The Heretic Mug Collection

Tominthebox News Network Revived!

2011-12-09T07:17:00.001-08:00

After about two years, I've decided to revive the old TBNN blog. You can read it at http://tominthebox.blogspot.com.

Thanks

Ensuring Your Pastor Isn't "Cool"

2011-07-17T12:01:00.000-07:00

True and serious believers know that a real pastor isn't remotely cool, or even overly likable for that matter. Over the course of the last ten years the Church has seen a swath of young, articulate, personable, and even "cool" pastors in the pulpit, and that is one thing that is definitely not needed. A pastor who is thought of as "cool" and likable will ultimately lead to the demise of all things holy. So it's important for believers out there to be aware of the dangers. That's why I've written this guide to help you recognize the signs of potential hipness in your pastor.

Warning Sign 1: Your pastor wears narrow-rimmed glasses - There is no debate on this one. Everyone knows that large, stop-sign-shaped eyeglass frames simply radiate piety, while narrow lenses scream "I prepared this sermon at Starbucks and probably listen to U2 occasionally." The minute your pastor shows up in the pulpit with narrow frames it's time to convene a congregational meeting because the situation has already gone too far.

Warning Sign 2: Your pastor doesn't like to wear ties - This happens long before he actually attempts to not wear a tie in the pulpit. He begins grumbling about how "ties are uncomfortable" and how "if I could get away with it, I'd never wear one again." Of course, all good believers know that one of the clearest fruits of sanctification is finding joy in a silken noose tied around your neck. Nothing is more conducive to a clear exposition of the gospel on a toasty summer day than standing in front of a group of people dressed in an undershirt, dress shirt, a rope around your neck, and a coat on. Beware of any pastor who questions this!

Warning Sign 3: Your pastor actually doesn't wear a tie - By the time you've reached this stage it's pretty much over. The minute he stands in the pulpit and tries to preach without a tie it's only a matter of time before he writes a new best-seller or sells the organ and brings in a worship leader. Once he takes this step, there's little hope.

Warning Sign 4: He writes a book and it sells more than 5000 copies - Speaking of writing books, it's not necessarily a bad thing to write a book, but be very wary of any pastor who writes a book that becomes "popular". The last thing we'd want to see is hundreds of thousands of people buying a book that exposits the gospel that has been written by a man who wears narrow-frame glasses. Obviously such a book is compromising somewhere.

Warning Sign 5: Your pastor makes reference to music written after 1916 - This tends to be the cutoff year when the last "good songs" were written. There's little positive that happened after that date by and large. If he goes so far as to reference anything contemporary (1947 or later) you can expect the Starbucks to be in your church lobby the following weekend.

Warning Sign 6: Your pastor is seen wearing t-shirts in public - While this isn't necessarily a serious offense, it can lead to tie grumbling if one is not careful. Polo shirts are definitely more sanctified as we all know. A t-shirt can be forgiven on a number of occasions, like little league games or even a quick Saturday morning dash to the store for milk, but be careful that he's not pushing the limits. Too much t-shirt wearing can lead to "coolness."

Warning Sign 7: Your pastor wears sandals at the church office - When a man commits to the ministry he is never to show his bare feet in public again. This is just an unspoken rule. Only his wife and kids, within the confines of his home, should ever be privy to what a pastor's feet look like. If you ever under any circumstances see your pastor in sandals it's time to call the elders. He's definitely trying to be hip.

Warning Sign 8: Your pastor REALLY likes coffee - Let's face it, no one really likes coffee right? People just tolerate it, normal people that it. But it's become hip and cool to really, seriously like coffee. How can you tell? Well for one you'll perhaps notice that your pastor has his own special mug that he drinks out of. Secondly, you can test him by asking him three basic questions. First, "Hey, do you think I should go for Pikes Place or Cafe Verona?" Second, "What do you think of Via?" And finally, "Ethiopian or Kenyan?" An seemingly intelligent answer to any of those questions is bad news.

Warning Sign 9: Your pastor has anything made by Apple - Apple products are cool and hip to the nth degree. No person of piety in his or her right mind owns anything made by them. Try to get a peek at your pastor's computer. Is there a glowing, partially eaten image of an apple on the back of it? Look at his phone. Is it black with neatly arranged colorful little icons on a touch screen? Has he started bringing something called an "iPad" to church meetings? Beware such a man. He's dangerous. Everyone knows PCs are much better because it takes a real man of faith to use one, and they are by far much more sanctifying.

Yes, It's True

2011-06-08T12:12:00.000-07:00

Okay, here's the deal. Hold your comments, shock, worry, horror, like, dislike, etc. until after you've read the explanation below. I figured there was no way I could do this without having to literally write out a small treatise to explain what happened.

Yes, I'm bald. This is not photoshopped. I'm really, completely bald. Here's what happened.

First, this is not some kind of rebellion, make-a-statement kind of thing. I've been pondering this for some time (reasons to be explained below). Also, this is not my way of letting the world know that I'm having a mid-life crisis. Trust me, all who know me know my temptation to all things Macintosh. We're I to be having a mid-life crisis (and I assure you I'm not) it would have almost certainly taken the form of a several new gadgets that no person in his right mind needs.

Also to clarify for my Presbyterian friends, this is not my way of joining the "Mark Driscoll crowd" or going off on some theological tangent, or becoming "emergent." I'm still the same Thomas, just without hair on my head.

So here's the story. It begins actually about three years ago when I began to notice the breeze more and more up top. Looking in a mirror one day I noticed my scalp showing more than normal. I thought nothing of it really, just went about my business and didn't give it a second notice.

Now fast forward another 6 months. Cristy, Isaiah and I were eating at a little cafe in downtown St. Petersburg one afternoon. I excused myself to go to the restroom, and while washing my hands had a chance to look in the mirror. The light was right above the mirror and was shining down on my forehead. This time my scalp was REALLY noticeable. I was a little taken back. When I got back to the table I looked at Cristy and said "Okay, this isn't a trap or a trick question. I want you to tell me honestly. Am I going bald?" She paused for a moment, made that little scrunched-up-face-with-a-pity-smile look and gently nodded up and down in the affirmative. "Has this been going on for a while?" I asked. She replied in the same manner.

After that day I was determined that I wasn't going to let it bother me. I have always had very very thick dark hair as a kid and as a young man. I thought for sure I was going to be one of those guys who would escape it. I was wrong.

Over the last two years I've been losing it slowly, and was starting to develop that little bald "monk spot" as a call it in the back. I've always detested those little monk spots. A receding hairline from the forehead back I think I could have handled better. They don't strike me as ridiculous looking like the monk spots do. So over the course of the last two years as I watched my hair begin to bail like rats on a sinking ship I talked about it with Cristy. We agreed that once the monk spot began to appear that I was just going to avoid the inevitable and make the transition to a whole new look: bald.

Cristy actually quite liked this idea, and I don't think she'd have been disappointed if I had done it a year ago. When we got back to Russia just about 2 weeks ago I was beginning to notice the monk spot more and more. This morning I tried cutting my hair with the guard on like I normally do and noticed it just wasn't looking right. I called Cristy to the bathroom and asked "Do you think it's time to do this?" She got a big smile on her face like a little girl who was just asked "Would you like to open one of your Christmas presents early?" She replied with a lilt in her voice, "If you want to."

So here we are. I'm bald. Not balding. I'm bald. Now there's also a very practical and even sanctifying reason for this. When I first started going bald I thought it wouldn't bother me. "It's part of life. It's no big deal. Who cares?" Was how I planned to deal with it. But I know myself. I know my own heart. It did matter. I did find that I was starting to get bothered and a little self-conscious about the monk spot forming in the back. The last thing I wanted to do was become a combover guy, or be running to the store to by the infamous toupee-in-a-can spray. As I explored the options I considered that the completely bald look is not that bad. Lot's of famous people have been bald. Patrick Steward (a.k.a. Captain Picard), C.J. Mahaney, and from all accounts, the prophet Elisha. I could do worse. So I figured it would be best for me to just go ahead and get it out of the way and not have to worry about going bald ever. It's done. End of subject.

So far I like it. Cristy really seems to like it, and the kids looked at me for two seconds and went back to eating something and watching Mary Poppins. I know this might be strange for some of you who know me, especially for my family who have always known me with hair, but I trust it time you'll become used to it.

So there it is, my explanation. I wanted to give everyone fair warning before you saw some random picture of me on Facebook and a thousand questions followed. So hopefully now this answers those questions. If not, you are free to ask me more. I've got a little more time in my life since I don't have hair to wash anymore.

Picture of Harold Camping

2011-05-25T09:08:00.001-07:00

I am an atheist

2011-05-05T18:28:00.000-07:00

I am an atheist. I do not believe in God or a god, or gods, or a some kind of "supreme being" "higher power" or "higher intelligence" or "spirits". I believe in nothing beyond the provable scientific realm. I worship nothing, praise nothing, I do not meditate or think upon the supernatural in any way. I am an atheist.

My existence is accidental, as is the existence of every living thing on this planet, as is even the existence of the universe itself. I'm here by natural selection and an evolutionary chance that could have easily not happened as it did happen. My conception was chance, my birth was chance, and my moment-by-moment survival is also by chance. I could die a meaningless and unpredictable death at any moment. There is no real purpose for me being here. It was not planned from all eternity that I live, nor was any special favor given to me to have what I have and know what I know. I am a mass of tissue and cells that by impersonal evolutionary chance possesses sentience.

Yet, while in this life, I have a sense of justice, rightness, and fairness. I long to make a difference, contribute to humanity, and be significant. I'm not content to simply eat, drink and be merry. I spend my days perhaps doing research, trying to understand the universe that purposelessly gave birth to me and will one day purposelessly take my life. I maybe write books, give speeches, and mock others who disagree with me, stuck in the "dark ages" unworthy of enlightened age in which we all live. I nobly attempt to make some supposed positive impact on the world, on the mass of humanity that has also come from nothing and will go to nothing. I seek to better a world that is ultimately doomed to share the fate of a universe that will one day burn out and also become nothing.

One day I will die. The universe will get the last laugh. I will be robbed of the consciousness and sentience that were given to me by chance. I will not care, no know, not perceive anything once I am dead. I will be no more, and will not care. All of my life's work will be done, and all that will remain will be what I have laid down for posterity's sake. Perhaps my writings and lectures will exist for a time on shelves and computers and other forms of digital media. But ultimately, one day, I will be all but completely forgotten. Sure, may name may carry on in some fashion for centuries to come, yet all who have loved me, cared for me, and have been dear to me will also be gone. At best I will be a footnote in some future dissertation of some individual who also by evolutionary chance exists, and who will also die and become nothing.

This is my life. This is what I believe. I mock you for believing otherwise, for being so foolish as to not believe that we meaninglessly came into existence by chance, and we will all one day perish to oblivion, and that somehow in between we are to find significance. I scorn your belief in the Unseen Wisdom, Purpose of Hope for eternity. My desire is that you would see how foolish your beliefs are and agree with me, so that you may come to know the joys of this brief span of significance we call life before you die and fade into nothing.

Fukushima Nuclear Reactor Most Likely Spells Certain Doom for Humanity

2011-03-16T08:48:00.000-07:00

Note: I debated whether or not to preface this article, but decided to so no one would misunderstand me. The following is hyperbole, and NOT making light of the tragedy in Japan but rather making fun of the news media that loves to keep the general public in a panic by spinning the tragedy in order to maintain the "if it bleeds, it leads" status quo. So please, no hate mail accusing me of making light of this serious situation.

Fukushima, Japan

Authorities and experts around the world have declared what will most likely be the final end of humanity. The tsunami in Japan which heavily damaged the Fukushima Nuclear Reactor has not only rendered it inoperable, but most likely "ruined all hope of human survival."

"The situation is more terrifying than we could possibly imagine," stated CNN analyst Peter McKlien, who has over 30 years of experience as a news anchor in Canada. "What we're looking at here in the next few hours could might possibly turn out to be the final hours of humanity's days on this planet."

Other "experts" in the field offered even more grim appraisals of the situation.

"The situation might could potentially look possibly hopeless for everyone on the planet in a way far worse that we could seek to somewhat understand," stated MSNBC nuclear "expert" Laura Simmons, who lived in Ukraine for 6 months. "What will potentially possibly happen maybe in the next couple of hours will be not only a full core meltdown of the nuclear reactor but potentially a total contamination of almost the entire ecosystem of our planet which could result in the probable annihilation of humanity."

Other analysts continued to hypothesize about what the reactor's meltdown could possibly bring.

"In the worse case scenario what we might see would be the radiation causing our consciousness to become separated, causing us to exist in a disembodied form in an almost purgatorial state of existence on a burnt-out-rock of a planet, remaining forever trapped in this miserable condition until our sun finally goes supernova in 3-4 billion years," stated Omar Franks during an interview on Fox News. Before Franks was able to give his suggestions as to how one may avoid this terrible fate the program cut to a commercial for the new 2011 Toyota Tundra 4WD, with a V8 engine.

CNN programming director Sam Little commented that "Round-the-clock coverage of the potential end of mankind will continue, ensuring that people will be kept well informed of the impending doom that is about to befall them and their loved ones. We'll be on the air until the last human being is killed off by the zombie hoard."

New Movie

2011-03-03T06:20:00.000-08:00

Looks interesting.

Memorizing the Contents of the Bible

2011-02-24T19:53:00.000-08:00

For several years now I've thought of how useful it would be if I could basically memorize the content of every chapter in the Bible. There are 1189 chapters from start to finish, which, if you think of it seems like a reasonable task to accomplish.

So how does one do this? I've always been a music/poetry/creative writing type of person. So I've put together a little poem for Genesis that basically gives the main content of every chapter. I've found that it's been fairly easy to memorize. The poem assumes one is already fairly familiar with the content of the book. Here it is.

Genesis Poem

One - is creation
Two - Adam and Eve
Three - is the fall when Satan deceives

Four - Cain kills Able
Five - Generations die
Six - Noah builds an ark
Seven - flood waters rise high

Eight - Waters receded
Nine - Ham is accursed
Ten - Noah's descendants
Eleven - Babel: the nations disperse

Twelve - God calls Abram
Thirteen - Abram and Lot part ways
Fourteen - To Melchizedek, Abram ten percent pays

Fifteen - God with Abram his covenant makes
Sixteen - Sarai and Hagar - God's ways Abram forsakes

Seventeen - Circumcision
Eighteen - Isaac will be born
Nineteen - Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed in God's scorn

Twenty - Abram to Abimelech lies
Twenty-one - Isaac born: God's promise realized

Twenty-two - God, a substitute for Isaac provides
Twenty-three - Abraham morns as Sarah dies

Twenty-four - Isaac meets Rebekah
Twenty-five - Abraham sleeps
Twenty-six - God, to Isaac, his promises keep

Twenty-seven - Esau sells his birthright for soup
Twenty-eight - Jacob's dream
Twenty-nine - Laban throws Jacob for a loop

Thirty - Jacob prospers
Thirty-one - ...flees from Laban
Thirty-two - ...wrestles with God
Thirty-three - ...meets Esau again

Thirty-four - Dinah ravaged and Schechem is sacked
Thirty-five - Jacob renamed Israel
Thirty-six - Esau, descendants did not lack

Thirty-seven - Joseph dreams and is sold by his kin
Thirty-eight - Judah and Tamar
Thirty-nine - Joseph refuses to sin

Forty - Joseph interprets two prisoner's dreams
Forty-one - Interprets Pharoah's and gains his esteem

Forty-two - Joseph's brothers to Egypt go
Forty-three - ...go again
Forty-four - Joseph tests them - they don't know

Forty-five - Joseph reveals to them, he is their brother
Forty-six - They all move to Egypt with Jacob their father

Forty-seven - They settle in Goshen to live
Forty-eight - Blessings to Ephraim and Manasseh Joseph gives

Forty-nine - Joseph blesses the rest of his sons
Fifty - Jacob and Joseph die, but the story is not done!

Clearing up Confusion about Kim Kardashian

2011-02-24T06:30:00.000-08:00

Just in case anyone is confused, I'd like to help clear up some confusion.

Here is Kim Kardashian...

Now, here is a Cardassian...

Whew, glad that's clear.

"...are big with mercy, and shall break with blessing on thy head."

2011-01-25T20:54:00.001-08:00

It's Tuesday night now, and it appears the hard part is over. Isaiah is laid out cold in the hospital bed next to me, asleep after a grueling 48 hours. Thus far he's recovering well from the surgery with no sign of any problem whatsoever. We are hoping that we might be able to go home tomorrow. Right now everything appears on track, and we are anxious to get home, but we want to make sure he gets everything he needs.

The morning before Isaiah went into the hospital I got up early to spend some time in the quiet hours, bringing my fears and concerns before the Lord. You hymn-lovers out there may have noticed from the previous post the words in the title from William Cowper's God Moves in a Mysterious Way.Without a doubt it is one of my favorite hymns. The words are simple, yet profound and have been a comfort to me many many times. Verse 3 became my "goto" verse during this time in the hospital with Isaiah.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,

The clouds ye so much dread

Are big with mercy, and shall break

in blessings on thy head.

We've know about this surgery for a while now, and to be quite honest, we are kind of excited about him getting it. It's going to be a big improvement for his quality of life and ours for that matter. Yet I was dreading it. I never look forward to my child going into the hospital even when it's planned and even when it's going to be beneficial. I find nothing in this life more nerve-wracking than my child being hooked up to beeping and bubbling machines, nurses and doctors poking and prodding him, tubes being run down his throat, and finally having him wheeled away to a back room, put under anesthesia, and his little body invaded by sharp instruments. I don't care what the benefit may be, the process of getting there is no fun. And I must confess, unfortunately, I all too often focus on the clouds and not the rains of mercy they contain.

But God has been gracious to help me this time to look not so much upon the storm clouds but more upon the fertile soil being watered. Here are just a few blessings:

The blessing of just being with my son: I've had the privilege to laugh with him when he laughs, cry with him when he cries, hold his hand, comfort him, pray with him, sing to him, etc. What a joy it is to walk into a room and have his face light up, to know that he looks upon me as a place of safety and love.
The blessing of knowing lots of people are praying for us: If there's one really positive aspect of social networks like Facebook and Twitter it is that prayer requests can fly all over the globe at lightening speed. Having all of the messages and emails coming to us saying "We're praying for you" was unbelievable. One poignant moment was right after they finished putting the tube down Isaiah's nose and throat. For some reason this is always very hard for me to watch, not simply because it hurts him, but it's one of those things that I just have to leave the room when they do it because I start getting dizzy. But this time I determined that I wanted to stay. I wanted to be by my son's and wife's side. I didn't want to leave him. As they started putting the tube up his nose, I didn't know if I would make it. I was tempted to walk out several times, but I pressed on. Finally they got it in, and I breathed a sigh of relief. Right at that moment I got a message on my phone. It was a friend of ours from St. Petersburg, and she wrote "Praying for you right now." It was amazing to know that right at that moment when I needed it the most, one of God's dear saints, five-thousand miles away was speaking to the Father on our behalf. What an amazing blessing.
The blessing of deepened love and appreciation for my wife: Time-wise Cristy and I have not been able to be together a whole lot during this ordeal, yet at the same time I find that my love and appreciation for Cristy grows deeper during these moments. I see the gifts God has given her, her devotion and love, and I am overwhelmed with God's mercy that gave me such a wonderful helpmate.
The blessing of learning to focus more on the Lord and learning to trust him and love him more: It is mercy to know the Lord through all of this. As much as I worry, even when I know that God is in control, I can't imagine what kind of state I would be in if I believed it was all up to me and the doctors. There's a line in the song by Sovereign Grace called In the Valley that says "In the daytime there are stars in the heavens, but they only shine at night. And the deeper that I go into darkness, the more I see their radiant light." It is in the valleys that my attention is turned to the things of God more and where I see his mercy more and more. It is mercy that Isaiah was born to us. It is God's mercy that we were born into Christian families and didn't grow up to be those that would have aborted him before he was born. It is mercy that we have such amazing medical care for him, wonderful doctors and nurses. It is mercy that he is such a tremendously joyful and pleasant child to be around, always tender and affectionate, full of joy and laughter. It is all mercy.

