Introducing: The Cripplegate

Last Saturday, as I gave an update on how things are going here for us at The Master's Seminary, I mentioned that there were many exciting things going on -- even outside of the classroom -- that I wish I had the time and space to write about. Well, God has granted the opportunity to report about one of them.

Jesse Johnson, who is the Local Outreach Pastor at Grace Community Church, and Nathan Busenitz, who is the Professor of Historical Theology at The Master's Seminary and an elder at Grace Church, recently began thinking about venturing again into the blogosphere. After kicking around some ideas, they decided to create a team blog with some folks related to Grace Church and TMS. Aside from the two of them, TMS alumni and pastors Clint Archer, Byron Yawn, and Josh Thiessen will join the team. Clint pastors Hillcrest Baptist Church in Durban, South Africa. He just released (what I think is) his first book, entitled The Preacher's Payday. Byron pastors Community Baptist Church in Nashville, and has written Well Driven Nails, a book on how to find your own voice as a preacher. And Josh pastors at Emmaus Bible Church in Omaha. He blogs at Sojourning Pastor.

And for some reason, these men have asked me to join them, and I have gratefully accepted. I praise God for the opportunity, and pray that He will grant that this labor of love will minister to and be a benefit to those who read.

I'm really looking forward to participating in a team blog, and especially to ministering with these men. I've had the privilege of getting know Nathan and Jesse as I've attended TMS and have worked in the membership department at Grace Church, and I'm blessed every time we interact. I look forward to cultivating similar relationships with the others and benefiting from their wisdom, their gifts, and their example.

The blog is called The Cripplegate. You can read what that name means and why we chose it by reading the inaugural post, which is up today. We would all be honored if you would follow the blog, would read it regularly, and even participate by entering the discussion along with us. Hope to see you in the comment threads!

An Update: 6/4/11

So, I've been gone a while. Sorry about that. I didn't intend for the break to be this long, but the month of May really brought a lot of work for seminary. It was a great month, capped chiefly with graduation celebrations for some of my seminary brothers, but it was a tiresome month.

As I mentioned in my last update, early in May I was working on an exegetical commentary on the Greek text of Ephesians 1:3-14. That was a fantastic project -- I feel that way especially now that it's done -- but it certainly demanded my attention, the finished product weighing in at just over 80 pages. I know, I know. I write too much. But you knew that already. But I'll tell you: I've grown much in my deep appreciation for that portion of Scripture. Any time I've ever really dug down deep in the Word of God and given myself wholly to a particular portion of Scripture, I've always been blown away by the genius of the Holy Spirit and have been supremely blessed by the richness of God's Truth.

Once I finished that paper, I had a just a weekend to enjoy the completion of my second year at seminary because I started summer classes on the following Monday. The class I started with was New Testament Introduction. This class met from 6:30 to 11:30am, 5 days a week, for 2 weeks. Within those 2 weeks, when I wasn't in class I was busy reading over 2,500 pages. I've never done anything like 2,500 pages in 2 weeks before. It was quite the experience. Of course, I won't have retained all of the information, but it was effective enough that I grasped the material.

NTI was really a great class, mostly because Dr. Farnell's passion and compassion were eminent throughout. He really cares that young pastors be equipped to withstand the liberal tendencies of those "scholars" who would claim to be conservative evangelicals. In the class, we talked about some interesting topics like the development of the canon of the New Testament, textual criticism and whether we can be confident we have the original readings of Scripture, and issues in authorship, date, recipients, and occasion for writing of various New Testament books.

Perhaps the most prominent thing we learned about, though, was the historical-critical methodology/ideology of interpreting the Scriptures. At the time of the Enlightenment, many naturalistic scholars and philosophers imported their naturalistic rationalism into their interpretation of Scripture. The result of such philosophical presuppositions was that the authors of Scripture were not who they said they were (i.e., the Apostle Matthew didn't write the Gospel of Matthew). This then snowballed into wondering what sources the Gospel writers used in compiling their accounts of Jesus' life and ministry (since they weren't actually eyewitnesses, like they claim to be). The focus then becomes the imaginary (literally, imaginary) sources behind the text rather than the text itself.

The results of this kind of philosophy wind up being that Jesus never preached the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5-7 was just a collection of sayings that "Matthew" collected and put into sermon form. Similarly, Jesus didn't say all of the Beatitudes. He only said four; the others were "added" by "Matthew." The most ridiculous claim is that Jesus actually really liked the Pharisees. "Matthew" "embellished" when writing chapter 23 because he was responding to some legalistic tendencies in the early Christian community.

Liberal nonsense, right? Well, the scary thing is that each of those claims were made by professing evangelicals -- professors at evangelical seminaries! And so it's necessary for us pastors to be equipped in the academic arena as well as the pastoral, in order to protect the integrity of Scripture from such attacks.

NTI wrapped up well, though I still have a paper due a little later on. But after having a long Memorial Day weekend, I'm back in class for another two weeks. I'm taking a class on the exegesis of the Greek text of Hebrews. This time class is only 6:30 to 9:30 each day, so that's a little better. But along with translating around 20 verses a day, we're reading three commentaries as we go.

So, the workload hasn't lightened very much for the last month, which I hope is excuse enough for my sparse blog posting. I do hope to get back to the series on the Jehovah's Witnesses soon, though, so be on the lookout for that.

There are so many exciting things going on here outside of the classroom that I wish I had time to write about. But I suppose they'll have to wait. I'm just thankful that you all are reading. Hopefully you're being benefited in the process. I know it's been beneficial for me.

Down the Stretch

Things have been quiet here over the last week, but I didn't want to let another day go without at least letting you know why. The answer is simple: finals week. Though I don't have a bunch of exams (just one, in fact, that I'll take today), I do have my share of papers to write, the queen of which is an enormous exegetical commentary on Ephesians 1:3-14. It's totally monopolizing my time, and so that's why I don't have anything more substantive just yet. Pray for me. Hopefully we'll be able to continue the series on the Jehovah's Witnesses on Friday.

Maybe I'll leave you with some of what I've been working on in Ephesians. Here's how Eph 1:3-14 fits within the context of the book:

Paul’s purpose in writing to the church in Ephesus is to make known to them their exalted position and identity in Christ as His body, the Church. He labors to help them understand the spiritual blessings they enjoy because of God’s grace to them in Jesus Christ. Then, on the basis of this glorious calling, knowing themselves accepted by God, Paul exhorts them (Eph 4:1) to walk in a manner worthy of that calling. Because they have been granted new life in Christ positionally speaking, they must now live out their new life in Christ practically speaking. They must bring their conduct into conformity with their calling.

As Paul contemplates what it means to be Christ’s body, the implications of having one’s identity so united with and rooted in the Person of Jesus Christ, and all of the glories of salvation and redemption, he explodes into praise and blessing, giving us one of the most beautiful benedictions in all of Scripture, recorded in Eph 1:3–14. Very similar to Hebrew praise poetry, 1:3 contains a call to praise (“Blessed be”) and the cause for praise (“who has blessed us”). Thus in Eph 1:3 Paul declares that God is to be blessed for the gracious blessings He pours out upon believers in Christ. Then, in Eph 1:4–14 he outlines those blessings according to the work of each Person of the Trinity: the election of the Father (Eph 1:4–6), the redemption of the Son (Eph 1:7–12), and the seal of the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13–14). This opening eulogy lays the foundation, then, for the first three chapters in which Paul aims to overwhelm the Ephesians with an accurate picture of their identity as the Church.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing
in the heavenly places
in Christ.
- Ephesians 1:3 -

Learning from Jeremiah: How to Righteously Respond to Suffering

As I might have mentioned before, I’ve recently received the privilege of shepherding a Bible study as a ministry of Grace Community Church. I can’t thank God enough for the dear saints there, and I’m really at a loss for how they have already been such an encouragement to me.

