome or Jerusalem are often suggested), an institution or entity (the "apostate church" or papacy are often proposed), or a "Babylonian ideology" that gains a global hold on men's thinking.

We need to remember that this is a problem of biblical interpretation. If the text is clearly discussing a rebuilt city of Babylon on the Euphrates in Iraq, then we must choose to believe what Scripture says will happen MORE than we believe our own perceptions of what could be. Yes, I have difficulty imagining a world class city like the one described in Revelation 17-18 coming into such wealth and prominence out of the current political, military, and economic milieu. But I must not allow the limits of my imagination to dismiss out of hand what the text might clearly be saying. Bottom line: I am open to all the options.

All views which propose that "Babylon" is a code word or symbol face a serious difficulty. They lack a decoder. There are 29 phrases or terms used in Revelation that are clearly symbolic. And all 29 of them are identified as symbols by the use of a key term or phrase which connects the symbol to what it represents. The first of these code-breaker phrases in the Book of Revelation appear in 1:20: “As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches (Rev. 1:20). (I have highlighted the code-breakers in blue.) No such code-breakers are used with the term "Babylon" to indicate it represents something else. In fact, the exact opposite occurs. A woman sitting on a scarlet beast is clearly identified as code or a symbol of the great city of Babylon (Rev. 17:3-5). Babylon is not the symbol but the reality behind the symbol (which is a harlot in scarlet and purple).

The view that this is the actual city of Babylon on the Euphrates at the apex of a future "greatness" is the conclusion of a plain sense reading of the text. In Rev. 2-3, John clearly intends the mention of a city name to be taken literally. In the one place in the prophecy where he employs a code name for an actual city, he provides a clear code-breaker: And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified (Rev. 11:8).

Several descriptive details add to the impression that the actual city of Babylon is targeted in Rev. 17-18: The fact that the Euphrates River is specifically named in 9:14 and 16:12 marks out a geographical area connected to Babylon as a key focus of coming judgment. The suggestion that Babylon has access to the sea is a detail that fits with Babylon on the Euphrates which is navigable to the Persian Gulf. The descriptive phrase "which sits on many waters," itself a code phrase for the city's global dominance (17:15), recalls Jeremiah's use of this language to describe Babylon (Jer. 51:13), a city of canals, waterways, and marshes. The position of the city "in the wilderness" (Rev. 17:3) is a detail that would also fit Babylon on the Euphrates, although it is not clear if this phrase indicates the city's location prior to or after her judgment.

I find the view that this is the actual city of Babylon on the Euphrates to be more persuasive. Of course, this raises some other questions: Does this mean that the events described in Revelation are "a long ways off" since it would take years for such a city to become a reality? And, does the urgent appeal for saints to "come out of her [Babylon]" (Rev. 18:4) have no relevance to saints living today since this Babylon does not yet exist?

Good questions! What do you think?

Behind the Badge

After God came through, I told the Police Chief about it and he got excited. Then I told the CBC Elders about it and they decided to cover the airfare for scholarship recipients for the next five years. Then I told the congregation about it, and they got jazzed about providing a banquet that went way beyond your typical banquet. They, in turn, began telling local businesses about it, and additional gifts for police officers began pouring in.

So on Sept 11, we enjoyed an elegant steak dinner together. Officers and guests were seated next to CBC table encouragers whose goal was to make sure than none of them left without knowing they are valued and appreciated. Here is a brief excerpt of my comments that were an attempt to crown what each guest heard at his/her table:

We are grateful for your service, largely unseen, often under-appreciated, but vital to our welfare. Collierville is a great place to live! But, it would not be so if it were not for you. For your dedication, your sacrifice, and your commitment, thank you!

I would like to add a word of recognition to the spouses and family members of officers. We are not blind to the fact that you too, have made profound sacrifices for us. When you hear about two officers from West Memphis who never walked away from a routine traffic stop that went terribly wrong, you cannot help but think of your spouse. And yet, you support them as they each day serve us. We are in awe of you and pledge to pray for you in whatever way you ask. Thank you for what you do.

