Treasure His Commands

Reading through Proverbs as part of my daily Bible reading and was impressed this morning with the emphasis in both Proverbs 2 and 3 on the significance of "Treasuring and Obeying" God's Word. Solomon declares that a focus on receiving and walking in the commands of the Lord is a key to wisdom and God's blessings. A challenge for us all to ask ourselves, " Do I truly enjoy/treasure the commands of the Lord?" Do I not only want the Lord, but walk in obedience to it. Most of us struggle to maintain consistent reading of the Word, let alone "treasuring it." Then what will it mean for us to move from reading to treasuring and from treasuring to truly obeying? I like Proverbs 2 and the emphasis in the early verses is upon longing for wisdom, desiring, crying out for it, seeking if as for treasure. I'm asking myself what it means for me to truly pursue wisdom so that I can "discern the fear of the Lord" (Proverbs 2:5).

Enjoyed a long walk around the grounds here in the heat and then cooling off in the swimming in the pool.

Relaxing this afternoon.

We have a day excursion planned for tomorrow.

Greetings from the Sunshine State

Surprise--I have internet access.

We Arrived at the Hotel about 9:30 p.m. last night in Omaha. Grabbed a bite to eat with some good friends who are traveling with us. Lights out at midnight. Wake up call at 4:00 a.m. to make the 4:30 a.m. shuttle to the airport. Flight out at 5:30 a.m. They were boarding our connecting flight in Milwaukee when we landed. By God's Grace we made our connection and arrived in Orlando as scheduled.

Good time of reading--Job is put in His place and says--"Therefore, I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know" (Job 42:3), praying, and more reading on the flights. Zoli's father was buried today and I was praying for that dear family. I was also remembering our Haiti team from church that was suppose to leave today. I was About to doze off when the pilot alerted us that we were making our final descent into Orlando. As we landed and deboarded the plane I couldn't help but think about how unpleasant of an experience so many adults and children were about to experience as they would make their way off to the "World Class Attractions around Orlando." The thought of wrestling young children for hours in the searing heat(97 degrees today--I'm loving it :); Marla loves it even more), gives me a sick feeling. And to think that many of those children will not remember a thing--or very little. Sorry, I'm about to cross over from reporting to editorializing.

We found our accommodations--Some generous friends are letting us stay with them. We grabbed a bite to eat, got some groceries, and it was off to the fitness center where I have just been "run into the ground" by an exercise guru whose place we are sharing. He was running fast as the wind and--now hold on to your hats"--for as long as it takes me to preach a sermon.

Tomorrow--if I can get out of bed after my running escapade--will be some R & R before the conference starts. praying this time will be refreshing to the body, mind, and soul.
Praise the Lord for good flights and good company.

Time at Home

Just wanted to say that I've been enjoying some time with the family this week. Nothing really special, but good to just be around when they are here, visit when they feel like it, and eat a few meals together with my children during the summer when two teenagers are losing the concept of "family time." The down side to all of this is the crazy hours. Why is it that teenagers only decide to talk after midnight? I use to get up early in the morning, but lately I've been going to bed early in the morning. But I realize that I need to be flexible to visit with my children whenever they are ready and not just when I'm ready.

My reading in Job has reminded me of the Lord's greatness, His sovereignty, His transcendence, His omniscience, and omnipotence. Here is something to ponder--"Behold, God is exalted, and we do not know Him..." (Job 36:26). There is a very real sense in which God is totally other than we are--Transcendence and Holiness are two attributes which communicate this fact. But how often do we really ponder how "totally beyond us" the Almighty is. We tend to be rather flippant, rather cavalier in our approach to God. We believe we have a right to ask God "Why?" or to try and figure out what He is up to. Job experienced great tragedy in his life and his friends took the standard position that he was being punished by God. Job defended his innocence, but in doing so he crossed the line to question the Almighty's prerogative to do as He pleases. It's really difficult for us to accept that we are not in charge.

