Revealed

        It's so beautiful outside today. After the crazy thunderstorm we had a few days ago, things are finally starting to cool down a bit in Southeast Texas. That is, instead of highs in the 100's, they are now in the mid-90's. But in the mornings, between 7:00 and 10:00 or so, it is just so incredibly beautiful outside.

        I am constantly amazed at God's creation. During that wicked thunderstorm that terrorized our little community Monday, Vanessa and I stepped outside and just gazed into the clouds. We watched the lights dash across the sky, listened to the sound of millions of tiny rain droplets drumming on the ground, and smelled the freshness of the air in the breeze. The colors in the sky were just phenomenal. We observed wind strong enough to bend our two-year-old trees almost 90 degrees over, but then those trees just popped right back into their places. We heard the heavens speak in rumbles and swift cracks - it was like they were just declaring the glory and authority of God Almighty. I even remember making the comment to Vanessa, "It's like we're in a movie or something." I pictured an elegantly dressed God on His podium, conducting this symphony of nature - a drizzling foundation, wind-blown arpeggiations, and climactic strikes, rolls, and flashes. It really was amazing. It gets me every time.

I bet that's what David pictured too...

"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of His hands." 

(Psalm 19:1)

        It baffles me how some can take a look into nature, into creation, and NOT see the presence of an Almighty God - chalking its beauty and precision up to chance, devoid of purpose or design. It's not an angry feeling on my part, but a longing feeling. Sometimes I wonder, "Are they looking at the same sky I am? Do they see/hear/smell the same things I do?" I wish they could see what I'm seeing. I wish they could understand what I have come to understand. Nature displays the "Presence of a Hidden God."

        Right now, I'm reading Dr. Kennedy's (with Jerry Newcombe) "The Presence of a Hidden God." In Chapter One, the author tells the true story of a Christian astronomer (Athanasius Kircher) and his aitheist friend:



        Kircher constructed a working model of the Solar System in his study - it was intricately and precisely built. His atheist friend walked in and exclaimed, "WOW! That's amazing! Who made it?!" Kircher replied, "No one. It made itself." "That's absurd," the friend said. "You don't really expect me to believe that do you?" 
        Kircher said, "No I don't. But what's even more absurd is that's what you believe about the real solar system which is vastly more complex than this simple little model."





        Many times we think of God as unsearchable, unknowable, or "hidden." But He has plainly revealed His eternal attributes through what He has made. Now don't get me wrong - nature is NOT God, and God is not contained within it... but He is generally knowable through what He has made. Paul wrote about this in Romans 1:19-20:

"What can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. From the creation of the world, His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what He has made."

        The point of this blog is not to refute atheism. It's to make an appeal... When you get a free moment, step away from your computer. Walk outside. Look up in the sky and observe what God has made. Think about the power He must have to accomplish this. Then think about the creativity and beautiful imagination it took to conceive it. Look around at the trees and the grass. Close your eyes and feel the breeze. Smell the freshness of His creation. Listen to the birds and other animals singing and making their distinctive sounds. "Take it all in," as they say. Then just think - all of this - all you can see, hear, feel, and smell - declares His immense glory.

It is the presence of a revealed God. Isn't it amazing?


Grace and Peace,
Tony

Cleansing

        This is my dog, Boudreaux. Of course, this picture is from when he was just a pup - he's a little over a year old now. He's a good dog... I like him a lot - Vanessa isn't really an "animal lover," but she likes him too (even if she won't admit it).

        I think he's a "good dog" mostly because he doesn't use the bathroom on the floor. Nothing quite like getting your kids all potty-trained, and then taking in a dog who isn't. No, no... Boudreaux only potties outside. It's a beautiful thing, really.

        He's an inside dog, but sometimes, like when we have company, or when we're cleaning house, he stays outside. He FREAKS OUT when we vacuum. He'll go nuts barking and biting the wheels. Quite funny, actually.


        I remember not too long after we got him, we were having a tough time keeping him in the fence. He was a "digger." Most of you know what I'm talking about. One particular day, it was rainy, wet, and muddy, and you guessed it... he dug out. You can see his beautiful bright white coat in the picture. Well, when I spotted him from my truck, he was black - not brown - black. I could barely even recognize him! Funny thing (and I might lose my "man-card" here), I love to work with my hands, and I enjoy working on my truck, small engines, and stuff like that - but I can't stand dirt or anything sticky on my hands or under my fingernails. I hate it!

