Monthly Archive for November, 2009

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How a Texas pastor embodied biblical forgiveness principles

Published on November 24, 2009 in Forgiveness. 0 Comments

A burglar recently broke into a Corpus Christi church and stole valuable equipment.  A reporter contacted the pastor and asked to interview him about the crime.  (Watch the interview here).  We can learn from his testimony in several different ways.

  1. Notice his concern is for the Gospel and his community.  His concern for his community is very evident in his written comments below.
  2. His tone is gentle and loving. 
  3. Yet, he also calls the offender to repentance.

Below is what Chris Deluna wrote about the incident.

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“I received a call from Crystal Jenkins of KRIS TV this morning requesting an interview because she had learned of our burglary over the weekend. I believe she also covered the burglary at Cristalina Baptist Church on 18th street in Corpus Christi. I must admit that I was initially reluctant because I didn’t want to make a big deal out of the situation, but I decided I’d grant the interview on two conditions. What were the conditions? I told Ms. Jenkins that Robstown usually gets a bad wrap often and that I really care about the community so I requested that she not report in a way that casts Robstown in a negative way. I didn’t think she would do that, but still mentioned it. Criminals broke into our church not all of Robstown. Secondly, I didn’t want to be portrayed as a victim. I wasn’t broken over the situation and neither was the church. I wasn’t crying, “Woe is me!” Yes, we are hurt emotionally and financially. We are not minimizing the evil nature of the act, but it isn’t going to control us. What I sought to communicate is that we wanted to live up to the Church of Grace name (Not Grace Baptist! Lol!) by extending grace and forgiveness should the thieves decide they want forgiveness. I wanted them to know that should they decide to return the items they could do so without fear of pressing charges on our part. The police are investigating and may find the persons responsible, but I wanted to extend an opportunity to them should there be any remorse. Who knows? That’s all we can do. God is in control. Unfortunately not everything we spoke about aired especially the parts where I spoke to Ms. Jenkins about how we, as a church, are applying what the gospel teaches us in this situation, but that’s understandable. They only have so much time. Ms. Jenkins was very professional. I was impressed. May the Lord bless her career. She kept her word. I’m thankful for that.

KRIS TV ran the piece as Robstown Pastor Forgives Burglars. I sought to apply what I learned about forgiveness through Chris Braun’s book Unpacking Forgiveness: Biblical Answers for Complex Questions and Deep Wounds.”

Divine Leverage –Is there someone you could invite to church this Christmas season?

Published on November 24, 2009 in Chris Brauns Radio Spots and Church. 0 Comments

One of the things I love most about how God works is that he often uses small efforts on the part of his people for big results.  I call this “divine leverage.”  Because God is sovereign, God, and all-powerful, he can take some minor effort on our part and weave it into a major result.

My first grade music teacher invited my family to church.  And, I assure you, it was not that she saw some promise in my music ability.  It was because she cared about my family.  It did not take her five minutes to do.  And, it did not cost her a thing.  Yet, 37 years later here I am as a pastor.

God also leverages prayer.  Get down on your knees and ask God to change a life – – even if you only pray for 5 minutes, you might be amazed at what God will do.

God is great.  He doesn’t need something big on our part.  He uses small things, whether  widow’s two mites, David’s small smooth stone, or seven loaves of bread and a few small fish, God leverages small efforts for great results.

So, here is what you do.  Today make some small effort for the cause of Christ.  Write a note.  Pat a person lovingly on the shoulder.  Sign up to work in your church nursery.  Hold a baby and pray for him or her, and God may use that effort to change a life.  Read one chapter of Scripture.

You never know how God might put the lever of his power on the small fulcrum of your effort and make an eternal difference.

*Reposted from 2007.

The Hyper-socialized Generation

Published on November 23, 2009 in Parenting. 1 Comment

Parents, we need to help our children understand that text messaging is not a neutral form of communication.  The method shapes the message and the  messenger.

Al Mohler reflects on how text message and the electronic age is shaping our young people.  In so doing, he interacts with a recent Wall Street Journal article.

