Halloween: Hallowed or Harmful?

"Uh-oh, here we go," some of you are thinking.  "Pastor's Matt's going to get on his high horse about Halloween."  No, I'm not.  After all, that wouldn't be much of a treat, now, would it?

I simply want to share with you something that caught my eye nearly twenty years ago and changed my way of thinking.  It was an article in October 29, 1990 edition of the USA Today entitled Satanist 'revival' rumors stir a furor.  This had to to with talk of a satanists' convention that was reportedly going to happen in D.C.  The reports were unconfirmed, with no verifiable data to give warrant to the hysteria that began to spread among evangelicals throughout the area.

But what caught my eye was one of those "blow-up" quotes that you'll often see in the midst of a newspaper or magazine article.  This quote was by Bryan Jordan, a Washington witch, who said,

"(Christians) don't realize it, but they're celebrating our holiday with us. . .  We like it."

What do we make of such a statement?  Jack  Kelley, the author of the USA Today article, wrote just prior to Jordan's remark, "While children typically trick-or-treat for candy on Halloween, it's a religious holiday for the underworld, with satanists performing sacrifices and witches quietly celebrating with prayer circles or meals for the dead."  Now, please remember, this is not Moody Monthly, Christianity Today, or World magazine putting out his article.  This is the USA Today - not exactly a bastion of conservative Christianity!  

If you do some research, you'll find that Samhain, the "original" Halloween, was a festival that marked the eve of the Celtic New Year, which began on November 1.  The Celts believed that during Samhain the "veil" that separated the living from the dead was at its thinnest.  They believed that on the evening of October 31, evil spirits and the souls of the dead passed through the barrier and entered the world of the living.  Such a thought created fever-pitch excitement ... and fear.  That night, the Celts would leave out food for the spirits, hoping that a "treat" would prevent a "trick."  You can probably see how the modern-day version of Halloween evolved from there.

In the 700s the Church decided to combat this festival with their own celebration of the Lord of life.  Instead of appeasing evil spirits, they chose to honor the saints - those who had lived godly lives.  In essence, Christians were saying, "Fine, if you want to have a holiday for the dead, let's celebrate the lives of faithful saints who are now with the Lord."  So November 1 became known as "All Saints' Day" or "All Hallows' Day."  The evening before was called "All Hallows' Eve," from which we get the modern name "Halloween."

Okay, then.  So we have two different paths of tradition concerning this holiday.  How should Christians handle Halloween?

First, we should realize that this is a matter of individual conscience and liberty.  Don't go against your conscience, and don't judge those who have a different conviction than you.  But having said that, let me offer a few alternatives to celebrating Halloween the way that the world does.  Instead of focusing on activities that are preoccupied with fear and death, let us celebrate the One who gives life.  Here are some ways that we can do this. 

1.  Celebrate All Saints' Day

Protestant Christians tend to shy away from honoring saints, for fear that admiration or respect will evolve into worship.  Indeed, we are to worship God alone.  But in Hebrews 11 and other passages, godly men and women are given "honorable mentions" for their faith in God, so that Christians who are reminded of their legacy will imitate their faith and so honor their Lord.

So there are saints in biblical history we can appreciate as well as saints in church history.  Incidentally, October 31 is also known as Reformation Day, for it was on October 31, 1517, that Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Wittenberg church.  God used Martin Luther and faithful men like him to reawaken the Church to the true gospel, especially the doctrine of justification by faith.  These are great truths to celebrate.

2.  Have a different kind of party.

Our family hosts a fall harvest party.  We've belonged to churches that have had a Noah's Ark party, where the children dress up as different sorts of animals and hear the story of Noah, which reminds us of God's judgment against sin as well as His saving mercy and grace.  Others might have a costume party where the children (or adults!) dress up as Bible heroes or famous men and women from Christian history.  (One year here at First Baptist, we hosted such a party, and I came dressed as Billy Graham.)

3.  Use trick-or-treating as an opportunity to share the gospel.

Give a tract along with a treat!  Show the love of Christ in demonstrable ways to those whom God brings to your door.

These are just a few suggestions.  I'm sure you can think of some more.  What some mean for evil, we can use for good.  Whatever your convictions about Halloween, let's remember the exhortation of 1 Corinthians 10:31:  "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God."

Abortion: More Than a Political Issue

Abortion is more than a political issue.  It is a personal issue.  Too often we get desensitized to the abortion issue because we hear discussion on it without seeing a demonstration of it.

Don't get upset - the following video is not an actual demonstration of partial birth abortion (PBA); it is a gynecologist explaining to a classroom of adolescents the procedure, using a fake baby.  Yet this alone caused my heart to race, my palms to sweat, and my eyes to tear as I realized what this murderous act entails.

Yesterday my family and I participated in the Walk for Life, this particular one being a peaceable and prayerful Christian protest against the evils of abortion, regardless of when it takes place (first, second, or third trimester).  I am not a "political activist."  But as I said, I believe abortion to be far more than a political issue; it is indeed a very personal issue - one for which we will all give an account.  Hear the word of the Lord:

Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.  If you say, "Behold, we did not know this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?  Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?

- Proverbs 24:11-12 ESV

With election day fast approaching, make sure you know where political candidates stand on the issue of abortion.  The President of the United States, in particular, has a tremendous amount of power and influence over this issue and how it is reflected in the laws of our land.  So be informed, and vote your conscience.

Avoiding the Sunday Morning Meltdown

Have you got seven minutes to spare between now and Sunday?  I hope you can carve out the time to watch the following video and then read my remarks afterwards.  I promise that it will be seven minutes well invested!  Watch the video, then return to read my comments.

We all have experienced what a friend of mine has referred to (jokingly) as "Sunday morning pychosis."  Sometimes the hour before coming to church is the most hectic and carnal hour of our week.  As James says, "My brethren, these things ought not to be so" (3:10b).

In dealing with this problem, we have to realize that ultimately it is a matter of the heart.  Hectic schedules, uncooperative kids, and unironed shirts do not "make" us react the way we do; they simply draw out the sin that already resides within our hearts (Matt. 15:18-20).  So we need first of all to repent of our ungodly attitudes, behavior, and words.

But having repented, what can we do to remedy the situation?  The answer lies in Romans 13:14:  "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts."  For the sake of applying this verse, each of us should ask, "What can I do to honor the Lord Jesus and promote a spirit of worship in my heart, especially as I prepare to worship Him publicly with His people?"

With this in mind, I would like to offer five suggestions to help you get "READY" for worship.  As you can see, these are presented in the form of an acrostic to help you remember them:

Retire early.  Don't stay up late on Saturday night if you can avoid it.  Get a good night's rest so that you awake refreshed on the Lord's Day.

End the day with scriptural meditation and prayer.  As we sleep, our  mind tends to mull over the last things we thought about before going to bed.  So what better way to end the day than to meditate on Scripture and commune with the Lord in prayer?

Arise early.  Figure out how much time you'll need to get ready for church, then add an additional thirty minutes as a buffer.  Having gone to bed at a decent time, it shouldn't be difficult to get up at a decent hour to prepare your body, soul and spirit for worship.

