This past Monday (Memorial Day), after much anticipation, my sister was married to Daniel Reissig. Everything went off very smoothly from the Rehearsal to the Reception. There was much joy expressed in smiles, laughing, dancing, and tears. Emily and I were thrilled to take part in the celebration.
As I’ve thought of the wedding as it encompassed the entire weekend, there were many thoughts that came to mind about the unique gathering of God’s elect. My dad touched on this reality at the Reception, calling it “a little taste of heaven.” These tastes were evident from the moment we arrived in Louisville. I will not soon forget the reunion between my mother and her best friend Sonja at the Country Inn & Suites parking lot upon arrival. Hugs and smiles were going all around when Sonja mentioned to everyone present how much they love to laugh together—and there was much laughing this weekend.
Another reality in the weekend’s festivities was the willingness to make much of Christ in marriage. At the end of the bachelor party, everyone encouraged Daniel through words of wisdom and creativity. My dad, for example, gave Daniel a gravestone, signifying the necessity of him dying for his bride the way Christ died for the church. I mustered up all the creativity in me to buy Daniel “Sex, Romance, and the Glory of God,” by C.J. Mahaney (which, by the way, I would recommend to all MARRIED men). Creativity or not, the heart expressed through these words and gifts was to lift up the name of Christ through the marriage of Daniel and Courtney.
This same desire was particularly evident in the 2 hymns we all sang at the ceremony. The songs, “Before the Throne of God Above” and “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us,” greatly magnify the glory of God and set the stage for the vows of a man and woman who rest in the finished work of Christ. I even heard Daniel briefly mention to a groomsman that those songs make him cry in a normal setting, how much more on his wedding day when the emotions are so high!
Daniel was not the only one crying however—we were all in tears throughout the day. Perhaps the most emotional time was when my dad danced with Courtney to “Cinderella” by Steven Curtis Chapman. The love my dad has for his only daughter runs very deep and seemed to culminate in this dance where his “giving her away” was actualized. At the ceremony, the father gives his daughter away in a few moments, but the reality that she is no longer under him seems to climax when they dance. Courtney will no longer call my dad when she’s in a pickle, or needs protection or provision—this is now Daniel’s job—which is how it is meant to be.
In pondering marriage and all it entails, it is really an altogether strange phenomenon. That is, there is so much transitioning. Courtney is no longer a Tarter but a Reissig. She is no longer defined as a daughter primarily, but as a wife. Both of their friendships with others will also never be the same, for the energy expended in these relationships will now be largely directed toward each other.
Scripture bears witness that these transitions find their meaning in Christ. Although there will be major transitions for Courtney—from being a daughter and friend primarily, to being a wife primarily—there will be no transitions in Christ. For when we are saved by the cross of Christ, God will never cease to be our friend, our father, and our groom. For when Jesus comes again and claims His sheep, we will come to Him as a glorious Bride, as friends, and as sons of the Father. So whenever there is a wedding or any type of Christian gathering, may we enjoy our brothers and sisters in Christ—not merely because it is a glimpse of heaven in our human relationships, but because they point to the culmination of our relationship with God. For it is only in this, when Christ is our hope, that our relationships with loved ones will have the joy and fellowship they are designed to have in bringing glory to God.
We love you Daniel and Courtney! And Emily and I will be praying that you will find more joy and satisfaction in Christ so that you will find more joy and satisfaction in each other!
“No longer do I call you servants… but I have called you friends.” (John 15:15)
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” (1 John 3:1)
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish…This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the Church.” (Eph. 5:25-28, 32)
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
"24", Self-Actualization, and Postmodern Entertainment
In recent years there appears to be a pervasive development within the entertainment culture. Shows are considered more artistic if they bring up provocative questions and fail to provide any answer or conclusion. As far as I can tell, this was not always so. My knowledge of older movies is tiny, to say the least, but I have seen an ethical standard inherent to the purpose of many movies. Such a standard was to be upheld, not diminished. I have watched 3 or 4 John Wayne movies in the past year or so and he rarely fails to honor women, be a man of his word, or uphold the law of the land—when he’s a law enforcer. Apparently, this has been cast by the wayside in favor of bringing up ethical issues and blurring (or throwing out) the standard. Take the recent season finale of 24 (one of my favorite shows).
Throughout the season the issue of saving lives as the “greater good” has been increasingly present. Tony was bad, but only pretended to be to accomplish the greater good. Then Jack broke Tony out of FBI in order preserve the greater good. Then a whirlwind of who’s good, who’s bad ensued, culminating in a very stressful scenario. Tony was a good guy turned bad, but then turned back to good, but actually bad, until this scene showed him to be somewhere in the middle. He was playing all sides the whole time to eventually get to the “kingpin” of evil-doers and avenge his wife, while simultaneously saving more lives at the end of the day. Such actions received Jack’s stern rebuke and climaxed when Jack stopped Tony from killing the “kingpin.” Tony screamed at Jack for stopping the justice that was to be reckoned and Jack was left to dwell on whether or not Tony was right (as were all of us viewers).
