Sharper Irony

Burn Out or Rust Out?

2008-12-04T14:30:00.004-07:00

I feel compelled to make the following comments. Most of what I say is to both my surprise and chagrin.

It seems that in trying to correct some possible pastoral abuses of the past, seminaries are exposing their students to a recurring theme: don't burn out... be sure to get your day(s) off... marriage first, ministry second." These refrains may all be quite true, but they come with such repetitive force that I fear that the pendulum has swung from those who jeopardized their families in the name of "ministry" to men who think that they have something coming to them because they are "in the ministry." We now have men who are so thoroughly warned of sacrificing their families that they sacrifice nothing!

I say this from my own experience. After my first six months of ministry I was shocked to discover that my biggest danger was not burn out but rusting out. I was lazy! I assumed that I was putting in my forty-plus hours of the ministry, being careful to guard my "time off." But, when I added up my hours I was short of forty. How could this be true of "hardworking Jonathan?"

Fortunately it is not now true of "hardworking Jonathan." His letter was a de facto testimony to his handling of the problem.

But his letter does point to a real, ongoing problem with many in the ministry. No one keeps track of a pastor's time. There are not clocks to punch or time cards to turn in. So if a man is not a self-starter, it is so easy to come in late and go home early. It is also very easy to let prayer and sermon preparation slip, and, generally, to imagine that extraneous interests are "ministry." There is more sloth in the pastoral ministry than we like to admit.

--- Kent and Barbara Hughes, Liberating Ministry from the Success Syndrome, pp. 41-42

How to Have Revival

2008-12-04T13:55:00.002-07:00

To publish the doctrine of a reconciled God, to tell men that the Lord has laid help upon Jesus by punishing him instead of us; to proclaim that there is life in a look at the Crucified One, to tell them that the Holy Ghost creates men new creatures in Christ Jesus, to give a full and comprehensive view of the doctrines of grace; this is one of the surest ways, under God, of promoting a revival of religion.

--- C.H. Spurgeon in Sermon #725 "A Message from God to His Church and People"

Hell is a Humorless Place

2008-12-03T10:14:00.003-07:00

For humour involves a sense of proportion and a power of seeing yourself from the outside. Whatever else we attribute to beings who sinned through pride, we must not attribute this. Satan, said Chesterton, fell through force of gravity. We must picture Hell as a state where everyone is perpetually concerned about his own dignity and advancement, where everyone has a grievance, and where everyone lives the deadly serious passions of envy, self-importance, and resentment.

--- C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters, in his "Preface to the 1961 Edition

God Knows, God Cares, God Acts

2008-12-03T10:12:00.002-07:00

Omniscience is not ignorant; God knows. Love is not indifferent; He cares. Omnipotence is not powerless; He acts.

--- H. C. Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology, p. 88

It's Not Just My Interpretation

2008-12-02T12:48:00.005-07:00

Some of us compartmentalize our lives. We imagine that obedience to God's Word in one area means we have obeyed in other areas. Others of us rationalize. For example, one common rationalization is the "many-interpretation" theory - that Scripture is subject to so many interpretations we cannot really know what it means. This is especially convenient when we do not like what it says! But, the fact is God's Word is generally clear. Usually, it's painfully clear. As Mark Twain once said, "It's not what I don't understand about the Bible that bothers me; it's what I do understand!"

Success, then, comes when we faithfully study God's Word and faithfully obey it, applying what we understand to all areas of our lives under the direction of the Holy Spirit. A growing knowledge of the Bible matched by a growing obedience is the path to faithfulness and success.

--- Kent and Barbara Hughes in Liberating Ministry from the Success Syndrome, p. 40

A Passage for the Sword of the Lord

2008-12-02T09:31:00.004-07:00

I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed. How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart; Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal. The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD. Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour. Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, He saith. Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.

Lessons of Revival

2008-12-01T15:50:00.002-07:00

What is taught to us by a revival? I think it is just this, - that God is absolute monarch of the hearts of men.

--- C. H. Spurgeon, Sermon #296 "A Revival"

(he goes on to say, "Divine Omnipotence is the doctrine of a revival. We may not see it in ordinary days, by reason of the coldness of our hearts; but we must see it when these extraordinary works of grace are wrought."

