A few days ago, at the recommendation from Challies, I checked out Christa Wells. You can play the songs using the player at the top of the site. Actually, the only song I like is "Weightless."
Nothing scalds
like the memory of wrongs I did when I was young
how could I, how could I
I’m sorry
I see the eyes
of the ones that I so carelessly abused
how could I, how could I
I’m sorry
Well, I’ve carried this a long time
in a well hidden bundle on my back
but I’ve realized repentance is weightless
so I’ll leave my burden on the tracks
And then I face
the yesterdays that disappointed
misunderstood by a cruel world
and I’m angry
You might suppose
the years would close the curtains on a scene
from such a time, but this was mine to harbor
Well, I’ve carried this a long time
in a well-hidden bundle on my back
but I’ve realized forgiveness is weightless
so I’ll leave my burden on the tracks
Its gonna be like delivery that’s overdue and getting too heavy
Then suddenly, I’m weightless
Being forgiven is a good feeling, but it's also a reassuring fact; as our memory sometimes recalls our past sins, we can shut that up by remembering that God has distinctly forgiven that sin, if we've asked Him to do so. God's love knows no bounds, if only we'll accept it and live for Him.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Forgiveness Leads to Glorifying God
I'm finally getting back to talk about the last two verses of Psalm 19.
In verse 13 David asks God to "keep back thy servant from presumptuous sins." Some translations use "willful." This type of sin can be thought of as premeditated sin, or sin committed on purpose. We sin in this way when we know God's command, but we presume His forgiveness, so we commit the sin and then beg for forgiveness afterward. It's difficult to think about how much that hurts God. Paul Bunyon wrote that "Sin is the dare of God's justice, the rape of His mercy, the jear of His patience, the slight of His power and the contempt of His love."
Besides its direct and all-serious affect on God, acting in willful sin will harden our hearts, which will lead to us not hearing God's warning, our conscience, when we face temptation. If we keep ignoring the Holy Spirit's voice in our ear, our heart will harden to the point of not hearing Him at all (Hebrews 3:15).
The third and seemingly most obvious reason to avoid sinning on purpose and plan to ask forgiveness later is that none of us is guaranteed tomorrow or even the remainder of today. A car accident, brain aneurysm, or a house fire could kill us before we repent.
I think David here is asking God to forgive his hidden faults and keep him from sins he knows about – the two broad categories of sin. David, the man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14) is asking God to keep him away from sin. It's interesting that he isn't relying on his "man after God's heart" status to protect him. We all need God's help to escape temptation and avoid folly.
God hates all sin – it's all based on the thought that you deserve, rather than an act of glorifying God. You shouldn't pat yourself on the back because you sinned without thinking about it rather than committing a sin you thought through. You deserve hell for either. You need to repent for either and beg for God's forgiveness, which is the last clause of verse 13 – David is saying that after God forgives him of sin and helps him avoid temptation, he can live a fruitful life for God.
All this – David's love for and study of God's Word and God's forgiveness and keeping him from sin – it is all for the glory of God. The purpose of it is to have words and thoughts that please God. The purpose is NOT to improve my life, to make myself a better person. When I am close to God, when I'm in His Word and filling my mind with His perfect law and resisting temptations, I draw close to God because sin doesn't get in the way. And, when I have a solid understanding of the Gospel, I realize that when I do sin (because it won't be long until I do) I can repent and ask God to take my selfishness out of that part of my life and fill it with His Spirit.
The Lord is our Rock – our firm foundation, completely all-powerful and faithful regardless of our faithlessness. The Lord is our Redeemer – He is the author of our faith – He drew us to Him – and perfecter or completer of our faith – God's Spirit works in us to produce fruit and to start and complete the good work He started in us.
Praise be to God.
In verse 13 David asks God to "keep back thy servant from presumptuous sins." Some translations use "willful." This type of sin can be thought of as premeditated sin, or sin committed on purpose. We sin in this way when we know God's command, but we presume His forgiveness, so we commit the sin and then beg for forgiveness afterward. It's difficult to think about how much that hurts God. Paul Bunyon wrote that "Sin is the dare of God's justice, the rape of His mercy, the jear of His patience, the slight of His power and the contempt of His love."
Besides its direct and all-serious affect on God, acting in willful sin will harden our hearts, which will lead to us not hearing God's warning, our conscience, when we face temptation. If we keep ignoring the Holy Spirit's voice in our ear, our heart will harden to the point of not hearing Him at all (Hebrews 3:15).
The third and seemingly most obvious reason to avoid sinning on purpose and plan to ask forgiveness later is that none of us is guaranteed tomorrow or even the remainder of today. A car accident, brain aneurysm, or a house fire could kill us before we repent.
I think David here is asking God to forgive his hidden faults and keep him from sins he knows about – the two broad categories of sin. David, the man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14) is asking God to keep him away from sin. It's interesting that he isn't relying on his "man after God's heart" status to protect him. We all need God's help to escape temptation and avoid folly.
