What I've learned from Penn State

1. We take sports too seriously.
               It's absolutely ridiculous that some are outraged over people losing their jobs. Get a grip people. Children have been abused. Being good at sports or being a good coach doesn't make you a good person.  Possessing talent doesn't mean you have good character. We put people on pedestals because they play a game with a ball. I love sports, but I love them too much. Is it okay to overlook character flaws or warning signs because people are getting results? We are incredibly lost if character doesn't mean something.

2. People actually do believe in  right and wrong.
              There isn't anybody defending Sandusky. Why? He's a monster who did horrible things. In our hearts we understand that some things are wrong and we cry out for justice. Those who kept silent are sinners too. The bible teaches us that those who know to do good and don't do it are sinning. We cannot be silent and let evil prevail.

3. We are very sure of ourselves
             I've heard it a million times, if I would have seen it or known about it I would have put a bullet in his head. I would have done something. Don't get me wrong, I feel the same way, but we don't know. We don't know what we would have done in the same situation. If we are so angry, how can we channel that into good? One good thing that has come out of this is it's reminded us of the horrors of child abuse. It makes us feel good to talk about what we would have done or to stand up for a child on radio or at work. Let's put our money where our mouth is. Volunteer at a shelter, work with those who make the laws, become a foster parent, find a way to advocate for a child, or stop being so selfish and love your child as much as you possibly can. Talk is cheap.

4. Grace is radical
           I want to make it clear that I detest the actions of those involved. Sandusky didn't kill anybody, but he did take their lives away. I pray that they might find wholeness again. However, I keep thinking about something. Let's say justice is served. Whether we agree on what sins deserve death there are a lot of people wishing he would die. Let''s say he gets the chair, but somebody else steps up and says I'll take the chair for him and he can go free. Horrible, offensive, radical, how can that be? That's what Jesus did for us. We had the sentence of death because of our sins and he took the death for us. It would tick off a lot of people if somebody took Sandusky's place, set him free and offered him eternal life. Jesus took Barabbas's place and Barabbas went free. He did it for me, too. If Sandusky would repent of his sins and follow Jesus, it would be the case for him as well. That kind of grace makes me uncomfortable. That kind of grace saved me.

Repentance or Remorse

I do not hesitate to assert that this is perhaps the most subtle and delicate test as to whether we have repented, or where we are: our attitude towards God. Have you noticed it in the psalm? The one against whom David has sinned is God, and yet the one he desires above all is God. That is the difference between remorse and repentance. The man who has not repented, but who is only experiencing remorse, when he realizes he has done something against God, avoids God...The man who has not been dealt with by the Spirit of God and has not been convinced and convicted, tries to get away from God, to avoid him at all costs. He does not think, he does not read the Bible, he does not pray; he does everything he can not to think about these things. But the extraordinary thing about the man who is convicted of sin by the Holy Spirit is that though he knows he has sinned against God, it is God he wants---"Be merciful to me, O God." He wants to be with God---that is the peculiar paradox of repentance, wanting the one I have offended!"

Psalms 51 David flees directly into God's presence and pleads, "Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me" The above paragraph is D. Martin Lloyd-Jones commenting on this passage

Hard Teachings and Soft Hearts

In Luke 14 25-35 Jesus hits His hearers right on the mouth. As the great multitudes follow Him he tells them what  exactly expected from a true follower. If you don't hate your family, you can't be my disciple. If you don't bear your your cross, you can't be my disciple. If you don't renounce all that you have, you cannot be my disciple.

Doesn't Jesus know how to grow a church. If a pastor wants to grow a church he needs to remain politically correct. You don't want to ruffle any feathers. Preach softly, pick on pet sins that no one in your church struggles with, and certainly don't ask for repentance. After all, God is only about love and forgiveness.  Personal holiness doesn't matter. Right?