We know that there are more storm clouds in the distant future. We know that with his condition there will be more days in the hospital and more surgeries to come. But each one of these brings the rain of God's mercy and blessing.

"...the clouds ye so much dread."

2011-01-24T03:37:00.000-08:00

It's early here in Clinton, Mississippi. I've been up since about 4:15AM, and didn't sleep much last night. In about an hour here we'll leave to go to the hospital with Isaiah. For the next 24 hours or so, he'll be in the hospital getting prepped for surgery tomorrow morning, something called an "A.C.E. procedure." You can read about it here.

I'm not looking forward to today as the prep for the surgery is probably going to be rather unpleasant, probably, in some ways, worse than the surgery itself. He's going to have the equivalent of a colonoscopy prep. If you've had one of those, I need say no more, but if you haven't I'll leave it to you and Google to figure things out. For an adult, a colonoscopy prep is really a minor inconvenience that, as a small compensation, entitles you to some inside jokes and helps you to be empathetic when someone says, "Well, I gotta have a colonoscopy next week." Those of us who have had this experience make a bunched-up face of pity and slowly nod our heads with an almost "feel-your-pain-bro" kind of acknowledgement. I have the special honor of being among a small percentage of people under 50 who have had one.

But for little Isaiah there will be no jokes. There will be no bragging about the technique he used to get that "awful, nasty solution down." There won't be the pleasure of joking with the G.I. specialist before the procedure by saying "I guess you really have a dead-end job." For him they have to put a tube down his throat to administer the solution as well as hook him up to an I.V. It's going to be a messy day. If all goes according to plan, tomorrow morning sometime they should do the procedure.

A couple of things you can pray for specifically:

For Isaiah to handle this as well as possible, not becoming too distressed
For us to be patient, comfort and care for him
For Cristy's mom who is with us, as she tends to Nadia
For Nadia to be good for Cristy's mom
For the doctors and nurses to have wisdom and skill in what they do
That the surgery can be performed via laparoscopy. This is usually how it is done, and this is what we're hoping for because it means just one night in the hospital after the surgery. This is in contrast to 7-9 days in the event they have to start cutting.
For a successful surgery, quick healing time and no complications whatsoever.

I'll be making updates as things develop.

Clearing up Confusion about the Federal Vision

2011-01-20T17:23:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but I find the Federal Vision controversy in Reformed circles to be terribly confusing sometimes. So I've put together this little visual aid to help clear up confusion.

Here's Federal Vision...

And here's a Federalist Vision...

Clear now? Good. Glad I could clear things up. You're welcome.

Outward Displays of Christian Joy

2011-01-19T14:59:00.000-08:00

It is one thing, of course, to actually show joy and another to truly be joyful. A fool may be appear to be joyful outwardly, but at the same time have no real joy inwardly. On the other hand, a person who appears miserable on the outside may be filled with great inward joy. Right so far, eh?

We in the reformed and reasonable camp know quite well how dangerous outward expressions of emotions can be in our Christian lives, especially in relation to spiritual things. We know that outward displays of joy can and often do lead to pentecostalism, flesh-pleasing and regulative-principle-of-worship-breaking. It is important, therefore, to keep oneself in check daily to make sure that the inward joy that you have, the wondrous news of the gospel, doesn't show much on the outside. Here are a couple of tips.

1. Never smile - A smirk may be permissible at times, but it's best not to even let this come out. Remember your joy is primarily inward. If someone sees you smiling he may think you've heard a joke, or that you're charismatic or something. Practice a dour expression. This will display your piety and seriousness about your Christian life and is the best expression to have when talking about the gospel.

2. Frequently use the word "frivolous" - Most outward expressions of joy come from frivolity, and almost everything is frivolity. It's important to remember this lest you succumb to outward expressions of joy. Tempted to laugh at a joke, even a clean one? Remember, it's frivolous. Sports? Frivolous. Playing games with your family? That's frivolous too. Make sure you not only remember this for yourself, but also constantly remind everyone else around you.

3. Talk through your gritted teeth about spiritual things - This is especially effective when saying the word "gospel." You'll want to say it with force, teeth gritted tightly highlighting it with a slight and violent shaking movement of the head, just enough to make your jowls jiggle a little bit . Rule number one applies here most of all as it is especially dangerous to smile when talking about the gospel.

4. Bring up the subject of breaking the Sabbath as much as humanly possible - There's no better way to suck smiles out of a room full of people than to connect any subject or activity back to the issue of Sabbath-breaking. Remember it's okay that you call the Sabbath a "delight" as long as you're not demonstrative in your delighting. Also, if you see someone outwardly expressing joy, nine times out of ten it probably connects back to him breaking the Sabbath.

5. Pick apart everyone's words for theological correctness - Nothing will help people understand your joy about the gospel more than tearing a brother apart because something he said wasn't exactly theologically right. For example, if someone remarks how he "liked the choir's anthem this past Sunday." you have a perfect opportunity for bringing up the regulative principle of worship and the wickedness of such things. Be sure to use the words "the flesh" and "entertainment" a lot when you address the issue.

6. Take any remark about the weather to be spiritual heresy - Another way to show how much joy you have is by perpetually impressing everyone with the fact that you have a clear understanding of God's sovereignty over the weather. For instance, if someone says "Man, it's hot today." make sure you respond "Well, we don't control the weather now do we?"

7. Grunt and wince when someone mentions John Piper - Though he is apparently a Christian brother, and is probably going to heaven, we don't want to get to close to him. Many people are reading his books these days and supposedly being blessed by them, but guard yourself. Spend some time in front of the mirror practicing the grunt-wince reaction.

8. Be sure not to make any bodily movements in worship - Any movement whatsoever during worship could lead to dancing, thus sending you down the path of regulative-principle-of-worship-breaking, Barthianism, pentecostalism and Sabbath-breaking. It will take some practice, but with time you can achieve total paralysis while you sing. Remember, no movement is allowed other than your lips. This means no toe taps inside of the shoe, no slight shifting of weight, no head nods, finger taps or even elbow swings. You'll also want to make sure you avoid eye blinks that might fall on a downbeat.

Such rules, if adhered to, will help all around you see the truly deep Christian joy you have, unhindered by your outward emotions.

Degree Now Offered in Worship Projectology

2011-01-18T05:32:00.001-08:00

I am thrilled to officially announce today the opening of my own university. I've appropriately named it "Thomas University." Right now I'm offering just one degree program and it's a Bachelor of Arts in Worship Projectology.

I am prompted to develop this degree program, because it is painfully obvious at most churches where projectors are use during the praise and worship time that the person running them is in dire need of professional training. This program will include courses such as:

Changing Slides at the Right Time 101
Changing Slides at the Right Time 201
Changing Slides at the Right Time 301
Advanced Slide Changing Techniques
The Art of Moving to the Next Slide at the Right Time
Reversing Slides When the Worship Leader Gets Inspired
Avoiding Neon Text on a Yellow Background
Spelling at least 90% of the Words Correctly
Not Forgetting to Include Entire Verses
The Invitation Time

These along with many other advanced courses are designed to give the worship projector operator the expert skills so desperately needed to properly enter text into a computer and press the "Enter" key at the appropriate time so that the congregation can see the words.

Now accepting applications for enrollment.

Ministry in the Sewer

2011-01-17T06:00:00.000-08:00

Before you read this post you'll want to read yesterday's entitled "Christ in the Sewer".

You might could call Christ's incarnation the greatest "mission trip" ever taken. Trust me, there's no summer vision trip to anywhere doing anything that anyone can participate in in this universe that can compare with what Christ did when he "became flesh and dwelt among us." I've had to remember this a number of times during our work in Russia.

Find myself walking on a levy made of raw asbestos..."The Word became flesh and dwelt among us."
Visit the tuberculosis capital of Russia..."The Word became flesh and dwelt among us."
Drink poor water and get...ahem...Stalin's Revenge..."The Word became flesh and dwelt among us."
Whine because I haven't seen the sun in six weeks..."The Word became flesh and dwelt among us."

There is no cross-culture experience I can have that is of greater contrast than the King of Glory coming to earth, taking on flesh and dwelling among us.

Now here's a shocker for everyone - Ministry is messy. To be a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ means getting dirty, not just your hands, but your whole self. To be "salt and light" in this world, to "go and make disciples of all nations" means going into the sewer.

That doesn't sound nice does it? I'll confess I don't like it. I naturally want to resist it. I don't want to go into the sewer. But there's this command to "go therefore" that just can't be ignored. We are called to go with the message of the gospel to all nations, and where do these "all nations" who don't know Christ live? In the sewer of sin, just like we who know Christ used to live in it.

Now, let me be clear. I am NOT saying that we are the ones who rescue people from the sewer. We are not saviors, but merely messengers of THE Savior Jesus Christ. So we don't go into the sewer as saviors, but as clarions of Christ, telling those at the bottom of the outhouse that there is salvation from the sewer.

But what does this mean practically to "go into the sewer"? Am I speaking literally or metaphorically? I suppose both. Here are some ways we might be called as Christian witnesses to "go into the sewer."

Physically - To bear witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ you might be called to undergo physical discomfort. There are a lot of possibilities. It might mean going into a filthy roach and rat-infested home. It might mean spending time with someone who smells so bad you can barely keep down your cookies. It could mean spending time in a hospital where people are dying of aids, disease, tuberculosis, etc. Going into the sewer may very well mean in a literal physical ways getting dirty yourself.
Emotionally - Emotional dirt can be, and often is, more disturbing and difficult to deal with than physical dirt. Have you ever dealt with someone about whom you've said to yourself "He is just messed up."? You probably know who I'm talking about. His or her life is always in chaos, there's always some emergency, everything is blown out of proportion and exaggerated, etc. This person is extremely difficult to deal with. Or how about a person who has sunk into depression, or a woman who's been abused, or a child who's been abandoned. If you open your heart to such a hurting soul in need of the gospel, prepare to go into the sewer for the long haul. Such issues are not resolved overnight.
Spiritually - This may sound redundant as all of these matters are of course "spiritual." But what I'm talking about is going to places that you are quite certain there is demonic/satanic activity going on. I say this with all of my reformed and cessationist faculties fully intact. But believing that Satan and his minions are not omnipresent, it is reasonable to assume that at any given moment there are places in this world where they are more active than in others. But within some of these pagan temples, high places, and houses where evil abounds are God's elect.

These are only a few applications. Much much more could be said, and I welcome further comments discussing this matter. But the point of all of this is, if you would be a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, if you would be a witness for him then be prepared to get dirty. Christ went into the sewer for you. He doesn't call you to do anything that he himself didn't do.

Christ in the sewer

2011-01-16T06:26:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to preach. Being close to Christmas time, the subject of the incarnation seemed appropriate, so I chose the prologue to John's gospel, chapter 1 verses 1-18. I spent a considerable amount of time on verse 14 "And the word became flesh and dwelt among us." While pondering this verse I was reminded of something I heard about once while visiting in Siberia.

Forgive me, but to get the full effect of this story requires me to be a bit descriptive. Needless to say, if you have a weak stomach you might not want to read this while eating.

In many Siberian villages homes do not have running water. The toilet then, as you can imagine, is included in this little deficiency. Somewhere in the backyard will be a little building that serves this purpose. A hole is dug and an outhouse is placed on top of it. Usually when one walks in he sees nothing more than a floor with a hole cut in it about 18 inches wide. If it's done right, the hole goes down about 5 or 6 feet to the bottom. Now here's where I have to get descriptive. As you can imagine, the bottom of that outhouse is probably the last place on earth anyone would want to fall. It's horrid, utterly nasty filth that smells worse than it looks. It is the stuff that nightmares are made of.

Now you may have noted the width of this hole, 18 inches. While that's not big enough for an adult to fall through, it's plenty big for a small child to slip into. Most of the time this isn't a problem as the littlest kids will use buckets or little makeshift training potties inside of the house, but from time to time a child's curiosity gets the best of him and he wanders into the outhouse, slips and falls through that hole. Generally speaking, drowning isn't common as the ground absorbs the water well enough to keep the "water" level low. But falling to bottom of this outhouse the child still will find himself covered in the most foul filth imaginable, most likely spared serious injury from the fall by the sheer fact that he landed on 6 or 7 inches of soft sewer mud.

So what does one do in this situation? I asked this question hypothetically to a Russian friend once. There are no ladders built for the child to crawl out. In many cases the child it too young to understand the concept of grabbing on to a rope, not that he would even be physically able to hold on long enough to be pulled out. To this question my friend answered "You go down there, get him out and clean him off." Did you catch that? You crawl into a sewer to save your child. You don't think about the awfulness of it, the nastiness of it all, you go down there and you save the one you love.

This illustration struck me as I pondered verse 14. Up to that point, Christ's divinity, glory, power and majesty are all laid out by John. The bottom of an outhouse is no place for the King of Glory, the God of the universe. Then we read that Christ became flesh and dwelt among us. It's easy to miss the weight of this statement because we have so "sanitized" the manger. The hay is clean, the animals, are clean, there is a warm glow of cozy light as the shepherds gather around. But it goes beyond the physical filth that Christ endured in his birth. Christ who was perfect and sinless came to this sinful, broken world full of murder, hatred, envy, wars, jealousy, lying, and every sin imaginable. He descended to us as we wallowed in the sewer of our sin so that he might lift us out and cleanse us of all of it. The "fall" was just that; it was a collapse into utter filth that we are powerless to escape from. Christ crawled into this sewer to save those he loved.

"Let us mark what kind of Being the Redeemer of mankind must needs be, in order to provide eternal redemption for sinners. If no one less than the Eternal God, the Creator and Preserver of all things, could take away the sin of the world, sin must be a far more abominable thing in the sight of God than most men suppose. The right measure of sin's sinfulness is the dignity of Him who came into the world to save sinners. If Christ is so great, then sin must indeed be sinful!" - J.C. Ryle

World Reacts in Shock at Existence of Tunisia

2011-01-15T08:37:00.000-08:00

Hoover, Alabama - The residents of Hoover awoke to the shocking news of events in the North African nation of Tunisa this morning. According to sources, news of the departure of long-time President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and the ascension to power of Fouad Mebazaa has rocked this small Alabama town. The most shocking aspect of all of this - the existence of Tunisia.

"It's got everyone a little off-kilter this morning" said Shelia Ray Hines, an attendant at the local 'Short Stop' gas station famous for their chicken-on-a-stick. "Everyone's been coming in all morning talking about it. Most are just shocked that they'd gone their whole lives and ain't ever heard of the place."

Families with small children are finding it even harder to deal with.

"My son come up to me and asked me 'Daddy where's Tunisa?'" said Ben Smith a local resident. "I'd never heard of the place, so I just told him Utah."

Residents of Hoover and other towns in America are eagerly awaiting the end of events in Tunisia, anxious to put a severe deficiency in the knowledge of world geography behind them.

Anyone there?

2011-01-14T05:18:00.001-08:00

I have no clue if anyone ever comes here anymore, but I've got the urge to start blogging again. So instead of starting up some new venture I figured I'd just pick up where I left off.

I'm looking to do something new though. I'm not a person of one single interest, so why would I have a blog of one subject? I can't predict what you'll find here every day, but I hope it will be interesting.

Back at it

2008-12-12T12:14:00.000-08:00

So, I'm trying to start this thing again. I'll be honest with you though, I'm not about to sit here and write a "This is why I haven't been posting for the past few months" post. Suffice it to say I'm back and I'm going to try to do this more regularly (I know, you've heard that before, but seriously).

I find that I'm needing to get my thoughts out in the open sometimes. Russia is a strange and bizarre land of wonders and paradoxes. While Cristy and I regularly laugh (and cry) about the stresses of living in this place, I still so badly sometimes want to convey to others just what it's like to live here when you're not from here. In addition, I'm faced with the reality every day of just how little I know about being a father and husband. When you tie all of that into simply living and working day to day, life is never dull. I've forever got something on my mind that I want to get out. So I figure here is just as good a place as any to do it.

So where to begin? I think the thing I'm struggling with the most right now is burnout. The word "burnout" is hard to define exactly. In technical terminology it's when something mechanical "burns out," hence the aptly used word "burnout." But when you use it in a human context it can have a number of nuances and meaning. Suffice it to say that lately I've been sitting down at night, taking a deep breathe and letting out a long sigh while pursing my lips. The result is a long "pbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbpth," which Isaiah usually imitates with delight.

I can't fully explain all of the reasons. Some are obvious. We've been back at language learning for about 5 months now, and I never leave a lessons without my brain feeling like pudding. On top of that we've made a conscious effort to inundate ourselves with about as much native Russian speaking as we possibly can. This has meant adding a lot of things to our schedule such as going to more Bible studies, having over more Russian friends, spending more time in Russian conversations outside of our lessons. There are also environmental issues. Right now it's dark until almost 10AM and then it starts getting dark about 3:45PM. The in between time is usually dark and gray with heavy overcast skies that rarely break for the sunlight. So there's simply lot of darkness interrupted by a dull haze. As a result it seems that I constantly stay tired no matter how much sleep I seem to get.

But on top of these obvious things there are simply oppressive spiritual issues. While America is far from perfect in any way, I appreciate more and more as time goes on just how much "common" grace has influenced our country. Russia can be a very harsh environment to live in. As I've told others, Russians can seemingly be some of the kindest, most loving, gentle and caring people in the world, and the most harsh, cruel, and deceitful. We've seen both extremes here. But on a day to day basis public life can be as cold as the weather. I realize I'm delving into a subject here that is way too deep to discuss right now, but perhaps over the next few posts I can spell out more of what I'm getting at. Let me just give one example.

Corruption: It's an extremely bad problem here in Russia. It's estimated by some that around half of all commerce done in this country is connected to bribes or illegal activity. Police officers constantly stop people for petty traffic violations (even imagined ones) and collect bribes from people right on the spot. They do this openly and in public. No one stops them. Other things like drinking and smoking laws are not enforced. The official Russian law states that children under the ages of 18 cannot buy or use alcohol or cigarettes. On the whole, stores seem fairly consistent with not selling the substances to minors, but children regularly obtain them with the help of older friends and drink and smoke openly on the streets. Police officers do nothing.

It goes deeper. Students bribe teachers for good grades in the Universities. Businesses bribe fire and health inspectors for good reports. Fire inspectors extort business owners threatening to give them bad reports unless they pay up. Big businesses take over smaller businesses, paying off police officers and judges in order to bring up charges on some poor chap and have in thrown in jail. The list goes on and on and on. The result is a society inundated with absolute distrust for any other person, distain for "law enforcement" personnel and a sense of pessimism that runs deep. Case and point, I heard a Russian joke today that said "In Russia a pessimist is someone who says 'Things can't get any worse.' and an optimist is one who says 'Of course they can!'" Life here in general is "heavy" as Russians say. People will yell and scream at each other in public, knock each other down constantly to be the first in line at the metro or refuse to intervene is someone's being beaten or hurt.

I don't know where I'm going with all of this except to say that these things have started to weigh on me. I must confess sometimes that I've had violent thoughts like grabbing a young punk by the throat who is verbally harassing a young lady and punching him repeatedly in the face. The thing is I don't think I've ever had those kinds of thoughts before I moved here. I've thankfully never been a violent-tempered person by the grace of God and by God's grace I don't want to become one.

