what is He doing?

Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do... It is as I told Pharaoh; God has shown to Pharaoh what he is about to do. ~Genesis 41:25, 28

I find it interesting that Joseph was the one who spoke these words to Pharaoh. And it isn't because he was a young Hebrew fresh out of prison on a falsified rape charge. I even wonder if Joseph struggled or wrestled inwardly as the words flowed out of his mouth. Obviously, the Bible doesn't speak to this, and I do not have the liberty to insert whatever I feel like inserting. But it doesn't mean I can't glean insights from the circumstances facing Joseph.

Throughout his story, Joseph had no clue what God was doing. He saw himself favored by his father, hated by his brothers, sold into slavery, put in charge of an Egyptian household, falsely accused of rape, thrown, governing, and forgotten in prison, and standing before the throne of Pharaoh. And on that occasion, Joseph was used to reveal God's exact plan for Pharaoh and his country.

Again, if I were Joseph, this would have floored me. I, a God-fearing Hebrew, endured hell on earth with only a dream when I was younger providing any sort of glimpse into my future. But Pharaoh, an idol worshiping, self-deified ruler, gets God's fourteen-year blueprint. What's worse is that this blueprint leads to the further prosperity of a nation bent on rebellion against God. Huh?

But in this we catch a glimpse into the character of God. He does know all things. He was not absent during Joseph's nightmare of an early life. In fact, the phrase the Lord was with Joseph is frequently noted through this narrative showing God's hand actively working. But God never decided to clue Joseph in on exactly what He was doing. Instead, Joseph had to trust in God and rely upon Him.

This trust was no different than what God called Pharaoh to do. Pharaoh could have scoffed at Joseph's interpretation and went about his business as ruler over Egypt. Instead, he trusted in the Word of God and relied upon the wisdom of God given through Joseph. He listened and obeyed the clear directions given him. Joseph listened and obeyed despite not having any clear directions to follow. We are called to do the same.

And the entire story of Joseph points to Christ who listened and perfectly obeyed the will of God with the end always in mind. He faced a similar, yet greater, hell (favored by His Father, hated by His brothers, falsely accused, rejected), and this eventually led to His crucifixion at the hands of His enemies. But through it all, Jesus entrusted Himself to God as Judge (1 Peter 3) and remained obedient regardless of what it meant for Him.

And this means salvation for all who trust in Him!

Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken

This hymn is rarely sung (at least in my experience). It's one of the many gems hidden in the pages of hymnbooks. It stands opposed to the leisurely, comfortable faith running rampant through much of Western Christianity (and I throw myself into this mix). It acknowledges the truth about the cost in following Christ along with the inexpressible joy found in Him. It challenges the way I like to view struggles and hardships.

Do I expect them or simply get angry when they arise?

Do I allow them to draw me closer to my Savior or use them as an excuse to run away?

Can I see how God is using them to teach me and destroy my inner man?

Am I willing to faithfully labor through this life knowing what awaits me in the end?

Is Christ more valuable to me than all the comfort, ease, and pleasures of this world?

Jesus, I my cross have taken,
All to leave and follow Thee.
Destitute, despised, forsaken,
Thou from hence my all shall be
Perish every fond ambition,
All I’ve sought or hoped or known.
Yet how rich is my condition!
God and heaven are still my own.

Let the world despise and leave me,
They have left my Savior, too.
Human hearts and looks deceive me;
Thou art not, like them, untrue.
O while Thou dost smile upon me,
God of wisdom, love, and might,
Foes may hate and friends disown me,
Show Thy face and all is bright.

Man may trouble and distress me,
’Twill but drive me to Thy breast.
Life with trials hard may press me;
Heaven will bring me sweeter rest.
Oh, ’tis not in grief to harm me
While Thy love is left to me;
Oh, ’twere not in joy to charm me,
Were that joy unmixed with Thee.

Go, then, earthly fame and treasure,
Come disaster, scorn and pain
In Thy service, pain is pleasure,
With Thy favor, loss is gain
I have called Thee Abba Father,
I have stayed my heart on Thee
Storms may howl, and clouds may gather;
All must work for good to me.

