Pastor John mentioned to me this afternoon that Al Mohler posted an article on his blog about the church and the home. This is a tremendously helpful article for anyone trying to find the balance between ministry and family. Much of what Dr. Mohler shares is what Pastor John has already been sharing for the past few years, but sometimes it helps to hear it from a respected seminary president from outside our church.
It is a challenge to families to consider having a higher view of church in a practical sense. It is easy to talk about loving Jesus and living for Him. It is understandable that believers should be studying the Bible regularly, praying, and attending church on Sundays. These things are obviously going to take up some measure of a family's time. Many families today complain, however, when the church puts additional activities on the calendar because they infringe upon "personal family time." Considering all the other things families are typically involved in and committed to, it is no wonder little time is left for the church. Families must consider what is important in the end. What kind of message do we want to give our children about what are the right kinds of priorities? People wonder why there is a moral decline in the lifestyles of children in the church, and why children today seem more and more disinterested in church! Perhaps it is because parents have not demonstrated to their children that church is more important than music lessons, sports, shopping, and weekend trips.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
There and Back Again...
John and I recently returned from another trip to Tucuman in Argentina and what a blessing it was! It really has become like visiting family each time I have a chance to visit. Their love and kindness are remarkable and it is so clear that it is the bond of Christ that unites us. I was so thankful for the time we spent planning for this summer's trip. I am really looking forward to returning with the team to minister there to the church and reach the surrounding neighborhoods. It was also a great time to encourage the church through teaching times and spiritual fellowship. I enjoyed some really great conversations with different individuals about how they came to faith and how their lives have changed since. One man in particular just recently came to know the Lord and came to Bible study with his two sons. It was so encouraging to see Deuteronomy 6:7 illustrated in his life as he sought to have his sons learn God's truth. Pastor Jorge and the leaders of the church were quick to point out various families who had come to the church since the last campaign with our team because they understood the encouragement it would bring us to see the fruit of our labors. Praise God for the work that is being accomplished in Tucuman! I hope for many more years of ministry together as we proclaim Christ in Argentina.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Achieving a Joyful Life of Integrity
I have been reading through Psalm 119 in my daily devotions and it really has been a blessing to my soul! Reading through it carefully has helped to reveal the many comforts and encouragements the Psalmist receives from spending time in the Word. It seems like such a simple thing to be reminded to be in the Scriptures, but I wonder how often we consider the many reasons why we should earnestly seek God’s Word.
Even in the first stanza the Psalmist reveals some of his reasoning. He writes, “How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD.” The word “blameless” literally has the idea of being whole or complete and is one of the Old Testament words for integrity. The idea behind the Hebrew word “way,” simply speaking, is one’s manner of life. The complete thought is that happiness belongs to the one whose manner of life is marked with integrity.
But how does one achieve a joyful life of integrity? The Psalmist answers that question in the same breath – by walking in the Torah of YHWH. This reminds me of the thought in Psalm 1, “How blessed [or happy] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked . . . . But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.” I found this to be a great reminder of the blessing that is found when one seeks to walk according to God’s Word. This is the one who does no unrighteousness (Ps. 119:3). This is the one who is not ashamed (Ps. 119:6). This is the one who is not forsaken of God (Ps. 119:8).
Even in the first stanza the Psalmist reveals some of his reasoning. He writes, “How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD.” The word “blameless” literally has the idea of being whole or complete and is one of the Old Testament words for integrity. The idea behind the Hebrew word “way,” simply speaking, is one’s manner of life. The complete thought is that happiness belongs to the one whose manner of life is marked with integrity.
But how does one achieve a joyful life of integrity? The Psalmist answers that question in the same breath – by walking in the Torah of YHWH. This reminds me of the thought in Psalm 1, “How blessed [or happy] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked . . . . But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.” I found this to be a great reminder of the blessing that is found when one seeks to walk according to God’s Word. This is the one who does no unrighteousness (Ps. 119:3). This is the one who is not ashamed (Ps. 119:6). This is the one who is not forsaken of God (Ps. 119:8).
Friday, February 02, 2007
Go Dogs, and Eat the Garbage!
I thought this quote from Pastor John's sermon was really good. It comes from "The Soul Winner," by Charles Spurgeon. Especially as we think about how much Christians today desire to indulge in the pleasures of the world, this word is particularly appropriate. Here it is in its entirety:
"So that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe." Philippians 2:15
I believe that one reason why the church at this present moment has so little influence over the world, is because the world has so much influence over the church! Nowadays, we hear professors pleading that they may do this, and do that--that they may live like worldlings. My sad answer to them, when they crave this liberty is, "Do it if you dare. It may not cost you much hurt, for you are so bad already. Your cravings show how rotten your hearts are. If you are hungering after such dog's food--go dogs, and eat the garbage!
