Karl Rove has provided us with a list of some of President Bush's reading material from the past several years.
Regardless of your political affiliations, I think we'd all agree it is commendable and necessary that people in positions of great leadership be well read, aware of both the contemporary and historical contexts they lead in.
HT: Justin Taylor
Saturday, December 27, 2008
True Student Athletes
A fantastic article by the Star Tribune, "Division III: Playing for the love of sports, not money" details the joys and hardships of Division III athletics, the last vestige of the pure "student athlete" and amateur sports.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Food 4 Thought - Church in Power or in Peril
New blog idea:
Periodically I'm going to post quotes that I've found particularly thought provoking. I'd love to hear your comments or responses to them.
Our first quote came from Church History class here at the Pastor's College.
“The Church persecuted has always been the Church pure, and therefore the Church powerful. The Church patronized has always been the Church in peril, and very often the Church paralyzed.“
G. Campbell Morgan, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 465.
Top Google Searches - 2008
Interesting list from Google Zeitgeist about the top searches in 2008:
Fastest Rising (U.S.)
- obama
- att
- iphone
- youtube
- fox news
- palin
- beijing 2008
- david cook
- surf the channel
Fastest Rising (Global)
- sarah palin
- beijing 2008
- facebook login
- tuenti
- heath ledger
- obama
- nasza klasa
- wer kennt wen
- euro 2008
- jonas brothers
Christmas Gift Ideas
Full Disclosure: This post is a totally selfish plug for Christmas gifts...but then again, you have not because you ask not!!
Just a reminder about my favorite gift: Books
So a quick reminder about my wish lists (always displayed on the right of the blog) at Amazon.
Theology & Non-Fiction
Fiction & Entertainment
Merry Christmas
Just a reminder about my favorite gift: Books
So a quick reminder about my wish lists (always displayed on the right of the blog) at Amazon.
Theology & Non-Fiction
Fiction & Entertainment
Merry Christmas
Friday, December 05, 2008
Charlie, Check the Ego...
An interesting article at ESPN.com by Gene Wojciechowski.
His advice to Charlie Weis, now that he didn't get the axe for a lackluster first 4 years at Notre Dame: "Learn Humility"
One caveat, I'm not sure Gene's tone is exactly what we'd call humility in action.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Obama & Isaiah
In a recently posted interview Obama gave to Chicago Sun Times columnist Cathleen Falsani in 2004 about his faith he made the following comment:
- FALSANI:
- Do you believe in sin?
- OBAMA:
Yes. - FALSANI:
What is sin? - OBAMA:
Being out of alignment with my values. - FALSANI:
What happens if you have sin in your life? - OBAMA:
I think it's the same thing as the question about heaven. In the same way that if I'm true to myself and my faith that is its own reward, when I'm not true to it, it's its own punishment.
I can't help but think of this subjective definition of sin in light of Isaiah's experience of the objective reality of his sin the presence of God's absolute holiness in Isaiah 6.1-7. Not only did Isaiah recognize that his sin was against God, but God symbolically atones for that sin, highlighting our need for salvation outside of ourselves.
HT: Justin Taylor
Friday, November 14, 2008
Monday, November 03, 2008
Jesus is My Friend
Hilarious video, seriously incomplete theology.
But hey, their suits have to count for something right??
HT: Eric Patenaude
But hey, their suits have to count for something right??
HT: Eric Patenaude
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
The Politics of Kindness
I was reminded today that how we speak can often drown out the truth of our message.
"The temper and integrity with which the political fight is waged is more important for the health of a society than any particular policy."
~ Os Guinness and John Seel, ed., No God But God: Breaking the Idols of Our Age
“He who has the greatest truth has the greatest love which is the greatest proof.”
~ Lem Tucker
"The temper and integrity with which the political fight is waged is more important for the health of a society than any particular policy."
~ Os Guinness and John Seel, ed., No God But God: Breaking the Idols of Our Age
“He who has the greatest truth has the greatest love which is the greatest proof.”