After meeting four times in the Spring, we took some summer months off, as that is their custom. So when it came time to meet again, I was very excited to see everyone. I especially was excited to review the lessons we had gone through before our break. We laid what I thought was a good foundation, and I was looking forward to reinforcing that with a bit more interpersonal discussion.

But at around 1:30 in the afternoon I got a call letting me know that the son-in-law of the woman who hosts the study had died in a car accident early that morning. I don’t even know what to write after that. Immediately I went into prayer-mode, asking God how I was going to shepherd the folks in the Bible study through this. Should we do a message on suffering? Should we skip the message altogether and just pray together? Should we just go on as planned?

Well, I prayed for pretty much the rest of the afternoon. I certainly was reminded of how small and helpless I am when compared to a sovereign God. But it was good to depend on that sovereign God’s grace. In any case, I went to the Bible study – which met at someone else’s house that night – prepared to do any one of those three things.

Those affected directly by the tragedy (obviously) weren’t there that night, and so after asking for people to share how they had responded (emotionally, mentally, spiritually) to this bad news, I discerned that the most beneficial thing for us to do that night was to consider how we should respond to trials and suffering. I wanted to equip them -- and me -- with a rock solid theology of suffering while not yet in the midst of it, so that when we do go through various trials we will be able to fight the unbiblical attitudes, thoughts, and actions that we are tempted to have in those trying times. The best defense against responding to suffering unrighteously is to prepare to suffer well before that suffering comes. Plus, I also wanted to shepherd them in such a way that they would be equipped to comfort those affected by the accident in a Biblical way.

Upon much reflection, I think I can honestly say that I have never felt as weak while presenting a message as I did that night. And yet God was indeed faithful, and proved to us again that when we are weak, then we are strong, for He is strong for us on our behalf, and thus magnifies His sufficiency in our insufficiency. May His name be praised!

The lesson that I taught, and that I’d like to share with you over the next few posts, was a fairly quick, whole-book study on the book of Lamentations. Many times when we suffer, the first book we think to go to is Job. And that’s not wrong. That’s why the book of Job is in the Bible – to teach us how to respond to suffering righteously. But the suffering that Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, endured at the time of the Babylonian captivity was just as severe. Job’s sufferings were indeed horrifying, yet there’s something to be said for the fact that his sufferings were fairly personal. Jeremiah’s sufferings, on the other hand, were on behalf of an entire nation wickedly brutalized and ripped from its land. On top of that, Jeremiah himself had not followed in the unfaithfulness of his countrymen which brought this judgment upon them. All the while, he acted righteously and proclaimed the word of Yahweh as the sole voice of faithfulness. Certainly his suffering is worth considering, and the way he responds is worth imitating.

Over the next few posts, I’ll present five lessons that we can learn from Jeremiah about how to respond to suffering righteously. They are both ways of thinking and ways of acting. They are:

1. He identifies with, and suffers alongside, his people.
2. He acknowledges that sin is at the root of suffering (even though not all suffering is a direct result of personal sin).
3. He acknowledges God’s absolute sovereignty in his suffering.
4. He recognizes that although God is sovereign, He is not the enemy.
5. He sets his hope entirely on, and rests in, God’s character.

Also, see a companion post for lesson 3 by John Piper and Jonathan Edwards, as well as a postscript from Charles Spurgeon.

Hope you’ll join me!

Advice to First-Year TMS Students

In a couple of weeks I will begin my second year at The Master's Seminary. It's been one whirlwind of a first year, to be sure. I actually intended to blog much more about the experience at seminary than I have in the past, giving more personal updates and things like that, but I suppose that's not how it's gone. Maybe I'll seek to work more of that in during the second year.

In any case, one thing that I did do through this first year of seminary at Master's was, as I thought of them, to record various pieces of advice I'd offer to those incoming first-year students in the future. I kept these in their own document and added to them piece by piece, hoping that other guys might benefit from them in some capacity. They're a mix of the theoretical and the practical, the theological and the relational, the academic and the recreational. I do pray they're a benefit to you.

Also, if any of my seminary brothers are reading this, feel free to add your own insights in the comments section. I'd love to hear from you!

Without further ado, here they are.

1. Don’t think that simply being in seminary fixes your spiritual life. If you struggle with consistent personal worship times, don’t think that just being around Christians, church, and talking about the Bible will cultivate rich and sweet fellowship with Christ. If anything, it makes it more difficult. "The same sun that melts the wax hardens the clay," as they say. In order to actively pursue that relationship with Christ, you need to make your morning worship time with Him a priority above everything else. However, don’t be legalistic with this, or it will implode on you. Don’t just clench your fists and grit your teeth and resolve to have 45 minutes with Christ each morning, so you can check it off your to-do list and feel good about yourself. Set times and everything. Plan. Be disciplined. But do that out of a loving, willful desire to see and savor more of Him.
2. Budget time for absolutely everything. Assignments, devotional/worship/prayer time (both personal times and family times), time with your wife, Bible studies, service opportunities, even leisure. Everything. Being intentional is the key to maintaining proper priorities.
3. Get ahead as much as you can. During the first week, if you have an assignment given on Tuesday, get it done that Tuesday if you’re able. Don’t worry about forgetting the content a week later. Don’t think that you should do the reading right before it’s due because otherwise you’ll forget. That’s not necessarily true. If you read well the first time, the material comes back to you as you discuss it.
4. If you know of any reading assignments before the semester starts – assignments that are just going to be supplemental reading with no real interaction (e.g., you won’t have to do a paper or book review) – try to read them before the semester begins. You’ll be very happy to not have another thing to be concerned with at the end of the semester.
5. Invest yourself most in learning the languages. Other disciplines (written and discussed in English!) can be studied and re-studied on your own with minimal frustration. The languages are the hardest to pick up in isolation. It’s definitely the most beneficial subject to do in a group.
6. With Greek and Hebrew vocabulary, make your own flash cards, and say them out loud as you’re making them. It aids tremendously with retention. Cut 3x5 index cards in half, punch a hole through them, and get one of those 1.5" or 2" rings. Make one set of rings the “already memorized” set, and the other the “yet unmemorized” set. Review both, but review the ones you’ve already memorized much less frequently. One of the biggest time-consumers (and thus hindrances) in language learning is studying stuff you already know.
7. Talk to pastors and professors. Ask them to have lunch with you, especially if you’d like to discuss an assignment (or ministry opportunity). Don’t hesitate here. They love to do it, they’re awesome to get to know, and usually you’ll get a free lunch! :-)
8. Take some time off and enjoy lunch and fellowship with the guys around you. It’s easy – and often necessary! – to be a hermit in the library. But as you’re able, take an hour and a half and just hang out with your brothers. Talk about classes, assignments, ministry, but also just be goofy. That brotherhood will be good for your soul. And do this outside of school too! Go over each other's houses, meet each other's families, and have meals with each other.
9. If you’re going to worship and serve at Grace Community Church, pick a fellowship group early and stick to it. I spent the entire first semester shopping around, and I’m not recommending it. You may want to check out a couple before landing, and that’s fine. But in my experience you’ll find that they’re all generally awesome, but that each has a little something you won’t like about it, or will make you think it’s not a good fit. Go, commit to loving and serving people, pray, and Christ will mold your affections accordingly.
10. Don’t think that your service at Grace Church will necessarily be through your fellowship group. It may and it may not. Take advantage of the plethora of ministry opportunities that you see advertised in Grace Today (e.g., Fundamentals of the Faith class, Jail ministry, Skid Row outreach, Homebound ministry, etc.).
11. On a related note, start serving! Even if they’re menial tasks, go where there is a need and meet it. It’s very unlikely that you’ll walk right into a regular teaching opportunity. But if you are faithful in little things, when those making the decisions need someone to do something “bigger,” they’ll think of you as someone they can trust and count on to be faithful.
    