Delight yourself in the Lord.  Turn on some good Christian music that will help to cultivate Godward thoughts and a spirit of joy in your soul.  Sing and make melody in your heart to the Lord!

Yearn to be a blessing to others.  Begin with your own family members as you get ready to go to church.  Serve one another in love.  Come to church in the same spirit, desiring to build up the body of Christ and to be a blessing to as many people as possible (including people you haven't met or don't recognize).

May the Lord impress these things upon our hearts and help us put them into practice as we seek to worship Him in spirit and in truth!

Beware of Study Bibles

Beware of Study Bibles

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Author: Steve Burchett

I like resources that help me understand the Bible. My collection of commentaries grows yearly. The amount of books I own addressing various areas of theology numbers in the hundreds. There are a couple of websites that I visit regularly where numerous Bible study tools are offered. I also own four "Study Bibles," which include not only the biblical text, but introductions and outlines for each book of the Bible, notes that explain verses, maps, articles about major concepts, and a large concordance at the back. I have been strengthened by all of these resources, and I'm confident others could testify likewise. However, every good gift from God can be abused. Of all the study tools, perhaps in our day the Study Bible is the resource that is most often misused. For example, many who have taught the Bible have felt the frustration when, instead of meditating on the passage of Scripture being taught, several in the group were busy reading and then sharing from the study notes at the bottom of the page! Perhaps some might respond, "But at least these people are trying to understand what the Scriptures say." Indeed, their motives may be pure, but excessive reliance on study notes actually removes them from what a Study Bible intends to promote: The study of the Bible! James tells us to receive and live out the Word of God (James 1:21-22), not what somebody else says about the Bible. The Lord has given the church teachers (Ephesians 4:11), but we should follow the example of the Bereans who not only listened eagerly to Paul's preaching, but were known for "examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so" (emphasis mine). Maybe you are not convinced that you can really understand Scripture apart from the significant aid of others. Perhaps you have been led astray by certain preachers or writers who seem to imply that you have to be an expert in Hebrew or Greek (the original languages of the Old and New Testaments) in order to "really comprehend the Bible." Yes, a knowledge of the original languages is quite valuable, but it is not required. Peter does admit that "some things" in Paul's writings are hard to understand (2 Peter 3:16). Commentaries, Study Bibles, and conversations with other believers are a valuable tool when we come across these places in Scripture. But Peter didn't say everything is hard to understand! In fact, with a careful and contemplative reading of a verse or passage and its surrounding context, and with the help of the Holy Spirit (see 1 John 2:27), we can grasp what God is saying. Probably our larger struggle is living out what we clearly see. Does this mean you should throw away your Study Bible? No, but consider three ways to guard against misusing this tool: Don't use a Study Bible as your primary Bible. Regular Bible reading, group study, and personal study should be out of a Bible without study notes. This eliminates the temptation to look away from what God has said. Before you pull your Study Bible(s) off the shelf, force yourself to think hard about the text of Scripture alone. The person who "looks intently" at God's Word and lives it out is "blessed in what he does" (James 1:25). You may even want to purchase a Bible with wide margins in order to write down your thoughts, or maybe a notebook or journal. When you struggle to figure out what a verse or passage means, ask the Lord for help. You'll be amazed at what He helps you comprehend. If you still don't understand what you are reading, ask Him again and meditate longer. How often do we skip this vital step of depending upon the Lord? Who is more resourceful, a biblical scholar or God? Consider your Bible study methods: Do you spend more time focusing on the text of the Bible, or the words of non-inspired writers who are seeking to explain the Bible? When we are overly dependent on study notes, a subtle shift takes place from living "on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4) to living "by the words of Bible teachers." As I write, I'm aware of another Study Bible soon to be unveiled. It has been endorsed by a large number of well-known pastors and ministry leaders, and it includes over 20,000 notes, over 50 articles, and over 200 color charts. I'll probably buy one. More, and even better, Study Bibles will surely follow. There is no doubt that they will shed much light on the text of Scripture. But we must beware: They may also distract us from the very thing they are intended to illuminate. Copyright © 2008 Steve Burchett  Christian Communicators Worldwide, Inc. Permission granted for not-for-sale reproduction in unedited form including author's name, title, complete content, copyright and weblink. Other uses require written permission. www.CCWtoday.org

Every Life Is a Leaf

A few days ago I was down in Alabama for a preachers' conference, and one of the keynotes had a Q&A session with the pastors gathered.  In response to a question that I posed, the speaker made reference to a positive trend he saw among pastors, to which he added (while looking at me), "And not just pastors such as yourself, but young pastors, too."

What?  I thought I was one of those young pastors!  Do I really look that old?  Typically I don't think of myself that way.  But apparently to this speaker I did not appear to be in the category of "young pastors."  

The next day, after I had flown home from the conference, I took a long walk during which I listened to a podcast sermon by Alistair Begg.  His text was 1 Peter 1:24-25a:

All flesh is as grass,

and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass.

The grass withers, and the flower falls, 

but the word of the Lord remains forever.

As I listened to Pastor Begg's exposition of these verses (which are a quotation from Isaiah 40:6-7), I noticed something that drove home the truth I was hearing.  All along the street where I was walking, there were brown, crumpled leaves against the curb.  They had fallen from the trees and had been pushed by the breeze against the concrete edging.  That's my life, I thought.

Actually, that's every life.  The withering grass, fading flower, and falling leaves each autumn season are intended by our Creator to remind us of how quickly we age and eventually die.  Romans 1 tells us that "since the creation of the world [God's] invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that [people] are without excuse, because although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened" (vv. 20-21).

Usually when we look at creation, if we think of God at all, we think of His power, His creativity, His ability to make beautiful things.  These things might come to mind especially during the autumn season as we behold the magnificent fall foliage here in New England.  And certainly our minds should reflect on these wondrous attributes of God.  But there is another attribute that should come to mind whenever we see the fallen leaves, and that is God's wrath against sin.  Going back to the first part of the original quote in Isaiah we read:  

The grass withers, the flower fades,

Because the breath of the LORD blows upon it;

Surely the people are grass.

Here God tells us that we are the grass; we are the flower.  Just as God causes their death, so He causes our death.  Why?  Isaiah 64 gives us the answer:  "But we all are like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.  And there is no one who calls on Your name, who stirs himself to take hold of You; For you have hidden Your face from us, and have consumed us because of our iniquities."  The penalty for our sin and our failure to honor God as our Creator is death.  The apostle Paul reiterates this in Romans 5:12:  "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned."

We all grow old and die because we all sin.  That's the sad reality of life.  But God in His mercy has not left us without hope.  Going back to the passage in 1 Peter, we read:

All flesh is as grass,

and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass.

The grass withers, and the flower falls away.

But the word of the Lord endures forever.

Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.

God's Word, unlike man's life, endures forever.  This Word, in addition to telling us of our sin and the consequences it brings, also conveys to us the gospel - "good news" from God.  What is that good news?  That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and raised to life again the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:1-4).  Though sin brings death, Jesus Christ brings life to all who believe in Him.  Indeed, Jesus Himself said, "I am the Resurrection and the Life.  He who believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.  And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.  Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26).