I'm off to a conference this week to hear R.C. Sproul, Alister Begg, and a host of other godly and gifted speakers. I'm not sure what sort of internet access I'll have so I don't know when the next blog will appear. Immediately after I return I'm off and will be out of internet range for some time. This may be my last blog for about two weeks.

I'm so grateful for the prayers and support of the Congregation. I'm excited about all that our short-term mission teams are experiencing--Abide, Melanie in Zambia, Brad, the gang headed to Haiti. Some really neat things to praise God for. I'm praying for them and our team to Hungary and Ukraine and for Joel as he heads off to Poland.

I'll write more when I get a chance.

Psalm 105:3-4.

Gone Shopping...A day wasted???

No deep theological truths gripped me today, just the enjoyment of being in a relationship with the God of the Universe and trying to drink in the beauty and blessing of each and every moment.

Aside from letting my disgust at a marketing gimmick take the form of a verbal complaint, the day has been rather enjoyable. While updating her phone she we found out that she would either have to buy an accessory or pay money to have her contact information transferred to her new phone. I regret that I didn't handle my disappointment with greater tact. I didn't say any words that were inappropriate, but the tone of my voice wasn't very nice. One life lesson about the inability of man to be just in the eyes of Almighty God (Job 25:3). Yet this was only a visible manifestation of the remnants of my fallen nature that still seem to run away from living a righteous life. These glimpses of how selfish and sinful I can be move me to seek the Lord's forgiveness and cause me to rejoice greatly in His vast mercy that has been lavished upon me as one of His children.If not for the grace of God demonstrated through the shed blood of Christ we would all be toast. In fact, we deserve to experience His wrath, but Christ's pardon applied by faith frees us from getting what we deserve--Hallelujah.

Spent most of the afternoon running errands and doing a bit of shopping with my wife and youngest daughter. Those who know me appreciate the fact that shopping is not my thing--hunting, yes, shopping--NO. Some might even think that I would look at the afternoon and say--"An afternoon wasted." NOT SO! I enjoyed spending the time with my wife and youngest daughter. Typically I'm prone to endure these activities so that we can get on to the "important stuff of life." God is teaching me (I'm learning slowly which is all my fault and not God's) to treasure these moments, to enjoy Him in them and to learn to make the most of them. May the Lord work in each of us to never take moments for granted, but to enjoy them and to worship Him in every situation.

God is In Control

In that age old conflict between Job and his friends they go back and forth--the friends accusing Job of wickedness and Job maintaining his innocence. In Chapter 23 Job makes one of many profound statements in the book--"For He performs what is appointed for me. And many such decrees are with Him. Therefore, I would be dismayed at His presence; When I consider, I am terrified of Him" (vss.14-15). After he has lost everything, suffered immeasurably, endured the biting criticism of his friends, and been prone to demand an audience with God to defend himself we find Job articulating some profound theology. God is in Control, absolutely sovereign over everything that happens in our lives. This is not too difficult to say (though we are prone to forget it) when things are going well--good commodity prices, our job is going well, no major conflicts in the family, our children are staying out of trouble, we are in good health, the stock market is strong, and life is generally good. But throw in some adversity (in Job's case some serious adversity) and our commitment to the truth that "He performs what is appointed for me..." may waiver. Are we seriously able to truthfully proclaim that even the most difficult adversity is from the hand of God?

We have some dear ministry partners--nationals from another country--doing church planting in a difficult ministry. At the funeral of the wife's father, which was taking place yesterday, the husband's father fell over short of breath and died. Sorrow upon Sorrow. Excruciating pain compounded, multiplied, increased seemingly beyond hope. Yet faith calls us to be sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. It calls us to trust that God is indeed Good and Great. He really does know what He is doing--"When we don't understand and we can't trace His hand, trust His heart." Those words sound nice and even right when life is not so tough, but only by God's Amazing Grace will they not sound hollow and empty when we face tragedy. God really is working for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

I just pray that I will draw upon His grace and strength to bring Him glory in the face of difficulty, tragedy, and adversity. I think of Paul's words in Philippians 1:20--"...according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I may not be put to shame in anything; but Christ may now, even as always, be exalted in my body whether in life or in death."