        So here I am, giving him a bath and I'm just disgusted. I don't like being dirty - and Boudreaux is covered in filth. As I poured the cup full of water on his back, I was overwhelmed by how dirty the water was flowing off of his underside, and into the drain in the bathtub. And you know, all the while, it's getting on my arms and under my fingernails... I wanted to throw up. But, I kept filling up the cup, pouring it over his back, and marveling at the grossly tainted water flowing off of him. Eventually, I could make out the little white dog I knew was under all that filth. And with every cup full of water, I could recognize him more and more.

        I imagine that to be a lot like when we come to God for forgiveness. I bet if He didn't know all of the hairs on our head, He probably wouldn't even be able to recognize us underneath all the filth, grime, and muck. I bet He's disgusted. But when we come back to Him in confession, He's got to clean us up.

1 John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins 

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

      

        Can you imagine??? The holy God of the ages, perfect in righteousness and sanctity, getting His hands dirty washing the filth off of us? Cleansing us from all unrighteousness? Maybe even wanting to throw up in the presence of such sin and impurity? The holiness he pours over us perfectly clear in His cup, but stained with filthy unrighteousness as it runs down the drain? What a disgusting, embarrassing picture.

        Earlier in verse 7, we see that it is the blood of Jesus that "cleanses us from all sin." It's more than a water bill that God had to pay for our cleansing. It was the blood of His own Son - it was God's own blood! And yet, we rebelliously dig out, thinking there's something better on the other side of the fence, and come to find out that apart from our home in Christ, there's only danger, dirt, and discontentment.

        The beauty in this picture can only be seen in the graciousness of our loving God. He is glorious. We are filthy... that is, until His precious blood cleanses us from all unrighteousness.

        You know, when I first saw Boudreaux all filthy, I wanted to kill him (not literally, PETA). But then I realized how glad I was that he hadn't gotten hurt, stolen, or lost. I don't think God wants to kill us - I think He is overwhelmed with joy when we are once again safe in His arms. I think it is His pleasure to graciously "cleanse us" when we rebel against Him. What love is this. What a wonderful God we serve.


Grace and Peace,
Tony

Dressing Up

        I have come to the point where I just don't like to wear ties to church. They are so INCREDIBLY UNCOMFORTABLE!!! I have a closet full of them, and don't get me wrong - I certainly will wear a tie on a special occasion or to a church where it is generally expected of me. But that doesn't mean I have to LIKE it!
        Now even though I don't like ties, I still like to "dress up." I enjoy wearing nice clothes and shoes/belts that match (thanks to my wife, because without her, I would be hopeless). I like the feel of looking excellent to meet my God in worship. I know that not everyone shares my sentiments, and I am okay with that. My choice of attire on Sunday mornings is about me - no one else. And if you are okay wearing shorts (modest ones, ladies) and a T-shirt to church, I'm good with that.
        There is also the truth that many people in church expect me, as one of their pastors, to dress the part. When they come to church, they expect me to look a certain way. And if I don't meet those expectations, something feels awkward, dysfunctional, or "off." There is nothing wrong with these expectations, and I am happy to meet them.


        In Colossians 3, Paul talks about how all believers should dress. This attire is not something you're going to put on just for Sundays or Wednesdays, and it's not something you're ever going to take off, either. In fact, Paul says that we are to put on these things "as" God's chosen ones, holy, and beloved. 

       Something we often miss in this passage is in Paul's addressing the audience. He calls his readers, “eklektoi tou qeou, agioi kai hgaphmenoi,” or “chosen ones of God, holy and beloved.” All three of these Greek words, "Chosen ones," "holy," and "beloved" were words that originally belonged to Israel. But when Paul transfers that terminology to the Gentile believer (Colossae had a Greek/Gentile population), he is doing something amazing... There is no longer one specific nation or group of people that God favors or blesses more than others. In fact, in verse 11, Paul explains that there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, circumcision and uncircumcision for those who are in Christ. "Christ is all and is in all." 

        Christian, do you realize that you are God's "eklektoi?" Have you thought about the fact that you are loved of God? That He has set you apart and made you holy? When we hear the great stories of miraculous things God did for the nation of Israel, there is something childishly exciting that stirs within us. Know what?... God does the same for you. You are just as holy, just as loved, just as chosen as the nation of Israel ever was. You are chosen, holy, and beloved of God.