That's the question each of us must answer.  Do we believe the truth about Jesus Christ?  Whether or not we do will determine our eternal destiny.  "He who believes the Son has life; he who believes not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him" (John 3:36).  

Dear reader, please give serious consideration to your condition before God.  It is literally a matter of life and death.  I urge you to receive the One who died for sinners like you and me so that we could live forever in heaven with Him.  Just as Jesus lives forever forever and His Word abides forever, so will we if we put our faith in Him.

The Tightrope of Christian Parenting

This morning I read Psalm 78, which rehearses God's dealings with rebellious Israel.  He did wonderful things for them - "marvelous things" (v. 12).  Yet the more He did for them, the more they rebelled against Him (v. 17).  They "tested" Him and "spoke against" Him (vv. 18-19).  So the Lord was "furious" and kindled a fire of divine, disciplinary wrath against them (v. 31).  But even then "He did not destroy them.  Yes, many a time He turned His anger away, and did not stir up all His wrath; for He remembered that they were but flesh, a breath that passes away and does not come again" (vv. 38-39).

God is the only perfect parent.  Our best attempts as parents to use the rod while remembering mercy are flawed by our own fleshly impulses.  At times mercy gives way to excessive leniency, permissiveness, or passivity.  Or we can gravitate toward the opposite extreme and "stir up" too much wrath and apply the rod too severely.

At the end of the psalm, we are reminded that God chose David - out of the sheepfolds - to shepherd His people Israel.  Likewise, God has chosen us parents - as weak and frail as we may be - to shepherd the hearts of our children.  Certainly David had his failures.  Nevertheless, God Himself described David as a man after His own heart (Acts 13:22).  "So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfullness of his hands" (Psalm 78:72).

May God grant me such character and competence, that my children "may set their hope in God and not forget the works of God but keep His commandments" (v. 7). 

Everything Looks Good, But. . .

My office looks pretty good.  Better than it did, anyway.  

You see, yesterday my two oldest sons, a couple of staff members and myself went to pick up some free used office furniture that was donated to the church and Christian School.  This included a desk, cradenza, and large filing cabinet.  The desk was huge and HEAVY, as was the credenza.   Thankfully, we got it transported back here to church without a problem.

Once we got back to the church, we had to do some shifting around.  A smaller desk that was in my office was to go to one of the teachers, whose desk was to come downstairs and into the Christian Education resource room.  Filing cabinets also had to be taken out of my office and put upstairs, which meant they had first to be emptied of their contents.

Long story short, my office was a MESS by the time all this switching around took place.  I worked as hard and as fast as I could to get things situated well enough that I could devote this day to studying.  

This morning, one of our staff members walked into my office and said, "Oh, this looks nice!"  To which I responded, "Yeah, well, all the junk is hidden."  That was an understatement, to say the least.  Virtually all my desk, credenza, and filing cabinet drawers are jammed full of miscellaneous notebooks, papers, computer accessories, binders, and other paraphernalia.  So, everything looks good, but everything is not what it seems.

That's how it is in the life of many Christians.  For the sake of appearance, they hide their sins very adeptly so as to appear righteous before others.  But just as I knew the true condition of my office, they know the true condition of their hearts.  

Apart from the sin of hypocrisy and the consequences it brings (see Matthew 23), there is an additional danger.  Hebrews 3:13 reminds us that we can "be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."  I suppose that if I sat in my office long enough, looking at how "tidy" it is while refusing to open the drawers to deal with the junk, I could convince myself that it really is as neat and clean as it appears to be.  But I would have only deceived myself.  The junk is going to go away by my ignoring it.  The same is true of the hidden sins of the heart.

So don't be deceived.  Don't be a hypocrite.  Instead, attack each sin with a holy determination to root every evil out of your life.  This may seem like a job that's too big for you.  You're right, it is.  But it's not too big for God.  "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13).  So don't make excuses.  Make progress.  You'll be glad you did. 

Wasting Away Again in MatthewFletcher-ville

Sorry, I couldn't think of a better title.  This is what comes to mind as I sit here stiff and sore from last night's scrimmage.  Tonight my son Elijah is trying out for the Weymouth Junior Basketball Traveling League, so last night after dinner we went over to the church gymnasium to shoot hoops for awhile.  

What started off as a casual shoot-around turned into an intense scrimmage, first one-on-one with between my son and me, then two-on-two as my others sons joined us.  As the game wore on, I found myself asking questions like: How did he get so fast?  How did I get so slow?  Why do I hurt so much?  

Admittedly, it had been awhile since I had handled a ball.  And it showed.  Though I was able to recover a few impressive moves from my glorious past, these were few and insufficient to convince me that I was anywhere near being "king of the court."

After we were done, my joints got sore and stiffened up pretty quickly.  My "bum" knee (the right one) got swollen as it always does after any sort of athletic activity.  The discomfort in my lower back caused me to toss and turn during the night.

All that to say:  I'M GETTING OLDER AND THERE'S NOTHING I CAN DO ABOUT IT.  Here I am saying this at age 40, and I can't help but wonder how I'll feel at 80 (if the Lord allows me to live that long)!  My heart goes out to all our octogenarian readers!

The aging of my body could cause me to get discouraged (and frankly, sometimes it does), but it doesn't need to.  There is a spiritual antidote to the emotional ailment that physical aging brings.  The apostle Paul testifies to this in 2 Corinthians 4:16:  

Therefore we do not lose heart.   Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

Paul goes on to expound this principle in the verses that follow (4:17 - 5:8), explaining that the culmination of our earthly pilgrimage is to be absent from the body and to be present (at home) with the Lord.  

I feel sorry for those who bank all of their enjoyment and sense of self-worth in the here and now, particularly as it relates to their physique or athletic prowess.  I go to Planet Fitness to work out a few days a week.  But there are people who practically live there.  That's their life.  Others make a god out of sports, and their happiness is derived from their athletic achievements.  Even when they're beyond their prime, they relive the glory days.  That's their life.  It revolves around their body, their looks, their image before others.

But the fact is, we're all growing older.  Our bodies are getting worn out like a weathered tent.  That's why Matthew Henry said, "Even the best of men have need of further renewing of the inward man, even day by day."  Only as we nourish the inner [spiritual] man, can we be kept from discouragement as we see the decay of the outer [physical] man.

So as much as I'll try to take care of my body and win a few basketball games here and there, my over-arching goal will be to keep my soul healthy and fed on the things of God.  

And if you're wondering who won the scrimmage, well, thankfully, we didn't keep score!

Beatitudes or Bad-Attitudes?

Just yesterday, one of our elders at First Baptist Church forwarded me this message.  It's a little blunt, but take it for what it's worth:

You've heard the Beatitudes?  Well, below are some of Satan's Bad-Attitudes:

Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend
an hour once a week with their fellow Christians.
They are my best workers.

Blessed are those Christians who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked.
I can use them.

Blessed are those easily annoyed.  With a bit of luck, they may stop going to church.
They are my missionaries.

Blessed are the troublemakers.
They shall be called my children.