~ Lem Tucker
Monday, October 27, 2008
Bar Stool Economics
Below is an interesting email I got from a friend:
"Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:
The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.
So, that's what they decided to do. The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve. 'Since you are all such good customers, he said, 'I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20. Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.
The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?'
They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.
And so:
The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings).
The seventh now paid $5 instead of $7 (28%savings).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).
Each of the six was better off than before And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.
'I only got a dollar out of the $20', declared the sixth man.
He pointed to the tenth man,' but he got $10!'
'Yeah, that's right', exclaimed the fifth man. 'I only saved a dollar, too. It's unfair that he got ten times more than I!'
'That's true!!' shouted the seventh man. 'Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!'
'Wait a minute,' yelled the first four men in unison. 'We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!'
The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.
The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!
"Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:
The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.
So, that's what they decided to do. The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve. 'Since you are all such good customers, he said, 'I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20. Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.
The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?'
They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.
And so:
The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings).
The seventh now paid $5 instead of $7 (28%savings).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).
Each of the six was better off than before And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.
'I only got a dollar out of the $20', declared the sixth man.
He pointed to the tenth man,' but he got $10!'
'Yeah, that's right', exclaimed the fifth man. 'I only saved a dollar, too. It's unfair that he got ten times more than I!'
'That's true!!' shouted the seventh man. 'Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!'
'Wait a minute,' yelled the first four men in unison. 'We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!'
The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.
The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!
And that, boys and girls, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.
For those who understand, no explanation is needed.
For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible."
...Some interesting food for thoughtSunday, October 26, 2008
Football, Family and the Glory of God
The story of Tony Dungy--head coach of the Indianapolis Colts--and his strong Christian faith is well known. Less familiar is the strong faith of University of Georgia coach Mark Richt. The video below highlights the faith of Mark and the Richt family in action, adopting two children from Ukraine.
The video is a beautiful example of the obedience of faith, of a family being compelled by the gospel and word of God to take steps of faith and self-sacrifice.
The unique thing about the video is that it aired on ESPN. It is not often that explicit proclamations of Christian faith make their way onto secular programs. It is also rare that high profile athletic figures possess and express a vibrant faith in Christ.
The video is touching and challenging, but it also served as helpful reminder that we should pray for men like Tony Dungy and Mark Richt. Pray that God would sustain them, strengthen them & provide opportunities for them to use their platform to highlight the beauty of the gospel. And finally, pray that they would use their vocation of coaching to be a means of mentoring and discipling athletes into a relationship with the Savior.
HT: Justin Taylor
The video is a beautiful example of the obedience of faith, of a family being compelled by the gospel and word of God to take steps of faith and self-sacrifice.
The unique thing about the video is that it aired on ESPN. It is not often that explicit proclamations of Christian faith make their way onto secular programs. It is also rare that high profile athletic figures possess and express a vibrant faith in Christ.
The video is touching and challenging, but it also served as helpful reminder that we should pray for men like Tony Dungy and Mark Richt. Pray that God would sustain them, strengthen them & provide opportunities for them to use their platform to highlight the beauty of the gospel. And finally, pray that they would use their vocation of coaching to be a means of mentoring and discipling athletes into a relationship with the Savior.
HT: Justin Taylor
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Worship Songs & Salvation
Abraham Piper has an interesting list of things he's glad he's saved from, but don't usually make it into worship songs:
HT: Abraham Piper
- STDs
- Philosophy
- Freeloading
- Incarceration
- Vagabondage
- Whiskey binges
- Illegitimate children
- Pack-a-day smoking
- Successful rockstardom
- Getting run over by a train
HT: Abraham Piper
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Qualities of Character & Pastoral Training
In a few short weeks I'll be heading off to the Pastor's College of Sovereign Grace Ministries. Some people have found it strange that I'd go out for more training after having just graduated from Bethel Seminary. Explaining the reasons for the decision are numerous, suffice to say my wife, pastors and I think it is God's will.
