Hearts Melting Like Wax and the Triumph of the Gospel

In Joshua 2:11 Rahab, a converted harlot, tells of why she came to faith in the God of the Bible. She'd heard of the works of God which proved that He is Lord of heaven and earth, and her heart melted like wax. The undeniable presence of God with the people of God led to a heart-melting fear of God on the earth. And in her case, it led to her conversion.

There are NT parallels to this phenomenon. Acts 2:42-48 and Acts 4:29-33 and Acts 5:12-14 and Acts 6:7 and Acts 9:31 and 1 Corinthians 14:24, 25 and 2 Thessalonians 3:1 and 2 Timothy 2:8 all recount how Jesus' prediction of the triumph of the Church and the gospel (Matthew 16:18) would unfold in this age. Fearless preaching married to godly living and anointed by God's powerful Spirit made for an unstoppable gospel. People heard, feared, and believed.

When the invincible Word of God is proclaimed by the holy people of God through the living church of God accompanied by the mighty works of God, the hearts of men and women will melt like wax, and wherever we set the soles of our feet we will gain new spiritual ground and win new people to Christ (Joshua 1:3-9). To be sure, as in the day of Joshua, there will be much opposition to the undeniable reality of God. But at the same time, many Rahabs will be saved and the gospel will triumph.

What we need today is for local churches to rise up as battalions of faith, enflamed by the glory of God in the gospel, amazed at the wonder of grace, transfixed by the face of Christ and the beauty of The Holy, surrendered to a life of love, uncompromised in the pursuit of godliness, and gifted and empowered and filled by the Holy Spirit--to proclaim a triumphant Savior. This is that "something bigger than us" that I referred to the other day. To it we are all called, and in it we will all find the greatest of joys.

The world simply cannot stay neutral in the face of such a force. It's heart will melt like wax. It will know that the Church is a divine force to be reckoned with. But I should warn you: when this happens we will see both the winning of many converts to Christ and the increase of much opposition to Christ. Mark these words: when the Church rises up like this it will not be irrelevant. Nor will it go unnoticed. People with melting hearts before the reality of God will either join us or fight us. One thing the gospel will not let them do is ignore us.

O Lord raise Your Church to join the great cause of God and Truth, and may the world's heart melt with fear mixed with faith for Your everlasting praise.

Fireproof

How fireproofed is your marriage?

We have just the secret to help you get that in place!

Here's a reminder that tomorrow evening at 7:00, TFC is showing the movie Fireproof.
This movie is a powerful presentation of biblical concepts of love for marriage and life.

The event is open to all couples.

Guys, I'm prepared to guarantee that your wife would cherish this experience more than the box of chocolates you gave her last week for Valentine's Day! Score big points by making sure to take her out on this date!

If there's any chance you haven't gotten your tickets yet, you can get them at the door. We're asking for a $10.00 per couple donation, but believe me when we say that if you cannot afford it we want you to come anyway. It's just that important and that good of a movie!

By the way, if you know of couples who need this event, invite them and if possible make the extra donation yourself. If you can't afford that, just invite them!

TFC's pastoral team and wives are hosting this event and can't wait to serve you.
If you need child care, we have limited options for you. Please contact the office
(732.914.8885) and we'll see if we can help.

If you haven't gotten a ticket yet but would like to come, would you please just let us know so we can have a heads-up? Thanks.

Being a Part of Something Big

Joy comes from being a part of something bigger than ourselves.

What we are a part of is a partnership.

What we are a part of is more important than the part we play.

There is One Who has taken the humblest part that we might have a part in the joy of the gospel.

These are the four points I made in Sunday's message. I offer them here by way of review. Based on Philippians 1:12-18, they capture an outlook on life that sets direction and purpose for all we do. If you're interested go to www.trinityfel.org to listen to the message in full.

Whoever you are and whatever church you are a part of, my simple word to you today is this: do not shrink life down to your own little world. God is up to something huge, and He invites you to share the joy of being a part of it. Seek counsel from pastor, spouse, and members of your local church, to find out what part that might be.

Then go for the joy!

Head Colds, Headaches, and Other Reminders from God

I interrupt my series on embarrassing moments to announce that I have a cold; a full-blown, head-filling, body-aching, strength-sapping, want-to-stay-in-bed type cold. Add this to the twenty year long everyday, every minute, unrelenting headache that I have and there are the makings of a rather uncomfortable couple of days ahead of me.

Mix in with that that there is a lot to do this week. Big stuff is happening in the church this weekend, and there's a ton to attend to. This is all a recipe for stress and self-pity. I know that what I'm facing is nothing, and I do mean nothing, compared to what many of you may be facing. I wouldn't pretend to have it as hard as some of you. That would be insane and insensitive.

My only point is that it's in times like this that just that kind of insanity can hit. I'm facing some stress and discomfort which, given the insanity and insensitivity of my flesh, is sufficient to make me feel sorry for myself and be anxious and bothered about how it's all going to get done. In case you haven't noticed, self-pity is never very sane.

I'm convinced that God gives us head colds, headaches, hang nails, and hassles precisely to remind us that He's in control and we're not. He means us to know that we are weak and dependant on Him. I'm convinced that He messes with our plans, stockpiles our cares, and rearranges our appointment calendars when we're not looking (to insert such things as colds, crises in the family, and whatever else He thinks will get the job done.)

This way we feel really weak, really needy, really desperate for grace from Him. It's the way He's always kept His children praying and trusting and loving only Him. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 comes to mind. God could have taken Paul's stress point away, but He didn't; so Paul had to learn to rely on grace and glory in God all the more.

Here's a question for you: do you believe that God rules over headcolds and headaches? I'm not asking if you believe in some kind of weak "God allows" or "He let's these things happen" view of Divine sovereignty. I'm asking if you have room in your theology for the God who's self-described in Exodus 3:11 as the One who makes the deaf and mute and blind? Check it out and think about it. Does your faith accomodate a God who makes people deaf and mute or afflicted with colds and cancers and crises? Do you have a category for a God who gives and really does take away--as He took away from Job (Job 1:13-22)?

Here's what I believe: I have a head cold because it's part of the eternal plan of God for my life and for my good. I have a headache because at this moment (and for the past 20 years) it's been the very thing God has known that I would need. And I believe that every trial and stress point and burden that have accompanied these afflictions through the years are not merely things permitted; they're things planned.

God does more than permit; He purposes. That's not to say He's the cause for it all (He does not cause sin, and He does use means to accomplish His ends), but it is to say that if it's happening to me right now, even if it's not fun, it's because God knew it was the very best thing that could happen to me right now. It's because God wants me to learn trust and faith and humility and hope and the true sufficiency of grace in all of the hard turns and twists of life.

God afflicts because He wants us to arrive at the faith realization that no matter what we face or lose or suffer, if we have Him we have enough.

So as I process my head cold today, I'll try to do it knowing that there's not a maverick germ in the universe that can step outside God's will. The germ got me, because God loves me and knows what's best. It's as simple as that.

