on the cusp

Come broken and weary

come battered and bruised

my Jesus makes all things new,

all things new

Hold on to the promise

the stories are true

that Jesus makes all things new

(the dawn is upon you)

Rise up, oh you sleeper, awake

the light of the dawn is upon you

Rise up, oh you sleeper, awake

he makes all things new

all things new

~Andrew Peterson, All Things New

Wherever 2010 found you Jesus is the King who redeems. Only He knows what 2011 will bring, and only He brings the newness our hearts desire. If not today, we know all things will be made new in the end.

Happy New Year!

beyond searching out

I don't understand the ways of God. I recognize my finite mind will never fully make sense of them. This doesn't keep me from trying my hardest to wrap my mind around them. As a new year dawns, my head still spins over His working in my life over the past year. If you had asked me at the beginning of 2010 to leave teaching and embark upon a two month stint in missions, I would have called you crazy. But God's ways and methods are definitely much higher and greater than my own. He's done nothing out of character for Him. He dealt with me the same way He deals with all His children and those who came before us.

As J.I.Packer puts its so beautifully,

Still he blesses those on whom he sets his love in a way that humbles them, so that all the glory may be his alone. Still he hates the sins of his people, and uses all kinds of inward and outward pains and griefs to wean their hearts from compromise and disobedience. Still he seeks the fellowship of his people, and sends them both sorrows and joys in order to detach their love from other things and attach it to himself. Still he teaches believers to value his promised gifts by making them wait for those gifts, and compelling them to pray persistently for them, before he bestows them. So we read of God dealing with his people in the Scripture record, and so he deals with them still. His aims and principles of action remain consistent; he does not at any time act out of character. Our ways, we know, are pathetically inconstant-but not God's. (Knowing God, p.79)

Just this past year, God dealt with me in each and every one of these ways. Some He used repeatedly in order to get me to where I am now. It wasn't easy being in the middle of it, but I am overjoyed at looking back.

seeing

The Sermon on the Mount is filled wisdom I often speed through when I am reading. Because of this, I slowed down my chapter reading rate to unpack as much as I can over the course of these three chapters. It seems as though each time I am sure there is nothing left outstanding a particular verse nearly jumps off the page. It's a pleasant reminder of how God's Word cannot be exhausted no matter how many times we may read it. There is always something to learn.

Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them... ~Matthew 6:1

I wrestled with the principle of this verse as the reality of my heading toward ministry started unfolding. As loving friends and family express their support and encouragement it becomes difficult to keep Christ in focus. Pride comes natural to me. I love hearing the praise of others directed at me. Frequently I am more motivated by the praise I know is coming than by loving and serving Christ. That is a dangerous place to be.

At times like these I feel like Paul. My new self wants to give glory and honor to Christ, while the old desires itself to be glorified. It's a battle I can't win. It's also a battle that has already been won for me. Through the power of the Spirit, I can serve Christ well with pure motives. I can be seen by those around me without fear of my head swelling up with pride. Instead, I can rejoice because I know Christ is at work in me. He is molding me more into His image while gaining all the glory in the process.

persecution

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ~Matthew 5:10

Can you tell I have been going through the Sermon on the Mount? I have no idea whether or not my trip will face outright persecution. I know India is not always open to the gospel and those who preach it. There are countless stories of Christians experiencing a full range of attacks, some to the point of death. Part of me wrestles over this harsh reality. Regardless, this verse provides all the encouragement we should need when it comes to persecution.

At the very least, my presence will hopefully help those who are facing persecution to keep pushing forward. I cannot imagine the difficulty of going through each and every day expecting resistance and some aspect of aggression. It has to get tiring and discouraging. God promises, however, our struggles are not in vain. Whatever we are willing to lose in this life for the sake of Christ will only be added to the treasure we are to receive in heaven. As I head into my trip, I earnestly pray against persecution while recognizing it may be God's will for me to face it in some fashion. Either way, I hold before me the promise of God's Spirit to be with me, and the work I do in His name to further the kingdom.

light can't help but shine

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. ~Matthew 5:14

I love these two statements of Christ because of the matter-of-"factness" in which they are said. He doesn't encourage us to be a light or pray for us to desire it. He doesn't tell us to set ourselves up on a hill or stop hiding. Instead, He reiterates to all those who claim Him what they actually are: a light and a city.