12. If you want to be discipled by an older, godly couple (or, if you’re single, by an older, godly man), you’ve got to do the work to make that known. Scout a few couples (seriously!), track folks down, and ask them. No matter how cute you are, they won’t come to you.
13. Create a folder on your desktop (or wherever you create folders) for interesting articles you come across and would like to read but don’t have time to. Save the articles in a Word document and read them when you have time (e.g., over Christmas break, over the summer, after seminary, etc.).
14. Create an Amazon.com and/or Christianbook.com wish list. When pastors and professors recommend a book or commentary on a particular subject, check them out online or in the library, and if it seems like it would be helpful and a good addition to your library, add it to your wish list. Purchase titles from time to time based on priority and as you have the means. Give the web address for your wish list to those who support your ministry.
15. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, remember that seminary is not supposed to be your master, but your servant. It should not rule you, but should be a tool in your hand. If it begins to become too high of a priority in your life, it’s becoming an idol. Put away your idols from among you. My little cheesy, yet hopefully memorable, way of saying it is: Don’t be mastered by Master’s, be mastered only by the Master.
    

"Now after a long time
the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them.
The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents,
saying, 'Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.'
His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave.
You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things;
enter into the joy of your master.'"
- Matthew 25:19-21 -

Anniversary Reflections

Not that it's a terribly big deal, but yesterday marked the first anniversary of For Our Benefit. On June 3, 2009, I wrote the first post for my new blog, explaining why in the world I wanted to start blogging at that particular time in my life. The blog was inspired by some breathtaking lessons that God was teaching me about Himself, about the nature of love, grace, and joy, and about the Christian life. (Some of those lessons foundational to the blog can be found here and here.)

To rip off Bethlehem Baptist Church's mission statement, I guess you could say that since that time I've been writing in order to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things, for the joy of all peoples. I think that sentence captures the intention of God in all He does as revealed in the Scriptures, namely, that God presents Himself as both the motivation and the means of true, lasting, holy joy and satisfaction. He presents Himself as Lord over all things, and then just by virtue of such majesty, calls us to worship Him in His glory. And so through this blog I have desired to proclaim God's beautiful sovereignty and supremacy to the end that He be glorified and magnified to the utmost, which is the greatest, fullest, and most abiding joy and benefit to all human beings. And I have desired to undertake that as my mission because it is His mission.

I pasted all of the posts I wrote into wordle.net. This is basically a textual-visual image of the content of my blog (click for a larger image):

I have really appreciated the help for my own soul that the Lord has graciously given through this blog. If nothing else, it has been a wonderful teacher of self-discipline. It has not always been perfectly natural and delightful and easy to post two to three times a week. Throughout this past year I've moved across the country, completed my first year of seminary, and have sought to better love both my Lord and my wife, and with those priorities it's been difficult at times to keep up with the blog. But I thank the Lord for the lessons of self-discipline that have come through it.

And yet, though there have been some crunch times of busy-ness, I thank Him also for sustaining in me a genuine joy in seeking Him in His Word, in prayer, and in the fellowship of His people, and in recording the things He's given me. Blogging has been a wonderful outlet for the many thoughts and ruminations that the Lord has impressed upon me over this past year. I frequently refer to my own past posts to sweetly remember the things He has shown me in my walk with Him. It's interesting to be convicted by the things I myself have written. To my mind, that confirms that these things that I've written are not from myself, but from Him (O Lord, may it be so!).

And blogging has also opened up some wonderful relationships with others, both whom I've known before and whom I've met in the process. And I do give my sincerest thanks, from the bottom of my heart, to those of you who read my blog. I thank you for the various comments in the threads and the many encouraging emails that you've written to let me know of the benefit these posts have brought to you. There are few things more exciting to me that knowing that I have ministered Christ to you by presenting the beauty of His glory to you, even if only in a small way. It truly is a privilege to minister the Gospel of Christ, and I trust that He has granted that the truth of the Gospel has gone forth from this place. I pray that you truly have been benefited by reading, that you have seen Christ more clearly and enjoyed Him more deeply because of For Our Benefit. I also will continue to pray that you will continue to read, and that God will increase the benefit of this ministry in the coming year.

I suppose I could say more, but I think that's about enough.

O Lord I confess that even on my best and most Spirit-filled day, this "poor, lisping, stammering tongue" ever fails to do justice to the glory of Your self-revelation in the Gospel of Jesus Christ as given in your Word. My best and most godly efforts are still laced with sin, and so fall short of Your glory.

I confess that far too often I love proclaiming Your glory more than I actually love Your glory. Forgive me for my backwardness, and my slowness of heart to believe all that the Scriptures have said. Please grant me the grace of repentance, that I might turn from my sin and serve and enjoy You with my whole heart -- that I might love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

And Lord for whatever truth You have granted that I proclaim, I ask that I would receive no glory for it, but that You would receive all glory and honor. For it is Your Word, communicated according to Your mercy, received only by Your grace.

I thank You for this past year, and ask that in the coming year You would graciously see fit to glorify Yourself through my feeble efforts. May You get from my life what You are worthy of, I ask in the name of Jesus Christ the Righteous, Amen.

An Update: 5/11/10

So it's extremely hard to believe, but my first year of seminary is over! I don't believe I've lived through a faster 9 months in my life. Talk about a whirlwind! God's grace has been extremely evident and entirely sufficient throughout our time here at Master's and Grace Church. His faithfulness is abundant. May His name be praised for His faithfulness to His own name in the protection and grace given to His people.

Job Stuff

There's so much to report that I barely know where to start. On the logistical side of things, Janna has been working on a telemetry/oncology unit at the hospital since the end of January. After much prayer, He graciously granted us that job and a steady source of income. Janna has really enjoyed it, though of course it's been tough -- especially physically. But it really couldn't have been any better of a job. Three 12-hour shifts during the daytime was the best-case scenario in terms of scheduling. And perhaps the best part is that it's only 5 minutes away by car. She and I actually enjoyed a nice walk home from work the other day.

There's been a development there, though. Her hospital is beginning to move from a traditional, physical charting system to an electronic one. Basically, all the information that the nurses would record about the care of the patients will now be done on a computer rather than on a paper and clipboard. As they prepare for that, they need a few nurses to contribute to its development, as it's the nurses that the system will be designed to serve. Providentially, Janna has had experience with computer charting from her old nursing job in New Jersey. So they asked her to help out. What that's meant for her is that she's doing only one 12-hour shift per week on the unit, but also doing three 8-hour shifts in the office helping out with the project. The good news about that is that it makes her schedule a bit more regular (8:00-4:30 Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday). This means we'll be able to eat dinner before 8:30pm, and hopefully get into some good, steady routines and habits.

Fellowship

God has also provided great fellowship for us here at Grace Church. We've been going to the Cornerstone fellowship group at Grace, which is a young marrieds and families group. Pastor Tom has just wrapped up a series on heroes and heroines of the Bible, and will be starting a series on the life of the body of Christ next week. I think the impetus for that series has been at least partly from Colin Marshall and Tony Payne's new book, The Trellis and the Vine. I've actually just finished reading it and I really enjoyed it. It is, as everyone says, a must-read for those in Church Leadership.