The next scene saw Jack and FBI’s Rene Walker talking through these things. In answering how one knows what is right, Jack gives a decent answer about making an oath and following the law—ultimately, keeping our word. Then, he concludes by stating that at the end of the day, “You have to do what you can live with.” Really?! What we can live with?! Jack Bauer apparently goes away from an objective standard of any sort and succumbs to the pagan notion of the autonomous “I”. In other words, Truth is not out there—which, for Christianity, means in our Sovereign Creator—but Truth is in us. We make Truth subject to the standards which best suit us. 24 has created a postmodern Jack Bauer…but it gets worse.
Past seasons have seen Jack struggling with living—he often wants to die. But now, as Jack lays on his death bed, he suddenly struggles with death. He wants peace from all his evil acts as he takes his last breaths. So he brings in an Islamic spiritual leader who sits next to him and says, “Let us pray together that we can forgive ourselves.” Forgive ourselves?! Why? When we are before God’s judgment seat will it really help us to say to God, “It’s OK God, I’ve forgiven myself”?
To finish it off, Kim Bauer comes in to see her Dad and save the day. Before she does so, however, the Islamic leader assures her, “He has found peace with himself,” apparently alluding to his self-forgiveness. And so, the last 10 minutes of 24 reveal that we must be able to live with ourselves, and when we fail to do so we can forgive ourselves in order to find ultimate peace. This philosophy rivals Buddhist enlightenment. It begins and ends with “I”. I make the rules…I follow in such a way that makes me feel good about myself…and I can find final peace in self-forgiveness. Where this leads in the next life is beside the point, for we must find inward peace in the present.
We live in an increasingly relativistic world and it should not shock us to see postmodernism reflected on secular TV shows. But I think what irks me so much is not necessarily the postmodernism…I expect that. Rather, it’s the coating of postmodernism in the vague religious notion of self-actualization that is so excruciating to watch. But it is really all over the place. Another show my wife and I enjoy watching is “The Biggest Loser.” In the show, contestants strive to lose weight over a 20 week period (or so) and whoever hasn’t been voted off the show and has lost the most weight wins. But what the trainers preach to those on the show is that it’s ultimately about finding yourself. It’s about feeling more content in our bodies and in ourselves to somehow attain the highest possible standard of living. Self-actualization is the greatest good.
Interestingly, 24 reveals that the greatest good that Jack Bauer fights for (saving lives) is not really good at all if people do not use there time on earth to accomplish the even greater good of self-actualization. For what Jack Bauer holds is that one must do what they feel, forgive themselves, and find inner peace to attain some sort of personal salvation. 24 doesn’t reveal, however, why the standard of the “bad guys” would then be considered evil. For they could do what they felt, forgive themselves, and even find inner peace while simply having a little different view of right and wrong than Jack Bauer’s. So if they’re self-actualized through the process of terrorism, what makes that evil? Can we tell them that they are wrong and fight against them?
It is sad to see the increasing drift from biblical standards of good and evil in entertainment. We ought to appreciate the artwork of older films for still upholding some sort of standard, in that they reflect the common grace of God in implanting a conscience in our hearts. The accommodation of postmodernism in entertainment has resulted in upholding of the “self” as the most precious thing on earth and self-actualization as the greatest good. Shows like 24 show this accommodation and reveal the importance of being drenched in the Word of God and surrounded by Bible-saturated believers so that we might not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of our minds (Romans 12:2).
Throughout the season the issue of saving lives as the “greater good” has been increasingly present. Tony was bad, but only pretended to be to accomplish the greater good. Then Jack broke Tony out of FBI in order preserve the greater good. Then a whirlwind of who’s good, who’s bad ensued, culminating in a very stressful scenario. Tony was a good guy turned bad, but then turned back to good, but actually bad, until this scene showed him to be somewhere in the middle. He was playing all sides the whole time to eventually get to the “kingpin” of evil-doers and avenge his wife, while simultaneously saving more lives at the end of the day. Such actions received Jack’s stern rebuke and climaxed when Jack stopped Tony from killing the “kingpin.” Tony screamed at Jack for stopping the justice that was to be reckoned and Jack was left to dwell on whether or not Tony was right (as were all of us viewers).
