Stranger in a Strange Land
It's no surprise that we swim against the tide of pop culture. We are the "called out" ones. However, it is startling to look up from your swim-lane and find you're on a dramatically different course than most of the church around you.
Let's face it, just affirming covenant baptism and rejecting Left Behind puts you in a statistically-insignificant group. Then throw in worship convictions, education convictions, etc. That's one more reason why I like blogs--they help connect me to others in some meaningful way.
Although the path of sanctification has taken some surprising turns over the last year, I feel good about it. In my less-reformed past the teaching was milky, so much so it was easy to become somewhat of an expert milkman. Now I see so much to be learned I don't feel qualified to teach on much at all. Before, my leisure time largely mirrored the world's; now much richer things captivate me. Before, the gospel seemed like the ABCs; now it's the A-Z.
Thursday, April 22, 2004
Tuesday, April 20, 2004
What Do I Do Now?
My colonel retired Friday. His charisma was unmatchable; think "most popular guy in high school" and that's him at 40-something. He'd motivate you from a top the conference room table during staff meeting. He'd cut a flip on the way to the podium just to "set the stage". His wit and charm earned him the tite, "Mr. Hollywood". He's a powerful leader. But he's also honestly mistaken. During officer calls he'd boldly and repeatedly state that family (his wife and two kids) has not been first; the Air Force is. It wasn't a confession but a proclamation. He echoed this during his retirement reception, with his wife sitting in the front row.
At least he's honest, many men say that family is first but their life proves otherwise. For my colonel, now that he's retired, it'd be interesting to know how his family adjusts to his re-entry after 26 years. But, like most "successful" men, it probably won't take long for him to find something else to make first.
Speaking of "what do I do now", after a cram-packed year I finished my last Air Command and Staff College exam today! My evenings are free again! Well, that is, until I become a full-time student in June for a year.
My colonel retired Friday. His charisma was unmatchable; think "most popular guy in high school" and that's him at 40-something. He'd motivate you from a top the conference room table during staff meeting. He'd cut a flip on the way to the podium just to "set the stage". His wit and charm earned him the tite, "Mr. Hollywood". He's a powerful leader. But he's also honestly mistaken. During officer calls he'd boldly and repeatedly state that family (his wife and two kids) has not been first; the Air Force is. It wasn't a confession but a proclamation. He echoed this during his retirement reception, with his wife sitting in the front row.
At least he's honest, many men say that family is first but their life proves otherwise. For my colonel, now that he's retired, it'd be interesting to know how his family adjusts to his re-entry after 26 years. But, like most "successful" men, it probably won't take long for him to find something else to make first.
Speaking of "what do I do now", after a cram-packed year I finished my last Air Command and Staff College exam today! My evenings are free again! Well, that is, until I become a full-time student in June for a year.
Sunday, April 18, 2004
I, like Jacob in Esau's Garment
After a powerful sermon today from Genesis 27:1-29, where Jacob deceives his father and receives the blessing intended for Esau, I think a highly unusual foray into poetry may be in order.
I, like Jacob in Esau's garment
went into my Father's room.
He smelled the smell of my elder brother
that covered my stench of doom.
Dressed in the garb of Father's favorite
I receive what I am not due.
O rightful Son of the Father,
blessed be everyone who blesses you!
After a powerful sermon today from Genesis 27:1-29, where Jacob deceives his father and receives the blessing intended for Esau, I think a highly unusual foray into poetry may be in order.
I, like Jacob in Esau's garment
went into my Father's room.
He smelled the smell of my elder brother
that covered my stench of doom.
Dressed in the garb of Father's favorite
I receive what I am not due.
O rightful Son of the Father,
blessed be everyone who blesses you!
Saturday, April 17, 2004
Mrs. Wrestling Mat Goes to the Laundry Mat
By Kristin, earlier this week
Of all the things to do today I dreaded having to do laundry! Did I forget to mention that the man came to repair the washer on Monday and ended up taking it back to the shop with him? Worse than he thought--Thursday is the projected date of return. I drove by a run down laundry mat on the way to library story hour and cringed. UGH! No way did I want to do that!
At the library, Hope, my new friend that homeschools and has kids in gymnastics class with us at the YMCA, mentioned that she saw a new laundry mat by Hwy 96 when I was bemoaning that I didn't want to, but after 5 days, I had to do laundry.