What an honor to cap off the evening by having each officer stand and to then pray for them (pictured above). It was a thrill to learn that the evening was the buzz of the department. I received several encouraging notes including a hand delivered letter from the police chief the next day. Here's an excerpt that was a joy to read: "Perhaps I can sum up the evening with a quote I heard this morning from several of the officers in attendance last night, 'I have never felt more appreciated and genuinely welcomed than I did at the ceremony,' a common and overwhelming sentiment throughout our department."

We who have such profound reasons to be grateful for God's grace ought to be good at expressing our thankfulness. It was intensely satisfying that we succeeded in communicating heartfelt gratefulness to a group of unsung and dedicated public servants. That was worth doing!

God Comes Through!

I love it when God delivers! Last spring, I was so amazed, I had to write it all down. Here it is:

March 13, 2010
This was so amazing that when I was praying this morning, I was compelled to write it down.
I went to a Front Sight Two Day Defensive Handgun Course in Nevada last November. While there, I was overwhelmed by a realization of the challenges that policemen face. I wondered about showing appreciation to them by providing a way for some to come to Front Sight.

God went before me to set up the appointment, but yesterday I met with Larry Goodwin (Chief), William Hamric (Assistant Chief), and Jeff Abeln (Assistant Chief) to share my story and to ask if they would be interested in some training from Front Sight. I explained a little bit about the camp and my plan for how CBC could help. We would potentially provide a scholarship and airfare. The Collierville Police Department would have to come up with the funds for food, lodging, rental car, and incidentals while there. I explained that I did not want to pursue this unless they saw the value of it. They all indicated an interest in our offer.

I explained that my next two steps would be securing advantageous pricing for these scholarships and then approval of the program by the CBC Elder Board. Once we passed these two checkpoints, we would be ready to plan for a banquet in which four scholarships would be awarded. I left the meeting encouraged by their response but also sobered by the challenge of securing scholarships. The “normal” price for a two day camp is $1,000-1,200. My desire was to do something that is sustainable, so I wanted to secure 20+ such scholarships. But a price tag for the program of over $20,000 (not including the airfare component) seemed more than a little daunting.

I drove home from the meeting with a mixture of excitement, encouragement, and doubt. I stopped at the mailbox and found a post card from Dr. Ignatius Piazza, the founder of Front Sight. He was offering “a deal” that I had to read over and over to assure myself that it was the solution to my challenge. He was offering me anything that I had purchased in the past for half-off the price I paid. Here’s what made this offer so unbelievable. In early 2009, I had purchased certificates for myself and family members for $100 per course. So, if I read this right, he was offering to sell me a scholarship certificate for $50 that would normally cost $1,000 plus.

What is most amazing to me is the timing. God put this card (unlike anything I have ever seen) in my mailbox where I would receive it 30 minutes after meeting with the Collierville police chiefs. It answered PERFECTLY to what I wanted to do and overcame (what seemed to me to be) the greatest obstacle to the success of this outreach ministry. I had the funds for 20 certificates in our “God account” and Rock agreed, “Let’s do it!”

So, I immediately followed the instructions about how to secure 20 certificates by mail and made sure my letter and check went to the post office this morning. I am having trouble believing this has happened, so I am anxious to see the actual certificates. Won’t the police chiefs be shocked! I suspect they looked at me like I was dreaming but probably would never follow through. God came through!

Sionara Moriah!

What was it like for Abraham and Isaac on the return journey from Moriah? In a previous post, I speculated about the inbound leg to Mount Moriah and the associated faith test that Abraham passed with flying colors (see Genesis 22). So what mixture of relief and high fives propelled the journey back to Beersheba?