I think what I'm trying to get at is simply that I'm feeling "dragged down" by life here lately. I don't like having violent thoughts of punching people in the face. That's not why I'm here. I don't like it when I find myself naturally pushing and shoving when the subway doors open. I don't like it when I stand stoically on the train afraid to smile because "people don't smile in public here." While there are certain things in Russian culture that are wonderful that I want to learn and adopt, there are plenty of things that I want to avoid. Unfortunately, the things I want to avoid seem to be the easiest to learn.

A Salty Post

2008-05-12T21:31:00.001-07:00

Studying: Still Reading in the Psalms
Thoughts: Good

I came to the realization the other day that I'm getting old. Now before you laugh, let me explain. Yes, I know I'm only 31 and by all accounts still fall under the "spring chicken" category, but I think I'm in the late May stages of my "spring" days. It struck me on my birthday just how fast the last ten years passed by. I'm starting to say things like "I haven't seen that person in 15 years" now. I get on Facebook and look at pictures of old high school and college classmates and they are almost all in the beginning stages of baldness with either developed or developing spare tires around the midsection, and the guys aren't looking too good either.

To top it all off last week I took my blood pressure just out of curiosity. To my surprise it was 140 over 85, which is called "prehypertension" in medical terms. I took it several times over several days, and it still was registering in the high 130's and mid 80's. In other words, too high. In some ways I wasn't surprised though since the main staple of most people's diets here in Russia is salt. It doesn't help either that salt is one of my favorite seasonings too. So the first thing I did was consult Dr. Google. I visited all of the reputable websites like webMD, and read up on what I was supposed to do. The advice was fairly straightforward, limit salt and caffeine and get plenty of potassium and exercise. The exercise part hasn't been a huge problem since coming here since we tend to walk quite a bit. I figure on average I get about 2 miles a day if not more. But my problem has been the salt and caffeine. I had been drinking about 3 cups of coffee a day, sometimes 4 and I usually topped that off with a glass of two of Diet Coke. On top of that for some time now I have had the very bad habit of adding salt to almost everything I eat. So when I saw the blood pressure numbers I knew some changes had to be made. I did the math. The recommended amount of sodium one should get each day is about 2500mg. I was probably getting more than twice that.

So I started immediately. I limited myself to about one-and-a-half cups of coffee per day and completely cut out any other caffeinated drinks. I started eating foods low in salt and quit adding salt all together to anything. Then I started eating more fruit. So I took my blood pressure last night and to my surprise it was 122 over 75. Now, I don't know if things are supposed to drop that fast, but I took it four times, even in the other arm to make sure. Sure enough, my blood pressure was back to basically "normal" levels.

It's things like this though that make me think about how short life is. I look at myself in the mirror and see that the rug is thinning on top, the back aches more and my eyesight is not getting any better. While I can "take care of myself" and do all I can to maintain my health, I cannot escape the fact that I'm a machine that is constantly in a state of breaking and wearing down. Don't worry, I'm not depressing over this, but I'm being practical and trying to look at from a Biblical perspective, asking the question "What can I do with the days that I have left?" My hope is to better serve Christ and do the work that he has called me to do.

Dumaflitchy

2008-05-05T09:39:00.000-07:00

Studying: Psalms 95-97
Thoughts: Good

Sometimes Cristy and I just have to laugh. One of the ways we've found of dealing with the cultural differences sometimes over here is just picking out random things in the culture to laugh about. Like an old lady mopping a sidewalk, or a mother in the park on an 80-degree day warning us not to let our son play in the sand because the "ground was cold." It's things like this that we can either scream about or die laughing about.

Tonight after dinner we were both in the kitchen and I noticed that our little wall lamp had gone out. As I jiggled the cord I noticed little sparks flying out of where the wire connects to the plugin. Having an aversion for burning down buildings, I decided to let it be and unplug the thing. We have a little word we use in our family when we want to describe something quickly but can't think of what to call it, and that word is "dumaflitchy." Others have similar words. I've heard people say "dumawhatsit" and "whatchamacallit." I used our word tonight when talking about the lamp, telling Cristy "I need to go get a new dumaflitchy and attach it to the cord here." Now, of course, I was talking about getting a new plugin for the lamp. Cristy knew exactly what I was talking about because I was holding it right there in my hand. Cristy immediately responded with, "I wonder how you say 'dumaflitchy' in Russian?"

I don't know if there's a Russian equivalent or not, but we laughed for several minutes about what would happen if we went to the store and asked in Russian "Скажите мне пожалуйста, у вас есть думафлитчии," which translates "Tell me please, do you have any dumaflitchies?"

Well, it made us laugh. Don't know if it will have the same effect on you all or not.

Yes, I'm still here.

2008-05-04T01:49:00.000-07:00

Studying: Yes!
Thoughts: Good

First of all let me say this. Don't worry. I'm fine. Everything's fine. Some of you are probably wondering where I've been the past two weeks. Let me explain.

First of all we went to Finland which was wonderful. We enjoyed three days to just rest a bit and renew our registration. Then we got back to Russia, and I'll confess I just plain forgot to blog. Yes, I stayed in the word, but simply forgot to blog about it. Sorry.

I'll confess also that I've been getting really burned out lately, and I think I'm really looking forward to the summer time. Things just don't seem to be sticking anymore in my Russian lessons like they once did, and it seems that no matter when I go to bed or when I get up I'm just staying tired almost constantly. No, I'm not depressed, don't worry about that, I'm just a little burned out.

I've been staying in the word, and that has been a blessed thing, but lately for my own soul's nourishment I've been taking a break from my regular reading schedule and just spending some time in the Psalms, reading, praying through and meditating on some favorite passages. A lot of my thoughts and reflections have been quite scattered, from the heart and not really fit for printing. Granted there's just some things I don't care to publish on the internet which I'm sure you can all understand.

So for the time being please understand some of my randomness. I'll begin posting here again, but some days I might simply list what I've read and not really comment on it.

Arrgh!

2008-04-22T00:07:00.000-07:00

Studying: Jeremiah 1-4
Thoughts: Good

I'm getting to be very forgetful as of late. Sorry about not posting again yesterday, but I assure you that I am reading.

Tomorrow we leave for Finland for two night. As I've explained before, but will summarize now, on our current visas here in Russia we can only be registered for three months at a time. That means after three months we must physically leave the country and re-enter. When we come back in the fall we won't have to do that because we'll be on student visas. And so tomorrow ends our three months. We're taking one extra day there just to rest a bit. We'll be back Friday afternoon.

We are now just over two months away from completing our first year here in Russia. As we get to the end here of this first term might I say it's like we're making a "mad dash" for the finish. There's so much to be done in preparation for returning home for six weeks, paperwork, plane tickets, more paperwork, finishing lessons, etc. Life is hectic here lately.

Please pray for us in the midst of all this that we will not neglect the Lord our God.

2008-04-20T10:06:00.000-07:00

Studying: Mark 15-16
Thoughts: Good

Came across this the other day. This is tremendous.

Oops!

2008-04-19T12:00:00.000-07:00

Studying: Mark 12-14
Thoughts: Good

I totally just forgot to post yesterday (Friday). It was one of those days where I left the house early and didn't get home until late. When I did get home I was just so tired I crashed. Sorry about that. I did read though.

As for today, I'll have to admit the Russian-only reading is going to be a challenge. I think I'm going to have to split the time for a while still, perhaps read a chapter in English and a chapter in Russian. I have a feeling I could easily become discouraged and burnt out here.

2008-04-17T11:52:00.000-07:00

Studying: Mark 11
Thoughts: Good

"But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." - Matthew 10:43-45

This seems to defy human thinking. Just take a look at children, what do they do? They fight for the front seat in the car, they want the first piece and biggest piece of cake, they want to be the leader of the pack, etc. Our natural tendencies are not to sit in the back seat, but to drive the car.

Probably the most famous missiological quote of the twentieth-century was made by Jim Elliot when he said "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." Men and women who spend their lives in the pursuits of power and fame lose everything in the end. Those who seek first the kingdom of God and walk as Christ walked, serving others, gain everything in the end.

Quiet Russian Time

2008-04-16T11:19:00.001-07:00

Studying: Mark 10
Thoughts: Good

I started something new today. I got the idea from some advice I received from a seminary professor of mine at RTS about 5 years ago. Dr. Elias Meideros was my advisor. Dr. Meideros is from Brazil, so his native language is not English, but he speaks it almost perfectly, just a bit accented which is expected. I remember asking him once though about how difficult it was for him to learn another language to the point to where praying, reading, studying and teaching in it was just as natural to him as his native tongue. He told me that early on as he learned English he began reading the Bible every day in English, and then started doing his regular devotional time in English too, even praying in English.

So today, I'm going to give it a try. It takes me almost 3 times as long to read one chapter, but hey, I was able to read it and understand it. I may not do this every day, but I believe it will be good for me. On a very practical note I noticed that reading it in Russian allowed me to slow down and focus more on the passage, thinking about it more along the way.

Don't worry, I'll continue to post comments here in English!

2008-04-15T12:39:00.001-07:00

Studying: Mark 8-9
Thoughts: Good

Sorry to cop out today. I'm exhausted right now and just need to go to bed. Today has been a very busy day.

Disciple or Admirer

2008-04-14T11:32:00.000-07:00

Studying: Mark 6-7
Thoughts: Good

"And his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was removed, and he began speaking plainly. And He gave them orders not to tell anyone; but the more He ordered them, the more widely they continued to proclaim it." - Mark 7:35-36

It's a mystery that sometimes Jesus told those whom he healed to go and tell others, and sometimes he told them to keep silent. The reasons for this are not always obvious from scripture, and I've heard numerous commentators try to give various explanations. But all pragmatism aside, there's one thing that I cannot get past, that disobedience to Christ, no matter how well-intentioned, is still disobedience.

I don't want to read too much into this passage here. The man who was deaf and dumb was indeed healed by Christ, but the fact remains that Jesus kept ordering him not to tell anyone what he had done, but he just kept doing it. Hendriksen takes a pretty strong view of the man when he says,

"...it takes more than admiration and enthusiasm to be a true follower of Christ. Many Christ-admirers are lost. The true mark of discipleship is revealed in John 15:14, 'You are my friends if you do what I bid you.' The people were doing just the opposite."

Such an illustration is cause for self-examination. Am I a Christ-follower or simply a Christ-admirer?

2008-04-13T12:18:00.000-07:00

Studying: Mark 4-5
Thoughts: Good

As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed was imploring Him that he might accompany Him. And he did not let him, but He said to him, 'Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.' And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed." Mark 5:18-20

Christ commanded this man to go and he went. He went because of his love for Christ. He had been shown mercy by the Savior and wanted to be with him, therefore he tried to get in the boat and go with Jesus. But Jesus had other plans for this man. He wanted him to go and tell others two basic things - what God had done for him and that God had been merciful to him. When Christ tells the man not to come but to go out and tell others, he doesn't put up a fight, nor does he argue. He had a longing to obey Christ and therefore he goes and tells others about him. He wanted to tell others what great things God had done for him and what great mercy he had been shown. Should I not do the same?

Bingo

2008-04-12T00:34:00.000-07:00

Studying: Mark 1-3
Thoughts: Good

"And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, 'Son, your sins are forgiven.' But some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, 'Why does this man speak this way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone?'" Mark 2:5-7

Exactly! Not to the first part of verse 7 but to the last question that the Scribes ask "Who can forgive sins but God alone?" That's the whole point, no one can forgive sins but God alone. Jesus is God! Jesus makes this abundantly clear when he says later "'But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins' - He said to the paralytic, 'I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet and go home.'"

What amazes me is that when you present these verses to non-trinitarians the backflips that they do in order to get past the idea that Jesus' divinity is very clear here. No one can forgive sins but God, and if Jesus forgives sins, well then, he's God.

2008-04-10T20:36:00.000-07:00

Studying: Matthew 27-28
Thoughts: Good

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. - Matthew 28:18

On no few occasions I've heard the "Great Commission" (verses 19-20) quoted without verse 18, but this verse is crucial to the whole meaning of the command that follows. On what basis are we to "go therefore?" On the basis that Christ has been given all authority in heaven and on earth. We therefore can go with confidence. We cannot set our feet on any soil over which does not have rule and dominion. Though we may leave our earthly country of residence to do this task, we never leave our King's territory.

Surely not I Lord

2008-04-09T21:13:00.000-07:00

Studying: Matthew 25-26
Thoughts: Good

"As they were eating, He said, 'Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me.' Being deeply grieved, they each one began to say to Him 'Surely not I, Lord?" Matthew 26:21-22

The context is the Last Passover supper before Jesus is betrayed and crucified. Here Jesus makes this statement and the disciples are apparently a little shocked, dismayed and perhaps even scared. Here it says "Surely not I" while some other translations read "Is it I, Lord?" It is an expression of doubt and fear even as each of the disciples sits around and wonders if perhaps they are the one who is going to do such a deed. It's telling in the midst of this that no one points the finger at Judas and says "Him!" Apostasy is not always obvious.

Be on the Alert

2008-04-08T20:32:00.000-07:00

Studying: Matthew 22-24
Thoughts: Good

Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming." Matthew 24:42

There are many different views on eschatology, some so mind-bogglingly complicated that I get a headache just thinking about them. But I think many people miss the big picture when it comes to understanding the return of Christ. No matter what view one takes on eschatology there ought to be common ground among Bible-believing Christians on the subject and that common ground is this; Christ IS coming back and we better be ready.

In verses 42-51 of chapter 24 Jesus expounds on the subject of his return and he teaches his disciples that they are to "be on the alert" and "be ready. The question then is, what does it mean to "be on the alert" and "be ready?" Well the context seems to make that a bit clearer. Jesus gives an illustration in verses 45 & 46 when he says, "Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them food at the proper time? Blessed is the slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes." "Be[ing] ready" and "be[ing] on the alert" is understood in this sense and doing the work of the kingdom.

Now, I'm not against talking about the return of Christ. Eschatology is in the Bible and therefore it is to be taught and understood. But at the same time discussions about the return of our Master are not to be done "sitting down." The knowledge that our Lord is going to come again should motivate us to do the works of the kingdom, not sit on the front porch and argue over when he might come or in what manner.

So whether we call ourselves premil, amil or postmil, mid-trib, post-trib, pre-trib, a-trib, or whatever the question is, are we ready? Are we on the alert? Are we doing the works of the kingdom?

The Gospel is for Sinners

2008-04-07T03:27:00.000-07:00

Studying: Matthew 19-21
Thoughts: Good

"For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him; but the tax collectors and prostitutes did believe him; and you, seeing this, did not even feel remorse afterward so as to believe in him." Matthew 21:32

Okay, I've started a post on this verse four times, and each time I have to stop and start over again. Every time I start writing I get off on a tangent, so let me just ramble for a moment and see what happens.

I've been thinking about this verse today, and it shakes me a bit. Jesus sat down and ate with tax collectors and prostitutes. When was the last time I did that? Yes, I know, "be careful." Exactly, I understand that, but what I'm struck with here over and over again is just how dirty Jesus "got his hands" in his work and ministry. I can say that if presented with two witnessing options, one a stinky homeless man and the other a nicely dressed banker, my natural inclination is towards the guy in the suit.

I mean, take a moment and evaluate scripture. Look at some of the kinds of people gathering around Jesus. There were, of course as it says here, tax collectors and prostitutes, but there were also adulterers, lepers, beggars, even criminals. And he spoke kindly but firmly to them. As a little rhyme I once heard goes, "Jesus ate with sinners on the floor but he told them to 'go and sin no more.'"

Okay, again, I'm just rambling.

Man of Little Faith

2008-04-06T12:11:00.000-07:00

Studying: Matthew 16-19
Thoughts: Good

"And the disciples came to the other side of the sea, but they had forgotten to bring any bread. And Jesus said to them, 'Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.' They began to discuss this among themselves, saying, "He said that because we did not bring any bread." - Matthew 16:5-7

So by this point the disciples have seen Jesus miraculously feed 9000+ people with literally a few handfuls of food with such an abundance that baskets of the food were left over. And yet again, the disciples are worried about bread. It just goes to show you how easily we forget the faithfulness of God.

Now it would be easily to be critical of the disciples here, but I'll be the first to admit that I'm guilty of the same thing myself. Oh how many times I've seen and personally experienced the faithfulness of God over and over again, only to find myself worrying at the first inconvenient circumstance. In my life I've seen God provide out of seemingly nothing. I've seen him heal, bring about change, right wrongs, etc. yet I'm so quick to forget these things when something new comes up.

Christ later in this passage rebukes his disciples, but I must say even then it is firm but gentle. He reminds them of what they have seen him do before, and that is really the essence of keeping our faith strong. If we would be strong in our faith we need to remember who God is and what he has done.

2008-04-05T12:53:00.000-07:00

Studying: Matthew 13-15
Thoughts: Good

"The disciples said to Him, 'Where would we get so many loaves in this desolate place to satisfy such a large crowd." - Matthew 15:33

Seems like a perfectly reasonable question right? I'll have to admit that if I was out in the desert with 4000+ people and someone asked me to feed them that I might have to raise some logistical objections. But the question asked by Jesus' disciples is quite telling for a number of reasons. Most striking is that they had already seen him miraculously feed 5000+ at an earlier time with twelve baskets left over (Matthew 14-13-21). I'm not sure how much time had passed between the feeding of the 5000+ and this incident here, but it would seem like that kind of story would stick with someone for the rest of their lives. The tales of yore that are told by the elderly to the up and coming generations are proof of that. You'd think that at least one of the disciples would have spoken up and said "Well, you remember a while back where with five loaves and five fish our Lord fed a small town with plenty to spare? I reckon that's where we'll get the food that we need."

What's even more amazing to me though is Jesus' response. Even though I know the story already every time I read this question by the disciples I'm waiting for a response like "Have ye not known, have ye not heard..." but it doesn't come. Instead comes an answer...a demonstration if you will that displays more a character of "For he knows are frame, he is mindful that we are but dust." Jesus doesn't scold them, doesn't belittle them, doesn't even say anything to remind them of the previous event. He simply commands them what to do and demonstrates his power.

Time and time again the Lord demonstrates his faithfulness to his people, and time and time again they forget. Yet the Lord in his mercy keeps being faithful and keeps providing and working and moving. How merciful is our God.

2008-04-04T13:36:00.000-07:00

Studying: Matthew 11-12
Thoughts: Good

I dropped off our passport information at The Swiss Center today. The Swiss Center is an international language school here in St. Petersburg where I will be taking Russian language classes in the fall. The Swiss Center will also provide our visa support, for which we are very excited. I know that many of you have prayed about the visa situation, and this appears to be the answer to those prayers. When the situation began to look grim, the Lord provided a way for us to stay here a bit longer. So we praise him for that.

Poor in Spirit

2008-04-03T13:34:00.000-07:00

Studying: Matthew 8-10
Thoughts: Good

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 5:3

Emptiness without hope is miserable, but emptiness with hopeful expectation can be most exciting. An artist may look at a blank canvas and see potential, a fresh place to begin a new work. An empty glass may be a glass about to be refilled with something refreshing. One who is "poor in spirit" is one who is emptied of self, looking only to God in complete dependence for everything. This kind of person is "blessed" because his hope is in God and not in himself. The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment when he says "For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:10b)

Sleep

2008-04-02T11:40:00.000-07:00

Studying: Matthew 5-7
Thoughts: Good

I'm taking a few days off from Scripture memory, at least from memorizing Romans. I'm finding it tremendously difficult for some reason to memorize Scripture as of late. I don't know if the Russian is getting in the way, but I"m finding at the end of the day that I'm having a very hard time retaining what I'm memorizing from day to day. So I'm going to stop for a while, perhaps go back and review some older verses that I committed to memory before but have slipped off the radar screen.

Also, I have not been sleeping well the past few nights which has made me really tired most of the time during the day. Please pray that I'd be able to get some solid sleep over the next few days.