Some thoughts on Prayer

The Lord has been showing me in a fresh way the importance of prayer motivated primarily by His magnificence--He is worthy to be sought. He has also been revealing to me in a fresh way that I am needy and that is another very good reason to pray. This morning as I was ready Psalm 5 I was encouraged by verse 3--"In the morning O Lord, You will hear my voice. In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch." The Psalmist was feeling the press of his enemies--he was acutely aware of his neediness and so he turned to the Lord who is worthy to be sought and able to save. Not that the Lord only hears prayers offered in the morning, but it seems that prayer was one of the first things the Psalmist did as he got up in the morning. A wonderful picture of dependence. I wonder what it is like for most of us in the morning. If we are not being pressed in by enemies do we arise with an acute awareness that we are NEEDY? Do we rise up with a gripping sense that God is WORTHY? The amazing thing is that whether or not we realize our Need and His Worth both are absolutely true. I'm absolutely unable in my own power to lead the congregation I serve, to love my wife as God calls me to, to parent our children with grace and wisdom, to make wise decisions, to impact others for the kingdom, to be conformed to His image, or to do anything of consequence for the Lord apart from His powerful and gracious work in my life. Paul reminds us, "Not that we are adequate in and of ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is in Christ" (Col.3:5). How utterly arrogant for any of us to begin the day except with prayer, with a humbling of ourselves seeking God's grace and power to live each day for Him. Then there is the fact that God is worthy--whether any of us is conscious of that fact or not. Whenever we are given a glimpse of God in His Heavenly Glory (Ezekiel 1, 10; Revelation 4,5)the posture and proclamation of the angelic beings in His presence is instructive--They are hiding their faces and declaring His praises. Pondering all of these things makes Psalm 5:3 come alive to me, it becomes my desire to come to the Lord in the morning and pray and then "eagerly watch" for Him to work. One of the prayers that the Psalmist offered early in the morning is recorded in verse 8--"O Lord, lead me in Your righteousness because of my foes; Make Your way straight before me." Now there is a powerful prayer for any believer to bring to the throne of Grace. I want to be lead in His righteousness. As opposition mounts I want to walk in His ways because it is so easy to default into wickedness. I want the Lord to "make His way straight before me." It seems reasonable to me that every Child of God wants to know clearly the direction God is steering us--How to respond to those in opposition, what ministries to be involved with, how to discipline the children, what business decisions will honor Him. Let us order our prayers to Him in the morning and "eagerly watch."

Have a Blessed Day

So What does a guy do on Sabbatical Anyway?

I'm back--back to a place where I can connect to the internet that is. It's been a while since I last made an entry, but that has been intentional. For those who may be interested I was in Chicago May 17-21st at a Pastor's conference at Moody Bible Institute. A few of my previous blogs were written while I was there. Since returning I've been to the state track meet in Des Moines, attended graduation parties for several graduates May 23 and then spent the week of May 24-28th "hold up" at "The Ranch"--an undisclosed location owned by a gracious couple in the church where I was able to get far enough away to be unplugged from responsibilities so that I could get "plugged in" to the Lord. It was a great week of reading, praying, thinking. I spent most of the week working through a book that compared ministry to flying a plane--"Defying Gravity." The author discussed nine instrument "gauges" in ministry that need to be carefully watched if pastors/church leaders are to keep from crashing. For me the issues of Spiritual Intimacy--importance of keeping my walk with God fresh and growing--Biblical Identity--basing my true identity on what never changes (i.e. who I truly am in Christ), and Eternal Significance--living to please God and not men spoke deeply to my heart.

