Israel Update #1

We made it safely to Israel and are having a wonderful time. Our first day was in London as we toured the city and went to the British Museum and saw many archaeological artifacts (yes I'm a nerd).

Our first day in Jerusalem was a New Testament day. Then our second day was an Old Testament day. Today was our Jerusalem Approaches/Mt. of Olives day.

Please continue to pray for us and we'll write more as time and opportunities allow.

Blessings...

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Prayer for us

You can be in prayer for me and Elizabeth over the next few weeks as we travel around the land of Israel. We'll be going to many (I mean, many) sites and reading the passages which are pertinent to each site. I've made up a note packet for her (only 150 pages) of maps of Israel, Jerusalem, site diagrams, phone numbers, relevant Scripture passages, and of course, some Hebrew words to learn (e.g. "where's the bathroom?").

Please keep us in prayer these next few weeks.

Blessings...

PS -- The above picture is one of my favorite Tells in Israel -- can you guess which site it is? (Hint: See Jeremiah 34:7)

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Ways a husband can treat his wife as his companion

Here are a few ways in which a husband can (and should!) treat his wife as his companion:

1. By being with her and involving her.


The husband must plan time to spend with her alone. He must also develop common interests with her. He must also let her know how she can help him and work alongside of him. He must call her from work. he must tell her about what he does (regularly/on a daily basis).

2. By seeking to understand her and help her.


The husband must ask what she did today and then listen to her. He must inquire as to her well-being and then pay attention. He must plan a regular time to talk about her concerns and then pray/study/and help her find solutions. He must ask her how he can pray for her. He must pray with her. he must assist her when she needs it.

3. By appreciating her.


He must thank God for her. He must think and verbalize specific qualities or deeds that he is thankful for. he must speak well of her to others. He must leave her a note of appreciation to encourage her and affirm his love and affection for her.



4. By treating her special compared to others.


He can open doors for her. He can plan dates with her. The husband must put her "needs" and desires above others' needs and desires. He must show her non-sexual (and sexual) affection. Be sexually intimate with her, focusing most on her enjoyment.



5. By revealing himself to her.


The husband must communicate his thoughts, perspectives, and goals to her. He must also let her know how she can pray for him.



Adapted from Stuart Scott, The Exemplary Husband, 63.

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Be warned: Don't forfeit Christ's mind

I am aware of the wise warnings against using words like "all," "every,"
and "always" in what I say. Absolutizing one's pronouncements is dangerous. But
I'm going to do it anyway. Here it is: It is impossible for any Christian who
spends the bulk of his evenings, month after month, week upon week, day in and
day out watching the major TV networks or contemporary videos to have a
Christian mind. This is always true of all Christians in every situation! A
biblical mental program cannot coexist with worldly programming.

From: Hughes, R. Kent. Disciplines of a Godly Man (Wheaton: IL: Crossway, 2001), 71-72.

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Interesting updates...

A few things that are on my mind as of late:

First, just yesterday, from San Francisco and FOX news (see also the LA Times' article), "The California Supreme Court overturned a ban on gay marriage Thursday, calling such a ban unconstitutional and paving the way for California to become the second state where gay and lesbian residents can marry."

The justices released the 4-3 decision Thursday, saying that domestic partnerships are not a good enough substitute for marriage in an opinion written by Chief Justice Ron George.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he will support the decision.

"I respect the Court's decision and as Governor, I will uphold its ruling," Schwarzenegger said in a statement. "Also, as I have said in the past, I will not support an amendment to the constitution that would overturn this state Supreme Court ruling."

The cases were brought by the city of San Francisco, two dozen gay and lesbian couples, Equality California and another gay rights group in March 2004 after the court halted San Francisco's monthlong same-sex wedding march that took place at Mayor Gavin Newsom's direction.

This is not shocking to me, but it is discouraging to me. I wonder how low we can go. You talk about a patient God...

Second, I am taking a phenomenal course, The Pastor's Home. This is a double-joy because Elizabeth is with me every night for the lectures! We are having such a great time learning about: communication in the Pastor's home, the husband's role in the Pastor's home, the wife's role in the Pastor's home, finances in the Pasotor's home, etc. It's been awesome! Also, tonight is our "date night." So, yes, I get school credit for taking my bride out on a date tonight! Now that's cool

Third, I am preparing to lead an Israel trip. There are hidden motives here. The goal is to do this a number of times and eventually take church groups over there in the future. I presented this to my pastor and to the Elder board and they are all behind the idea!