Well as you can imagine after that message, all hope was lost. Not really. Luke 15:1 tells us that after that the tax collectors and sinners drew near to hear Him. That's the opposite of what should have happened. That kind of preaching drives people away. To be honest, it probably did drive some away. The religious people probably left. As a pastor, that's when you can have church, when all the religious people leave. Then it's just us sinners left, and more importantly the Savior that has redeemed us.

The whole gospel should be preached, not just the parts that we think won't offend. The truth is offensive but His sheep will hear His voice. You know what Jesus does next? All this has set the stage for one of the greatest stories of all time. The Parable of the Prodigal Son. In ch 15, we learn that Jesus delights in the repentance of sinners. We learn about His love for us when we don't deserve it. We learn that our God is a seeking God. He went and looked for us. When He finds us, He rejoices over us.

One more note. I kind of made fun of religious people earlier. Something you learn from ch 15 is that Jesus loves them too. He wants them to come to repentance as well.

Don't be afraid to tell the whole story of Jesus. He asks for everything and somehow still manages to give us more.

Press On, Work, and Fight

Not that I have already attained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own. Philippians 3:12

So many of us are stuck on the performance treadmill of life. Trying hard to get God to like us is futile. Work this week not for acceptance, but from acceptance. Christian, Christ has made you His own and will keep you.

Remember this as well, grace isn't an excuse to do nothing. Grace inspires effort.

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God in me. 1 Corinthians 15:10

Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Tim 6:12

Press on, work hard, and Fight the good fight. We're saved by grace, created for good works.

Yali Jubilee 2011

The Basis of Our Assurance

Gospel-Centered Parenting + Young Children

I've decided that I'm only going to blog when I have something to say. However, I can at least share stuff with you that I find interesting.

Why God when I try so hard?

Have you ever asked God Why? Why does this bad stuff keep happening to me when all I'm trying to do is follow you? I went on vacation 3 and a half hours away this weekend. Locked my keys in my car one night. The next day my car broke down and I waited 2 hrs for a tow truck to take it to a dealership that I had no idea how to get to.  My comfort was this sucks, but at least my warranty will take care of it. Wrong. It's not covered under my warranty. I'm spending 70 dollars a day on a rental that also won't be covered and have to drive to St. Louis tomorrow to pick up my car and pay 390 dollars. Let's just say I threw a mighty awesome pity party. A party that rivaled the older brother in the prodigal son story and Eeyore too. God, I'm trying to be a good person.

I've read through Philippians the last two nights and a few things have stuck out to me. Most of us know that Philippians talks about joy and rejoicing some. The thing is I forget that Paul writes this from his imprisonment. It's easy to talk about joy when life is good. Where was Paul's doubt? Didn't he think God left him? All too often I let my circumstances influence my opinion about God. Our circumstances tend to inform us about God rather than God informing us about our circumstances.

God is good, there is no doubt. Accept everything that He allows in your life. Love Jesus and the gospel more than you love your own life. Paul told the Philippians what had happened to him actually helped to advance the gospel. Rather than sulking and pouting, Paul led the roman soldiers to Christ. God loves you with an undying love. If you could understand everything that God was doing in your life right now, I would be terrified. Who wants a God that fits into their small brains? Time to repent of my bad attitude and trust in Jesus. Maybe time for you also.

I'm not very good at this blogging thing. There were all sorts of things over the last week that I could have blogged about. Tornadoes, Osama, Obama, and everything else that dominates the headlines. The truth is there are a lot of smarter people out there that you can learn from about those issues.

I just wanted to mention a couple of things today.  First, I love my mother so much. She's about the only one that reads this blog, so I love you mom. Happy Mothers Day! Also, my wife and the mother of my children is the greatest woman alive. I don't know how she does what she does, but she's truly amazing. I'm so thankful for her.

Lastly, I love you guys too. I post this on facebook hoping that some of my friends will be compelled to love Jesus more. It's not to promote myself, it's to promote Jesus. I pray that you understand salvation is more than intellectual assent to what Jesus has done. If you truly believe the gospel, you then must surrender everything to the Jesus that loves you so much. If there's ever anything I can do to help, please let me know.