- and then -

"So, brethren, when we see the church gradually built up and converted, we lose the sense perhaps of a present God; but when the Lord causes the tree suddenly to grow from a sapling to a strong tall monarch of the forest, then we say, 'This is God.'")

Stupid Questions

2008-12-01T15:42:00.002-07:00

If there are no stupid questions, then what kind of questions do stupid people ask? Do they get smart just in time to ask questions?

--- Scott Adams

A Blessed Farewell

2008-11-26T12:11:00.003-07:00

We received a phone call on Friday night at around 11:30. My 92-year-old grandmother was in a car accident earlier that evening. My aunt was calling to tell me that after needing about an hour to extract her from the vehicle, they had rushed her to the hospital, life-flighted her to yet another, and rushed her into surgery. She was awake leading up to the surgery, and, according to the doctor, came through the surgery fine. But, as she was 92 years old, they said that there was a very good chance that she would not survive the night. While my aunt was explaining this to me, she received a phone call from the doctor, urging her to return to the hospital immediately.

My wife and I waited in bed, talking and reflecting. She lived a full, rich life, and was very special to us. Around 12:30, my wife said, "I think she's gone now." I called my cousin to see. She had gone on to her reward about five minutes earlier.

She was a grand old lady. I count myself blessed beyond degree to have known her, to have been able to introduce her to all five of my children, to have had the privilege of having her around for so late into my life.

When my grandfather died, some three or four years ago now, my grandmother began to look forward to the day when she could see him again in eternity. My grandfather was a godly man, and one of the great influences in my life, as well as in my ministry. Grandpa showed his piety in his love for the Word of God, in his constant references to God and to God's goodness. But my grandmother was different. Grandpa showed his piety in his zeal for the Lord. Grandma showed her piety at home. She was faithful to my grandfather. For the last several years of his life, he was unable to walk, and was unable to care for himself. My grandma cared for him. Because of his condition, she had to do everything for him... and she did these things without complaint. For those years, she was bound to him, and would not leave his side. He was everything to her.

When he died, my grandmother grieved for a long time. She wanted to go to be with him right away. But she understood that this was in God's hand. And so, she went back to living. I am very grateful for the opportunities that my grandmother had in these last years of her life. In the last couple of years, she has been able to travel to Disney, to Texas, on a Caribbean Cruise, on an Alaskan Cruise, and to spend a few months with my cousin down in Florida. I am very thankful that she was able to do so much in her last days.

But most of all, I would like to praise our Great God, the Creator and Sustainer of all life, for His marvelous works on her behalf. When a loved one is taken so suddenly, so tragically, what is there to praise the Lord for? My family and I gathered together on Saturday night, as has been our custom for several years now, and listed out all the things that we had to be thankful for from the week that was then finishing. Among those things that were named, we thanked the Lord for taking my grandmother home. We thanked God because, although she was old, she remained healthy until the very end. She did not spend her last days in bed, dependent on others for her care. She was healthy right up to her final hours. In fact, the day that she died was taken up with doctor visits, shopping, and running around with my aunt. She even put in an order for a new set of teeth on that day.

We thanked God that, although we would miss her, she was even then reunited with her husband of over 65 years, and with her son (my father) who died thirty-some years earlier. We thanked God that, although we were sorry to see her go, that we could be sure of a reunion some day, when God calls each one of us home to be with Him. We thanked God that she is even now enjoying God forever. We thanked God for the wonderful assurance that He gives us, that we can know Him, and that we can know that we have eternal life.

There is so much more to say. My grandmother left us a legacy, and a great basket full of memories to cherish. I am very grateful to God for having brought us together, for giving me to her as a grandson. I will miss her. We all will miss her. But we are thankful that we can say with full assurance, that we'll not miss her forever. We'll see her again. As her faith rested fully and completely on Jesus Christ alone for salvation, we'll see her again. As surely as we will see Christ in that day, we will see her with Christ. Praise be to God!

Blessings on her memory.

Molten Blessing

2008-11-26T12:08:00.001-07:00

Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence, As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence!