The next scene saw Jack and FBI’s Rene Walker talking through these things. In answering how one knows what is right, Jack gives a decent answer about making an oath and following the law—ultimately, keeping our word. Then, he concludes by stating that at the end of the day, “You have to do what you can live with.” Really?! What we can live with?! Jack Bauer apparently goes away from an objective standard of any sort and succumbs to the pagan notion of the autonomous “I”. In other words, Truth is not out there—which, for Christianity, means in our Sovereign Creator—but Truth is in us. We make Truth subject to the standards which best suit us. 24 has created a postmodern Jack Bauer…but it gets worse.
Past seasons have seen Jack struggling with living—he often wants to die. But now, as Jack lays on his death bed, he suddenly struggles with death. He wants peace from all his evil acts as he takes his last breaths. So he brings in an Islamic spiritual leader who sits next to him and says, “Let us pray together that we can forgive ourselves.” Forgive ourselves?! Why? When we are before God’s judgment seat will it really help us to say to God, “It’s OK God, I’ve forgiven myself”?
To finish it off, Kim Bauer comes in to see her Dad and save the day. Before she does so, however, the Islamic leader assures her, “He has found peace with himself,” apparently alluding to his self-forgiveness. And so, the last 10 minutes of 24 reveal that we must be able to live with ourselves, and when we fail to do so we can forgive ourselves in order to find ultimate peace. This philosophy rivals Buddhist enlightenment. It begins and ends with “I”. I make the rules…I follow in such a way that makes me feel good about myself…and I can find final peace in self-forgiveness. Where this leads in the next life is beside the point, for we must find inward peace in the present.
We live in an increasingly relativistic world and it should not shock us to see postmodernism reflected on secular TV shows. But I think what irks me so much is not necessarily the postmodernism…I expect that. Rather, it’s the coating of postmodernism in the vague religious notion of self-actualization that is so excruciating to watch. But it is really all over the place. Another show my wife and I enjoy watching is “The Biggest Loser.” In the show, contestants strive to lose weight over a 20 week period (or so) and whoever hasn’t been voted off the show and has lost the most weight wins. But what the trainers preach to those on the show is that it’s ultimately about finding yourself. It’s about feeling more content in our bodies and in ourselves to somehow attain the highest possible standard of living. Self-actualization is the greatest good.
Interestingly, 24 reveals that the greatest good that Jack Bauer fights for (saving lives) is not really good at all if people do not use there time on earth to accomplish the even greater good of self-actualization. For what Jack Bauer holds is that one must do what they feel, forgive themselves, and find inner peace to attain some sort of personal salvation. 24 doesn’t reveal, however, why the standard of the “bad guys” would then be considered evil. For they could do what they felt, forgive themselves, and even find inner peace while simply having a little different view of right and wrong than Jack Bauer’s. So if they’re self-actualized through the process of terrorism, what makes that evil? Can we tell them that they are wrong and fight against them?
It is sad to see the increasing drift from biblical standards of good and evil in entertainment. We ought to appreciate the artwork of older films for still upholding some sort of standard, in that they reflect the common grace of God in implanting a conscience in our hearts. The accommodation of postmodernism in entertainment has resulted in upholding of the “self” as the most precious thing on earth and self-actualization as the greatest good. Shows like 24 show this accommodation and reveal the importance of being drenched in the Word of God and surrounded by Bible-saturated believers so that we might not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of our minds (Romans 12:2).
Thursday, May 14, 2009
God As Wholly Pleasurable—And The Greatest “Good News”
Caedmon’s Call has blessed me tremendously during my drive to and from school (or work). Their songs are rich with substantial doctrinal content and filled with humility. One such song titled “You Created,” is perhaps my favorite in that it strikes the core of our eternal need and purpose. Here are the lyrics:
Who is like unto the Lord our God
Who dwelleth on high, Who dwelleth on high
Who is like unto the Lord our God
Who dwelleth on high, Who dwelleth on high
You dwell in glory
The heavens are Your home
You began the story
And made Your beauty known
But You created nothing
That gives me more pleasure than You
And You won't give me something
That gives me more pleasure than You
You hung the planets
In Your image You made man
I'm overcome and broken
At the wonders of Your hand
But You created nothing
That gives me more pleasure than You
And You won't give me something
That gives me more pleasure than You
This song became particularly meaningful to me as I read through John Piper’s God is the Gospel. His basic thrust is that the ultimate “good news” of Jesus’ death is not ultimately that he was punished for us so that we can avoid wrath. It’s not even that in Christ we can be in a place called heaven with our loved ones and no tears, etc. Rather, the greatest good news is that through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can be reconciled to God. Escaping wrath is good, and so are the blessings of heaven, but what makes the gospel (and even heaven) so indescribably glorious is that in Christ, the barrier of sin is taken away so that we can enjoy God forever—“In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).