Blessed are the complainers.
I'm all ears to them.

Blessed are they who are bored with the preacher's mannerisms and mistakes,
for they get nothing out of the sermon.

Blessed is the church member who expects to be invited to his own church,
for he is a part of the problem instead of the solution.

Blessed are they who gossip,
for they shall cause strife and divisions, which please me.

Blessed are they who are easily offended,
for they will soon get angry and quit.

Blessed are they who do not give their offering to carry on Gods work,
for they are my helpers.

Blessed is he who professes to love God, but hates his brother and sister,
for he shall be with me forever.

Blessed are you when you read this and think it applies to other people and not yourself.
I've got you.

Blessings!
    Lucifer

I remember years ago when an elderly saint told me, "Sometimes when I'm not sure what God would have me to do, I think of what the devil would have me to do - and then I run in the opposite direction!"  Thankfully, we do not have to guess as to what God would have us to do when it comes to our attitudes and actions toward others.  Let us hear the real Beatitudes, that come from the very lips of our Lord:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, 

      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Blessed are those who mourn, 
      for they will be comforted. 

Blessed are the meek, 
      for they will inherit the earth. 

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 
      for they will be filled. 

Blessed are the merciful, 
      for they will be shown mercy. 

Blessed are the pure in heart, 
      for they will see God. 

Blessed are the peacemakers, 
      for they will be called sons of God. 

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, 
      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

In case you didn't know, the word beatitude comes from the Latin word beatus, which means "happy."  The pathway to true joy and blessedness is Christ.  He Himself is the way (John 14:6), and as we walk in His Spirit in accordance with His Word, we will take on His character.

God save us from the Bad-Attitudes and produce in us these Beatitudes, so that - as Jesus would go on to say - others will see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.

Christian Communication

This morning while at the breakfast table with my son Timothy, I asked him, "So, Timothy, what is your favorite subject in school? - And it can't be lunch, recess, or gym!  It has to be an academic subject."  After a few seconds, Timothy responded, "I can't think of any."

"Okay," I said, changing gears.  "Then what is your least favorite subject in school?  What do you like the least?"  Timothy's answer?  "Language."  And as he said it, he backed up his answer with an affirming nod.

Yet I can't think of a more relevant subject, can you?  Language is something that we use on a daily basis for the rest of our lives.  I'm wondering if that's why language is at the heart of this year's Desiring God National Conference, which begins a week from today.  

Right now there's a lot of controversy in Christian circles regarding the right use of language.  So yesterday I forwarded to my fellow elders an article by Nathan Busenitz that appeared in Pulpit Magazine.  You can check it out here.

The elders responded with some very helpful feedback.  Since this correspondence was initially private, I'll leave it to them as to whether they want to copy and paste their remarks in the Comments section.  Certainly I would love to hear from you, too.  So after you read Busenitz' write-up on Harsh Language, be sure to come back to TruthWalk and leave a comment.  No doubt we can get a good discussion going on this vital topic!

Christ and the Economy

Today's headlines include:

Dow Plummets 504 Points

Lehman Files for $639B Bankruptcy

AIG Keeps Silent on Restructuring as Stock Plummets

Bank of America to Pay $50B for Merrill Lynch

Then here's a headline and photo from The Boston Globe that sums it up well:

Bottom to Crisis Nowhere in Sight

"A picture is worth a thousand words."  No doubt, we are in the midst of tough economic times.  One Christian brother who has worked on Wall Street for decades, wrote this to me just yesterday:  

[I] have seen many ups and downs, even a market crash in 1987, yet I'm seeing people more concerned than ever before....  Life savings in many cases have dwindled and people don't know what to do....  I believe the saints are getting caught up in worry about their finances, fear of tomorrow, concern about job losses and the like.  It's time for those who call Jesus Lord to trust His Word, possibly like never before."

I couldn't agree more.  The fact is, Christians are giving way to worry, and the statistics show it.  Earlier this summer, the Dallas Business Journal reported, "Nearly half of Christian adults in the United States have reduced their charitable giving because of the economic downturn, according to a recent survey commissioned by Dunham & Co."  The two main factors were the sharp rise in fuel and food costs, according to the survey.  Forty-six percent of Christian adults surveyed indicated that they have reduced their giving to charity.

Contrast that strategy with the one employed by the impoverished Macedonian churches in Paul's day:

And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonia churches.  Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.  For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.  Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.  And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.

- 2 Corinthians 8:1-5

If I'm reading this correctly, it seems that the the poorer these people got, the more generous they became!  How was this possible?  Paul says it was "the grace that God" gave them.  That was His part.  And they, on their part, "gave themselves first to the Lord ... in keeping with God's will."

Now, keeping those two things in mind (God's part and their part), let's jump over to Jesus' words in Matthew 6:

No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.  That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?  Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?  Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

And why worry about your clothing?  Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow.  They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.  And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?  These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Jesus' words require no amplification.  They are crystal clear.  The core issue is what matters most to us:  God or money.  If money matters most to us, we will live to make more of it ... we will worry when we don't have it ... we will derive our sense of security from it.

But if we value God more than money, we will adopt the mindset of the Macedonians.  Having given ourselves first to the Lord, we will trust Him to provide for all our needs.  This frees us to give above and beyond our own ability.  Why?  Because God gives His grace to those who give themselves to Him.  People of faith trust God with their finances.  They trust God with their future.  And they prove this by their generous giving to the Lord's work.

Look again at what my Christian brother wrote:  "It's time for those who call Jesus Lord to trust His Word, possibly like never before."  Could it be that this economic crisis is a gift of God to His church?  Could it be that this is a God-given opportunity to step out in faith and trust His Word like never before?

The natural tendency in all of us is to put giving off until we feel able to give.  Such thinking keeps many from ever giving ... and from ever experiencing the power and provision of God.  I encourage you to step out in faith by going before God and asking Him what He would have you to give on a consistent basis and with a joyful heart.  I guarantee you that it will be more than you think you can afford.  But that's where our faith meets God's grace.  The result?  An abundance of joy and liberality (2 Cor. 8:1).

I write this as the pastor of your church - Christ's church, really - "not because I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account" (Phil. 4:17).

Radiating God's Glory

Have you ever used or heard a word quite often that you don't tend to think about a whole lot?  Probably one such word in Christian circles would be the word glory.  As believers we say that we exist for God's glory.  We talk about doing everything for the glory of God.  We sing songs about God's glory.  We pray that God would be glorified in our lives, our home, our church.

But what does all this mean?  What exactly is the glory of God?  In what I would call his magnum opus, Wayne Grudem offers a very helpful and well-thought-through explanation:

In one sense, the word glory simply means "honor" or "excellent reputation."  This is the meaning of the term in Isaiah 43:7, where God speaks of His children, "whom I created for My glory," or Romans 3:23, which says that all "have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." ... In this sense, the glory of God is not exactly an attribute of his being but rather describes the superlative honor that should be given to God by everything in the universe...." (Systematic Theology, p. 220)

But in another sense (and this is the main topic I want to touch on), God's glory is the bright light that surrounds His presence.  Using Scripture as his base, Grudem explains what this means in a little more precise detail:

Since God is spirit, and not energy or matter, this visible light is not part of God's being but is something that was created.  We may define it as follows:  God's glory is the created brightness that surrounds God's revelation of himself.

