It Has Been a Fast and Great Year.

This year is almost over, and I cannot believe it. It started with the Arnold back in Tennessee after around nine years. We had not sold our house, and we were beginning a new pastorate. We did not know what to expect, but we knew that God was in it.

It took about 10 months to sell our house. During those months we learned new lessons about God's faithfulness and provision. Time after time God opened unforeseen doors and encouraged us daily.

On the church front, we experienced more and faster growth than we could have anticipated. With every step, Double Springs responded with support like we have never experienced. I am filled anticipation, because I believe that we will see great growth in both depth and breadth.

More importantly, however, is the work of God in our family. We moved with great concerns about finding a school for Joshua. Previously he attended Lee Christian in North Carolina. We loved it so much that we could not imagine finding a school half as good. Besides this, there was no Christian school in the area. Now less than a year later, there is a great Christian school and Joshua is able to go. Lucas and Abby are loving life, since they are surrounded by family all the time. Kim and I are more in love than every, and our passion for ministry is growing. We are looking for a house to spend the next 70 or so years.

As I type the random thoughts, I feel so thankful for this life God has given me to live. I hope that all of you feel the same. It is my prayer that we will take this sense of thanksgiving and gain new confidence in the power of God for the upcoming year.

Live the Life and You will Get Your Chance

Here is an amazing video that reminds me of the necessity of a consistent witness over the long haul.

John MacArthur - Study Video from Together for the Gospel (T4G) on Vimeo.

I Love This Quote!

When author Roland Bainton describes Martin Luther's incredible courage during the Reformation, he says:

"The most intrepid revolutionary is the one who has a fear greater than anything his opponents can inflict upon him. Luther, who has so trembled before the face of God, had no fear before the face of man (quoted in Roland Bainton, Here I Stand, 104).

God help us all to have this fear.

Sermon of the Week!

I heard this sermon while at the SBC convention this summer. It was one of the most moving experiences of my life. God does not need us, but he delights to use us!

David Platt: SBC Pastors Conference 2009 from Todd Thomas on Vimeo.

How much do you have to hate someone?

Here is a stirring quote from a non-believer!

Lessons in a Leaf Pile

The yard was a sea of colors. Just a few days ago there was grass; now all we could see was a leaves, leaves, and more leaves. In classic Shane fashion, I scheduled a time to clean them up and clean we did. It was a team effort--all five Arnold racking and bagging. (Really it was 4.5. After all how much can a 2 year old really do on leaf day). I was hip deep in leaves when I noticed that my wedding band was gone. It had been too big for the last few years, but now it was gone. Instantly I was on my hands and knees searching for the lost ring. At that moment I did not care about leaves, mud, or anything else. All I knew was that I wanted that ring. Sadly, my ring is gone--swallowed in the abyss never to return.

I did, however, find hope and challenge in this event. I found hope the next day when I reflected on the event. Actually, reflected is the nice word; whining and fussing are the right words. I thought how Jesus sought me. Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost. That meant He left the glory of heaven and dirtied himself with the mud of this world in search for me. But unlike my unsuccessful search He was most successful--pulling me from the muck and mire, bringing me to God.

I found challenge when I thought of what he demands of me. Jesus said as the Father sent Him so He sends me. He calls me to dirty my hands and change my schedule to be a part of his redemptive plan.

God help me to remember this. I am both loved and sent by God. These lessons from the leaf pile hurt. But I hope they will last a life time.

I Think I Know Why I am Tired

I was helping my dad clean the leaves out of his yard. Seeing a lawnmower in action, my youngest son ran out to help. Up to this point the job was fairly easy and productive. Then Lucas climbed aboard. Suddenly an easy joy got noticeably harder. I turned right; he tired to turn left. I turned left; he tried to turn right. When we got finished I was tired, because a lawnmower was not made for two pilots.

Then it hit me: what is true for a lawnmower is--on some level--true for my life. My life was not made for two pilots but for one. I was created to worship and serve God. Thus my life works best when one is in charge. While I know this I often fight it. God says zig but I zag. As a result, I am worn out.

The good news is God calls me to rest. God calls me to submit to his rule and follow his ways. He calls me from the futility of building up my kingdom to the joy of participating in the up building of his. That is what Jesus means when he issues the invitation, "Come unto me all who are weak and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart. And you will find REST for your souls (Matt. 11:28ff.). So here's the choice: run our lives our way and feel the exhaustion of working against my creator or submit to his rule and find rest for our souls. Choice wisely.

I think I know why I am tired, but I won't be for long!

Fight Pride with Joy in Christ

I listened to an amazing sermon by Tim Keller about pride. Based on the book of Ester, Keller described two forms of pride. The first form is the superiority form of pride. This is the kind of pride that elevates the self above some other person or class. The second type of pride is the inferiority type of pride. This type of pride constantly degrades the self, where we are down about our looks or talents or station in life.

What both forms have in common is a relentless focus on the self. When you feel superior to others, you are mainly seeing yourself. And when you are downing yourself, you are almost totally focused on self.

Both forms are deadly. Keller calls pride the carbon monoxide of sin. You cannot see it or smell it but it is deadly. This is true because the bible constantly affirms that pride goes before a fall. In addition, the bible says that God is opposed to the proud (see 1 Peter 5). That means when we are gripped by our feelings of superiority, God stands opposed to us; and when we are gripped by our inferiority, God opposes us.

So what can we do? How can we be free from the slaving terror of pride? We meditate one how Christ emptied himself of all glory to make us sons and daughters of glory. We meditate on the gospel until our hearts are melted into self-forgetfulness. Then we can live for his glory. We become interested--truly interested--in others, because we are not constantly posturing or comparing. In other words, the only cure for the prideful soul is to be captured by the joy of Jesus to the glory of the grace of God

So What Can We Do? Part 3

Here is the final instalment of some practical steps we can take to move our churches toward health and growth.

Fifth, engage in sacrificial acts of love and service for the purpose of displaying the glory of God. "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is not longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Matt. 5:13-16).

The Bible assumes we will do good works in the world. After all, faith without works is dead (James 2:26). But there is a way that we can do good works that puts the attention on us instead of God. This happens when our motivation is to meet a need and at the same time be thought of as generous. If, however, we are bent on displaying the love, goodness, and glory of God as our greatest motivation for good works, others will notice God and be drawn to him. So in humility do good works for the purpose of putting God on display through your life.

Finally, we should pray, pray, and pray some more. Admittedly, this should have probably been first. Most Christians, of course, believe in the practice of prayer. We write slogans about prayer like: A prayer a day will keep the devil away; A family that prays together stays together; or Seven days without prayer makes one weak. But are we as good at actually praying? How often do we pray for renewed spiritual zeal? How many times do we ask for effectiveness in witness. At the end of the day, church growth and health is a work of God, and He grants us the privilege of participating through prayer. Do not let this weapon go neglect in the fight of faith.

As I said before, this list is not exhaustive. That is, there is more to be said. But there is no doubt that these things will make a real difference in turning our churches around for the glory of Christ.

So What Can We Do? Part 2

What are some practical things we can to to see our churches grow? In our last post, we focused on our identity as kingdom people on a mission. Today we continue that thought with some more suggestions.

Third, worship God (both in life and in corporate services) with the zeal, passion, and earnestness that God deserves. Our identity is change in Christ for the purpose of commending God to others. Peter reminds us, "You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9)." One way that we do this is worship. But worship is not limited to services; rather, it encompasses the totality of our lives (Rom. 12:1-2).

That does not mean, however, that services are not important. The way we worship is a living testimony--to all who might see--of the value of God in our lives. When we worship God in stale ways, when we seemed uninspired with the whole process, we belittle God. We paint a picture to all who are there that God is less exciting than our favorite T.V. show or sporting event. When that happens, they feel no need for this kind of God and will go in search for a god who inspires. That is why we need to take the necessary time to prepare for worship. We need to come to worship with engaged hearts so that we commend God as worthy of all our worship.