A light will naturally shine. It can't help itself. As long as power is running through it, light will emit from it. It goes the same for those who are in Christ. Because of who He is, Christ can't help but shine. He is too wonderful, good, loving, holy (the list goes on) for people not to see Him. Therefore His people have no choice but to shine forth His glory. We can't help it. Of course there are days when the light is shaded by our failures and stumbles. This will continue as long we live in this fallen world. However, Christ shines nonetheless. We are the light because He is the light. It is impossible for us to separate ourselves from this.

A city naturally stands out from its surroundings. I can't think of a time where I accidentally stumbled upon a city. I always see it coming miles before I actually reach it. There are too many lights, tall buildings, and other wonders to see past them. Again, it is the same for those who are in Christ. Christ is the city. In the Old Testament there were cities that displayed the greatness of its rulers and those which provided a haven to those in need of protection. Christ represents both types. He is the physical display of the Father's glory, while being the refuge for those needing healing and rest. As ambassadors of Christ with His Spirit dwelling in us, we are those cities as well. We put God's glory on display by worshiping Him in all we do. We offer refuge to those in need by caring for all their needs. Of course there are days when our crime and corruption seem to dominate our city. This will continue until we are given our new bodies. However, we are still the city where Christ is King.

My trip to India is wrapped around my status as a light and a city. I pray all those who meet me will see Christ shining through me. As John the baptist said, "He must increase, but I must decrease." (3:30). He is going to shine regardless, but there is incredible blessings to be had when we let ourselves be the ones He is shining through.

Merry Christmas

She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.

~Luke 1:21

This has everything to do with my trip to India. God is going to save people according to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins through the power of the Holy Spirit. We celebrate His birth today knowing what it would eventually accomplish thirty years later on the cross and in an empty tomb. We are free from sin and members of the family of God.

Merry Christmas!

hurting

I rarely venture out to the stores this close to Christmas. I try to have my shopping done at least one week before because people can get very nasty and impatient as Christmas gets closer. Sadly enough I heard one person say they couldn't wait until the day was over because then it would be done with (what happens when we put all the focus on the gifts instead of the Gift we have already been given). Having said that, there is one reason why I don't mind a quick stop for a few items. It is nearly guaranteed that I will see at least one person I haven't seen in a long time at one of my stops. Today proved this concept true once again.

I ran into a former boss from my high school days. He could be a tough man at times, but there was always a sense of genuine concern about those working for him. After telling him my plans for this upcoming year (and beyond) I asked him how things were going for him. Immediately his demeanor changed to somber and sorrowful. As it turns out his wife has been struggling with stage 4 breast cancer for quite some time now. Life for his family has stopped altogether as they attempt to care for their sick wife/mother. I offered him what little encouragement I could, but promised to keep his wife in my prayers. He said he appreciated it, because she could definitely use them. My mom, who was with me, chimed in about praying for him too as he struggles with caring and remaining strong for the rest of his family members. At this the tears couldn't be held back any longer. My mom gave him a hug as we shook hands once more before we departed. I looked into his tear-soaked eyes, which screamed of intense pain and anguish over his wife's ailing health. My heart let out a prayer for this man searching for a glimmer of hope.

What does this have to do with India? I really did not think much of anything until I thought of the look in this man's eyes as we left. That same look will be present in the eyes of many of the children who will cross my path. There will be children abused, entrenched in an empty, hopeless belief system, sick, lost, and everything else imaginable. They will be looking for me to provide the hope they need to press on. I myself cannot provide it, but Jesus Christ can. This is what I will bring to them. It's really all I have to offer.

Personally, I don't know if I am ready for this. Last year I spent rides home in tears over the broken lives of my students. I didn't know how to comfort them aside from loving them in the Spirit. While that's enough, it still breaks my heart. I desire nothing more than to see the agony and brokenness relieved. I know for a fact that many of my own tears will be shed over the next two months. I am naturally a more emotional person who wears everything on his sleeve. My prayer is for strength and daily reminders of God's promises through the tough times. If they weigh heavily on my heart, then I will be able to impress them upon the hearts of the Indian children longing for Christ and all that He offers.

