Dec 31 2008
I haven’t posted for a long time. I have missed it but I haven’t had either the time or the creative energy needed to write. However I am eager to be back for the new year. I hope that those who were reading will wander back and that many will begin to comment so that this can become a conversation.
Happy New Year.
on the walk
-Ethan
Nov 04 2008
I often disagree with Piper. But I admire his grounding in scripture and his commitment to faithful proclaim God’s word. Here is a fine example of his teaching about a scriptural perspective on voting. It is well worth your time:
Let Christians Vote as if not Voting
on the walk
-Ethan
Nov 03 2008
Yesterday was a great day at Mountain. If you missed it, you can catch up to the sermon here. The whole service directed us to the sovereignty of God and the lordship of Jesus Christ (which means Gods-anointed-prophet-priest-king). In particular we considered the implications of Christ’s Lordship as we face the election season.
My favorite thing about the day is that it was a day when the gospel was declared. It is easy for a sermon about politics to become a divisive laundry list. But instead it was the gospel, “Jesus is Lord.” I don’t remember all of his points but here are a few that have stuck with me.
Because Jesus is Lord, Christians serve in this present world but we are part of a new kingdom and that is where our true allegiance lies.
Because Jesus is Lord, we find our unity in our agreement and submission to Christ even when we disagree on how we should vote.
Because Jesus is Lord, we need not be overly fearful or overly joyful about any election. Elections are not the source of true change and real power anyway.
Because Jesus is Lord, we are not satisfied to vote our conscience but instead we live out our service to our Lord in the midst of a broken world. We hope that our vote might do some good, but we are not satisfied with only voting.
It was a gospel filled day.
I will confess that there was something in me that wanted to say, “But really it pretty clear how we must vote, isn’t it? There are some issues that are so grave and so urgent and so opposed to God’s will. We must act.”
But I know better. Because I know godly, wise, Bible-reading, Jesus-loving Christians who also care about those issues but disagree with me about how to address them and consequently are voting differently. I have heard Christians ask me, “How can a person be a Christian and vote for a Republican?” I have heard others ask, “How can a person be a Christian and vote for a Democrat?” If one of those questions stumps you, I actually know the answer to both questions.
I have been doing a lot of reading this year on how Christians are facing the election. I am pleased at the improved level of dialogue. I feel like this year I find real wrestling in places where in years past there was only simple assumptions made. [There have been plenty to be sad about as well. Apparently “bearing false witness” doesn’t apply during the election season.] But in general the state of the dialogue has improved. For those who want to read some insightful thoughts, here is a fine article you way want to check out..
John Stackhouse offers a review of a handful of new books on evangelicals and politics.
For those who don’t want to read but may want to discuss.
I welcome your loving comments on this complicated issue.
on the walk
-Ethan
Oct 31 2008
Here is a link to today’s text:
In Christ we can have abundant life now and forever. We live life on the edge of eternity. We live now with purpose and one day we will live forever in God’s kingdom. They way to live a life so that you can die with no regrets is to live as if you had one month to live. In the world, a long range plan may be 10 , 50 or even 100 years. In Christ, you can have a long range plan of abundant life both today and for all eternity.
Today’s Challenge:
Accept the gift of abundant life that God offers. Are you ready to make a pledge to never settle for a mediocre life of postponement and regrets? Are you ready to Live Passionately, Love Completely, Learn Humbly and Leave Boldly? Don’t take anything less than the eternal abundant life that God wants to give you.
Textual Reflection:
To get a sense for this text, it is probably worth reading the whole chapter to to get the context. Jesus is trying to explain who he is and what he has come to do. To do this, he uses a variety of images. He introduces these images through a collection of I AM’s.
With this image of the gate Jesus clarifies two very important claims. First he clarifies any confusion about his claim to centrality. Jesus claims that he is at the center of what God is planning to do. This is a claim of sharp particularity and if we are tempted to negate this claim we do so at great risk to the teaching scripture.
Secondly he claims that he comes to secure life for all those who will “enter through him.” I often need a reminder of what God in Christ intends for me. Lies speak in my head to say, “there is a better life than this. That short cut won’t matter.” Into that lie come the words of Christ. There is one way to enter the life for God made you and me. That one way is the through the forgiveness and lordship of Jesus Christ. That is why Jesus came. Jesus came to save those who are dead in our sin and to give us life. And not just any life, but the full life for which we were created.
on the walk
-Ethan
Oct 30 2008
Here is a link to today’s reading:
There are a lot of ways to leave a legacy. With enough money you can build a building or start a foundation. But there is no more important way to leave a legacy than to invest in the life of someone else. I Timothy was a letter written from the early church leader Paul to his legacy Timothy. You can hear his passion and concern for this young leader. Paul chose to leave a legacy.
Today’s Challenge:
Are you investing in a legacy of changed lives? Can you identify people that are your children in the faith? What can you do now so that you can leave boldly with a legacy of Christians ready to carry on the service that you are now offering?
Textual Reflection:
This letter is one of the three Pastoral epistles. This name refers to the three of Paul’s letters that are not written to churches but instead to church leaders who were early associates of the apostle Paul. The very existence of these letters is a part of Paul’s effort to leave a legacy of leadership. The two recipients (Timothy and Titus) were companions of Paul who were eventually stopped travelling with Paul and stayed in one location to serve and lead the churches there.