At any rate, I have been going through a road atlas I have of Israel getting the routes down from every site to the next site and then to the place of lodging at night. It's just been fun! Then, I've been researching some maps from the months of living in Israel, my notes from going to all the sites, and Todd Bolen's picture CD's (as well as my pictures - which don't even measure up to Todd's!).

Alas, It's 6:36AM, I must be getting back to my Israel studies...

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Godly Wisdom is Pure

Godly wisdom is pure and clean. That is, it is found where the pollution and defilement of sin is absent. Listen to how the old church father, Tertullian (c. 200AD) wrote regarding this:

Be clothed with the silk of honesty, the fine linen of holiness and the
purple of chastity;
thus adorned, God will be your friend.

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Are you trying to "find the will of God"?

Since I finished my class class of my MDiv career on Wednesday, I have been able to do some pleasure reading. One book - which I used as a source for my biblical decision-making paper - which I have been reading is by Bruce Waltke entitled: Finding the Will of God: Pagan Notion? And this book is superb! In a nutshell, Waltke reveals that "finding the will of God" is a pagan notion which has a lot of pagan connotations back to the ancient world of casting lots and inquiring of some pagan "god" in order to find his "will." Regarding this, Waltke says:

In the New Testament, God never calls us to "seek His will," but rather to seek
His kingdom and do His will. We ought to stamp out of our vocabulary the
nonbiblical and misleading expression "finding God's will." Rather than talk
about "seeking the will of God," we ought to speak of following the guidance of God. This is not just semantically different, since He is
calling us to draw close to Himself and to live holy lives. God's will for us is
that we be holy; there is no mystery to His will. As for those questions about
changing jobs, getting married, going to school, and the like, finding answers
will require growing close to God (p.169).

Don't think that because it is Dr. Waltke writing this work, it is some "above-your-head" scholarly book about the nuances of Hebrew (though, of course, Waltke could do this). Rather, this is as practical as theology gets. Along these lines, Waltke insightfully reveals:

We live in a golden age for Christian publishing. Never have so many words been
written nor so many pages published on the Lord Jesus Christ. Every city in
North America seems to have a Christian bookstore, and their shelves are filled
with interesting, helpful, and profound books on the Christian life. The downside
of all this is that I think many people have shied away from Scripture itself.
There is so much out there, and much of it seems awfully interesting to
Christians, so it has become easier to read the latest popular book on God or
the church or the family than it is to read the Bible ... you must
spend time reading God's Word or you will never mature in your Christian faith
... I am simply reminding you that all of those good books will amount to very
little in your life if you do not spend time in the most important book of all,
the Holy Bible (p.63).

Finally, at the end of the book Waltke notes that all this theology that people can (and should!) learn must not be sheer "head knowledge." As he notes, "theology, what we know about God, changes our lives" (p.183). And if it doesn't, then it's a hypocritical ("non-Christian") religion. As he concludes:

Knowing God, which we inadequately refer to as "theology," designates more than
the involvement of a personality in the presence of the Lord. God is known
through doing His will. One author put it: "the knowledge of God is defined
throughout as obedience to His will. The Bible consistently demands action, not
words. God was pleased to validate His own character in the acid test of
history. He was not content with merely propositional truths about Himself
(p.186).

So, Christian, go and learn God's Word; study it; revel in it; bathe in it; clothe yourself with it; let it find its abode deep in your heart and soul. And then, only then, when that infallible and inerrant Word has deeply impacted your heart and life will you be being led by God!

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Don't Waste Your Pulpit

HT: Justin Taylor.

Blessings.