You would have thought it was CHUCK E CHEESE or something. All 3 of the kiddos had a blast. The laundry place was nice, clean, and....fun. It had regular washers, washers for double loads, and giant washers for doing a triple sized load!
We did a double load of whites and a (OH BOY!) triple load of darks. The kids had a blast loading the washers with clothes and then QUARTERs! Eli did not want to leave to get lunch! But I loaded the kids back into the car, went through the golden arches drive thru, returned to finish watching the clothes spin (Isaiah reported if there were bubbles or just water), and urged the kids to please eat their lunch so we could go home. Then I buckled the younger two in the van and had Eli be my door holder. He asked if we could come back again. I said hopefully not as the washer will be back on Thursday. Both he and Grace said they thought their clothes would really need washing as they really wanted to come back.
By Kristin, earlier this week
Of all the things to do today I dreaded having to do laundry! Did I forget to mention that the man came to repair the washer on Monday and ended up taking it back to the shop with him? Worse than he thought--Thursday is the projected date of return. I drove by a run down laundry mat on the way to library story hour and cringed. UGH! No way did I want to do that!
At the library, Hope, my new friend that homeschools and has kids in gymnastics class with us at the YMCA, mentioned that she saw a new laundry mat by Hwy 96 when I was bemoaning that I didn't want to, but after 5 days, I had to do laundry.
You would have thought it was CHUCK E CHEESE or something. All 3 of the kiddos had a blast. The laundry place was nice, clean, and....fun. It had regular washers, washers for double loads, and giant washers for doing a triple sized load!
We did a double load of whites and a (OH BOY!) triple load of darks. The kids had a blast loading the washers with clothes and then QUARTERs! Eli did not want to leave to get lunch! But I loaded the kids back into the car, went through the golden arches drive thru, returned to finish watching the clothes spin (Isaiah reported if there were bubbles or just water), and urged the kids to please eat their lunch so we could go home. Then I buckled the younger two in the van and had Eli be my door holder. He asked if we could come back again. I said hopefully not as the washer will be back on Thursday. Both he and Grace said they thought their clothes would really need washing as they really wanted to come back.
Friday, April 16, 2004
Out of Egypt
My favorite summation of the gospel was: God's sovereignty, Man's sinfulness, Christ's sufficiency. Nothing wrong with that, but I've been won over to the way my pastor preaches the gospel to believers, it goes something like this:
We're all born in Egypt, not the place, but the condition--in slavery to sin. God intervened and delivered us from that bondage and oppression. He's taking us to the Promised Land, which is the New Heavens and New Earth. But for now we're in the wilderness. It's a hard place. The temptation is to go back to Egypt, or to stay and gut it out here in the wilderness. But we're called to believe God's promises. He's proactively out for our good. He won't count our sins against us. He'll defeat all His and our enemies. He will finish the job.
No surprise that this pastor is most at home preaching from the "Older Testament", as he calls it. You can't swing a dead cat in there without hitting the gospel.
My favorite summation of the gospel was: God's sovereignty, Man's sinfulness, Christ's sufficiency. Nothing wrong with that, but I've been won over to the way my pastor preaches the gospel to believers, it goes something like this:
We're all born in Egypt, not the place, but the condition--in slavery to sin. God intervened and delivered us from that bondage and oppression. He's taking us to the Promised Land, which is the New Heavens and New Earth. But for now we're in the wilderness. It's a hard place. The temptation is to go back to Egypt, or to stay and gut it out here in the wilderness. But we're called to believe God's promises. He's proactively out for our good. He won't count our sins against us. He'll defeat all His and our enemies. He will finish the job.
No surprise that this pastor is most at home preaching from the "Older Testament", as he calls it. You can't swing a dead cat in there without hitting the gospel.
Thursday, April 15, 2004
Me and My Bible
So many important things that I've never heard before come from my pastor these days. I hope to record a few here in upcoming posts.
He says we properly understand Scripture through three lenses: the text, historical understanding of the text (e.g. creeds, catechisms), and our present community (e.g. our particular church, the era and culture we live in, etc). If we minimize historical understanding, as so many do these days, we're bound to goof up the meaning of the text.
I've been part of churches that strived to be "Sola Scriptura", but in actuality I think were closer to "me and my Bible". There's a big difference between the two. These churches (and I) failed to account for the affect that our cultural presuppositions have on our comprehension of the text. This is why historical understanding is so important. We need 2,000 years worth of Christian thought to properly balance and guide our understanding of Scripture safely through our own time and culture.