God hates all sin – it's all based on the thought that you deserve, rather than an act of glorifying God. You shouldn't pat yourself on the back because you sinned without thinking about it rather than committing a sin you thought through. You deserve hell for either. You need to repent for either and beg for God's forgiveness, which is the last clause of verse 13 – David is saying that after God forgives him of sin and helps him avoid temptation, he can live a fruitful life for God.
All this – David's love for and study of God's Word and God's forgiveness and keeping him from sin – it is all for the glory of God. The purpose of it is to have words and thoughts that please God. The purpose is NOT to improve my life, to make myself a better person. When I am close to God, when I'm in His Word and filling my mind with His perfect law and resisting temptations, I draw close to God because sin doesn't get in the way. And, when I have a solid understanding of the Gospel, I realize that when I do sin (because it won't be long until I do) I can repent and ask God to take my selfishness out of that part of my life and fill it with His Spirit.
The Lord is our Rock – our firm foundation, completely all-powerful and faithful regardless of our faithlessness. The Lord is our Redeemer – He is the author of our faith – He drew us to Him – and perfecter or completer of our faith – God's Spirit works in us to produce fruit and to start and complete the good work He started in us.
Praise be to God.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
How do You handle the Truth?
The second chunk of Psalm 19 – verses 7 through 14 – is good stuff.
David, the writer, has six names for the scriptures: the Law of the Lord, the testimony of the Lord, the precepts of the Lord, the commandment of the Lord, the fear of the Lord and the judgments of the Lord. David says scripture is perfect, sure, right, pure, clean (Jeremiah 2:22) and true and he says the scriptures restore the soul (Psalm 23), make wise the simple (Proverbs 21:30), rejoice the heart, enlighten the eyes (Psalm 119:105), endure forever and are righteous altogether.
In verse 10 David says the Bible is more desirable than a pile of gold. Better than much gold? Millions of dollars aren't as good as having a solid understanding of and experiencing God through the Word of God? If that's true, I need to invest my time differently.
Verse 11 says the Bible warns God's servants. That's because God's servants read His word so they know how to serve Him, and as they learn wisdom, they learn more about how much they need God's grace. And they are warned that apart from accepting the sacrifice of Jesus, they earn death and eternal separation from God's love. This isn't important for just nonbelievers. Christians absolutely must remember that God brings about all good things. We are mere humans and don't have control over everything. Your house isn't yours because you got the job, work hard and earn the money to pay mortgage. God blessed you by letting you be born in America where you had a chance at a good education to get you that job. Remember how when Pharaoh refused to let God's people leave God turned the water to blood and killed all the cows? God is so powerful that the molecules of water obey Him and He has the power of life and death. All creation obeys.
The next clause says that in obeying the scriptures there is much reward. This does not mean that God wants to make us rich and healthy – remember that verse 10 says knowing scripture is worth more than much gold. Instead of riches and health, God promises intimacy with Him if we drawn close to Him by studying His word. It's hard to love someone if you don't know anything about him. It's hard to get to know someone if you never spend time with him.
In verse 12 David asks God to show him the sins he doesn't know about (Psalm 139:23, Jeremiah 17:9). He wants God to point out those faults and forgive them. Sometimes we have sin so ingrained in us that we can't even notice it. By having God point out those otherwise hidden faults, David can surrender the selfishness that causes them and ask God to fill that void with His Spirit to produce the Galatians 5:22-3 fruit. Essentially, in this verse and the next, David is asking God to remove whatever is hindering his relationship with God.
What do your actions say about how you think of God's Word? What is your opinion of scripture?
What is standing between you and God?
(more soon)
In verse 10 David says the Bible is more desirable than a pile of gold. Better than much gold? Millions of dollars aren't as good as having a solid understanding of and experiencing God through the Word of God? If that's true, I need to invest my time differently.
Verse 11 says the Bible warns God's servants. That's because God's servants read His word so they know how to serve Him, and as they learn wisdom, they learn more about how much they need God's grace. And they are warned that apart from accepting the sacrifice of Jesus, they earn death and eternal separation from God's love. This isn't important for just nonbelievers. Christians absolutely must remember that God brings about all good things. We are mere humans and don't have control over everything. Your house isn't yours because you got the job, work hard and earn the money to pay mortgage. God blessed you by letting you be born in America where you had a chance at a good education to get you that job. Remember how when Pharaoh refused to let God's people leave God turned the water to blood and killed all the cows? God is so powerful that the molecules of water obey Him and He has the power of life and death. All creation obeys.
The next clause says that in obeying the scriptures there is much reward. This does not mean that God wants to make us rich and healthy – remember that verse 10 says knowing scripture is worth more than much gold. Instead of riches and health, God promises intimacy with Him if we drawn close to Him by studying His word. It's hard to love someone if you don't know anything about him. It's hard to get to know someone if you never spend time with him.