Just a few things to think about as you face your stress points today. I'd not want you to face anything--not even a head cold--without knowing and being able to trust the One Who's in control.

Embarrassment Countdown (2)

Most Embarrassing Moment #4

I was an 18 year old college freshman on the starting line up of my basketball team. It was my first college game weekend. Our season opening weekend included a Friday night away game about five hours from school and then a Saturday night home game. I was starting out on what would be a fairly decent college basketball career that would be marked (I include with a little bit of probably sinful pride) with quite a few high points and high honors. But apparently it was meant to start off pretty embarrassingly.

I arrived at the away game all filled with excitement. As game time approached we went into the locker room and I began the process of changing into my uniform. Shorts, jersey, socks. It was time for the sneakers. Reaching into my classic Adidas duffle bag I pulled out my size twelve footwear and saw to my utter dismay that I had brought two left foot sneakers. Back at school--five hours away--under my desk were a matching pair of right foot sneaks.

It was near game time and there was nothing to do but panic. In an amazing display of thoughtlessness, no one else had been careful enough to have size twelve feet and to make sure to bring along an extra pair of sneakers in case the brainless rookie forgot his. So I had no choice but to wear two left sneakers to play my first college game.

Not only did it feel weird, it was weird. And it wasn't missed by the fans. During the game as I'm sitting on the bench at one point I had a fan tap me on the shoulder, with a few more looking over his, and ask me, "Do you have two left sneakers on?" What could I say--as they laughed at my expense. I did have the last laugh as it turns out, as I scored 22 points in my debut and we beat those who scoffed at my feet.

I wonder: my wife giggles nearly every time I grab hold of her randomly at home to spend a moment or two dancing with my beloved. It's clear to me that she does not giggle out of romantic glee. She giggles because as a dancer, I have two left feet. Perhaps my freshman college B-ball experience left a permanent mark.

Back to my debut weekend. You'd think with that experience the night before I would have been a bit more careful the following night. Turns out I got it even worse.

The starting line up was introduced and it was time for me to take off my warm up sweats. Being that I played for a Bible college, we always prayed before our games to ask the Lord to keep us safe and godly during the game. Just as the prayer began one of my team members tapped me on the shoulder with a huge laughing grin on his face and said--with others looking on--"Hey Tim, your jersey is on backwards!" And so it was.

Picture it folks. Hundreds of fans. Big, cool, manly, super athlete. Jersey on backwards. I mean really: picture it! The high back of the jersey choking my neck; the low front revealing half my back.

What's a man to do? One thing is for sure, he is to seize the time of prayer when everyone's eyes are closed in spiritual humility and devotion, to take off his jersey and put it on right. Do it before too much damage is done.

I decided to forego being spiritual to preserve my ego. And I admit it, if I had it to do over again, given the same circumstances, I'd do the same thing.

Weird how life is. God has a way of letting us blunder just to help us maintain at least a little humility. Here I was pretty full of myself. Big man on campus. Starting freshman b-ball player. Time to strut and feel good about myself. And God decides to let me play the fool. It was good for me; such moments always are.

Don't be surprised folks: if you think of yourself a bit too highly, God will love you enough to let you do something to look really foolish. This isn't cruel; it's kind. Just when we think we have it all figured out, and we've arrived and we're the big man on the block, God will remind us that we can't even put our sneaks and shirts on right without His grace guiding our brains.

So today, as you tie your shoes, change your clothes, breathe a breath, lift a finger--remember: it is all by grace that He supplies. And if God should use you to make a difference in someone's life for His glory and kingdom, make sure to let God know that you know it was He and not you who did it.

Have a good and humble day.

Embarrassment Countdown (1)

I was asked recently to think about some of the more embarrassing moments in my life. It should perhaps trouble me that I had zero difficulty thinking of several. What is really disturbing is the knowledge that I have almost certainly suppressed the memory of countless really embarrassing episodes, which others may remember well.

Anyway, let me share five of these over the next few days so I can have the chance to learn humility through laughing at myself with others looking in.

Most Embarrassing Moment #5:

I was in the second grade. Yes, as in 7 years old. Early signs of precociousness were much in evidence: soaring intellect, superb athleticism, endearing charm, astonishing oratorical abilities. Actually I was an average 7 year old in most ways, but definitely not average in one thing: I liked girls.

The fact is that I had a sharp, ever active eye for female beauty and charm. In fact I compiled a list of my top ten favorite girls in school. This helped me keep my life and priorities in order. I told you a day or two ago that I'm all about living an ordered life, so there you have it. I decided to start early. There's no good in having all these females around if I'm not going to be organized in how I evaluate them. Either that or I just had a weird and troubling seven year old fascination with girl cuteness.

The list was meant to be a very private thing of course. And so it was until one of my siblings got hold of it. And thus began an early-in-life embarrassing moment, one which my siblings have never let me forget. Do the math, there’s been 43 years of laughing at my expense over my girl-crazy early childhood.

It was bad enough that they discovered the list. What made it worse was the little game they decided to play with it in hand. When the whole family learned of my list the game was on to guess which of the girls in my class made the top of the list. As guesses didn't come close, my list-bearing sibling started giving out clues.

The clue I remember was: "She's the girl that has--what shall we say--the least actual appeal and personality." In other words, in my sib's opinion, she wasn't very cute. In fact, in his eyes, of all the girls in my class, she scored lowest on the cuteness/charm scale.

What was particularly disturbing in all of this was that the whole family--based on the clue--guessed who it was right away. So much for my second grade level discernment of beauty.

Now I grant you that this is no life-shattering moment of horrified embarrassment. But it did cause me cover my head a bit, and I haven’t forgotten it. And what did I learn from it? To be honest? Not much. I won’t pretend that I did. I did make sure to guard my lists a bit more carefully from then on, but that’s about it.

One thing I can say now: my family has had hours of laughter at my expense over that episode—along with several others that I’ve provided for the family story-telling repertoire. I am by far the one that is talked about and laughed at more than any other in my six-sibling family. It's been my calling in life.

Here is what I have learned in the time since childhood. It’s okay to laugh, and it’s best to laugh at your own expense.

Humor is good. And humor seems best when it sees the funny in one’s self. Humor at one’s own expense humbles the self, and it frees others to see us as those who are secure in who we are (in ourselves and more importantly, in Christ) and who can then share a moment of life and joy sustaining laughter. It’s all good. I guess that’s today’s life lesson.

By the way, it’s a good thing I started training in female charm discernment so early. It allowed me to hone my skills to perfection by the time I was sixteen when I met Gayline. Otherwise I would have let the most beautiful young woman in the world walk by unnoticed, and who knows whom I would have ended up with then!

Praying for the Favor of God: Getting Really Bold and Believing in Prayer

Psalm 90:16, 17 presents a model for prayer that is well worth imitating.