Fourth, place yourself in a position to grow in grace. We are commanded to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 4:18)." Nothing is as repulsive as hypocrisy mixed with a strong helping of judgmentalism. At the same time, nothing is as winsome and attractive as God-exalting humility and sacrificial love. None of us are naturally humble or loving. We tend to be self-satisfied with our spiritual life and begin to coast. That is why we need others to point out our blind spots and encourage us in the faith. Such work takes small groups of believers who are radically committed to the work of grace in each other's lives. Sadly, however, most believers are content to attend one service per week, where people are safely distant from us. We do this to our own hurt. Without the sharpening of others, our witness is less effective because we are cut off from an important means of grace. But when we are engaged with others and growing in our faith, our friends, relatives, and neighbors notice our love, which opens doors for faith.

In other words, the combination of worship and growth that takes place in a community of faith promotes a vibrant faith that is noticeable to others. More thoughts tomorrow.

So What Can We Do? Part 1

You could see the distress on her face. We had just talked about the state of the American church as well as the state of our own church. We discussed our lack of growth over and extended period of time and what that means for the next generation. After some time a hand went up. After she was acknowledge, the sweet lady simply said, "What can we do to see the church grow?" She was distressed because she loved the church. She had felt the power of Christ's love through the body, and she wanted others to know the same. That is why she asked the obvious and pressing question, "What can we do?"

It is a hard question because it is where the rubber meets the road. It is one thing to talk about health and growth, but it is quite another to pursue it. Ultimately, of course, God causes any growth to the glory of his name. But there are theologically informed things we can do. In this post--and a few to follow--I want to offer some practical answer to this pressing question. This list, of course, is not exhaustive, but it is a place to start.

First, seek to re-prioritize your life and church according to the dictates of the kingdom of God. Matthew 6:33 tells us to "seek first the kingdom of God." The word first points to priorities. When something is a priority, it receives our attention, energies, and is the object of our dreams. Clearly, we are given a first priority, and that priority is the kingdom of God. Jesus was very concerned with the kingdom. He taught us to pray that God's "kingdom would come (Matt. 6:10)." The kingdom of God is God's rule over men and women through the gospel. The kingdom expands as people come to know, love, and worship, God. And that is our priority.

Understanding this forces us to reevaluate our lives. What gets our first and best attention each day? Are we on a mission to expand our kingdom or God's? Understanding this forces a church to evaluate their priorities and releases us from a "small church mindset." A small church mindset says, "We have never done it this way before." But a kingdom mindset looks for bold creative ways to join God on mission. A small church mindset values closeness to the exclusion of others. But a kingdom mindset values closes so much that there is a longing to include others. If we want to see real change, we must make changes that are consistent with our identity as kingdom people.

Second, realize that we are sent by God with the gospel. When Jesus appears to his disciples in John 20, he says to them, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you (v. 21)." Jesus was the greatest missionary in history. He traveled from heaven to earth to reclaim rebellious men to the glory of his Father. John reminds us that the Jesus who came is the same Jesus who sends the church to be a part of this grand redemptive drama.

Knowing this revolutionizes our understanding of life and work. There are no ordinary job when you are on mission with Christ. People are not meant to slug it out in a factory or coast by in a class. God's people are strategically placed by God to work for God in all places.

But it is not just enough for us to show up. We are sent with a message. We are witnesses of Christ. The same Jesus who sends the disciples sends them with a message. He says that "repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations (Luke 24:47). The apostle Paul explains for us the urgency of this task. "For everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without some preaching (proclaiming the good news of Christ)? And how are they to preach unless they are sent (Rom. 10:13-15)?"

We are sent as kingdom people to proclaim the good news wherever God has placed us. Embracing this will move us from stagnant to vibrant. But there is more to say.

Asking for Forgiveness: Risky Yet Rewarding

Some of you may remember Happy Days with the lovable and cool Fonz. "The Fonz" could do just about anything except admit that he was wrong. When he tried the word would barely come out of his mouth.

It's funny how we like characters that are at least a little like us. "The Fonz" was not the only one who has trouble admitting wrong or asking for forgiveness. Why is this? I think that this quote from Paul Tripp nails it.

Asking for forgiveness is so hard because of what it says about life and what it says about me. You cannot ask for forgiveness without acknowledging that there is something in life that is more important than the progress of your own kingdom. You cannot seek forgiveness without owning the fact that you were created for the glory of another. You cannot make honest, humble confession without acknowledging that there are more important things in life than getting your own way and being happy. You cannot admit wrong without being hit with the fact that there are bigger things in life than how you feel about how you feel. You see, it's our sturdy allegiance to our own kingdom that makes us unwilling to confess that we have gotten in the way of God's kingdom on earth (A Quest For More, 156-157)

The Basis of our Confidence

In a discussion of the role of a pastor John Calvin once wrote, "If any one object that the governance of the Church is a matter of so great difficulty, that it ought rather to strike terror in the minds of persons of sound judgment than to excite them to desire to do it; I reply, that the desire of great men does not rest on confidence in their own industry or virtue, but on the assistance of 'God, from whom is our sufficiency.'"

This quote highlights for us the necessity of confidence in God in ventures of faith. At the outset of any great attempt in Christian service, there is a mixture of nervousness and hope. As time goes by and difficulties increase hope tends to fade and nervousness turns to despair. It is during those moments when our hearts are exposed. Our confidence in God has waned, and our desire shrivels. But the desire of a great person rests on confidence in God's help not our ability.

What might change in our lives if we believed this? What new venture might we pursue? May God radically change our hearts so that our faith in him exceed our misplaced trust in ourselves. The world will feel and see the difference.

Becoming Missional

Christians were never meant to sit and soak. We are meant to go and tell. That means a change in mindset and methods if we are going to be on mission. Watch and enjoy.

Missional Leadership from Ed Stetzer on Vimeo.

We Need a Barnabas!

We need a Barnabas, because we are stained by sin. The apostle Paul started as the Christian killer Saul. But God intervened. God intervention,however, was not enough for the church. The Bible says that when he came to Jerusalem, "he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple (Acts 9:26)." You cannot blame them really. His reputation preceded him. Maybe he was tricking them in order to kill more of them.

But in the crucial moment Barnabas stepped up. He put himself and his reputation on the line and "took him and brought him to the apostles (v. 27)." When everyone else was afraid of who he used to be, one man was embraced who he could be in Christ.

We need a Barnabas, because our sin makes us suspect to some. And that is when a brother or sister in Christ embraces and encourages us. We need a Barnabas, because we are not perfect.

We Need a Nathan!

We need a Nathan, because sin is powerful. Just ask King David. You remember David. He stayed home from battle, saw a woman, slept with a woman, got the woman pregnant, and murdered her husband to covered it up.

Some time later God sent Nathan. Nathan's method of confrontation is classic. He told a story about a rich man who defrauded a poor man. David was furious. He demanded to know the identity of the rich man. So Nathan told him without hesitation, "You are the man."

We need a Nathan who will get in our face to tell us we are the ones who have sinned. We need him because sin lulls us into self-deception. We cannot see our blind spots. (They are after all blind spots). So we need someone who will love us enough to tell us truth. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was right when he said, "Nothing can be more cruel than the tenderness that consigns another to his sin. Nothing can be more compassionate than the severe rebuke that calls a brother back from the path of sin. It is a ministry of mercy."

Because of Nathan, we have Psalm 51, which is a Psalm of revival. So, Lord bring us a "Nathan" and send us revival.

Sorry for the Delay

Post have been slow lately. We have had computer problems that we hope will be fixed soon. And I have been sick. This combination is bad news for blog posts, but we are getting better and more posts to come very soon.

I'm Homeless yet Happy!

O.K. homeless is an overstatement. Really I am house-less, because we closed the sell of our house today. It was a long awaited event that brings an important chapter of our lives to a close. Thank you all for your prayers and support.

Oh God, Please!

Father, my heart is often troubled. My desires run ahead of my faith, and I am tempted to want more. How often I have lived as if you are not enough. Yet, in those moments you rescue my soul with the sure knowledge that Jesus is more than enough. There is enough grace in Jesus to fill the most desperate soul with joy. Even in death, I am secure, because Jesus is enough. So give me Jesus today; give me Jesus tomorrow. This world will pass away, but Jesus endures and through Him so will I. Thank you, my precious Heavenly Father. Amen!

Fernando Ortega - "Give Me Jesus" from Adamson.TV on Vimeo.

