It is typical for me to come back from retreat with a renewed sense of passion for the Lord and new-found explosive energy. Not so much this time, probably more tiredness than anything else. I had about 7 hours of sleep for the three nights (total). I'm still feeling sleepy. Perhaps, I'm assuming a modest pace in my spiritual life instead of the emotional sprints and crawls.
Some of the highlights include:
Hanging out with my Small Group
Very encouraging getting to know some of the people there. Most of them were very new to the faith, had much to learn. The leaders there are a lot stronger from the previous year. It was also nice to clear the rust off my sword when answering some of their common questions. We talked about everything from the gospel and election to the Bible and Biblical dating.
New Christian
A friend who attended BridgeWay this past Sunday has been inspiring. I've talked to him once or twice about the gospel and he has very willingly taken up the call. He even shared with his friends this past week (think John 4 - Samaritan Women) despite not having the answers to some of their questions (God and Suffering, etc.). We debriefed after and I can tell you it is always a joy to speak with someone new to the faith.
Sleep or Lack There of.
I think the fastest way to learn more about someone is to spend a large block of time with them rather than short bursts. So I tried to stay awake with people and chat with them despite the danger a sleep-deprived driver could be. (I really live on the (bleeding) edge). Also, some of the girls can really play jitz.
Concluding Thoughts
The retreat was a definite blessing to my soul. Any apprehension I had previously of being the old guy hanging with the young'ins evaporated within the first hour I was there. My Dad has noticed my appreciation for young'ins, but I hardly consider this a possible avenue for future ministry. Maybe if I was married I would feel less concern with a continual exposure to the youth.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Challenge Accepted.
One of the enormous challenges I have been facing lately has been my approach and response to members of my previous church. Now, I don't think I have ever fully detailed out what happened at my old church. So without going into specifics, here is the short version of it.
Senior Pastor is found to be in sin.
English Pastor enlists a friend and I to figure out the depth of this.
Friend and I bring forth sin issue to elder board. (1 Tim 5:19)
Senior Pastor and elder board go back and forth.
English Pastor is fired.
I am removed from leadership. (I was at the time teaching in Adult SS and leading the University fellowship.)
There are further skirmishes, but for the most part... people leave the church or people remain in the church and continue to fight.
So since these issues were brought to light last year, the church has been in turmoil. For me, I don't really care anymore. (Not to say that I don't care about the people, rather the issue is dead to me.) As I look back... although it was a very difficult time, it also bore much fruit in my Christian walk. So I count myself particularly blessed to go through such a trial. (Jas 1:14; Heb 12:10)
What I find challenging is meeting with friends that know the sin issue is still present and has not been corrected, yet remain at the church! I have explained that the issue is wrong and sinful, but they are adamant on staying there despite not having a Biblical leg to stand on.
So pray for me in this regard. On one hand, I know I have to tell them and appeal to them that they should not be there. On the other hand, I feel like a nagging mother.
Senior Pastor is found to be in sin.
English Pastor enlists a friend and I to figure out the depth of this.
Friend and I bring forth sin issue to elder board. (1 Tim 5:19)
Senior Pastor and elder board go back and forth.
English Pastor is fired.
I am removed from leadership. (I was at the time teaching in Adult SS and leading the University fellowship.)
There are further skirmishes, but for the most part... people leave the church or people remain in the church and continue to fight.
So since these issues were brought to light last year, the church has been in turmoil. For me, I don't really care anymore. (Not to say that I don't care about the people, rather the issue is dead to me.) As I look back... although it was a very difficult time, it also bore much fruit in my Christian walk. So I count myself particularly blessed to go through such a trial. (Jas 1:14; Heb 12:10)
What I find challenging is meeting with friends that know the sin issue is still present and has not been corrected, yet remain at the church! I have explained that the issue is wrong and sinful, but they are adamant on staying there despite not having a Biblical leg to stand on.