A Christian Life Tourist

2008-04-01T13:14:00.000-07:00

Studying: Matthew 3-4
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-4
Thoughts: Good

We are blessed and privileged to live in a very beautiful city. Many claim that Saint Petersburg is the most beautiful city in Russia. Certainly, the landscape is much more appeasing. Old beautiful buildings are everywhere, and the city is loaded with history. Just a short 2 minute walk from our apartment and I can see the spire of the Peter Paul Cathedral. Another 18 minutes or so and I can walk inside the Cathedral. It's a magnificent structure with a spire that dominates the skyline. In about 25 minutes we can make it down to the banks of the Neva river and look over to the other side to see the Hermitage (the Winter Palace), the spire of the Admiralty and the shining dome of St. Isaac's Cathedral. Indeed, St. Petersburg is Russia's showcase city.

When we first moved here everything was new and exciting. Every corner we rounded we wanted to take pictures. Every time we passed the Hermitage we were awestruck. Then we started living here and things begin to change a little. I'm almost ashamed to admit it, but sometimes the spires and the towers and the colors and architecture don't catch my attention. I've become "used to" them. They are, in a sense, just part of my surroundings now and don't strike me the way they used to.

On Sunday during church Pastor Mikhail was preaching before we took the Lord's Supper about how sometimes it becomes routine to us. It is meant to be a time of reflection and remembering, yet so often we have become so familiar with it that we forget its awesome significance. I cannot help but apply this same kind of idea to all of the Christian life. When was the last time I was awestruck by the word of God? When was the last time I was overwhelmed with joy by meditating on the fact of what I have in Christ? Sadly, my relationship with the Lord can become "routine" also.

So what do I do? Well, for starters I've started taking the bus more. Yes, it's slower than the metro depending on the traffic, but when I'm above ground I get to see the Sun, curl up in a seat an lean my head against a window while fading off into my own world. I then am free to take some time to look at my surroundings and try to see things I've never seen before. I've made it a point lately that every time I pass the Hermitage I will try to find some feature on it I've never seen before. I think I could do this with almost any structure. The point is, I don't want to take it for granted.

I think a similar practice could be applied to the Christian life. I need to stop sometimes. I need to take a little more time and not worry about rushing. I need to gaze at what God has written, meditate upon it and seek to understand more and more about it. I need to think more about Christ and what I have in him. The Christian life is living, dwelling and growing in Christ. It's not simply being a "tourist" in a neat place for a short time.

Descended From...

2008-03-31T10:00:00.001-07:00

Studying: Isaiah 66, Matthew 1-2
Memorizing: Romans 2:1-4
Thoughts: Good

Call me strange but I like the genealogies in Scripture. Yes, I know that a long list of hard-to-pronounce names isn't the most exciting thing to read in the world, but remember it is God's Word. But in particular I like Matthew's Genealogy. What a way to present the Messiah to an audience than through showing that Jesus had a real, legal right to the throne of David. But what also amazes me is that the Bible doesn't hide anything when it comes to tracing back Jesus' ancestry. I mean, take this genealogy for a moment, it's filled with less-than-admirable people? There are cheaters, liars, former prostitutes, adulterers, murderers, evil kings, etc. Let's face it, if I was going to invent a story to convince people throughout the ages that some man was God this is not how I would begin.

But that's what's amazing, and what I think even adds to the arguments of the Bible's truth and validity. No one in their right mind would make up something like this. The ancestry of Christ is shown, warts and all. What a mystery that Christ was born perfect in the midst of all this mess. Something supernatural has taken place.

But also, I think it highlights another very basic point; the gospel is for sinners. It is not for those who have cleaned up their lives already. It is not for those who live perfectly. The gospel is for cheaters, liars, prostitutes, adulterers, murderers, etc. It is for people like you and like me.

The Father's Love

2008-03-30T13:21:00.000-07:00

Studying: Isaiah 64-65
Memorizing: Romans 2:1-4
Thoughts: Good

I preached today for the English service at our church on "I believe in God the Father." Sadly, there have been and still are many rotten father-children relationships over here. Many have experienced drunken and abusive fathers. Many have experienced abandonment and rejection by their fathers. Thus, sadly, many have a warped idea of what a father is.

I tried to stress the point today that one defines the Fatherhood of God not through an earthly understanding. An earthly understanding is warped and twisted. Even the best of father-child relationships here on earth are still filled with sin.

Pray that God will raise up godly fathers here in this land that will, by grace, strive to live and reflect the love of the Heavenly Father according to a Biblical understanding.

Late Post

2008-03-30T02:39:00.000-07:00

Studying: Isaiah 62-63
Memorizing: Romans 2:1-3
Thoughts: Good

Sorry for not posting on Saturday. Our internet was down when I got home last night. It's working now obviously. I'll post for Sunday this evening here.

The Joys of Russian Grammar

2008-03-28T12:52:00.000-07:00

Studying: Isaiah 59-61
Memorizing: Romans 2:1-3
Thoughts: Good

Our main task right now here in Russia is to become good in Russian. But to be honest I really wonder how many of our friends and family understand what this entails. I'm not looking for a pity party here, but I'd like to share some of the challenges of the language.

Learning Russian for most people is not like learning Spanish, French, Italian, German, etc. If you're already an English speaker and you want to learn one of the Romantic or Germanic languages you can do so with proper training relatively quickly. I remember a guy I graduated with going into the army to be a Spanish translator. He entered with basically no knowledge and in 8 months was considered fluent. But Russian is a much harder, much more complex language. Face it, even if you don't speak Spanish and you see the word apartamento you will pretty quickly know what it means. Compare that to квартира.

The Alphabet

One thing that so many people say when I tell them that we're learning Russian is "Boy, that's got to be hard, especially that alphabet." Well, I'll be honest, the alphabet is the easiest part. It's learned on day one in about an hour or two. There are 33 letters in the Russian alphabet. Some look and sound the same as Latin letters. Some look like our Latin letters but make different sounds. And some don't do either. For your reading pleasure here's the layout...

All of the following letters are basically written and pronounced the same for Russian and English.

А, К, М, О, Т,

So if you see "Том" in Russian it's pronounced "Tom" with a long "o". If you see "Кот" in Russian it's pronounced "Kot" also with a long "o". Incidentally, "кот" is the word for a grown male cat. See you're learing quickly

The following letters look like Latin ones you're already familiar with but make different sounds.

В - Nope, that's not a "B" it's a "V" actually just as in very
Е - Similar to an "E" but pronounced "yeh"
Ё - The two little dots above make a difference. This one is pronounced "yo."
Н - This is the Russian "N," just as in name
Р - Sorry, not a "P" but an "R," if you know Greek that helps a bit.
С - Similar to our letter "C" but it always makes an "S" sound, never a hard "K"
У - This is "oo," as in pool
Х - This makes a sound we don't have in English. It's transliterated "KH" but makes the sound of the ch in loch ness.

So if you see "верх" in Russian it's not pronounced "bepks" but rather "verkh" which means "top" (the place, not the object).

And finally, the letters that are totally new and different.

Б - This is a "B" Granted it looks a little like a Latin "B"
Г - This is a "G." Pretty much just like a Greek "Gamma"
Д - D
Ж - This is "zh." It makes the same sound that "s" makes in pleasure.
З - No, this isn't the number three, it's a "Z"
И - Not a backwards "N." This makes a long "I" sound, or an "EE" sound as in "meet."
Й - This letter is called "ee kratkoye" it's basically a long "ee" also, but is used in dipthongs.
Л - L
П - P, like "Pi" in Greek
Ф - F
Ц - "TS" as in "Hits"
Ч - "CH"
Ш - "SH"
Щ - "SHCH," Say "fresh cheese" together and you'll get it there in the middle
Ъ - This is a silent letter that makes the end of a word "hard," it's a little to hard to explain right now
Ы - This is not "bi," it's one letter and it has caused many Russian learners to lose sleep. It's kind of like the и, but not exactly. Mess this up and you could cause some serious laughter.
Ь - This is also a silent letter, but it makes the end of a word "soft."
Э - This makes a short "e" sound
Ю - This letter makes the sound "you" exactly
Я - Ah, the infamous "backwards r." Sorry, no "R" sounds here. This makes the sound "YA"

So "Бил" would be pronounced "beel" which means "I or he beat..." So don't go throwing this word around too much. "Я" by itself means "I"

So, now that you know the Russian alphabet see if you can read the following sentence. Hint, it's actually in English.

Лернинг рошэн из вери вери фан!

So there you have it. Now you can read Russian at least. By the way, if you ever plan to visit Russia whether it be for mission work or just for fun, do yourself a favor and memorize this alphabet. Few signs are in English over here and use Latin characters. It will make your getting around a lot easier.

The Last Stretch

2008-03-27T12:29:00.000-07:00

Study: Isaiah 56-58
Memorizing: Romans 2:1-3
Thoughts: Good

We have had more snow here the past 3 days than we have had all winter! I kid you not, we have had almost a foot of snow fall in blizzard-like fashion over the past few days. I suppose if there is such a thing as an "Indian Summer" then there can be an "Indian Winter."

As March comes to a close here we are entering the last quarter of our first year here. We will pretty much be doing language studies straight through April and May (with a short trip out of the country at the end of April for visa re-registration), and we will finish off our lessons probably after the second week of June. The third week of June our friend Kathy will be joining us here from the States for two weeks. The last week of June we all fly out to Krasnoyarsk, Siberia for InterAct's Russia field conference (Kathy will be keeping Isaiah during our meeting times). And after that we fly back to St. Pete for like three days then fly home.

As we approach the close of our first year here I've become rather reflective. I've been thinking on where God has led us, what he's taught us, what he's accomplished in and through us while we've been here. So much has changed in these past 8 months that I don't know quite where to begin. I can pinpoint it, but I've changed (for the better I hope).

In one of my talks with Jim Capaldo (Our field director who was with us this week from Siberia), he began talking about culture stresses and changes that take place in the life of a missionary during and after his first year. Jim's been at this for almost 9 years now so he's no rookie. But he was making the point that after you live somewhere for a while you become part of that place, even in the case of a foreign culture. You know you'll always be a "foreigner," that this will never be like you're native culture, but you learn to adopt and feel comfortable with many different aspects of it. Thus when you go back to your own culture the biggest shock often comes from returning to your homeland.

I'll confess what he said made a lot of sense. There are things that I haven't been around for 8 months, and it never ceases to amaze me when I sit and think that I've forgotten. For instance, it struck me just the other day that by the time I return to the U.S. I will have not driven a car for a year. The other day I remembered that air conditioners existed. I realized the other day also that I've forgotten what it's like to be in a worship service where everything is in English. Truth be told, I'm excited and even a little nervous about how things are going to seem to me when we go back this summer.

So for now my hope is to finish this first year off strong, to have a solid, strong foundation in Russian and to have some established connections here to build off of over the next year. But still I can't help but reflect on all that the Lord has led us through these past months. So much has changed.

Evaluating the Future

2008-03-26T13:46:00.000-07:00

Studying: Isaiah 53-55
Memorizing: Romans 2:1-3
Thoughts: Good

Cristy and I had a date night tonight. Jim was so kind to stay with Isaiah after we laid him down. We went to Papa John's Pizza (Yes, they have one here in St. Petersburg). But, over the past few days we've had the opportunity to have some great talks with Jim about where we fit, what we're doing, how we can do it better. Tonight was really the first time that we had the opportunity to sit down, just the two of us, and flush out some of these things since we've been talking about them with Jim. It was a tremendous time.

The way things stand right now, not a whole lot will be changing before the end of our first year here (which ends when we head back to America June 30th). But, we are looking to restructure some things in the fall that we believe will make our language learning time more intense and hopefully even more effective, yet actually give us more time together as a family at the end of the day. I'll explain more later, but we need prayers for wisdom in these matters.

Things That Have Changed About Me Since Moving to Russia

2008-03-25T14:35:00.000-07:00

Studying: Isaiah 51-52
Memorizing: Romans 2:1-3
Thoughts: Good

1. I've learned to live more day-by-day. Yes, I still plan, but it seems now when I do I always look at it with the expectation that the future I've "planned" is not mine but the Lord's.

2. I'm more direct with people. I've never been much for bush beating in the first place, but since moving here I've discovered that I've become more inclined to be more direct. That doesn't mean I'm unkind or unfriendly, just a little more blunt at times.

3. I'm getting better at saying "no." I mean this in a positive aspect. Since we've come here we've been asked to do numerous, numerous things and I've had to learn to say "no." There is simply no way we can do them all, nor do we even need to if we could.

4. I honestly think I've gotten more patient. Cristy might disagree with me, but in a land that, I'm convinced, invented red tape itself, I've had to learn to handle more and more slowly moving frustrating situations. This is all of God's grace of course.

5. I've actually longed for warm weather. Having lived in Mississippi and Louisiana all my life before coming here I was convinced that I would never ever miss a warm day. But after 5 months of cold I'm honestly looking forward to the day of being able to walk outside in a t-shirt. We're still 2 1/2 months away from that I've been told.

Guests

2008-03-24T14:01:00.000-07:00

Studying: Isaiah 48-50
Memorizing: Romans 2:1-2
Thoughts: Good

Jim Capaldo, InterAct's Russia field director, arrived today from Siberia. Already we've had a great time visiting with him and look forward to several more days of fellowship and discussion about the future of our work here in Russia.

In other news, Isaiah came down with a fever briefly today. It was a rather strange thing, as he seemed to show no other signs of sickness or infection. We've heard from others though that a 24-hour bug is floating around. Thankfully the fever never got too high (the highest was like 100.2), and it was back to normal this evening. We thank the Lord for this.

Иисус-Воскрес!

2008-03-23T13:28:00.000-07:00

Studying: Isaiah 46-47
Memorizing: Romans 2:1-2
Thoughts: Good

"I-isus Vas-kres", that's how you pronounce that title. In Russian it means "Christ is Risen!" Traditionally on Easter people will say that to one another over here and the other person will respond with, "Воистину-Воскрес!" pronounced "Va-i-sti-nu Vas-kres", which means "Indeed He is Risen!" Of course, most churches in Russia, even some of the Protestant ones, follow the Eastern Calendar for holidays, and thus Easter over here is still not for another few weeks. But seeing that the majority of people who read my blog are not following the Eastern Calendar, I thought I'd share that tidbit of information with you today.

I wanted to relate to you about the Fellowship group I went to Saturday night. There's a lady in our church who a couple of months ago had a desire to use her apartment for the Lord. She has a small, but very nice newly renovated apartment, perfect for hosting guests and such. Have a grown son who really wants nothing to do with the faith she herself knows how hard it is to really get to know unbelievers and engage them. So she began hosting a small fellowship at her apartment every Saturday night where some of her church friends could come over and mingle with some of her unbelieving friends. Pastor Mikhail usually attends and gives a short Bible lesson prompting a conversation time.

I've been twice and hope I can go more often. On both occasions I've been able to meet another young couple, Ramon and his wife Natasha and their little boy Pasha. They are not believers but apparently come every time. It has been a pleasure to get to know them and talk to them some. Last night at the dinner table I purposely broached the subject with Mikhail about how the average person in Russia views the Christian faith. The conversation was interesting. Of course, he knew what I was doing, and made a few comments on the subject but then deferred to Ramon and Natasha. Their responses were interesting. They commented that many people view it as rather dry theology that doesn't really affect day-to-day living. Of course we took the opportunity to hopefully remedy those ideas in their minds. They genuinely seemed interested.

Please keep this family in your prayers. The small group, one-on-one approach really seems to be the way to go these days in Russia. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, missionaries flooded this country. People literally flocked to stadiums and churches to hear what they had been forbidden to hear for so long, and to see the foreigners in person. But now, many have lost interest. It's no longer a forbidden fruit, and many don't see a real point and purpose to the faith. So please pray for small groups like these. Our church currently two that meet and do this sort of thing, and we hope, perhaps, that we can host one of our own in the future.

More Tomorrow

2008-03-22T14:40:00.000-07:00

Studying: Isaiah 43-45
Memorizing: Romans 2:1-2
Thoughts: Good

I was away basically the whole day today. This evening I got back rather late from a fellowship. I'd like to tell more about that situation but not at 12:45AM.

Reconnecting

2008-03-21T13:04:00.000-07:00

Studying: Isaiah 40-42
Memorizing: Romans 2:1-2
Thoughts: Good

I met Stas six years ago this summer on my first trip to Russia in 2002. Our small group had wound our way around the Sakha Republic to the small remote town of Khandyga. There the local Baptist church was doing a kind of vacation Bible school for some of the kids in the town. Our group helped out during the week. Stas was 10 then and for some reason kind of took to me. I don't really know why exactly, but he just kind of followed me around a lot during that week. When we left Khandyga we exchanged addresses and telephone numbers. I called him once actually, but at that time I could really only say about 2 or 3 sentences in Russian, so it was never more than "Hi, how is your family?" and "How's school."

I returned to Khandyga on another trip out to Siberia in the summer of 2003. Once again I helped with the vacation Bible school, and once again Stas kind of followed me around again. The next time I saw him was when Cristy and I traveled back there again in February of 2005. By that point and time Stas was getting a bit older.

After that trip in the winter of 05 I talked to him later that year briefly on the phone for just a few minutes. Again, my Russian being so limited we never really talked about anything significant. It had always been my hope to get to meet his family and hopefully befriend them also, but that never seemed to work out sadly.

After the fall of 05 many things happened. There was Hurricane Katrina of course, then Isaiah was born and I lost touch with Stas. When we moved to Russia last year I dug up the old number I had and tried calling it a number of times, but it would just ring and ring and ring. I tried a number of other times, but the same thing would happen. So I became content with the fact that I had probably lost contact with him for good. I prayed that somehow perhaps the Lord might open the door again.

So on Monday, in the midst of being sick and sitting around at the house I thought I'd give it one more try. I connected to Skype and entered the number. To my surprise a woman answered the phone. The connection was really bad, but we were able to talk. I asked if Stas still lived there, and she said no. So I asked if he still lived in the city, and she said yes. She then told me to call back the next day and she could give me his number. The next day I called and was not able to get anyone, but on Wednesday she finally answered again and gave me his number.

I called the number and a much deeper voice answered. "Is this Stas?" I asked. "Yes" came the reply. "Do you know who this is?" I asked. The answer was obvious of course. I'm sure the kid doesn't have that many people with American accents calling him that often. We chatted for a moment, probably the most we'd ever been able to talk. He was quite shocked and happy to hear from me again. What's amazing though is, thanks to growing technology even in the remote parts of Siberia, he now has an email address.

We've sent a couple of emails back and forth since yesterday, basically catching up on life. Sadly, he does not go to church, nor does he seem to have any solid interest in spiritual matters. But I pretty much expected this. His parents are not Christians, and while I do not doubt the Lord's power to save a child outside of a Christian home, two weeks of vacation Bible school most likely aren't going to change anyone's life.

But this has been a real encouragement to me. He not only is glad to hear from me, but wants to stay in regular contact now through email. For some reason God has reconnected me with this young man, and it is my hope and prayer that we can begin to build a connection again, even through email and phone calls. I'm finally at a place in my Russian now where we can have meaningful conversations about things. InterAct still continues to work out in that area of Siberia some, and it is my hope that somehow we can see each other again in the near future.

So I ask for your prayers for Stas. Pray that God would save him and that perhaps, by God's grace, I could be used to witness to him. Ever since I first met him 6 years ago I've had a particular burden for him and have prayed for him countless times. Now in the providence of God this relationship has been renewed.

Prayers Answered

2008-03-20T12:45:00.000-07:00

Studying: Isaiah 37-39
Memorizing: Romans 1:32, 2:1-2
Thoughts: Good

We've been praying for a new apartment lately. Since we've moved to Saint Petersburg we've become more accustomed to the city and to getting around, therefore we don't really need to live in the center of town anymore. We also would like to upgrade to a little bit bigger place. While we've been making it okay here sleeping in the same room with Isaiah, we really think it's time he had his own room. We looked into a number of places over the past few weeks, and all of them were excruciatingly too expensive. But then something happened last night.