So many important things that I've never heard before come from my pastor these days. I hope to record a few here in upcoming posts.
He says we properly understand Scripture through three lenses: the text, historical understanding of the text (e.g. creeds, catechisms), and our present community (e.g. our particular church, the era and culture we live in, etc). If we minimize historical understanding, as so many do these days, we're bound to goof up the meaning of the text.
I've been part of churches that strived to be "Sola Scriptura", but in actuality I think were closer to "me and my Bible". There's a big difference between the two. These churches (and I) failed to account for the affect that our cultural presuppositions have on our comprehension of the text. This is why historical understanding is so important. We need 2,000 years worth of Christian thought to properly balance and guide our understanding of Scripture safely through our own time and culture.
Wednesday, April 14, 2004
Why I Write
Today is the first anniversary of this blog. Seems like a good time to think through why I write.
I write for myself. Blogging is a good forcing function for meditating on the Scriptures and life "under the sun". It helps me capture a fleeting thought. Writing forces the thought to take shape. My 6-year old son isn't content to watch butterflies flitter across our yard. Net in hand, he runs off intent to catch and understand them. Likewise, the Scriptures shouldn't just "walk by" me during a morning devotion, it's better that I wrestle them throughout the day. A morning devotion starts the match, the evening blog entry ends the bout.
I write for others. We're called to edify, and I see a need for this in the blogosphere. Most blogs about discipling a family belong to the ladies (and my wife and I profit greatly from them). As far as I can find, the majority of blogging men focus on theological, cultural, or political hot buttons. There's a place for that, but we could use more manly blogs that reflect a father's heart turned towards his family. I try to contribute to that need.
Today is the first anniversary of this blog. Seems like a good time to think through why I write.
I write for myself. Blogging is a good forcing function for meditating on the Scriptures and life "under the sun". It helps me capture a fleeting thought. Writing forces the thought to take shape. My 6-year old son isn't content to watch butterflies flitter across our yard. Net in hand, he runs off intent to catch and understand them. Likewise, the Scriptures shouldn't just "walk by" me during a morning devotion, it's better that I wrestle them throughout the day. A morning devotion starts the match, the evening blog entry ends the bout.
I write for others. We're called to edify, and I see a need for this in the blogosphere. Most blogs about discipling a family belong to the ladies (and my wife and I profit greatly from them). As far as I can find, the majority of blogging men focus on theological, cultural, or political hot buttons. There's a place for that, but we could use more manly blogs that reflect a father's heart turned towards his family. I try to contribute to that need.
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
Humbled by Adversity, We Learn the Deception
At work I have my cross to bear--difficult people, broken processes, broken people, and difficult processes. At home, my wife bears a heavier cross--difficult neighbors, broken appliances, a broken body, and difficult children. And some days they all misfire at once.
Yet the heaviest cross is mine, and it's that I cannot take Kristin's cross from her. But what I should do, and a good head of home will do, is ensure that she is bearing only the cross God gives. Neither I, nor anyone else, should add to it. But I must call her to take up her cross and follow Christ.
Calvin is especially strong here. Here are powerful reasons for bearing your cross, excerpted from his Institutes (Book 3).
REASON 1: Our Cross Conforms Us to Christ
"Though the Son was dear to the Father above all others, the Son in whom he was "well pleased," yet we see, that far from being treated gently and indulgently, we may say his whole life was nothing else than a kind of perpetual cross. Why then should we exempt ourselves from that condition to which Christ our Head behoved to submit? It affords us great consolation in hard and difficult circumstances, which men deem evil and adverse, to think that we are holding fellowship with the sufferings of Christ; that as he passed to celestial glory through a labyrinth of many woes, so we too are conducted thither through various tribulations.
REASON 2: Our Cross Rids Us of Self-Confidence
"Since we indulge a stupid and empty confidence in the flesh, God visits us with disgrace, or poverty, or bereavement, or disease, or other afflictions. Feeling altogether unable to support them, we forthwith, in so far as regards ourselves, give way, and thus humbled learn to invoke his strength, which alone can enable us to bear up under a weight of affliction. Humbled by adversity, we learn the deception. It is surely plain how necessary it is for us to bear the cross. It is of no little importance to be rid of your self-love, and made fully conscious of your weakness; so impressed with a sense of your weakness as to learn to distrust yourself so as to transfer your confidence to God, reclining on him with such heartfelt confidence as to trust in his aid, and continue invincible to the end, standing by his grace so as to perceive that he is true to his promises, and so assured of the certainty of his promises as to be strong in hope.
