It's almost like a scene out of the movie Titanic: a massive ship is sinking and countless bodies are flailing their limbs as they struggle to survive in freezing dark waters. A handful of rescue boats miraculously appear out of nowhere; there is plenty of space on each boat, but time is limited and so is the number of rescue crew members. Now imagine this: I am one of the fortunate few to immediately get scooped up, and somehow, my physical recovery is instantaneous. How much sense, then, would it make for me to proceed to enjoy the amenities of my newly boarded (let's say extravagant) vessel when manpower is specifically required to pull in more of the drowning souls? None! No sense whatsoever! I would imagine that if the Captain of the ship came by and saw me (healthy and able) sipping tea and relaxing while people were suffering and dying, He wouldn't be very pleased. Think hard about this--and on more than one occasion.*
When I was being saved, there was no discussion as to whether I would, in turn, help out in rescuing other people. It wasn't even a conscious thought, not a wonder of any sort among the Captain or crew. The rescue workers were reacting to the Need and it was naturally assumed that I would respond in the same manner.
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* plank in my eye, too
Monday, November 22, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Squirrels
Daughter: Why is that squirrel chasing the other squirrel?
Dad: Because he loves her.
Daughter: Why is the other squirrel running away?
Dad: Because she's scared.
Dad: Because he loves her.
Daughter: Why is the other squirrel running away?
Dad: Because she's scared.
Scene from the movie New York, I Love You
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Sunday, October 31, 2010
Just Sometimes
Just sometimes, the most loving thing you can do is keep your mouth shut...
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Friday, October 29, 2010
Sufficient
How is the LORD more glorified:
(1) God granting a gift or a straight path,
and then me responding with a thanks
(however sincere it may be), or
(2) me not receiving anything brand new,
being satisfied with what Jesus has already done,
and then me responding with everything that I have
(however little it may be)?
In how the question is framed, the favored answer is pretty clear. The point, however, is that maybe God doesn't act (outwardly and obvious at least) as much as we'd like Him to because He's already given us the free will to make choices that are, by definition, not dictated by divine automation or personal circumstance.
Free will to hold on because of hope, let go because of Trust,
hate because it's easy, love even if it hurts*.
Free will to endure, persevere... be teachable.
Free will to be miserable.
Free will to be happy.
Free will to boldly look like a fool or project an untouchable façade.
Free will to speak out, remain silent, whine, complain, shut up, just do it.
Free will to be gentle.
Free will to be disobedient, have my own way.
Free will to do any verb under the sun.
Free will to give action-based thanks.
Free will to give Character-based glory.
Man, we have a lot of freedom!
God has already made His Move--the only thing that matters--and now the ball is in our court. He doesn't need to prove Himself for there is no higher authority. He doesn't need to do anything else for His grace is sufficient (2Corinthians 12:9-10); His character, established. The choices we make may be right, wrong, good or bad, but they are ours to make and we are responsible nonetheless.**
Though frequently subtle, there is a difference between reacting and choosing. Don't let the moment push you around; hit the brakes and throw some consciousness into it. But also, don't always wait around for something to happen before making a move. Use your God-given freedom, man!
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* By hurt, I don't mean abusive.
** A few weeks ago, I was browsing in the book store and picked up Changes That Heal by Henry Cloud. I read a random chapter out of it and the gist of the takeaway is this: (1) boundaries shape a person, and (2) we are responsible for our own actions, emotions, and attitudes. The author illustrates with The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16).
_____________________________________________
(1) God granting a gift or a straight path,
and then me responding with a thanks
(however sincere it may be), or
(2) me not receiving anything brand new,
being satisfied with what Jesus has already done,
and then me responding with everything that I have
(however little it may be)?
In how the question is framed, the favored answer is pretty clear. The point, however, is that maybe God doesn't act (outwardly and obvious at least) as much as we'd like Him to because He's already given us the free will to make choices that are, by definition, not dictated by divine automation or personal circumstance.
Free will to hold on because of hope, let go because of Trust,
hate because it's easy, love even if it hurts*.
Free will to endure, persevere... be teachable.
Free will to be miserable.
Free will to be happy.
Free will to boldly look like a fool or project an untouchable façade.