Recently at a wedding reception I heard a blessing prayed over the newly married couple. The pastor prayed for God's favor on them in such a way that they would know His gracious touch on everything they put their hand and hearts to do, for His glory! I don't remember all that he prayed but in essence he prayed that their love would be sweet, that their work would be prospered, that their union would be fruitful, that their children would be many and godly, that their laughter would be rich, that their witness would be strong, that their health would be good, and that every endeavour to which they applied their hand would succeed.

It was not at all a health and wealth/prosperity gospel/word-faith type prayer in which he presumed to think that everything in life would be pain and suffering free. But it was a prayer that dared to believe that God loves to bless. This brother clearly believed that God is neither stingy nor reluctant nor sparing in His gifts.

It was a really cool and frankly, a really biblical prayer; the type of prayer I hear myself praying more often these days. It was psalmist-like.

In light of his awareness that life is short and our days are few (Psalm 90:3-12) Moses gets right to it with God. Here's the gist of his thought and prayer: "Lord we don't have a lot of time here, and there's lots to do. So please let your work be shown to us (Psalm 90:16) so that it'll become our work. Then let Your favor--Your beautiful, pleasant, delightful, gracious favor (the Hebrew word means all that)--be upon us and all we do. And Lord, please establish the work we do; yes Lord establish it."

Moses is praying for God's favor, God's blessing, God's success-producing grace on all he and the people of God did.

It does remind of the well-known "prayer of Jabez" in 1 Chronicles 4:9, 10. I know the recent best-seller by that name raised some concerns (which I would share). Some seemed to turn Jabez's prayer into a daily mantra with almost magical powers. People abused the truth for personal gain (not including the author, he gave away most of the proceeds from the book as I understand it!). But let's be reminded: the abuse of a truth does not argue for the non-use of a truth. It argues for the right use of the truth.

The right use of the truth that God blesses and favors and establishes the work of our hands for His glory and our happiness, is that we pray boldly and believingly in the light of it, and then live expectantly as a result. I say it again: God is neither stingy nor reluctant nor sparing in His gifts. He loves to bless and He promises to move mountains, build the kingdom, heal diseases, save souls, rescue our children, and bless labors when His people pray in faith.

Today, God enabling me, I'm going to spend about 3 hours in study and the minstry of the Word. I have a doctor's visit (to keep a watch on my health). I'm going to spend a couple of hours encouraging a hurting brother. I'm going to plan a Ministry Fair. I'm going to spend time with the pastoral team in prayer and care for you all. And I'm going to lead a care group meeting at the end of the day. In between and after all that there's a wife to love, and children to raise. All as the Lord enables.

So here's my Psalm 90 prayer for today:
"Lord in my study and teaching of Your Word establish the work of my mind and heart by making my mind clear, by giving me insight for the blessing of Your people, by filling me with your Spirit that the truth I learn may become life and power and joy for my heart and for all who hear it.

"And when I visit the doctor's office, I ask that You give me at least one opportunity to speak openly and clearly of the Savior's love. Make today be a day in which I am able to point someone to Jesus. And Lord remember the prayer I offered a few weeks back and have prayed a few times since: please establish the work of our hands and the words of our lips by giving us at least 50 new believers in our church this year.

"And when I encourage my brother with truth and grace may he be overhwelmed by the love of Jesus, and rise up in new courage and faith to face the challenges of his life. May he leave my presence knowing that he was in the presence of grace. Shine Your favor on him o Lord.

"And when the pastors gather to pray, Lord may we pray with the filling and power and leading of Your Spirit. Give us spiritual gifts, biblical and prophetic insights into the needs of Your people, and a clear leading for the shepherding of Your sheep.

"And Father, establish my care group as a place of refuge for the hurting, of strength for the weak, of correcting grace for the wandering, of hope for the despairing, of faith for the doubting, of fellowship for all. And come by Your Spirit with gifts and blessing for all.

"And yes o Lord--please establish Gayline's and my work in our home. May our marriage be strong and sweet. And may our children become men and women of faith and courage as leaders of the next generation of Your church. Lord, do not just save them; please make them mighty in Your kingdom.

"And I pray all these things not for myself only, but for everyone of those You've entrusted to my care, or who read these words today. O yes dear Lord, may Your favor be upon us all today, giving us mighty God moments of grace and frutifulness and strength.

"O that You would do it Lord--for Your glory! Amen."

Go with God my friends.

Phelps, A-Rod, Brady, and Booth: Why Godwardness Matters and Nothing Else Does

By now Michael Phelps’ pot use and A-Rod’s steroid use have been news-plastered everywhere and commented on ad nauseam. Please allow me to risk your “enough already” by adding a few thoughts of my own.

Why is it that these men who have everything are willing to risk it all for something they want? Why do they demonstrate a reckless craving for more?

I recently read about another who craves more: Tom Brady. As a New England Patriots’ fan, I read this with sadness but without surprise (for I’ve followed my favorite quarterback’s exploits on and off the field for a few years now: three Super Bowl rings, MVP trophies, super-model girlfriends, baby out of wedlock, etc.). Mr. Brady offered the following in a 60 Minutes interview:

“Why do I have three Super Bowl rings and still think there’s something greater out there for me? I mean, maybe a lot of people would say, ‘Hey man, this is what is.’ I reached my goal, my dream, my life. I think, ‘___, it’s got to be more than this.’ I mean this isn’t, this can’t be, what it’s all cracked up to be.”

More on Mr. Brady in a moment.

John Wilkes Booth killed President Lincoln. His too is a story of a man who couldn’t stop craving. Few in his day possessed more, but apparently he did not feel he had enough. As a famous actor, he had wealth, women, fame, pleasure, popularity, looks, everything. But he was not content.

While claiming that he shot the president to help God exact justice for what he perceived to be Lincoln’s evils, what he did in the few days between his crime and his capture reveals his true motive. James Swanson, in Manhunt, a riveting account of the twelve day search for the assassin, reports that Booth devoured every newspaper account of his murder of Lincoln that he could find. And here’s why: he had a hungry craving for any hint of national approval (yes, you read that right) that he might receive for his actions. Clearly he killed the president because he felt that many Americans would love him for it! All the popularity he already had was not enough; he wanted more.

So what are we to make of Mr. Phelps and A-Rod and Brady and Booth?

Certainly we are not to conclude self-righteously that these guys have been unusually bad people. To be honest I’ve craved everything these guys have pursued, and apart from divine restraint (what the Bible calls grace) I would have acted out every craving I’ve ever had. No, there is no room for hypocritical condemnation here (at least not from where I sit).

So what are we to think?

I don’t know any of these men personally so I would not pretend to know their hearts or what may be going on within them, but I’d offer a few tentative thoughts.

First, such human unhappiness and futility—apparently felt by each of these guys, but actually admitted by Tom Brady—call to mind the thinking of Blaise Pascal. In The Pensees, included in the anthology, The Mind on Fire, Pascal argues that it is our human ability to think and to aspire for something better that distinguishes us from beasts. But it is also this capacity that can create a human misery worse than any beast ever knows.

