Reverse Progress – Total Depravity, pt. 3

This past Monday marked the 39^th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe Vs. Wade decision, a decision heralded by many as a codification of our society’s social progress and a landmark stepping stone for more progress.  Our culture’s movement in moral / ethical issues is a kind of progress.  It’s the kind of progress one makes on a treadmill.  There is the feeling but not the reality of forward movement.

Letters for Life: Hebrews

(This is part 2 in a series.  The Intro can be found here.  Part 1 here)

“And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another” (Rom 15:14).

Exhorting or admonishing others can be difficult, if not downright uncomfortable.[1]  But this is especially the case when spiritual disaster is at issue.  When we are made to watch a brother or sister walk dangerously close to the edge of apostasy, that narrow and crumbling rim where the line between life and death is but separated by a hair, we often reel with bewilderment and uncertainty, unsure of what to say or do.  Might we simply love them, or pray for them, or plead with them, or brow beat them?  Should we warn them?  And if so, how?  Should we encourage them?  If so, how?

These are all admittedly difficult questions, and while the circumstances surrounding each particular case will affect the details, there are, perhaps, a few constants.  And the book of Hebrews helps us discern them.

9.5 Ounces

Watch the video below of how a baby born at just 24 weeks and weighing 9.5 ounces (“less than a can of pop” as the report states) has survived and been sent home.  Then:

• be moved by the care and technology God has given man to rescue and promote life;
• marvel over how a secular show such as ABC’s Good Morning America praises this event;
• meditate on how the Bible consistently commands us to have regard for our actions on the unborn and coming generations;
• mourn that children this age and size are having their lives regularly taken by abortion;
• mark the horrible irony of our president calling evil good by saying abortion helps daughters fulfill their dreams;
• be mindful of how the Lord’s wrath is stirred against nations when the innocent are murdered (Psalm 94);
• and make an effort today in action and/or prayer toward seeing all children reach 9.5 ounces and beyond.

Mad World – Total Depravity pt. 2

How often have you read the news and wondered, perhaps aloud:  “Has the world gone insane!?”  The answer to that questions is Yes…Yes we have.  

Twenty Years To See Faithfulness Built

Kessler Boulevard carves a scenic route through Indianapolis. Recently, I rounded a corner on Kessler and beheld a ghastly scene: workers had cut down at least five dozen gorgeous trees that lined the street. I almost cried. The sturdy Maple, Ginko, and other species were victims of a project to finally install sewer service to our part of the city.

The trees were at least twenty years old. Many were over fifty years old, and some probably much older. I felt a profound sense of loss as I passed stump after stump, knowing that it will take twenty years and more to restore Kessler’s canopy. In that moment, my grandfather’s words came to mind: “It takes about twenty years to see faithfulness built into a person’s life.” He was quoting someone, but in his years of pastoral experience, he had seen the truth of the statement. Mature, steady, faithful people are a precious commodity. “Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?” asks Proverbs 20:6.

Persecution Is Real … And In Real Time

The Persecuted Church for which I pray became real for me today.

From my basement computer I had precious fellowship with a brother in Christ via Skype. Riaz (not his real name) is hiding in his home in the restricted nation of Pakistan for many days to avoid the anger of the local population. I heard the fear in his voice. His grown brother called to insure the safety of Riaz and his wife and children. Riaz may need to flee Pakistan for a time.

Life Issues

Years ago while in college, on January 23rd, which is my birthday, my picture appeared on the front page of an Ann Arbor newspaper.  No, it had nothing to do with honoring my birthday.  Rather, I had participated in a small pro-life march across the University of Michigan campus.  A new believer in Christ, I eagerly braved the snow to band with others on campus.  A providential picture of the event showed me walking with a sign.

Thinking my parents would find a front page picture on my birthday cool, I brought the paper home and showed them.  Their reaction was quite the contrary.  They seemed upset.  My usually level-headed father warned me that the FBI would keep it on file.  I was told that I should not to do something like that again.

Why the strange and strong response?

What I love about the west

Contrary to most advertising by churches, being in a (good) denomination is a wonderful, Biblical blessing. Most of the authors of this blog are associated with the RPCNA, which has several presbyteries across north America and one presbytery in Japan. A couple weeks ago, I had the privilege of speaking at the Pacific Coast Presbytery’s youth conference. Not only was it my first time really getting to know those churches, it was my first time in California. We believe God blessed the conference. And we believe that the Santa Monica beach is a great place to spend New Year’s Day.