Comeback Worship: A Special Treat

Here is an excellent discussion on the topic of leading worship. I found it convicting and challenging. If you cannot listen to the whole thing, pay attention to approximately the 38:00 mark, where these fine men discuss the connection between planning and spontaneity.

Lessons Learned from Three Decades of Leading from Sovereign Grace Ministries on Vimeo.

Developing a Holy Hatred

It was one of my favorite parts of the day. The bus dropped me off at 3:10. By 3:15 the T.V. was one with an episode of either The Three Stooges or The Little Rascals filling the screen. Being a child myself, I could resonate with The Rascals. And being a young boy, I wanted to join their club. You remember the club, don't you? The he-man-woman-haters-club was one club was not just their club but mine too. Over the years, however, the he-man-haters club turned into the he-man-I really like-girls club. And then when I got married it became the he-man-I love this woman, I thank God for this woman, I want to spend the rest of my life with her, and I cannot and do not want to remember what it was like to be single-club.

Yet, I wonder if a Christian man can and should have any room in his life for hate. The answer, I believe, is a firm yes and no. On the one hand, followers of Christ are not given room by God to hate people. So the answer is no. On the other hand, we are given permission to hate sin. So in this regard the answer is yes.

It is this hatred that I woke up with this morning. I hate sin. I hate what sin does to my life--how it robs me of peace and joy and takes my focus off God. I hate what sin does to our families--how it tears down and tears apart. I hate what sin does in our churches--how it robs us of effectiveness and creates petty divisions in the body. I hate what sin does to our society--how it weakens our moral fabric and turns resolve, courage, and virtue into antiquated ideas in a society of people-pleasers and how it turn perversion into a matter of preference.

With all this hatred, something strange happened. A radical love began to awaken, as I think of how much God hates sin. His hatred for sin requires blood, and while it should be my blood that is required for my sin, it was his blood shed in my place that takes the curse of sin from me. Now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Now I have the power to put to death the deeds of the body (Romans 8:13). Now I am ready to worship and live this day for the glory of Christ. May God make us all sin-haters that we may become Christ-lovers.

Comeback Worship

Worship is a central part of a comeback effort. Stetzer gives us a balanced look at the issue. For those readers who are part of the Double Springs faith family, I look forward to discussing this tomorrow.

Comeback Church part 4- Celebrative Worship from Ed Stetzer on Vimeo.

Two Years Ago Today

Two years ago today I was a nervous wreck. I didn't expect to be, but I was. After all, we already had two kids, and I was an old pro. But this was different. Kim experienced weeks of sickness leading up to that day. In fact, the doctors wanted to take the baby a day earlier, but there was no room in the hospital. To make matters worse, the nurses took Kim to surgery and forgot me. So there I was in the room by myself imagining the worse.

Finally, the nurses remembered me, and I was rushed to the operating room. Previously I imagined the worse, but when she came I immediately began to imagine the best. From the start she was a bundle of energy--a bundle that keeps us all hopping. As soon as I saw her I knew that everything would be different and it is. There is nothing like a baby girl to make a big mean daddy melt into one big sap.

I've heard it said that boys will make you a father but a girl will turn you into daddy. I admit it sounded pretty far fetch to me until she called me daddy for the first time. I would not take a million dollars in exchange for the joy she brings to our family. As I type this, I fight back the tears. God has been better to us than we could have every imagined, and we bless his name. I love you, baby girl. Have a happy birthday.

A Good Reminder For Those who are Teaching This Sunday

One common problem associated with teaching is the tendency to be self-conscious. Do I know enough? Am I loud enough? Am I too loud? Is the lesson long or short enough? What will people think? On and on the questions go.

If you struggle with this, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones gives us good advice in his classic work Preaching and Preachers. He writes that our rule for teaching is:

[B]e natural; forget yourself; be so absorbed in what you are doing and in the realisation of the presence of God, and in the glory and greatness of the Truth that you are preaching, and the occasion that brings you together, that you are so taken up by all this that you forget yourself completely. That is the right condition; that is the only place of safety; that is the only way in which you can honour [sic] God. Self is the greatest enemy of the preacher, more so than in the case of any other man in society. And the only way to deal with self is to be so take up with, and so enraptured by, the glory of what you are doing, that you forget yourself altogether (p. 264).

In other words, it is not about us. We are clay pots with a royal message from heaven. God is the main attraction. We, therefore, labor to point others to him. Be absorbed in this and forget yourself. Then we will see a real difference in our classes and services.

Comeback Church

I have tried to post this all week. Thanks for the patience.

Comeback Church part 3- Lay Mobilization from Ed Stetzer on Vimeo.

I Can't Believe It

Seven years ago today I held you in my arms. I trembled at the thought of being a father. At the same time, I instantly became a dreamer. I dreamed about who you might be, what you might do, and how you would do it. I felt sure that you would change the world. My chest expanded and my eyes leaked tears of joy. But most of all I could not stop thanking God.

This morning it seemed like that baby should be looking back at me. Instead there was this little boy who is quickly growing into a man. I couldn't believe it but there you were. To tell you the truth part of me is still scared, and all of me still dreams. Now I dream of a godly man who leads a godly family, living for the glory of God. I long for the day when it comes.

I love you, son. You are a gift from God and a great joy to me. I do not deserve you. You constantly remind me of the love of God. After all, my heavenly Father gave up his son for me. I hope you have a great one with many more to come.

A Mission that Matters

A stirring reminded of the urgency of the task.

What a Way to Start the Day

What do you say when you first wake up? Are you one of those rare persons who go into the day singing? Or are you like most of us who wake up thinking: why does that clock ring so early? We wake up worried about the mountain of work; dreading some uncomfortable part of the day; or nervous about it all.

Before he died John Newton, the man who wrote the beloved hymn Amazing Grace, famously said: "My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior." What a statement!

Part of the power of this thought is its balance, and it is that balance we need when we start the day. When I wake up feeling pretty good and righteous, I need to be reminded of the greatness of my sin. When I wake up depressed or discouraged, I need to be reminded not of my inherent abilities but of Christ's utter sufficiency.

I cannot help but think that such a beginning would change things. Perhaps I would be more patient and kind, less critical and harsh. By God's grace let's keep these two truths close. Let us not just say them but love them, and God will slowly but steadily change us for his glory.

Becoming a Comeback Church

It is no secret that I believe God want great things for Double Springs Baptist Church. He wants to reverse deep trends and lead us to renewal. Over the next few days (maybe even weeks) I will post a series of videos from a great book entitled Comeback Churches. Here the author, Ed Stetzer, describes the need for intentional evangelism.

Comeback Church part 2- Intentional Evangelism from Ed Stetzer on Vimeo.

Purpose Driven: part 3

Nate Saint one of the five missionaries killed among the Auca Indians gave some insight into what made these men tick.

He writes, "As we weigh the future and seek the will of God, does it seem right that we should hazard our lives for just a few savages? As we ask ourselves this question, we realize that it is not the call of the needy thousands, rather it is the simple intimation of the prophetic Word that there shall be some from every tribe in His presence in the last day and in our hearts we feel that it is pleasing to Him that we should interest ourselves in making an opening into the Auca prison for Christ (Through Gates of Splendor, 171)."

What a picture of evangelism. Evangelism is not a mere duty that we do with much fear; rather, it is a privilege by which we make an opening in a prison of darkness for Christ.

He continued, "As we have a high old time this Christmas may we who know Christ hear the cry of the damned as they hurtle headlong into the Christless night without ever a chance . . . May God give us a new vision of His will concerning the lost and our responsibility . . . If God would grant us the vision, the word sacrifice would disappear from our lips and thoughts; we would hate the things that seem now so dear to us; our lives would suddenly be too short, we would despise time-robbing distractions and charge the enemy with all our energies in the name of Christ (ibid).

That, my friends, is a pray worth of repetition of every Church in America. God give us a vision for the nations, and then we will know what it means to be purpose driven.