Animals--as best we can tell--don’t know misery or meaninglessness because they can’t think as humans can. Because they cannot conceive of a better world or life than the one they have, they cannot be unhappy or discontented with what they do have. But since we humans can always conceive of something better than what we have, we have to fight off unhappiness (misery) because we don’t have it.

Pascal recognizes that the human ability to think and to conceive of a world and a joy and a meaning better than the one we have is what makes man grand. But it is also what makes man miserable. This is what he calls “the misery of man without God”.

Tom Brady is able to think of a better, more fulfilling life than the one he has, even with all he has. And so, despite all his great accomplishments and privilege, his life rings hollow, his heart remains empty; ultimate happiness eludes him. And apparently to some degree, based on their reckless pursuit of more, Mr. Phelps, Mr. Rodriguez and Mr. Booth have all felt the same way.

And might I suggest that they always will so long as they leave a personal, reverent, joy-filled relationship with God--through Jesus Christ--out of the picture? Few have said it as well as C.S. Lewis:

“The books or the music [or sports or fame or sex or drugs or…] in which we thought the beauty was located will betray us if we trust to them; it was not in them, it only came through them, and what came through them was longing. These things--the beauty, the memory of our own past--are good images of what we really desire; but if they are mistaken for the thing itself, they turn into dumb idols, breaking the hearts of their worshippers. For they are not the thing itself; they are only the scent of a flower we have not found, the echo of a tune we have not heard, news from a country we have never yet visited..." (The Weight of Glory, brackets added)

“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” (Mere Christianity)

Folks, we were made for a better world, one ruled by the best of all Beings, God Himself. Pascal adds; “If man was not made for God, why is it that he is only happy in God?”

Good question. And in the question we find life’s answer. We are made for God. God alone is the Ultimate happiness. Knowing and loving God is the very meaning of life. Until we see this and look for another and better life with Him, our misery will continue.

By the way, the word I deleted from Tom Brady’s quote above was: “God”. I did so out of respect for God and the Name He tells us to honor. I mention it now because of the irony and the invitation that I see in Mr. Brady’s choice of words. The name he profaned is the name of the very One this man needs.

Could it be that in our human tendency to use God’s name (even if profanely), and could it be in God’s patience in letting it happen, we might be hearing a whisper of an invitation God has put within us all?

Perhaps God is saying to each of us:

“I have put My Name in your heart so that you use it even when you don’t believe in Me or love Me. I’ve done this to let you know that I exist, and to remind you that down deep you really know it; you just haven’t admitted it yet or done much about it. The One Whose name you abuse and profane is really here. Why not call on Me and I will answer? Seek for Me and you will find Me. Come to Me, and you will know the joy for which you crave.”

God invites even through our profanities.

If you’re a Christian looking for even deeper joy, keep the Godward gaze. This is where the spiritual disciplines we've been discussing come in.

If you’re not a believer and in your quiet honest moments you wonder what it’s all about, I urge you: look above the sun to your Creator. This is where the Bible’s call to repentance and faith come in. Turn from all your empty pursuits and turn to the One Who is life itself.

Friend, God is the song your heart has been wanting to sing.

Formats, Two Good Books, and Getting Life in Order

Sorry about yesterday's blog format; it was not what I had in mind. Someone may get around to fixing it, but until they do it'll be a memorial to my limitations. I tried to set it up one way and it came out another, and I had neither time nor energy nor skill to fix it. I do want you to know that it was not an attempt to be artsy with me aiming at being modern poetry-like with lines beginning and ending who knows where. It was simply my ignorance of how to format correctly, mixed with some laziness about learning the process.

Speaking of formats, can I say a word or two about formatting life? If you're at all like me the urgent (stuff that seems really huge in the moment) often squeezes out the important (stuff that is really huge for life). The spiritual disciplines are really important because they feed the soul and fuel our fires of passion for God. But what we find is that they get squeezed by today's urgencies like work or doctors visits or sleep or food prep or the ringing phone that we just can't ignore or the baby crying or the leaking faucet or the latest episode of "Lost".

I've found that having a "two-good-books" approach to life helps. It goes without saying that the Bible is The Good Book. After all it’s God-breathed. That means it has come to us from the very inside of God. It’s His mind, His thoughts, His words—exhaled. Read the Bible and you hear the voice of God. Now that’s worth thinking about and doing something about.

But when will I do something about it? When will I read it, and how do I make sure I have time? That’s where another good book comes in: a calendar-book. In my life, the Bible tells me what to do; my (hopefully Spirit-led) calendar tells me when to do it. It’s not as if I’m ruled by my calendar; fact is, I’m liberated by it. It unshackles me to live life fully and freely. It allows me to find time for all that matters, and to leave time for the quiet, still, leading work of the Spirit.

I don’t want to legislate because some of us may do fine without a Day Timer, but not me. In my life, sans my second good book, I’d need near perfect recall, something akin to omniscience to do the important rather than the urgent. I’d always be forgetting or squeezing out what really counts. My calendar does two things for me: it frees me to fit in all that matters most, and it frees me to say "no" to what doesn’t.

I use my day-timer to plan time for family, church life, quietness, rest, devotional seclusion, friends, study, chores. You name it: there are dates and times where it fits. This way I am able to do what needs to get done and to stiff-arm what doesn’t. “No” gets easier to say when you’ve got a complete, priority-filled calendar.

If you’d like more freedom to invest your time in what matters, and more strength to keep time-wasters at bay, you might want to get a calendar today. In my experience, there are two good books worth having: One to tell you what, the other to tell you when.

Praying the Word (Part 2)

Welcome back brothers and sisters. I trust the Lord is giving you a blessed and sweet Lord’s Day in fellowship with His people as you gather as His house, to worship Him, and as you fellowship with family and friends.

As a follow up to yesterday's entry I offer this prayer with and through the Word (Psalm 23:1-6) for each one of us:

“The Lord is my shepherd…"
Thank you Lord!
You are my Shepherd—and not just any Shepherd, you are the Good Shepherd who gave your life for the sheep!
You are my Shepherd, my Guide, and my Master!
How you have cared for my soul and have fed me with grace!
Please become a shepherd to those I love. May all whom I carry in my heart know that You carry them in Your Shepherd’s arms and heart as well. May they feel today, that they are not sheep without a shepherd, but sheep with one, and the very best One there is.
And as I husband and father and pastor today, help me to shepherd those under my care in a way that reflects Your Shepherd’s heart for your own.

“I shall not want…"
Father, thank you for this indicative statement that declares a simple but glorious fact: “I shall not want”! I will have no needs! Every need of life will be met and provided by you!
Father this is not an isolated promise! It calls to mind the Romans 8 promise to me and to all who love you: “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered him up for us all—how will he not also with him freely give us all things?”
Father thank you that I have no real needs since you have already taken care of them.
Thank you that every need of mine is known to you.
Thank you that I need not worry or fret about any circumstance since it is in your hands and the needs are already provided.
And dear Lord and Shepherd—please give me and all your sheep their bread for this day, that they might thank you for all Your goodness.