We've also been going to a couple of mid-week Bible studies, which we've really been loving. In one, we've been studying the Christ-centered focus of the book of Hebrews, taught by Pastor Will Varner. We've so enjoyed getting to know Dr. and Mrs. V., as well as the dear brothers and sisters at that study. In another Bible study we've been attending, we've been studying Jerry Bridges' classic, Trusting God. Meditating week by week on God's absolute sovereignty, His infinite wisdom, and His relentless goodness has been a feast. And it's been great to apply the rubber of those wonderful, deep truths to the road of trusting God "even when life hurts," as the subtitle says. We've also extremely enjoyed the fellowship there, getting to know different brothers and sisters, and witnessing God's grace in each other's lives. God has done an amazing thing in the Church. How blessed we are to be a part of it!

Seminary

God has continued to prove His faithfulness throughout my studies. I did have quite a heavy course load this past semester, and the combination of classes I had was particularly challenging. For most of the semester I would look at my assignment spreadsheet and just sit in amazement at the idea that somehow all that work was going to get done. At some points I actually wondered whether I'd be able to do it all. I thought about which assignments I would skip if I had to leave some undone. I remember saying to myself, "It will actually be a miracle of God if this all gets done." Well, it all got done. And all praise and glory and honor to Him. He deserves it. I deserve none. He has gone out ahead of me, and has given me the victory as He always does for His people. I do stand amazed and in awe of my God who answers prayer.

Ministry

I'll probably talk more about seminary and this past semester in a coming post, but for now I'll move on to some ministry things. As you might remember, back in December we were praying hard about how to plug into Grace Church and what ministry(ies) we should be involved in. I continued praying nearly every day for God to present the right ministry opportunities. If I'm being honest, I was worried that I wouldn't get plugged in and that I'd not be able to couple my seminary education with simultaneous ministry, especially not a teaching ministry.

Well, God is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all we ask or think. Since then, Janna and I have begun serving on the New Membership team. Basically, if folks would like to become a member at Grace Church, the first thing they do is come down to the front of the sanctuary after the service, fill out some information, and sit through an initial interview. Janna and I are initial interviewers. It's been really fun, and a great ministry experience. You really do get exposed to a wide range of people, from those you'd love to hang out and talk a bit more with to the downright strange. It's confronted my own sinfulness, pride, and cliquishness. I guess something God has shown me is how much I like people who are like me, and how much I don't like people who aren't like me. I pray that He would give me the grace to shatter such conceptions, and to love my neighbor as myself. As a pastor, I don't want to shepherd only some of the sheep and leave the others to fend for themselves. I want to be faithful with God's own people, the sheep of Christ's own fold, such that I can present them to Him as a pure offering when He comes (Rom 15:16).

Soon after that, we were asked to serve in the welcome center after the second church service. Basically, new visitors to Grace are welcomed each Sunday by some folks who are there to talk with them, answer questions, and basically make their visit a pleasant experience. We serve at the information window, where people come and ask about the various events and opportunities that are going on. That's been really fun, because we've gotten to meet and help a lot of people who are lost amongst the madness of being at a huge church, a position we found ourselves in only a few short months ago. Plus, since we don't know too much about what's going on, being asked all those questions forces us to learn!

Just to make this move a little faster, I won't go into as much detail, but the ministry opportunities have kept coming! Grace Church is updating their membership database, and so has asked their 7,000+ attendees to fill out a registration card to provide updated information. I've been one of a few of guys to enter in that information in the database. Also regarding membership, I've also been asked to help coordinate the membership classes that Grace holds (between 8 and 10 per year).

As this gracious flood of opportunities to serve God and His people continued, folks at the seminary asked me if I was interested in being an orientation leader for the fall semester. I would basically be welcoming incoming students and helping them and their families make a smooth transition. I had benefited greatly from my orientation leader, and developed a great relationship with him and his family, so I was eager to have the opportunity to do the same. I'm looking forward to that come August.

One thing that all those great opportunities had left out was a specific avenue to apply the skills of handling the Word of God that I'm getting at seminary to a practical context of a teaching ministry. This is what I thought was most unlikely. It's not a common thing that every seminary student have a regular teaching opportunity, and so I was praying for grace to be faithful in little so that a time might come where I might have to depend on Christ for the grace to be faithful in much. Well, one of the graduating seniors was leaving behind a bi-weekly Bible study, and he asked me (after a couple of guys couldn't do it) to take it over. Janna and I are still praying about it and thinking through the various implications, but as best we can discern this seems to be from Him, and so I give Him the glory for yet another answered prayer.

And finally, as if it couldn't get any better, a good friend and dear brother -- the same brother who was my orientation leader -- asked me to participate in what Grace calls the Pastor of the Day. Basically, because of Pastor John's and Grace Church's notoriety, random people call the church often to ask for counsel and prayer. The church allows particular seminary students and ministerial interns to take shifts once or twice a month taking those calls. This will provide some very practical, and, as I've heard, very humbling, pastoral counseling experience.

And so for all of this and more, I continue to want to direct all praise and glory and honor to God, who is faithful to Himself above all things, and thus lovingly and graciously merciful to His people. Praise the Lord Jesus that He is patient with our weakness, He having also partook of the same, being tempted in every way as we are, yet was without sin, and yet is also bountifully good and gracious.

Where We Are Right Now

At present, Janna's continuing her orientation to her new job description, and I'm taking a couple of summer courses. I'll be taking Historical Theology I, which covers church history from Pentecost to the pre-Reformation period, as well as a course called The Pastor's Home. That course is taught in the evenings, and so Janna will be joining me when she's not working late. It's basically a marriage and family discipleship course. It almost feels like pre-marital counseling felt, just now it's 2 years into marriage rather than 7 months before it. I'm thankful for such class. Our merciful Lord knows I need it. Oh to love like Christ loved the Church! How aware I am of how short I fall! And yet by grace I am equally aware of the fitness of Christ for such a task. And I rejoice that I was united with Him in His death as well as His resurrection, and so therefore I can walk in the newness of life that He Himself has walked ahead of me, and has prepared these good works in advance for me, that I should walk in them.

So please pray for Janna and me, as we seek to diligently steward this time of learning, of sanctification, and of preparation for full-time ministry. We love you all dearly and long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. May His grace be with you. Amen.

For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.
- John 1:16 -

Placeholder

So the plan has been to post every Tuesday and Friday, and here it is Tuesday and Friday's post is still headlining. Well, I'm just having an extraordinarily busy week with some car trouble, a couple of big assignments due soon, and shifting my schedule to be able to attend the Ligonier Conference at Grace Church this weekend. So, no new post this morning.

I actually do have another comment or two to make about Friday's post, which, in the absence of something new, I'll encourage you to read or even re-read while you wait. But if you can't wait, I'm including some of the prayers of the Bible that I find particularly encouraging, and will ask you to pray them for me during this busy time.

Thank you again to all of you who read For Our Benefit.

For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.

For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.

The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.

Drop a Line

So two or three days after New Year's, my computer decided that it doesn't want to cooperate with me anymore. It's a long story. I've been scrambling trying to figure out how to save my data and salvage my computer.

Between not really having a functioning computer of my own, and getting transitioned back to California after a three-week trip, and preparing for the upcoming semester, I trust you'll understand if in the next week or so I don't keep up my Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule.

One thing I'll recommend is that you look through some past posts. The ones I recommend most highly are under the heading "Past Posts For Our Benefit" on the banner at the right of the screen. Others are just as good though, ;o).

Also, and perhaps more importantly, I want to -- first -- thank all of you who read my blog. I am encouraged to know that you all are reading and, I trust, benefiting from God's Word as it's presented; and -- second -- encourage you all to, while I can't write much, drop a comment and let me know who you are and that you're reading. I'd appreciate knowing who you guys are, where you're coming in from, and what kinds of situations of faith and ministry you find yourselves in.

