That's my King!......Always a Good Listen

Some of you may have seen this before.....watch and listen through to the end. I know... kind of ironic given some of my comments re: "The Passion of the Christ" yesterday in class!

Great Prayer to Begin Holy Week

From Scotty Smith's blog:

A Prayer About the Very Reason Jesus Came

“Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” John 12:27-32

Dear Lord Jesus, it’s Monday of Holy Week and my heart is profoundly comforted as I reflect on how profoundly troubled your heart was, as the events of that week began to unfold. There was no doubt in your mind why you came into Jerusalem riding the foal of a donkey, but there was unparalleled conflict in your heart… and understandably so.

At the end of the week you would willingly take the holy wrath of Judgment Day for all who will trust in you—being made sin for us that in you we might become the very righteousness of God. At the end of the week, your “bruised heel” would secure the ultimate crushing and “driving out” of the “prince of this world”—Satan himself. At the end of the week, you would pay the supreme price that alone guarantees the redemption of men and women from every single nation, tribe, people and language—a number as great as the stars in the sky, the sand of the beaches, and the dust of the earth…

For this very reason you came from eternity into time and space… for this very reason you emptied yourself of your glory by taking the form of a servant-man—the Lord’s Servant… for this very reason the Father spoke thunderous words from heaven for our benefit… for this very reason you became obedient—even obedient to death on the cross. Understandably so, your heart was troubled, greatly troubled.

As the events of our week now unfold, grant us grace to survey the wonders of your cross, Lord Jesus, with greater awe and gratitude than ever. In an hour when many in our culture are marginalizing and minimizing, denying or dismissing your cross, may our boasting in your cross grow by all-time exponential proportions. So very Amen, we pray, in the beauty and bounty of your most glorious name.

The Room

You may have read this in the past as one of those viral emails that everyone forwarded on to their friends. Read it before class this week as we will discuss "A Way to Be Good Again". This refers to the atonement and is the title of a chapter I just read in Joshua Harris's new book, Dug Down Deep. You can read about the origin of The Room here.

The Room by Joshua Harris

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features save for the one wall covered with small index-card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I Have Liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.
And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match.
A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I Have Betrayed."
The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I Have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed At." Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've Yelled at My Brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger," "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped.
I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my 20 years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.
When I pulled out the file marked "Songs I Have Listened To," I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music, but more by the vast amount of time I knew that file represented.
When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.
An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: "No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it
Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.
And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.
But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus.
I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one?
Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.
Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card.
"No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood.
He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished."
I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

By Joshua Harris. Originally published in New Attitude Magazine. Copyright New Attitude, 1995.

Pray for Bryant

From the Baptist Press:

"ORLANDO, Fla. (BP)--Georgia pastor Bryant Wright will be nominated for president of the Southern Baptist Convention, a Florida pastor announced March 12.

The nomination of Bryant Wright, senior pastor of the Atlanta-area Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, will be made by David Uth, pastor of First Baptist Church in Orlando, according to a March 12 report by the Florida Baptist Witness.

No other nominees for SBC offices have been announced to date; the SBC annual meeting will be June 15-16 in Orlando."

Read the whole article.

A Cause for Mourning and Prayer

From Romans Ch 1:
21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

Reading the following should cause us to mourn for our culture, its institutions (notable here are the Girl Scouts, the United Nations, and Planned Parenthood -and also note that this event was held at a church center owned and operated by the United Methodist Church) and for our young people who are being fed the lies that pleasurable sex is something to be worshiped. Yes, one cannot read the brochure (please read it but be warned it is fairly graphic) referenced in this article and miss the fact that sex is one of the most powerful idols in our culture today. And one cannot also miss the profits that are at stake for PP to the degree that this playing upon our culture's idols is successful.

"The World Association of Girl Scouts and Girl Guides hosted a no-adults-welcome panel at the United Nations this week where Planned Parenthood was allowed to distribute a brochure entitled “Healthy, Happy and Hot.” The event was part of the annual United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) which concludes this week.

The brochure, aimed at young people living with HIV, contains explicit and graphic details on sex, as well as the promotion of casual sex in many forms. The brochure claims, “Many people think sex is just about vaginal or anal intercourse… But, there are lots of different ways to have sex and lots of different types of sex. There is no right or wrong way to have sex. Just have fun, explore and be yourself!”

You can read more here and here.

Lets continue to speak truth into our young people's lives and pray for them, that Christ would be of such superior pleasure to them than what the world tells them they need!

Man of Sorrows

Man of sorrows what a name
For the Son of God who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim

Halleluiah what a savior

Bearing shame and scoffing rude
In my place condemned He stood
Sealed my pardon with His blood

Halleluiah what a savior

Guilty, vile and helpless we
Spotless lamb of God was He
Full atonement can it be

Halleluiah what a savior

Lifted up was He to die
It is finished was His cry
Now in heaven exalted high
Praise the Lord
Praise the Lord
Praise the Lord

When He comes our glorious king
All his ransomed home to bring
Then anew this song we’ll sing
Halleluiah Halleluiah

Halleluiah what a savior

Parenting Our Children to Have Right Thoughts about God

As a parent, I sometimes get anxiety over the fact that because of my own sinfulness (anger, impatience, etc.), I could be cultivating the wrong thoughts about God in my kids as I try to teach obedience. I pray that they will learn of a God of grace and mercy, as well as justice. If this resonates with any of you, here is a wise bit of advice from CJ Mahaney to a father who asked for guidance on this very issue. Here are the main points of his answer:

• You have the privilege of introducing them to God the Father and describing the ways in which he is different from you, different from all sinful fathers, and how in any way you are like him it’s only because of grace that you reflect him. See Luke 11:11–13.
  