Letters for Life – Ephesians

(This is part one of a series introduced here).

Of all the letters Paul wrote, Ephesians is perhaps the most general.  Unlike Philemon or 1 Thessalonians or 1 Corinthians, a pressing concern isn’t setting the agenda.  And because of this Paul is able to write more freely.  The door is wide open, if you will.  He can address whatever he chooses.

So while Ephesians may not drip with the drama of the Corinthian correspondence, it nevertheless provides us with some interesting insights as a letter.  In order to get at this, we need to back up and consider a few dates (Don’t worry, it’s brief and relevant).

Letters For Life

I’d like to begin a new series.  The topic: Paradigms and Parchments- The Apostolic Example of Problem Solving

When we’re facing a difficult issue, asking ourselves how to best handle or approach a particular problem, we often look to specific texts of Scripture for guidance.  For example, suppose someone wants to know how they should interact with a brother or sister committing sexual immorality.  One verse to be considered, among many, would be 1 Corinthians 5:9-13.  Or suppose you want to know how to conduct yourself with unbelievers, especially within the context of evangelism.  A verse like 2 Timothy 2:24-26 is surely instructive.

This is how we often look for answers in the Bible.  We search out texts that address the issue, compile a list, and reflect.  Now while this is very good and very necessary, I want to suggest and take some time to consider another approach, one that functions more on the macro level than the micro level of individual passages.  What do I have in mind?

Proof David Wells is a Prophet

Many of you may have heard of the lady whose bungee cord snapped two weeks ago or even seen the video.  Erin Langworthy, an Aussie, was in Africa bungee jumping from the bridge on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe that spans the Zambesi River 365 feet below.  The river is filled with rocks, rapids, and crocodiles.  Erin’s collarbone broke when she hit the water, and she momentarily blacked out.  When she came to and found the surface, she nearly drowned since her feet were bound together by the bungee cord which kept snagging on rocks.  Yet she somehow managed to free her feet and swim to shore.  Banged and bruised, she survived.

In The Courage to Be Protestant, David Wells wrote these prophetic words in 2008:

On Procrastination…

I was going to respond to that “Jesus vs. Religion” video that is all over the social networks right now. I guess I don’t need to now. Two thousand other bloggers already have responded. 

Ponderings

Read recently of a godly minister long deceased that,

though he ministered to multitudes, “avoided sensationalism.”

Some leading ministers in our day would do well to have such a goal.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Witnessed on Wednesday a dignified robed judge declare

penalties dismissed and a forgiven man express repeated gratitude.

“He is coming to judge the earth;

He will judge the world with righteousness,

and the peoples with equity.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Earth Harp or Heaven Harp?

Sound Medicine, a public radio program produced by Indiana School of Medicine, recently featured a short piece on the Earth Harp, the world’s largest stringed instrument. This musical instrument is used in yoga classes, and it sends sound vibrations through the room and the bodies of those performing their yoga routines. Proponents believe that the sonic vibrations have a healing quality. In the five-minute audio clip heard here, the reporter, Sandy Roob, describes how advocates believe that the sounds affect the “energy centers” of the body and that the sounds thus enliven the soul. They believe that it is “a perfect instrument for sound healing purposes.” The theory says that the waves move through the air, into the ear, and then all the way down to the cellular level, affecting our ability to fight disease.

Tearful Sowing

We rejoiced this Lord’s Day as a young unmarried couple professed their faith to the elders, joined the church, and communed with us for the first time.  They would not mind me sharing that their road to the cross was filled with drug use, jail time, and a child out-of-wedlock.  Indeed, shortly several of us will be attending a noon ceremony where Andy graduates from a drug court program.  His faithfulness in cooperating with the dictates of this program have kept him from a long-term prison sentence.  Near future plans include their marriage and reaching out to other family members.  Their presence in our Bible study and lives, coupled with their enthusiasm in the Lord, has been a ministry highlight over this past year.

Perhaps this may appear to be boasting in a ministry success, but be assured it is only a boasting in the Lord.  For despite all the joy I have in this celebration, a strange sadness has been in my heart during it.   Why I wondered?