“He makes me lie down in green pastures…"
Heavenly Father: pastures are places of feeding and nourishment!
Thank you Lord for feeding me grace and truth.
Thank you for the green pasture of your Word
Thank you for my pasture time with you each day.
Thank you for the pasture time of fellowship with the saints.
Thank you for pasture time of the preaching of the Word by the pastors and teachers of my church
Thank you for the green pastures of good books and good music that feed my soul.
And Lord please lead my hungry and weak brothers and sisters into the pastures of your grace today.
And o Lord keep us all from wandering to other pastures that do not feed us grace and truth.
Keep me from the pastures of my sin and lust, as well as the barren pastures of this world.
Keep me always where the grass is green and the food is good.

“He leads me beside still waters…"
Father: thank you for this amazing picture and image! I see a place of quietness and stillness—the waters of rest—as I linger with you, your calm and quieting grace washes over my soul.
Thank you Lord for the peace and comfort you’ve given to me.
I pray for _________ who needs quiet waters for his or her soul. His life is stormy and rough; her soul is in a tempest of unrest and anxiety, please lead them both to the place of peace and joy.

“He restores my soul…"
O Lord how often has my soul been tired!
How often have I been wearied by life, by trials, by responsibilities, by cares, by hurts—and You O Lord have lifted me up!
Yes—through many dangers toils and snares I have already come!!
Thank you for the restoring grace that has brought me safe thus far—and the restoring grace that will lead me home!!
And Lord—please restore and lift up _________. He is so discouraged. She is so beaten down with guilt and same and fear—LIFT THEM UP O GOD!

“He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake…"
O Lord make me righteous! I want to be holy—yes Lord I want to be as holy as a redeemed sinner can possibly be!
Lead me Lord into your ways of truth and goodness.
Help me to do right in the face of all temptations and enticements that can so easily ensnare me.
And Lord please help __________ who is caught in a bitter spirit or a bad place. Please help her or him to resist the temptations…
Lord, ______________ is caught in lust or greed or pride or self-righteousness—please set them free!
And Lord do all this for Your Name’s sake!
For your glory and honor—that no one will blaspheme or insult your name because of our sin!!

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me…"
O Lord I admit to fearing the valley of the shadow of death!
It’s a dark place; a place of the unknown and the dreadful—but Lord You are there!
And Lord you have already brought me through many dangers and great losses!
Thank you for grace to handle them all with your comfort and grace.
Help me with the disease that I have, that I might handle it with such grace that all who watch will know that you are with me and that your rod and staff are comforting me!
And Lord—please comfort __________ and ________ who are facing the death of one they love!
And dear Jesus: Around the world are your children—those bought with your own precious blood who are suffering persecution and death every day. They are in the valley of the shadow of death daily—o be with them dear Father!
Keep them and comfort them!
Make them know the care of your rod and staff!
And give them faith, peace and hope!

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies..."
Father I have enemies: my flesh (the enemy within), Satan, this world in all its sin—and people who have for whatever reason chosen to hate me and what I am about.
I have family members who reject me.
I have a supernatural host of hell opposing and tempting me
I have a world around me that despises you and all that is holy
Lord bring on the victory!
Lord defeat every foe!
Lord—please either save my human enemies and let them sit at the table of your grace with me—or remove them that they might not slow or stop your work of grace in me or through me!
Lord vindicate your name and the righteousness of your sons and daughters
Lord frustrate every enemy attempt on my life and on the lives of those I love—in my family, in the church, among my neighbors!
Lord—set the table of my victory celebration before all my foes
O Lord Victor come!

“You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life..."
Sovereign God: when I really stop to think about it—I know that my cup overflows!
Sometimes I forget this and find myself complaining and murmuring about life.
I find myself thinking that if something bad can possibly happen it will happen to me…
But Lord, this is all wrong; it’s so not true!
My cup overflows!!
God above from whom all good gifts come I thank you!
My life abounds with good things!!
Where shall I begin.
You anoint my head
My cup runs over
Goodness and mercy are chasing me all my days
Who can number your kindnesses?
Shall I try?
O that You would open my heart to tell of them all.
So forgive me my ungrateful and murmuring heart. Forgive me for thinking that somehow you were withholding blessing and good from me!
No! Your mercy chases me every day!

“And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.“
Father when I think about these words carefully I realize that they involve a double promise: one from me to you, and one from you to me
First Lord it is a promise that I will stay in your house—I will not abandon your church—I will be always committed to your work and kingdom and presence on earth in the local church where I belong.
Lord I renew my vows to you: “I will stay in your house!!"
But Lord this is also a promise of my everlasting dwelling in your eternal house!
I thank you for the promise of an eternal house, heaven, that is awaiting me..
I can’t wait to get to my Father’s House! Give me eyes to see it and savor it even today.
And until then may I be found faithful and joyful, in my Shepherd’s care.

In Jesus’ Name and through His blood.
Amen.

Praying the Word

Where do we get started in the spiritual disciplines?

We must always start with the gospel as I made sure to remind you in my last entry. Be sure to think gospel thoughts everyday in all the spiritual pursuits of your life. Never, ever, ever do anything without grace in view. Preach the gospel to your own heart all the time.

Certainly it helps too to learn more about the disciplines. Bruce's recommendation of Donald Whitney's Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life is excellent. You'll go a long way before you read a more helpful book on the subject. Along with Mr. Whitney's fine work I'd recommend John Piper's book on fasting, A Hunger for God. I find in this work something much more than a reflection on fasting; I find in it a meditation on a life of consistent Godwardness. That is after all what the disciplines are about--a consistent moving of our hearts towards God. Dr. Piper's book is a book about having a heart that hungers for God above all else. Few books have moved me to seek God above all else witth all my being more than this one has.

But the best way to pursue the disciplines is to start the disciplines! Relying on the grace of God in Christ and crying out for the help of God by His Spirit just get started. Today, why not begin with the Word and prayer. Here's an idea: why not combine the two by praying the Word?

Recently I preached a sermon on this, entitled: PrayerWalk: Stepping toward Life in the Presence of God. Since you can listen to the message yourself, if you'd like, I won't rehearse all I taught.

Here's what I'll do: today I'll cite the testimony of George Mueller which put into eloquent words a practice God taught me long ago; tomorrow I'll pray the Word in my blog as a way of seeking God's favor on you, while also modeling this practice for you. Today, please read, enjoy, and be affected by the following testimony about praying the Word from a great man of God:

“Before this time my practice had been, at least for ten years previously, as an habitual thing, to give myself to prayer, after having dressed in the morning. Now I saw, that the most important thing I had to do was to give myself to the reading of the Word of God and to meditation on it, that thus my heart might be comforted, encouraged, warned, reproved, instructed; and that thus, whilst meditating, my heart might be brought into experimental [experiential] communion with the Lord. I began therefore, to meditate on the New Testament, from the beginning, early in the morning.