Jeffery Zaslow of The Wall Street Journal opens his article with the story of a 17-year-old boy sent to the vice principal’s office after being caught sending text messages in class.  The vice principal, Steve Gallagher, told the boy to pay attention to the teacher, not to his cellphone.  Even as the boy nodded politely, Gallagher noticed something amiss — the boy was texting about his discipline for being caught texting.

“It was a subconscious act,” said Gallagher. “Young people today are connected socially from the moment they open their eyes in the morning until they close their eyes at night. It’s compulsive.”

Zaslow calls the lifestyle of these young people “hypersocializing.”

Read the whole thing here.

Thanking God for other evangelical pastors in our community

Published on November 22, 2009 in Church. 1 Comment

Today is Pastor Eric Geil’s last Sunday at Kishwaukee Evangelical Presbyterian church.  For several years, Pastor Don Holmertz (Valley Evangelical Covenant Church) and I have had the privilege of serving along side Eric here in Stillman Valley.

The pastors in our community are close – - we serve together – - and, in light of Eric and Maxine’s departure, it is an appropriate time for me to post several things I am thankful for about Eric and the other pastors here.

This is not an exhaustive list.  Rather, a few things that come to mind.

  1. I am thankful that the other churches in  our community are committed to the Gospel of our Lord and the authority of his Word.  During Eric’s tenure at Kish, the church made the decision to go from the PCUSA to the EPC.  They did this because they continue to remain committed to the authority of God’s Word.
  2. I am thankful for how the families of the other pastors represent the Gospel.  Eric has a lovely wife who always represented the Gospel and their church well.  (I have no idea how Eric persuaded her to say “yes.”)  Despite having small children, when we’ve been invited into their house, their home is spotless. We serve in a small town and it is important that we as pastors and our families communicate the excellence of the Gospel in every way.  Their family consistently puts their best foot forward in how they represent the Gospel.
  3. I am thankful that Eric (and Don Holmertz) get the unity of the Body of Christ.  Here in Stillman Valley, it is a blessing to know that the churches pray for one another and support one another.  Our Thanksgiving and Good Friday services are a special gift to the community each year.
  4. I am thankful Eric does not talk irresponsibly.  I recall once early on in Eric’s time here that we were talking about the situation of a family in the community.  Eric very quickly cautioned, “Let’s be careful not to gossip.”  While I can’t recall every detail of every conversation over the years, I think we as pastors have been careful to not unnecessarily talk about issues we are working through with our flocks.
  5. I am thankful that Eric loves his flock and that they love him.  Occasionally, we have had someone in our home who attends Kish.  When we pray for the Geil’s, I can see the depth of love that the people from Kish have for Eric and Maxine.
    And, I know the Geil’s love their people.  Of course, that makes good-byes somewhat painful.  But, soon enough we are going to have a great meeting  (Revelation 21 and 22).  No more good-byes then.

D.A. Carson: How can God allow suffering and evil?

Published on November 21, 2009 in suffering. 0 Comments

How can God allow suffering and evil in the world? from A Passion for Life on Vimeo.

HT: JT

Questions 7&8 of A New Forgiveness Quiz

Published on November 20, 2009 in A New Forgiveness Quiz. 2 Comments

It is still not too late to enter the contest.  I will continue to blog through the quiz on consecutive Friday’s until December 4th.  Each Friday I will give away two copies of Unpacking Forgiveness.  clip_image002On December 4th, I will give away a Flip Camera.  (Take A New Forgiveness Quiz)

The next two winners for A New Forgiveness Quiz are:

westonlit

pastorgib

I am posting the next two winners.  I know  people don’t necessarily appreciate having either their emails or their names broadcast on the Internet.  If those of you who win would like to comment, that would be wonderful!

Question 7 – God punishes Christians for their sins even though they are forgiven. FALSE.

A distinction should be made between God’s discipline (which is future oriented) and God’s punishment. If God punished believers for their sins, then he would send them immediately to hell. 

At the same time, forgiveness does not mean the elimination of consequences.  God does discipline his children.  Piper summarizes:

Piper writes, “But the aim of God-sent consequences of forgiveness of sin are: (1) To demonstrate the exceeding evil of sin, (2) to show that God does not take sin lightly even when He lays aside His punishment, and (3) to humble and sanctify the sinner.” John Piper, "How Do I Understand the Ongoing Consequences of Forgiven Sins?," The Journal of Biblical Counseling 16, no. 3 (1998): 54-55.