One major reason for attending the Pastor's College is to undergo an evaluation of my character & enter into a time of character development. To that end, Dr. John Frame wrote an interesting article called Proposal for a New Seminary that argues about the importance of this vital aspect of pastoral training. Below is also a video where Dr. Frame is interviewed about the subject. The pertinent section is between 03:32-08:20. Enjoy
Full Dr. John Frame Interview from GoingtoSeminary.com on Vimeo.
HT: Justin Taylor
One major reason for attending the Pastor's College is to undergo an evaluation of my character & enter into a time of character development. To that end, Dr. John Frame wrote an interesting article called Proposal for a New Seminary that argues about the importance of this vital aspect of pastoral training. Below is also a video where Dr. Frame is interviewed about the subject. The pertinent section is between 03:32-08:20. Enjoy
Full Dr. John Frame Interview from GoingtoSeminary.com on Vimeo.
HT: Justin Taylor
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
The Amazing Benny Hinn...Sort of
Hayibo - a satirical newspaper - has a pretty funny story about Benny Hinn actually performing a miracle. Who'd a thunk it!
HT: Challies
Thursday, July 17, 2008
omnia dicta fortiori, si dicta Latina
Translation: "Everything sounds more impressive when said in Latin." To that end, Semper Reformanda has a post giving the meaning to some common Latin phrases.
Dominus vobiscum,
Matthew
HT: Eric "Gunny" Hartman
Dominus vobiscum,
Matthew
HT: Eric "Gunny" Hartman
Dark Knight of the Screen
We are officially less than 12 hours away from the opening of The Dark Knight, the newest installment in the revamped Batman series. Critics are raving and this fan can't wait!
Wet your appetite with some trailers.Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Personal Discipline, Corporate Grace
One of the most tangible benefits of preaching is that it is helping me to grasp the power of intentional and prolonged meditation on God's Word. A week ago I preached on Hebrews 12:3-11 for a sermon titled "A Father's Discipline." During the time of preparation, prayer, study and meditation God helped me to grasp the powerful encouragement of being disciplined by our Heavenly Father. After acknowledging the suffering that is present among the recipients of the letter, the author extols them with a chapter about faith and a challenge and calling to "run the race with endurance."
The reality is that is that the race of faith can be exhausting, especially in the midst of trials & hardships. With this in mind he then encourages his readers by talking about discipline. The reason is beautiful and profound. We are disciplined by God because we are his children! This turns our trials on their head; making them a mark of assurance and means for our holiness. As I prepared the message I was challenged to think back on how I respond to such loving discipline. Particularly, do I respond with faith and joy, trusting that my Father disciplines me in wisdom and only with my good in mind. During the preparation and preaching of this message I was challenged to think about how I respond when I face these personal trials.
This Sunday my senior pastor Rick Gamache picked up where I left off and took my meditation even further in Hebrews 12:12-17. He highlighted that the Greek utilizes the definite article in this passage rendering it, "12 Therefore lift the drooping hands and strengthen the weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for the feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed." The exhortation now becomes corporate encouragement. Simply put, the encouragement and faith building of my Father's discipline is not an occasional experience reserved for my personal trials. I am also called, along with the body of Christ, to come along side my suffering brothers and grant them the corporate grace to finish their race.
What an encouraging passage. First, my trials reveal that I am a son of God & are meant for my good and holiness. Second, I know that I do not face the hardships of the race of faith alone, but that the body of Christ exists to strengthen me when I feel overwhelmed. And finally, that I have the opportunity to display this kind of corporate grace to those around me that I witness in the midst of trials.
The sovereign wisdom and design of our Father is good indeed!
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Umm, Yeah...
There are the prayers of a righteous man and then there is this.
I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry.
HT: Vitamin Z
I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry.