Piper explains it this way:
My point in this book is that all the saving events and all the saving blessings of the gospel are means of getting obstacles out of the way so that we might know and enjoy God most fully. Propitiation, redemption, forgiveness, imputation, sanctification, liberation, healing, heaven none of these is good news except for one reason: they bring us to God for our everlasting enjoyment of him. If we believe all these things have happened to us, but do not embrace them for the sake of getting to God, they have not happened to us. Christ did not die to forgive sinners who go on treasuring anything above seeing and savoring God. And people who would be happy in heaven if Christ were not there, will not be there. The gospel is not a way to get people to heaven; it is a way to get people to God. It’s a way of overcoming every obstacle to everlasting joy in God. If we don’t want God above all things, we have not been converted by the gospel. (Pg. 47)
So we must ask ourselves, what are we looking forward to in the next life? Would we be happy if we had all the blessings of heaven with no God? The Psalms bear witness that King David would. He understood that there is nothing satisfying to go after in this world except for God Himself. For example:
“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:8)
“Our soul waits for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
For our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.
Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.” (Psalm 33:20-22)
“May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine upon us,
that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!” (Psalm 67:1-3)
May God give us the grace to take hold of eternal life, even now, by knowing God more fully. For “this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3). May we treasure Jesus like the man who found a treasure in a field and covered it up, “then in his joy he goes and sells everything and buys that field” (Matt. 13:44). May we get our eyes off ourselves and our fleshly desires so that we might see “the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4). For it is only within this heart before God, cherishing Him as most pleasurable, that we will be most satisfied and He will be most glorified.
You created nothing
That gives me more pleasure than You
And You won't give me something
That gives me more pleasure than You
Who is like unto the Lord our God
Who dwelleth on high, Who dwelleth on high
Who is like unto the Lord our God
Who dwelleth on high, Who dwelleth on high
You dwell in glory
The heavens are Your home
You began the story
And made Your beauty known
But You created nothing
That gives me more pleasure than You
And You won't give me something
That gives me more pleasure than You
You hung the planets
In Your image You made man
I'm overcome and broken
At the wonders of Your hand
But You created nothing
That gives me more pleasure than You
And You won't give me something
That gives me more pleasure than You
This song became particularly meaningful to me as I read through John Piper’s God is the Gospel. His basic thrust is that the ultimate “good news” of Jesus’ death is not ultimately that he was punished for us so that we can avoid wrath. It’s not even that in Christ we can be in a place called heaven with our loved ones and no tears, etc. Rather, the greatest good news is that through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can be reconciled to God. Escaping wrath is good, and so are the blessings of heaven, but what makes the gospel (and even heaven) so indescribably glorious is that in Christ, the barrier of sin is taken away so that we can enjoy God forever—“In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).
Piper explains it this way:
My point in this book is that all the saving events and all the saving blessings of the gospel are means of getting obstacles out of the way so that we might know and enjoy God most fully. Propitiation, redemption, forgiveness, imputation, sanctification, liberation, healing, heaven none of these is good news except for one reason: they bring us to God for our everlasting enjoyment of him. If we believe all these things have happened to us, but do not embrace them for the sake of getting to God, they have not happened to us. Christ did not die to forgive sinners who go on treasuring anything above seeing and savoring God. And people who would be happy in heaven if Christ were not there, will not be there. The gospel is not a way to get people to heaven; it is a way to get people to God. It’s a way of overcoming every obstacle to everlasting joy in God. If we don’t want God above all things, we have not been converted by the gospel. (Pg. 47)
So we must ask ourselves, what are we looking forward to in the next life? Would we be happy if we had all the blessings of heaven with no God? The Psalms bear witness that King David would. He understood that there is nothing satisfying to go after in this world except for God Himself. For example:
“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:8)
“Our soul waits for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
For our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.
Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.” (Psalm 33:20-22)
“May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine upon us,
that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!” (Psalm 67:1-3)
May God give us the grace to take hold of eternal life, even now, by knowing God more fully. For “this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3). May we treasure Jesus like the man who found a treasure in a field and covered it up, “then in his joy he goes and sells everything and buys that field” (Matt. 13:44). May we get our eyes off ourselves and our fleshly desires so that we might see “the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4). For it is only within this heart before God, cherishing Him as most pleasurable, that we will be most satisfied and He will be most glorified.
You created nothing
That gives me more pleasure than You
And You won't give me something
That gives me more pleasure than You
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Mother's Day: Round Two!