We're part of an online message board called "SPB News." It's mainly for expats living in Saint Petersburg. To get on the board, one must be approved by the moderator. If anyone wants to make an announcement they simply send an email to the group, and everyone gets it. People use it all of the time to sell items, ask questions, recommend things, etc. Last night around 9:45 a message came across for a three room apartment near a different metro station. I called, asked the price and it was right. The lady told me to call back this morning to setup a time to see the place.

At 1PM we went to go see the apartment. It takes almost a full hour to get there from our current location, but it's an easy ride. Well, let me just say the Lord worked out everything perfectly. The place is more than we could ask for and the rent is excellent! We have a verbal agreement with the lady that we will take the apartment. We will be signing paperwork soon. If all goes well we will move in around the first of June.

We are reminded of the Lord's faithfulness. We were beginning to get discouraged about finding a new place, and suddenly, "out of the blue" this place literally falls into our laps.

Oh, a couple of other things too. The next door neighbor is a doctor who speaks English. The currently landlady said he would be very happy to help if there was ever a need. There are great stores nearby, plenty of parks and less noise and traffic. Please continue to pray that this will all come together.

Prayer for Strength

2008-03-19T13:25:00.000-07:00

Studying: Isaiah 35-36
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-32, 2:1
Thoughts: Good

I'll confess, I'm running out of steam here lately. I know I've been sick and such, but it seems lately I'm starting to have more and more of those "blue" days where it's hard to get going. It's kind of a difficult cycle really,

-Desire to do "ministry" but realize I need to know the language
-Study harder at the language
-Make progress, get encouraged
-Realize just how much I don't know, get discouraged
-Desire to do "ministry" but realize I need to know the language

Yes, I realize that even language learning itself is ministry. I have no doubt in my mind that the Lord is using us in the lives of our teachers. But there are so many things I am becoming more and more anxious to do. How I would love to be able to just strike up a conversation with someone without saying "what?" a thousand times.

I suppose I need endurance right now. I need to remember that I'm running a marathon not a sprint with this language learning thing. The first few miles were "easy" relatively speaking. I was filled with energy, enthusiasm, zest. But now I'm approaching somewhere around the middle (probably more before the middle), and I think I'm starting to lose some steam. Pray that I'll get my second wind.

The Ups and Downs of Being Sick

2008-03-18T12:59:00.000-07:00

Studying: Isaiah 32-34, Psalm 79
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-32
Thoughts: Good

I have a cold right now, and all my life, as far as I can remember, I've never just had a small cold. I like to do them right, uncontrollable coughing, sneezing fits, sore throats, aches, pains, not sleeping. I like to get colds that laugh at every medicine on the market. Most people have them for two weeks; I keep them around for a month, and usually I top off the whole experience with another 6 weeks of a lingering wheeze in my chest.

But in my humble opinion there are some positives and negatives to being sick. Now, some may think I'm crazy, and want to ask "What in the world is there positive about it?" Well, let me qualify that statement. First of all, I'm not talking about serious sickness, i.e. cancer, infections, flu. I'm mainly looking at colds, bugs and little things that come and go. Yes, I realize that even those things can be serious for some people, but I'm mainly looking at this from my own personal experience. But I think there are some positives and negatives. Let me explain.

On the negative side there's all of the obvious things, the bad symptoms, the not sleeping well, the feeling miserable in the morning. That goes without saying. Being sick is no fun. So what in the world could be positive? Well, in my adult years I've noticed that sickness seems to always come when I've been needing to stop, but just wouldn't do it. I tend to get sick when I've been going, going, going and haven't been able to breathe. Being sick suddenly becomes a mandatory break.

In our context over here in Russia, colds are not taken as lightly as they are in the States. I started coming down sick Friday afternoon. I had been planning to help out with some singing at a conference here in town. I called the guy in charge telling him I couldn't make it Friday afternoon, but would try on Saturday. He said "No, you're sick, you don't need to come." In the end I was glad, because I felt pretty bad on Saturday. We stayed home from church Sunday because Cristy was coming down sick too. As a result she canceled her lesson on Monday and stayed home. Cristy's Russian teacher is good friends with mine, and therefore my teacher called me today telling me that she didn't want to come over if I was sick, and probably not on Thursday either. Tonight Cristy's teacher called her and told her not to come to her lesson tomorrow also.

It's funny, if I had a regular 8-5 job in the States I would have been back to work today, but over here people are practically begging you to stay away from them. But as I said, there is a positive to all of this. Even though we haven't felt very well, we've been able to just be home with one another, be quiet and just enjoy some time to read and do other things. It's a strange sort of blessing.

2008-03-17T12:51:00.000-07:00

Studying: Isaiah 29-31
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-32
Thoughts: Good

"Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you, For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him." -Isaiah 30:18, NASB

I spent some time thinking on this verse a good bit this morning, that the Lord longs to be gracious to his people and to have compassion on them. What a wonderful thought to have. God is not waiting on high for me to make a mistake so that he can punish me and strike me. He's not looking at me anticipating my sin (which I'm undoubtedly going to do). But he is longing and waiting to pour out his mercy upon him. I have only but to look to him.

New Opportunities

2008-03-16T12:13:00.000-07:00

Studying: Isaiah 28, Psalm 78
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-32
Thoughts: Good

I was feeling pretty sick today, so I stayed home and rested. It appears that Cristy is coming down with the stuff too. We're just praying that Isaiah doesn't get it. Since he stays on a continual dosage of antibiotic every day to keep him from getting bladder infections, he tends to stay free from other illnesses also.

In other news that's really exciting, I was "Skyping" with Jim Capaldo on the internet this evening. If you don't know what Skype is, it's an online communication program that allows you to both chat and talk live with people if you have a fast enough connection. Jim is InterAct Ministry's Russia field director, and he lives out in Tuva, Siberia. Needless to say, he doesn't have a high speed connection, so we were just talking back and forth to each other. But he told me about something exciting that happened the other day.

As it turns out there's a local doctor from the same area out there that is a Christian. He has, for some time, been trying to reach Jim to meet with him. This doctor, along with the help of another doctor, have a joint vision to open two medical facilities in Tuva. One is a cancer treatment center. The other is a rehabilitation center for disabled children! Well, our jaws hit the floor when he said that. To top it all off, they are in the process of trying to get their organization registered and wanted to meet with Jim about the possibility of inviting foreign workers to come and help. Jim is supposed to meet with them again on Wednesday for further discussions.

We don't know what lies ahead, of course, but it's definitely no accident that all of this seems to be coming together. There's lots of potential for work and partnership here.

Colds and Sniffles

2008-03-15T13:30:00.000-07:00

Studying: Isaiah 24-27, Psalm 77
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-32
Thoughts: Good

I've pretty much just stayed at home and taken it easy all day. The first few days of a cold always hit me really hard it seems, and I've learned from experience that it's best if for about the first two days I just rest as much as possible and let my body start defending itself.

I did go out briefly with Cristy to meet with the lady in the park who had the disabled son. Her name is Sveta and her son's name is Gabriel. We had a very good conversation with her, and we are looking forward to talking further with her. She even offered to call up and go walking with Cristy sometimes. We're very excited about this, to finally be making some contacts with some people in the disabled community over here.

Sick

2008-03-14T13:10:00.000-07:00

Studying: Isaiah 22-23, Psalm 76
Memorizing:Romans 1:1-30
Thoughts: Good

I'm coming down with something and have felt fairly rotten all afternoon. Please pray that this won't last long.

In an exciting side note, Cristy met a woman today in the park who is the caretaker for a young boy who is in a wheelchair. We're actually supposed to go meet her tomorrow at 3PM and exchange our information. Please pray that I'll feel good enough for this meeting. We are very excited about this possible contact.

Finding the Connection

2008-03-13T13:19:00.000-07:00

Studying: Isaiah 20-21, Psalm 75
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-30
Thoughts: Good

I haven't had a whole lot of "inspiration" lately, if you want to call it that. For the past week or so I've been doing a lot of setting up of meetings and translating for some pastors who are here. While I have been tremendously encouraged by this time, this has also left my brain "fried" at the end of the day (and the beginning to be honest). As I've translated some of these conversations I've learned a lot more, and I've come to realize more and more just how complicated ministry is over here in this culture.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union a huge influx of foreign missionaries came to Russia. The response was tremendous, or so it seemed, with people professing Christ and joining all kinds of churches. Now, some 16 years later, the fire seems to have died down significantly. Many of the same people have left the church. One explanation given for this in some of these conversations was that 16 years ago everything western was new and novel to the Russians. Often times people came out to see the foreigners simply because they had never seen one before. With "religion" being restricted for so long, people were eager to have the fundamental questions of the soul answered and so they wanted to hear about the Bible and "God". Now, these days the church has dwindled down. The days of packing out buildings to preach the gospel seem to have passed. Few are interested. Missionaries can no longer ride the wave of the "novelty" of freedom of worship. Even several years ago I had a woman in Moscow tell me that "everyone in Moscow has already heard the gospel."

So the question now remains, how do we now preach the gospel to Russia afresh? How do we present to them Christ as a way of life, not just as a patch on a wound? With the elderly embittered towards the state, living off of the most meager of pensions in a country where inflation is averaging 12% per year, with the young and middle aged looking to live the "beautiful life" filled with dreams of riches, wealth and money, how do you preach Christ? It would seem that 16 years ago we marched into Russia with much pomp and circumstance attracting people by the tens of hundreds of thousands as if they were coming to watch a circus "Come see the missionaries, come hear what you weren't allowed to hear for so long." But the circus got old after a while and the newness of it wore off. Now many here are realizing that 16 years ago we should have come and first found Russia's idol upon which was written "to an unknown god."

Learning

2008-03-12T13:18:00.000-07:00

Studying: Isaiah 19, Psalm 74
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-30
Thoughts: Good

I now know what it means to be a victim of identity theft. Before you read on, everything is okay. We're not high and dry or anything.

Yesterday I noticed what appeared to be some unusual ATM withdrawals here around St. Petersburg. What was particularly odd was that is showed that a withdrawal had been made yesterday, when we, in fact, didn't make any. I wasn't too alarmed mainly because since we're overseas I thought that sometimes things could be posted a little late. Also, we have just one ATM card for our bank in the U.S. It never leaves our possession, so I thought "It's impossible for someone to withdraw money from an ATM without the card. Little did I know.

So I called my bank yesterday afternoon and asked them about charges being posted delayed. They said that they didn't know if that was the case or not, so we setup an experiment. This evening I went to a local ATM, make a small withdrawal and noted the exact time and place. When I got back I called our back in the States. The transaction had showed up immediately. Something was awry. The lady on the phone then proceeded to ask me "Did you try to buy $3000 in clothes yesterday?" That definitely caught my attention.

Thankfully the card was declined with the person tried to purchase the clothes. In many ways I'm thankful because this confirmed that something no good was going on. We immediately canceled the card and locked out the account.

Because I'm posting this on the internet I want to be careful what we say. You're probably wondering "so if your account is locked out how can you live?" Let me just say that everything is okay, we have other means, don't worry.

This morning I was teaching Bible at the International Academy (The English School for mostly Expat kids). We've been working our way through 1 Kings when we came to chapters 18 & 19. In Chapter 18 Elijah confronts the 450 prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel before the people of Israel. Most of you probably already know the story. A "showdown" occurs in which both Elijah and the prophets of Baal build alters and each one calls upon his god (God) to send down fire. Well, of course, not being real, Baal doesn't hear the cry of the prophets of Baal, even though they wail, cry and cut themselves for many hours. Then Elijah steps up, has the people pour water all over his altar, numerous times in fact, and prays to God. The Lord sends such a fire down from heaven that not only is the altar consumed but also the rocks and the dust. The people of Israel fall down on their faces, and soon thereafter the prophets of Baal are slain.

But, oh, if the story only ended there. Soon after this Jezebel finds out and wants to kill Elijah. So Elijah, the man who had just stood before the people of Israel and confronted the 450 prophets of Baal, who had just seen God send such a tremendous fire down from heaven, flees for his life. I'm not trying to be critical of Elijah here, but what we talked about today is how believers can so quickly forget what God has done in the past.

We got ripped off today. It would be easy for me to despair, but by the grace of God I am not. He has always sustained and cared for us. Will he suddenly stop?

Mush

2008-03-11T12:25:00.000-07:00

Studying: Isaiah 16-18
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-30
Thoughts: Good

Today was a much better day. We enjoyed the arrival of our friends Robin and Katherine Harris. Sadly, they will only be here through tomorrow, but we're thankful for all the time we can have with them.

Tonight I translated for about 3 1/2 hours. Some pastors from America wanted to meet with a Russian Orthodox and ask some questions. I was thankful to be a part of this. But as a result my brain is absolute mush now, so good night.

Blue Mondays

2008-03-10T14:09:00.000-07:00

Studying: Isaiah 13-15
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-30
Thoughts: Overall Good, Could be Better

Okay, I know the last point of my status probably caught your interest. Today was "one of those days" overall. It was supposed to be a semi day off, and it seems like the "Monday Blues" hit me a little bit. It never fails that when that happens Satan is right there ready to pounce on me.

I've been very busy for the past few days, since Friday especially. Some pastors from the PCA are in town looking to connect with other local pastors. I helped to arrange a number of meetings and even translated some for them. It's been a very uplifting time over all. But this morning I woke up as per my regular schedule, went to teach my little Bible class at International Academy (the ex-pat school where I teach a small Bible class). When I got there to my surprise today was a holiday that no one told me about. So I came home. All day though I had this tense feeling about me. Satan was nagging at me.

By God's grace I've made it to the end of the day, but I would covet your prayers. These days are going to come again I know, and I want to handle them better.

Blogging Through Proverbs Part XX - 3:18

2008-03-09T10:25:00.000-07:00

Studying: Isaiah 10-12
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-29
Thoughts Good

She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast. - Proverbs 3:18, NASB

I would have to agree with John Piper when he says that all men are, in reality, hedonists. Everyone wants to be happy, there's no doubt about that. The one who pouts and moans about does it because at that particular moment that's what he wants to do. That's what satisfies him.

Happiness is not about always having a smile on one's face. Right now while I'm writing this post, my eyes are burning because I'm tired, I've got a busy week ahead of me and a lot of things on my plate. But I'm very happy right now. If you were to look at me you wouldn't know it. But truth be told, my life is about pursuing happiness, and at any given moment I'm either finding that happiness (that satisfaction and joy) in God or in my own sinful indulgences.

Now, I didn't mean to get off on a Piper sermon, but the context fits. One of the fruits of wisdom is a life and happiness (I'm intentionally grouping these together as one because I think in the context they can't be separated). The one who lives according to wisdom will have a happy life in general. Again, we could go back to things said earlier. Does this mean that no one will die, get sick, that there will always be a new car in the garage and steaks on the grill? No. But you will find happiness, lasting happiness in God.

2008-03-08T11:45:00.000-08:00

Studying: Isaiah 7-9
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-29
Thoughts: Good

Sorry, I'm wiped out today. I'll have more time tomorrow to write something.

Woe is me

2008-03-07T12:08:00.000-08:00

Studying: Isaiah 5-6
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-29
Thoughts: Good

Isaiah chapter 6 is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. I don't have the mental energy to exegete it right now, but I was reading it today and again I'm struck by the holiness of God. That's a loaded theological phrase "God is holy." I find that perhaps I toss it around too flippantly sometimes, perhaps we all do. But the holiness of God cannot be simply explained or defined in one sentence. God's holiness is infinite because he is infinite, therefore no matter how deeply we may seek to understand it we will never exhaust it.

This chapter here gives but a glimpse into a majestic celestial scene given to Isaiah. the Lord is sitting on the throne, angels worship him calling out an antiphonal chant, repeating the attribute of God three times, "Holy, Holy, Holy..." When the Lord speaks foundations tremble and smoke fills the temple. This is might, this is power, this is the unmatched glory of the Ancient of Days. And to this Isaiah cries out "Woe is me."

Perhaps I need more "Woe is me" sometimes. Not because I long to be a Christian who walks around gloomy all the time moaning and groaning about how awful I am. I realize and recognize that a balanced assessment of myself is necessary. But, lest it ever become all too casual to me, I need to remember the holiness of God. As John Owen said "Think greatly on the greatness of God."

Prayer Request

2008-03-06T11:47:00.000-08:00

Studying: Isaiah 1-4
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-29
Thoughts: Good

My grandmother is in the hospital right now. She is 90 years old and just had a heart attack the other day. To be blunt, the family is making difficult decisions right now, and it appears that they are simply going to try to send her home and "make her comfortable."

With this comes some decisions for us. Both Cristy and I feel it is important that I make it back to be with my family briefly should she pass away. We have several options along these lines. Thankfully we have a fair amount of SkyMiles with Delta. It used to be that Delta only flew out of Moscow, which would mean that I would have to take a train down there in order to fly back to the States. But I called Delta tonight and Delta now has two partners that fly out of St. Petersburg. This would be a lot more convenient. It all depends on if there are "reward seats" available on these flights.

So with all of that information let me request these prayers;

1. That the Lord would ease any pain that she is in and take her when it is his will.
2. Comfort for my family during this difficult time. Decisions have to be made, and care must be rendered. Also, none of us know the day nor the hour. We may find that weeks and months might go by still.
3. That if I have to fly back, that I could fly out of SP and not have to go through Moscow, and most importantly, that I'd actually be able to make it back in time to be there for a funeral.

I know the future is already planned and in the Lord's hands, but yet we are still called upon to make prudent plans and to be proactive.

Blogging Through Proverbs Part XIX - 3:16-17

2008-03-05T11:41:00.000-08:00

Studying: Revelation 21-22
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-28
Thoughts: Good

"Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways and all her paths are peace. Proverbs 3:16-17, NASB

Here again is another all-encompassing statement by Solomon about the benefits of finding wisdom. These two verses mirror what has already been said earlier in the chapter. Verse 2 states "For length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you." And Verse 10 states "So your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine."

So this mean that the person who finds wisdom will without a doubt,

A. Live long?
B. Always have lots of money?
C. Always be at ease?
D. Always be at peace?

I've already spent a while addressing these issues. The answer is, of course, no. As I said before, no one would question the wisdom of Christ, and he died at a young age. There numerous accounts of martyrs and those who were faithful to Christ who died at a young age. But there is a general principle at work here. Wise people will tend to live longer. Why? Because wise people tend to do wise things, and not foolish things. Wise people don't have drinking contests to see if they can down 10 beers in under 15 minutes. Wise people don't play "chicken" with oncoming trains, plain and simple. Does that mean though that God in his providence is restricted from taking a saint before the age of 70? Absolutely not.

The same idea applies in regards to "riches." Now, of course, "riches" are not merely limited to monetary gain, but lets address just that one aspect for a moment. Wise people don't take their whole paycheck down to the casinos. They also don't run up enormous credit card debts and buy things they can't afford. Wise people make wise investments and manage their money well. But does that mean though that God in his providence is restricted from taking away that money? Again, absolutely not.

Again we could apply this to the last two aspects, "pleasant ways" and "peaceful paths." The wise walk in pleasant ways because they walk wisely. They are at peace because they know how to be peaceful. Yes, frustrations may come and hassles arise, but generally speaking, they lead pleasant and peaceful lives.

Thus the benefits of wisdom grow ever more attractive.

How Much Did you Say?!?

2008-03-04T12:30:00.000-08:00

Studying: Revelation 18-20
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-28
Thoughts: Good, but need prayer. Tiredness, I found often leads to temptation, and I've been very tired lately.