REASON 3: Our Cross Frees Us From Half-Hearted Joy
"God well knows how strongly we are inclined by nature to a slavish love of this world, in order to prevent us from clinging too strongly to it, he employs the fittest reason for calling us back, and shaking off our lethargy. Our stupidity! Our minds are so dazzled with the glare of wealth, power, and honours, that they can see no farther. The heart also, engrossed with avarice, ambition, and lust, is weighed down and cannot rise above them. In short, the whole soul,
ensnared by the allurements of the flesh, seeks its happiness on the earth. To meet this disease, the Lord makes his people sensible of the vanity of the present life, by a constant proof of its miseries."
We have a tendancy to want to throw-off our cross, thinking we'll then enjoy a better life. But, how useful and beneficial our crosses are to the good life! "We must through much tribulation enter the kingdom of God." (Acts 24:22)
At work I have my cross to bear--difficult people, broken processes, broken people, and difficult processes. At home, my wife bears a heavier cross--difficult neighbors, broken appliances, a broken body, and difficult children. And some days they all misfire at once.
Yet the heaviest cross is mine, and it's that I cannot take Kristin's cross from her. But what I should do, and a good head of home will do, is ensure that she is bearing only the cross God gives. Neither I, nor anyone else, should add to it. But I must call her to take up her cross and follow Christ.
Calvin is especially strong here. Here are powerful reasons for bearing your cross, excerpted from his Institutes (Book 3).
REASON 1: Our Cross Conforms Us to Christ
"Though the Son was dear to the Father above all others, the Son in whom he was "well pleased," yet we see, that far from being treated gently and indulgently, we may say his whole life was nothing else than a kind of perpetual cross. Why then should we exempt ourselves from that condition to which Christ our Head behoved to submit? It affords us great consolation in hard and difficult circumstances, which men deem evil and adverse, to think that we are holding fellowship with the sufferings of Christ; that as he passed to celestial glory through a labyrinth of many woes, so we too are conducted thither through various tribulations.
REASON 2: Our Cross Rids Us of Self-Confidence
"Since we indulge a stupid and empty confidence in the flesh, God visits us with disgrace, or poverty, or bereavement, or disease, or other afflictions. Feeling altogether unable to support them, we forthwith, in so far as regards ourselves, give way, and thus humbled learn to invoke his strength, which alone can enable us to bear up under a weight of affliction. Humbled by adversity, we learn the deception. It is surely plain how necessary it is for us to bear the cross. It is of no little importance to be rid of your self-love, and made fully conscious of your weakness; so impressed with a sense of your weakness as to learn to distrust yourself so as to transfer your confidence to God, reclining on him with such heartfelt confidence as to trust in his aid, and continue invincible to the end, standing by his grace so as to perceive that he is true to his promises, and so assured of the certainty of his promises as to be strong in hope.
REASON 3: Our Cross Frees Us From Half-Hearted Joy
"God well knows how strongly we are inclined by nature to a slavish love of this world, in order to prevent us from clinging too strongly to it, he employs the fittest reason for calling us back, and shaking off our lethargy. Our stupidity! Our minds are so dazzled with the glare of wealth, power, and honours, that they can see no farther. The heart also, engrossed with avarice, ambition, and lust, is weighed down and cannot rise above them. In short, the whole soul,
ensnared by the allurements of the flesh, seeks its happiness on the earth. To meet this disease, the Lord makes his people sensible of the vanity of the present life, by a constant proof of its miseries."
We have a tendancy to want to throw-off our cross, thinking we'll then enjoy a better life. But, how useful and beneficial our crosses are to the good life! "We must through much tribulation enter the kingdom of God." (Acts 24:22)
Sunday, April 11, 2004
Easter Presents
- Justification! (Rom 4:25)
- Our faith is not in vain (1 Cor 15:17)
- Preaching is not in vain (1 Cor 15:14)
- The power of sin is DEAD! (Rom 6:11)
- Born again to a living hope... (1 Pet 1:3-5)
-- to an inheritance that is unfading!
-- kept for us in heaven, guarded by God
- Seated with Christ in the heavenly places (Eph 2:6)
- Promised to appear with Him in glory! (Col 3:4)
- Those who fall asleep in Christ have not perished! (1 Cor 15:18)
- Our lowly bodies will be transformed like His glorious body! (Phil 3:20)
(based on Heidelberg Catechism #45, "How does Christ's resurrection benefit us?")