Currently, my beautiful wife is in bed. Her stomach is aching over the 1 lb. little boy inside of her. What’s going on? What is it that is causing such pain? Perhaps it is the fact that his crushing kicks nearly penetrated her belly this morning. Perhaps he is already showing his depravity by purposefully causing pain. Who knows? Well, in all likelihood, Emily’s growing tummy is not in pain because of David’s little feet. Nevertheless, she is already learning the sacrifice of being a mom. In fact, as her stomach has hurt all morning, she still smiles when he moves. She never stops enjoying their growing bond as he flips and kicks inside of her. She loves it. She loves him. She would willingly take this pain any day to provide for her little one. She is, indeed, already a mom…and a great one. Being concerned about his spiritual state, she has sung hymns aloud in his hearing. She reads her Bible out loud as well, so that even from a young age he may know the Word. At times, Emily will question herself, wondering if she will be fit for this God-given task. “Will I know all the right things to say?” “What if he asks me something I can’t answer?” Ironically, these very questions are what prophesy of her fitness for this calling. Emily will be a broken mother. A soft-hearted mother. She will strive to tell David about his need for Jesus, knowing that anything good that comes from her mouth will be the Lord’s doing. She will lean on her Savior, looking to the cross for strength.
As Emily feels already the physical pain of motherhood, she is being prepared for the emotional and spiritual pain that is to come. David will sin; he will disobey; he may even say to his mom, “I hate you!” Nevertheless, the strength that my wife will find shall not be in her children, but in the God who cares for their soul far more than she ever will. And then, by God’s grace, in 10, 15, 20, or even 30 years down the road, David will join with his daddy to say, “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”
I love you sweetie, and couldn’t be more thrilled and blessed to have you as my wife and the mother of my children…even now. Happy Mother’s Day!
As Emily feels already the physical pain of motherhood, she is being prepared for the emotional and spiritual pain that is to come. David will sin; he will disobey; he may even say to his mom, “I hate you!” Nevertheless, the strength that my wife will find shall not be in her children, but in the God who cares for their soul far more than she ever will. And then, by God’s grace, in 10, 15, 20, or even 30 years down the road, David will join with his daddy to say, “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”
I love you sweetie, and couldn’t be more thrilled and blessed to have you as my wife and the mother of my children…even now. Happy Mother’s Day!
Mother's Day
"Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates" (Proverbs 31:30-31).
Five years ago, one month before my high school graduation, I broke my mother's heart by doing the opposite of praising my mother. Both my parents taught me the Truth growing up—that I was a sinner in need of Jesus. What is more, they also lived radically different than the outside world by identifying themselves with Jesus, allowing Him to infiltrate every facet of life...including parenting. So when they found out that I was lying to them and secretly partying behind their backs—getting drunk, smoking weed, fooling around, etc.—they gave me a just ultimatum. I could continue to enjoy all the benefits of living at home while abiding by their rules, or I could move out. I chose the latter. At the age of 17, I put my belongings in a few large trash bags and walked to a friend’s house. The next 8 months saw me fulfilling the proclamation of Romans 1:32: "Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they do not only do them but give approve to those who practice them."
While I was in my sin, however, my brokenhearted mother never stopped thinking of me. She prayed daily, almost always in tears. Although asking why God would allow this, she unceasingly put her hope and trust in the One who works all things to the good of those who love Him. While I was out partying, willingly handing my life over to the Ruler of this world, she continually cast her burden on King Jesus. She feared the LORD, knowing that apart from His will, not one hair would fall from my head.
God worked through the prayer of my mom to bring me to my knees, ultimately committing my life over to Jesus. I am eternally thankful to my mother for her trust in God, which is what I intend to bring to the forefront this Mother’s Day. While many moms are like Martha, striving to make the house more neat, more clean, etc., God has blessed me with a Mary, who is always seated at the feet of Jesus (while still keeping the house in order!). Not only have I been blessed by her prayers while I was in rebellion, but am still blessed as I see her humility before her Savior. Like Mary, she is not afraid to weep at Jesus feet in recognition of her brokenness, giving me a greater gift than all the clean dishes in the world. Through her, I have seen how my heart ought to be before my God, and only hope and pray that I, too, can pass this on to my children. May we never cease to praise such women who make Jesus their greatest desire, and I just want you to know mom, that I have, and still do, take notice of His work in you! I love you!
Five years ago, one month before my high school graduation, I broke my mother's heart by doing the opposite of praising my mother. Both my parents taught me the Truth growing up—that I was a sinner in need of Jesus. What is more, they also lived radically different than the outside world by identifying themselves with Jesus, allowing Him to infiltrate every facet of life...including parenting. So when they found out that I was lying to them and secretly partying behind their backs—getting drunk, smoking weed, fooling around, etc.—they gave me a just ultimatum. I could continue to enjoy all the benefits of living at home while abiding by their rules, or I could move out. I chose the latter. At the age of 17, I put my belongings in a few large trash bags and walked to a friend’s house. The next 8 months saw me fulfilling the proclamation of Romans 1:32: "Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they do not only do them but give approve to those who practice them."