Purpose Driven: Part 2

As Elizabeth Elliot contemplated widowhood for the cause of Christ, she concedes:

It was time for soul-searching, a time for counting the possible cost. Was it the thrill of adventure that drew our husbands on? No. Their letters and journals make it abundantly clear that these men did not go out as some men to out to shoot lion or climb a mountain. Their compulsion was from a different source. Each had made a personal transaction with God, recognizing that he belonged to God, first of all by creation, and secondly by redemption through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ. This double claim in his life settled once and for all the question of allegiance. It was not a matter of striving to follow the example of a great Teacher. To conform to the perfect life of Jesus was impossible for a human being. To these men, Jesus Christ was God, and had actually taken upon Himself human form, in order that He might die, and, by his death, provide not only escape from the punishment which their sin merited, but also a new kind of life, eternal both in length and quality. This meant simply that Christ was to be obeyed, and more than that, that He would provide the power to obey. The point of decision had been reached. God's command 'Go ye, and preach the gospel to every creature' was the categorical imperative. The question of personal safety was wholly irrelevant (Through Gates of Splendor, 170-171)

Indeed it is. Going is not optional, for God has come to rescue us. Therefore, we must lay down our lives for others.

Purpose Driven: Part 1

No this is not a post about Rick Warren. I have nothing against him, and I recognize that God has used him. Nevertheless the purpose driven logo has become something of a standard among churches. If we are not careful we can become purpose driven about being purpose driven and all the while we miss our purpose.

Lately I have been reading the classing book Through Gates of Splendor by Elizabeth Elliot. It is the gripping story of five missionary martyrs in the jungle of Ecuador. After weeks of preparation the men were ready to set up a beachhead in order to contact the Auca Indians--a notoriously violent tribe that was un-reached.

Just before they left, Elizabeth "reminded Jim of what we both knew it might mean if he went. 'Well, if that's the way God wants it to be,' was his calm reply. 'I am ready to die for the salvation of the Aucas.'"

With that it was settled. But that did not mean Elizabeth and the other wives stopped considering the possibility. She writes:

The other wives and I talked together one night about the possibility of becoming widows. What would we do? God gave us peace of heart, and confidence that whatever might happen, His Word would hold. We knew that "when He putteth forth His sheep, He goeth before them.' God's leading was unmistakable up to this point. Each of us knew when we married our husbands that there would never be any question about who came first--God and His work held first place in each life. It was the condition of true discipleship; it became devastatingly meaningful now (170).

Now that's purpose: a husband and wife ready to part on this earth for the salvation of savage peoples. Sometimes we would not cross the street for our neighbor's salvation. Yet purpose--true purpose--takes us wherever we must go and die if necessary for the salvation of human beings made in the image of God. When has the cost of discipleship been devastatingly meaningful to us?

Faith Inspires

I remember sitting there for the first public information meeting about Christ's Legacy Academy--a classical Christian school that started this year. The speaker stood up and made his presentation. He explained what classical, Christian education was and why it is a good model. What was most notable, however, was what he could not say. He could not say how much tuition would be. He could not name the headmaster. He could not even give a location. But he did make it very clear that school would begin in August.

I remember leaving there with mixed feelings. On the one hand, I saw the difficulties ahead. On the other, I saw a group of people with a seeming indomitable confidence that God would make it happen.

Over the past few months I have watched God do just that. He provided a headmaster and a location. He provided a staff bent on excellence. Yes God provided but he provided through hard work. God only knows how many hours the board of directors put in this year. But all along the way they have projected a desire to be a part of something great that is contagious.

I thank God for this example. It has inspired me in many ways, and I hope to have the same influence in other's lives--by calling them to great things for God.

Do Not Miss the Importance of "Each One" in Ministry

My good friend Ben Finch over at Crimson and White posted a personal and thoughtful article yesterday. It is a short chronicle of his recent ministerial life, in which he moves from a full time staff position to 'secular' employment and faithful church participation. In it he gives an example of a typical conversation and notes the typical response.

This exchange highlights, I believe, one great weakness of our churches today--a misunderstanding of the nature of Christian ministry. Gradually but surely we have relegated the idea of ministry to a professional activity. That is, we pay people to do "the ministry" while the normal believer becomes a recipient. Surely, the "professional" ministry must share in the blame for this. We have not taught well or delegated often enough to others. Oftentimes we have a need to be needed that limits and weakens the church. What we need is an expanded conception of ministry that includes every believer. In the wake of this, countless believers miss the thrill of ministry that they were designed by God to enjoy.

A key text for this is 1 Peter 4:10. "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's various (or manifold) grace." Peter begins by making it clear that each member of the body of Christ has received a gift of grace. The purpose of this gift is "service," which Peter considers a stewardship issue. Each one has a gift. Each one is given a gift for a reason--the privilege of service. And all of this is a matter of stewardship before God. The concept of stewardship involves faithfulness to God and it is about more than money. One reason our churches struggle is that we are bad stewards who wait for the professional to engage in ministry. All the while countless lives are unaffected by the gospel and countless Christians are unengaged. I pray that this changes today.

Thank you Ben for your candor and faithfulness. God is using you in a mighty way. Through your example I pray that many experience the thrill of ministry.

School Days Again

It's official. School has begun. Sleepy children are forced out of bed and off to school. Frazzled parents who are fresh off the rush to buy school supplies are frustrated with the sleepy children.

The beginning of school brought to mind the best book I have ever read on parenting--Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp. In it he points out that behavior is not the primary problem; rather, the god-ward or godless orientation of the heart is the real issue. He reminds parents of their God-given role of authority and pushes us to embrace biblical methods and goals of communication and correction. Here is a sample of a discussion of discipline:

While it is true that disciplined children are a joy to their parents . . . as God's agents you cannot discipline for mere matters of self-interest or personal convenience. Your correction must be tied to the principles and absolutes of the Word of God. The issues of discipline are issues of character development and honoring God. It is God's non-negotiable standard that fuels correction and discipline (page 39).

If you are a parent, buy this book. If you have bought the book, read it. If you have read it, apply it. You will not regret it.

What do I really need today?

Is it money? If so, when will I have enough? Is it a safe home with healthy children? I want this, but I am not always satisfied with just this. Is it esteem or success?

On and on the questions could go. The fact of the matter is that all human hearts are factories of desire. We constantly want something else, and we hope that that the next blessing or gift will satisfy our hearts.

Yet, we are made to find ultimate satisfaction in God alone. And here is the great thing: when God is the satisfaction of our hearts, the blessings get better, for they are rightly enjoyed. God is not honored when the gift trumps the giver. He is honored when the gifts lead us to praise the giver.

What I really need today is God, and through Christ I have him. Listen and let your heart be satisfied. God says, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you (Jer. 31:3)." "I will feast the soul of the priests with abundance and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, declares the Lord (Jer. 31:14)."

Let's Dream

Charles Spurgeon once encouraged pastors to:

Contemplate at the outset the possibility of having a church of soul-winners. Do not succumb to the usual idea that we can only gather a few useful workers, and that the rest of the community must inevitably be a dead weight: it may possibly so happen, but do not set out with that notion or it will be verified. The usual need not be the universal; better things are possible than anything yet attained; set your aim high and spare no effort to reach it. Labor to gather a church alive for Jesus, every member energetic to the full, and the whole in incessant activity for the salvation of men. To this end there must be the best of preaching to feed the host into strength, continual prayers to bring down the power from on high, and the most heroic example on your own part to fire their zeal (quoted in Mark Dever, The Gospel and Personal Evangelism, 117).

Let's aim high to be alive for Jesus today!

I can't help it. I'm their dad.

Here are three things that I am profoundly greatful for.

Are You Doing God's "Will" Right Now?

Most of the time when we think about God's will our aim is to find the answer to some confusing question. Should I marry this person? Should I go to this school? Should I change jobs? Should I join a ministry? On and on the questions go.

While it is certainly good to seek the mind of God in these areas, we sometimes miss the obvious. That is, we have certain places in Scripture that make God's will absolutely clear. Take 1 Thessalonians 5:18, for example. "[G]ive thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." You do not have to guess at it; you do not have to wonder. It is God's will that you give thanks.

That means the flip side is also true. If you are not thankful, if you are fussing, if you are complaining, you are out of the will of God. What are you doing right now? What are you thinking? Are you doing God's will?

Try this: stop what you are doing and take out a piece of paper. Write down three gifts of God for which you are thankful. Take a few moments and know that you are walking in the will of God and rejoice.