- Justification! (Rom 4:25)
- Our faith is not in vain (1 Cor 15:17)
- Preaching is not in vain (1 Cor 15:14)
- The power of sin is DEAD! (Rom 6:11)
- Born again to a living hope... (1 Pet 1:3-5)
-- to an inheritance that is unfading!
-- kept for us in heaven, guarded by God
- Seated with Christ in the heavenly places (Eph 2:6)
- Promised to appear with Him in glory! (Col 3:4)
- Those who fall asleep in Christ have not perished! (1 Cor 15:18)
- Our lowly bodies will be transformed like His glorious body! (Phil 3:20)
(based on Heidelberg Catechism #45, "How does Christ's resurrection benefit us?")
Friday, April 09, 2004
The City That is to Come
We're back from the Dayton house-hunting trip. The highlight of the week was clearly the Lord's Day. We enjoyed worship at Covenant OPC, met many new folks, and had dinner & family worship with some new friends. I hope our kind hosts won't mind me recounting a little event that particularly impressed Kristin and me. We're gathered around the piano singing Psalm 4. The wife is playing and singing. The husband is singing in harmony. (Kristin and I are trying to hit a note here and there as we're able). I understand little about music, but I believe the wife wrote the tune that we sang, which to me is an inscrutable skill. But what really impressed us was her ability while playing her own tune on the piano and singing harmony with her husband, to also make quick yet subtle use of her elbows, effectively keeping her littlest children's fingers from sneaking onto the keyboard. That's real mommy-talent.
The house-hunting was hectic--200+ Majors all reporting on the same day, combing the few available rentals. But God was kind to us, and in the end we signed a lease on a fine house in Fairborn, very close to the base. Interestingly, there's 2 other homeschooling families on our street.
To ease our nerves after the first day of fruitless searching, we found this, "For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come" (Heb 13:14). The magazines from Dayton's department of tourism make the town look like a great place, yet we're reminded that the closest we can be to our true home is the visible church. And we can rest assured that God will richly provide this for us.
We're back from the Dayton house-hunting trip. The highlight of the week was clearly the Lord's Day. We enjoyed worship at Covenant OPC, met many new folks, and had dinner & family worship with some new friends. I hope our kind hosts won't mind me recounting a little event that particularly impressed Kristin and me. We're gathered around the piano singing Psalm 4. The wife is playing and singing. The husband is singing in harmony. (Kristin and I are trying to hit a note here and there as we're able). I understand little about music, but I believe the wife wrote the tune that we sang, which to me is an inscrutable skill. But what really impressed us was her ability while playing her own tune on the piano and singing harmony with her husband, to also make quick yet subtle use of her elbows, effectively keeping her littlest children's fingers from sneaking onto the keyboard. That's real mommy-talent.
The house-hunting was hectic--200+ Majors all reporting on the same day, combing the few available rentals. But God was kind to us, and in the end we signed a lease on a fine house in Fairborn, very close to the base. Interestingly, there's 2 other homeschooling families on our street.
To ease our nerves after the first day of fruitless searching, we found this, "For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come" (Heb 13:14). The magazines from Dayton's department of tourism make the town look like a great place, yet we're reminded that the closest we can be to our true home is the visible church. And we can rest assured that God will richly provide this for us.
Thursday, April 01, 2004
We're Off to See the Wizard...er...Scarecrow
Tomorrow we'll start our house-hunting trip to Dayton, Ohio. First stop will be Birmingham, AL to drop off the children with Kristin's parents! This will be the first time in six years that Kristin and I have been together without our little ones. What an awkward feeling this will be! No interstate exit-hunts for a McDonalds with a playland! No crowded hotel-room! No hours of kiddie-music!
Lord willing (...and we remember to change the clock!) we'll worship at Covenant OPC this Lord's Day. We also look forward to meeting Barb and making some new friends.
Tomorrow we'll start our house-hunting trip to Dayton, Ohio. First stop will be Birmingham, AL to drop off the children with Kristin's parents! This will be the first time in six years that Kristin and I have been together without our little ones. What an awkward feeling this will be! No interstate exit-hunts for a McDonalds with a playland! No crowded hotel-room! No hours of kiddie-music!
Lord willing (...and we remember to change the clock!) we'll worship at Covenant OPC this Lord's Day. We also look forward to meeting Barb and making some new friends.