       Paul’s use of “wj,” (translated "as") as an adverb of comparison, implies that the outward identity of the born again Christian should be fitting to the calling and election he has received. The word we translate "holy" in verse 12 is the same word we translate "saints" in 1:2. As a child of God, you are a saint. And because of that calling on your life - because of your calling in Christ Jesus - because of your redemptive status with God Almighty - you should look the part! 

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        Paul says in verses 5-9 that we should put off the clothing which is fitting for an unbeliever: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, greed, anger, wrath, malice, lying... What do you think of when you see someone wearing all that stuff? You certainly wouldn't expect that person to be a Christian. 

        Conversely, Paul encourages us to "put on" heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and forbearance. These articles of clothing are not only fitting for the believer, they are expected of the believer. But there is one piece of clothing that must go on top of all the rest:

"Above all, put on love, the perfect bond of unity." (Col. 3:14)

        Now I've been studying this passage for about six weeks... and if I'm honest, the hardest question I had to ask myself about this text is this: "What exactly does 'love' unify?" There are many theories and interpretations out there. But after looking into most of them, I believe Paul to be writing that love, or "charity" as your translation might say (the Greek noun here is “agaph” - you might recognize it as "agape" love - it is an active, self-sacrificial love, so "charity" is also an acceptable translation) is the outer garment that holds all of these in place. It's like a belt or a girdle. It keeps everything else where it needs to be. 

        Cross-referencing 1 Corinthians 13:1, you'll find that all of these articles of clothing, when worn without love, are as "resounding gongs, and clanging cymbals." I imagine this kind of embarrassment to be like putting your pants on in the morning, but leaving them unbuttoned. I hate it when that happens... Paul says, "On top of all these things, make sure to put on love, which will hold them all together and keep them from shifting or falling off."

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        Just as you expect me to look a certain way as one of your pastors, God expects you to look a certain way as one of His children. Put on the things that are exemplary of a Christian. Clothe yourself with the characteristics of a life saturated with and immersed in Christ Jesus. I don't expect you to wear a tie or a dress every Sunday morning... but I do expect you to dress up in Christ every day. 

       

Grace and Peace,

Tony

Doers of the Word

        We're in the middle of our study of James in our Sunday morning young adult Bible Study class. Last week, we discussed James 1:19-25, where we are challenged to not only be hearers of the Word, but doers also. There is an interesting analogy found in verses 23-25. A man who looks in the mirror, but forgets right away what he looks like. Here's an extension of that:

 This man looks into the mirror in the morning, sees that he is an 86 year old married man with wrinkles and arthritis. He then leaves the house, and hits on 20 year old super-models while attempting to ride a skateboard to and from his job as a shipyard cargo loader. At the end of the day, he wonders why his back, knees, and hips hurt so bad and why his wife of 45 years is angry at him. He looks in the mirror again before he goes to bed and it all clicks, “Oh yeah - I’m an 86 year old married man with wrinkles and arthritis.” The next day, the cycle repeats.

        When we approach the Word, as Children of God, we are exposed. His glorious truth reveals the innermost wickedness of our hearts and demands confession and repentance. But those of us who choose to ignore the utterings of the indwelling Spirit of God are only fooling (deceiving, James 1:22) ourselves. When we suppress the conviction of the Holy Spirit, we are choosing to live unnaturally as God's chosen. Read Lewis Chafer's words on this from his 1922 work, Grace: The Glorious Theme:

"The carnal Christian is abnormal. His position is perfect in Christ, but in character and conduct, 

he violates the most precious principles and provisions of grace," (346).

        Being BORN AGAIN (John 3:3), CITIZENS OF HEAVEN (Philippians 3:20), it is only natural that our character and conduct would exemplify that of the One in whom we "abide," (John 15:1-8). Anything less is abnormal, perverted, and unusual. So where do we get off being "hearers of the Word," but not "doers?"

Earlier in Chafer's work, we find these words:

"No Christian may hope to live well-pleasing to God who does not know the facts of the revealed 

will of God for his daily life... appalling ignorance exists on every hand 

concerning these vital truths and distinctions in the Word of God." 