Free will to speak out, remain silent, whine, complain, shut up, just do it.
Free will to be gentle.
Free will to be disobedient, have my own way.
Free will to do any verb under the sun.
Free will to give action-based thanks.
Free will to give Character-based glory.
Man, we have a lot of freedom!
God has already made His Move--the only thing that matters--and now the ball is in our court. He doesn't need to prove Himself for there is no higher authority. He doesn't need to do anything else for His grace is sufficient (2Corinthians 12:9-10); His character, established. The choices we make may be right, wrong, good or bad, but they are ours to make and we are responsible nonetheless.**
Though frequently subtle, there is a difference between reacting and choosing. Don't let the moment push you around; hit the brakes and throw some consciousness into it. But also, don't always wait around for something to happen before making a move. Use your God-given freedom, man!
_____________________________________________
* By hurt, I don't mean abusive.
** A few weeks ago, I was browsing in the book store and picked up Changes That Heal by Henry Cloud. I read a random chapter out of it and the gist of the takeaway is this: (1) boundaries shape a person, and (2) we are responsible for our own actions, emotions, and attitudes. The author illustrates with The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16).
_____________________________________________
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Dear Family,
I have something real important that I need to share, something that I desperately plead for you to hear. You may readily dismiss this as something of actual urgency, or even worse, believe that it is foolishness and none of your concern altogether. But I tell you, it weighs heavily on my soul; I am grieved and terrified over how you might respond. There is a terribly reality that exists for millions upon millions of people, a dreadful thing that I do not wish upon any person let alone those I love. And that is why I write to you now--with urgency--and despite potential rejection and ridicule.
For virtually everyone who lives in America, the name of Jesus is well-known, though the reality is that many do not know the person of Jesus of the Bible. The majority of American church-goers, in particular, would probably shut off right about now, but please... don't. It is the most important message you will ever hear. It is the only thing that matters.
Do not be deceived: heaven is not the default destination, and merely going to church (no matter how frequent) does not generate salvation.**
Hell is real... Hell is forever... and after ten billion trillion years, those in hell will scream saying, "I WANT TO DIE! I WANT TO DIE!" That's all. Not even for a drop of water. They just want to die. And the answer comes again and again and again: "You shall never die, you will never die." That is the fate of multiplied billions on planet Earth. [K.P. Yohannan]
Stay with me, please. And if your experience with God ends within the walls of a church building, then first forget what you think you know before reading the rest of this message.
This is the reality about humanity. We are each born with an evil, God-hating heart. Genesis 8:21 says that every inclination of man's heart is evil from childhood... we are slaves to sin... we can't even see Christ because of the depth of our spiritual blindness. The Bible describes us as enemies of God and objects of His wrath. We are spiritually dead and eternally separated from God... no man who is a slave can set Himself free, no woman who is blind can give herself sight, no one who is an object of wrath can appease that wrath, and no person who is dead can cause himself to come to life. We can't manufacture salvation... we can't produce it. We can't even initiate it. God has to open our eyes, set us free, overcome our evil, and appease His wrath. He has to come to us. [David Platt in Radical]
Keep in mind that no matter how moral we believe ourselves to be, that so-called goodness doesn't even come close to registering before Holy God.
Why was [Jesus] trembling in the garden, weeping and full of anguish? We can rest assured that He was not a coward about to face Roman soldiers. Instead He was a Savior about to endure divine wrath. Listen to His words: "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me." The "cup" is not a reference to a wooden cross; it is a reference to divine judgment. It is the cup of God's wrath. This is what Jesus is recoiling from in the garden. All God's holy wrath and hatred toward sin and sinners, stored up since the beginning of the world, is about to be poured out on Him, and He is sweating blood at the thought of it.
What happened at the Cross was not primarily about nails being thrust into Jesus' hands and feet but about the wrath due your sin and my sin being thrust upon His soul. In that holy moment, all the righteous wrath and justice of God due us came rushing down like a torrent on Christ Himself.