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
Fruit Trees
Tonight my pastor taught me a great deal about the gospel, in about 15 seconds. It's no quick fix. It's no magic formula. My struggle against sin is not all over in a day. Instead, the gospel chips away at my sinful nature. It molds me. Shapes me. Little by little.
This encourages me in my wrestling match against pride, anger, slander, lust, etc, etc; for I am corrupt in all of my being, just as the children's catechism says. To flee, cling, and rest on God is all I can do. And through my trials, God will sustain me, sinful nature and all, while He slowly perfects and renders fruit of holiness out of me.
"God is a gardener; He grows trees. He doesn't sell canned fruit. What He produces takes time and He is glorified by the process often more than the product." Russel Kelfer
Chesteron remarked, "You can easily imagine trees not growing fruit; you can imagine them growing golden candlesticks or tigers hanging on by the tail. A tree grows fruit because it is a magic tree."
While I'm more apt to produce tigers-by-the-tail, God can bring even fruit of holiness out of me.
Tonight my pastor taught me a great deal about the gospel, in about 15 seconds. It's no quick fix. It's no magic formula. My struggle against sin is not all over in a day. Instead, the gospel chips away at my sinful nature. It molds me. Shapes me. Little by little.
This encourages me in my wrestling match against pride, anger, slander, lust, etc, etc; for I am corrupt in all of my being, just as the children's catechism says. To flee, cling, and rest on God is all I can do. And through my trials, God will sustain me, sinful nature and all, while He slowly perfects and renders fruit of holiness out of me.
"God is a gardener; He grows trees. He doesn't sell canned fruit. What He produces takes time and He is glorified by the process often more than the product." Russel Kelfer
Chesteron remarked, "You can easily imagine trees not growing fruit; you can imagine them growing golden candlesticks or tigers hanging on by the tail. A tree grows fruit because it is a magic tree."
While I'm more apt to produce tigers-by-the-tail, God can bring even fruit of holiness out of me.
Tuesday, March 30, 2004
The Easy Life
School registration opened yesterday. Several co-workers, parents of pre-K children, actually camped out in the public school parking lot over the weekend to ensure their 4 year old got a slot. Meanwhile, we're struggling with our 4-year old, who has been especially difficult lately. The easy life calls.
My colonel's retirement golf outing was also yesterday. Nice, large houses and new cars surrounded me for several hours. Conversation centered on the refined swing, the best golf clubs, and the right country clubs. The easy life calls.
I have the means to lead my family to an easy life. We could spend more on ourselves while posturing to spend retirement collecting seashells in Florida. I could make my wife's life especially easier right away by freeing her of homeschool duties.
But the things that people say will make us all happier I don't think really will. Big houses, expensive cars, kids off to school, double-income--if this is the easy life, it's only so for a while.
There's the importance of delayed gratification. Not gratification in fine houses and possessions, but in wisdom that only comes through tribulations and gratification in godly children, well-raised.
School registration opened yesterday. Several co-workers, parents of pre-K children, actually camped out in the public school parking lot over the weekend to ensure their 4 year old got a slot. Meanwhile, we're struggling with our 4-year old, who has been especially difficult lately. The easy life calls.
My colonel's retirement golf outing was also yesterday. Nice, large houses and new cars surrounded me for several hours. Conversation centered on the refined swing, the best golf clubs, and the right country clubs. The easy life calls.
I have the means to lead my family to an easy life. We could spend more on ourselves while posturing to spend retirement collecting seashells in Florida. I could make my wife's life especially easier right away by freeing her of homeschool duties.
But the things that people say will make us all happier I don't think really will. Big houses, expensive cars, kids off to school, double-income--if this is the easy life, it's only so for a while.
There's the importance of delayed gratification. Not gratification in fine houses and possessions, but in wisdom that only comes through tribulations and gratification in godly children, well-raised.
Gone Fishin'
by Kristin
Once again Tim took the older kids fishing after dinner. Sunday night they went to Luna Lake, and Isaiah and I played on the playground while they fished. This time they went to Duck Lake. Isaiah and I went to the commissary (milk, oatmeal, and raisins) and then stopped by to see what they had caught.
They had caught nothing, but were having a grand time. The little boat Eli made was sailing fine. Eli wanted to do something with it so he asked if Isaiah could hold his fishing pole. After about a second of holding it, the bob went down. Isaiah started to reel it in. Then I helped him reel in his first fish! He was so excited! It was a little brim. I wished I had a camera! The kids were so excited for him.