HT: Vitamin Z
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
God of Wonders, In our Galaxy
One of my favorite passages of scripture is Psalm 8. It is an instance where the poetic nature of the Hebrew translates very well into our English versions of the bible. It is an eloquent description of the infinite majesty and wonder of our God. All too often I get lost in the awesome visions of verse 1 and 3:
Ps 8.1 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
Ps 8.3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place.
These verses have led me to wonderful times of worship, considering the awesome power of our God. But sometimes I forget how God's presence and creativity is displayed in even the most routine things. As verse 9 reminds us: "O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!"
As the videos below show, water balloons, snapping spaghetti and popped bubbles can also help us to marvel at the creative genius of the Most High God. (And the voice over is pretty comical as well!)
HT: Sola Miscellany
Ps 8.1 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
Ps 8.3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place.
These verses have led me to wonderful times of worship, considering the awesome power of our God. But sometimes I forget how God's presence and creativity is displayed in even the most routine things. As verse 9 reminds us: "O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!"
As the videos below show, water balloons, snapping spaghetti and popped bubbles can also help us to marvel at the creative genius of the Most High God. (And the voice over is pretty comical as well!)
HT: Sola Miscellany
Monday, June 30, 2008
Macey, Meet Nikon
My wife and I just bought a new Nikon D60 Digital SLR camera in anticipation of our first baby being born in September. Definitely exciting times!! I love getting new gadgets like this and have been trying to become at least semi-proficient in its use before we have our baby. Fortunately, we got to celebrate Father's day with our little 14 month old niece, Macey Joy. The little bundle of smiles and energy was the perfect opportunity to try out my new toy. Here are some of my favorites...
Mischief with Mr. Bevo
Macey & her proud papa.
Fun with Grandpa.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Reader's Hebrew Bible
Sometimes providence smiles on you. Last week I arrived at my desk and dutifully checked my favorite blog, Between Two Worlds. There I saw an entry that offered a free copy of A Reader's Hebrew Bible (RHB) from Zondervan to the first five people who committed to review it on their blog. I was sure I was to late, but shot off the email. Low and behold I was lucky number four! On Tuesday when I arrived at my desk I found the new book awaiting my perusal and critical eye. On to the review...
This book is a must own for any intermediate Hebrew student. It removes the excessive crutches and dangers that you often face when using an interlinear bible, but provides enough vocabulary help to encourage the student toward proficiency. It is an ideal resource for Hebrew students striving to read the text, but possessing a limited to moderate Hebrew vocabulary.
The aesthetics of the book are excellent. Like A Reader's Greek Bible before it, the book is made of beautiful Italian Duo-Tone. The Hebrew font for the book is a slightly modified, yet highly readable, version of the BibleWorks Hebrew font. The Hebrew text follows the Westminster Leningrad Codex. When minor differences between WTC and Biblia Hebraica Struttgartensia occur they are marked and can examined in Appendix B.
The book is a reader, meant to enable students with a working knowledge of Biblical Hebrew but a limited vocabulary to increase their proficiency with the language. To that end the book works marvelously. Every Hebrew word occurring 100 times or less and every Aramaic word occurring 25 times or less is footnoted in a gloss at the bottom of the page. The footnote/gloss system is intuitive and easy to use. The gloss utilizes The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (HALOT) and The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon (BDB) as its primary lexical sources for the definition of the rare words.Each gloss contains the following pattern: (numerical footnote superscript) HOMONYM#, LEMMA, STEM: HALOT; BDB; ALTERNATE.
Another convenient function is that the massive amount of rare proper nouns (less than 100 and 25 again) are printed in gray but not footnoted. This helps the reader to identify that a strange word is a proper noun, while not clogging down the glosses with the severe number of proper nouns present in the Old Testament.
The RHB also has a convenient glossary containing all Hebrew lemmas with a frequency of 100 times or more in Appendix A. The definitions are again based on BDB and the Appendix is arranged according to the Hebrew alphabet.
The one negative is that the RHB does not contain a text critical apparatus. For this a student will need to consult a source like BHS.