Here is an excerpt from Unpacking Forgiveness.

Forgiveness does not mean the elimination of all consequences.

If you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, then you are saved (Acts 16:31). So far as east is from the west, so far does God remove the transgressions of his children from them (Psalm 103:11-12). There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1). Nevertheless, these truths do not teach that those forgiven by God face no consequences for sin. On the contrary! This side of heaven, we will continue to work through the consequences of our rebellion against God. One of the most famous examples of this are the consequences David faced for his adultery with Bathsheba and his subsequent attempts to cover up the sin through deceit and murder.

When God used the prophet Nathan to confront David, he realized the magnitude of his sin and was truly repentant (2 Samuel 12:7). Nathan told David that God would forgive him for his sin (2 Samuel 12:13). However, there were still consequences, and severe ones at that. Nathan told David that there would be violence amongst his family (2 Samuel 12:10) and that the baby Bathsheba and he had conceived would die (2 Samuel 12:13). Even after the death of the baby, David faced those horrible consequences of ongoing violence in his family. One son, Amnon, raped David’s daughter Tamar (2 Samuel 13:1-22). Another son, Absalom, then killed Amnon (2 Samuel 13:23-33). Later, Absalom attempted to take over David’s kingdom (Samuel 15-19).

The reality of consequences raises a question: If God truly forgives, if he no longer holds the sin against the forgiven, then why are there are consequences? The answer is that God disciplines His own, not for the purpose of punishing them but for his glory and their joy in the future. These consequences are not punishment. Rather, they are how God trains and teaches.

The author of Hebrews stressed this point in Hebrews 12:5-12 when he wrote that God disciplines his children as a father the son he delights in. Two words are used to refer to the idea of disciplining. The first one means “to train.” This word was used in relation to raising children. Believers can expect to be “trained” by God. The second word we see is a harsher one. It means to scourge or punish. The ESV translates it “chastises.” This word appears seven times in the New Testament, and every other time it refers to literal “flogging.” Hebrews 12:6 says that we can expect discipline and direction from God, and at times it will be painful.

The reason God disciplines his children is given in Hebrews 12:10-11.

Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Hebrews 12:10-11

God allows us to face the consequences of sin for our own ultimate good, that we may eventually share more fully in his holiness and reap an abundant harvest of righteousness and peace.

Once when our son Christopher was only two, he made an unauthorized trip to our neighbor’s house. He snuck out our front door and crossed the street before my wife Jamie even missed him. He trotted up to our neighbors’ front door, knocked, and asked if he could play with their sons. Now obviously, we could not allow a toddler to leave our home without permission and cross a street again. So, we did our best as parents to make that a painful memory for Christopher. We lovingly sought to associate pain with his memory of disobedience.

Why did we do that? It certainly wasn’t that we wanted to “get him back” for going out on the street. Jamie and I weren’t thinking, “Okay, buddy, now you’re gonna pay.” Rather, we were seeking to train and instruct him for the future.

If you choose to disobey, then expect consequences. God loves his children too much to allow you to “play in the road.” But don’t confuse discipline and penalty. Discipline is the loving correction of a parent. Penalty is the price required for the offense. If you are a believer, the purpose of God’s discipline is not to inflict upon you the punishment you deserve. If that were the case, then God would send you to hell. God disciplines his children so that they might understand the seriousness of sin and be increasingly conformed to the image of his Son.

Question 8 – A person could forgive a spouse, yet still seek a divorce. TRUE.

Forgiveness does not mean the elimination of consequences. While divorce is to be avoided, God does allow divorce and there comes a time in marriage when divorce is allowed.

Great care needs to be taken here.  In NO sense, should divorce be encouraged.  If you are in a troubled marriage, then God’s best for you is to see the grace of God heal your marriage. At the same time, be warned.  If you are considering being unfaithful to your spouse, then you should know that there comes a time when it is too late.

Here is another excerpt from Unpacking Forgiveness:

Must a person always stay married to a spouse who says he or she is repentant?