So tonight I made a phone call to Germany. Why? Well, the story goes back to Saturday, perhaps even before that. It's no secret that for some time we've been looking to find a different apartment. We are not discontented with where we are right now, but we'd like to be somewhere a wee bit quieter, a little closer to some better stores, and a little bigger. An American couple we know has been planning to go back to the U.S. for a year or two and wanted to know if we were interested in subletting their apartment. It's a nice four-room apartment located close to the Gulf of Finland, and that means fresh air. So we went to look at the place Saturday. It was very nice, I must admit, and the current rent price was well within our range. But our friend warned us that the landlady had requested an appraiser to come by and look at the place because it was time to raise the rent. Our friend gave me the landlady's number who lives in Germany.

Tonight, I finally got around to calling. She was very pleasant on the phone, and very kind to speak slowly for my foreigner Russian. I told her we were very interested in renting her lovely apartment, and she, in kind, replied with her desire of how much she wanted us to be able to have it. Ah, if only we could rent the place on charm alone, then we'd be set. So after all of that stuff I got down to business. "So what kind of price were you thinking?" Cristy and I were hoping for under $1000 a month. I know that sounds ridiculously high, but believe me it's very very low for a four-room in Saint Petersburg. Well, I knew I was in for it when she began the sentence with "You see..." In our short time here I've discovered that when a Russian begins a sentence with "You see..." that they're often about to drop a major disappointment upon you.

So I braced myself. "It's going to be high." I thought. "Perhaps $1100, $1200 or even higher." After several seconds of explanation she finally got around to it. The price: 1400. "Well" I said, "that is a bit high," all the time thinking that perhaps we could talk her down a bit. Fourteen hundred was, of course, the book value of the place. Then she clarified even further. She wasn't talking about Dollars, she was talking about Euros! All of you financial upity-ups out there do the math. The current exchange rate of Euros to Dollars is about 1 to $1.51 right now, meaning she was starting the negotiations at over $2100. Needless to say that ended negotiations quite quickly.

So for right now we are learning to be content. Did we want a bigger place? Of course, but do we need a bigger place? For the moment, no. We're doing just fine. Yes, we will continue to look, but we know the Lord has what we need in store for us.

Paperwork Day...Uhhhgg

2008-03-03T11:42:00.000-08:00

Studying: Revelation 13-17
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-28
Thoughts: Good

I really don't like paperwork. Crunching numbers, filling out forms has about the same appeal to me as a root canal. But unfortunately paperwork is necessary.

The beginning of the month is that time in which the dreaded "MER" forms must be filled out by missionaries. MER (Ministry Expense Reimbursement) forms categorize the previous month's ministry expenses for which one has paid out of his own pocket. If I fill out everything correctly and scan in all of the receipts just right then I get paid back for things directly related to our ministry over here. Right now that includes our language lessons, any traveling to ministry destinations, buying supplies, etc. It seems like, without fail, every time I go to do this I can't find one receipt, or the scanner can't pick up the text of a receipt well enough, or the internet won't upload my files so that I can email them in. By the time I get done I usually have a headache and I'm rather grumpy.

My least favorite time of year is, of course, tax time. For me, filing tax returns is like the big semester project that's due in college, except it's a homework assignment every American has to do (except for those who cheat and pay someone else to do it for them). Everyone knows the due date of the project, and a few Americans (the nerdy responsible bunch) have them all done nicely and neatly weeks if not months in advance. The rest of us procrastinators find ourselves staying up late on April the 14th scratching our heads and wanting to strangle the cat. Our taxes would be fairly simple were it not for the confounded 1099i forms. Several years ago I had a few pieces of choral music published for which now I receive on average annual royalties of around $15. But all this must be kosher with Uncle Sam. So when I fire up Turbo Tax and I mention that I have 1099i forms it goes into some kind of secret spy mode asking me a 1000 questions about my supposed "self employment." To top things off, one cannot file Mississippi State taxes through Turbo Tax without printing out some special mysterious form and mailing it in to the state office. Trying to find this form is a challenge in and of itself.

I'm sort of dreading this year's tax return in particular, mainly because, since we live overseas, we are in some kind of nebulous category. One person told us that since we are employed overseas we are exempt from all taxes up to a pretty hefty amount. But another person told us to be careful that we might could lose our state of Mississippi Residency thus invalidating our son Isaiah's Medicaid Disability coverage. We definitely don't want that. So, here soon I'll have another lovely headache night.

I suppose things like this make me long for simplicity. Paperwork is just trouble waiting to happen. If you lose it, you're toast. If you accidentally signed the wrong thing, you're toast too. Nothing stresses me more than an envelope filled with receipts and cancelled checks and bills with piles of numbers and small print.

I thank the Lord that there will be no taxes in the New Heavens and the New Earth.

Blogging Through Proverbs Part XVIII - 3:14-15

2008-03-02T11:08:00.000-08:00

Studying: Revelation 8-12
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-26
Thoughts: Good

"For her profit is better than the profit of silver and her gain is better than fine gold. She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her." - Proverbs 3:14-15, NASB

Godly wisdom is knowing how to "glorify God and enjoy him forever." For this reason, as verse 13 of chapter 3 stated, the one who finds wisdom is "blessed." Wisdom enables the believer to live a God-glorifying life in any situation, "good" or "bad." Wisdom enables us to use what God gives us in the right way, so that all that we own, all the we possess may serve the kingdom.

So Solomon made the assertion in verse 13 that the wise and understanding man is "blessed." Now he begins to explain why. Verses 14 & 15 begin by saying in essence that wisdom surpasses all of the riches of this life. These two verses pretty much cover it all. It speaks of silver, a precious but not particularly rare metal. Perhaps in antiquity it was a bit more rare than today. But then he speaks of gold, a metal that is both precious and rare. The value of gold far exceeds that of silver, and always has to varying degrees. Then he speaks of jewels, which could be any variety of precious stones. Probably the most prominent example that comes to our minds is diamonds. So here are three examples given, silver, gold and jewels, all valuable and beautiful items that are desirable to have. And then Solomon ends with these words "And nothing you desire compares with her."

Silver, gold and precious stones cannot even begin to compare with the value of wisdom. Why? The attainment of wisdom has value far beyond this world. The value of wisdom transcends this world into the next. He who dies with the most silver, gold and jewels still dies. A life spent attaining all of these things will eventually come to an end. But the one who has spent his life pursuing wisdom and has found it will die prepared to meet Christ.

Lord you are more precious than silver.
And Lord, you are more costly than gold.
Lord, you are more beautiful than diamonds,
And nothing I desire compares with you.

This popular praise song, I think, accurately applies this idea of the attainment of wisdom to Christ himself. Where else does wisdom begin but in knowing Christ, and to know him is infinitely more valuable than anything else.

Blogging Through Proverbs Part XVII - 3:13

2008-03-01T12:48:00.000-08:00

Studying: Revelation 5-7
Memorizing:Romans 1:1-25
Thoughts:

"How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding." - Proverbs 3:13, NASB

Throughout the book of Proverbs there appear these "thesis" statements, one might call them. Here Solomon makes a plain and simple statement, and in the following verses he's going to explain further just what he means by "blessed" here. But for now, suffice it to say, here is the opening idea, that the wise and understanding man is "blessed."

What does it mean to be "blessed?" Some would say money, wealth, power, etc. And I suppose, indeed, those things are blessings. Life itself is a blessing, that we are merely granted another day to live. Our possessions, certainly, and our families and friends. Our health is a blessing and our jobs are also too blessings. But what about things like cancer. Is cancer a "blessing?" Is the death of a loved one a "blessing?" Do we normally think in those terms.

I can assure you that about two months ago when the sewer backed up from the toilet onto our kitchen floor that the first thought that came to my mind was not "boy this is such a blessing!" But was it?

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." - James 1:2-4, NASB

It would seem consistent with Scripture that even the "bad" stuff can be a blessing to us. Now the question is, how does that tie into here with what Solomon is saying about wisdom?

If we look back to the beginning of these posts we defined wisdom as "knowing the right thing to do and the right way to do it." Wisdom is knowing how to glorify God and enjoy him forever. Therefore, wisdom and understanding are such blessings because they allow us to use whatever God gives us to that glorious end. Wisdom and understanding allow us to see how to use our resources that God has given us for his kingdom, how to honor him through our marriages, our friendships and jobs. But wisdom and understanding also grant the new widow eyes to see with faith. Wisdom and understanding grant the parents with a dying child a shred of hope to hold on to. Wisdom and understanding keep the believer firmly grounded come pain or loss.

End of a Long Hard Week

2008-02-29T10:46:00.000-08:00

Studying: Revelation 1-4
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-24
Thoughts: Good

I'll confess, this week slap wore me out. I just got back from preaching at a "youth" fellowship here in St. Petersburg. "Youth" over here means roughly 18-30. I had intended to preach in Russian tonight. I had even typed up the sermon and everything and had gotten our friend Luda to translated some of the more difficult sections into Russian for me. Well, about 4PM this afternoon humility hit me. It was just not coming together. Some of the words were so unfamiliar to me that I couldn't help but stumble over them every time I got to them. So I called Luda. She graciously and cheerfully agreed to translate for me. Looking back, I'm very glad I did. The subject was just too complicated and the length of the sermon too long for me to just read some prepared text. I needed to be able to express my thoughts, and right now expressing my thoughts in Russian is on about a 4-year-old's level. I'm not disappointed. Yes I can't wait for the day until I can freely express myself in this language without putting it through a meat grinder, but the work I did this week trying to prepare the message in Russian was very beneficial. I was thankful that I was able to introduce the sermon in Russian close it in prayer on my own. One step at a time I suppose.

I believe the Lord really blessed the preaching though. I preached from Proverbs 2:1-6 about pursing wisdom. I believe the message was well understood. I hope perhaps to have more opportunities to meet these young adults again.

Seeing the End

2008-02-28T10:24:00.000-08:00

Studying: 2,3 John, Jude
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-24
Thoughts: Good

Tomorrow night will bring to a close a very busy week. I am really exhausted right now. The sermon finally got completed, our friend Luda looked it over and fixed all my Russian mistakes. Now, tomorrow I just have to learn to read it so that when I preach it I don't sound like I'm reading it. Please pray for me in this.

Also, just pray that I'll stay well. I've concluded that my hurting head early this week, was most likely a migraine (said that yesterday I know). I still have a slight tinge of it today, but I'm about 90% better.

This weekend we're going to go check out two possible new apartments. Please pray that if the Lord wills the prices will be good on one of these and the conditions will be right.

The Head's Better

2008-02-27T12:06:00.000-08:00

Studying: 1 John
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-24
Thoughts: Good

Many thanks to all of you who prayed for my head to start feeling better. Today was much better overall. I've still had a little bit of a headache and some dizziness, but not nearly like yesterday. I'm beginning to wonder if I didn't have a migraine. I get them so rarely that I don't always know when they come.

The work of the sermon is going well for Friday night. I sent a very very rough version of it to our friend Luda to check and correct. Please pray this will glorify the Lord Friday night.

I met with my friend Trevor tonight for a little while. Trevor has been in St. Petersburg about 8 1/2 years now. We've become good friends since I first met him a year ago. It's been a real blessing to have another guy around my same age that I can get together with every now and then and talk about things, even if he is Irish =)

Headaches and Such

2008-02-26T11:05:00.001-08:00

Studying: 2 Peter
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-24
Thoughts: Good

I had a terrible migraine headache for most of the day today. It has started yesterday, but today it was much worse. On top of that I spent most of the day getting a sermon ready for Friday night. My Russian lesson was at 3 and we had to stop early. I took a nap for about an hour and started feeling some better. Right now I'm okay, but there's still some ache going on. Please pray that this would go away. It's making it very hard to do anything.

Blogging Through Proverbs Part XVI - 3:11-12

2008-02-25T11:06:00.000-08:00

Studying: 1 Peter
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-23
Thoughts: Good

"My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD or loathe His reproof, for whom the LORD loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights." - Proverbs 3:11-12, NASB

I had to "spank" Isaiah this evening. Since we don't think he has much feeling in his little bottom we spank the palm of his hand. Why did I have to do this? Well, during dinner I looked up from my plate to notice him holding his sippy cup upside down spilling his juice all over the floor. Now, Isaiah is only two, but he knows better. We know he knows better because we've told him this is now allowed. We've caught him mid-action several times just about to spill his drink. All it took was a strict look from either me or Cristy and he would nervously pull the cup back on top of his tray with the "I wasn't going to do anything look." But why did I have to do this? I had to do it because I love him.

The fact of the matter is, that if I didn't love him I'd let him keep doing this sort of thing, just spill drinks on the floor, scream when he doesn't get his way, push me away when I try to take something from him. If I let disobedience and sin go on in his life it would not only mean that I didn't love him, but that, in fact, that I hated him. I would be teaching him that it's okay to sin, and that I did not care about his soul. By God's grace Isaiah is a very well behaved child. For this we are very thankful. Very rarely do we need to give him more than a verbal reprimand, but there are times like tonight when it is necessary, when direct willing disobedience has taken place.

When we spank him we try to be very careful to instill in him that we, as parents, must spank him because we are being obedient to God, and he also must be obedient, that disobedience to mommy and daddy is primarily a sin against God. We swat the palm of his hand three times with the handle of a plastic spoon, love him and then pray with him. When the punishment is over it's over, we don't drag it out or hang it over him.

God does the same thing with us if indeed we are his children. God disciplines us, reproves us and causes us to shaped and molded more in the image of Christ. He does this in love, and in many ways receiving discipline from the hand of the Lord can be a comfort. Through it I know that the Lord loves me.

Evening Prayer

2008-02-24T13:08:00.000-08:00

Studying: James 1-5
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-23
Thoughts: Good

The following is taken from The Valley of Vision

O lover of Thy people, Thou hast placed my whole being in the hands of Jesus, my redeemer, commander, husband, friend, and carest for me in Him. Keep me holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners; may I not know the voice of strangers, but go to Him where He is, and follow where He leads. Thou hast bathed me once for all in the sin-removing fountain, cleanse me now from this day's defilement, from its faults, deficiencies of virtue, harmful extremes, that I may exhibit a perfect character in Jesus. O Master, who didst wash the disciples' feet, be very patient with me, be very condescending to my faults, go on with me till Thy great work in me is completed. I desire to conquer self in every respect, to overcome the body with its affections and lusts, to keep under my flesh, to guard my manhood from all grosser sins, to check the refined power of my natural mind, to live entirely to Thy glory, to be deaf to unmerited censure and the praise of men. Nothing can hurt my new-born inner man, it cannot be smitten or die; nothing can mar the dominion of Thy Spirit within me; it is enough to have Thy approbation and that of my conscience. Keep me humble, dependent, supremely joyful, as calm and quiet as a sucking child, yet earnest and active. I wish not so much to do as to be, and I long to be like Jesus; if Thou dost make me right I shall be right; Lord, I belong to Thee, make me worthy of Thyself.

Great Cloud of Witnesses

2008-02-23T12:42:00.000-08:00

Studying: Hebrews 11-13
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-23
Thoughts: Good

"1Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:1-2

I have had several different interpretations of these verses in the past. For the longest time I took verse 1 to mean that in some kind of mystical way up in Heaven the saints were watching us, cheering us on as we run the race. As inspiring as that may sound, as I thought about it more over the years I came to the conclusion that, given all that I struggled with, I really didn't want the saints watching me. It would be kind of embarrassing.

The best explanation I've heard was given by Pastor Ted Donnelly. The saints mentioned in Hebrews 11 are not witnessing us, we are witnessing them. They are not up in heaven looking down us. They're in the presence of Almighty God, why in the world would they turn their attention to us down here? But they have gone on before us. Their legacy is recorded in God's Word and their lives bear witness to the God's gracious work of faith in the lives of sinful fallen human beings. They have finished the race. They have born witness to the faithfulness of God. And now we having this great "cloud" of witnesses before us may run this race before us with confidence. Others ran, endured and reached the promised rest and so may we.

Time

2008-02-22T11:03:00.000-08:00

Studying: Hebrews 8-10
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-23
Thoughts: Good

My plate is really full right now it would seem. This has been a tremendously good and full week, but I need your prayers still. I've been asked to preach next Friday night during a special prayer service gathering of various ministers in town. This will take me quite a while to put together as it will be all in Russian. Hopefully it will go more smoothly than last time.

Please forgive me for taking a couple days off of blogging through Proverbs. I still plan to continue with that project, but it may become more irregular over the next few weeks. I assure you that my time in the morning in God's Word has been very profitable to my soul.

Thursdays are Rough

2008-02-21T11:36:00.000-08:00

Studying: Hebrews 5-7
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-23
Thoughts: Good

I'll be honest here, it's going to be really hard to get much out of me on a Thursday. I have my Russian lesson in the morning for 3 hours followed by teaching music all afternoon in Russian. My brain is just plain Jello when I get home.

As an aside let me say that I have been doing well lately. I have been greatly encouraged in the Lord. His grace is abundant, and he is keeping me each day. I have been struggling a bit with concentration. My mind has been wandering quite a bit lately. Thankfully, not to sinful things, but nonetheless, to things that are not relevant to what I'm supposed to be working on at a given moment.

Final Thoughts on Proverbs 3:9-10

2008-02-20T12:13:00.000-08:00

Studying: Hebrews 1-4
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-23
Thoughts: Good

To finish off where I began two days ago with Proverbs 3:9-10, I want to ask the question, "What does it mean to honor God from my enough and my first fruits?" I've heard this verse applied many many times to tithing, and while that may indeed by a valid way to honor God through what I have, it is by no means limited to that. Face it, of only ten percent of all that I have is "given" to the Lord then I'm about 90% in error. All that I have is the Lord's, given to me only temporarily to use for a short time to glorify and enjoy him forever. Everything that I have in this world that I call "mine" must somehow assist me in fulfilling that purpose, or else I don't need to have it. This is not an argument for us to all live in cardboard boxes. Christians throughout the ages have been blessed differently by God, but whatever one is blessed with is for the purposes of the kingdom above all.

So yes, iPods, MacBooks, DVD players, houses, cars, clothes, etc, must all serve the Kingdom. If one want's to argue tithing then let's be honest. The portion that we give away is so that others may use it for the Kingdom. The portion that we keep is so that we may use it for the Kingdom. If we're not, t'would be better to give it away to one who will.

Copout Day

2008-02-19T09:05:00.000-08:00

Studying: Titus & Philemon
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-23
Thoughts: Good

Okay, this is just one of those days when I'm going to have to say I'm just too tired to write anything thought provoking. It was a good day, busy day, very productive, but I have no mental capacity about me right now. By God's grace I'm persevering.

Blogging Through Proverbs Part XV - 3:9-10

2008-02-18T10:41:00.000-08:00

Studying: 2 Timothy 1-4
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-21
Thoughts: Good

"Honor the LORD from your wealth and from the first of all your produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine." - Proverbs 3:9-10, NASB

I have heard these verses misused on a number of occasions. The health, wealth and prosperity crowd tends to love them, stressing the idea that if one just gives abundantly, he will become rich in material possessions. Let's face it, isn't that what's being said here, just give more and you'll be rolling in it, right? Not quite.

In my experience I have known wealthy believers, poor believers and everyone in between. I have known many believes on the "poor" end of things who have given generously to the Lord yet they won't be buying Apple stocks any time soon. So what does it mean when God's word says "your barns will be filled with plenty" and "your vats will overflow with new wine"?

Using good old Bibleworks I looked at these verses a little bit. Perhaps we lose something in translation, or perhaps we read the translation the way we want to read it, or perhaps it's a little of both. I don't know if anyone else thinks this way, but the word "wealth" to me often means "really doing well." If someone asks me if I'm wealthy by the world's standards, I say "no." We own no fancy cars. We don't even own our own house. Yet the word could also be simply translated "enough."