While I was in my sin, however, my brokenhearted mother never stopped thinking of me. She prayed daily, almost always in tears. Although asking why God would allow this, she unceasingly put her hope and trust in the One who works all things to the good of those who love Him. While I was out partying, willingly handing my life over to the Ruler of this world, she continually cast her burden on King Jesus. She feared the LORD, knowing that apart from His will, not one hair would fall from my head.
God worked through the prayer of my mom to bring me to my knees, ultimately committing my life over to Jesus. I am eternally thankful to my mother for her trust in God, which is what I intend to bring to the forefront this Mother’s Day. While many moms are like Martha, striving to make the house more neat, more clean, etc., God has blessed me with a Mary, who is always seated at the feet of Jesus (while still keeping the house in order!). Not only have I been blessed by her prayers while I was in rebellion, but am still blessed as I see her humility before her Savior. Like Mary, she is not afraid to weep at Jesus feet in recognition of her brokenness, giving me a greater gift than all the clean dishes in the world. Through her, I have seen how my heart ought to be before my God, and only hope and pray that I, too, can pass this on to my children. May we never cease to praise such women who make Jesus their greatest desire, and I just want you to know mom, that I have, and still do, take notice of His work in you! I love you!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Numbers 15
As I have been reading through the Bible this year, the Lord has opened my eyes to see more of His glory and more of the beauty of His Word. Yesterday, part of my reading was Numbers 15 and was particularly full. I will deal with 15:22-41.
Verses 22-29 deal with unintentional sins for the nation and the individual. It is revealed that unintentional sins can be atoned for by offerings so that those committing the sin may be forgiven. Special emphasis is made within these verses on the term "mistake." That is, these sins are atoned for so easily (a simple offering) because they were not committed purposefully.
In verse 30, the thrust of the command is shifted toward those who sin intentionally. Such sins are not considered "mistakes," but are done with a "high hand," having severe consequences for those in rebellion: "Because he has despised the word of the Lord and has broken his commandment, that person shall be utterly cut off; his iniquity shall be on him" (v. 31). There is a purposeful separation in the text between sinners with hearts desiring to please God in submitting to His word, and sinners with hearts in rebellion against God who fail to submit to His word. In the proceeding section, Moses follows up these commandments by revealing what a rebellious heart kicking against God's commands looks like.
A certain man decided to gather sticks on the Sabbath, intentionally breaking God's commandments and despising His word. Being brought before Moses and ultimately God, this man was rightfully stoned to death according to God's command: "The man shall be put to death" (v. 34).
Ending the chapter is the command for all to make a tassel on the corner of one's garment for the following purposes: "And it shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the LORD, to do them, not to follow after you own heart and your own eyes, which you are inclined to whore after" (v. 39). The chapter ends with the foundation for following God's commandments, "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the Lord your God."
When reading this passage of Scripture through, it can be really easy to practice a surface level reading and get caught up on why the man was stoned to death. As I have done, you may think, "Really? Stoned for gathering sticks?" But in reading carefully, grasping the flow of the text, it becomes clear that God is after our hearts and rightfully so. For the Israelites, their trust in God and obedience to His commandments was in light of His redemption from Egyptian slavery. They were to trust in Him because of His proven character. He was and is the great I AM. Thus, as vessels of His mercy, they were to show forth His glory in being agents of His grace (redemption) and in reflecting His character (sanctification...or "be holy to your God"--v. 40) .
This was not done by the man who broke the Sabbath. He followed "his own heart," and thus "despised the word of the Lord." He was not grateful for the sovereign grace of God in being freed from the land of Egypt. He had no interest in taking part God's mercy, freely extended to him for his good and God's glory. And so, his sin was not atoned for. It was not, however, the physical act of picking up sticks on the Sabbath that sentenced him to death. For if he unintentionally sinned it would've been forgiven. Rather, it was the self-seeking, intentional act of despising God that gave just cause for his death.
Likewise, we are confronted today with the same "heart" issues. Like this man, God's grace is extended to us. Through the saving work of Jesus Christ on the cross we can proclaim, "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 Cor. 5:21). As salvation from slavery came to the nation of Israel through God's providence, slavation from sin is available to all through the providential sacrifice of Jesus for all who will trust in him.
So what shall we do? Shall we go on living self-seeking lives that are devoid of reflecting the character of God? By no means! Rather, we ought to, by God's grace, incline our hearts to Jesus in humble submission to His will. Only then will we (as Israel) follow God's commandments and "be holy to our God."