Grace is determined to catch one next time. She keeps feeding them her worms--loses the fish as she reels it in.
(Isaiah is 22 months old)
by Kristin
Once again Tim took the older kids fishing after dinner. Sunday night they went to Luna Lake, and Isaiah and I played on the playground while they fished. This time they went to Duck Lake. Isaiah and I went to the commissary (milk, oatmeal, and raisins) and then stopped by to see what they had caught.
They had caught nothing, but were having a grand time. The little boat Eli made was sailing fine. Eli wanted to do something with it so he asked if Isaiah could hold his fishing pole. After about a second of holding it, the bob went down. Isaiah started to reel it in. Then I helped him reel in his first fish! He was so excited! It was a little brim. I wished I had a camera! The kids were so excited for him.
Grace is determined to catch one next time. She keeps feeding them her worms--loses the fish as she reels it in.
(Isaiah is 22 months old)
Sunday, March 28, 2004
Exit Strategy
Those who exit a worship service before it's over for no obvious reason puzzle me. Today our pastor gave a passionate plea (his word) for baptized believers to participate in the Lord's Supper. Oddly enough, as soon he finished his remarks several folks slipped out. Were his words just empty platitudes? I didn't think so. And "slipped out" is too mild. They gathered their purses and things and, in some cases, walked the length of the sanctuary. Quite distracting.
True, they could have good, yet discrete, reason for doing so. But for all I know they were hustling out to grab lunch and get to the Cherry Blossom festival or a soccer match. In any case, it's hard to imagine another event beating out the Lord's Supper. Here is Jesus, with us like no other place this side of eternity, giving us the strength to make it. What could pull them away?
A few more folks head out at the start of the last hymn. I think too beat the rush, which is what I do at most sporting events. But this too is distracting and reflects that they've had enough worship.
Many more get ansy at the benediction. Sit in the back of the sanctuary and you'll get a good view of "the benediction shuffle". Upper bodies bob down to get Bibles and purses. Heads nod in silent agreement about which way to exit the pew. Keys make a muffled jingle.
A recent Basement Tape recommended a remedy to the shuffle. Grab your children's or spouse's hand and raise it so that you're focused on receiving the blessing of the benediction.
If we can't wait to the end of a worship service, how well can we wait on God the rest of the time?
Those who exit a worship service before it's over for no obvious reason puzzle me. Today our pastor gave a passionate plea (his word) for baptized believers to participate in the Lord's Supper. Oddly enough, as soon he finished his remarks several folks slipped out. Were his words just empty platitudes? I didn't think so. And "slipped out" is too mild. They gathered their purses and things and, in some cases, walked the length of the sanctuary. Quite distracting.
True, they could have good, yet discrete, reason for doing so. But for all I know they were hustling out to grab lunch and get to the Cherry Blossom festival or a soccer match. In any case, it's hard to imagine another event beating out the Lord's Supper. Here is Jesus, with us like no other place this side of eternity, giving us the strength to make it. What could pull them away?
A few more folks head out at the start of the last hymn. I think too beat the rush, which is what I do at most sporting events. But this too is distracting and reflects that they've had enough worship.
Many more get ansy at the benediction. Sit in the back of the sanctuary and you'll get a good view of "the benediction shuffle". Upper bodies bob down to get Bibles and purses. Heads nod in silent agreement about which way to exit the pew. Keys make a muffled jingle.
A recent Basement Tape recommended a remedy to the shuffle. Grab your children's or spouse's hand and raise it so that you're focused on receiving the blessing of the benediction.
If we can't wait to the end of a worship service, how well can we wait on God the rest of the time?
Saturday, March 27, 2004
Leader’s Guide
As one who is slowly seeing the folly of my evangelical lifestyle, developing proper convictions is a most difficult task. And leading my family to understand them is tougher still.
Oodles of choices frequently present themselves as convictions for us to either affirm or reject: educational approaches, military commitment, large family, transracial adoption, paedocommunion (and a host of other worship issues), political parties, etc.
I sense danger on all sides. I could spend my hours naval-gazing yet deciding nothing. But convictions adopted in haste are sure to turn me into a thunder-puppy, wasting my hours shouting down thunder puppies of the opposing pack.
One thing is clear. Before adopting a conviction I should know its place in the gospel. If I can’t explain why I believe something in a way that shows it is part of the gospel then I don’t understand it or the gospel well enough. The less essential a conviction is to the gospel the less valuable it is. My life’s focus must be on believing the right gospel, without stopping short of its fullness or going too far.