This "attribute" of God is really not an attribute of God in the sense that the others [are], for here we are speaking not of God's own character but of the created light or brilliance that surrounds God as he manifests himself in his creation.  Thus, God's glory in this sense is not actually an attribute of God in himself.  Nevertheless, God's glory is something that belongs to him alone and the appropriate outward expression of his own excellence.

This is an interesting concept and one I believe is consistent with Scripture.  For instance, the psalmist exclaimed, "O LORD my God, you are very great!  You are clothed with honor and majesty, you who cover yourself with light as with a garment" (Psalm 104:1-2).  This sense of God's glory is also spoken of in the New Testament, when news of Jesus' birth was heralded to the shepherds on the hillside:  "And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear" (Luke 2:9).  In Revelation we are told that the heavenly city will have "no need of sun or moon to shine upon it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb" (Rev. 21:23).

When we consider the indescribable magnificence of God's attributes, it makes sense that they would be manifested by such brilliance.  God's glory - the visible manifestation of the excellence of His character - is so great, we can never fully gaze upon it or comprehend it.  But it is our privilege as God's people to stand in awe of it and worship Him in light of it.

The subject of God's glory is astounding enough, but here's another aspect of it that completely boggles my mind, and that is that we who know and love Jesus Christ will share in His glory "when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe" (2 Thess. 1:10). 

Imagine that!  Yet here's something still more amazing:  Even now in our Christian lives we all are being "changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another" (2 Cor. 3:18).  I know exactly what Grudem means when he writes, "Though we do not now find ourselves surrounded by a visible light, there is a brightness, a splendor, or a beauty about the manner of life of a person who deeply loves God, and it is often evident to those around such a person."  Certainly, this "glow" will be intensified to the nth degree when Christ returns, for all our imperfections will be done away.  "Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is" (1 John 3:2).  Yet how amazing to think that, even now, as we yield ourselves to God's Spirit, allowing Him to do His work in our hearts and through our lives, there is a "glow of God" about us.  I've seen this myself as I have beheld the Lord's joy, His compassion, His love, His truth, His zeal - in committed believers.

On Sunday mornings, we've been studying the New Testament principle of "putting on the Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 13:14; cf. Col. 3:12-17).  The more we allow the Lord to have His way in our lives, the more we reflect His glory in the here and now.  No wonder Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matt. 5:16).

I don't know about you, but meditating on God's glory fuels my desire to radiate that glory in the here and now.  This brings to mind an old Steve Green song, with which I'll close.  It is entitled We Have Seen God's Glory.  May these lyrics challenge your heart:

There they are again,
The witness of Jesus take their stand -
Twelve amazing men,
Their testimony spreads across their land.
Such a story told -
How can they believe
That God has walked upon the earth?
Could they be deceived?

But how their words persuade!
The truth is in their eyes!
And many hearts are won to faith
As they testify:

"We have seen God's glory!
We have lived and walked with Christ the King!
We have seen Him heal the wounded,
We have heard the brokenhearted sing.
We have seen God's glory!
We have seen Him dead and raised to life!
We will worship Him forever -
We have seen God's glory, Jesus Christ!"

Here we are again
The witnesses of Jesus take their stand
May it never end
Through us let God keep stretching out His hand
Reaching those who doubt
Touching those who cry
Lifting up the word of God
As we testify

Walking with our God
In such a living way
That when we share our faith in Him
We can truly say: 

"We have seen God's glory!
We have lived and walked with Christ the King!
We have seen Him heal the wounded,
We have heard the brokenhearted sing.
We have seen God's glory!
We have seen Him dead and raised to life!
We will worship Him forever -
We have seen God's glory, Jesus Christ!"

This Little Piggy Went ... Sideways

Yesterday morning I got a call from my wife Ruthie, who calmly said, "I hurt myself, and I think I might need to go to the hospital."  She proceeded to explain that she had been in a hurry, and while rushing to get into the shower, she slammed her littlest toe into my dresser.  (We had just rearranged the furniture in our bedroom last week, putting my dresser right next to the door to the bathroom.)  Well, I got home as soon as I could, and as soon as I looked at her piggy, I knew it had to be broken.  It was bent to the side and swollen, and it also had what looked like a "divot" in the middle of it.

We called a nurse in our church, who advised us to go get it treated.  So we made our way to the Urgent Care center in Bridgewater.  Praise the Lord, no other patients were in the waiting room, so Ruthie got right in.  The X-rays showed that she had suffered an evulsion fracture, which occurs when the ligament gets so badly strained, it pulls away from the bone, taking some bone chips with it.  This "forcible extraction,"or evulsion, is what causes the fracture.

Ruthie is now at home and in a fair amount of pain.  The doctor has instructed her to rest her foot and keep it elevated as much as possible for the next couple of days.  My wife is no wimp (her pain threshold is much higher than mine!), yet she is amazed at just how much her little toe hurts!  She is severely hampered by this injury!  Again, she's trying to rest her toe as much as possible, but when she does need to get up for whatever reason, she hobbles around like crazy!  Yesterday she said something to the effect of, "I never knew how much I depended on my little toe!"

This reminds me of what 1 Corinthians 12 says about the body of Christ, using the human body as a word picture:

But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.  And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you."  No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.

- vv. 20-22 (emphasis mine)

Some church members have ministries that are less prominent and visible than other ministries.  Because this is the case, we may be inclined to think that they aren't all that significant or important.  But they are!  To lose them would have a crippling effect on the church.  Our ministry as a whole would be severely hampered were it not for these less-prominent members of our church body!  Indeed, the church is blessed and built up only as "every part does its share" (Eph. 4:16).  That's why the apostle Paul goes on to say, "And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor" (1 Cor. 12:23).  May we be characterized by the same attitude!

How can we do this?  How about writing a note of encouragement to someone who ministers "behind the scenes."  Or next time you pass such a person, simply say, "Thanks for all you do for the Lord and His church.  You're a great blessing to our church body."  And certainly we should thank God for all who serve faithfully in whatever capacity.  Finally, each of us should ask himself or herself, "What am I doing to build up and bless the body of Christ?"   Be thankful for the gift(s) that God has given you, and exercise them faithfully to bring Him glory in His church!

Turn Your Radio On

Yesterday my father-in-law sent me a video clip that has been making its way all over the Internet.  It has to do with a thirteen year-old boy (cowboy, actually!) from Nebraska who has a very tender heart.  Watch the following video, then I'll share my thoughts below:

Lots of people tune into Christian radio, but few listeners are "tuned in" to God like Logan.  Now I don't know this boy or his family, but they strike me as people who understand the essence of the gospel, love the Lord, and lead "simple" lives.  That is to say, life on a ranch, or a farm, or some other rural setting gives one plenty of time for reflection.  We think of Isaac in the Old Testament who "went out to meditate in the field in the evening" (Gen. 24:63).  Then there was the shepherd-boy David who wrote, most likely while gazing at the night-sky, "When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and stars that You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?" (Psalm 8:3-4).  Life out in the country has its advantages!