And may this Christmas season remind us to pray for those around us who are broken and hurting. Joy is not easily found regardless of the season when our world around us lies in chaos. It only comes as we celebrate Christ's coming to redeem our world of chaos through His sacrifice on the cross and resurrection three days later. Here in lies the hope we have not only for this life, but also the one to come.

2 weeks...

...from now I will be on a plane heading for India (with a small stop in London). I am excited beyond words about what God is going to do over the next couple of months. As a build up I thought about posting every day until I leave in regards to some aspect of my trip. At this point, I have no idea if I have enough material to do this. But you can't ever know unless you try, so here goes nothing.

To prepare for this trip I was given a document filled with various bits of information about the country, its culture, and its people. One section briefly discussed Gandhi given his prophet-like status in the country. A Christian missionary once asked Gandhi how the gospel of Jesus Christ could spread into a country so heavily dominated by Hinduism. His response was as followed,

"...I would suggest you study the non Christian religions and cultures more sympathetically in order to find the good that is in them, so that you might have a more sympathetic approach to the people."

While this response has flaws in it, the principle behind it is one for any Christian seeking to reach people with the gospel. More often than not our witnessing attempts lack sympathy. We think people are crazy for believing the things they do. Sometimes we judge or look down on them because our minds can't wrap themselves around why anyone would believe a particular thing. Atheists, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, agnostics, Mormons (the list goes on) are not nut-jobs in need of medication. They are sinners in need of God's saving grace. Sympathizing with them doesn't mean agreeing with people or accepting their belief as "working" for them. What it does entail is listening and responding with compassion. We try to understand where they are coming from, what they are looking for, and then shed light on how the gospel applies. Basically, we need to use our ears and minds before we use our mouths.

I am not an expert, but I have spent time researching Hinduism. It is a very complex religion with heavy emphasis on family and works. These things are not bad in and of themselves. Christians also place high value on family (both physical and spiritual) and works (as evidence, not the basis, for our salvation. It is aspects such as these which provide a window into which the gospel can be woven. We can take what is noteworthy and explain how the gospel can redeem it for God's glory and our good. Our approach will seem less bombarding and more compassionate. Our listeners will see our love and desire for people and not proving ourselves correct.

con carne

For my Spanish speaking readers my title is fairly easy to interpret. "Con" means with while "carne" means meat. Put them together, and the title of my post is "with meat." Why? Good question.

When speaking about the Incarnation of Christ pastor Mark Driscoll would always use chili as his reference point. He would make a joke about chili isn't quite as wonderful without meat. Therefore he would use the phrase "con carne" to simplify the miracle of Christ taking on flesh while retaining His divinity. Just like chili with meat is still chili only with something added on.

The Incarnation of Christ is the reason why Christmas is in the top three of Christian holidays. The Incarnation must be a reality in order for Good Friday and Easter to have any significance (which is the same for the others as well. We can't have one without the rest). The other day I read Packer's chapter about the wonderful mystery of the Incarnation. Given the time of year, I enjoyed it even more. It was a pleasant reminder of the full weight of that Christmas morning roughly 2,000 years ago.

As Packer put it, nothing in fiction is so fantastic as is this truth of the Incarnation. Reflecting on the full scope of the Incarnation does reveal something utterly fantastic. There aren't words or thoughts that can be used to capture the full magnitude of it, but our worship should be all the more joyous because of it. God entered into time as a human, leaving the glory and honor constantly surrounding Him in heaven. He came to be the perfect sacrificial Lamb in full submission to the Father's will. Through Him God is glorified, His name vindicated, and our sin atoned for. I am confident no writer could construe a story as wonderful as this.

Another reason Packer gives for its wonderfulness is its incomprehensible nature. The Incarnation makes every other truth about Christ believable. Because God becoming a man, yet remaining God, is such an outrageous concept all the other mysteries can make sense. In Packer's words, Once we grant that Jesus was divine, it becomes unreasonable to find difficulty in any of this (atonement, resurrection, miracles, etc); it is all of a piece and hangs together completely. The Incarnation is in itself an unfathomable mystery, but it makes sense of everything else that the New Testament contains.

Simply put, this is the time of year when we celebrate the unfathomable. And this unfathomable mystery proves to be a wonderful display of grace.

take with a grain of salt

Typically, my ramblings on the sports world aren't found here. If you are really interested in my point of view then tap into the phone conversations between my brother and I. They are a real treat. Secretly we dreamed on doing sports radio together, but thus far our dream is yet to become a reality. We can't find anyone that interested in listening to our musings about everything sports. I think they'll come around eventually.