In summary, the RHB is a great resource that should prove valuable for intermediate students in generations to come. It is an excellent companion to its Greek counterpart.
A special thanks to Justin Taylor at BTW and Chris Fann at Zondervan for hooking me up with a free copy!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Living Word...Cutting Deep
A few months ago I started my internship at Sovereign Grace Fellowship. The mercy of God is a constant reminder as I consider the fact that He would use me, in the midst of countless sins and limitations to advance the Kingdom of God. The opportunity to serve under wise and Godly men like Rick Gamache and Mark Alderton has also been a joy and blessing.
All of that to say, one of my new responsibilities is preaching once a month. In light of this I'm going to try to blog some post-sermon reflections here at Grand Ramblings. The primary reason is that I want these sermons, through the work of the Holy Spirit, to affect me as much as they hopefully affect the people of SGF. I think an excellent step towards this application will be taking the time to examine my heart and life. (granted this is coming from the guy who hasn't posted anything in almost 11 months)
To this end, here is my first reflection...
The sermon I preached on Sunday was entitled Living Word, Living God, based on Hebrews 4:11-13, "Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account."
This isn't meant to be a complete rehashing of the sermon. If you're interested in listening to it you can find it at http://sermonaudio.wordpress.com/. The main thrust of the sermon is that we must remember that this "living and active" word of God is literally the word of God. The reality is that we live our lives in danger, in the midst of a battle for our faith. The sword of God's word is a defensive weapon against the onslaughts of this world and Satan. However, my main adversary in the fight of faith is my own diseased heart. Here the word of God is an offensive weapon to be plunged into my own flesh...in the process I am laid bare by through the Holy Spirit. The true affections and desires of my heart are revealed and exposed.
My reflection is this. If I'm going to lay my heart bare I need to take up my sword, but what does this look like. I made three applications in the sermon that I won't get into here. Personally, I've been hit with another this afternoon. I love to think about God and theology and any manner of spiritual things. I thinks its fair to say I'm a pretty cognitive guy. Well, this means that this afternoon I was sitting in Caribou reading The Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards for an independent study I'm taking. The reading was profitable, challenging and Christ exalting...the reading was also not the word of God. So while I would encourage all brothers and sisters in Christ to increase their satisfaction in Christ through reading good, theologically inclined books, God glorifying books, I was convicted that this was no replacement for the living and active word of a living and active God. So I've set down my copy of The Religious Affections and picked up my sword. I want the Holy Spirit to expose my enemy and drive me to the cross. This can certainly happen through reading a master theologian like Jonathan Edwards, but only to the extent that I have already plowed the ground with Holy Writ.
Some days it is obvious that I need to turn off the TV, close the laptop, or get off the couch and pursue my savior through His word. Today it is just as obvious that sometimes this means closing my Edwards, Owen or Piper. In conclusion, below you'll find a prophetic song that was song after the sermon by Jon Bloom. To highlight the amazing wisdom and sovereignty of our God, Jon wrote this song in 1989, when I was 7 years old. He felt led to share it after my sermon, without having seen my notes. It fit perfectly...and I hope it drives you to pick up your own sword...
It Is a Sword
A meditation on Ephesians 6:10-12 & Hebrews 4:12
It is a sword, this word of God,
A weapon strong and good.
It has been forged by sovereign grace,
Prophetic fire and blood.
It's double-edged and there exists
No other blade so fine,
But skillful use is only learned
Through active use and time.
It is a sword with which to fight,
A sabre for the war,
For frequent are the battles and
Its use will bring its scar.
Designed as an offensive tool,
Not merely to defend,
Attack the enemy with it
And put him to an end!
And yet be warned! This sword we wield
Becomes the Surgeon's knife
And ruthlessly reveals our sin;
It wounds to save our life.
It lives and acts and pierces deep,
A paradox indeed:
The very sword that slays our foe
In mercy makes us bleed.
Grip tight the sword and keep it poised
When come the times of test.
Remain alert, its hilt in reach,
In times of peace and rest.