That's not to say that rural living is essential to spirituality.  Certainly the majority of the population in Isaac's day and David's day, despite their exposure to the beauty and wonder of God's creation, "did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened" (Rom. 1:21).  Their thoughts were futile instead of fruitful.  So the real key to knowing God is not a matter of your residence but your receptivity. 

Still, we who live in the city or the suburbs live at a much faster pace and are surrounded by things that can easily crowd God out of our thoughts, if we let them.  So how can we simplify our spiritual lives?  Well, one thing we can do is purposely build in a little more silence and solitude.  Go for a drive - without turning on the radio.  Take a walk without your 'walkman' or iPod.  Sit outside after dinner and talk or read - instead of turning on the TV.  As Don Whitney says, "Recover the physically and spiritually re-creative power of silence" (Simplify Your Spiritual Life, p. 110).

Finally, let's not forget that this is not only something we should practice as adults; it's something we should instill in our kids.  My guess is that one reason 13-year-old Logan is so spiritually sensitive and receptive is because he has a loving mom and dad who are tuned in to the Lord as well and are rearing their son in the ways of righteousness.  May we do the same!

The Baptist Boys

I don't know that the pastors in our Conservative Baptist Association would appreciate being labeled "the Baptist Boys," but it seemed to be a fun heading for today's posting.  The group I'm referring to are all those men who pastor churches belonging to the Conservative Baptist Association in southeastern Massachusetts and the northern tip of Rhode Island.  Each regional group is called a "cluster," so we are by designation "the southeastern Massachusetts cluster."

Our cluster meets the first Tuesday of every month, except for a two-month break we take over summer.  So yesterday, September 2, was our first cluster meeting of the new year.  I think our cluster has around twenty churches on its roster, but only half of those attend our monthly meetings with any regularity.  Each church takes a turn at hosting the meeting (all of our churches are within an hour's drive of each other).  One of the pastors serves as a moderator for a one-year term and directs the course of the meeting.  Here is a typical meeting schedule:

9:00 Refreshments and informal fellowship

9:30 The moderator opens with prayer

9:35 The moderator shares any pertinent updates from the CBA

9:45 We share prayer requests and spend time in prayer

10:15 We have a devotional and/or discuss some aspect of pastoral/church ministry

11:30 The meeting closes in prayer (some go out for lunch afterwards)

We as a pastoral staff at FBC tend to make about seven or eight out of ten meetings per year.  Though this takes up an entire morning one day a month, I think that it is a worthy investment of our time as pastors.  Let me share just a few reasons why I believe attending these meetings are important:

1. They strengthen the unity of us pastors and that of our congregations.  Ephesians 4:3 tells us that we are to be "endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."  This is not a superficial unity but a true spiritual unity.  Paul goes on to say in the above passage that there is "one body and one Spirit ... one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."  The pastors in our cluster all preach the same gospel, embrace the same Scripture, and love the same Lord.  Coming together regularly for the sake of fellowship, prayer, and mutual instruction is a conscientious effort on our part to promote and preserve our unity in Christ.  And, as I mentioned, it strengthens not only our unity but that of our congregations.  In fact, our churches get together once or twice a year for an evening of celebration unto the Lord.  Furthermore, it's inevitable that some folks might leave one of our churches, only to go to another church in our cluster.  It's good for them to know that we pastors love one another and support one another in the work of the ministry.  
2. They strengthen the corporate witness of the church.  Jesus said, "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35).  This is true not only of believers in a single church but also of a cluster of churches such as ours.  By loving one another, we are being a greater witness to the world of our oneness in Christ.
3. They serve as opportunities to sharpen one another.  Though we are all unified in the fundamental doctrines of the faith, we don't all cross our t's and dot our i's the same way.  Sometimes it's a matter of preference; other times it's a matter of principle.  When we talk about any given issue in the church (e.g., evangelism, church membership, qualifications for leadership, etc.), there are different perspectives and philosophies of ministry among us.  Gracious interaction helps us to keep one another's "feet to the fire" in a wholesome and helpful way.  Also, we can offer one another practical tips on how to minister more effectively to our congregations in any given area.  We can recommend helpful resources to each other.  There are many practical benefits that we receive by coming together in this way.

Certainly more reasons could be shared.  But my point in sharing the above reasons, and letting you know about these meetings in general, is to stress the importance of our interdependence on the Lord as believers.  Fellowship with other Christians is a critical means of spiritual growth - a means that God Himself has provided for our mutual encouragement as believers.  Pastors are no exceptions!  Furthermore, we lead by example!  So I hope that by making you aware of steps we take to promote and preserve Christian fellowship, you yourself will be motivated to do the same - first with your own church family and then with other believers outside our local community, as God gives you opportunity.

Drawing from the Well of the Hidden Word

My day got off to a rough start.  Instead of waking up to my alarm, I was awakened first (around 5:30 a.m.) by the ringing of the telephone.  Whenever the telephone rings that early, my first thought is: "Somebody died."  Thankfully that was not the case.  The person on the other line was a homeless, pregnant woman needing some help.

"How did she get my number?  Why of all people is she calling me?  What does she expect me to do?  Does she think that we pastors keep a bunch of money around for early morning emergencies?  I'll bet she's just another con artist looking for some quick money. . . ."   Shamefully, these were my initial thoughts.  But then a certain verse came to mind:

"He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and He will reward him for what he has done" (Prov. 19:17).

Almost immediately my mindset changed, and I asked the Lord to give me His grace and wisdom as I dealt with this situation.

What's interesting about this verse is that it did not just "pop" out of nowhere.  I had just read it in a devotional reading before bed two nights earlier!  And it just wasn't a cross-reference, either.  It was the headline verse, and the devotional was a pastor's written meditation on it and what it meant.  At the time I read it, I thought: "That was nice ... some good insight" - but that was about it.  It wasn't until approximately 30 hours later that the relevance of that verse hit me in a very personal and practical way at a critical hour.

This was a great reminder to me of how important it is to digest God's Word on a continual basis.  "Thy Word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee" (Psalm 119:11).  Here I had begun to sin with an unsympathetic, selfish attitude, yet God rescued me from my sin by bringing to mind that Scripture that had been my recent focus of meditation.

You see, at the time we're reading any given Scripture, it may not impress us all that much right then and there.  We may not see its relevance right away.  But the fact is, we are filling the well of our hearts with the water of the Word.  Then later, when the situation calls for it, some key Scripture comes to mind - a promise, blessing, or command that God brings to mind as His Spirit draws from "the well of the hidden Word."  You can imagine how glad I was when God caused that verse to come to mind early this morning.  I thought, "Ah!  Now I see why God had that verse for me!  Thank you, Lord!"

Imagine how much more interesting, blessed, and adventurous life would be if we filled the well of our hearts with God's Word more consistently and conscientiously.  Oh, what we miss when we don't!

By the way, God brought everything together in a marvelous way with that needy woman.  Within a couple hours, we were able to get her the help she needed by expressing the love of Christ to her in a tangible way and, most importantly, by sharing with her the Good News of salvation.