The first thing I did, after having asked in a few words the Lord’s blessing upon His precious Word, was to begin to meditate on the Word of God; searching, as it were, into every verse, to get blessing out of it; not for the sake of the public ministry of the Word; not for the sake of preaching on what I had meditated upon; but for the sake of obtaining food for my own soul. The result I have found to be almost invariably this, that after a very few minutes my soul has been led to confession, or to thanksgiving, or to intercession, or to supplication; so that though I did not, as it were, give myself to prayer, but to meditation, yet it turned almost immediately more or less into prayer.

When thus I have been for awhile making confession, or intercession, or supplication, or have given thanks, I go on to the next words or verse, turning all, as I go on, into prayer for myself or others, as the Word may lead to it; but still continually keeping before me, that food for my own soul is the object of my meditation. The result of this is, that there is always a good deal of confession, thanksgiving, supplication, or intercession mingled with my meditation, and that my inner man almost invariably is even sensibly nourished and strengthened and that by breakfast time, with rare exceptions, I am in a peaceful if not happy state of heart…

The difference between my former practice and my present one is this. Formerly, when I rose, I began to pray as soon as possible, and generally spent all my time till breakfast in prayer, or almost all the time. At all events I almost invariably began with prayer…. But what was the result? I often spent a quarter of an hour, or half an hour, or even an hour on my knees, before being conscious to myself of having derived comfort, encouragement, humbling of soul, etc.; and often after having suffered much from wandering of mind for the first ten minutes, or a quarter of an hour, or even half an hour, I only then began really to pray.

I scarcely ever suffer now in this way. For my heart being nourished by the truth, being brought into experimental fellowship with God, I speak to my Father, and to my Friend (vile though I am, and unworthy of it!) about the things that He has brought before me in His precious Word.

It often now astonishes me that I did not sooner see this… And yet now, since God has taught me this point, it is as plain to me as anything, that the first thing the child of God has to do morning by morning is to obtain food for his inner man…Now what is the food for the inner man: not prayer, but the Word of God: and here again not the simple reading of the Word of God, so that it only passes through our minds, just as water runs through a pipe, but considering what we read, pondering over it, and applying it to our hearts.

I dwell… on this point because of the immense spiritual profit and refreshment I [have] derived from it my self... By the blessing of God I ascribe to this mode the help and strength which I have had from God to pass in peace through deeper trials in various ways than I had ever had before; and after having now above forty years tried this way, I can most fully, in the fear of God, commend it. How different when the soul is refreshed and made happy early in the morning, from what it is when, without spiritual preparation, the service, the trials and the temptations of the day come upon one” (George Mueller).

I pray that we will all be likewise blessed.

Grace.

If Disciplines Bring Delight, Why Are They Called Disciplines

In yesterday's comments thoughts were exchanged about the lack of sense involved in some of our life choices. It doesn't make sense that we choose lesser joys over greater joys, but we do. We choose sin over the Savior. We choose to nibble at the table of the world rather than to feast on God. We choose the gifts over the Giver.

I believe it was John Calvin who said: "Most often the evil in our desires is not in what we want, but that we want it too much." What this can mean is that ironically, the things that distract us from God and from a fulness of delight in Him often are not Satan's tricks but God's gifts: family, fun, food, friendship, and more.

John and Charles Wesley's mom, Susannah, was a wise woman of God to whom they would go for advice. So once John wrote his mother and asked her to define sin for him. Her response is apropos:

"Whatever impairs the tenderness of your conscience, [whatever] weakens your reason, [whatever] obscures your sense of God, [whatever] increases the authority of your body over your mind and will, that to you is sin."

Mrs. Wesley did not see sin exclusively in terms of bad things. She saw it from the vantage of the heart. Sin happens when we choose something that dulls our affections for God. Sin happens when we treasure or desire anything more than God. What this means is that in our quest for more of God, we can be distracted by things good and things bad; things innocent and things vile; things sent by the enemy and gifts given by the Father.

This is why the means of grace which bring so much delight have to be called disciplines. Prayer, Bible meditation, diligent hearing and application of pastoral preaching, evangelism, fellowship, fasting, Communion, and all the other oases of grace in which we can find such joy are seldom visited with much effect because a thousand mirages divert our attention. The Christian has to stay focused, fixed, resolute, yes, disciplined.

If you doubt the discipline motif, I remind you of such texts as 1Timothy 4:7--"Train yourself for the purpose of godliness." Then there's 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. Paul uses words like: discipline, pummel my body, keep it under control, exercise self-control. Then there's Philippians 3:13, 14. Pressing for maturity in our joy in God requires that, like marathon runners, we forget what we have done or now feel, and press on toward the prize.

The point is clear: because spiritual graces and duties are so counter-intuitive, so counter-cultural, and so counter the flesh, we need to be spiritual Olympians. There is need for daily Olympic-intensity discipline to stay the course and go hard after God. Both things that are vile and things that are innocent can steal our hearts away. We must keep our heads in it all and keep our hearts. Friends, we must go hard after God. We must discipline ourselves for the purpose of godliness and Godwardness.

But let me close with this: live in the light and life and grace of the gospel. Our disciplines will never be perfect, or even close. Our habits will never attain God's standard. Our life of devotion will always be heart-breakingly deficient.

I remind you of a few gospel thoughts: your spiritual disciplines do not merit or cause or increase or maintain the love of God for you. You are loved in Christ because of His righteousness. The Father's love for you doesn't increase when you do your devotions, and it doesn't decrease when you don't. He loves you based on the fact that you stand in the record and righteousness of the One who "did devotions" perfectly, and credited His perfect devotion to your account. God sees you as one who leads the perfectly disciplined and Godward life, because you wear the righteous robe of the One who did.

Now then, knowing how we are so loved by God, let us discpline ourselves in the means of grace so we may love Him more in return.

Heart Follows Habit: Why I Like Heidi

Alright let me just say it: "I like Heidi". I actually like David's dog. Coming from a confirmed life-long animal stiff-armer, that really is saying something. How did this happen? The only thing I can think of is that I've walked at least 200 miles with her in the past few months. Plus I have kicked a ball around with her, and petted her, and let her put her head on my lap. Something happens when you spend time and energy on something or someone: affection grows. Yes even for a dog.

Jesus once said: "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:31). I understand Him to mean that your heart will follow your investments. What you give your time, money, attention, and energy to, will receive your growing affection. Investments of resources are like arrows with a string attached and tied at the other end to your heart. Where you shoot the arrow, the heart will go. The habitual direction of your life will determine the daily affection of your heart. Heart follows habit.

This is true with God. Don't get me wrong: there does need to be something basic in the heart to give birth to habits which in turn affect the heart. Habits without any pre-existing heart lead to legalism and deadness of soul. The heart must be open and inclined toward God as it approaches spiritual habits or disciplines. A fundamental divinely implanted reverence for God and love of God, the fruits of a truly regenerated heart, are the prerequisistes for all true spiritual devotion.