Memorial day weekend was spent with my parents on the farm near Earlham. One of the difficult realities of ministry is that you just never get a weekend with your family unless you are on vacation. So it was a real treat for us to pack up on Saturday and not return until Monday night(rather late I might add). I was able to play more golf in this weekend than I've played in the last two years. Indeed, a test of my "spiritual intimacy" as lack of practice was very evident. I played one of the worst rounds of golf in my entire life. This was not only humbling, but a time of soul searching as I realized afresh just how desperately I tend to look for significance in what I can do, in how I perform. It was a time to cling to Colossians 2:9--"In Him dwells all the fulness of the God head in bodily form and you are complete in Him." That same afternoon our threesome--My dad, myself, and my son Tyler--headed back to the course. Amazing thing happened. I nearly beat my father (which is a feat worth writing home about). All I know is that I was "putting for par" on more than a few holes. Unfortunately I missed most of the putts. But I was thrilled just to play at peace and to actually do well. The weather was absolutely gorgeous--God is soooo good.

I just returned from four days at a pastoral retreat cabin south of Webster City. My mind is boiling and my spirit is at peace. I've been reading a book about the importance of corporate prayer that has me praying about what the next step is. For a few years now I've been wrestling with the belief that ministry in America and in the church I serve in particular is too routine, too calculated, too controlled by us. The author likens our approach to ministry to driving a friends car around back and parking it--no big deal. We can handle it. But what if that friend asked us to fly his 747 from Des Moines to Dallas for him. We'd realize we were in over our head. Yet ministry, even life is actually way beyond our ability. We truly need the Lord in Everything. We give lip service to the truth of John 15:5 "...apart from Me you can do nothing." But we operate as if we don't need the Lord for anything. Our lack of prayer is actually our declaration of independence. We all know we are suppose to pray in private, but we've done a poor job of discipling people in the area of prayer. We tend to forget that most of the New Testament was written to groups of believers who were gathered together to hear it read out loud. Many of the instructions on prayer were given to the group. We need both group and individual prayer. I'm realizing afresh that we go to God in prayer to express our dependence, to enjoy His presence, and to ponder His magnificence.

I've enjoyed reading R.C. Sproul's "The Holiness of God." Sproul is a heady guy with keen insight, but despite his occasional side bars into intellectual obtuseness this work has really challenged me to think again about the awesome Holiness of God, about His absolute perfection, His utter transcendence, and My abject wickedness in light of His Holiness. It is a meaningful, interesting treatise on a subject of grand importance for every believer. He wonderfully describes God's justice and how that alone is what we deserve and yet we find ourselves offended/shocked when we read in the O.T. that God struck Uzzah dead for touching the ark of God or that Ananias and Sapphira were struck dead in Acts 5. What's amazing is not that God executes His justice in the Bible but that he does so sparingly. In fact, He is soooo merciful that when we encounter justice we come to believe that we deserve grace--think about that one for a moment. If it is true, and I think that it is, that what one thinks about God is the most important thing about him/her, then this book certainly helps us think rightly about the Almighty. What a glorious thought that in spite of our absolute depravity God in His infinite mercy placed upon His perfect Son our guilt, sin, shame, and therefore was bound to pour out wrath we deserved upon the one who stood in our place. Because God's wrath fell upon Christ those who trust Him are not only forgiven but actually clothed with His righteousness. A glimpse at God's Holiness is essential if we are to grasp fully the marvel of our own salvation.

I'm also finishing a practical ministry book called "Simple Church" that argues for simplicity and continuity in our ministry programming. Some very thought provoking ideas about making ministry more simple, more understandable. It's really all about making disciples, about providing opportunities to help people become "conformed to the image of Christ", to be "transformed by the renewing of our minds". So what is our process of making disciples? What are we all about as a church? What are we doing to help move people along in their quest for transformation? Is that process simple? Is it understandable? Is it easy to communicate? Does everyone know where we are trying to go? Do people understand what the next step is in the process? I recoil a bit as it makes transformation so "linear" and rational. Making disciples is not quite that simple, but I think there are some insightful ideas here to make the process more simple and fruitful.

Other than that I've been walking everyday or riding my bicycle (finding muscles and tendons I forgot that I had).

Psalm 2--"Worship the Lord in Reverence, rejoice with trembling.

Blessings