More on the Obama Presidency

2008-11-21T11:41:00.003-07:00

The greatest evil is not now done in those sordid "dens of crime" that Dickens loved to paint. It is not done even in concentration and labour camps. In those we see its final result. But it is conceived and ordered (moved, seconded, carried, and minuted) in clean, carpeted, warmed, and well-lighted offices, by quiet men with white collars and cut fingernails and smooth-shaven cheeks who do not need to raise their voice.

--- C.S. Lewis in The Screwtape Letters, in his preface to the 1961 Edition

Endless Possibilities

2008-11-21T11:34:00.003-07:00

Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped.

--- Elbert Hubbard

One End of Revival

2008-11-20T13:51:00.003-07:00

...one sign of a true revival, and indeed an essential part of it, is the increased activity of God's laborers.

--- C.H. Spurgeon, Sermon #296 "A Revival"

Why God Alone Should be Praised

2008-11-20T09:15:00.003-07:00

I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou has not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil. I the LORD do all these things. Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it. Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands? Woe unto him that saith unto his father, What begettest thou? or to the woman, What hast thou brought forth?

Why God Cannot Sin

2008-11-18T13:54:00.003-07:00

"In God purity of being is before purity of willing or doing. God does not will the good because it is good, nor is the good good because God wills it; if such were the case, there would be a good above God or the good would be arbitrary or changeable. Instead, God's will is the expression of his nature, which is holy."

--- Henry C. Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology, p. 84

2008-11-17T15:00:00.000-07:00

Man's promises even at the best, are like a cistern which holds but a temporary supply; but God's promises are as a fountain, never emptied, ever overflowing, so that you may draw from them the whole of that which they apparently contain, and they shall be still as full as ever.

--- C.H. Spurgeon, from Sermon #296 "A Revival"

Another Benefit of Big Government

2008-11-17T00:00:00.001-07:00

"We may not imagine how our lives could be more frustrating and complex... but Congress can."

--- Cullen Hightower

Of Nice Angels (as opposed to the real ones)

2008-11-14T12:01:00.001-07:00

In Scripture, the visitation of an angel is always alarming; it has to begin by saying "Fear not." The Victorian angel looks as if it were going to say, "There, there."

--- C.S. Lewis in The Screwtape Letters Preface to the 1961 Edition

Towards an Even Bigger Government

2008-11-14T11:57:00.002-07:00

"The nine most terrifying words in the English Language are, "I'm from the government and I'm here to help."

---Ronald Reagan

Legalism as a Badge of Honor

2008-11-13T11:27:00.002-07:00

"If anybody accuses you of being too strict and precise, do not grieve but try to deserve the charge. I cannot suppose that at the last great day our Lord Jesus Christ will say to anyone, "You were not worldly enough. You were too jealous over your conduct, and did not sufficiently conform to the world."

--- Charles Spurgeon, from the Sword and Trowel, Issue 1995, No. 2 "Spurgeon and Places of Entertainment"

It's Been a Long, Long Time

2008-11-13T11:24:00.003-07:00

But I won't be hugging anybody.

Since people insist on following my now long inactive blog, and since I can't seem to shake them, even by long inactivity, I've decided to try something with this blog.

I read a lot. Sometimes, I like what I read. Sometimes, I think that someone else might like it too. So, I've decided to put some stuff up here from my reading. You can feel free to comment as you like.

And, who knows. Maybe I'll even write something that is on my mind from time to time. You know, on the rare occassion when something gets on my mind.

Rather Unimpressive

2008-02-08T10:48:00.000-07:00

Work ethic is a strange animal. Some work diligently because they find work pleasant. Others are driven by their lust for glory. Still others crave accomplishment. Some work hard because they must. In other words, some work hard for what is in front of them, while others work hard for what is behind them. Motivations for work lie in all directions, and while one man works hard for survival, another works hard for supremacy.

God’s Word instructs us,

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

As obedient Christians, we find that the purest motive for diligent effort is found in a desire to please God and obey His commands. We would do all to the glory of God, whether it brings any personal fulfillment or not. This is the first motivation for all we do.