Soul, then know thy full salvation
Rise o’er sin and fear and care
Joy to find in every station,
Something still to do or bear.
Think what Spirit dwells within thee,
Think what Father’s smiles are thine,
Think that Jesus died to win thee,
Child of heaven, canst thou repine.

Haste thee on from grace to glory,
Armed by faith, and winged by prayer.
Heaven’s eternal days before thee,
God’s own hand shall guide us there.
Soon shall close thy earthly mission,
Soon shall pass thy pilgrim days,
Hope shall change to glad fruition,
Faith to sight, and prayer to praise.

everyone knows it

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. ~John 3:16

Quite possibly the first verse any church-raised child memorizes, John 3:16 has made a surge over recent weeks. First, there was the unexpected victory by the Denver Broncos, led by the apologetically faith-driven Tim Tebow, over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first week of the NFL playoffs. What does that football game have to do with John 3:16? Technically, nothing at all.

However, as people dove into Tebow's stats (316 yards on 10 completions for an average of 31.6 yards per catch) it was hard not to draw some sort of connection. Also, Tebow used to place tape under in eyes with John 3:16 written on the tape throughout his college career. He wanted to continue in the NFL, but the No-Fun-League wouldn't have any of it. But as a result of all of that, John 3:16 was the top search for Google the following day. People wanted to know what the big deal was.

On top of that, John 3:16 received an entire commercial during the Patriots-Broncos game this past Saturday, thanks to Focus on the Family. If you haven't seen the commercial, check it out.

It's nothing fancy, just a handful of adorable kids reciting God's Word. I smiled while I watched it. More importantly than the cute kids, the gospel of Jesus Christ filtered into millions of households across the nation, possibly even the world. Best use of a thirty-second commercial ever!

As a result of all this attention (mainly from the commercial), the interwebs have been ablaze with a variety of responses. I read a petition from an interest group trying to force CBS to issue an apology for allowing a "hate group" to advertise on public television. (I am going to refrain from responding for a variety of reasons and allow you to find the multiple points of humor in that statement). I also read comments declaring a major turning of the tide in regards to Christianity and the media. (And while I pray that would happen, I will simply rejoice in the fact that God's Word was clearly heard by millions).

Even with all that, the dual reality remains: the world does not like Jesus or His followers, but His followers are still called to declare the gospel (John 15:18-27). We can rejoice when God's Word takes center stage in the public sphere. However, we can also expect resistance and anger when it does. Regardless, we should not stop trying to see the gospel engage and transform culture, but neither should we look for anyone else to do the work in our place.

Jesus and religion

The interwebs have exploded over the video I have included below. And by exploded I mean over 3 millions hits on YouTube as of 10:45 PM Thursday night. Considering I've been on here for nearly three years and barely topped 12,000 hits (but who's counting), it's pretty incredible how popular this video has become in roughly 48 hours. And in all honesty, if this is the material people are drinking up over the internet I am in full support.

If I could make one point of critique it would be saying that Jesus and religion are on opposite sides of the spectrum. Christianity is a religion for it upholds a set beliefs which frame a particular worldview (my apologetics class at work right there). However, it is unlike any other religion because God is the author. Additionally, Christianity (as the poem rightly expresses) is the story of God seeking out man when religion focuses on how man can find God. Again the poem is clear that Jesus did everything in order to bring man to God. There is nothing left for man to achieve and strive for in order to earn God's favor and love. Jesus accomplished that for us on the cross when He shouted It is finished!

This is where I greatly appreciate the poem. For while Christianity is a religion entirely different from all the others, Christians often live life as though they are no different from every other religion: trying to earn God through means of good works and correct doctrine. Then they demand the same from everyone else. And I believe this is the heart attitude this poem is battling against. It is the same heart attitude of the Pharisees whom Jesus so strongly opposed.

If grace is water, then the church should be an ocean.
It's not a museum for good people, it's a hospital for the broken


At first this sounds like a cheesy rhyme to move the poem along. However, it's the ever-present reality facing our churches. We tend to be deserts more than oceans of God's grace. And it's because we refuse to give up our sinful desire to somehow merit God's grace. We don't extend grace, because, more often than not, we fail to love God's grace. It hasn't consumed us to the point where it becomes the means by which we operate. I love how Jefferson's poem maligned again and again the facade of perfection Christians like to display.