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed,
not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence,
work out your salvation with fear and trembling;
for it is God who is at work in you,
both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
- Philippians 2:12-13 -

Update: Audio Available

Janna and I are traveling back to Southern California today after a wonderful three-week visit with friends and family for Christmas and New Year's. It's been a great trip and a joyful vacation. Perhaps I'll write a summary about it in the next few days.

For now, though, I have a different kind of update. The four-part Christmas series I posted a few weeks ago came from a sermon I was preparing. The audio of that sermon is now available, and can be downloaded from this link (right click, save link/target as).

I pray it's a benefit.

An Update: 12/12/09

So it's been a while since I've just posted an update on how things are out here. I actually intended to do more of that than I've done. Hopefully the other stuff has been helpful and interesting as well.

Seasonal Fellowship

But as for where we are right now, we're doing well. Now's the time of the season where we get to have a bunch of fun get-togethers. On the 3rd, the seminary students brought their wives and children to the annual TMS Christmas Chapel. We sang wonderful worship songs that focused on the theme of the incarnation, Christ's entering into His own creation to die for sins and live for righteousness for all those who believe. We read the Christmas story from Luke 2, and we were served by the music of Christan Ebner. And after that, we enjoyed a wonderful assortment of Christmas cookies. In fact, the administration here at TMS has to remind us that it's called the Christmas Chapel, and not the Cookie Chapel, as it has come to be called. That was a great time of fellowship with the faculty and students, and having the students' families there makes it even better!

Backing up a bit farther, we also enjoyed our first Thanksgiving away from home. We traveled two doors down in our apartment complex to enjoy the day with two other young seminary couples (plus one of their sisters). The smallest turkey we could find in the nearby grocery stores was a 20-pounder, so all of us really enjoyed that! We had a great dinner and wonderful fellowship with some dear brothers and sisters in Christ. After dinner we had a fun time learning a card game called Canasta (pronounced ca-NAS-ta), which brought quite a few laughs considering some of the terminology of the game. But the real party started when we began to play spoons. Our host was a big fan of grabbing a bunch of spoons and just throwing them all over his house, causing a rampage among the rest of the players who (at many times) violently fought for the last spoon. His wife left with a nice cut on her forehead, Janna was finding bruises on her legs for a couple days, but the highlight of the night was when I was tackled and put a hole in their wall. I felt pretty bad about damaging someone else's home, but Dan loved it. It was a night not soon to be forgotten.

And still speaking of these seasonal get-togethers, we just enjoyed our first of three Christmas parties in a row Friday night. This first one was for our Bible study. We had some great food, and great desserts. It was a real treat to just hang out and talk and get to know each other better. The Lord Jesus has really blessed us with a good group of people whom we can serve and who we can serve alongside. We also enjoyed our $10-gift-card white elephant game. We got an extra $10 for Cold Stone! Woohoo! Saturday and Sunday nights we'll be having somewhat of a similar experience as a couple of friends from seminary are having Christmas parties. We look forward to enjoying the fellowship we have with each other in Christ.

The Job Situation

Janna has continued to tutor students at Grace Community School. She's been doing a great job, and has been preparing for these one-hour weekly sessions as any great teacher would. She's actually been studying Latin (which she's never done before) so she can tutor 8th and 9th graders in first year Latin. As a language teacher, I'm very proud of her for that. That job has also been a great blessing from the Lord to us, as it has been the principal source of income for the last four months. She's also continued to sell a particular brand of makeup that we can't mention by name online. So ladies, if you're interested, give my wife a call.

We do have some better news on the job front, though. Janna recently had an interview at Henry Mayo, the hospital that's like right around the corner from our apartment. The position is medical-surgical, but it's on a telemetry / oncology floor that seems to be in really good shape. Apparently, the interview went really well. Obviously, they loved Janna, but what was great is that Janna really liked them as well. The hospital seems to be in really good shape, has a great nurse-patient ratio, pays well, and is being flexible with her start date. And it's a 12-hour day shift! They haven't officially offered her the job, but things are looking positively. Praise God for His provision and for His perfect timing! Please continue to pray that it would all come through and that she would indeed get this job.

School

As far as seminary itself goes, I've officially finished my first semester here at TMS. It's pretty amazing! It really did go quickly. And it was indeed a ton of work. One of the things that they tell you to do at the beginning of the semester is to just go through all of your syllabi and make a master file of assignments and due dates. I remember looking at that file at the beginning of the semester and marveling at the fact that they expected me to get all of that done in 15 weeks. Well, 15 weeks later, by God's grace, it's all done. It was a lot, but it was all work that I really enjoy doing. At times I would complain (mostly in my heart) about how much work I had to do. But in many of those instances, God was gracious to me, and brought to my mind this thought: "If I didn't have to do any of this work and had nothing to do, what would I do?" And the answer was always the same: I'd read the stuff I'd had to read. I'd write about the stuff I had to write about. I often remarked that seminary life was very much like the Christian life; it required me to do things that are a joy to do. So seminary has indeed been a blessing.

There are so many things that I could write about as to what I've been learning from God's Word as well as what He's been teaching me about life and ministry in general. Maybe I'll just share one or two in each category.

1. One of the greatest blessings that I've enjoyed this semester is just reading the Bible (particularly Genesis through Esther) in large quantities, quickly, and repeatedly. For our Old Testament class, we had to read one book of the Bible per week, twice. So, for example, last week I had to read through the book of Chronicles twice, write chapter titles for each chapter, note major themes of the book, write what I thought the purpose of the book was, and also write a one-page synopsis of how the Chronicler traced the history of the theocracy and temple. Assignments like those for the first 17 books of the Bible really helped me grasp the message and major themes of that foundational portion of Scripture. And one thing that I was gripped by was just how central and theologically significant the covenants are (particularly the Abrahamic, Mosaic, and Davidic covenants), how an essential characteristic of God is His covenant faithfulness, and how all these covenants find their ultimate fulfillment and fullest expression in Jesus Christ. I mean, it's just magnificent. Thousands of years of history, failures of the people, continued faithfulness of God, and crazy amounts of anticipation and hope all lead up to one man, the God-man, Jesus Christ, Son of God and God the Son. History is about Him. The Bible is about Him. The Universe is about Him!
2. In that vein, I've really been learning to just let the Bible speak in its context. One temptation for young guys like me who are aspiring to be preachers is the lie that we have to find something better, more shocking, or more profound to say than has been said. We think that if we want to have an impact, we have to show people something they've never seen before. Rather than just letting the text say what it says, I try to find a big way to spin it. And it's not like it gets heretical, it just betrays a lack of faithfulness in the sufficiency of Scripture. For example, I don't need to force Christ into every single verse of the Bible. I don't need to read Joshua 2, find out that Rahab's cloth was red, and see in the red cloth the blood of Christ protecting Rahab's house as the blood of the Passover Lamb. That sounds wonderfully tempting. It could make a congregation go, "Ooh!" and "Aah!" But it's not in the text. And what I've been learning is, the text is sufficiently glorious on its own. If preachers and teachers of God's Word are truly content, in the depths of their soul, to cry out, "He must increase, I must decrease," then we will be satisfied with letting Scripture say what it says instead of getting it to say what we want it to mean.
3. The last thing I'll share is that I've been learning that it is not true that merely being in seminary fixes or maintains your spiritual life. If you struggle with consistent devotional times, just being around Christians, church, and talking about the Bible does not necessarily cultivate rich and sweet fellowship with Christ. If anything, it makes it more difficult. The same sun that melts the wax hardens the clay, as they say. It's been clear to me that I need to make it a priority, above everything else, to actively pursue that relationship with Him. One way I've thought of it is like this: Seminary, rich study, great fellowship, and having your conversations and thoughts dominated by spiritual things are all like various kinds of wonderful herbs and spices. But a thriving personal devotional life with Christ before His Word and before His throne in prayer is like the meat. The seminary package really adds wonderful flavor and nuance to that devotional time. But if you try to do the seminary thing without that relationship, it'd be like taking the meat away and just eating spices. It's not enjoyable, it's unhealthy, and doesn't strengthen you for the work you need to do.
   