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Brief Biblical and Practical Theology on Sleep

These are some notes I took from class last week. I thought they may be of help:

1. BUT...WHAT DO I DO IF I JUST CAN’T GET TO SLEEP? OR IF I WAKE UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND CAN’T GET BACK TO SLEEP?
I must see the inability to sleep in the light of the sovereignty of God. Believe that these times represent opportunities from God.
a. An Opportunity for Examination
(1) Guilt? Sin? Lack of trust in God? Lack of biblical mindset?
-this is where our thoughts should go.
(2) Ps. 139:23-24 – ask God to search our hearts; know my anxious thoughts; lead me in the way everlasting.

b. An Opportunity for Meditation
(1) Ps. 119:148
(2) Ps. 16:7
(3) Ps. 77:6 – think of your favorite hymns and worship songs and sing them (to yourself! J). This is what Asaph does!! J
(4) Ps. 77:11-12
(5) Ps. 4:4

c. An Opportunity for Communication
(1) Ps. 4:1
-this person who has trouble w/ insomnia needs to call on the LORD
(2) Ps. 77:1-2
(3) Phil. 4:6-7
(a) Prayer for your own burdens
(b) Prayer for others’ burdens – gets focus off of self
-keep focus on God!! J
-the bible has a lot to say about sleep and getting good sleep

4. Summary
a. Address the possible spiritual causes of insomnia:
(1) A lifestyle of habitual worry and anxiety and not trusting God
(2) Guilt over disobedience
(3) A lack of hard work...doing all you know to do and can do to solve issues...but doing no more than that
(4) Not having a biblical mindset, a mind so saturated with Scripture that they think biblically as a lifestyle
(5) A lifestyle of discontent – with people, with circumstances, with God
b. And then, when God “keeps your eyelids open,” they can see it as an opportunity for examination, meditation, and supplication.

Blessings to you.

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You think LA is crowded...

Man, I haven't had a good laugh in a long time. This fixed that! I guess you have to know how crowded the NYC subways can be at times, but this blows the NY subways out! :=)

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Don't just apply, implement!

If there’s been one thing I’ve learned this semester in my effective sermon delivery course at seminary, it’s been to help people to not only apply the text of Scripture but we are to help them implement the text of Scripture. Let me explain.

It is one thing if from my pulpit I tell my people “Read your Bibles!” That’s application. They know what to do. But we – as preachers – must take this one step further. If we merely stop here that’s still insufficient. We must give them implementation helps. We must tell them how to do what they know they need to do. If we tell them to “Read your Bibles!” we must also tell them “How to read your Bible.”

In a sermon we could say, “Perhaps there is someone here who is struggling with their daily Bible reading. Perhaps the mornings are so busy and the alone time with God is crowded out with the normal engagements of getting ready for work, showering, eating, watching the news and, of course, sleeping late.” But what if we as preachers give them helpful (as practical as it gets) helps as to how they can change:

1) Get up 20 minutes earlier than you usually do and make your coffee and then read the Bible (tell them what to read; start with John, Psalms, etc).
2)Begin your prayer time praying through a psalm, praise God, confess sins to God, thank God, present your requests to God (A-C-T-S prayer).
3)End the quiet time with a prayer thanking God for the clarity of His word and commit the day to Him for His glory. Ask that He may use YOU for His glory in being a witness for Him wherever you find yourself throughout the day.

I hope this helps us bear in mind that we must not only apply the text for our hearers in the sermon but we must also implement it for them (or, show them how to implement it).

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I love my Jewish people, part 2

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Quote on "simplicity in preaching"

J.C. Ryle notes:

All the simplicity in the world can do no good, unless you preach the
simple gospel of Jesus Christ so fully and clearly that everybody can understand
it. If 'Christ crucified' has not His rightful place in your sermons, and 'sin'
is not exposed as it should be, and your people are not plainly told what they
ought to believe, and be, and do - your preaching is of no use!

Amen.

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Can a believer abide in sin?

I found this quote this morning in a colleague's paper; good reminder:

“Whereas the sinner lives in sin and loves it, the saint lapses into sin and loathes it. He cannot, being a sheep, enjoy the filth which the hog rolls in.”[1]

1 John 3:9 9 No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

[1] Douty, Union With Christ, 188.

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Man I love those Jewish people...

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What is a preacher?

These are some notes that I took from my professor today in my "Effective Sermon Delivery" class at seminary. This was in response to a student's question as to whether preachers should use the 2nd person "you" in outlines and application or the 1st person "we" (to include himself) in the sermon. Here is what Dr. Jack Hughes said:

A preacher is not someone who is there among his congregation as someone who is just to share some concepts about God. He is there to preach w/ boldness, authority, the authority inherent in the word of God and to command people.

Paul says: “Prescribe (i.e. “command”) these things” – military connotations

Don’t fear using the 2nd person.

Yet, you don’t want to preach as someone totally apart from the congregation.