So pray for me in this regard. On one hand, I know I have to tell them and appeal to them that they should not be there. On the other hand, I feel like a nagging mother.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
The Christian Life
Sinclair Ferguson in "The Christian Life" brought up an analogy that I have been musing on. The Christian life is like a three legged stool. There is the leg of doctrine, the leg of practice (obedience), and the leg of experience. People of the Reformed/Calvinistic persuasion tend to have a longer leg for doctrine. Whereas, the Charismatics have a long leg for experience. Those that have a bent towards social justice tend to have a longer leg for practice.
I probably lean towards doctrine, followed by obedience, and finally, experience. The stool analogy (it isn't Sinclair's) argues for a balance between the three. I get it. I question the premise and whether there is Biblical grounds to argue for a balance between the three. However, that can be the topic of a different post.
In any case, I haven't been so good with the lengthening of obedience and experience. More time in the prayer closet required.
I probably lean towards doctrine, followed by obedience, and finally, experience. The stool analogy (it isn't Sinclair's) argues for a balance between the three. I get it. I question the premise and whether there is Biblical grounds to argue for a balance between the three. However, that can be the topic of a different post.
In any case, I haven't been so good with the lengthening of obedience and experience. More time in the prayer closet required.
Monday, February 7, 2011
On Girls
Increasing parental pressure coupled with my close friends contemplating marriage (or are married already) has caused me to think a lot more about dating and marriage. I remember reading a friend's blog where she remarked that it was like all her friends were at a dance, and as the night wound down, everyone was frantic to find a partner. She was single at the time, now dating.
I have wondered if I felt the same sentiment. Not exactly. I would mourn the loss of friendships as people's lives get busy. That and people tend to hang around with people at the same life stage.
On a side note, another one of my friend bears the most flak regarding being single. He's younger than me. So I wonder if people have given up on me. :P
Friends have often pointed out so and so as a potential to date. It's kind of funny to see who your friends think of for you. It demonstrates what they think of you. The worst is when they try to browbeat you into liking a girl when you are not attracted to her.
Helpful Friend: "What about Sally?* She's pretty."
R: "Nah, I'm not interested in her."
Helpful Friend: "Why not?"
R: "err... no reason."**
Helpful Friend: "What, are you gay?"
R: "Yes, that's definitely it."
*Names changed to protect the innocent!
**Options include
A) Saying something negative about her - which will undoubtedly get back to her.
B) Saying something negative about yourself - which will encourage helpful friend to "encourage" you and say that you should "go for it!"
C) "No reason" - which will result in more pestering until you do an "A" or "B".
So in the interest of avoid future sidestepping of conversations, here are some things I'm looking for in a girl:
Christian (and theologically compatible which will undoubtedly be the harder part)
Fun-loving
Attractive (beauty is in the eye of the beholder)
Younger (you'll see why in a second)
Able to be led/taught
Able to keep home
Libertarian/Conservative leaning
Home schooling
Total denial and rejection of feminist indoctrination
Each line could merit a post on its own. But, you can probably see that many of the qualities would be difficult to find in a girl much less all of them. For the girl to be younger is important, because time will help in explaining why I have adopted certain viewpoints.
As for whether I'll get married or remain single, I would probably lean towards the former. Not excitedly so, as marriage brings both benefits (and they are awesome benefits) and difficulties. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 7, that his opinion is that it is better to be single... more time to do work for the Kingdom. Jesus Christ was a single man. (side note: it's hilarious when people claim that you're not fully a man unless your married... then you can point out that Jesus was not married...)
edit: I just realized I have no "Girls" tag. Hence, I probably haven't written on this topic much at all!
I have wondered if I felt the same sentiment. Not exactly. I would mourn the loss of friendships as people's lives get busy. That and people tend to hang around with people at the same life stage.