The biblical text is somewhat terse: So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham lived at Beersheba (Gen. 22:19). Alas, there are no details. But the return destination is named - Abraham established himself at Beersheba. It was here that Abraham had taken his faith to a new level before the whole Moriah challenge. Genesis 21 recalls, Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God (Gen. 21:33). Abraham's choice of a tent site after Moriah affirmed that calling on the name of the Lord was a good idea in the first place.

And well it should be! After passing the Moriah Test, God made His intentions clear. Genesis 22:15-18 recounts, Then the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven, and said, “By Myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” What a promise! God vowed to profoundly bless Abraham because he had declared, "God matters more to me than even the life of my son."

I am grateful that God is allowing me and my son to return from Moriah. Although Austin had a large mass in his chest, and has been (and will continue) receiving treatment, his latest scan came back "completely normal." From over four inches across to nothing in two months seem miraculous to me. The Doctor has declared this a "textbook case" of how treatment should work. I consider it a textbook case of how the goodness of God works. We are grateful for treatment, but overwhelmed by God's goodness.

I have sought to emulate Abraham and hope that the God who reads hearts has seen in mine echoes of Abraham's faith. Should God find in what He sees a reason to bless me, I cannot say. But I am grateful that we are walking away from Moriah and that I am already so profoundly blessed. High fives all around!

Enroute to Moriah

What a trip! In Genesis 22, God asked Abraham to travel to a mountain He would designate and there offer up his beloved son, Isaac. Abraham arose early the next day to begin the three day trip.

There is no record of the conversation on days one and two, although I cannot imagine a lot of playful banter lightening the mood. Yet the brief interchanges that have been preserved from day three sound a note of hope. Abraham could envision how the situation might turn out differently. But no plan B was forthcoming. So Abraham kept his pace steady to fulfill God's original request. The altar and wood were arranged, the lad bound, the knife unsheathed, and Abraham's arm bared as he braced to plunge the blade into the heart of his son.

What would the journey to Mount Moriah have been like if I walked in the sandals of Abraham? Although my pace on foot would be labored, my mind would be racing in a tumble of questions like these, "How does this request square with God's previous promises? Isaac's birth was miraculous; his destiny was to become the first installment of God's covenant with me; he is poised to become a man who fears God and who is ready to serve Him. And now I am to extinguish all the hope and promise Isaac represents! God's request just doesn't make sense! And then there's the moral dilemma. How can the God of life advocate taking the life of the innocent? Surely this is the opposite of what I would expect of a holy God. Perhaps I have been confused. Perhaps, I have assumed that God is asking me to do this, when God couldn't possibly be the source of such a request! This is all a horrible mistake caused by  miscommunication."

Against the backdrop of such reasonable doubts, Abraham stuns us - he betrays no trace of flinching from God's request in the pregnant moment as the blade is raised. But then God interrupts: He said, “Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me” (Gen. 22:12). Did you catch the connection God made? Fearing God and withholding a son are mutually exclusive. By his willingness to give God his son, Abraham proved the genuineness of his fear of God.

I would not presume to equate my experience with Abraham's. But I have recently joined the fellowship of those who journey to Mount Moriah and am striving to learn from Abraham's victory. Earlier this week, our son was diagnosed with cancer. That God would call our beloved son to Himself is among the range of possibilities. So I am asking God to grow in me the authentic fear of Him that is capable of releasing a son to his heavenly Father. I want to fear Him without doubt, without flinching, and without regret. I want to have the kind of regard for my God that considers it an honor to give Him such a precious gift.

God may choose to restore our son - we are fervently praying for precisely that. But even if God does not, we will still love Him and fear Him. Indeed our experience is only deepening our love. For in some small measure, we are experiencing something of what it was like for Father to journey to Mount Moriah and willingly consign His Son to death on a cross. The ghastly picture of what Abraham was about to do shows us what the Father actually did. God stopped Abraham but refused to excuse Himself. Through our tears and anguish of heart, we are seeing with even greater clarity the amazing love of our Father.