One preacher described it as if you and I were standing a short hundred yards away from a dam of water ten thousand miles high and ten thousand miles wide. All of a sudden that dam was breached, and a torrential flood of water came crashing toward us. Right before it reached our feet, the ground in front of us opened up and swallowed it all. At the Cross, Christ drank the full cup of the wrath of God, and when He had downed the last drop, He turned the cup over and cried out, "It is finished." This is the Gospel.
We have taken the infinitely glorious Son of God, who endured the infinitely terrible wrath of God and who now reigns as the infinitely worthy LORD of all, and we have reduced Him to a poor, puny Savior who is just begging for us to accept Him. Accept Him? Do we really think Jesus needs our acceptance? Don't we need Him? [David Platt in Radical]
So, I plead with you: do not harden your hearts, let yourself be shaken, seek God, and pray for faith; don't simply go through the motions, pray for a relationship with Jesus... just as I pray for you, all the time.
Love,
J
_____________________________________________
** Matthew 7:21-23
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
For virtually everyone who lives in America, the name of Jesus is well-known, though the reality is that many do not know the person of Jesus of the Bible. The majority of American church-goers, in particular, would probably shut off right about now, but please... don't. It is the most important message you will ever hear. It is the only thing that matters.
Do not be deceived: heaven is not the default destination, and merely going to church (no matter how frequent) does not generate salvation.**
Hell is real... Hell is forever... and after ten billion trillion years, those in hell will scream saying, "I WANT TO DIE! I WANT TO DIE!" That's all. Not even for a drop of water. They just want to die. And the answer comes again and again and again: "You shall never die, you will never die." That is the fate of multiplied billions on planet Earth. [K.P. Yohannan]
Stay with me, please. And if your experience with God ends within the walls of a church building, then first forget what you think you know before reading the rest of this message.
This is the reality about humanity. We are each born with an evil, God-hating heart. Genesis 8:21 says that every inclination of man's heart is evil from childhood... we are slaves to sin... we can't even see Christ because of the depth of our spiritual blindness. The Bible describes us as enemies of God and objects of His wrath. We are spiritually dead and eternally separated from God... no man who is a slave can set Himself free, no woman who is blind can give herself sight, no one who is an object of wrath can appease that wrath, and no person who is dead can cause himself to come to life. We can't manufacture salvation... we can't produce it. We can't even initiate it. God has to open our eyes, set us free, overcome our evil, and appease His wrath. He has to come to us. [David Platt in Radical]
Keep in mind that no matter how moral we believe ourselves to be, that so-called goodness doesn't even come close to registering before Holy God.
Why was [Jesus] trembling in the garden, weeping and full of anguish? We can rest assured that He was not a coward about to face Roman soldiers. Instead He was a Savior about to endure divine wrath. Listen to His words: "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me." The "cup" is not a reference to a wooden cross; it is a reference to divine judgment. It is the cup of God's wrath. This is what Jesus is recoiling from in the garden. All God's holy wrath and hatred toward sin and sinners, stored up since the beginning of the world, is about to be poured out on Him, and He is sweating blood at the thought of it.
What happened at the Cross was not primarily about nails being thrust into Jesus' hands and feet but about the wrath due your sin and my sin being thrust upon His soul. In that holy moment, all the righteous wrath and justice of God due us came rushing down like a torrent on Christ Himself.
One preacher described it as if you and I were standing a short hundred yards away from a dam of water ten thousand miles high and ten thousand miles wide. All of a sudden that dam was breached, and a torrential flood of water came crashing toward us. Right before it reached our feet, the ground in front of us opened up and swallowed it all. At the Cross, Christ drank the full cup of the wrath of God, and when He had downed the last drop, He turned the cup over and cried out, "It is finished." This is the Gospel.
We have taken the infinitely glorious Son of God, who endured the infinitely terrible wrath of God and who now reigns as the infinitely worthy LORD of all, and we have reduced Him to a poor, puny Savior who is just begging for us to accept Him. Accept Him? Do we really think Jesus needs our acceptance? Don't we need Him? [David Platt in Radical]
So, I plead with you: do not harden your hearts, let yourself be shaken, seek God, and pray for faith; don't simply go through the motions, pray for a relationship with Jesus... just as I pray for you, all the time.
Love,
J
_____________________________________________
** Matthew 7:21-23
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
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