I think Keller just nailed me…

I’m currently reading Timothy Kellers, “Counterfeit Gods.” Wonderful, convicting, and challenging book. I was reading tonight and the following passages really stuck out to me as he began discussing the idols that many Christians and Christian communities have set up, and the damage it has and is doing. You can find it on pages 131-133 in the book.

“An idol is something that we look to for things that only God can give. Idolatry functions widely inside religious communities when doctrinal truth is elevated to the position of a false god. This occurs when people rely on the rightness of their doctrine for their standing with God rather than on God himself and his grace. It is a subtle but deadly mistake. The sign that you have slipped into this form of self-justification is that you become what the book of Proverbs calls a “scoffer.” Scoffers always show contempt and disdain for opponents rather than graciousness. This is a sign that they do not see themselves as sinners saved by grace. Instead, their trust in the rightness of their views makes them feel superior…

Wow, I think Keller nailed me. I like to think I don’t have this issue, but when I search myself and am really honest with myself, there are many times that the above passage here sums me up quite well. Forgive me Lord, I am indeed a sinner, in need of Your grace.

“…the Enlightenment abandoned religious orthodoxy and put in God’s place things like the American system or individual self-fulfillment. The results have not been good. Putting Nation in place of God leads to cultural imperialism, and putting Self in the place of God leads to many of the dysfunctional dynamics we have discussed throughout this book. Why did our culture largely abandon God as its hope? I believe it was because our religious communities have been and continue to be filled with these false gods. Making an idol out of doctrinal accuracy, ministry success, or moral rectitude leads to constant internal conflict, arrogance and self-righteousness, and oppression of those whose views differ. These toxic effects of religious idolatry have led to widespread disaffection with religion in general and Christianity in particular. Thinking we have tried God, we have turned to other Hope, with devastating consequences.”

Again, I think Keller nailed me, and many people I know. Certainly a need for much repentance within the Church…

I encourage everyone, especially Christian leaders to go out and get this book.

The wisdom of children: Another lesson from my kids…

I posted this on the Facebook page of a Christian that I truly respect (Ed Stetzer) the other day, and thought it deserved a mention here on my blog. Ed made the comment, “The Bible is all red letters…It’s all about Jesus and it’s all Spirit inspired.”

His comment reminded me of something I had just spoken with my wife about a few days earlier. Here was my response:

“I was actually telling my wife the other day, I think our 22 month old twins have it right…Every time they pick up their little Bibles, they say “Deedus”, or “Sheezus”, depending on which one asks, and they bring it over to me and climb in my lap…When they bring their Bibles to me, they want me to show them Jesus. I told my wife, they really have it right…Every time they open their Bibles they want to see Jesus, they expect to see Jesus..I think more of us need to have this attitude…”

Jesus Himself said that the Scriptures were about Him, and bore witness of Him. (Luke 24:27, John 5:39) When we open our Bibles, we ought to be doing the same thing as my sons Noah and Caleb, and looking for Jesus. The Scriptures all point to Jesus in some way. It warms my heart so much when I hear those little voices calling out the name of my Savior Jesus, (Deedus, Sheezus). I pray one day they will call out His name, as their own Savior, I pray that same prayer for all of my children. Just imagine, if it warms my heart so much, imagine how much it warms the heart of Christ…

“Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.” -Mark 10:14-16

“And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise?” – Matthew 21:16

Reflections from a week of pain…

It is now been a week of pain for me. Technically a little over a week, the first bits of pain actually came last Monday. Still I thought this would be a good time for me to reflect on my week, and some of the things that God has been showing me.

First, one of the purposes of pain is to remind us of the horrors of sin, as John Piper wrote in his blog this past week. Notice that God first speaks of pain when talking to Adam and Eve right after the fall. (Genesis 3:16-17) It seems to me that if we did not have pain and suffering in the world, we would forget just how horrible sin is…I think then we would seek God even less than we do.

Second, this past week has reminded me that I’m not nearly as Godly as I’d like to think I am. When I’m in pain, I become very self focused and self consumed. I have had to force myself this week to pray for others, instead of just worrying about myself. That is not a natural thing for me. I desire to be more like Jesus. When Jesus was hanging from the cross, do you remember what His words were? “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do…”(Luke 23:34) As Jesus hung from the cross He was praying for those that crucified Him, and were then casting lots for His clothes. For me, I have a belly ache, and it’s all I can do just to pray for others who may be sick, or hurting, probably in most cases in an even worse condition than myself. It shames me that as a disciple of Christ, that is not my first reaction, to be more concerned about others than myself. Lord, I certainly need more of You. This past week as I’ve struggled with this pain I’ve not been the disciple, husband, father, son, or friend that I should have been. I repent of that, please forgive me Lord. And for those of you reading this, I ask your forgiveness as well.

Third, as I read through the Psalms a few verses stood out to me that I will post here, I suggest for all who are reading this to go read these verses for yourself. As I read Psalm 3, especially verses 3-6 and verse 8, I was reminded that God is ALWAYS faithful. Therefore I can have peace in the midst of trials and know that God is good. As I read verse 7 of Psalm 3, and then the first verse of Psalm 4, I read how David prayed with confidence knowing that God is indeed faithful. I too can confidently pray to God, and trust in Him, knowing this same truth. All of us who are God’s people can do the same…