Let me illustrate. When I was sixteen I was in search of a wife. After all, life was passing me by and I had to get to it! Just a couple of days after I met Gayline back in 1975, I popped the big question; at least it was big in the moment. I asked her: "Gayline, do you like me?" Rather clumsy and not much for romance or creativity, I realize. And full of self, I know. But what I lacked in grace and humility and skill and romantic suavity I more than made up for with dogged and determined desire. I was committed to get this girl that I was convinced was for me. And under the circumstances I had to act fast and get to the point.

Gayline's response was somewhat less than a ringing endorsement of my like-ability, never mind potential love-ability. To my all-important question she simply said: "I think I could." Lesser men's spirits would have been dampened by such a tepid response, but apparently, I am not a lesser man. Being one who goes with what he gets, I went with what she sent. And what she sent was a little hint that I had a chance.

She sent a message that she was open, inclined, leaning in my direction. I leaped through the opening, and went into serious pursuit mode. And wooing, I won.

Now there is a "what if?". What if Gayline had not been open? And what if she had returned all my hundreds of letters unopened and unread? And what if she had rejected my phone calls or denied my visits or blocked her ears or never opened her heart and shared her life with me? What if I had pursued but she had not engaged with all the messages and words and actions of love I sent her way?

It's pretty obvious: if she hadn't engaged, then the story would have ended that summer of '75. But she did engage. She habitually and eagerly read and listened and spoke and shared and responded and built her life around a growing relationship with the man who would become her husband. And as a result, her "I think I could like you" turned into a lifetime of love, devotion and joy. Her heart followed her habits.

Friends, God is the Lover-Wooer of our souls. By sovereign and supernatural grace He plants a seed of desire in our hearts; desire that opens our hearts and inclines them to Him. Then He woos and wins. He draws us closer, and then delights our hearts as we--wooed and enabled by His love--eagerly and habitually engage with Him through His relationship deepening means of grace.

As we read and hear God's Word, as we talk to Him in prayer, as we commune with Him at His Table, as we fellowship with His church, as we fast and sacrifice other things that dull our affections for the Savior, as we submit to pastoral and brother-to-brother/sister-to-sister care, as we practice all the habits and diciplines of grace, our faint desire for Him grows into full love. Our hearts follow our habits.

This is what the spiritual disciplines are really about. We practice them not to get God to love us more, but to fuel our hearts to love Him more. Devotional habits of the spirit are not rules to be kept to ensure God's ongoing mercy so much as they are moments to be cherished for the sweetening of our joy, and the deepening of our love, in God.

May I encourage you to ask God today for a fresh joyful perspective on the disciplines of grace. May it be that today when you read the Word or try to pray, you will seek to hear the voice of the One who woos, and then speak words of love in return.

He is, after all, the Lover of your soul.

Dog-walking, Duty, Disciplines, and Delight

Well I just got back from my early morning walk of Heidi, our 9-month old German shepherd. She's actually David's dog, a parental concession to our 13 year old in light of his prospect of living the next few years at home without any older siblings around (or at least we thought no other siblings were going to be around; we actually now have both the dog and the siblings for a while longer. Funny how these things turn out; it's a good thing we're happy with both the dog and the children).

Anyway, I just got back from walking the dog. I do this 4-5 times a week, a brisk 3-4mile walk each time. It all started back in the fall as we plotted out Heidi's exercise needs. She needs lots of it or else we have serious dog-bouncing-off-wall and mom-and-dad-going-bonkers issues on the home-front.

The regimen was decided: I'd do the early morning walk and David would handle the later in the day exercise and care. This meant a change of exercise venue for me: instead of a quick ride to the "Y" to walk on a treadmill in a warm ESPN equipped exercise room, I'd be bundling up about four layers thick, wearing a hat, and donning gloves to do my brisk walk in very brisk conditions.

Here's why I decided to do this: Heidi needed exercise, and the only other alternative to me walking her was Gayline doing it. And while I may not be the sharpest knife in the Christian manhood drawer, I do get some things right, and this was going to be one of them. I was not going to walk in the cozy setting of the "Y" while my wife walked in frigid outdoor conditions. Not happening.

In my book, real men don't take the comfortable route while their wives are roughing it (by the way guys, if you're at all interested in some other thoughts about real masculinity, you may want to check out my Men Ahead blog; it's a once a week devotional reading for men, with application questions.)

Now where was I? That's right: I was not going to let my wife walk out in the cold. This is not to suggest that Gayline isn't tough enough. As I see it anyone who bears and raises six children, takes care of her body and soul the way Gayline does, and does 31 years of hard core life alongside of me in marriage, parenthood, trial, and ministry defines tough. It's just that I'm not going to let her walk in the cold and me in the warmth. It ain't happening. Call it love; call it male ego; call it guilt; call it masculine duty; call it what you will.

Anyway, so began my morning ventures out into the cold. And so continued my exercise routine; one of the disciplines of my life. As time has gone on I’ve discovered something: what started out as a decision/discipline birthed (I’d like to think) out of love—to walk in the cold instead of letting my wife do it—has turned into a blessing for my body and soul.

As I see it now, I’m not sure I would have had the character to keep walking in the winter if not for the decision to care for my wife, and for David’s dog. Heidi needs a walk. I need to walk her. The need/duty has kept me walking at a time when the cold probably would have been my excuse not to walk, even at the “Y”. Duty has taken me where my feelings never would have led. I seldom feel like going out in the cold; it’s not like it’s my favorite thing to do. But on the other hand; in facing a duty with commitment I’ve been led into a measure of health and joy I’d not have known otherwise!

Interesting isn’t it? Duty and discipline have led to better health and yes, happiness. This leads me to this observation: duty and discipline have taken a bad rap in recent times. Legitimate gospel concern about legalistic living has led to a negative perception of the disciplined and even dutiful life. I think I’d like to gather some thoughts around this over the next few days.

Hope you’ll join me in the conversation. Send along your comments and questions.

Songs from a Dungeon

I'm tired and a bit worn, but I don't want another day to pass without checking in with you friends. Here are a few unpolished thoughts.

In preparation for worship yesterday morning, I thought that in asking our folks to come and sing together in the shadow of the deep trials of recent days, we would be asking for a miracle of grace. Who feels like singing for joy when their hearts are racked with grief?

Then it hit me with prophetic-like force (at least as I understand NT prophecy) that this is what God does in the hearts of His children. "Singing from a dungeon" was the image which came to mind. God reminded me of the Paul/Silas dungeon experience in Acts 16:16-25. Here were two saints--slandered, beaten, hated, falsely accused, left in a dungeon, unsure what the next day would bring. As darkness descended and the open wounds of their beaten backs festered, midnight struck.