I'm Living My Biography

I started reading Through Gates of Splendor yesterday. It is the story of Jim Elliot written by his wife Elizabeth. I was struck as I read the first chapter by the fact that she loved what God was doing in his life. She gushed with admiration for God and her husband.

Then a thought came to me. I wondered what would happen if I died and Kim wrote a biography about me. What would she say? Would it be filled with confidence in God? Am I the kind of man that she could admire and respect? What if my children tried to write it? What would they say?

There are two things that I know. First, I am not worthy of a biography, and if one was written it would not be like Jim Elliot's. Second, I am living the material now. I am humbled and challenged by this. God help me to live a faithful life before them. Only God knows how much I want to lead them to and not away from Christ.

A Missionary Moment: Jim Elliot

I know that it is pitiful to try to summarize a person's life in a blog post. That is especially true of a life so full as that of Jim Elliot. At first it may sound strange to say that of a man that died at 29 years of age. But a full life is not measured by the passing of the sands of time. Rather a full life is measured by the degree to which the glory of God is seen through it.

Perhaps the title of his published journal's said it all, for he lived under the Shadow of the Almighty. As I read and thought about his life, a few important lesson emerged.

First, living under the almighty shadow of God gives us a holy restlessness. Suddenly we are discouraged by the status-quo and committed to making a difference. Elliot lamented this in his own life. Hence, he prayed, "Forgive me for being so ordinary while claiming to know so extraordinary a God." While preparing to go to Ecuador, people tried to discourage him. They claimed that he would be of more use in the states, because he could stir them with missionary fervor. His response reveals the same dissatisfaction:

So what if the well-fed church in the homeland needs stirring? They have Moses and the prophets, and a whole lot more. Their condemnation is written on their bank books and in the dust on their Bible covers. American believers have sold their lives to the service of Mammon, and God has his rightful way of dealing with those who succumb to the spirit of Laodica.

Second, living under the shadow of the almighty gives a healthy perspective of death. On January 8, 1956 Jim Elliot along with his missionary partners headed out for a meeting with the notorious Auca Indians in Ecuador. Just before he left, his young wife asked if he would use the gun in his pocked if attacked by the Indians. His response challenges our self-protective tendencies. "We will not use our guns," he responded. When asked why he simply said, "Because we are ready for heaven, but they are not." A short time later the Indians did attack killing all the men. Jim left a wife of less than three years and a baby girl. In death he testified to what he said in life. "He is not fool who give up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

May God help us to live under the shadow of the almighty so that we may have a holy restlessness to see the nations come to our God!

A Quest for More: Part 4

The inner essence of sin is selfishness. The power of sin draws us away from God and others, giving us an almost exclusive concern with self. Tripp describes this as the formation of a kingdom of one.

This gives greater understanding to many of life's issues. Consider the intensity of conflict experienced between teenagers and parents. The parent wants a clean room; the teenager wants freedom. The parents demand; the child rebels, and hours of fighting lay ahead. On the surface, it seems quite silly. But when we understand that what we have here is a conflict of two kingdoms, we begin to see how deeply our sins affect us and how ferociously we are committed to our kingdom.

Using Matt. 6:25-34 as a guide, Tripp shows how earth-bound needs drive us to insecurity. What usually happens is an expansion of our concept of need, and we have a hard time distinguishing between wants and needs. If grace does not free us our earth-bound desires lead to anxiety-driven needs, and we live painfully small lives in light of God's plan.

Life Above the Sun: Seeing Majesty in the Mundane

Most of life feels mundane. The housewife has the same routine. The job has the same people dealing with the same problems. Sometimes I feel like I am living in the book of Ecclesiastes--vanity of vanities, nothing is new under the sun, all are striving after the wind.

In those moments, I find that my perspective is decidedly earth bound. Then God in his great mercy transforms my perspective through his word. He jolts me awake with passages like 2 Corinthians 4:17-18. "For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Notice how a gospel perspective changes everything. It changes how we understand affliction. For the most part, afflictions oppresses us. We feel as if we will never get out from under. But this passage reminds us that God is at work even in our afflictions. Feel his goodness as He takes afflictions that happen to us and puts the to work for us. When we see that God takes our pain and turns them into stepping-stones to joy, our pain seems light and short. Our afflictions are preparing something for us, and the result is "glory beyond all comparison."

This centers us on what is truly important, and we look beyond--beyond the mundane of our day, beyond perceived meaninglessness. We look toward eternity and understand that our time is fleeting, a mere shadow of our real existence. The things that seem so important now will seem so small then. We are made for eternity. Thus, I pray that God will fortify us with this thought that we may see the majesty behind the mundane.

A Missionary Moment: Lottie Moon

Who is Lottie Moon? I must have asked that question a hundred times growing up. After all, we did take up an offering in her name every year. But no one explained to me who she was and why we remember her this way.

Charlotte Lottie Moon was born on December 12, 1840 in Albermale County Virgina. In God's providence this girl would go on to serve for more than 39 years on the mission field, most of which was in China. She died at age 72 aboard a ship in a Japanese harbor, weighing no more than 50 pounds.

In her prime, she was a small women who was mighty in the faith. Standing around 4 feet, 3 inches, she became a champion for the cause of Christ in China. She immersed herself in Chinese culture. She ate, spoke, dressed, and lived as they did. In this she followed the incarnational example of Jesus as she ministered to the people. As a matter of fact, for some time no one knew that she spoke English.

She displayed an unusual courage in the cause of Christ. In 1890, persecution broke out against Christians in Sha-ling. Lottie rushed to Sha-ling and told the persecution leaders, "If you attempt to destroy his church, you will have to kill me first. Jesus gave himself for us Christians. Now I am ready to die for him."

How different our churches would be if we had this faith. Imagine a contentions business meeting, filled with the flushed faces of anger. Just before a split happens, a small but fiery lady brings everyone back to the cross with these words. What a difference it would make in our sleepy congregations to see a living example of such courage!

Her courage and character earned the respect of many. In 1911 China's revolution broke out. Fighting was intense around Baptist mission stations, and the U.S. asked missionaries to leave. All did with one exception--Lottie Moon. She heard of a hospital where all personnel were left unaided in the care of the sick. Thus she made her way through waring troops and took charge of the hospital. In a short time, others returned and took over the hospital, freeing Lottie to leave with things in good hands. Akin records the astounding events surrounding her departure. "With the baptist hospital in rightful hands, Lottie packed up to return home, but the men warned that heavy fighting made this impossible. When she insisted, they sent word to the opposing generals that Miss Moon would be passing through at a set hour. A young missionary escorted her and as they made their way through the battle lines, firing stopped on both sides." If that is not an example of the power of Christian influence, I do not know what is.

She labored tirelessly for much needed funds and manpower. She chided Baptist: "If fills me with sorrow to see these people so earnest in their worship of false gods, seeking to work out their salvation by supposed works of merit, with no one to tell them of a better way. Then, to remember the wealth hoarded in Christian coffers. The money lavished on fine dress and costly living." She asked, should we not "become co-workers with our Lord and Master in the conversion of the world?" Indeed we should. But it will cost us.

I say that she pleaded for "manpower" because she lamented the lack of men on the mission field. In an open letter she said, "I am trying to do the work that could fill the hands of three of four women, and in addition must do much work that ought to be done by young men." If we are honest, we know that this is not simply a missionary problem. For years, women have carried the load in most Baptist churches. God forgive us and help us to change.

Lottie Moon was inspiring. I hope that God will bless me with her courage and drive, and I pray that God use us all as co-laborers to win the world.

*All the material for this post came from Daniel Akin's work 5 Who Changed the World

A Warning For Preachers (and those who listen to them)

While we are on a roll, here is another thought for preachers as we prepare this week. We must remember, "What a preacher is in prayer to God, for himself, for his people, so is his power for real good, so is his true faithfulness and his true fidelity to God, for time and eternity." That is, preaching is too serious to become a mechanical process. It is a spiritual exercise that Thus we are fools to think that can perform spiritual tasks without employing spiritual weapons. But we can become so proficient in our techniques that we lose a sense of the divine. Hear and tremble as E.M Bounds warns, "The scientist loses God in nature. The preacher may lose God in his sermons."