And the second is like unto it: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. In seeking the glory of God, we also seek the benefit of mankind. As we go about our business then, these two thoughts must be at the forefront – the driving force that compels us to work diligently.

This drive for diligence will look different in each of our various occupations and vocations. In the case of Jonathan Edwards, the next two resolutions he made related directly to his occupation as a preacher of the gospel. Namely…

11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances do not hinder.

12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.

I find a lesson of humble diligence in these resolutions. First, that my love to God should always drive me to dig deeper into His Word, hungering for Divine truth. Secondly, that my love to man should equally motivate my diligent inquiry into the truth of God’s Word. And thirdly, that the more diligent I am, the more I want to be impressed with myself. And that last lesson is rather unimpressive.

A Living Death

2008-01-31T14:19:00.000-07:00

In all things, we are told, we must remember that we are dead, and our life is hid with Christ in God (Col 3:3). Thinking this way results in some specific attitude changes – seeking those things which are above, setting affections on things above, not things of the earth, mortifying our members which are upon the earth. In short, living as if we are dead, but alive, yet not I, but Christ living in me.

Jonathan Edwards reflected this idea in the resolutions listed below. The eighth resolution addresses this idea indirectly --- Edwards saw himself as he really was… a living death.

Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody
had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same
infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their
failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my
confessing my own sins and misery to God.

Keeping the cause of his condition at the forefront of his mind, he also kept the reality of his condition at the center. Think of it… what will the day of your death be like? Edwards determined to be prepared at all times for that day.

Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common
circumstances which attend death.

If I can imagine my own death, and can see how justly God should remove me from this life, then any suffering I endure in this life will be seen as deserved, though far short of my true deserts. Since God would be justified to send me to hell, it is not hard to think of the torments of hell. Many Christians resolve to be always conscious of the torments of hell in order to be more zealous for souls. But Edwards used this vision for a different purpose. Consider his tenth resolution:

Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.

If I die daily to self, then my suffering works greater glory for the Lord, and I can rejoice in my weaknesses, my sorrows, my sufferings.

With Eternity’s Values in View

2008-01-24T12:50:00.000-07:00

The next set of Jonathan Edward’s resolutions demonstrate his insistence on living life as if the details matter, as if God is watching everything we do, as if there is something important beyond today. These resolutions bring to mind our instructions to redeem the time because the days are evil, to do all to the glory of God, down to our eating and drinking, in short, to live life with eternity’s values in view.

Once again, I want to recommend these resolutions to you as the best way to keep an eye heavenward.

Resolved, Never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can possibly avoid it.

Resolved, Never to lose one moment of time, but to improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can.

Resolved, To live with all my might while I do live.

Resolved, Never to do anything which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

New Designs

2008-01-15T09:55:00.000-07:00

Early in 1723, Jonathan Edwards wrote out seventy resolutions by which he determined to live his life. Last week, we looked at the first of those resolutions, which was as follows:

Resolved, That I will do whatsoever I think to be most to the glory of God and my own good, profit, and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved, to do whatever I think to be my duty, and most for the good of mankind in general. Resolved so to do, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.

Edward’s second and third resolutions refer back to this first resolution. They are as follows:

Resolved, To be continually endeavoring to find out some new contrivance and invention to promote the forementioned things.

Resolved, If ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.

Edwards determined to do all to the glory of God (I Cor. 10:31). And with that Scriptural determination in mind, he then determined to strive with all his might to glorify God, and to repent whenever he fell short.

I recommend these resolutions for several reasons. First, God created us for Himself and for His pleasure (Col. 1:16 and Rev. 4:11), and therefore we fulfill our life’s purpose only inasmuch as we please God. So, our first and best resolution is to seek God’s glory in everything.

Secondly, since our highest calling is to please God, we should always strive to find new designs, new plans, new ways for accomplishing this purpose. This effort itself pleases and glorifies God.

And thirdly, whenever we slacken from our efforts to give God glory, whenever our efforts fall short of diligence, we are in sin, and we must repent. And such repentance also pleases God, giving Him glory. May we so strive to fulfill our "chief end."