Cf. JC Ryle’s sermon – tons of “you … you… you… you”

When you’re preaching it is authoritative, bold, one-way preaching to them from the authoritative text.

I am commanded by God to teach w/ all authority, to teach the whole counsel of God and let no one disregard me”

It has nothing to do w/ you looking down upon people. That is not the case. If you are preaching God’s Word, you are speaking DOWN – from God – to them.

If you’re preaching God’s word, then tell them what they need to hear.

In Hebrews it says, “Today if you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts…” – well how do they hear? By a preacher.

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John Piper on Christians and Muslims and the Love of God

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Marriage and the glory of God

I'm not sure if you saw Dr. Mohler's blog yesterday but it was phenomenal! He wrote on marriage and how it is to be for life and the key components for marriage.

Dr. Mohler says near the beginning of his article:

Marriage is about our happiness, our holiness, and our wholeness--but it is
supremely about the glory of God. When marriage is entered into rightly, when
marriage vows are kept with purity, when all the goods of marriage are enjoyed
in their proper place--God is glorified.
Our chief end is to glorify God--and
marriage is a means of His greater glory. As sinners, we are all too concerned
with our own pleasures, our own fulfillments, our own priorities, our own
conception of marriage as a domestic arrangement. The ultimate purpose of
marriage is the greater glory of God--and God is most greatly glorified when His
gifts are rightly celebrated and received, and His covenants are rightly honored
and pledged.

May we all read and be exhorted and recommitted to our spouses for the glory of God.

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What does it mean to "glorify God"?

"To glorify God means to make His name famous. His honor and His reputation become more important than our own. It is equivalent to the following well-known purpose statements":

Deuteronomy 6:4 4 "Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!

Matthew 22:39 39 "The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'

Leviticus 19:2 2 "Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel and say to them, 'You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.

Galatians 5:6 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.

Matthew 28:19 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

So, therefore, my brethren, go glorify God.

Source: Edward T. Welch, "Counseling Those Who Are Depressed," The Journal of Biblical Counseling 18, no. 2 (Winter 2000): 27.

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A good day in the "blog-o-sphere"

Here are three excellent blogs I read today that I will post for you to check out. I'm not gonna even try to blog today after reading these three excellent blogs.

First, Chuck Lawless, of Southern Seminary, has a fabulous post today imagining if he were Satan and how he would attack Christians today. You can read the whole post here. It's excellent and sobering.

Second, Michael Patton has a very helpful post (with a picture!) of proper exegesis (that is, biblical interpretation). This is a clip to wet your appetite (and hopefully convince you to read the whole post!):

The problem with the “What-does-it-mean-to-you” approach is that it is purely
subjective. It turns the Scripture into a wax nose that can be shaped into what
ever our our current situation demands. The Bible becomes subjective magic
book through which we serve as mediums to its message.
It does not matter
what it means to you.
It does not matter what it means to
you.
It matters what it means. Yes, there are various ways in which the Bible
can apply to you, but it is not going to apply outside its objective
meaning. It means what it means.
“But the Bible is God’s
word,” you may say. ”It is powerful. You should not limit it. God can
speak directly to me through it.” This is true. The Bible is powerful. It is
God’s word. It can speak to you. But it is not going to give you a different
meaning than it gives to everyone else.

Third, Doug McMasters just gives some notes from Spurgeon which are phenomenal! It is Spurgeon's charge to Trinity Road Chapel. Here's a clip (so, again, you'll read the whole thing):

You need power; not the power of money, or mind, or influence, or numbers;
but “power from on high.” All other power may be desirable, but this power is
indispensable. Spiritual work can only be done by spiritual power. I counsel you
in order to get spiritual power in all that you do to keep the King’s
commandment, for “where the word of a king is, there is power.”

And a little more...

If you want power, keep the King’s commandment, keep close to it in all
things, and make it the law of your house and the motto of your flag. Wherein
you go beyond the word. you go beyond the power, and wherein you stop short of
the word you also stop short of the power. In the King’s word there is power,
and you will have power as long as you keep to it: but real power is nowhere
else to be found. Let us take care that we do not look elsewhere for power, for
that will he leaving the fountains of living waters to hew out to ourselves
broken cisterns which hold no water. I fear that some Christian people have been
looking in many other directions for the power which can only be found in the
word of the King.

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