On a side note, another one of my friend bears the most flak regarding being single. He's younger than me. So I wonder if people have given up on me. :P
Friends have often pointed out so and so as a potential to date. It's kind of funny to see who your friends think of for you. It demonstrates what they think of you. The worst is when they try to browbeat you into liking a girl when you are not attracted to her.
Helpful Friend: "What about Sally?* She's pretty."
R: "Nah, I'm not interested in her."
Helpful Friend: "Why not?"
R: "err... no reason."**
Helpful Friend: "What, are you gay?"
R: "Yes, that's definitely it."
*Names changed to protect the innocent!
**Options include
A) Saying something negative about her - which will undoubtedly get back to her.
B) Saying something negative about yourself - which will encourage helpful friend to "encourage" you and say that you should "go for it!"
C) "No reason" - which will result in more pestering until you do an "A" or "B".
So in the interest of avoid future sidestepping of conversations, here are some things I'm looking for in a girl:
Christian (and theologically compatible which will undoubtedly be the harder part)
Fun-loving
Attractive (beauty is in the eye of the beholder)
Younger (you'll see why in a second)
Able to be led/taught
Able to keep home
Libertarian/Conservative leaning
Home schooling
Total denial and rejection of feminist indoctrination
Each line could merit a post on its own. But, you can probably see that many of the qualities would be difficult to find in a girl much less all of them. For the girl to be younger is important, because time will help in explaining why I have adopted certain viewpoints.
As for whether I'll get married or remain single, I would probably lean towards the former. Not excitedly so, as marriage brings both benefits (and they are awesome benefits) and difficulties. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 7, that his opinion is that it is better to be single... more time to do work for the Kingdom. Jesus Christ was a single man. (side note: it's hilarious when people claim that you're not fully a man unless your married... then you can point out that Jesus was not married...)
edit: I just realized I have no "Girls" tag. Hence, I probably haven't written on this topic much at all!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Meetings
Friday meetings.
There are many ways to get through meetings (besides actually paying attention and taking notes). You can play buzzword bingo, sleep, web-browse, think of what you are going to do on the weekend.
What do I do?
There is a worker with a name that sounds like "Interpol". So our business meetings become high-risk adventures of corporate espionage and international politics....
"Did you get the information to Interpol?"
"Interpol is requesting the latest numbers on the last migration."
"Interpol has been compromised! Contact all field agents and rendezvous at auxiliary depot A7B29."
All in a day's work.
There are many ways to get through meetings (besides actually paying attention and taking notes). You can play buzzword bingo, sleep, web-browse, think of what you are going to do on the weekend.
What do I do?
There is a worker with a name that sounds like "Interpol". So our business meetings become high-risk adventures of corporate espionage and international politics....
"Did you get the information to Interpol?"
"Interpol is requesting the latest numbers on the last migration."
"Interpol has been compromised! Contact all field agents and rendezvous at auxiliary depot A7B29."
All in a day's work.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Spin
I was thinking about Bonnie's spin on the Good Samaritan. After reading it, I had a Lou Ferrigno moment... ("CHRISTIAN RAGE!") With indignation, I exclaimed to myself (and anyone within a stone's throw) the attitude of Christ that is lost on so many Christians today.
At this point, you have probably realized where this is going.
On Monday nights, I have ice hockey. On the drive to the rink, I happened upon traffic. Silently cursing the individuals who don't know how to drive, I finally came to the cause of the slowdown. Two cars had crashed in the intersection and it left just enough room for cars to drive around them.
As I approached the crash and maneuvered my ride around the accident, I had a painful realization that I was the Levite, side-stepping the incident, set on my destination. I wish I could say I turned back. As the accident faded in my rear view mirror, so did my desire to stop and help.
I prayed for forgiveness. For a man who prays for more opportunities to serve the Lord, I am very slow to pick up on those moments. God is faithful to His children.
He furnished another opportunity to stop (after practice) and I did. The lady was grateful, but her husband and a tow truck would be there soon. There were some things I could have done better at that stop, but I know that now and next time will be better.