I know this facade in my own life. I want people to think I have it all together. I want to be strong and capable. That way people will "undoubtedly" know I am a Christian. I dare not show any of my weaknesses otherwise people might find out I am human. But this neglects the fact that I am completely human and, therefore, consumed by weakness. And my weaknesses are what make God's grace all the more amazing.

His grace covers over all my weaknesses. His grace is extended despite my weakness. His grace allows me, an utterly broken person, to minister through my weakness. His grace allows others, just as broken as me, to minister to me. As a Christian, I am not saved because I am strong. I am saved because I am exhaustively weak. If I were strong, God's grace would have no place in my life. But because I am weak, God's grace is what saves and sustains me each and every moment of each and every day.

For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. ~John 1:16

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ~Ephesians 2:8-9

what was I doing one year ago?

...enjoying the scenery

...taking in the rice harvest

 ...playing some dodgeball

...meeting new friends

 ...celebrating the work of the gospel of Jesus Christ

It's hard to believe it has already been a year. The team I served with already completed one camp with two more scheduled over the next week and a half. Part of me is jealous I cannot be there with them.

But I am excited to hear how God continues to bring more and more Indian children into His family through the faithful proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. ~2 Corinthians 4:5

becoming clean

Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? There is not one. ~Job 14:4

Job stated this as part of his lament over the frailty of human life. As was the theme of his complaint, Job recognized his own failings, but did not attribute them as the reason for his distress. He understood there to be something far deeper going on behind the scenes. He would never find out what it was, but God reminded him that he didn't need to know.

But Job's statement highlights the chief problem facing humanity. We are unclean, and there is no way for anything clean to come from us. There is nothing we can do. We are without hope.

And Job's declaration reminds me of a wonderful hymn I wish we sang more often than we do. It played on my Ipod yesterday, and it declares the hopelessness of man is done away with by the blood of Jesus Christ.

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing, this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.


Oh! Precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus. (Robert Lowry, 1876)

respond in worship

The chronological reading plan I am following broke the traditional reading real quick. After three days reading through the first eleven chapters of Genesis, I embarked upon the book of Job. I was surprised until I remembered that Job is probably the oldest story and the first full book of the Bible which was written. It's been pleasant to read the book knowing Job lived before Abraham. We get a picture of God's relationship with man prior to the forming of His covenant with Abraham. He shows Himself to be the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

The book of Job has been a frequent topic of study for me throughout the years. I have delved into it during my devotions as a kid, in a youth Bible study, again in personal devotions, in a college Bible study, and many other times in sermons and other lessons. Therefore I can fall into the trap of believing I have exhausted what it has to offer me. Thankfully, God's Word continues to proves that I will never reach its depths, but continue to mine its surface as long as I live.

After Job has messenger after messenger deliver terrible news which culminates in the loss of all his children, Job responds in the following way;


Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. ~Job 1:20 ESV

The first four (rising, tearing, shaving, falling) are exactly how I would react. I might not shave, but I would more than likely take on some physical sign to show my level of anguish. I love these because they show the full scope of pain we will experience in this life. Job is identified as a righteous man who feared God. However, righteous men are not exempt from grief and sorrow. Job didn't mask or ignore the immense torture within his soul. He fully embraced it as any human being would. Godly men (and women) are allowed to grieve over the hurt they face day in and day out. Christ did the same throughout His ministry, and, finally, as the cross stood before Him. Grief is not unbecoming of a child of God.

But where Job succeeds, we (or least I) often fail. Job beautifully worshiped out of his soul's anguish. His grieving did not turn him bitter and angry toward God. It moved him to praise. Obviously, this is a testament to God's grace at work in his broken heart. And while the Bible doesn't say exactly how he worshiped (song, prayer, silence, fasting, etc.) it does give us a glimpse.