May it never be! I pray that we will not be so familiar with the text or so set on what we want to say that we lose the God revealed in the Word. And I pray that those who listen to us will not be satisfied with merely practical self-help talks that do not reveal the majesty of God to their glory-starved souls. I pray that the atmosphere of our services will be dominated by God and that we will rejoice in what we see and hear to the glory of Christ.

**(Both quotes are taken from E.M. Bounds' Power Through Prayer)

A Word to Preachers (and those who listen to them)

E.M Bounds reminds us in his classic work, Power Through Prayer, of the power of holiness. Listen, repent, and rejoice.

The preacher must throw himself, with all the abandon of a perfect self-emptying faith and a self-consuming zeal, into his work for the salvation of men. Hearty, heroic, compassionate, fearless martyrs must the men be who take hold of and shape a generation for God. If they be timid time-servers, place-seekers, if they be men-pleasers or men-fearers, if their faith has a weak hold on God or His Word, if their denial be broken by any phrase of self or the world, they cannot take hold of the church nor the world for God . . . It is not great talents or great learning or great preachers that God needs, but men great in holiness, great in faith, great in love, great in fidelity, great for God--men always preaching by holy sermons in the pulpit, by holy lives out of it. These can mold a generation for God.

A Quest for More: Part 3

Sin is a big deal--a really big one. We often do not see it that way. We look at the fall as a misdemeanor rather than treason, but the Bible will not let us off the hook. Because Adam and Eve's fall humanity is comprehensively affected and depraved, families struggle and split, creation groans, and society always seems to totter on the brink of destruction.

But that is exactly what we fail to see. Our sin shrinks our concern to only those things that affect me in this moment., and our world shrinks to our own kingdom. It is not until we see the holistic, biblical picture of the effects of sin that our concern expands into kingdom concern. That is the emphasis in chapter 3. Trip notes, "If the glory of God is reflected in all of creation, if the effects of sin reach to all of creation, and if the goal of redemption is to restore all of creation, then what should you and I care about? Everything (45)!"

When our God is too small, our sin is no big deal. When sin is no big deal, our mission is a matter of preference. When our mission is a matter of preference, love loses its nerve. So let us see the holistic, biblical portrait of sin and marvel at the massive victory of Chris over it.

It Can't Get Any Better, Can It?

That was what I was thinking on July 18th, eleven years ago. I was standing at the front of Clearwater Baptist Church. My father stood beside me as the congregation rose to its feet. When the back door opened, my eyes almost popped out of my head. There stood the most beautiful women that I had ever seen, and she was minutes away from being my wife. I just remember thinking, "If just can't get any better than this, can it?"

Amazingly it has. God has blessed me with a wife that is so much better than I deserve. I am not sure if it is the way the she cares for us and cherishes our children, or if it is her relentless commitment to God's call that impresses me the most. She has followed me away to school and back again. She worked while I prepared for ministry, and now she works preparing our children for life. She has spent evenings alone when I am called out. She has been a relentless encourager and partner, and I am a better man for it.

Kim, the words "I love you" seem woefully incomplete to express how I feel, but they are all that I have. Very few people are blessed enough to be married to their best friend as I am. The first 11 years have been great, and I am as excited as ever about what God may bring us. Happy anniversary. When I hear these words, I always think of you: "She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. Many women have done excellently but you surpass them all (Prov. 31:27-29)."

Thank you God for your grace and kindness toward us. We have made it this far because of your mercy, and by your mercy we go on. You have blesses us; help us to be a blessing to others. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Loved by God Through the Body

Last night the church we serve, Double Springs Baptist, threw a surprise anniversary party for Kim and I. We were totally overwhelmed at the goodness of God who placed us in this body. As I thought about it, I rejoiced. I rejoiced at the intensity of shared love within the body. It is with good reason that John said, "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers (1 John 3:16)."

Part of me, however, grieves. I grieve because I know that in our area there are so may de-churched people. They have not experienced such love and have cut themselves off from the body of Christ. They simply do not know what they are missing.

If you are one of these people, do the hard thing and find a church. Find a church that preaches the Bible and strives to live it. You will be glad you did.

Say It For Me Augustine

I mentioned St. Augustine and his confessions in my last post. Here is a flavor of how he says the same thing--only much better.

He alone was free among the dead. He alone had power to lay down his life and power to take it up again, and for us he became to you both victor and victim; and victor because he was the victim. For us, he was to you both priest and sacrifice, and priest because he was the sacrifice. Out of slaves, he makes us your sons, because he was born of you and did serve us. Rightly, then, is my hope fixed strongly on him, that you will heal all my diseases through him, who sits at your right hand and makes intercession for us. Otherwise I should utterly despair. For my infirmities are many and great; indeed, they are very many and very great. But your medicine is still greater (see Augustine, Confessions, 10.43.69).

Resuced

Sometimes my memory of past sinfulness is almost overwhelming. Apparently I am not alone. Saint Augustine wrote an entire book of confessions to his God. Sometimes I wonder why we are allowed to remember our past sinfulness. Surely God could erase the memory as he has erased the debt. Why must we have the stabbing pain of remembered sin?

Part of the answer, I think, is so that we will glorify God as we remember not just the pain of sin but the sweetness of deliverance. Every remembrance of sin humbles me, but it is meant to do more than humble me. It is meant to drive me to the cross, where I remember who I am now. Praise God that through Jesus who I am now barely resembles who I used to be. And who I am now is only a small glimpse of what I will one day become. Oh, how my chains fall at the cross. Oh, how my heart sings. Oh, how I look forward to being with Jesus forever. And it is all possible because Jesus paid it all. I thank God that I cannot remember my sin without being drawn to my Savior.

I hear the Savior say, 'Thy strength indeed is small. Child of weakness watch and pray, find in me thine all in all.'

For nothing good have I whereby they grace to claim, I'll wash my garments white in the blood of Calvary's Lamb.

Lord, now indeed I find thy power and thine alone can change the lepers spots and melt the heart of stone.

And when before the throne I stand in him complete, I'll lay my trophies down, fall down at Jesus' feet.

Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain he washed it white as snow.

A Quest for More: Part 2

We have all seen it happen. The box under the tree contains the exact toy that the kid wanted. It was carefully chose, wrapped, and placed for their joy. You giggle as they open it, imagining what fun they will have. A few moments later, however, you are agitated as they child leaves the toy to play with the box. Somehow the child concludes that there is more fun in the empty box than with the toy. In some unknown language the box calls and the child answers. But boxes do not last long. They soon break and become useless, and if the child has not discovered joy of the real gift, you are in for a long day.

In a small way, sin works that way in our lives. It promises big and delivers small. Satan is a master deceiver. From the first sin in the garden to your last sin today, he holds out promises of freedom, joy, and power. He entices us to forsake knowing God for passing pleasure of a moment. Satan promises god-like power, but leads us to death-like chains.

Unfortunately, we settle for the small promises of sin in all sorts of mundane ways. One effect is a loss of the joy and purpose for which we are created. One challenge we all face, is discovering the ways we are duped into a pursuit of what is less, to repent and forsake its suicidal path, and to return to God with the promise of the gospel. Then and only then will we be on a true quest for More.

Missionary Moment: Part 2

William Wallace was born in 1908 in Tennessee. His mother died when he was eleven, leaving William, his sister, and their physician father behind. At age 17, his conscious was assaulted by the nagging question: what would God have me do with this my life? With a Bible in hand, he made the decisive decision to be a medial missionary to the nations. He spent the next 10 years receiving his education. Along the way, he turned down a lucrative offer from a stateside medical practice to pursue his dream. As his training drew to a close, he wrote these words to the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, "I must confess, I am not a good speaker nor apt as a teacher, but I do feel God can use my training as a physician. As humble as I know how, I want to volunteer to serve as a medical missionary under our Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board."

With these words, he launched a missionary career in China. Wallace arrived during unrest and stayed when others left. He served the Chinese people during the Japanese invasion of China, World War II, and the Communist takeover of China. Sometimes he even performed surgery with bombs exploding all around him. He was often with the sickest patients in the most dangerous parts of the hospital.

His radical sacrifice of time and energy was fueled by a overwhelming sense of God. He saw himself simply as "one piece of man." This Chinese saying was used to deprecate one's value by painting him as a single expendable person. But when Wallace said it, he was not using a phrase for show. As one commented, "He really meant it. He has no concept of his own worth and no anxiety for the future that I can see." In other words, the smallness of his life in relation to the greatness of God released in him such sacrificial energy that he could stay through hardships for the glory of Christ.