So those are some things I've been learning. I do look forward to what God has for me next semester. I'm taking quite a heavy load, but I suppose that will provide multiple opportunities to see my own insufficiency, to depend on Christ and trust Him fully, and be a beneficiary of His grace. In the Spring, I'm taking: Old Testament Studies II (Job through Malachi), Beginning Hebrew II, Pastoral Counseling, Historical Theology (Reformation to present), and Biblical Exposition of Prayer.

Coming Home

The last bit of news is very exciting. Janna and I are getting ready to fly back to New Jersey on Tuesday to spend three weeks with our family and friends for the holidays. The semester doesn't start back again until January 12th, so we're going to stay out in New Jersey till the 6th. We're really excited to see everyone!

I've also been graciously offered the opportunity to preach at Christian Fellowship Church in North Brunswick on Sunday morning, December 20th. Many thanks to Pastor Steve for inviting me into his pulpit and giving me such a wonderful opportunity to serve him and his people. Each time he's asked me to do this it has proven to be such a humbling and enriching experience. I trust this time will be no different. Indeed, I've already begun to enjoy those experiences in the time I've had to prepare. God is good. The Lord Jesus will build His Church. There is no time that I am more convinced, more driven, and more thrilled at the thought of giving my life to "spending and being spent" for the souls of God's people by ministering His Word to them than when I am preparing and preaching. May God give me grace upon grace to always have such affections. Please pray for me as I continue to prepare.

I'll also be teaching Sunday school the following Sunday morning at Christ Community, our home church. I very much look forward to that experience as well. I've missed the saints there, and having been absent for the last four months has taught me how much a privilege it is to minister to the same group of people over a period of years. I would appreciate your prayers for this as well.

Somewhere in between there I hope to visit Hammarskjold Middle School, where I taught Italian last year. As I've missed family and friends, I've also missed my fellow teachers and my students. It's been nice to hear from a few of them and keep in contact. I look forward to seeing them again!

Well, I suppose that's enough of an update for now. Hopefully I'll be able to talk more with you all about these things in person! Until then...

Delight yourself in the LORD,
and He will give you the desires of your heart.
- Psalm 37:4 -

Shai Linne Concert

So last Sunday night, Shai Linne came to do a concert at BIOLA. Some TMS friends and Janna and I went to see him. It was really fun. We even actually got to meet him and talk for a few minuets. Hopefully it won't be the last time we hang out, as he's considering coming to TMS in Fall '10.



At about half way through his set he did an a capella, poem-like piece. He asked us, "If death could talk, what would it say?" Then he said he thought it would talk like this.

I'm the one that the movies use to entertain.
I'm the one that seems fun on video games.
I'm the one that the rappers like to shout about.
And I'm the one that does to them what comes outta they mouth.
I'm the one that's broadcast on the news nightly.
Yeah, I'm the one that most take too lightly.
I'm the one that's been the enemy for centuries.
You'll all come to me eventually.

I'm taking out all contenders / between January and December.
Destruction's my agenda. / I'm the one to remember.
And this is not hyperbole. / I'm not known to exaggerate.
So what I'm droppin verbally / I am going to actuate.
And if you're laughin you / have no clue / about my magnitude,
And how I'm smashing dudes / with a nasty attitude.
I'm sorry that was rude, / I got such a major rep,
That I never introduced myself, / Hi, my name is Death.
Nice to meet you. / And it will also be nice to defeat you,
And watch the worms eat you / when I six feet deep you.
You probably wondering why I be shoutin with hostility,
Silly wannabe / killers really be / doubtin my ability.
And they all be yappin, / talkin smack / with their sorry rap,
And when I'm called to action, / they'll be silent like Charlie Chaplin.
How long we actin? / Will you respect me like you cherish sins?
Or will I have to turn your arrogance into embarrassment?

I'm the one that the rappers like to shout about.
And I'm the one that does to them what comes outta they mouth.
I'm the one that's broadcast on the news nightly.
Yeah, I'm the one that most take too lightly.
I'm the one that's been the enemy for centuries.
You'll all come to me eventually.

I'm presently reckoned. / Statistically, I strike every three seconds,
Which makes about 80 people by the end of this record.
So check it as I indicate / and convincingly demonstrate
why I don't discriminate / with people I eliminate.
The middle class? I'm knockin em off. / And I'm even droppin the poor.
The riches of the wealthy can't help em when I knock on the door.
Everybody drop on the floor. / The hottest won't be hot anymore.
Like Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction I will not be ignored.
I strike universally / from slums to universities
from nurseries / to nursing homes/ that's true diversity.
And it's the same for the drop-out /Or the well-schooled when he dies,
likewise / the cool and despised / the fool and the wise.
Oh the lunacy!
How imprudent students be foolishly / thinking they have immunity
like I won't take the opportunity!
Don't masquerade / and act like you ain't have the data
That I emasculate haters / and assassinate assassinators.
When it comes to graves I'm the real filler,
They don't really gives chills to killers / And make a killin when I kill killers.

I can't be talked away by slick politicians / or tricked by magicians
because I'm the kinda guy who mortifies morticians.
I horrify physicians, / I'm knockin all the doctors.
I rock / and shock / the block / from Stockholm to Watts / and I gotcha.
Do what I say! / I'm the last exit on your highway.
Even Frank Sinatra had to do it my way.

I'm the one that the movies use to entertain.
I'm the one that seems fun on video games.
I'm the one that the rappers like to shout about.
But I'm the one that does to them what comes outta they mouth.
I'm the one that's broadcast on the news nightly.
Yeah, I'm the one that most take too lightly.
I'm the one that's been the enemy for centuries.
You'll all come to me eventually.

This goes out to those speakin my name, / lying like you crazy,
Cuz when I greet you with pain / you'll be cryin like a baby.
And I ain't even go into all the ways that I could be taking you out,
The point is, no escaping this route.
Naked you come in and naked you're out.
You been sleepin apparently, / so now listen carefully.
Don't act like you're not aware me! / How are you gonna prepare for me?
I feel like doin some charity / so here's some free advice:
If you don't wanna see me twice,
Repent and believe in Jesus Christ.

It was awesome. Immediately after that he gave a solid Gospel presentation. I tried to videotape most of it, but the quality (of the video) isn't that great. He talked about how everybody was into what he was saying, but in a crowd as big as it was, it was likely that some folks weren't ready for eternity. He mentioned how we were all bobbing our heads and enjoying the music and the poetry, but warned that if that's all it is for us, then we're missing the point. He pointed us to our sinfulness and our need for a Savior. Then he presented that Savior and called us to repentance and faith for the forgiveness of our sins.

He shepherded the crowd.

I'm glad to have met Shai Linne. I hope I get to speak with him again some time soon.

Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance,
God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent,
because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness
through a Man whom He has appointed,
having furnished proof to all men
by raising Him from the dead.
- Acts 17:30-31 -

An Update

First, let me offer my apologies. Today I intended to have the first post (after the introduction) of the series on the doctrine of regeneration that I promised a week ago. But this week has actually been extraordinarily busy and I haven't had time to get it ready to be posted. So please forgive the delay. In its place, I thought I'd give sort of an update on where we are and how we're doing out here.

So we've been in Southern California for about seven weeks now, as I've started seminary at The Master's Seminary. Attending there has been a wonderful time. Classes are great, professors are great, chapels with the students and faculty are great, going to Grace Church is great. It's been really fun.