The Onesimus Protocol

Onesimus was a first century slave belonging to Philemon of Colossae in Asia Minor. After having robbed his master, Onesimus fled to the anonymity of Rome. There he encountered and was converted by the Apostle Paul, who sent him back to his former master bearing a letter of appeal. In His letter (known to us as The Epistle of Philemon), Paul was struck by an irony suggested in the name, "Onesimus," which means "useful." He declared, "I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment, who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me" (Philemon 10-11). Where once "Useful" had been a galling liability to Philemon, now he had been transformed into an asset to both Paul and his friend, Philemon. What had changed? Character! Onesimus had become a new man in Christ.

Here are the characteristics that, according to Peter, define such a man (or woman). Seven qualities are listed first, followed by a description of the outcome for those who develop them: Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:5-8).

The "outcome description" in the last sentence is an "if/then" statement. "If" these qualities are increasingly evident, "then" you are someone whose relationship with Jesus is making a positive difference in the lives of others. The implication is quite clear - the man who does NOT possess or has stopped growing these virtues is like an old abandoned jalopy in the desert, totally useless!

There is one difference between the jalopy and the useless believer. The condition of the latter is not permanent! Notice the phrase, "applying all diligence" in 2 Peter 1:5. It indicates that these seven virtues respond to elbow grease. The man who lacks self-control can make progress if he will work at it. The disreputable woman can become a lady of moral excellence, if she will apply herself to doing so.

There is one important caveat. A regimen of character development begins with a specific kind of faith, the belief that God has purified a man from his sin and enabled him to become a new man in Jesus. This kind of faith gives the believer the capacity to change, but the process is not automatic. The individual must supply diligence.

So here is a summary of the process of character development based on 2 Peter 1:5-8: When a man or woman comes to know God through faith in Jesus, he is provided with a resource kit. And in this kit is everything necessary to grow a whole host of character qualities, IF the individual will supply personal effort. As he directs his energies toward becoming morally pure, wise, self-controlled, persevering, godly, kind, and loving, he will make genuine progress and become the kind of person that others value having around. He will be like a tree that bears fruit.

The process of adding character building effort to a faith in Jesus is the protocol that made Onesimus look like his name. You can use this same protocol! Have you come to know God through faith in Jesus? Then you don't need anything except a commitment to work at growing noble character. Doing so will make you an "Onesimus" who is both useful AND fruitful.

It Takes Three to Change

Having discovered Mr. Wickham's true character, Lizzie laments, "How is such a man to be worked on?" The centerpiece of sliminess in Pride and Prejudice, Wickham eventually furnishes ample evidence his character is both corrupt and confirmed. The unassailable answer to Lizzie's rhetorical question hangs in the air with frank finality, "Impossible!"

Is this true for all? Is inner change beyond reach? The Bible is quite clear that redemption unlocks the power of genuine transformation. Paul names a den of disreputable characters in 1 Cor. 6:9-10, and then reminds the Corinthians, "Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor. 6:11). Notice the first occurrence of the word, "were." It indicates not just an occasional lapse but a steady state of moral failure. In their former condition, the Corinthians were a consistently sordid lot. But this was the black velvet against which the Gospel gleamed so brightly. Being washed, sanctified, and justified through Christ so altered them that, where once they were aptly described as thieves, or womanizers, or drunkards, NOW those labels no longer fit. With truth and over time, they had been made new from the inside out.

This kind of change is not merely external. But it will be evident in externals. Try to take a sample of the human soul and put it under a microscope. Find a device to which a man or woman can be wired up with probes to produce a print-out of his character. Like the wind which can only be observed by the things it affects, so is a man's character discerned through words and deeds. They are not the essence of but windows into a man's character.

Jesus was addressing the religious bigwigs of Israel who were confused on this distinction. He explained, “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart” (Luke 6:45). In the name of character transformation, we can fiddle with how someone expresses himself. We might succeed by maintaining, for a season, a favorable impression. But sooner or later, the true state of a man's character will be made evident in what he says.