Eventually, this would cost him his life. In December 1950, the Communist planted evidence against Wallace in attempts to paint him as a spy. He endured the horror of attempted brainwashing, before he was killed in February 1951.

What a legacy this man leaves for us. Who said that Christian teachers are the only ones who can make a difference? Who says that God cannot get the attention of a 17 year old and change his life forever? What would happen if we were as available to God as this man? What might happen in our lives, families, and communities?

* All of this information was taken from Daniel Akin's 5 Who Changed the World pp. 37-55

Trains, Trains, and More Trains

It is not as easy as it look. You try to drive the Polar Express when a John Deer keeps messing it up.

Luke the Duke: A Hard Workin Man

Look everybody. This is what I do at papaw's house for fun. Where is my dad when I need him?

Freedom in God's Will

Here is one follow up thought from the life of Adoniram Judson. He worked with the constant threat of death. In that atmosphere, how do you serve the Lord? Judson once said, "[I]t is possible my life will be spared, if so, with what zeal shall I pursue my work! If not--His will be done. The door will be open for others who will do the work better (see Akin, 5 Who
Changed the World, 28)."

What freedom there is in serving God! If my life is spared today, with what zeal shall I follow Him. If I die, his will be done. His work will not stop!

Invest your life that way today. Invest in work that will out live you. With zeal give yourself to the mission of God with the freedom that this work will out-last you.

A Missionary Moment

Danny Akin's little book 5 Who Changed the World is a collection of sermons delivered at Southeastern Baptist Theological seminary. It covers 5 influential missionaries by relating their lives to a biblical text.



This morning I read the chapter on Adoniram and Ann Judson. This couple is famous for their work and suffering in Burma. At one point, Adoniram was imprisoned in what was called the "Death Prison." It was a forty by thirty feet room. In it were one hundred persons--both male and female, half naked and marked for death. The floor was covered by dead animals and piles of human waste. Each night their captures placed a bamboo pole between their shackled legs, lifting all but their shoulders off the ground in order to prevent escape.



Ann visited her husband regularly, though she was burdened beyond belief. At one point, she carried her new born child through the streets begging native women to nurse her child, for she was too emaciated to do it herself. She eventually died on the field.



Initially the work was slow. There were 18 converts in the first 10 years of ministry. By the end of his life, however, there were in Burma 7,000 people baptized, 63 congregations, and 163 missionaries. At one point he requested 15 to 20 thousand gospel tracks for a Buddhist festival that proved most fruitful. He described the scene:



[We have distributed] nearly ten thousand tracts, giving to none but those who ask. I presume there have been six thousand applications at the house. Some come two or three months' journey from the borders of Siam and China--'Sir, we hear that there is an eternal hell. We are afraid of it. Do give us a writing that will tell us how to escape it.' Others come from the frontiers of Kathay, an hundred miles north of Ava--'Sir, we have seen a writing that tells about an eternal God. Are you the man that gives away such writings? If so, pray give us one, for we want to know the truth before we die.' Others come from the interior of the country, where the name of Jesus Christ is little known--'Are you Jesus Christ's man? Give us a writing that tells us about Jesus Christ (quoted on pages 33-34).'



What a God He is to triumph over suffering for the glory of His name. What a God He is who takes regular people and makes them "Jesus Christ's man." I hope to be one some day.

A Quest for More: Part 1

At Double Springs Baptist church, we are studying through Paul Tripp's helpful book A Quest for More. Over the next several weeks, I will provide a chapter by chapter summary for this class. Today we begin with chapter 1.

Chapter 1 discusses the desire in all people to be a part of something big. He calls this a desire for transcendence; that is, "a craving to be a part of something bigger, greater, and more profound than our relatively meaningless day-to-day existence (p. 14)." Sadly, however, the tendency in our hearts is to live for self-satisfaction and self-survival. Herein lies a tension. On the one hand, we feel a desire to be a part of something big. On the other hand, we relentlessly pursue our selfish and small agendas, which produces a good deal of frustration.

Tripp does not ignore or condemn our desire for transcendence; he explains it in terms of our original creation. In Genesis 1-2 it is apparent that Adam and Eve were not created for themselves. They were created for God. Another word for this experience used is glory. Drawing from the creation account, Tripp closes this with a discussion of 4 spheres of glory that are meant to bring "life-shaping focus" to all humans. The first, and most obvious, is God glory. Life does not define life. God defines life. We are created to see, know, and experience life in primarily in relation to God. Second, we are created for the glory of stewardship. Adam and Eve were "resident managers" in God's creation and so are we. We do not own our "stuff" in any true sense. God has entrusted us with such gifts to care for as an act of worship to him. Third, we are created for community glory. It was not good for Adam to be alone. He was designed to live with another in service for the glory of God. This truth extends to our relationships today. Our relationships are not merely about our relationships. Rather our relationships are part of a bigger story--God's story. Finally, we are created for truth glory. Thath is, we are dependent on God for direction, wisdom, and a right interpretation of our lives. Just like Adam and Eve--who opted to get truth from another source--our tendency to to look elsewhere for wisdom.

These f0ur areas of glory give shape and challenge to our lives. At every point we are tempted to forsake the greater for the lesser. And we shrink the size of our lives to the size of our lives. This book is about pursuing a different path--a godward path toward the glory for which we were created.

Reacting to One

I was around twenty years old when I met him. Preacher Hooker, as we affectionately called him, was a tall yet gentle man. I loved how he still adored his wife after all their years together, and I loved how he seemed so gentle while remaining a man of conviction.

He was not always this way. At least that is what he used to tell us. I still remember how his voice would tremble as he spoke his past struggle with anger, and I remember the look on his face when he spoke of the lessons he learned. One particular lesson stuck with me. He would say, "I just determined never to be a reaction to some one's action." That is, the actions of other people would not be what determined how he lived his life. They would not set the emotional agenda for him.

Over the years this quote kept me from a lot of self-inflicted pain. It is a great quote. And it is almost right. I do not say "almost" because I disagree; I just want to go a step beyond. So, I say almost for this reason: while other people are not meant to set the emotional agenda for me, there is one person who should--Jesus. I am made to be a reaction to he supreme action of self-sacrifice on the cross. My motivations, plans, and actions are meant to be a response of love to his motivation, plan, and action. Paul says it like this, "For the love of Christ compels us, because we have concluded this: that one died for all, therefore all died; and he died for all that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised (2 Cor. 5:14-15)."

So wherever you are today. Don't live a life of reaction to every body's actions. Live as a reaction to his action and watch his grace work as his kingdom expands.

Are you satisfied?

Some quotes never get old. Time and time again God uses them to snap us back to reality. The following quote does that for me. It comes from a man named J. Campbell White who was the founder of the Layman's Missionary Movement. He said:

Most men are not satisfied with the permanent output of their lives. Nothing can wholly satisfy the life of Christ within his followers except the adoption of Christ's purpose toward the world he came to redeem. Fame, pleasure and riches are but husks and ashes in contrast with the boundless and abiding joy of working with God for the fulfillment of his eternal plans. The men who are putting everything into Christ's undertaking are getting out of life its sweetest and most priceless rewards (quoted in John Piper, When I Don't Desire God, 229).

I hope that we will not be satisfied with anything less than the boundless joy of working with God for the fulfilment of his mission.

Sanballet or Barnabas: whose voice do you have?

I am studying Nehemiah 4 for this week's sermon. While looking at the first few verses I was reminded of the power and potential of our words. As work continues on the wall project, the enemies are increasingly angered. Specifically Sanballet was "angry and greatly enraged (v.1)." It is interesting that his initial attack is talk. Because he is enraged, he "jeered at the Jews." He knew that if they were discouraged and if their confidence in God faltered, the work would stop. So he set out on a path to "jeer" them into submission.

On one level it seems silly. Talk should not stop construction. But for anyone who has been hurt by the words of another, we know how a well-timed insult can lay us on the floor. Even though we know this, this kind of talk still fills our relationships and hinders our families and churches. We get angry; we lash out; and the work of God in our lives suffers.