Worldly amusements are fit food for pretenders and hypocrites. If you were God's children, you would loathe the thought of the world's evil joys. Your question would not be, "How far may we be like the world?" but your cry would be, "How can we get away from the world? How can we come out of it?"
"Whatever is true,
whatever is noble,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable,
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy
--think about such things." Philippians 4:8
"So that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe." Philippians 2:15
I believe that one reason why the church at this present moment has so little influence over the world, is because the world has so much influence over the church! Nowadays, we hear professors pleading that they may do this, and do that--that they may live like worldlings. My sad answer to them, when they crave this liberty is, "Do it if you dare. It may not cost you much hurt, for you are so bad already. Your cravings show how rotten your hearts are. If you are hungering after such dog's food--go dogs, and eat the garbage!
Worldly amusements are fit food for pretenders and hypocrites. If you were God's children, you would loathe the thought of the world's evil joys. Your question would not be, "How far may we be like the world?" but your cry would be, "How can we get away from the world? How can we come out of it?"
"Whatever is true,
whatever is noble,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable,
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy
--think about such things." Philippians 4:8
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
The Winds of Change
It is exciting to be a part of the church particularly during times of transition. With the change at LBC from regional flocks to affinity groups, it will be good to see how the members adjust to the changes and participate in the life of the body. This isn't a first time of major transition for the church. In the past, I may have been wary about how the church would respond to change, but now I can simply look to the pattern that has already been set. One thing that really stands out about this little congregation is their commitment to ministry and each other regardless of the structure and their trust in the leadership's guidance during the church's growing years.
There is some room for concern, though, that as the years have progressed the excitement for ministry has diminished. We no longer have that first year church plant feel and sometimes the ministry can feel like a week to week grind. It's in light of this that I really appreciate Pastor Steve's New Year's Eve message about the one resolution to not forget our first love (cf. Rev. 2:4), as well as Pastor John's exhortations for us to consider our love for Christ in the midst of service. Do you love Jesus? Is He the true reason why you come to church? Why you serve? Why you fellowship?
We must be careful not to allow a spirit of laziness or apathy to pervade the church. There are many Christians who feel as though church is peripheral. It is not as important as family, work, or school. There are many who feel as though commitment to the church is too burdensome, or that ministry should only be done when it is convenient. There are many who would stay up late nights to study for school. There are many who would put in overtime at work. There are many who would drive long hours to visit family. But the same are reluctant to give the same way to Christ's church.
Remember that ministry is not always easy, though at times it is. Sometimes it really will challenge us to remember why we serve in the first place. If we do these things according to our own strength, we are guaranteed to fail (cf. John 15:5). If we trust in the Lord finding strength in Him, we are promised not to grow weary or faint (cf. Isa. 40:31).
Perhaps this time of transition for LBC is a good time for all the members to examine your hearts. Do you love Jesus? Do you find joy in living for Him and being a part of His body? Where do you find your strength? In whom do you rely? How will you continue to love one another and serve one another, and do this with willing and joyful hearts?
There is some room for concern, though, that as the years have progressed the excitement for ministry has diminished. We no longer have that first year church plant feel and sometimes the ministry can feel like a week to week grind. It's in light of this that I really appreciate Pastor Steve's New Year's Eve message about the one resolution to not forget our first love (cf. Rev. 2:4), as well as Pastor John's exhortations for us to consider our love for Christ in the midst of service. Do you love Jesus? Is He the true reason why you come to church? Why you serve? Why you fellowship?
We must be careful not to allow a spirit of laziness or apathy to pervade the church. There are many Christians who feel as though church is peripheral. It is not as important as family, work, or school. There are many who feel as though commitment to the church is too burdensome, or that ministry should only be done when it is convenient. There are many who would stay up late nights to study for school. There are many who would put in overtime at work. There are many who would drive long hours to visit family. But the same are reluctant to give the same way to Christ's church.
Remember that ministry is not always easy, though at times it is. Sometimes it really will challenge us to remember why we serve in the first place. If we do these things according to our own strength, we are guaranteed to fail (cf. John 15:5). If we trust in the Lord finding strength in Him, we are promised not to grow weary or faint (cf. Isa. 40:31).
Perhaps this time of transition for LBC is a good time for all the members to examine your hearts. Do you love Jesus? Do you find joy in living for Him and being a part of His body? Where do you find your strength? In whom do you rely? How will you continue to love one another and serve one another, and do this with willing and joyful hearts?
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