1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us.

Stick to math Pascal

Blaise Pascal is famous for the Pascalian wager. It's sometimes used in witnessing; showing how even though you can't prove God's existence beyond the shadow of a doubt it's a good idea to believe in Him. The logic goes, if I believe in God and am wrong, little is lost, if you don't believe and are wrong you're in trouble. I think Paul would have serious issues with Pascal. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. 1 Cor 15:19 There are certainly numerous benefits to walking with Christ in this life, in following the commandments, but Paul said if there is no resurrection he was a joke. He was someone who should be pitied. Why in the world would someone risk their neck for nothing? In 1 Corinthians 15:12 19 Paul explains why the resurrection is so foundational.

1. If there isn't a resurrection our faith and preaching is in vain. There is no point. It's meaningless.
   
2. If there isn't a resurrection we are found to misrepresent God.
   
3. Our faith is futile without the resurrection. It's powerless.
   
4. We would be still in our sins if there was no resurrection. Instead of in our sins, we're in Christ. Through His death, burial, and resurrection we have be cleansed of our sins and given victory over death.
   
5. Without a resurrection, those that have passed away have perished.
   

   
    

I think I have an idea of what Pascal meant when he made the wager, but without the resurrection Christianity fails. The good news is Christianity doesn't fail, because Christ doesn't fail. Live in such a way that it shows you believe in the resurrection. This truth should cause us to take risks, to do things that don't make sense in the world, and even make us look foolish to others. The truth of the resurrection changes things, it should change you. Our preaching or faith isn't in vain and you will not be found in your sins if you're found in Christ.

 

 

 

Serving Each Other Through Forgiveness and Reconciliation | The Resurgence

I know it's been a while. I intend on continuing the blog. This is an excellent portion of an article, and I encourage you to read the whole thing. Serving Each Other Through Forgiveness and Reconciliation The Resurgence

I had more intense doubts this week, than I  have ever  had before.  They were about hell.  I believe the bible paints a picture of a place of eternal torment, a place where unbelievers will be separated from God forever.  I'm not doubting the bible, it just made me upset at God for a while.  Biblically I believe in hell and emotionally I hate it.  I wouldn't describe myself as over it yet, but I want to share a few lessons I"ve learned.

1.  People are naturally rebellious towards God.  Our hearts are bent towards evil.  We do not naturally seek God.  Even with God giving me a new heart, I understand this very well.  We assume people are basically good.  God knows we're rebellious.  Since I assume people are good then I guess I assume people for the most part deserve heaven.  Excluding some monsters like child molesters, serial killers and Cubs fans.  By doing that, I think God is being unfair by sending people to Hell.  It is more accurate to believe that I have offended a Holy sinless God and deserve hell.  God by his grace rescued me from it.  Thinking this way doesn't satisfy me completely emotionally, but it does make me thankful.  We deserve Hell because our actions show that we hate God.  Don't kid yourselves.

2.  Hell is biblical.  This doesn't calm my emotions either, but it's true.  God's word is true and it speaks of hell regularly. My feelings must be brought into check by God's word.

3.  God knows better.  My doubts needed to be quieted by God's word.  Read Romans 9, it's probably the hardest chapter in the bible to stomach.  Paul is describing that God saves those whom He wills.  Paul understands that from this will spring some tough questions.  People will say, if God chooses then how is that fair?  The ones going to hell never had a chance. I said those thing this week.  How does God answer those sincere questions?  vs 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God?  Will what is molded say to its molder, Why have you made me like this?  This would have been a great opportunity for God to explain himself.  Instead, he lets us know he's in charge.  That's hard for me to swallow.  That's hard for me to do, but I trust that God is good.  Am I going to continue to doubt and be in anguish or am I going to recognize that I'm just clay and he's the master potter?