How much better would it be to follow the pattern of Barnabas? When the Gospel spread to the Gentiles, the church sent Barnabas to check it out. Barnabas was "a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith (Acts 11:24)." He went into the church and the first thing that he noticed was grace, which made him glad (v. 23). How many times do you walk into your home or church with eyes that are trained by grace looking for evidence of grace. He probably saw all sorts of less than ideal conditions in the church, but he noticed grace. Thus he was able to "exhort them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose (v. 23)." And "a great many people were added to the Lord (v. 24)."

Do you see the difference? One man used his voice in a vain attempt to stop the work of the Lord; they other to expand it. Every day we have the same opportunity. God has given us a powerful tool by giving us a voice. We can use if for good or evil--to build up or destroy. Perhaps today we will look for ways that God can use our tongues to expand His work in the lives of people. Perhaps today we will forsake words that destroy others and hinder grace. The power of good and evil resides in the tongue. How will you use it?

SBC WRAP-UP

Now that the convention is over, it seemed like a good idea to give my purely subjective reflections on last week's events.

First, it is a good time to be a part of the SBC family. There was a good spirit around the convention. There are, of course, exceptions to the rule (more on that in a moment). But for the most part there was an uncommon unity among the brethren.

Second, the creation of the Great Commission Task Force was a much needed step in the process of becoming a Great Commission denomination. The most contested part of this resolution called for an evaluation of SBC entities to check our efficiency and effectiveness for the gospel. This is a necessary step for both churches and denominations to take to ensure good stewardship and faithfulness to the mission. No one is above correction and improvement. If there is a more effective way to do our part in the Great Commission, let's do it. Evidently the messengers felt the same way and passed the resolution by more than 95%.

Third, the SBC is filled with godly, inspiring leaders. I could literally give countless examples, but I will limit my comments to three men. Johny Hunt was re-elected as president. Throughout our time in Kentucky he was a model of humble courage. For example, during his pastor's conference message, Dr. Hunt shared how he spoke harshly to a man when he arrived. Feeling convicted, he hunted the man down until he could ask forgiveness. That is the kind of leader I want to follow--a somebody who is concerned about the nobodies. Danny Akin--the president of the greatest seminary in the world--did much of the same. In the weeks leading up to the convention, Dr. Akin received much criticism for his part in the Great Commission resurgence movement. Yet, he never displayed the anger and bitterness that often arise when one is unfairly attacked. Instead he displayed a faith based optimism that was truly amazing. In fact, one person even called him a "happy warrior." Mark Dever provided a model of a servant's heart. Dr. Dever is pastor of Capital Hill Baptist Church in Washington D.C. He has written numerous books and serves as president of Nine Marks Ministry. Although he is a high-profile pastor, he spent most of his time at the Nine Marks booth talking to all comers. As I watched, I thought, "He would do this if no one knew who he was." And judging from the amount of ministry inters he has, I believe that he does. Humble, courageous, and loving servants inspire me to serve in the same way.

Finally, sin is a constant force to battle in movements for good. Unfortunately, some messengers came to the convention ticked, and it showed in their motions. From angry rants to sinful name calling, they were a black-eye on an otherwise joyful gathering. Things like this are a reminder of the constant need to watch our all-too-sinful hearts (Prov. 4:23). It is also a call to patience. We are all still in process and have much to learn. As God is patient with us, so let us be patient with others.

I thank God for this opportunity and for the church family that made it possible. I want to serve the Lord with more zeal than when I left. I have a deeper desire to see God transform lives and our church by his glorious grace. And I pray that these lessons will stay with us as we stay on mission for the king.

Devastated

David Platt left the convention breathless tonight. The first five minutes of his message was the quotation of Scripture. Then he explained Hebrews 13 mixed with passionate stories from the mission field. He asked, "Are you going to die in your religion or die in your devotion?" It was like God stabbed me in the heart, and I was not alone.

What followed was amazing. The leaders of the conference decided to take an offering for world missions, because we have a major shortfall. When all was said and done, the conference took up $43,000 dollars for world missions tonight.

I saw first hand the way God devastates us with the word and then cleanses us and sends us into action. There is so much going on in my heart that I can barely sleep. I pray that I will never be the same, that our family will never be the same, and that our church will never be the same. To God be the glory. Amen!

A Warning for Double Springs Baptist Church

Warning: God is dealing with your pastor. The first two sessions of the convention have been great. Last night J.D. Greear, Mac Brunson, and Chuck Colson challenged us to repent of traditionalism and engage the business of making disciples.

This morning Ed Stetzer dropped an atomic bomb on the convention by calling us to unity in love for the common cause of evangelism. His message was followed by Francis Chan who told the moving story of planting a church, leaving that church, and returning. He shared with us how the picture of our churches often does not match the picture of the church in Acts. One illustration was particularly moving. A gang leader was saved at the church. (The church is located in a part of Cal. where there is a heavy gang population). The man was baptized but then did not come back. Later the pastor found out that the man was disappointed with church, because he thought it would be a family like his gang used to be. The pastor said, "It is sad when gangs resemble the church of the NT more than the church." You can imagine the silence in the room. The final message was by a man named Tom Eliff. He shared a moving story and called for forgiveness. It was one of the most remarkable services that I have been a part of for a long time. I may get the DVD for our church to watch.

The time away is a blessing. Thank you for making this trip possible. I thank God for you and for a wife who will watch the kids by herself while I am gone. God is better to me than I deserve. He is speaking to me. Over the last few weeks, we have been grieved by God over the state of Christianity in McMinn County. All over our area churches, pastors, and people are hurting. Now God is asking us: What are you going to do about it? How will we join God in this great work? Stayed tuned, because I know that God will supply the answers that we need.

It's Gooooooooooooood!

Be honest. Whose daughter is this? You know that you are cute when you can make spaghetti this good!

Great quotes from a great man

Richard Sibbs, a great Puritan, wrote a famous little book called The Bruised Reed. Here is a few juicy quotes. (All quotes are from the Banner of Truth edition, reprinted 2005). If you can, get it and read it.

• "[t]here is more mercy in Christ than sin in us (13)."
• "A Christian conquers, even when he is conquered. When he is conquered by some sins, he gets victory over others more dangerous, such as spiritual pride and security (95)."
• "The happiness of weaker things stand in being ruled by stronger. It is best for a blind man to be guided by him that has sight. It is best for sheep, other feckless creatures, to be guided by man. And it is happiest for man to be guided by Christ, because his government is so victorious that it frees us from the fear and danger of our greatest enemies, and tends to bring us to the greatest happiness that our nature is capable of. This should make us rejoice when Christ reigns in us (108)."

I was late today, and I loved it!

If you know me, you know that I hate being late. So the title might shock you. I was late to work today. I was, in fact, a few hours behind schedule. Usually such things throw me into a panic. We are all busy people with busy lives. We have deadlines to meet and people to see. Things need to get done. So, to lose a couple of hours usually leads to worry (that is saying it kindly).

But I am not worried. I am not anxious. I am not ticked. Instead I rejoice. I rejoice because I was late for a good--I might even say great--reason. I was invited to attend a time of prayer and bible study this morning. I was not sure what to expect. I was not even sure that I wanted to go, but I am glad that I did. In the presence of these men, my soul was refreshed by God. They helped, encouraged, and inspired.

It reminded me that God wants us to experience community. We are social creatures who are made to engage first with God and then with others. Just consider the various "one another" passages in the NT. We are to "live in harmony with one another (Rom. 12:16)," to "teach and admonish one another (Col. 3:13)," to" accept one another (Rom. 15:7)," to "stir up one another to love and good works (Heb. 10:24)," just to name a few.

Technically speaking this is fellowship. Biblical fellowship is something greater than the meal we have in the "fellowship hall." It is a gift of the Spirit that based on our common fellowship with God. It mirrors the divine fellowship within the Trinity, and through it we enjoy the common blessings of our salvation.

That is why our church is committed to seek God's direction for the creation of authentic, biblical community. It is a gift that we need and a work worth pursuing.

I was late today. I am behind schedule, and I bless God for it. He loved me to much to let me feel alone. He wanted me to experience Christian fellowship. Thank you, Jesus. You give me more than I deserve.