• Your honest confession of your sin to your children will protect them from having hard thoughts about you or God.
  
• Communicating your affection for them—and joy when you are with them—promotes both good and accurate thoughts about God.
  
• Initiate time with them at both planned and spontaneous times. Don’t leave them with the impression that they get most of your attention when they disobey. Let them know you are so grateful for them and love being with them as much as possible.
  
• Bless your children with many gifts in many forms! See Luke 11 again. Study your children in order to discern what gifts would genuinely bless them and then purpose to surprise them as often as possible.
  
• Requiring appropriate obedience does not promote hard thoughts about God. This only happens when we do so in self-righteousness or anger. See point 2 again.
  
• Frequently preach the gospel to them (and not at them). Reveal to your children just how far God has gone to show his love for sinners like us.

Wisdom on Listening to Our Pastor

J.R. Vassar from Apostle's Church in NYC has some good words here on how to approach listening to our pastor's sermons week after week (italics mine - hopefully our class is seeing fruit from our being in the Word!):

"For those that have to listen to preachers every week, I have two quick things to say:

• Trust that there is a cumulative effect to your pastor's preaching. Don't expect him to hit a home run every week. It is impossible. Receive the sermon trusting that God will add it to the work that He is currently doing in your life and bring forth fruit. Your pastor's sermons should be supplemental to the work God is doing in you through your own times in the word.
• Define the win. Don't judge your pastor on whether he is funny or dynamic or captivating. If your pastor is preaching the bible, exalting Christ, keeping the Gospel central and applying it to your context, then you have a great pastor and you should thank God for him. Stop complaining about your pastor's delivery; pray for your receptivity. I hear people criticize their pastor's preaching but never scrutinize their own listening. Maybe the problem is not what you think it is. "

The whole post is worth reading here.

HT: Vitamin Z

Preparation for Easter

Here are some recommended books for devotional reading and further study as we focus on the person and work of Christ in class and prepare our hearts for Easter:

The Cross of Christ by John Stott

The Cross He Bore by Frederick Leahy

Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die by John Piper

In My Place Condemned He Stood by Packer and Dever

A Violent Grace by Michael Card

Raised With Christ by Adrian Warnock

Wisdom on the Why Questions

I found this quote by David Powlison, a wise Christian counselor, very profound and worth meditating on. I pray it might be used to especially bless those of us who have recently gone through a time of loss, pain or suffering:

"So often the initial reaction to painful suffering is Why me? Why this? Why now? Why? . . .

[God] comes for you, in the flesh, in Christ, into suffering, on your behalf. He does not offer advice and perspective from afar; he steps into your significant suffering. He will see you through, and work with you the whole way. He will carry you even in extremis. This reality changes the questions that rise up from your heart. That inward-turning “why me?” quiets down, lifts its eyes, and begins to look around.You turn outward and new, wonderful questions form.

Why you?

Why you?

Why would you enter this world of evils?

Why would you go through loss, weakness, hardship, sorrow, and death?

Why would you do this for me, of all people?

But you did.

You did this for the joy set before you.

You did this for love.

You did this showing the glory of God in the face of Christ.

As that deeper question sinks home, you become joyously sane. The universe is no longer supremely about you. Yet you are not irrelevant. God’s story makes you just the right size. Everything counts, but the scale changes to something that makes much more sense. You face hard things. But you have already received something better which can never be taken away. And that better something will continue to work out the whole journey long.

The question generates a heartfelt response:

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget any of his benefits, who pardons all your iniquities and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion, who satisfies your years with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

Thank you, my Father. You are able to give true voice to a thank you amid all that is truly wrong, both the sins and the sufferings that now have come under lovingkindness.

Finally, you are prepared to pose—and to mean—almost unimaginable questions:

Why not me?

Why not this?

Why not now?

If in some way, my faith might serve as a three-watt night-light in a very dark world, why not me?

If my suffering shows forth the Savior of the world, why not me?

If I have the privilege of filling up the sufferings of Christ?

If he sanctifies to me my deepest distress?

If I fear no evil?

If he bears me in his arms?

If my weakness demonstrates the power of God to save us from all that is wrong?

If my honest struggle shows other strugglers how to land on their feet?

If my life becomes a source of hope for others?

Why not me?

Of course, you don’t want to suffer, but you’ve become willing: “If it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not as I will, but as you will.”

Like him, your loud cries and tears will in fact be heard by the one who saves from death.

Like him, you will learn obedience through what you suffer.

Like him, you will sympathize with the weaknesses of others.

Like him, you will deal gently with the ignorant and wayward.

Like him, you will display faith to a faithless world, hope to a hopeless world, love to a loveless world, life to a dying world.

If all that God promises only comes true, then why not me?"

—David Powlison, “God’s Grace and Your Sufferings,” in Suffering and the Sovereignty of God (pp. 172-173).

HT: Between Two Worlds