And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” ~Job 1:21

I absolutely love this. It shows even in the midst of our deepest despair, we can worship. In fact, the means by which we grieve can be an act of worship. The two do not have to be kept separate. Our tears and sorrow can draw us to our heavenly Father in a posture of worship. We don't not have to try and put it altogether before we can approach Him. This completely changes the manner in which we grieve. It doesn't diminish the pain we are experiencing, but embraces the hope that still exists. It's not easy, but as Job found out, with God's grace we can still be faithful to God.

reading plan

For 2012 I have decided to follow a Bible reading plan which will take me through the entire Bible in one calendar year. I've known about them for a while, but never embarked upon one for a variety of reasons. This year I figured I had no reason why reading through the Bible would not be an attainable and beneficial aim. Anyways, the particular plan I started works through the Bible in chronological order. It's not vastly different from simply reading straight through, but it will be fun to read nonetheless.

Only three days in, I've read the first eleven chapters of Genesis. And reading them in order has been blessing already. It's not that I have found anything new or earth shattering, but I have found God still speaking through them thousands of years later and (possibly) hundreds of occurrences later in my own life.

Over the course of eleven chapters, I am once again reminded of the engaging nature of our God. Not once have any of the biblical characters been the ones to initiate relationship with God. It has always been God establishing relationship with His people.

In Genesis 1 & 2, God initiates all life through the means of creation. He creates the ability for life to exist, and then life itself out of nothing. Furthermore, He creates man in His image and communes with them as one does a close friend. Genesis 3 & 4 both show how God pursues His people even when they rebel against Him. He searches for Adam and Eve who hide after bringing sin into the world, and then He searches out Cain after bloodshed is introduced. And in both cases we see clear displays of God's grace by sparing lives and promising redemption.

Genesis 5 reveals God's hand at work in growing the descendants of Adam through Noah. Then in Genesis 6, the Bible makes it painstakingly clear that all the image bearers on earth want nothing to do with Him. They grow more and more wicked throughout the generation with no sense of remorse. And once again God engages with His creation by bringing about the flood, but graciously sparring one man, Noah, who was no more worthy then anyone else wondering the earth. Genesis 7 through 10 show the account of God's saving grace in the life of Noah followed by His establishing an eternal covenant with Him based solely upon the grace of God.

Genesis 11 demonstrates the corrupt nature of mankind in the face of God's constant grace. And in the midst of man's corruption, God once again steps down to engage His people and save them from themselves by confusing their language. And all of this sets the stage for God calling out Abram through whom God would thousands of years later step in and engage all of humanity in the person of Jesus Christ.

I praise God everyday for how He continually engages me even when I am not looking for or expecting Him. I praise Him when He reminds me of this simple truth throughout the pages of His Word.

a new year

Early last month I downloaded Matt Wertz's album, Twenty Three Places, free from Noise Trade. For those unaware, Noise Trade is a legal site where you can download select artists for not cost. You can make a donation if you feel led, but the only real requirement is to advertise for Noise Trade on some sort of social media. I consider it a small price to pay for downloading free music without breaking the law. They have a variety of different styles and artists, many of whom are trying to make their way in the music industry. Feel free to check out Noise Trade for yourself.

Anyway one particular song of Matt Wertz's album is entitled All I Know. Give it a listen.

I find this song a fitting start for the new year. In 2011, God saw fit for me to begin my seminary education. Lord willing, 2012 will see the continuation of my education along with a number of other unknowns. Over the course of my first year I have found it to be somewhat difficult to keep the focus of my studies in the proper perspective. I lose sight of the fact that I am studying for the sole purpose of growing in my knowledge and love of God. Out of that growth, God will hopefully use me to better serve Him and others for the sake of the gospel.

Having said that, I also have a tendency to forget that what I already do know and love is enough for me to serve God and others now. I can grow frustrated when I feel as though I am not learning enough or growing at the rate I desire. I appreciate the words expressed in this song, because it calls me to remember what exactly it is that I know. My own sin and pain are not shocking, but God's continued outpouring of grace and healing continually are. And I pray what God has done (and still does) for me will be enough each day for me to press on.

Matt Wertz's song is a humble confession to press on in understanding the great complexities of our God. It expresses a yearning for more of Him. And yet it does so while acknowledging there is a great deal about God that we will never understand. Therefore, I treasure and value what God has made known to me, praise Him for what I still don't know, and trust that He will fill me in with more as He sees fit.