We live in a modest two-room apartment here in St. Petersburg. I don't mean 2 bedroom, just 2 room. In Russian apartments, you just rent the number of rooms you want and what you do with them is your business. Our two-room apartment is about half the size of our old house in Yazoo City and about twice as expensive each month. We've been contemplating how nice it would be to find a three-room apartment so that Isaiah could have his own room. Well, last night I went over to visit a Russian friend Kolya and his wife. They were married just last summer, and they live in a communal flat. It's a four-room apartment, where they rent two conjoined rooms and two other people rent the other rooms. They all share one kitchen and bathroom. I was struck last night when I first entered their humble abode. Their two joined rooms are about as big as our one front room. Suddenly, our place looked much bigger.

Looking at our lives we have "enough." I never once in my life remember going hungry. I never once remember not having clothes, or a roof to sleep under or a bed to sleep in. I have never gone cold. Would a larger apartment be nicer? Yes. If one opens up at about the same time will we look into it? Of course. But are we poor where we are? No. We are quite wealthy people. Not, perhaps, by the common understanding of the word, but we are indeed. We have "enough," no, we have more than enough! Laptop computers, toys, gadgets, gizmos, etc. We eat every night, not just milk, bread and butter, but meats with seasonings, vegetables well prepared, fresh breads. We enjoy flavors and textures. We relax and sip tea in the evening by the glow of the soft light lamp we bought at IKEA. I'm typing this very post on a rather nice MacBook. Are we wealthy? What percentage of the world's population has all of that?

My eyes are drooping, but I have more I want to ponder about this. To be continued.

Burnout

2008-02-17T11:24:00.001-08:00

Studying:1 Timothy 5-6
Memorizing:Romans 1:1-21
Thoughts:Good

For the past few days I have felt "on the verge" so to speak. Don't worry, I'm not sinking into any kind of depression, it's not that bad. This culture over here usually seems to have one of two effects on me. 1) I learn to laugh about what's strange, new, different, etc., learn from it and apply it to our lives and ministry here. 2) Get incredibly frustrated and want to shout "What's wrong with you people?!?" I've been in the "1" category for some time lately, but have come awfully close to some "2" days as of late. It's not just one event but usually a conglomeration of things that just build up. So please permit me for a moment to share some things with you. Sharing this experience with you helps me to laugh a little.

Sidewalks

I am not an expert at the construction industry, but my father is. I spent the better part of two summers and numerous holidays working on job sites along side my father. But it doesn't take an expert to understand that, generally speaking, when concrete is poured it is supposed to be smooth. I am constantly baffled by the fact that 90% of the sidewalks over here wave and weave and dip and curve in ways that I don't think they were meant to. I'm talking new sidewalks, and sidwalks that aren't that old. So when it rains huge puddles form. When it snows huge crevasses large enough to lose a small child in form until, that is, the snow melts and huge slushy, muddy puddles form. It's bad enough to walk on these things. It's worse to have to push a stroller on them. And I know that it's possible to have good sidewalks, because in all of the major touristy spots of SP the sidewalks are smooth! So my question is "why?" Is it a matter of personal taste?

I can just imagine Boris and Vladimir hanging out on the job site pouring a sidewalk. Boris turns to Vladimir and says "Hey hand me that wooden spoon to smooth this stuff out." When they get done they stand over their work, now resembling something like the Grand Canyon and pat each other on the back and say "Good work. See you tomorrow."

The Grumpy-Metro-Worker-Lady-Who-Sits-All-Day-Watching-People-On-The-Escalator

In Saint Petersburg (and Moscow too) there is a lady at the bottom of every long escalator. Always a lady. I've been here 7 months and have never seen one man doing this "job". In my numerous times riding the metro I have seen these lady's do only three things. 1) Sleep. 2) Get on a loudspeaker and yell at anyone who runs down the escalator. 3) Give you a dirty look for no reason as you get off at the bottom. That's it. I have never seen her do anything else. She just sits there. Once I tried smiling at one of them. As I neared the bottom I just looked directly at here and grinned from ear to ear. She gave me a look that was something like Emperor Palpatine and Rambo. I backed off.

Smoke

I kid you not, half of this country is going to die from lung cancer in the next 20 years. So many people smoke constantly over here. Cheap cigarettes go for as little as 28 cents per box, and so it's quite an affordable bad habit for even poor Russians. It seems that whether I like it or not I am second-hand smoking about a pack a week.

Okay, I feel a little better

Learning a "Language"

2008-02-16T13:02:00.000-08:00

Studying: 1 Timothy 1-4
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-20
Thoughts: Good

Reading through 1 Timothy today I thought for a moment on Paul's instructions to Timothy in 4:11-16. I won't retype the whole list of admonitions here, but very practical encouragements to live according to godliness are given. Timothy is to be an "example" in "speech, conduct, love, faith and purity." Timothy is to "give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching." Then we reach verse 15 where it says "Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all."

For the past 6 months my mind has been consumed predominantly with one main overarching task; to learn to understand and speak Russian. Each day it consumes several hours of my time. I have homework, I listen to radio broadcasts, I have vocabulary lists I try to memorize. There's a tremendous amount of repetition involved each day. The whole process restructures the mind to a certain extent. I have to learn to "think Russian" in many ways in order to say things I want to say. When I first started this process everything began in English and then made its way with chops and sputters and awful grammar into something somewhat resembling Russian. Now six months have passed, and there are still many chops and sputters and awful grammar moments, but they've gone down a little, and when I speak it actually resembles Russian a little more (still a long way to go though). Lately I've found myself even dreaming in Russian and passively understanding conversations on the street without having to think about it.

I say all of this not to brag about how well the Russian is coming along. I think there is room for an illustration here. In order to learn to speak Russian well, to train my mind to think Russian and be able to understand each day with greater clarity I have to take pains and be absorbed with it. I have to live it, breathe it, read it, re-read it, study it, study it some more.

One might could say that Sanctification is like learning another language (yet on a far grander scale of importance). But in sanctification the heart, mind, thoughts, senses, feelings, etc. are "retrained" to do that which does not come naturally. While believers, we are still in the flesh, we are still of Adam, and the thoughts passions, desires and lusts are still there. Yet we have been changed, we have been made recipients of the Holy Spirit of God, who has given us a new heart.

To think if we approached learning godliness like we would learning a language. To look at God's Word and ask "How can I talk like Christ? How can I walk like him, be like him, think like him, etc.? How can I be 'absorbed' with Christ?"

Blogging Through Proverbs Part XIV - 3:7-8

2008-02-15T11:00:00.000-08:00

Studying: 2 Thessalonians 1-3
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-20
Thoughts: Good

"Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones. - Proverbs 3:7-8, NASB

What does it mean to be "wise in your own eyes"? Earlier in chapters 1 and 2 we noticed that the foolish reject counsel and reproof (1:24,25), that they listen only to themselves and not to others. Solomon gives here this warning and immediately the statement is followed by the phrase "Fear the LORD and turn away from evil." There's a reason these two phrases are connected. The one who thinks himself wise is self-sufficient, proud perhaps, not open to reproof and correction. Therefore, he has no fear of the Lord, he does what is right in his own eyes. Therefore being wise in one's own eyes is defined as having no fear of the Lord and living in evil.

The benefits of living this way, of fearing the Lord and turning from evil, are then stated. The one who does not rely upon his own wisdom will find "healing" and "refreshment." What kind of healing? I don't think the emphasis here is simply upon the physical. I've known plenty of people who are not wise in their own eyes who have been sick and suffered with various diseases. It would appear there is a metaphor at work here. The benefits living according to God's wisdom and not one's own is that things are healed and made right. For example, when a husband and wife live according to their own wisdom strife will enter the marriage. Egos will get in the way. The husband will think he's always right and the wife will think she's always right. They will fight, bicker, argue, etc, and if they keep trusting in their own wisdom their marriage will fail. Yet the one who trusts in God's wisdom will realize when he or she is wrong, when apologies will have to be made, and even, no matter how hard it might seem, admit error.

Living according to God's wisdom also brings "refreshment." The word used here is the same used elsewhere for taking a drink. Growing upon the deep south I know well the value of a refreshing drink on a summer's day. When the heat index in Mississippi climbs to 110 with 100% humidity just walking to from the front door to the car can work up a good sweat. But on such days when the grass needs to be mowed, or other projects must be done, or working outside all day takes place, there is great pleasure in a cool drink of water. While going down, it's as if it's seeping into every pour of the body. Your scalp tingles, and your heart races as your entire body is refreshed.

God's wisdom brings cool refreshment to the parched soul. Living according to God's wisdom can take what is wounded and heal it, and it can take what is dry and parched and fill it with life.

Days Like These

2008-02-14T10:46:00.000-08:00

Studying: 1 Thessalonians 1-5
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-20
Thoughts: Good

I'm tired. No, very tired. Today is one of those days when my brain feels like oatmeal. It was encouraging in many respects but exhausting at the same time.

This day began with my Russian lesson. It went very very well, one of the better ones I've had in a long time. Lately the light has been clicking on more and more in my head about this language. I'm finally starting to have productive conversations with people. After the lesson we all left to go do one of my new projects I've been working on. On Thursday afternoons I now teach 4 ministry students how to read music and sing, all in Russian. Last week was the first time and things got started very well. This week went very well too. While this is a really hard thing to do at first, I think it's going to pay off in the end. It's forcing me to speak and use the language like I've never had to do since I've been here, mainly having to speak extemporaneously. I do a lot of preparation to get words and phrases down, but overall I have to be read to listen and respond to questions. The results are encouraging thus far. The students are actually learning to read music and I'm actually learning to speak Russian! It's great how that comes together.

After the class we had a regular doctor's appointment for Isaiah, our son. Don't worry, everything is okay, it was just a regular 2 year checkup with a local doctor. There's a very westernized clinic here in SP named "MEDEM" where we usually take him. The clinic has modern things like lights and running water and stuff (just kidding). But seriously, the place is on par with any hospital in the U.S. The pediatrician we see is Dr. Olga Glukhova and she's really great at her job, very gentle caring and friendly to boot. We got to know her pretty well several months ago when Isaiah went through a bout with 3 back-to-back urinary tract infections. It was nice to go visit her without being under stress.

We made it home at almost 9PM and put Isaiah down to sleep. Now we're relaxing and letting our brains settle. So I'm tired, but for some reason days like this just remind me of how deeply the Lord is caring for us. He is really helping us to learn this language and at the same time giving us an opportunity to minister through it. He has provided such great care for Isaiah here and has relieved much of the emotional strain we were under for so long.

So pray for our perseverance. Pray that we will not become content where we are with our Russian. Our desire is to master it not simply be able to speak it enough to get by.

Reflecting Briefly

2008-02-13T11:35:00.001-08:00

Studying: Colossians 1-4
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-20
Thoughts Good

It's now been almost three weeks since I started doing this little accountability blog. I know that only a handful of people read it each day, perhaps 20-25. Occasionally the numbers will spike, but they stay consistently low. Most of you who read here are friends or family that I know very well already. I must say that since returning from Berlin I felt like I've had three of my most focused and consistent weeks in the past 7 months. My stress has been lower and my overall outlook quite a bit better. My life works better with schedules and consistency.

So I just wanted to say thank you thus far for your help. The Lord is hearing and answering your prayers (as if there was any doubt he would). Please pray that this will continue beyond these three weeks.

Blogging Through Proverbs Part XIII - 3:5-6

2008-02-12T11:11:00.000-08:00

Studying: Ephesians 6, Philippians 1-4
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-19
Thoughts: Good

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6, NASB

One could probably argue that this is the most well-known verse in all of Proverbs. It's been made popular in a song, and it's often one of those verses people learned very early on as children. I'm no exception either, and this is still a verse that I particularly hold dear. There is comfort in that phrase "Trust in the LORD with all your heart." There's something reassuring in the command to "not lean on your own understanding" and "acknowledge Him," and who doesn't want straight paths? What makes these words jump off the page to so many people?

There is much application in these two small verses, more than I have time to write about here. But lately I have been thinking a lot on the subject of Christian suffering. I'll confess I don't think I have particular suffered lately. Yes, I've had times, but right now our daily afflictions are mild in comparison to many. But I do know of others who have suffered deeply as of late, and continue to suffer. At this very moment three in particular come to mind and more could easily be thought of if time permitted. But when I read these verses I cannot help but apply them in this context. What an amazing comfort is found here.

When a saint is in deep despair these words are sweet "Trust in the LORD with all your heart." Why do we need this reminder? Mainly because our natural tendency is not to trust in the Lord, but rather in ourselves, in others, in plans and remedies. We need this reminder also perhaps because we are also tempted to lose hope. A man dies leaving behind his wife and young children, and what does the family need to hear? "Trust in the LORD with all your heart." At such times the heart is frail, the emotions a wreck, and the devil very very active. Perhaps doubts may enter in. Perhaps temptations to question God's providence may arise. Yet God bids us to "trust" him, and not just passively, but with our entire being, with all that we are. We are to rest and rely completely and absolutely upon him.

But there's another imperative given, "...do not lean on your own understanding." Cancer begins eating away at a young life and the tendency may be there to say "Why is this happening? I don't understand." Indeed we do not. Our understanding is frail also, subject to error and misjudgment. God is infinite, and we will spend eternity finding out his greatness, never exhausting is. He who spoke the universe into existence, he who sustains it by his mighty power, he whose knowledge is eternal, plans and carries out his sovereign will for his own good purposes. It should then not surprise us if the ways of God often strike us as "mysterious." As the hymn says "Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust him for his grace. Behind a frowning providence he hides a smiling face."

Yet the command goes further. We are to "acknowledge Him" in all our ways. In everything we do, good or bad, sweet or bitter, light or heavy, he is to be acknowledge. As Job sat in ashes and said "The LORD gives and the LORD takes away, blessed by the name of the LORD" so also must we in times of trouble look to God and God alone and acknowledge him, giving him all glory, recognizing his sovereignty, believing is word.

And finally comes the promise. If we live this way, trusting him, seeking his understanding and acknowledging him we will receive "straight" paths. It is the path of Christlikeness. I find it interesting that the promise is for "straight" paths and not necessarily "easy" paths. Indeed the path that Christ walked is so often a path filled with troubles, trials and sadness. While the path may be difficult, we have the comfort that we do not walk it alone. The believer walks with Christ.

Blogging Through Proverbs Part XII - 3:3-4

2008-02-11T12:01:00.000-08:00

Studying: Ephesians 3-6, Proverbs 2

Memorizing: Romans 1:1-18

Thoughts: Good

"Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man.." - Proverbs 3:3-4, NASB

By way of reminder, Solomon is pointing out some of the rewards and benefits of living wisely. To harken back to something I mentioned a while ago, I still can't help but think of God's mercy in telling us the "whys" here. Truth be told, God could have simply put here "Do not let...Bind them...Write them..." and we'd be under every obligation to obey. But God "knows our frame." He is merciful and explains to us "why" something is best for us, and therefore he adds the "so..."

There are two ideas focused on here, kindness and truth. When I did a little research (thanks to good old Bibleworks) the word translated here "kindness" comes from the Hebrew word chesid, which is used to describe the unfailing covenant love of Yahweh. "Truth" is just that, it is what is true, firm, right and fixed. The exhortation given here by Solomon to his son is that he should not let these things "leave" him. As I've pondered this verse I'm left with two possible understandings of it here.

1. Possessive - Solomon is exhorting his son to possess the qualities in his own life of kindness and truth and to take care that remain in him as he interacts with others. "Be one who is filled with unfailing love and justice" he might say.

2. Objective - Solomon is exhorting his son not to walk in such a way that would cause the lovingkindness and truth of Yahweh to depart from him.

But, truth be told, I don't believe these are at odds with one another. One who truly knows the love and truth of the Lord thus reflects it in his life.

Now Solomon's warning is clear, that these qualities are not to "leave." It may seem like a strange idea at first, but if you think about it it becomes quite clear. If one does not take care to guard that which he already has, he might very well lose it.

The old saying "use it or lose it" definitely has some truth to it. We are forgetful people. I've met a number of people who have told me that at one point in time they could speak a second language, but no longer can because they've "lost it." How many of us at the years roll by can do all the things we once did before?

Solomon's exhortation here is not timid. He doesn't tell his son to just "put your kindness and truth in the attic with the rest of the Christmas decorations." He tells him to put them in two very prominent and forward places, around the neck and on the heart.

Full Day

2008-02-10T11:47:00.000-08:00

Studying: Galatians 4-6, Ephesians 1-2

Memorizing: Romans 1:1-18, Ephesians 2:1-10

Thoughts: Good, but with some challenges today

If I may be pardoned, I will begin again with Proverbs tomorrow. Again, note, when I'm not blogging through Proverbs I'm still reading the Word. I like to do the Proverbs blog as something extra, but there are days like today where I'm simply unable.

Today was a good Lord's Day. We were able to spend time together as a family this morning before heading off to church. We enjoy the fellowship and worship very much at Light of Christ. The pastor, Mikhail, was back after being sick last week. It was good to see him again.

After worship we had some friends over, Kolya and his wife Lena. When I visited Saint Petersburg last March to setup some things I stayed with my friend Trevor and his then single roomate Kolya. Kolya got married over the summer, and we just recently touched base since being here in Russia. We had a good time tonight. It's encouraging that our Russian has gotten to a point where we can actually get together with Russians and generally understand what's going on.

But something really exciting happened at the end of the evening. Over dinner Kolya had asked me if we would be interested in making contact with some people in Saint Petersburg who are already doing ministry with invalids. We of course said yes, and he proceeded to place a phone call before he left. He handed the phone to me and on the other end of the line was a perfect British accent from a man named Tobias. As it turns out he already knew about us through Kolya. Tobias and I talked for almost 20 minutes and he proceeded to inform me about the multitude of ministries already going on here in SP. Long story short, we're meeting with him, his wife and 2yo daughter this Friday to explore possibilities of connecting our vision for ministry with theirs. I will, of course, keep you all informed as to how this turns out.

On another note, lately the Devil seems to be really trying to "break in." By God's grace he hasn't but that's not for lack of trying on his part. Please pray that I would stay on track and keep my focus, giving no opportunity for evil.

Also, I would greatly appreciate your prayers as I again prepare to teach the 4 Russian pastors in training this Thursday. I'm doing a music class with them for about three hours every Thursday afternoon. Last Thursday was the first time and it went fairly well.

Resting, Entertaining, Playing - Part 2

2008-02-09T12:55:00.000-08:00

Studying: Galatians 1-3

Memorizing: Romans 1:1-17

Thoughts: Good

I've been thinking a lot about what I wrote yesterday, and some of the comments that were made in response. I must admit now, in hindsight, that the category "Entertainment" was rather vague, but at the same time there is a valid concern that I have. Let me 'splain.

I'm diagnosed A.D.D. Now, hang on before you roll your eyes. No, I don't use that as an excuse for not getting work done. No, I don't say 'oops, I forgot my medicine today, sorry for being a jerk.' But I genuinely have it. For as long as I can remember I've always had significant trouble concentrating for any length of period of time. If I were to describe my mind, it's like having 10 radios going at the same time, which is one of the reasons I often jump from one thing to another and can easily end a day having starting 20 things and having finished none. Several years ago a real doctor went through the proper steps to diagnose me. We tried medicines. I have to say that the medicines really helped me, quite a bit actually. After a few weeks I found that the radios had dropped from about 10 to 2. Sitting still for longer periods of time and concentrating became easier, and I was able to focus more on one task. But there were some drawbacks. All the meds I tried seems to have two particularly negative side effects. They made me incredibly hungry and incredibly UN-sleepy. There were a couple of nights there where I didn't sleep perhaps more than an hour. I was laying there in the middle of the night starving or just plain tossing and turning, wide awake. As a result the negative effects of not sleeping far outweighed the positive effects of being able to concentrate better. So I stopped the meds.