What does a God-entranced Christian do when midnight strikes in a dungeon, and wounds are festering in body and spirit? These Christians sang. I don't think this means they "liked" where they were or what was happening to them. I don't think they thought: "Hey isn't this fun?!"

But they knew God and that God was in it, would be with them through it, and would be at the end of it. And they could sing hymns as a result. They were happy and sad at the same time.

So I arrived at our place of worship yesterday asking God to put a song in the hearts of all his saints as they still hung in the shadows of recent griefs. I asked God to help a song to emerge from the midnight dungeon of our griefs. And it did.

Tears, both of sorrow and of joy "flowed mingled down" as we sang and praised and grieved and trusted and hoped and loved all at once.

This is the mystery of grace, the wonder of knowing God and loving His church. People often ask me how I'm doing in life and ministry. And I simply have to be honest to say: "I'm always happy and always sad." There is not one hint of exaggeration in that response. It is the full honest truth.

Not a day of my life passes in which I do not feel a fulness of hopeful joy in the love, grace and sovereign all-wise plan of God. And not a day goes by in which I do not feel a deep tearful sadness in my soul over the sorrows and sins in my life and in the life of the family and flock entrusted to my care. Give me 60 seconds and I could cry either way.

When Paul says: "I'm sorrowful, yet always rejoicing" (see 2 Corinthians 6:1-10), I know exactly what he means, and so does every caring, sensitive, God-trusting and others-loving heart. Friends, I encourage you this day to weep, and to weep with those who weep, but at the same time to feel the joy of knowing and loving God, and knowing that you are loved by Him.

That way you and others can hear songs being sung, even in the midnight dungeon hours of our trials. In this people will know that the Lord is enough for us, even as he leads us through the night.

Grace and peace to you.

GOBL Living

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
(Numbers 6:24-26)
GOBL Living is not a typo. It's my Bible margin shorthand for God-Blessed. This year in my reading through the Bible I've noted all the times God's blessing is mentioned. This morning I completed Numbers 6, so far finding 40 references to the blessing of God. I'm not counting other synonyms like God's favor. That would add in another 2-3 dozen allusions to the kind, joy-giving, gracious acts of God in behalf of those He loves.

And I'm still only in Numbers. I haven't even begun the happy parts of the Old Testament, and am not even near the NT yet! I'm getting the distinct impression that the Bible is about a God who loves to bless his people. That means He loves to give gifts that bring joy and a deep inner sense of wholeness and fullness to human hearts.

Maybe this is because He Himself is the Happy God--the One most blessed and full of joy (Romans 1:25; Romans 9:5; 2 Corinthians 11:31; 1 Timothy 1:11; 1 Timothy 6:15). All told I think I recall there being over 90 references to the happiness of God in the Bible (check out John Piper's The Pleasures of God, at desiringgod.org for an incredible study of this truth).

Because God is happy--the blessed One--He loves to bring joy to those He loves. Blessing to us is the overflow of the blessedness of His own heart. In Numbers 6, Aaron asks God, in the famous Aaronic Benediction, to shine His blessed and blessing face upon us. And that's what He always does.

Notwithstanding recent trials; notwithstanding pipes busted and bank accounts pillaged and nest eggs depleted and jobs lost and cancer diagnosed and marriages ravaged and kids wayward and sons gone, The Blessed God is blessing His children.

It is so hard to see it in the middle of the storm, in the throes of the calamity, in the pit of grief--but God is always moving about seeking to bless those He loves (2 Chronicles 16:9). And this is true even in the tears. Often God's sweetest blessing comes while we're in the agonizing grip of soul-draining, gut-wrenching grief. Whenever God breaks the heart it is to bless the soul.

That is not cliche. It is truth, and there are no exceptions to this rule. It is truth tried and proven by countless believers through the years; truth being proven by those in trial this very hour. While I have seen much suffering in recent days, I have also seen at least glimmers of hope, little flickers of faith and whispers of blessing in even the most grief-stricken among us. This is the faithfulness of a blessed God Who blesses us.

Dear suffering friend: God is going to meet you in this hour. He is going to lift your eyes. He is going to restore your soul. He is going to bless you with moments in which you see and know and love, and know that you are loved by, Him.

His blessed face will shine on you today. May you know with joy that it does.

Comforting the Weeping in a Broken World

Over these past few days I have felt the pain of a fallen and broken world.

I spent time visiting with a man who has had MS for 32 years. He's blind, bedridden, and unable now even to push the button to hear the sound from his TV. I spent time praying with another man only just recently diagnosed with MS. On his countenance was written a fear of the unknown.

A couple approached me Sunday in the church where I preached, asking me to pray for their relationship. They could hardly look at each other; unhappiness with each other being written all over their faces. I reflected on two other couples I love whose marriages are in great peril; whose hope is nearly dashed.

I stayed with a couple who just recently lost their two year old grand-daughter. I sent an email to try to connect again to a man I dearly love; a man who some time ago left his faith, his wife and his many children.

And I came home to hear about, and then care for, a couple in our church--a dad and a mom--who this Sunday found their young son, dead.

It is a sad world full of weeping and troubled people who face griefs and burdens too deep for words. Not even sobbing tears are adequate to express the multiplied griefs of human experience in a broken world.

As a brother who loves and a pastor who cares, I wonder what love and comfort should look like in times like these. Can I offer a few suggestions to help you help others? These may be good for you to keep in mind as you respond to human grief in hard times:

1. Pray. Pray for the abounding mercies of God to sweep over the grieving in such measure that they will know that God is real, and that God is there. And pray that you will have great wisdom and exquisite skill to provide just the right mix of silence and hugs, along with still, quiet words to channel grace into their lives.
2. Stay. Stay near. Always be as close as you can be--not with words or noise; just with yourself, as a living and breathing and quiet presence of Christ to them. And stay empathetic. Consider what they may well be feeling. Think about the emotional, spiritual, relational, and physical implications of their trial and sorrow. Labor in your soul to enter into their grief and to feel it enough to have at least a whisper of awareness as to what they are feeling right now. Don't pretend to know what they are feeling (unless you've been right where they are), but do labor to feel what they're feeling as much as you can.
3. Display. Display the love of Jesus in real and tangible ways. Think over any possible needs the grieving may have, that you are able to meet, and make sure to provide for them. Consider what simple kindnesses can be offered over the next few days or weeks or even months, and extend them to the hurting as you're able. Meals, visits, cards, gifts, child care, phone and email reminders that you are thinking of them; whatever might display sincere affection and care, send it their way.
4. Say. After you've been there and loved them and cared for them and listened to them and treated them with kind compassion, be sure to say, to speak whatever truth from God that their souls need, and their spirits crave. Don't push this, or preach or hammer truth home. And certainly do not scold their grief or rebuke their doubts. But do encourage or comfort one another with words (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

I close with a prayer that I, that we, can be water of grace in people's lives today. There are many who thirst for comfort. May they find us to be streams of comfort flowing from the One who is the very River of Life.