Deeds also tell us about a man's character, sometimes providing an even clearer account of a man's heart than his words. In Paul's ministry on the island of Crete, he encountered a group whose declarations of allegiance were soundly contradicted by their actions. He observed, "They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed" (Titus 1:16).

As a man is transformed from the inside out, those internal changes will be reflected by new speech and behavior patterns. So any attempt to form character must give attention to all three domains. It will address the ways that a heart must be renewed. It will teach how such a heart will speak. And, it will show the kinds of deeds that will flow from such a heart.

If you are going to teach children how to become men and woman of character, you must give attention to all three domains, heart, word, and deed. Focus purely on heart, and you will reap arrogant do-nothings. Focus merely on words and deeds and you will raise up hypocrites. Focus on heart as the source and noble speech and deeds as the outflow, and you serve them well.

The Wedding

Here's a nice piece from Justin Metcalfe! I am sure my high opinion of this video is unrelated to the fact that I AM RELATED to the bride and groom, Alex and Lauren.

When 24 Becomes 48

It was only noon, and Joshua was having a very long day! It began about 30 hours earlier when a breathless runner stumbled into Israel’s camp at Gilgal. His message: A coalition led by the five kings of the Amorites has laid siege to the city of Gibeon. They are going  to “teach Gibeon a lesson” for breaking ranks and aligning with Israel. Gibeon will be no match for this overwhelming force unless their new ally, Israel, answers their SOS.

To Joshua’s mind, the action of the five kings was a critical blunder (on their part) and a strategic opportunity (for him). The prospect of conquering the five walled cities of the Amorites in the hill country looked like a long and grizzly business. But now the armies of the five cities, including the army of Jerusalem, had left the safety of their walled defenses to take to the field. If Joshua could meet them on the field before they returned to their cities, he could do in a day what would otherwise take many weeks and lives.

Joshua sprang into action. He assembled the army of Israel for a stealth march under the cover of night. As they moved silently through the darkness, Joshua heard a voice outlining the necessary battle plan.  It was God who spoke and informed Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands; not one of them shall stand before you.” So, this would be a battle that involves pursuing an enemy in retreat. When the morning sun rose behind their backs, Israel saw complete shock illumined on the faces of five armies.

The day of battle began with open field combat at Gibeon. With God’s assistance, Israel promptly seized the upper hand and began paring away at their confused opponents. When it became obvious to the five kings that remaining on the field would lead to the total loss of their armies, they sounded the retreat.  God slowed the retreating armies by providing a killer hail-storm at the descent of Beth-horon as Israel took up the pursuit.

So it was that Joshua found himself facing a dilemma at high noon. Despite his fatigue, he knew that Israel needed to finish the job TODAY! Once the five armies (or what was left of them) reached the safety of their walled cities, even a remnant could defy Israel with impunity. So Joshua made an audacious request of the God who promised him success in the day’s battle. He asked God to make this a 48 hour day. The rest of the story you know well! And there was no day like that before it or after it, when the Lord listened to the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel (Josh 8:14).

So what’s the point? God had a job for Joshua and all that was required was faithfulness and trust. God supplied what was missing to transform Joshua’s faithfulness into unbelievable effectiveness. Look at all that God supplied: A key window of opportunity, timely information, encouragement and critical battle field intelligence, cosmic reinforcements (hailstones to die for!), and a supernatural day in which a man could accomplish what would otherwise require two.

The story turned out this way because Joshua did two things: He was doggedly determined to follow through with what God asked and was audacious enough to ask God to supply what he lacked. Our God is the same God who heard and answered Joshua’s prayer. So do whatever He asks of you and pray for Him to supply what you lack to complete it. He can give you whatever is needed, including a single day in which you accomplish the work of two, if you will ask!