4.  A belief in Hell should compel us to evangelize.  Ideally, so would the joys of heaven.  Since, so many of us think we deserve heaven, that isn't that great to motivate.  I really screamed at God, shed tears, and told God I didn't want to leave Him this week.  Hell is horrible.  The thing is, if I believe that, I must tell people about Jesus.  You are in rebellion towards God.  You must be reconciled by the blood of Jesus Christ.  I implore you to follow Jesus. 

I still don't get it.  My heart is in anguish for those of you that will go to hell, but my trust is in Jesus.  Christians, shame on you for glibly speaking of hell.  Shame on me.  Speak of hell with a tear in your eye.  Do not pronounce judgement in the same manner you order a Big Mac.  In Gen 19 angels physically grabbed Lot and his family and rescued them from destruction.  What will you do?

Jude 22 And have mercy on those who doubt, 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire, to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

Wrestling Girls

Should we wrestle girls? I haven't thought this all the way through yet, but here are two contrasting articles on the subject. Read them and tell me what you think. I do know that I have this temptation to side with Rick Reilly because I don't want to be made fun of. I also have this temptation to side with John Piper because they thought about adding him to the list of apostles in the bible. The trinity would have been blasphemous and would it be called the quadinity? I digress, to a lot of you it seems like no big deal. I don't mind my daughters being a little tomboyish. I'm not a big fan of prissiness. I think that Piper makes an excellent point on not wanting my daughter touched in that way. I also think that boys and girls are different(profound, I know). Stereotypes when it comes to sex are abundant. The thing is, I don't mind most of them. God created us different and I believe we have different ways of glorifying God. Men may glorify God with their strength while girls honor God with their beauty. Rather than running away from the biblical view of manhood/womanhood towards "equality", we should run towards the bible. Embrace the differences and celebrate them.


Over My Dead Body, Son
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=6136707

Reminders Are More Effective Than Rebukes

I commented in my sermon yesterday on how being hung up on our sin is not a sign of Holiness, but a sign of pride. Our repentance shouldn't come from when we're upset about how sin has affected us. Or we shouldn't be upset because we thought we were more righteous than that. Because you're not. In Psalms 51, David tells God against You, against You only have I sinned. Our sin is against God. That is serious stuff, but sinning against God should always drive us to the gospel. Being humble isn't beating yourself up, it's lifting Jesus up. Never let you or the devil have the final word on your sin, let Jesus.
Exalt HIM!

This link is excellent. This guy is way cooler than me.
Reminders Are More Effective Than Rebukes

Lessons in Faith from ‘Jersey Shore’

I am in no way endorsing Jersey Shore, but do feel like it's time for confession. I"ve been snowed in from work and have watched a little Maury, Steve Wilkos, and Real Housewives. These are facts I'm not real proud of. Pray for me.


Lessons in Faith from ‘Jersey Shore’

Reflections on Tragedy

This week in our community we had a terrible thing happen.  A young man on his eleventh birthday wanted to do nothing more than to go gigging with his family.  So he loaded up with his dad, grandpa and great uncle and out they went.  All four of them died in the cold waters.  A lady lost her dad, husband, son, and uncle in one night.  Today, I got the chance to just hang around the school.  I got to listen to people, pray for people, and pray with people.  I just wanted to make a few observations.

1.  Life Sucks.  It doesn't all of the time, but sometimes it does really, really bad.  There aren't any magic words for a situation like that.  It makes me long desperately for the day I will dwell with God.  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away Revelations 21:4 

2.  There are a lot of people of faith in my town.  It's easy as a pastor to rank the kinds of Christians that go to your church.  Like I can see their hearts and gauge their passion for Jesus.  I don't know how I can see sometimes with the giant plank in my eye.  What I saw today is a lot of people have a faith in God that gets them through.  I was so privileged to see the good in people and as a pastor it makes me want to draw it out of people even more.  There was a man who owns a restaurant in a nearby town that heard the story and decided that he would cater the whole funeral dinner by himself for free.  How wonderful!