The real point I wanted to make today revolved around the Phillies signing of Cliff Lee. As a lifelong (only 24 years compared to my dad) Phillies fan, I spent a good part of today rationalizing the signing and giggling like a boy at the thought of a Halladay, Lee, Oswalt, and Hamels rotation. From a baseball perspective, it's borderline inconceivable. Philadelphia is not supposed to experience this kind of euphoria from their teams, especially the Phillies.

As I listened to sports radio at work, I kept hearing about Lee leaving money "on the table" in order to return to the Phillies. To be fair, he is making $120 million over the next 5 or 6 years. There is no threat to his overall well being by taking "less" money. However, I still give the guy credit.

Not many athletes will sacrifice money for anything, even winning. Yesterday's athletes might have, but not today's. They are too pampered, glorified, and, even, worshiped to say no when someone "shows them the money!" (see Jason Werth for an example) Lee chose to head to a place where he could use his very skilled talents to help a team win. He didn't want a stage where everyone could see him. While this will inevitably happen, the guy simply wants to play with a group of players dedicated to winning. I see nothing wrong with that. In the today's world of sports, I actually find it somewhat respectable. It is a breath of fresh air, if you will, in this stale, self-glorifying microcosm of society.

what did he say?

I was absent from my home church this morning due to my niece's baptism. In the sermon the phrase "put the 'Herod' back in Christmas" ushered from the lips of God's servant. My ears perked up almost instantly.

Typically we hear people talking about putting Christ back into Christmas instead of "replacing" Him with a subtle X. (Personally I see no problem with the X because long before people used it to "remove" Christ, X was understood to be an abbreviation for "chi," which stands for Christ in Greek. The X simply made copying easier for the scribes in the olden days. I actually find the use of the X in today's culture to be rather ironic. God must chuckle when we do things like this with the mindset that somehow we have finally fooled Him. Ah, the foolishness of man.) Anyways, putting Herod back into Christmas seems awfully close to heresy or some other gross error. He was a wicked tyrant who killed multiple members of his own family in order to preserve his kingship. Why would a tyrant be an important piece to remember in the Christmas story (and the redemption story at that)?

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. ~Isaiah 9:6-7

One sentence interpretation: Jesus Christ came, lived, left, and will come again as King, the only King. Matthew tells us that Herod knew this. He decision to put to death all males born in Bethlehem was a reaction of terror and fear. He feared the One "born king of the Jews." This King would overthrow Herod before Herod knew what hit him. Obviously, Jesus did not lead a revolt against the established authority, but He did something much greater. He life, death, and resurrection placed Him as King over all of creation once and for all, subsequently declaring every earthly authority utterly powerless against Him.

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ~Philippians 2:9-11

This King is the one born to a virgin and placed in an animal's feeding trough. To an extent our reaction should equal Herod's. Our hearts should tremble at the coming of this King. He may seem weak, but the Bible is clear about His absolute sovereignty over all creation (see Colossians 1:15-20). This includes the lives of both those who submit and rebel against Him. For those who submit, how much of your life do you allow Christ to reign over, all or parts? He's not a King who shares authority, but demands all of it. He is deserves that much considering who He is AND all that He has done for His rebellious people. For those who rebel, would you rather submit to His Kingship now or when you have no other choice? As stated by Paul in the above passage, all will recognize His Kingship. It's simply a matter of when.

So in this Christmas season, let us rejoice that Immanuel (God with us) has come. We no longer must live under the yoke of sin and slavery. Let us also confess where Christ is not King in our hearts and start living as if He was. Then let us rejoice because His Kingdom is forever, and He is a good, gracious, and loving King.

an early Christmas present

I received a present in the mail from a friend I made over the course of last school year. This particular gentlemen is a retired educator who spent last year as a volunteer in my classroom. His original purpose was to aid in whatever ways I needed throughout the day. By the end of the year, he was running small groups or working one-on-one with students who needed some extra help and attention. As rigorous as last year was, his presence made the days easier, if even by only a small margin.