I. I think the first problem is that we don't really even know what the Word of God says. We are biblically illiterate, and to tell you the truth, I think we'd like to stay that way. The more we learn from scripture, the more we, as Children of God, are obligated to conform our walks to God's desire. But again, Christian friend, we are DECEIVING ourselves! We cannot walk in God's glory or victory if we don't subject ourselves to His truth, His character, and His commandments. Once again, Chafer's words:

"The way to a victorious life is not by self-development; it is through a 'walk in the Spirit'"

II. Secondly, I believe that when we look in the mirror of God's Word, which reveals us as we truly are, we are likely to distort the image we see somewhere between our eyes and our minds. Viz., when we read something in scripture that demands a change from us in character or conduct, we are apt to excuse ourselves from it by our own reasoning. We tell ourselves things like, "Well, it wasn't really 'sin,' it was more of a fault. It's God who made me this way." Or perhaps, "I wouldn't have done that if 'X' hadn't happened, or if 'Y' person hadn't provoked me." Again, we are only DECEIVING ourselves! Read Matthew Henry's words from his commentary on James 1:19-21:

“We must therefore yield ourselves to the Word of God, with most submissive, humble, and tractable tempers; this is to receive it with meekness. Being willing to hear of our own faults, and taking it not only patiently, but thankfully - desiring also to be molded and formed by the doctrines and precepts of the gospel.”

        The Word of God is a gracious gift to us. It reveals what He requires from us as His children. It gives us standards by which to live, and examples to follow. It provides counsel and truth applicable to every occasion. Why do we shun it so?! Why do we approach it with such contempt and fallible presumptions?! Can't we come to it expecting to see a clear and accurate picture of who we are?! Can't we trust the One who has revealed, written, preserved, and delivered it for us?!

        We seek blessing from our God. Every Sunday, we walk into church desiring a "blessing" from God. "I'm here to be blessed!" "I want God's blessings on me and my family." Do you really? Because God has revealed to you how you may live a blessed life. James 1:25:

"The one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who acts - this person will be BLESSED in what he does."

Grace and Peace,

Tony

It Belongs to the Lord

I recently finished Everett Worthington's book, Hope-Focused Marriage Counseling (1999, IVP Academic). He describes a beautiful approach to helping couples in crisis marriage counseling. It's a long book - and tedious... but very helpful - and one thing jumped out at me right at the end.

        He described a scene where he was jogging, as he often did, in his neighborhood. A lady he didn't know, who was running toward him, suddenly turned around and started jogging with him. She explained that she had a bladder problem while running and asked if he had ever heard of it before. He said "No," and picked up the pace a little (but she was determined to keep up). She then explained that this disease has caused much conflict in her marriage; she and her husband were at an all-time low. So Dr. Everett Worthington (Ph.D.) - a licensed clinical psychologist and recurrently published author on marriage research and counseling - took some time while jogging to give her some tips for her marriage and lift her confidence in Christ Jesus.
        He was astounded that she would just turn and start talking about her runner's bladder problem with a perfect stranger. When he got home, he realized that she must have seen his hat, which had the logo for a local marathon on it. Dr. Worthington had never run a marathon. In fact, his wife bought that hat for him at a garage sell for 50 cents - and for some reason, he decided to wear it that day instead of any of the other 9 or 10 hats he had in his closet.

At the conclusion of the book (and at the end of this story), Dr. Worthington penned these words:

"The Lord trains us, brings the people He wants us to help across our path, 

and gives us the privilege of walking side by side with them for a while," (267).

Now these words should bring joy and reverence at the same time to every Christian counselor's heart. But I believe, more than that, they should challenge every believer in a powerful way.

There are a few things we need to look at here:

First of all, knowledge itself belongs to God. A favorite saying of mine is "There is no truth which is truth that is not God's truth." God has the copyrights to truth. It does not exist outside of Him, and in Him is all the knowledge and truth that is. So before we claim special insight or unique knowledge surrounding any given subject or phenomenon, it is of utmost importance that we recognize Whose knowledge it is...

Colossians 2:3 - "In Him [(Christ)] all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden."

Secondly, the truth and insight that God gives are not to be kept in secret - they are to be shared with all who will hear whether convenient or not, in season or out of season (2 Timothy 3:15-4:2). If God has given you insight into scripture, or into psycotherapy, or into human functionality or biochemistry, USE IT FOR HIS GLORY! It's not yours anyway - it belongs to Him.