Suppose a husband is repeatedly unfaithful. Each time his infidelity comes out, he tearfully asks forgiveness. Two questions arise. Must his wife always forgive him? Must there always be reconciliation in the marriage?

This deserves a book all its own. I will give only the briefest of answers here. But the answer to the first question is that she should forgive him. Jesus taught clearly that we should forgive the one who repents an unlimited number of times (Luke 17:3-4). Of course, this assumes the person is repentant. If he is clearly insincere, then she should not forgive him. But, here, we must also be extremely careful in evaluating motives.

The second question—“Must there always be reconciliation?”—is far more complex. As Chapters 3 and 4 argued, forgiveness does not necessarily mean the elimination of consequences. In the case of marriage, there are times when the Bible allows for divorce (Matthew 19:1-12, 1 Corinthians 7:10-16). So, in the situation described here, the wife might say to an unfaithful husband, “I do forgive you. But you have broken our marriage covenant repeatedly. I can’t live any longer with someone I can’t trust, so we can no longer be married.”

Divorce is never God’s best. God hates divorce. While he permits divorce in a fallen world, we must do all that we can to avoid divorce (Malachi 2:16) and the fallout it causes for all involved. If you are contemplating divorce, you can count on this: The divorce you imagine is not the divorce you will have. The cost of divorce is always greater than you thought it would be.

Deciding what to do when a spouse repeatedly commits a grave offense is a matter of spiritual wisdom and discernment that should be made only by a growing Christian in close interaction with a pastor and other spiritual leaders. Scripture teaches that it is as we give ourselves as living sacrifices to the Lord that we are able to discern God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2). And pastors are given as gifts to God’s people so that they can be equipped for what they face (Ephesians 4:11-12, 1 Peter 5:1-4). Learn from other mature believers at such times. “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future” (Proverbs 18:1, 19:20).

If you are in a situation where you believe you must consider divorce, my heart goes out to you. Be assured: God is a great God. He can heal your marriage. Even if you are convinced that you could never have feelings for your spouse again, God who spoke all things into existence can resurrect your marriage. If you must pursue divorce, do so only while you are growing as a Christian, involved in a Christ-centered, Bible-believing local church, and closely interacting with a pastor and spiritually-mature people.

Twenty Verses in My Short Term Memory File

Published on November 19, 2009 in Scripture Memory. 0 Comments

The key to memorizing Scripture is systematic repetition.  If you have a system for repeating verses aloud, then you will remember them. 

Chris Verse TallyHere is what one of my Scripture memory sheets looks like.  I repeat verses 25 times the first day, 20 the second, 15, 10, and 5.  I then put the verse on a 3×5 card and repeat it once daily for a long time. I call this my short term memory file.

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Here are 20 verses in my short term system.  I made a few comments.  Even though, I have grouped the verses together when they are the same passage, I only put one verse on a card.

 "Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love.(Jon 2:8)."  Read Tim Keller’s new book!  Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters

"For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.(2 Corinthians 1:20)."  If you can’t get fired up about this verse you have “wet wood.”

"And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live (Deuteronomy 30:6)."

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope (Romans 15:13)."

"For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,(Ro 4:3-5)."  One of the most concise statements of the Gospel.

"The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.(Pr 18:17)."  If you don’t know why I am memorizing this verse, then you have never done pastoral counseling.

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.(2 Co 3:17-18)."  Perhaps, the first verses to memorize on sanctification (being conformed to Christ and growing in him).

"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.(2 Co 5:21)."

" Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal family. But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the king’s sons who were being put to death, and she put him and his nurse in a bedroom. Thus they hid him from Athaliah, so that he was not put to death. And he remained with her six years, hidden in the house of the Lord, while Athaliah reigned over the land.(2 Ki 11:1-3)."  (Really cool verses.  2 Kings 11:2 is one of the hardest verses I have ever memorized. See this post).

"Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?(1 Co 10:14-16)."  See this post that links, in turn, to other posts.  We must grow in our understanding that communion is central.

" Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”(Mt 16:24-28)."

Sharpen Your Wisdom Saw Today (Read Proverbs 18)

Published on November 18, 2009 in Proverbs. 1 Comment

Wisdom is skill for right living.  Wisdom is the saw we use to cut our way through life. We need a sharp saw if we are going to cut our way through life.