As I consider this particular text and these letters in general, I am struck by one thought. It is the question asked in the devotion, ” Can you identify people that are your children in the faith?” Paul knew who was going to pick up his work and carry on. Do I have similar assurance? Do you? If not, that must be a top priority for our lives: o raise up not just a successor but a team of people who can carry on the work that God has given to us to do.
on the walk
-Ethan
Oct 29 2008
Here is a link to today’s reading:
God has given you skills that are designed to be used for the good of all God’s people. When you withhold your gifts from the church everyone suffers. But when you contribute what you have to offer you help build a legacy of a strong healthy church. Don’t worry that you can’t do everything. No one can. However, you are gifted to serve and the only obstacle is your willingness to offer what you have.
Today’s Challenge:
You can trust that God has gifted you for service to the church. Make a commitment to find out how you have been gifted to serve and then offer those gifts to God. Write down how you will offer your gifts to God’s church.
Textual Reflections:
This the beginning of a long section from Paul on the use(and misuse) of spiritual gifts. Those who are very interested may want to read on to the end of chapter 14. But even in this short introduction is found the most fundamental truth about spiritual gifts: Spiritual gifts are given to each of us for the good of others. The spiritual gift that is given to me is not for me, it is for others even though it was to me.
Consider this illustration. My four year old is about to go to a birthday party for a friend. Before he goes, I will (with his ‘help’) purchase a gift, wrap it, label it, and keep track off it until minutes before the party. As he walks to the door of the party I will hand him his gift. And I will tell him, “Remember this gift is for your friend. I know you like it, but it isn’t for you it is for him.”
That is the way spiritual gifts work. If we don’t get that right w have missed everything. They come from God, to us for others. If you are using your God given abilities for your own glory (even at church) then don’t call it a gift. That is just stuff that you have.
on the walk
-Ethan
Oct 28 2008
Here is a link to today’s reading:
To be a witness requires two qualities. You must see something and you must be prepared to tell about it. One of the hallmarks of people who leave a legacy in the church is their willingness to testify how God has acted throughout history and in their lives. You can be a witness. Study scripture to see what God has done, and partner with what God is doing today so you will have a testimony to pass on to the next generation.
Today’s Challenge:
Find a way to make a difference in the next generation of Christians. This may happen in the context of your family or in new relationships that you can form. Can you name three people who could benefit if you shared a witness of what God has done in your life? Write down their names and tell them your story.
Textual Reflections:
This psalm helps me remember the simplicity of worship. Most simply I can worship by recalling the good works of God. God is praised not just for his intangible and unchanging nature, but most especially for his timely and purposeful action in our lives. Worship then is not only an interaction between the worshiper and God, it is also a testimony to all who hear our worship. When I do this with my children I not only am modeling worship, I am passing on a legacy.
To worship like this we need to cultivate two important perspectives. The first is to develop a mindset that is looking for the work of God. We will do this by studying scripture, but also by learning from others and by watching our own lives for God and work in the world. The second perspective we must cultivate is a since of the public nature of worship.
There has been some controversy over the years about the way in which worship is a witness to the world. The question is often asked, “Is worship evangelistic?” There is certainly a sense in which it is not. Praise to God needs no other motivation. In fact, if we praise as a means to some other end, then our praise is weakened by the inherent confusion of motives. But there is more to this story, and it is to this that our psalmist speaks.
Although praise is valuable and essential in its own right, it is also an essential part of the proclamation of God’s people. This why our worship needs to be grounded no just in our emotional response to God but in the historical reality of God’s action and the dependable character of God. When our praise is grounded in these realities, then our children and any others who are present are taught by our praise.
on the walk
-Ethan
Oct 27 2008
Here is a link to today’s reading
Ephesians 5:8-20
How many chances will you get? How many more times will you get to talk to your parents or play with your children? How many more conversations will you have with your friends? How many more days are you willing to waste in the sinful patterns that are so comfortable to you? If you had one month to live you would be naturally compelled to “make the most of every opportunity.” You would not waste a conversation. You would not waste one moment. Imagine how boldly you could face death if you knew that you had not wasted a single breath
Today’s Challenge:
Take a look at your life. From an eternal perspective, which moments are you wasting? Perhaps those moments are being wasted in sin, or by pursuing wealth and power. Perhaps they are being wasted because you are resisting God’s will for your life. Write down two ways you are wasting your life. Pick one and make a plan to replace that waste with fruitful living. Continue Reading »
Oct 24 2008
Here is a link to today’s reading:
There is a secret to using a Jell-O mold. Those who know the secret can shape Jell-O into to a visual delight. Like a Jell-O mold, our culture works to box in our thoughts and give shape to our attitudes, expectations and actions. Christians must master the secret of resisting this conformity and instead be transformed into the shape (likeness) of Jesus Christ. We do this by letting God’s word renew and mold our minds.
Today’s Challenge:
Become a critic of the Jell-O mold of your culture. Write down how you “fit in” to the world around you. Ask God to help you break free of that mold. Commit to read God’s word and ask God to transform you to the standard of Jesus. (If you need a place to start, try the books of Mark or Luke.) Continue Reading »
Oct 23 2008
Here is a link to today’s text:
God doesn’t want you for anything you can do or accomplish. God wants you for you. God wants to be with you and for you to be with God. Sometimes this will mean forging into a dangerous mission and risky service. Sometimes this will mean giving away your possessions and offering up your life. But often this will mean sitting and praying, reading and talking. Even when you are not seeming to accomplish anything, you are with God and that is God’s desire.
Today’s Challenge:
Carve out an hour of silence this week. Do not bring a journal or a book. Turn off your cell-phone. Tell your plans to a friend who can hold you accountable. Spend a full hour with no agenda but to invite God to be with you. Write down your reflections here.
- Next »