Verses 22-29 deal with unintentional sins for the nation and the individual. It is revealed that unintentional sins can be atoned for by offerings so that those committing the sin may be forgiven. Special emphasis is made within these verses on the term "mistake." That is, these sins are atoned for so easily (a simple offering) because they were not committed purposefully.
In verse 30, the thrust of the command is shifted toward those who sin intentionally. Such sins are not considered "mistakes," but are done with a "high hand," having severe consequences for those in rebellion: "Because he has despised the word of the Lord and has broken his commandment, that person shall be utterly cut off; his iniquity shall be on him" (v. 31). There is a purposeful separation in the text between sinners with hearts desiring to please God in submitting to His word, and sinners with hearts in rebellion against God who fail to submit to His word. In the proceeding section, Moses follows up these commandments by revealing what a rebellious heart kicking against God's commands looks like.
A certain man decided to gather sticks on the Sabbath, intentionally breaking God's commandments and despising His word. Being brought before Moses and ultimately God, this man was rightfully stoned to death according to God's command: "The man shall be put to death" (v. 34).
Ending the chapter is the command for all to make a tassel on the corner of one's garment for the following purposes: "And it shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the LORD, to do them, not to follow after you own heart and your own eyes, which you are inclined to whore after" (v. 39). The chapter ends with the foundation for following God's commandments, "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the Lord your God."
When reading this passage of Scripture through, it can be really easy to practice a surface level reading and get caught up on why the man was stoned to death. As I have done, you may think, "Really? Stoned for gathering sticks?" But in reading carefully, grasping the flow of the text, it becomes clear that God is after our hearts and rightfully so. For the Israelites, their trust in God and obedience to His commandments was in light of His redemption from Egyptian slavery. They were to trust in Him because of His proven character. He was and is the great I AM. Thus, as vessels of His mercy, they were to show forth His glory in being agents of His grace (redemption) and in reflecting His character (sanctification...or "be holy to your God"--v. 40) .
This was not done by the man who broke the Sabbath. He followed "his own heart," and thus "despised the word of the Lord." He was not grateful for the sovereign grace of God in being freed from the land of Egypt. He had no interest in taking part God's mercy, freely extended to him for his good and God's glory. And so, his sin was not atoned for. It was not, however, the physical act of picking up sticks on the Sabbath that sentenced him to death. For if he unintentionally sinned it would've been forgiven. Rather, it was the self-seeking, intentional act of despising God that gave just cause for his death.
Likewise, we are confronted today with the same "heart" issues. Like this man, God's grace is extended to us. Through the saving work of Jesus Christ on the cross we can proclaim, "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 Cor. 5:21). As salvation from slavery came to the nation of Israel through God's providence, slavation from sin is available to all through the providential sacrifice of Jesus for all who will trust in him.
So what shall we do? Shall we go on living self-seeking lives that are devoid of reflecting the character of God? By no means! Rather, we ought to, by God's grace, incline our hearts to Jesus in humble submission to His will. Only then will we (as Israel) follow God's commandments and "be holy to our God."
Monday, May 4, 2009
Welcome!
Welcome to everyone who has come to this blog. With this first post I will introduce you to myself, giving few reasons as to why I am starting a blog and what to expect.
Whoever so wishes can view my profile to know more about my wife and me. Here, however, I will simply provide the basics. By day I am a senior year at Northwestern College in Roseville, MN, majoring in Biblical and Theological Studies. By night, I greatly enjoy relaxing next to my stunningly beautiful wife, Emily Anne Tarter, who is currently 5 months pregnant with our first child (David Benjamin Tarter). I also wash windows part-time, love watching the Dallas Mavericks win basketball games, and am the quarterback on my college’s football team. Above all, I am a sinner who was dead in sins, but have been redeemed by the beautiful, albeit dreadful, death of Jesus.
That being said, I have started this blog for numerous reasons, many of which can be summed up by saying, “I just wanted to.” To give more concrete reasons I give the following:
1) There are many thoughts and ideas that come into my head (as with all of us) that I would often like to share with people but often fade away with time never being said…blogging helps to fix this.
2) I enjoy writing—particularly about theology—but rarely have a venue to present theology to any sort of an audience.
3) I have come to see the benefits of maintaining a practice of consistent writing. Such writing can help one to think through key issues with all their struggles, and prove very God-glorifying in conforming one to His image.
4) This third point is also true in terms of preparation for future ministry. I am currently pursuing the call to the ministry in some way, shape, or form, and believe that blogging can be a very useful tool in thinking through issues and how to best communicate them in the same way one might prepare and think through a sermon, etc.