Classes are indeed a lot of work. I only have classes three days out of the week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday), but I'm kept busy for what seems like my entire week. In a usual week, I do no work on Saturday or Sunday, but pretty much every other day I'm pretty pressed for any free time. It can get overwhelming, and as a fleshly man, I can complain. But when I think about it rightly, I'm extremely busy doing exactly what I've wanted to be doing for a while now. I'm reading books I've always wanted to read. I'm writing more. I'm studying the Old Testament in depth. I'm learning Hebrew. I'm interacting with other godly young men (the other students) and godly older men who all share a passion for the glory of Christ and for proclaiming that glory to all peoples. God is good to me.

Janna has also been kept busy, for the most part. She's probably not as busy as I am, but she's not far off. She's been looking for a nursing job since we got out here. Early on, that involved researching positions online from different hospitals' websites. Later it involved actually going to those hospitals with her resume and trying to get an interview. As far as a nursing job goes, it's a long story, but because of the amount of experience she got in New Jersey, hospitals want her to start in a new graduate orientation program when she starts at the hospital. Problem is, those are only at certain times of the year (August and February, the times when most graduates graduate). So we're waiting for a nursing job to come in February. Please be praying as you think of it.

In the meantime, she's been interviewing for other part time positions. One thing that looks promising is tutoring K-8 students at Grace Community School. That will provide some income, an opportunity for her to get out of the house, help kids in their school work, and perhaps most importantly create relationships in which Janna can live and proclaim the Gospel to younger children. That's exciting just writing about it. Please pray that that follows through.

So those things have kept her busy. Along with doing the cooking, cleaning, laundry, and other such things, she's not exactly been bored. I thank God for my wife. She's been so faithful and such a servant to me in the last year and three months, and especially so in these last 2 months as we've had to lean on each other pretty hard and pretty exclusively. He who finds a wife finds a good thing.

In light of that I'd appreciate prayer for us in our marriage. Don't worry. We're not on the rocks or anything. I'm just more and more aware of the necessity of shepherding one's family before even supposing to shepherd the house of God (1Tim 3:5), and the reality that the marriage is a prime target of Satan's scheming and of my own selfishness in my flesh. Pray that I'd love my wife as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her. Pray that God would give me the grace to lay down my life in service to my family, and that He would cause me to recognize the distinction between that, and laying down my family's life for my own benefit and ease. Pray that I'd be faithful in sanctifying time for Janna and me to spend together doing fun things, talking, praying, reading together, and enjoying each other and growing with each other.

Pray for my laziness. Man, am I lazy. And I really have no excuse for that; I'm so busy! But my heart is deceitful and desperately wicked (Jer 17:9). I really can tend to be lazy and selfish when I get just the least bit tired, worn out, have a little headache, etc. Pray that God would grant me endurance, fueled by the sight of His glory, that I might run in such a way as to get the prize (1Cor 9:24ff; Phil 3:13-14).

And if I could submit one more prayer request, please pray for us in the area of getting plugged into fellowship and ministry. Grace is huge. They definitely work hard about making it not seem so ominous; they have various fellowship groups, Bible studies, men's and women's groups, and things like that. But the reality is that on Sunday morning there are six to seven thousand people swarming around. Even when you break things up into 2 services, 10 small fellowship groups, each with their pastors, it's big. So we've been going around and visiting different fellowship groups and Bible studies that break out from those fellowship groups and will need to make a decision soon about where to land. We want to be in a place where we'll be discipled and grown, as well as be in a place where we can serve Christ and minister to His body.

And above all things and in all things please pray along with us that Christ will be honored and glorified during our time here. Please pray specifically that He would get what He's worthy of from us, and from all His people. Pray that our hearts would be soft, near the cross, daily amazed at the Gospel, and moment-by-moment delighting in Jesus Christ. Pray that He'd give us eyes to see the Light of the Gospel of the glory of God in the face of Christ, that we might behold His glory and so be transformed into the very image of that glory, and thus be honoring and pleasing to Him.

Thank you all for reading, for praying, for talking with us. If you're back in New Jersey, we miss you, think about you often, and hope to see you soon. Grace be with you all.

The LORD bless you, and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace.
- Numbers 6:24-26 -

Sponsor Us! Walk for Life

A Special Thursday Post

So in a couple of weeks, Janna and I will be participating in "Walk for Life," which is basically one of those walks people do to raise money for particular causes. This particular cause is the Pregnancy Resource Center of the San Fernando Valley. We learned about it at church (members of Grace had one of those announcement tables).

The Pregnancy Resource Center is a wonderful resource for women who are pregnant. They counsel against abortion, present the Gospel to every woman, and provide friendship and support for each person who contacts the center. Because they've chosen not to receive funding from the government (to free them up for a Biblical ministry without interference), they need funding from others. You can check out the website for further information if you're interested.

Also, if anyone is able to and would like to sponsor either my wife or me for the walk we would really appreciate it. The walk is in 2 weekends (October 10th) and there are all different amounts you can pledge, starting at $5. You just need to go to this webpage. Then click on "Sponsor a Walker," fill out the form and select me or Janna.

Thanks guys.

Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.
- Philippians 4:17 -

Home for a Wedding

So today we're back in New Jersey! We've taken a short trip home for Janna's brother's wedding! It seems so formal to say it that way -- "my brother-in-law's wedding" -- because really it's just two of our best friends getting married.

So in the absence of a normal Friday post, and with the theme of marriage dominating my imagination right now, the best I can think of is to link to a past post I did about marriage and it's relationship to the Gospel. It's called Marriage: An Exposition of Covenant-Keeping Grace. I pray that it's a benefit to you. It's great to be reminded of the wonderful picture of grace and salvation that God has given to us in His institution of marriage. It's something we take for granted a lot of the time. But if we didn't, our marriages -- and our worlds -- would be transformed.

It's great to rejoice with those who rejoice. I'm looking forward to witnessing another miracle on Saturday, when God makes two of His children into one. And how it makes me look forward with gladness to that great day when the Bridegroom shall have His Bride.

And a voice came from the throne, saying, "Give praise to our God, all you His bond-servants, you who fear Him, the small and the great." Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready." It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, "Write, 'Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb '" And he said to me, "These are true words of God." - Revelation 19:5-9 -

Our Trip to the Grand Canyon

So when planning our trip from New Jersey to Southern California, one of the places I immediately insisted being a "stopping point" along the way was the Grand Canyon. Neither Janna nor I had ever been there, and it's always heralded as such a breathtaking sight that it just seemed like an obvious stop. Plus, John Piper has referred to it numerous times in his preaching to affirm humanity's tacit awareness that being made much of is not the greatest longing of the human heart, but rather it is to be made to feel small and insignificant while beholding breathtaking glory and splendor.

So we went. Enjoy some pictures!

So close, and yet so far.

Finally, enjoy a video. Maybe it'll help give you a sense of the vastness of the Canyon.

Nobody stands on the edge of the Alps or the Rockies or the Grand Canyon in order to go there to feel better about ourselves. Do you know why you go there? Because you were [designed] to be satisfied with splendor, not self. You were created and a law written on your heart to be infinitely, eternally, fully, joyfully satisfied in a grand splendor not a great self. I plead with you lay it down. Lay down your quest for the applause of men, the approval of men, and begin to get on a quest for the one thing that will satisfy your soul—the splendor of Jesus Christ and all that God is for you in him. I just plead with you for your own soul's infinite happiness that you will stop pursuing it in the wrong place.
- John Piper -

For by Him all things were created,
both in the heavens and on earth,
visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--
all things
have been created through Him
and for Him.