By the grace of God, I am what I am and will become what He wills.
At this point, you have probably realized where this is going.
On Monday nights, I have ice hockey. On the drive to the rink, I happened upon traffic. Silently cursing the individuals who don't know how to drive, I finally came to the cause of the slowdown. Two cars had crashed in the intersection and it left just enough room for cars to drive around them.
As I approached the crash and maneuvered my ride around the accident, I had a painful realization that I was the Levite, side-stepping the incident, set on my destination. I wish I could say I turned back. As the accident faded in my rear view mirror, so did my desire to stop and help.
I prayed for forgiveness. For a man who prays for more opportunities to serve the Lord, I am very slow to pick up on those moments. God is faithful to His children.
He furnished another opportunity to stop (after practice) and I did. The lady was grateful, but her husband and a tow truck would be there soon. There were some things I could have done better at that stop, but I know that now and next time will be better.
By the grace of God, I am what I am and will become what He wills.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
QOD
[I do not] want to leave the impression that reading many books is important. Reading great books and reading them well is what is important. Meditative reading, reading which stops and ponders, reading which sees deep into reality—that is the kind of reading which profits. That kind of reading should never end for you. Growth and stimulation and transformation will never end for you. You will be in the company of the greatest minds and hearts for the rest of your life, and you will become their peers if you read for understanding and for life.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Anxious
Therefore they said to Him, "What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?"
Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent."
John 6:26-27
Was meditating on John 6 and 7 over lunch today. As well, have kept this verse in my mind:
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
1 Pet 5:6-7
I read a lot. I have been trying to get a more solid grasp of economics, history, and politics. My university education has been woefully deficient in these areas. My friends aren't really into these sorts of thing. So I have been feeling a little isolated, in terms of what is going on currently and how to prepare for the future. But, that is another topic for another day.
So with all these burdens and problems on my heart, I took the only reasonable course of action.... I drowned myself in video games. I think I am over that stage now. (Although, I don't think I'll be cutting video games out of my life anytime soon.)
Perhaps, I am an overly anxious person. I am not superman. I cannot solve budgetary issues in the United States that will inevitably affect the quality of life here. I cannot overturn legislation that outlaws Christianity. I cannot single-handedly undo years of brainwashing and social reform that undermines the family unit. There are many things I cannot do.
However, there is one thing I can do... I can believe and trust in Jesus.
Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent."
John 6:26-27
Was meditating on John 6 and 7 over lunch today. As well, have kept this verse in my mind:
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
1 Pet 5:6-7
I read a lot. I have been trying to get a more solid grasp of economics, history, and politics. My university education has been woefully deficient in these areas. My friends aren't really into these sorts of thing. So I have been feeling a little isolated, in terms of what is going on currently and how to prepare for the future. But, that is another topic for another day.
So with all these burdens and problems on my heart, I took the only reasonable course of action.... I drowned myself in video games. I think I am over that stage now. (Although, I don't think I'll be cutting video games out of my life anytime soon.)
Perhaps, I am an overly anxious person. I am not superman. I cannot solve budgetary issues in the United States that will inevitably affect the quality of life here. I cannot overturn legislation that outlaws Christianity. I cannot single-handedly undo years of brainwashing and social reform that undermines the family unit. There are many things I cannot do.
However, there is one thing I can do... I can believe and trust in Jesus.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
On Fellowship
“The more isolated a person is, the more destructive will be the power of sin over him, and the more deeply he becomes involved in it, the more disastrous is his isolation. Sin wants to remain unknown. It shuns the light. . . . In confession the light of the gospel breaks into the darkness and seclusion of the heart. The sin must be brought into the light. The unexpressed must be openly spoken and acknowledged. All that is secret and hidden is made manifest. It is a hard struggle until the sin is openly admitted. But God breaks gates of brass and bars of iron.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together (New York, 1954), pages 112-113.
From Ray Ortlund's blog.