Here's the purpose of this blog:

I believe that most of us sit around waiting for some miraculous encounter with someone to slap us in the forehead and say, "Hey! Here I am! Tell me something about Jesus!" When in reality, God is providentially orchestrating events, times, and even the clothes you wear so that you might share His truth with someone you come into contact with. Open your eyes, Christian. You encounter hundreds of people every day who don't know Jesus. What do you do with all of that knowledge and "truth" that God has implanted (James 1:21) inside of you? And what's at the top of your priority list? Jogging a better mile, or imparting Godly truth into someone's life?

All of your education - all of your knowledge - all of your wisdom - all of your history - all of your possessions - all of your time - ALL OF IT belongs to the Lord. He has entrusted it to you, and He wants to use you to get it out into the rest of the world. I'm a counselor/minister. I come into contact with people every day who God places in my path because He knows they need a counselor/minister to reach out to them. What are you? A teacher? An electrician? A scientist? A homemaker? An engineer? Who does God put in your path daily that would be more likely to receive Godly truth from you than from me?

One last scripture: One that you all know very well - Matthew 28:19-20 (The Great Commission). A typical, historical translation of this verse is "Go, therefore, into all the world..." However, when we look at the Greek New Testament, the form of the verb "Go" (porenthentes) is very interesting. It is an aorist participle in the deponent voice. You probably know what a participle means, right? In English, participles have the ending "-ing." Saying, believing, teaching, doing, walking, singing - those are all English present tense participles. However, the aorist tense is a Greek tense describing an undefined action that has taken place in the past. Hence, with only this information, translation would be "Having gone," not "Go."

But this word, "porenthentes," also has a deponent ending. A deponent verb is one that is passive in its form, but active in meaning. Thus, with the tense, voice, and participial nature of this verb, its translation should be something more like, "As you have already gone and are currently going into all the world..."

All of that jibber-jabber to say this: The "Great Commission" as it is called, is a command to make disciples AS WE ARE GOING. This task is NOT reserved for mission trips or invitations on Sunday mornings. God has gifted you uniquely, implanted His divine Word into your very being, and providentially orchestrated events that make possible the encounters with people who need to hear what you have to say. As you go through life, regurgitate that knowledge and truth to impact His kingdom for His glory. After all, it doesn't belong to you anyway...

It belongs to the Lord.

Grace and Peace,
Tony

Conflict in Relationships

This is just a short little entry...

Why do we let conflict ruin our relationships? And where did we ever get the idea that our relationships would be picture-perfect and free of disagreement? It seems that most married couples today see disagreement as a "sign" that their marriage is failing or has failed. Dr. Everett Worthington noticed that couples "feel that any differences are evidence that they are not meant for each other," (Hope-Focused Marriage Counseling 1999, 173). Where do we get this idea? Where does that come from?

I think it stems from our increasingly popular desire for "happiness." "All of my relationships, all of my circumstances, all of my experiences exist to serve my happiness." This is extremely narcissistic and fatal to all kinds of relationships.

Happiness is a feeling/emotion of the heart; Jeremiah says the heart is deceitful above all else (17:9).

The goal of the Christian life should always be to conform to the image of Christ. Sometimes, feelings of happiness emerge. And sometimes, stress, sadness, and disappointment are inevitable. We can look at the example of our Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane... weeping, sweating blood, passionately praying that the "cup" pass from Him... nevertheless, God's will be done. Ask Jesus if he was overwhelmed with happiness at that moment. I think you know the answer.

There is an epidemic emerging. I hear it all around me. I see it in my counseling office. I encounter it in relationships among friends and family. We are infected with the lethal obsession of our own happiness. Even when we give of our possessions and time for a cause, we do it because it "makes us feel good." This is backward indeed.

Christians are doing things "for God" in expectation of a blessing. Think about that - those things are not done "for God." They are more appropriately contractual gestures that are done as an investment for us.

Marriage is about self-sacrifice for the benefit of your spouse and the marriage relationship.

Friendships are about empathy and agape love. 

Authority/headship is about servitude. 

Leadership is about sacrifice.

As much as I love you, my desire is not your happiness. It is your holiness.


Grace and Peace,
Tony