How is your "well," by the way?  Is it deep or running dry?

18 Tips for a Terrific Marriage

This past Monday, August 18, Ruthie and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary.  Although our marriage is far from perfect, it is healthy and thriving.  We can honestly say that we love one another more deeply and passionately than ever before.  

At the same time, our hearts go out to our friends and fellow church members who are distressed or discouraged over the state of their marriage.  Their relationship is characterized by conflict and frustration rather than love, joy and peace.

In his book, When Sinners Say "I Do": Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage, author Dave Harvey begins by presenting three biblical principles in relation to a Christian marriage.  I have thought about these over and over, and I am convinced that if couples would remember and apply these principles on a consistent basis, their marriage would be transformed:

1.  God's Word is the foundation for marriage.

2.  God's glory is the focus of marriage.

3.  The Gospel is the fountain of marriage.

By God's grace, Ruthie and I can say that we see these three principles actively at work in our marriage.  Again, let me stress that our marriage is far from perfect!  But we are happy and fulfilled in our covenant of companionship. 

As you can see, the three principles stated above are very basic and broad.  While we would encourage you to get the book (wherein Harvey expounds upon these principles), we thought it would be helpful to share with you some personal tidbits on how we apply these principles in everyday, practical ways in our own marriage.

Considering that we just celebrated our 18th anniversary on the 18th of August, we decided to share "18 Tips for a Terrific Marriage."  When I asked Ruthie to help me with this project, she spent some time working on this while I was at a ministry meeting.  When I came home and asked her if she came up with some practical suggestions, she said, "Yes, but instead of eighteen, I came up with twenty-four!"

After some slight revisions, we have boiled down Ruthie's original list to our "quota" of 18 tips, by making the additional suggestions fit as sub-points elsewhere.  I thought you should know, up front, that Ruthie came up with this list.  So while I concur with everything that she said and have included some Scripture references and a few additional comments, these are suggestions coming from a wife's standpoint, with the hearty endorsement of her happy and fulfilled husband.  So here they are, in no particular order:

1. Look for the things you love about your spouse, not the little things that irritate you (Phil. 4:8).
   
2. Make time to talk (even about the everyday things) a real priority.
3. Keep short accounts with one another.  Don't let bitterness or resentment build.  Note:  Timing is everything when it comes to bringing up a sensitive or stressful situation.  Late at night when you're both tired is usually not the best time to resolve a disagreement.  The key to not letting the sun go down on your wrath is to give it to the Lord (Psalm 4:4-5), not to "give it" to your spouse right before bed!
4. Try to discuss things of the Lord and His Word (Psalm 19:165), and pray together as often as possible (Eph. 6:18; 1 Pet. 4:7-8).
5. Be thankful and appreciative for all that your spouse does, whether monumental or mundane (1 Thes. 5:17).
6. Be intentional about keeping courtship and romance alive in your marriage (Song of Solomon 1:15-16; 2:2-6; 7:10):  (a) Take the time and effort to make yourself attractive to your spouse; (b) Make "date night" a regular priority - be creative, it doesn't need to be costly; (c) If at all possible, go to bed at the same time, don't have a TV in your bedroom, and make sure you're clean and fresh - it's conducive to snuggling!  (d) Be sensitive to meeting your spouse's sexual needs (1 Cor. 7:3) - remember it's not all about you ... and you are usually glad you did! :)
7. Be sure both your husband and kids see that he is the final authority in the home.  Husbands, be sure your kids see how much you love and respect your wife.  Insist that they honor their mother as well (Prov. 31:28).
8. Never criticize your spouse to your kids; bring your concerns to him or her in a right spirit, and in private, once you have examined your own heart.  Note:  United, loving parents give a huge sense of security to their children.
9. Don't assume the worst about your spouse in a given situation; remember, love believes the best (1 Cor. 13:7).
10. Make every effort to keep your home - and particularly your bedroom clutter-free and inviting.
11. Make sitting down to dinner together as a family a priority.  In the end, sports and guitar lessons pale in comparison.  If dinner simply cannot work out, then make it some other meal.
12. Don't nag or manipulate to get what you want.  While it may bring short-term results, it will bring long-term damage.
13. Remember to lift up your spouse in prayer daily.
14. Try to make your home as stress-free as possible, so that coming home is a pleasant, not miserable, experience.
15. Don't speak negatively of your spouse to others, and always be ready to defend him or her if someone does.  (This does not mean that you excuse or endorse the sin of your spouse, but that you handle things in a loving, biblical manner, wherein you seek to uphold his or her honor.)
16. Make a conscious effort to encourage and build up your spouse, always being there to help him or her in any way you can.  You should be your spouse's number-one encourager.
17. Don't let money matters ruin your marriage.  Wives, don't complain about what you don't have materially; it makes your husband feel inadequate as the provider.  Besides, we are to set our minds on the eternal, not the temporal (2 Cor. 4:18; Col. 3:1-2).  Do your best to stretch the house-hold dollar.  Be a good steward of what God has already given you.  Be content with what you have (1 Tim. 6:8).  Husbands, be as generous to your wives as possible.  Be more generous to them than you are to yourselves.
18. Make your marriage the central relationship in the home (apart from your individual relationship to Christ, of course).  While children are God's gifts and welcomed additions to the family, they are not the central feature of the family; the marriage relationship is (Gen. 2:24).  Make sure that your schedules and activities reflect the priority of the marriage relationship.  In addition to preserving your marriage, this will bring more benefit and security to your kids than you can imagine.

Well, there you have it!  May these practical tidbits be a help and encouragement to you, as pursue a healthy and vibrant marriage to the glory of God!

"Respectable Sins": A Must Read for Every Christian

I read a lot of books, and a lot of endorsements regarding books.  Many endorsements include the highly complimentary and promotional phrase, "a must read."  Yet this expression is used so liberally, one can't possibly read all the books that he "must."  And let's face it: the only real book that we "must" read is the Bible.  It is the Word of God and the ultimate standard by which every other book must be judged.

Having said that, let me add that Jerry Bridges' latest book, "Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate" is a must read for every Christian.  I say that because its message is both radically and refreshingly biblical.  It addresses head-on the "acceptable sins" that tend to go unchecked in our lives.  While condemning the "major" sins of society, we too often excuse and overlook the more subtle sins in ourselves.  Instead of addressing them, we accommodate them.  Yet the Word of God speaks clearly on those matters where we tend to be silent.  Here are some of the sins that Bridges discusses in his book:

Ungodliness

Anxiety and Frustration

Discontentment

Unthankfulness

Pride

Selfishness

Lack of Self-Control

Impatience and Irritability

Anger

Judgmentalism

Envy and Jealousy

Sins of the Tongue

Worldliness

Now, if you're like me, you look at a list like that and initially think, "Oh, great.  It looks like I'm in for some real beat-up sessions."  But let me assure you that while this book is convicting, it is also very encouraging and motivating.  It didn't leave me feeling "beat up" but highly desirous to get the victory over troublesome areas in my life through the power of the Holy Spirit (in fact, the author devotes a whole chapter to this before addressing any of the specific sins).