Proverbs is one of the best ways to sharpen your wisdom saw.For many years, I have made a practice of reading the chapter of Proverbs corresponding to that day’s date.  Today, for instance, is November 18.  My goal is to read Proverbs 18.

Lest I exaggerate, I don’t do this every single day.  But, I do it many days and across years it makes a tremendous difference.

Often when I read Proverbs, I paraphrase a note as a way to talk to myself about wisdom.  Below are some of the verses that recently struck me from Proverbs 18 with my notes to self.

  • 18:1 Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; be breaks out against all sound judgment . . . Note to self: “Get thy sorry carcass to church this Sunday.  Attend small group.  Invite someone over.  Don’t be isolated.”

  • Proverbs 18:2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.  Note to self  “Shut and listen".”

  • Proverbs 18:8 Words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.  Note to self “Gossip affects your spiritual waistline,” see here.

  • Proverbs 18:9 Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.  Note to self  “Get to work.”

  • Proverbs 18:13 If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.  Note to self: “Shut up and listen.”

  • Proverbs 18:17 One who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.  Memorizing this one.  Note to self:  “Don’t be too impressed when someone comes in and gives you one version of a story.  Listen to the other side too.”

    Proverbs 18:22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.  Note to self:  “Thank God for Jamie.  I am the most favored man in human history.”

  • Proverbs 18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.  Note to self:  “Thank God for Les, Chip, Jeff, Dave, Dan, and many others.”

What stands out to you from Proverbs 18?

Charles Krauthammer: Medicalizing mass murder

Published on November 17, 2009 in Recommended Links. 1 Comment

Why is the media reluctant to acknowledge the reality of radical Islam? 

Washington Post columnist Charles Krauthammer on the media interpretation of the mass murder at Fort Hood:

What a surprise — that someone who shouts "Allahu Akbar" (the "God is great" jihadist battle cry) as he is shooting up a room of American soldiers might have Islamist motives. It certainly was a surprise to the mainstream media, which spent the weekend after the Fort Hood massacre playing down Nidal Hasan’s religious beliefs.

"I cringe that he’s a Muslim. . . . I think he’s probably just a nut case," said Newsweek’s Evan Thomas. Some were more adamant. Time’s Joe Klein decried "odious attempts by Jewish extremists . . . to argue that the massacre perpetrated by Nidal Hasan was somehow a direct consequence of his Islamic beliefs." While none could match Klein’s peculiar cherchez-le-juif motif, the popular story line was of an Army psychiatrist driven over the edge by terrible stories he had heard from soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

They suffered. He listened. He snapped.

Really? What about the doctors and nurses, the counselors and physical therapists at Walter Reed Army Medical Center who every day hear and live with the pain and the suffering of returning soldiers? How many of them then picked up a gun and shot 51 innocents?

And what about civilian psychiatrists — not the Upper West Side therapist treating Woody Allen neurotics, but the thousands of doctors working with hospitalized psychotics — who every day hear not just tales but cries of the most excruciating anguish, of the most unimaginable torment? How many of those doctors commit mass murder?

It’s been decades since I practiced psychiatry. Perhaps I missed the epidemic.

But, of course, if the shooter is named Nidal Hasan, who National Public Radio reported had been trying to proselytize doctors and patients, then something must be found. Presto! Secondary post-traumatic stress disorder, a handy invention to allow one to ignore the obvious. . .

Read more here.

Don’t get too stressed out if there are messes around your church. . .

Published on November 17, 2009 in Church. 6 Comments

Sometimes, we wrongly assume that if we move forward as local churches, then church life will be spic and span.  But, in a fallen world it is quite the opposite.  Proverbs 14:4 reminds us:

Where there is no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come from the Lord.

Tremper Longman summarizes,

The meaning of this verse is that a productive life is messy.  One desires a neat and tidy life, just as the ideal stall would be clean.  However, a clean stall by the nature of things would mean an empty stall since oxen do not have to be in a stall long before it is messy.”

When God’s people are working hard, things aren’t always tidy.  The productive life is messy.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that we should make messes on purpose.  Rather, let’s don’t be surprised if there are some discussions and differences of opinion.