This is also the guide for leading a family. A fast, but wrong, way to attempt change in a family is through a kind of gospel-less law. “You will homeschool”. “You will submit to me”, etc, etc. But rather than domination, I am to lead by the gospel, teaching my wife and children how our convictions fit into our gospel understanding.
As one who is slowly seeing the folly of my evangelical lifestyle, developing proper convictions is a most difficult task. And leading my family to understand them is tougher still.
Oodles of choices frequently present themselves as convictions for us to either affirm or reject: educational approaches, military commitment, large family, transracial adoption, paedocommunion (and a host of other worship issues), political parties, etc.
I sense danger on all sides. I could spend my hours naval-gazing yet deciding nothing. But convictions adopted in haste are sure to turn me into a thunder-puppy, wasting my hours shouting down thunder puppies of the opposing pack.
One thing is clear. Before adopting a conviction I should know its place in the gospel. If I can’t explain why I believe something in a way that shows it is part of the gospel then I don’t understand it or the gospel well enough. The less essential a conviction is to the gospel the less valuable it is. My life’s focus must be on believing the right gospel, without stopping short of its fullness or going too far.
This is also the guide for leading a family. A fast, but wrong, way to attempt change in a family is through a kind of gospel-less law. “You will homeschool”. “You will submit to me”, etc, etc. But rather than domination, I am to lead by the gospel, teaching my wife and children how our convictions fit into our gospel understanding.
Friday, March 26, 2004
Treasure Trove
Today is the blogathon at Buried Treasure in support of the Highlands Study Center. There'll be a new post every half hour!
Today is the blogathon at Buried Treasure in support of the Highlands Study Center. There'll be a new post every half hour!
Thursday, March 25, 2004
Spring in the Swampland
We’re enjoying a gentle Spring in Georgia. But with it come the snakes and mosquitoes. While I coached from my office phone, Kristin gathered up her courage, and a tree shovel, and crushed the head of the serpent that had slithered into her flower bed. And we’re back to coating ourselves with bug spray. I don’t mean to sound like a sourpuss; really, I like Spring. But it also gives me the chance to answer a common question from the children, “Why did God make pests like snakes and mosquitoes?”
I won’t go for an exhaustive answer, but here’s what I emphasize. As much as we enjoy the beauty of God’s creation this time of year, the pests, allergies, and other annoyances remind us that God is even more enjoyable, more beautiful, and more delightful than the finest Spring day. Creation, as it now stands, is spoiled. But our Creator remains unspoiled and full of delight!
"The Son breaks out in glory when he shows himself as one who outshines all creation." (Valley of Vision, pg 26)
We’re enjoying a gentle Spring in Georgia. But with it come the snakes and mosquitoes. While I coached from my office phone, Kristin gathered up her courage, and a tree shovel, and crushed the head of the serpent that had slithered into her flower bed. And we’re back to coating ourselves with bug spray. I don’t mean to sound like a sourpuss; really, I like Spring. But it also gives me the chance to answer a common question from the children, “Why did God make pests like snakes and mosquitoes?”
I won’t go for an exhaustive answer, but here’s what I emphasize. As much as we enjoy the beauty of God’s creation this time of year, the pests, allergies, and other annoyances remind us that God is even more enjoyable, more beautiful, and more delightful than the finest Spring day. Creation, as it now stands, is spoiled. But our Creator remains unspoiled and full of delight!
"The Son breaks out in glory when he shows himself as one who outshines all creation." (Valley of Vision, pg 26)
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
A Slip of the Tongue
At a military social last week I asked about a group joke that I didn't get. It dealt with the Austin Powers movies which I haven't seen. I then made my mistake. Some self-righteous sounding quip escaped off my tongue. Since then my brief remark has led some co-workers to view me as one of those "holier-than-thou Fundamentalists". And some rather nasty slander has gotten back to me.
It's surprising how a year's worth of effort to avoid this stereotype was so easily erased by a little slip of the tongue.
At a military social last week I asked about a group joke that I didn't get. It dealt with the Austin Powers movies which I haven't seen. I then made my mistake. Some self-righteous sounding quip escaped off my tongue. Since then my brief remark has led some co-workers to view me as one of those "holier-than-thou Fundamentalists". And some rather nasty slander has gotten back to me.
It's surprising how a year's worth of effort to avoid this stereotype was so easily erased by a little slip of the tongue.
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