As the year progressed, his activity picked up as well as his pen. He would document various episodes which occurred (both good and bad), type them up, and give them for me to read over. I think he wanted me to read it for pleasure, but I liked to use them as an informal observation of how I handled things in my classroom, both positively and negatively. Sometimes I would come away challenged, while others times encouraged by my progress. It was another unexpected blessing God gave me as I labored through each day.

Well, my friend decided to take all his documents and transpose them into a memoir of sorts. I believe his hope was to aid educators near and far by providing a glimpse into a specific classroom. The final result is roughly 150 pages of the journey my students and I went on last year. Some of the chapters revolved around my interactions with them, while others are more isolated to particular students. I am looking forward to bringing this book along with my to India as a pleasant stroll down one of the hardest years of my life (to this point).

If you would like to borrow it at some point, I can lend it out. If you would like to purchase it for yourself (yup, I figured I would help him advertise) look for The Village of Poe by Clifton Dwight Edwards. Hopefully, it can be a blessing to all who read it. I know it will be one for me.

the study of God

(from the preface to Knowing God by J.I. Packer)

...ignorance of God-ignorance both of his ways and of the practice of communion with him-lies at the root of much of the church's weaknesses today (p.12).

(and his one-sentence solution)

The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls Father (p.17)

Where am I ignorant, indifferent, or simply uninterested when it comes to God?

bear witness

On this, the 2nd week of the advent season, portions of John 1 were read to remind us of John the Baptist's involvement in the coming of Christ. A verse I read maybe hundreds of times over jumped out at me as I listened this morning.

He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. ~John 1:8

John had one purpose during the time gifted him by God: bear witness to Christ. He wasn't there to start a revolution or gain a following. His very words to the religious folk around him was a testament to that truth.

I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, "Make straight the way of the Lord" ~John 1:23

What jumped out at me was my general attitude towards my purpose as a follower of Christ. Jesus does tell His followers that they are "the light of the world." We are called to let our light shine to those around us so they "may see our good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Unfortunately, my pride tends to place me in the position of the source of that light. I think I am the one who is shining instead of the indwelling Spirit. I need an attitude like that of John the Baptist.

I am expected to bear witness to the light. When it is faithfully shining through me, I give the credit to the Spirit for I know what I am capable of in my own strength. I don't shine forth in order to hear the praises of men or ignite a cause to take the world by storm. I shine to glorify the name of Jesus Christ. I shine to see Him gain the praises of men and take this world by storm.

here comes the bride

I have the privilege and blessing to be a part of the wedding celebration for a close friend this weekend. Tonight is the rehearsal with the actual ceremony being tomorrow afternoon. I used to be impartial to weddings. I knew I would enjoy celebrating, but I never had much anticipation heading into them (besides when the couple was family and/or close friends). Now I look forward to each and every one I get to be involved in, whether as a member of the bridal party or one of the guests. Some of it has to do with the couple, but most of it centers around the beautiful picture of what awaits those who are in Christ Jesus.

"Hallelujah!

For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.

Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory,

for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;

it was granted to her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure..."

And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb."

~Revelation 19:6-9

One day the Bride of Christ (the Church) will finally be ready for her wedding day. Until then, we continue to make ourselves ready by working out our salvation through the power of the Spirit. On that day, we will be in full reality what we already are (because of Jesus Christ) before the throne of God: bright and pure. All of our imperfections will be removed completely. We will be the immaculate bride dressed in white. Our groom will be Jesus Christ ready to usher us into His presence for all of eternity.

Weddings on earth provide a glimpse into our hope. We see the establishment of an everlasting covenant, joyful celebrating, reuniting with friends from long ago, worshiping of God, the presentation of a bride, and so much more. It should cause us to sit on the edge of seats and long for the day when we will be united forever with our Groom who gave Himself up for us.

new and improved

I got sick of the design for my blog. It was a bit dull and unattractive. Unfortunately, my colorblindness limits my creativity, but this should suffice. The background picture is one I took in Utah. It is the dry ground right before the rain. I loved the exposed earth with veins spreading everywhere. Then, when the rain comes the earth soaks it in with every ounce of strength it has left.

I want that depiction to be my view towards Christ. I am the dry, rain deprived earth. Regardless of how often I am spending intimate time with Him, I always want room for more. Given my upcoming winter plans (and every day for the rest of my life), I pray what David prayed in Psalm 63 everyday.

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.