5) I would be lying to neglect the hint of selfishness in this blog. As with most, if not all blogs, I would like for people to get to know and read of me and how I tackle such issues. To a certain degree I think this may not be too bad of a thing (I could be wrong, in which I appeal to grace), as long as such desires have the right foundation. That is, for example, I would like for people to appreciate how I uphold the name of God. Above all, I want my God to be presented rightly on this blog, and I would like for others to see that and be blessed by it. In blogging then, I will pray that the Lord make more of Himself and less of me while not shirking the element of wanting to be read as I write. To do so would be dishonest.
On this blog there will be a variety of topics addressed. I love the words of God contained in the Bible and one can therefore anticipate a good deal of theology in the forthcoming posts. I also love my wife and baby, and so, will also write quite a bit about my home life. As mentioned above, I also love the Dallas Mavericks, so I may likely track some of their road to the 2009 NBA Championship. Other specifics could be cited, but it should suffice for now to say that there is not a topic outside the range of this blog. One can, however, expect the content to directly flow from all that the Lord is doing in and around me at the moment of writing.
Before ending, my wife thought it would be suitable to make note of the blog’s title. It comes from Luke 19:40 where Jesus is entering Jerusalem the Sunday before the Passover (and His crucifixion). As many give praise to Jesus, the Pharisees, likely quite uncomfortable, express to Jesus that He ought to silence those praising Him. Jesus then says, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out” (ESV). The point here is that Jesus will be praised! Thus, I pray that I may magnify God through this blog and forevermore because He is so worthy of praise that rocks would not keep silent if human beings do. So let us praise Him, giving the rocks no reason to speak in our place!
With all this being said…welcome yet again to my blog. I hope that you enjoy the forthcoming posts and appreciate your stopping by.
Whoever so wishes can view my profile to know more about my wife and me. Here, however, I will simply provide the basics. By day I am a senior year at Northwestern College in Roseville, MN, majoring in Biblical and Theological Studies. By night, I greatly enjoy relaxing next to my stunningly beautiful wife, Emily Anne Tarter, who is currently 5 months pregnant with our first child (David Benjamin Tarter). I also wash windows part-time, love watching the Dallas Mavericks win basketball games, and am the quarterback on my college’s football team. Above all, I am a sinner who was dead in sins, but have been redeemed by the beautiful, albeit dreadful, death of Jesus.
That being said, I have started this blog for numerous reasons, many of which can be summed up by saying, “I just wanted to.” To give more concrete reasons I give the following:
1) There are many thoughts and ideas that come into my head (as with all of us) that I would often like to share with people but often fade away with time never being said…blogging helps to fix this.
2) I enjoy writing—particularly about theology—but rarely have a venue to present theology to any sort of an audience.
3) I have come to see the benefits of maintaining a practice of consistent writing. Such writing can help one to think through key issues with all their struggles, and prove very God-glorifying in conforming one to His image.
4) This third point is also true in terms of preparation for future ministry. I am currently pursuing the call to the ministry in some way, shape, or form, and believe that blogging can be a very useful tool in thinking through issues and how to best communicate them in the same way one might prepare and think through a sermon, etc.
5) I would be lying to neglect the hint of selfishness in this blog. As with most, if not all blogs, I would like for people to get to know and read of me and how I tackle such issues. To a certain degree I think this may not be too bad of a thing (I could be wrong, in which I appeal to grace), as long as such desires have the right foundation. That is, for example, I would like for people to appreciate how I uphold the name of God. Above all, I want my God to be presented rightly on this blog, and I would like for others to see that and be blessed by it. In blogging then, I will pray that the Lord make more of Himself and less of me while not shirking the element of wanting to be read as I write. To do so would be dishonest.
On this blog there will be a variety of topics addressed. I love the words of God contained in the Bible and one can therefore anticipate a good deal of theology in the forthcoming posts. I also love my wife and baby, and so, will also write quite a bit about my home life. As mentioned above, I also love the Dallas Mavericks, so I may likely track some of their road to the 2009 NBA Championship. Other specifics could be cited, but it should suffice for now to say that there is not a topic outside the range of this blog. One can, however, expect the content to directly flow from all that the Lord is doing in and around me at the moment of writing.
Before ending, my wife thought it would be suitable to make note of the blog’s title. It comes from Luke 19:40 where Jesus is entering Jerusalem the Sunday before the Passover (and His crucifixion). As many give praise to Jesus, the Pharisees, likely quite uncomfortable, express to Jesus that He ought to silence those praising Him. Jesus then says, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out” (ESV). The point here is that Jesus will be praised! Thus, I pray that I may magnify God through this blog and forevermore because He is so worthy of praise that rocks would not keep silent if human beings do. So let us praise Him, giving the rocks no reason to speak in our place!
With all this being said…welcome yet again to my blog. I hope that you enjoy the forthcoming posts and appreciate your stopping by.
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