I take no meds now, and yes I still feel like I'm listening to 10 radios sometimes, but I've realized that through structure and discipline bathed in prayer I can function and be productive. Try playing 10 radios all on different stations sometime. It is possible to focus on just one, but you have to work hard. So I setup schedules for the week. I have task lists for each day of things I want to accomplish. I set priorities of things that must be done, need to be done soon, and things that I want to do, all the while praying that the Lord would help and enable me to accomplish my work. The "noise" is still loud but I've learned to live with it.

In yesterday's post I talked about wanting to be careful with "entertainment" time, and the struggle I had had in accurately defining some of my tasks under that heading. I'm convicted by Ephesians 5:15-16, "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." I want to make the most of my time each day. Is there anything wrong with playing a game of computer Scrabble? No, of course not. Is there even anything wrong with taking a work break to play a game of computer Scrabble? Still, I think not. But is there something wrong with playing computer Scrabble for 3 hours when there is pressing work to be done, when assignments are due post haste? Yes, absolutely. Such is not wise living. My desire is this, to use my time wisely each day. To complete my responsibilities and "make the most of every opportunity."

In the days to come I hope to find a new category, something that indicates if I'm completing my work and using my time wisely each day.

Resting, Entertaining, Playing

2008-02-08T13:02:00.001-08:00

Studying: 2 Corinthians 10-13

Memorizing: Romans 1:1-17

Entertainment: (See below)

Thoughts: Good

Today was a good day over all for me. I essentially had the day off, which is not usual for Fridays. But as it turns out, some of the responsibilities I normally have on Fridays were not going on this week, so it gave me a chance to actually get some physical and mental rest. This brings me to the subject then of defining "entertainment."

I've only been doing this blog for a right about 2 weeks now, and I believe, by God's grace it's really helped me. Also for the past two weeks I've been incredibly busy, and thus each and every day I can say with full honesty that the times I listed at "Entertainment" were honest. But today I was presented with an opportunity to genuinely and freely rest. I say "freely" because for at least several days I have nothing pressing that had to be done today. I'm "ahead," you might say. But for the first time since I started this blog I am faced with a dilemma of categorization. Let me explain.

Today I did a number of things that were relaxing and free. I slept in a little bit. Enjoyed a leisurely cup of coffee with some oatmeal. I spent probably close to 2 hours reading some blogs that I haven't been able to read in a long time. I wrote some friends emails, played with my son, made pizza for lunch for all of us. One of the more random things I did was read up on the subject of NATO. Don't ask me what prompted that. I also went shopping for the family and made dinner tonight.

So was all of that "entertainment?" I'm not trying to weasel my way out, trust me. So if all that counts as "entertainment" then I'll confess up to 10+ hours of it today. But I ask this question seriously, because I want to be disciplined in where my time goes, even in my off time.

During a typical work week count "entertainment" as things I do to relax. Sometimes these are short moments where I'm working on something and I stop for 15 minutes to "diddle." Diddling may mean I check email, read the news online, play a game of Scrabble on my computer, etc. something to give my mind a break. Entertainment can also be watching a DVD with Cristy when all is said and done at night. It can also be just going for a walk, reading something, playing guitar for a moment, etc. But what about days like today where basically the entire day was "free," did I redeem my time wisely?

I am genuinely interested in your inputs on this matter. How do y'all define "entertainment, rest" and "free time?" How do you think it is best spent? How often should it occur? When must it happen? When should it never happen?

Blogging Through Proverbs Part XI - 3:1-2

2008-02-07T13:14:00.000-08:00

Studying: 2 Corinthians 6-9

Memorizing: Romans 1:1-16

Entertainment: 2 hours

Thoughts: Good

"My son, do not forget my teaching, but let you heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of live and peace they will add to you." Proverbs 3:1-2, NASB

From verse 1 through verse 12 Solomon enters a section of commands and benefits. "Do this" he says "and this will happen." This is a particularly encouraging section as it clearly highlights the rewards of living obediently. What is commanded here is, in essence, how one lives if they live according to God's wisdom in the first place.

At the same time there are some interpretive difficulties associated with these kinds of passages. Indeed, many live long lives who do forget the teachings of their fathers, and who do not keep their commandments. At the same time, many who have kept the teachings of their fathers and have kept their commandments do not necessarily live long lives. For example, I would venture to say that John the Baptist was probably an obedient and respectful child. Being regenerate from the womb, he probably kept and observed the teachings of his father quite well. Yet his days were seemingly rather short.

I'm not going to pretend to reconcile all the possible interpretations and points. I think there are two basic perspectives here through which to look at this.

Temporal Perspective - Here and in the verses to come Solomon is speaking about general principles, about the "big picture" it would seem. Are there those who live wisely yet still die "young"? Certainly. But the "general" principle seems to be that living wisely yields long life and grants peace to the person who lives that way. And this just makes sense if one thinks about it. A wise man lives very practically, thus not usually engaging in frivolous, and sinful activities that are normally perilous to one's life. Wise men don't smoke crack or play Russian Roulette. Wise men don't play games of "chicken" with oncoming trains. Thus wisdom in a very real sense adds "length of days" to a person's life.

At the same time wisdom adds "peace" to the life of one who lives wisely. Again, does this mean that if a man lives wisely that all around him will be in a constant state of tranquility? The answer again is no. None ever lived so wisely as Jesus, yet many in the world were constantly at odds with him. But living wisely does truly add peace. The man who lives wisely will mostly likely have an overall peaceful marriage. In general, he will have peace amongst his friends. Since he carries out his business and work with wisdom, he does not need to fear the law and such. Therefore wisdom can bring real peace in this life.

Eternal Perspective - There is also, and more importantly, an eternal perspective to living wisely. While even the child of God who lives wisely and heeds the voice of his father may perish at a young age, yet he will live forever because of Christ. Not to take this passage out of context, but the idea is without a doubt true. As Paul said, "for me to die is gain."

And furthermore, the one who lives wisely enjoys "the peace of God, which passes all understanding." Wars may come and go. Houses may get robbed. Enemies may oppress, but one may have peace in Christ Jesus that is real and lasting.

Two Years of Fatherhood

2008-02-06T11:11:00.000-08:00

Studying: 2 Corinthians 2-5

Memorizing: Romans 1:1-15

Entertainment: 30 min.

Thoughts: Good, but Devil at work

I hope this doesn't seem like a cop out. Just for clarification, if on a day like this I blog about something else, it doesn't mean I haven't been in God's Word. The Lord blessed me with wonderful time in 2 Corinthians this morning, and I'm enjoying working my way through Romans chapter 1. It is my full intention to regularly blog through books of the Bible, but there may be days like this where I pause to highlight a specific subject or event.

Today marks 2 years since I became a dad (in the post-birth since). On this day 2 years ago I was going about my regular day in Yazoo City. Cristy and her mom, who had come down from North Carolina to be with us through Isaiah's birth, had gone to Jackson for a regular visit with the doctor. Isaiah still wasn't supposed to be delivered until around the first of March. I received a call that Monday afternoon from Cristy. On the other end of the line my wife's timid voice said, "Um, we're headed to the hospital right now. I'm in labor."

In the moments that followed I completely fulfilled every stereotype that Hollywood has ever shown of a man whose wife is about to give birth. I ran around the house picking up random things and putting them in a duffle bag, dashing out the door. The drive from Yazoo City to Jackson took about 45 minutes. I remember praying during that time. While I was excited, I was also very concerned. It was crucial that Isaiah be delivered by c-section. Natural childbirth could risk causing further damage to the defect on his back which could result in a multitude of problems. I have not the time nor the energy to relate all of the details of Isaiah's birth, surgeries and 23 days in ICU before we were able to bring him home. Suffice it to say, he was born, and here we are.

But what I do want ponder for a moment is the amazing effect being a father has had on my life. When Isaiah was born something was "awakened" within me. A sense, a love an emotion came alive that either wasn't there before or had just never been jolted to life. I loved this little 4 1/2 pound of flesh and blood. I was ready to defend him, fight for him, and even die for him. He was precious to me. For years before I had understood in part the love of God the Father from a receiving end, being a child myself. But for the first time I seemed to gain just a miniscule sense of the love of God the Father from a giving end. The words "How great the Father's love" struck my heart like never before.

As Isaiah has grown other things have impressed me. I walked into a room once when Isaiah was just a few weeks old and said something to Cristy. Immediately Isaiah became excited when he heard me. As just an infant he knew my voice and it brought him comfort and joy. I couldn't help but think about how the sheep know the voice of the Shepherd.

Then I remember when the first babbles and noises started. I delighted to hear even the simplest noises come from the mouth of my child. The first "da-da" and the first "ma-ma" brought us joy. Again I couldn't help but think about how the Father delights in the prayers of his children.

As two years have passed now I pray for what lies ahead, pleading God's mercy that he would allow me many more years of being a father. I pray that he would grant me grace in my earthly fathering to reflect him in love.

Blogging Through Proverbs Part X - 2:16-19

2008-02-05T11:04:00.000-08:00

Studying: 1 Corinthians 15-16, 2 Corinthians 1, Proverbs 2

Memorizing: Romans 1:1-13

Entertainment: 1 1/2

Thoughts: Good

"To deliver you from the strange woman, From the adulteress who flatters with her words; 17 That leaves the companion of her youth And forgets the covenant of her God; 18 For her house sinks down to death And her tracks lead to the dead; 19 None who go to her return again, Nor do they reach the paths of life." - Proverbs 2:16-19, NASB

What else do discretion and understanding deliver from? From the "strange woman" and the "adulteress." While the immediate idea here being used certainly is applicable, many commentators agree, and even the context of Proverbs seems to indicate, that this is talking more than simply about avoiding lustful sins. Again, certainly wisdom does guard against that, but this seems to be a metaphor for spiritual adultery and avoiding the pitfalls of forsaking God. This illustration is used later in chapters 5, 6, 7 and a number of other places. This idea is used elsewhere in scripture, most notably the book of Hosea, where the prophet's marriage is itself illustrative of the "whoring" of Israel.

The word here translated in the NASB "strange woman" can also be translated "foreign woman." Israel had been warned by God not to take wives from the other nations or else they would become a stumbling block to Israel and turn Israel's heart to serve false gods (Deut 7:3, Josh 23:12,13). Israel failed miserably in this, and as a result many times Israel turned from God to serve the false gods of the pagan nations.

The idea here is that wisdom delivers the one who possesses it from the things which turn away his heart from God, from not only physical adultery, but spiritual adultery. This world is full of much that allures and tempts, and there are so many things to turn the heart from serving the living God. These things are constantly fighting for our attention and affections saying "find your satisfaction in me" when there is none to be had.

Now, to be honest, there are no statues of Baal around that I just have this intense urge to run and bow down before. But there is plenty that allures me, that seeks to steal my attention and draw me in to captivate my senses. There are gadgets, computers, games, movies, music, etc., all in and of themselves potentially useful and good things. But the idol factory of my heart, as Calvin would say, is ever ready to bow my time, my energy and affections to these things.

It is a sad thing that Solomon did not take his own advice on this matter. In the end "Solomon loved many foreign women" and thus, this became his undoing.

Blogging Through Proverbs Part IX - 2:11-15

2008-02-04T08:48:00.000-08:00

Studying: 1 Corinthians 12-14, Proverbs 2

Memorizing: Romans 1:1-12

Entertainment: 45 minutes

Thoughts: Good

"Discretion will guard you, Understanding will watch over you, 12 To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things; 13 From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness; 14 Who delight in doing evil And rejoice in the perversity of evil; 15 Whose paths are crooked, And who are devious in their ways;" - Proverbs 2:11-15 - NASB

Have you ever seen a security guard at a bank? Chances are he wasn't doing much was he? I've always thought that to be a security guard could get to be quite a boring job. He just stands there all day making sure nothing happens. I imagine this could become quite tedious. But at the same time, I can't imagine a security guard really wanting an "interesting" day. While I'm sure there are some exceptions out there somewhere, the basic rule would seem to be that no security guard wants to get in a gunfight or have to shoot somebody. But, while the job may seem dull and uneventful at times, the guard can't let himself grow weary. He can't "let his guard down" thinking "nobody's going to steal anything today." For if he does the risk of a thief taking advantage of the situation greatly increases. He must remain sharp and keep, ever watching and vigilant in his work or a great loss could happen.

In verse 11 Solomon here talks about more of benefits for the person who pursues and attains wisdom from God. Here he mentions "discretion" and "understanding" both going about the task of "guarding" and "watching" over the believer. The idea being is that with wisdom comes a myriad of qualities (mentioned in a previous post) that work in the life of the one who posses wisdom to change his life for the better in the pursuit of godliness. "Discretion" and "understanding" become guards, watchmen, watching intently and carefully for any evil that tries to attack. The pursuer of wisdom has his heart and mind sharpened and keen to any threat of evil.

Solomon then goes on to mention two specific instances in which discretion and understanding work. The first for today is deliverance from the evil way as seen in verse twelve. Discretion and understanding work together to "deliver" the pursuer of wisdom from the way of evil, specifically from those who are evil themselves and walk in the ways of evil. What is he delivered from?

1. Perverted Speech - Men with twisted words who speak twisted things. Discretion and understanding delivers the one wise in God's ways from this kind of speech.

2. Wandering Feet - From those who leave the paths of righteousness, the path that leads to life and godliness.

3. Walking in Darkness - Evil men don't just pull off of the path of righteousness to stop on the side of the road and rest. They pursue a completely different way altogether, the way of darkness and evil.

4. Delighting in Evil - That which is evil becomes joy to men of evil. Misery makes them happy.

5. Rejoicing in Perversity - The wicked not only speak of what is twisted, but it is also gladness to them.

6. Crooked Paths - Their path is not only in the darkness, but it twists and turns. The path itself is completely perverted.

7. Devious Ways - Their course is full of guile and deception, of lies and falsehood.

Discretion and understanding guard the pursuer of wisdom so that he is delivered from the people that practice these things.

Blogging Through Proverbs Part VIII - 2:9-10

2008-02-03T09:37:00.000-08:00

Studying: 1 Corinthians 9-11

Memorizing: Romans 1:1-11

Entertainment: 0 essentially

Thoughts: Good

He who pursues wisdom will not be disappointed. We've looked at some of the promises already mentioned.

Verse 5 promises that the one who pursues wisdom will gain discernment in the fear of the LORD and the knowledge of God. Now in verses 9 & 10 come more benefits.

"Then you will discern righteousness and justice And equity and every good course. 10 For wisdom will enter your heart And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;" - Proverbs 2:9-10

In verse 9 we are again promised discernment, and in a variety of different areas of life.

Discernment in Righteousness - How often do we simply take for granted that we can tell right from wrong? I fear I have done it all too often, thinking I really know the right thing to do when I don't. Wisdom grants discernment in this area, to be able to look at a situation and say "this is righteous" or "this is not righteous." I look back on my life at some of the things I used to do that I don't do anymore. I'm not necessarily talking about what might be considered "wild" and "crazy" things people typically think of as sins. I'm not going to go into all of that. But what about things that many people might regard as "innocent." What about the movies I watch, the music I listen to, the jokes I laugh at, etc.? What about simply how I spend my time, computer games or browsing the internet aimlessly? Discernment helps one to understand righteousness and unrighteousness better. Grey areas become more black and white.

Discernment in Justice - Synonymous with "righteousness" perhaps. The word here is a legal term, quite literally meaning "judgment." Again, wisdom grants discernment to judge between what is true and what is false, and to judge correctly. A good judge looks at a case presented to him and his mind and his senses are tuned to look for the "signs" that might indicate guilt or innocence. A good judge learns to recognize a liar, a cheat, a swindler. A good judge learns to also recognize innocence.

A believer wise in God's ways has his heart and mind "tuned" to recognize truth from falsehood. Satan, the foe, is ever vigilant to deceive by presenting lies. He began this back in the garden with the word "Has God said..." to Eve. But a believer who pursues wisdom gains discernment to respond correctly when the deceiver says "It's not really that bad...go ahead and watch" or "No one is going to know...go ahead and look."

Discernment in Equity - Equity implies impartiality and fairness. The word here can also be translated "evenness." It is a very difficult thing to be impartial. Our natural tendencies are to lean in favor to ourselves and those things that are most familiar and friendly to us. But wisdom gives eyes to see clearly and fairly.

Discernment in Every Good Course - On a number of occasions in life I've found myself lost while driving. Being a man I, of course, don't ask for directions, but rather try to orient myself with natural landmarks. I would try road after road trying to find the right one, all the while lacking the knowledge of which road was correct. What I needed was a map. What I needed also was humility to stop and ask someone which way to go.

Wisdom asks "Which way should I go?" of God, and God promises direction. Wisdom provides a "roadmap of life" as it were, so that when the believer comes up to a fork in the road, he is able to look and say "I should not go this way. I must go this way. This is the right way."

Why does all this take place? Verse 10 answers that. One is able to do this because wisdom is in his heart and knowledge is pleasant to him. He does not despise knowledge and instruction.

Blogging Through Proverbs Part VII - 2:7-8

2008-02-02T07:23:00.000-08:00

Studying: 1 Corinthians 5-8, Proverbs 2

Memorizing: Romans 1:1-10

Entertainment: 1 1/2 hours

Thoughts: Good

"he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, 8 guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints." Proverbs 2:7-8

If I am receptive, if I treasure what is faithfully taught to me, if I am attentive to wisdom, if I bend, if I cry, really cry out for wisdom, if I seek it and search for it, then I will be able to understand and discern what it means to fear the LORD. This is the basic idea behind 2:1-5, we've already discussed. Then verse 6 points out the source of that wisdom; the LORD himself. He grants wisdom through his word.

It goes on here to say in verse 7 that he "stores up" sound wisdom for the upright. The word used here is the same one used in 2:2 for "treasure." Solomon exhorts his son to "treasure" the commands that he gives him. Likewise, we are to treasure those godly things that are taught to us. Those who treasure God find in him treasures unparalleled. For those who seek wisdom, they will find a treasury filled with wisdom beyond imagination.

Then, in verses 7b & 8, some of the benefits and results of wisdom are seen. The one who fears the LORD and pursues wisdom finds great benefits. Three in particular are mentioned here.

Shielding - The wisdom of God is great protection for the saint. A shield blocks deadly things from hitting a person, and likewise, one who possesses the wisdom of God knows how to defend against "the fiery darts of the wicked." When evil comes, when temptation arises, godly wisdom shields the believer.

Guarding - A shield is used to guard against an attack that has already been launched. But a guard is on the lookout for an attack that has not yet come. Godly wisdom guards the paths of justice, the paths of what is right. Those who have the wisdom of God not only know how to shield from attacks, but the also intently and carefully watch their ways. A believer must take great care that his path of righteousness does not detour.

Preserving - The word used is very similar to the one used for "guarding" but "preserving" carries with the idea of keeping something the way it ought to be for the long haul, to its final end.

When I was a boy I remember my grandmother "preserving" different vegetables and fruits during the summer and harvest time. She would cook or "blanch" whatever she was working on that the time, put it in the "Mason" jar and then put the lid on. Soon we would hopefully here the "pop" of the jar lid, letting us know that the jar had sealed properly and all was well.

The process preserved the fruits or vegetables. It took all the necessary steps to insure that whatever could harm the foods were blocked. The cooking killed off bacteria. The sealing prevented air, and thus further bacteria from getting in. The result was that several years down the road the jar could be opened and one could enjoy the food like the day it was picked.

Godly wisdom teaches us how to preserve our faith. Godly wisdom teaches us to look at a situation and say "I shouldn't go there...I shouldn't watch that...I need to do that...This will really grow my faith," etc. He who possesses godly wisdom will keep his faith "fresh" for years and years to come.