He is before all things,
and in Him all things hold together.
He is also head of the body, the church;
and He is the beginning,
the firstborn from the dead,
so that He Himself will come to have
first place
in everything.

- Colossians 1:16-18 -

God is the Gospel

So I've just finished reading God is the Gospel, by John Piper.

What an amazing experience it was for me. It seems that anything I would have ever wanted to say about the God-centeredness of God (and therefore the God-centeredness of people) has been said in that book. It's very refreshing when someone makes the point you were trying to make, and with stunningly greater precision and conciseness than you could have dreamed of.

So beyond an unqualified recommendation, I give a strong exhortation: read this book. It's worth the money to have a physical copy, without question. But you can also read it online for free at the Desiring God website.

I'm thinking about reproducing some passages from the book in a future post here and there. But there was a particular section that dealt with the Greatest Commandment and its being the foundation of the Second, which was much of what I was concerned with at the start of this blog. Here's what Piper says about that, from page 162:

We exist by Him, through Him, and for Him (Rom 11:36). The ultimate and greatest good of the gospel is not self-admiration or self-exaltation, but being able to see the glory of God without disintegrating, and being able to delight in the glory of Christ with the very delight of God the Father for His own Son, and being able to do visible Christ-exalting deeds that flow from this delight.

So being like God is the ground of seeing God for who He is, and this seeing is the ground of savoring and delighting in the glory of God with the very delight of God, which then overflows with visible displays of God's glory.

That summarizes my thoughts very nicely.

The following is one expression of the thesis of the book, and, I believe, captures his thinking (not to mention the essence of the Gospel) quite well. From page 147 (emphases mine):

The best news of the Christian gospel is that the supremely glorious Creator of the universe has acted in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection to remove every obstacle between us and Himself so that we may find everlasting joy in seeing and savoring His infinite beauty. The saving love of God is His doing whatever must be done, at great cost to Himself, and for the least deserving, so that He might enthrall them with what will make them supremely happy forever, namely, Himself. Therefore, the gospel of God and the love of God are expressed finally and fully in God's gift of Himself for our everlasting pleasure. "In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Ps 16:11).

Little else comes to mind aside from, "Amen."

In the video below, Piper discusses two implications of discovering and receiving the truth that God is the Gospel, the first personal, and the second pastoral.

So again, I strongly encourage you to read this book and have your understanding shaped by Scripture presented through Piper, Edwards, Calvin, Owen, and others about what the supreme passion of God is in all things, and therefore what our supreme passion should be in all things.

This is what we should in short seek in the whole of Scripture:
truly to know Jesus Christ,
and the infinite riches that are comprised in him
and are offered to us by him
from God the Father.
- John Calvin -
(See here, p. 70.)

For Christ also died for sins once for all,
the just for the unjust,
so that He might bring us to God.
- 1 Peter 3:18 -

UPDATE: Find links to the posts in this series below:

• God Himself is His Greatest Gift
• Exploding the Doctrine of Man-Centered Love
• God-Centered Love
• A God-Centered Gospel
• A Matter of Life and Death
• Fasting
• The Power of God Unto Sanctification
  

Teaching Middle School and an Exhortation

So as my profile says, I spent this past year teaching Italian to some great middle school kids. Recently, it was the last day of school and I had some closing comments for each class that I taught (six in all).

The first thing I did, after taking care of collecting textbooks and textbook fines, was apologize and ask for each class's forgiveness for my sins in thought, word, and deed. I confessed to them that there were times that I was wrongfully frustrated, angry, and lazy, and that that was selfish and did not benefit them. I told them that, though most people say they "did the best they could," usually that's not true, and it certainly was not true of me. I could have done better. And so I asked them to forgive me.

And the spokesmen for each class said they did. So that's good.

The next thing I told them was that I wasn't going to be back, as I'm moving to California to begin attending seminary. Some of them immediately asked what seminary was, then wondered at how I'd be a priest if I was married. And so I clarified that I was going to be studying for pastoral ministry and that a pastor is different then a priest. It was actually some great conversation that I hope bears fruit.

Many kids wanted me to sign their yearbook, which I totally loved and was humbled to do. After a personal message, I signed each one: "Don't Waste Your Life: 2 Corinthians 5:15." And that led to some good explanations as well. I even had the opportunity to open a Bible with one of my students and read and unfold the text with him.

And finally I gave them my email address and the address to this blog. So hopefully they're reading this! Welcome guys! (Or, maybe I should say: Benvenuti ragazzi!)

But I wanted to share with you part of an email that I got from one of my students, and then my response to it.

...I enjoyed all of your comforting words, and your smiling face around lunch. I'm gonna miss all the times in Italian and all the jokes we had. You have taught me a great deal this year. I hope you are successful in California. I read your blog... I never knew there was this whole other side of you! But your wisdom shows. :] ...

You might see why this student was one of my favorites. ;o) Here's how I responded.

Thanks for your kind words. I'm glad they're true. I count it all grace from God that He was pleased to take a selfish sinner like me and use me to comfort, encourage, and teach kids like yourself.

About not seeing the other side of me... yeah... it's a shame it has to be that way, isn't it? Much of that is my fault, and not speaking more openly about the Savior, as He is my life. Really, if people don't see that side of me, they don't really see me. But the sad thing is, our government misinterprets the Constitution's provision of freedom of speech and religion, such that if I was to talk about my faith in Christ during school, I could be fired and maybe worse. Isn't that twisted? In one sense that shouldn't matter to me (Acts 5:28-29). In another, I try to follow the rules that are set before me (Romans 13:1-2).

But now that school's out, I can speak freely without coming under the accusation that I was trying to force children to believe what I believe. But even though this side of me couldn't show through very much, I hope it showed through in my attitude and actions... at least somewhat. All of the "good" things I did, all of the comfort that you describe, any time I was smiling, anything profitable that I taught you, it was because of Jesus. He gets the glory for that, not me. It's important to me that you know that.

And yet, I'm far from a good example of Him. As I mentioned today, I did things that were wrong. I said things that were wrong. I was sinfully angry. And I can't blame anyone but myself for that. That's not how a Christian acts. That's not how Christ would be with students. And so that's why I asked for your (all of your) forgiveness. Being a Christian or even a pastor doesn't mean that someone is perfect (1 John 1:8). Far from it. It means that when one's imperfection is made known to them, that they admit that they're wrong and they ask forgiveness (1 John 1:9).

Not the perfect answer. Not by a long shot. But I pray that God blesses His Word, even the Word I've spoken to my students (Is 55:10-11).

But one exhortation that we can all receive from these thoughts is that we should strive to keep our behavior excellent among the Gentiles (1Pet 2:11-12), to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth (Matt 5:13-16). But when we fall short of excellence, when our light flickers, and when we're not as salty as we ought to be, let us remember that what restores our witness and what glorifies God is neither pretentious rationalization of sin nor good behavior to make up for it. Rather it is confession of our sinfulness, repentance, and the asking of forgiveness to those whom we've sinned against.

So rejoice! The Good News for saved sinners who still harbor indwelling sin is that the Christian life is about direction and not perfection. Though ever pressing on toward the goal for the prize for the upward call of God in Christ Jesus, God does not blot us out in the absence of our absolute perfection! Praise God!

So in our imperfection, let us present to the world -- by God's grace -- what humility and poverty of spirit look like, all to His glory among the nations.

He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.
- Proverbs 28:13 -

Blessed are the poor in spirit...
- Matthew 5:3 -

...that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
- Matthew 5:16 -

I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned against Me and by which they have transgressed against Me. It will be to Me a name of joy, praise and glory before all the nations of the earth which will hear of all the good that I do for them.
- Jeremiah 33:8-9 -