It is our hope, our confidence
When facing pain or strife;
Our glory, strength, our faithful friend --
Indeed, it is our life! (Deut.32:47)
Word & music by Jon Bloom. © 1989 Jon Bloom.
Grace and Peace,
MW
All of that to say, one of my new responsibilities is preaching once a month. In light of this I'm going to try to blog some post-sermon reflections here at Grand Ramblings. The primary reason is that I want these sermons, through the work of the Holy Spirit, to affect me as much as they hopefully affect the people of SGF. I think an excellent step towards this application will be taking the time to examine my heart and life. (granted this is coming from the guy who hasn't posted anything in almost 11 months)
To this end, here is my first reflection...
The sermon I preached on Sunday was entitled Living Word, Living God, based on Hebrews 4:11-13, "Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account."
This isn't meant to be a complete rehashing of the sermon. If you're interested in listening to it you can find it at http://sermonaudio.wordpress.com/. The main thrust of the sermon is that we must remember that this "living and active" word of God is literally the word of God. The reality is that we live our lives in danger, in the midst of a battle for our faith. The sword of God's word is a defensive weapon against the onslaughts of this world and Satan. However, my main adversary in the fight of faith is my own diseased heart. Here the word of God is an offensive weapon to be plunged into my own flesh...in the process I am laid bare by through the Holy Spirit. The true affections and desires of my heart are revealed and exposed.
My reflection is this. If I'm going to lay my heart bare I need to take up my sword, but what does this look like. I made three applications in the sermon that I won't get into here. Personally, I've been hit with another this afternoon. I love to think about God and theology and any manner of spiritual things. I thinks its fair to say I'm a pretty cognitive guy. Well, this means that this afternoon I was sitting in Caribou reading The Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards for an independent study I'm taking. The reading was profitable, challenging and Christ exalting...the reading was also not the word of God. So while I would encourage all brothers and sisters in Christ to increase their satisfaction in Christ through reading good, theologically inclined books, God glorifying books, I was convicted that this was no replacement for the living and active word of a living and active God. So I've set down my copy of The Religious Affections and picked up my sword. I want the Holy Spirit to expose my enemy and drive me to the cross. This can certainly happen through reading a master theologian like Jonathan Edwards, but only to the extent that I have already plowed the ground with Holy Writ.
Some days it is obvious that I need to turn off the TV, close the laptop, or get off the couch and pursue my savior through His word. Today it is just as obvious that sometimes this means closing my Edwards, Owen or Piper. In conclusion, below you'll find a prophetic song that was song after the sermon by Jon Bloom. To highlight the amazing wisdom and sovereignty of our God, Jon wrote this song in 1989, when I was 7 years old. He felt led to share it after my sermon, without having seen my notes. It fit perfectly...and I hope it drives you to pick up your own sword...
It Is a Sword
A meditation on Ephesians 6:10-12 & Hebrews 4:12
It is a sword, this word of God,
A weapon strong and good.
It has been forged by sovereign grace,
Prophetic fire and blood.
It's double-edged and there exists
No other blade so fine,
But skillful use is only learned
Through active use and time.
It is a sword with which to fight,
A sabre for the war,
For frequent are the battles and
Its use will bring its scar.
Designed as an offensive tool,
Not merely to defend,
Attack the enemy with it
And put him to an end!
And yet be warned! This sword we wield
Becomes the Surgeon's knife
And ruthlessly reveals our sin;
It wounds to save our life.
It lives and acts and pierces deep,
A paradox indeed:
The very sword that slays our foe
In mercy makes us bleed.
Grip tight the sword and keep it poised
When come the times of test.
Remain alert, its hilt in reach,
In times of peace and rest.
It is our hope, our confidence
When facing pain or strife;
Our glory, strength, our faithful friend --
Indeed, it is our life! (Deut.32:47)
Word & music by Jon Bloom. © 1989 Jon Bloom.
Grace and Peace,
MW
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