I liked this book not only because its message is highly relevant and timely for believers today (particularly those living here in America), but also because of the manner in which the message is delivered.  Three characteristics in particular really stood out to me:

The author is precise.  That is, he does very well in defining and describing the specific sins he is addressing.  Though he says outright that he is not intending to be overly technical, I found him to be very articulate and biblically accurate in his handling of these topics.

The author is personal.  By this I mean that Jerry Bridges is very honest and transparent regarding his own struggles in some of these areas.  Furthermore, he communicates in such a way that you feel like he's sitting in your living room discussing these things in a calm but earnest manner over a cup of coffee.  I appreciated the assessment of pastor/professor Ligon Duncan, who wrote, "I can't think of any partner with whose help I'd rather tackle my own heart sins than Jerry."  I think you'll end up feeling the same way as you read this book.

The author is passionate.  He is passionate about Jesus Christ.  He is passionate about pursuing holiness.  And his passion is contagious.  I found myself not being beat up so much as built up.  Don't get me wrong: this book was very convicting.  But it was also marvelously motivating.  The Lord used it to make me all the more grateful for His grace and for Christ my Savior.  Consequently, I found myself wanting to rid my life of anything displeasing to Him.

So this is definitely a book worth buying.  Read it with an open heart, and you will no doubt be blessed by it as you heed what you read.

Wallets, Worry, and Walking in the Spirit

My day started off wonderfully.  I got up, poured myself a cup of coffee, sat outside enjoying the beauty of God's creation, and opened my Bible to see what the Lord had for me this morning.  It was a wonderful time of communing with my Savior.  For a few brief moments, it was like no one else was in the world but me and my God.

Soon after having my devotions, I had to drive to a location about 15 minutes away to get some work done in a relatively quiet spot.  On the way there, I was singing to the Lord and had a very conscious sense of being filled with the Spirit.  I thanked the Lord for getting my day off to such a good start, for the joy of His presence, and I prayed that this would continue throughout the day.

All went well for about an hour, then came the test.  While walking from one place to another, for some reason I reached back to feel for my wallet in my back pocket.  It wasn't there.  I went to where I was sitting; it wasn't there, either.  I went up to the counter of the coffee shop where I had made a purchase, thinking I left it there.  It wasn't there either, and none of the staff had seen it.  My heart began to race.  You know the feeling!  My driver's license, cash, credit cards, and the like were all in there.  I got all worried and distraught as I continued looking for my wallet.  A couple employees helped me.  Finally, I was able to find it on the floor, having traced back my steps.  It had fallen out of my back pocket (which in this particular pair of shorts is pretty small).  I breathed a sigh of relief as I sat back down and resumed working.

But as I did so, I thought of how quickly I moved from walking in the Spirit to worry.  One quick change in circumstances is all it took!  To be more precise, I found myself struggling between worry (walking in the flesh) and trusting in the Lord (walking in the Spirit).  I know this because even as I was guilty of worrying, I was praying the whole time, asking the Lord to calm my spirit, to help me to give this situation to Him, and to show me where my wallet was!

In this one little incident I was reminded of the great struggle of the Christian life - the struggle to keep my focus on my Savior instead of my circumstances.  Scripture tells me to "be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication" to let my requests be made known to God, offering them in a spirit of thanksgiving.  This can only come by the Spirit.  In and of myself, I am weak, frail, and always vacillating.

Well, thank God I found my wallet.  More importantly, I praise Him for being so patient with me.  How glad I am that He who started His work in me will complete it till the day of Christ Jesus (Phil. 1:6).  Why?  Because the One who calls me is faithful, who also will do it (1 Thes. 5:24)!

Live so as to be missed

Reconnecting with old friends has been fun.  I've been doing this for a couple of weeks now, sneaking in a moment here and there, as I'm able.  Some acquaintances go back more than two decades to my adolescent years.  It's cool to see kids that I've grown up with now married with kids of their own.

But probably one of my greatest joys has been to get reacquainted with the teens that I shepherded from 1991-1994 when I served as Associate Pastor of Student Ministries at Immanuel Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia.  One kid that was just coming into high school when I left is now serving in the same position!  What a joy it was to see how far he's come in his theological convictions, philosophy of ministry and such.  "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth" (3 John 4).

One of the teens I was able to contact came from a really good family (many of them did, actually).  I especially remember how tight she was with her brother, who was two years older than she was.  They were both in the youth ministry in that same short period of time that I was the youth pastor.  Her brother was a tall, clean-cut kid who loved the Lord and was mature beyond his years.  He was good-natured yet very earnest about spiritual matters.  Without a doubt, he was the best-behaved boy in the youth group (as I recall), and his outward compliance stemmed from his inner character.

So in my correspondence with this young lady, I asked her how I could get in contact with her brother.  You can imagine my shock and sadness as I read her response:

Hi Pastor Matt! 

It was very nice to get your message. I have really enjoyed being able to reconnect and catch up with people through Facebook. I hope you and Ruthie and your kids are all doing well. 
I guess you have not heard yet, but on June 20th this year, God called James home to be with Him. He died instantly of a massive heart attack while on his lunch break. He leaves behind a wife and 2 daughters, ages 2 and 4. It was a huge shock, and our family continues to deal with his loss. However, the Lord continues to prove Himself a good and faithful God. Even in this, we trust His plans and purposes, and we rejoice that [he] is with his Savior in heaven. 

James always spoke fondly of his time with you in the youth group. He loved his trip to New England/Canada that you all went on that one summer. 
If you would like to know more about his life or have any questions, please feel free to ask. I love sharing about my big brother!
Take care and the Lord bless!

Sincerely, 
Sarah

What a great testimony to a life well-lived.  This young man lived only three decades, but what a life he lived!  I wasn't there for the last half of it, but apparently it continued to be lived to God's glory.  

I thought of another young man that died around the same age - only it was nearly two centuries ago.  His name was Robert Murray M'Cheyne, and he, too, lived a very full life within a very short period.  He was a dedicated preacher in Scotland, and he had not completed more than twenty-nine years when God took him.  Andrew Bonar, a close friend of M'Cheyne who wrote his biography, said:

Wherever the news of his departure came, every Christian countenance was darkened with sadness.  Perhaps never was the death of one, whose whole occupation had been preaching the everlasting gospel, more felt by all the saints of God in Scotland. . . .  He himself used to say, "Live so as to be missed;" and none that saw the tears that were shed over his death would have doubted that his own life had been what he recommended to others. . . . His work was finished!  His heavenly Father had not another plant for him to water, nor another vine for him to train; and the Saviour who so loved him was waiting to greet him with his own welcome: "Well done, good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

No doubt my young friend James heard those same words as he was ushered into glory.  And I can't help but notice how the rock-solid theology of his family has been used by God to strengthen them in this time of sorrow.  They attribute all things to the sovereignty of God - the God who loves them and who works all things together for their good, as ones who have been graciously called by Him.  

Here we find a lesson for all of us - to "live so as to be missed" by living a life of service to others for the glory of God, and to know this God intimately so that when tragedies come, "we have an anchor that keeps the soul steadfast and sure while the billows roll."