3.  Be there for people.  I was nervous about going.  I was in way over my head.  I don't know what to say to people.  20 of the teachers probably came to me and told me how glad they were that there were pastors there.  You don't have to say much, just let people know that you love them.

4.  God is so good.  I would rather not have another day like this for the rest of my life.  However, God was there.  He teaches so much.  What a wonderful thing that God would use a piece of work like me. 

Pray for them

01: The Pastor and Personal Criticism

I wanted to share a link to this article, because this is something I struggle with. We should fear God more than we fear man. I really like the first reason we can expect criticism. Because we sin, because sometimes criticism is right on. I pray God gives me the grace to accept criticism, and to repent from that sin. I pray that I get the discernment to toss the criticism that is trash out. By the way, I think this applies to people that aren't pastors also.


01: The Pastor and Personal Criticism

SWAGGER WAGON

I have two great friends that are going to have their first baby tomorrow. This is the most excited I've been for a baby to come in a while. It's pretty hard to be a parent and be cool. Who knows maybe they'll pull it off. The thing is I always thought marriage showed me how selfish I was, having kids shows you even more. There are a lot of things I hope for my kids. I must admit, I love sports and the idea of having a great athlete really excites me. I'm afraid it excites me too much. I want my children to be good people. That's more important than making a basket or getting perfect grades.

First things first, my children must realize that they aren't good. I'm not saying I want them to feel bad about themselves. I'm saying on our best day we're still horrible sinners deserving of God's wrath, on our worst day we're never outside the reach of God's marvelous grace. We have a way as parents letting our priorities get out of wack. Sometimes I worry way too much about my self, my coolness. Sometimes, I worry too much about my silly dreams for them. The most important thing you can do for your children is to teach them about Jesus.

Bob Dylan gets it why don't you?

"I told you 'The Times They Are a-Changin," and they did.  I said the answer was 'Blowin' in the Wind,' and it was.  I'm telling you now that Jesus is coming back and He is.  And there is no other way of salvation.  There's only one way to believe there's only one Way, the Truth and the Life.  It took a long time to figure that out before it did come to me, and I hope it doesn't take you that long."


Bob Dylan

Parenting: It’s Never an Interruption

I try to post articles on parenting as much as possible, because I need all of the help I can get.  Parenting has this way of making you feel wonderfully blessed one moment and like a miserable person the next.  Then again that's kind of the way the gospel makes me feel too.  I'm wonderfully blessed because God set His love on me, a miserable person.  Parenting is a wonderful way to see the gospel, hear the gospel, and put the gospel to work.  To God be the glory


  Check it out   Parenting: It’s Never an Interruption

Parenting: The Joyful Impossibility

Parenting: The Joyful Impossibility

The Altar Call's Greatest Hits

Our invitations are a little different than Jesus's. If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whover loses his life for My sake will save it. Luke 9:23-24

Live by the day--ay, by the hour.  put no trust in frames and feelings.  Care more for a grain of faith than a ton of excitement.  Trust in God alone, and lean not on the reeds of human help.  Be not surprised when friends fail you: it is a failing world.  Never count upon immutability in man: inconstancy you may reckon upon without fear of disappointment.  The disciples of Jesus forsook him; be not amazed if your adherents wander away to other teachers: as they were not your all when with you, all is not gone from you with their departure.  Serve God with all your might while the candle is burning, and then when it goes out for a season, you will have the less to regret.  Be content to be nothing, for that is what you are.  When your own emptiness is painfully forced upon your consciousness, chide yourself that you ever dreamed of being full, except in the Lord.  Set small store by present rewards; be grateful for earnests by the way, but look for the recompensing joy hereafter.  Continue, with double earnestness to serve your Lord when no visible result is before you.  Any simpleton can follow the narrow path in the light: faith's rare wisdom enables us to march on in the dark with infallible accuracy, since she places her hand in that of her great Guide.  Between this and heaven there may be rougher weather yet, but it is all provided for by our covenant Head.  In nothing let us be turned aside from the path which the divine call has urged us to pursue.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Lectures to my Students