In verse 12 David asks God to show him the sins he doesn't know about (Psalm 139:23, Jeremiah 17:9). He wants God to point out those faults and forgive them. Sometimes we have sin so ingrained in us that we can't even notice it. By having God point out those otherwise hidden faults, David can surrender the selfishness that causes them and ask God to fill that void with His Spirit to produce the Galatians 5:22-3 fruit. Essentially, in this verse and the next, David is asking God to remove whatever is hindering his relationship with God.
What do your actions say about how you think of God's Word? What is your opinion of scripture?
What is standing between you and God?
(more soon)
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Pray for Matt Chandler
You've got to read this story about Texas pastor Matt Chandler.
The best paragraph is
Another cancer patient Chandler has gotten to know spends his time in radiation imagining that he's playing a round of golf at his favorite course. Chandler on this first Monday in January is reflecting on Colossians 1:15-23, about the pre-eminence of Christ and making peace through the blood of his cross.
I've been listening to Matt's sermons for a few weeks and I love him. He's 33 years old and has the wisdom of Solomon. He is easy to listen to, but he's not an ear tickler – he brings the truth and usually makes it understandable. My favorite thing about him is his emphasis on our raging sinfulness and God's surging power. As in, God is previous to everything. He loves how the first chapter of Ephesians talks about how God choose us before the foundation of time and he loves to point out how God's love for us therefore has nothing at all to do with our deeds, but it has everything to do with God's love.
Check out his sermons, especially this one, and pray that he continues to suffer well.
The best paragraph is
Another cancer patient Chandler has gotten to know spends his time in radiation imagining that he's playing a round of golf at his favorite course. Chandler on this first Monday in January is reflecting on Colossians 1:15-23, about the pre-eminence of Christ and making peace through the blood of his cross.
I've been listening to Matt's sermons for a few weeks and I love him. He's 33 years old and has the wisdom of Solomon. He is easy to listen to, but he's not an ear tickler – he brings the truth and usually makes it understandable. My favorite thing about him is his emphasis on our raging sinfulness and God's surging power. As in, God is previous to everything. He loves how the first chapter of Ephesians talks about how God choose us before the foundation of time and he loves to point out how God's love for us therefore has nothing at all to do with our deeds, but it has everything to do with God's love.
Check out his sermons, especially this one, and pray that he continues to suffer well.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Take heed, lest you fall
Tonight at church we're going to talk about Psalm 19:7-14. In it, David talks about how much the scriptures mean to him and then asks God to forgiven the sin within him of which he is unaware and to keep him from presumptuous sin, or sinning while relying on God's forgiveness. After doing massive research, it seems that all Christians sin willfully–that is they know the truth and they sin anyway. Continuing on in this kind of disobedience will lead to a hardened heart. A hardened heart no longer feels shame or guilt and therefore, doesn't ask for forgiveness, as was the case for Israel (Jeremiah 2:22-23, 35, 3:13, 6:15, 8:12).
About this, Charles Spurgeon had the following wise commentary:
Such was the prayer of the "man after God's own heart." Did holy David need to pray thus? How needful, then, must such a prayer be for us babes in grace! It is as if he said, "Keep me back, or I shall rush headlong over the precipice of sin." Our evil nature, like an ill-tempered horse, is apt to run away. May the grace of God put the bridle upon it, and hold it in, that it rush not into mischief. What might not the best of us do if it were not for the checks which the Lord sets upon us both in providence and in grace! The psalmist's prayer is directed against the worst form of sin--that which is done with deliberation and willfulness. Even the holiest need to be "kept back" from the vilest transgressions. It is a solemn thing to find the apostle Paul warning saints against the most loathsome sins. "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry." What! Do saints want warning against such sins as these? Yes, they do. The whitest robes, unless their purity be preserved by divine grace, will be defiled by the blackest spots. Experienced Christian, boast not in your experience; you will trip yet if you look away from him who is able to keep you from falling. Ye whose love is fervent, whose faith is constant, whose hopes are bright, say not, "We shall never sin," but rather cry, "Lead us not into temptation." There is enough tinder in the heart of the best of men to light a fire that shall burn to the lowest hell, unless God shall quench the sparks as they fall. Who would have dreamed that righteous Lot could be found drunken, and committing uncleanness? Hazael said, "Is thy servant a dog, that he should do this thing?" and we are very apt to use the same self-righteous question.
May infinite wisdom cure us of the madness of self-confidence.
About this, Charles Spurgeon had the following wise commentary:
Such was the prayer of the "man after God's own heart." Did holy David need to pray thus? How needful, then, must such a prayer be for us babes in grace! It is as if he said, "Keep me back, or I shall rush headlong over the precipice of sin." Our evil nature, like an ill-tempered horse, is apt to run away. May the grace of God put the bridle upon it, and hold it in, that it rush not into mischief. What might not the best of us do if it were not for the checks which the Lord sets upon us both in providence and in grace! The psalmist's prayer is directed against the worst form of sin--that which is done with deliberation and willfulness. Even the holiest need to be "kept back" from the vilest transgressions. It is a solemn thing to find the apostle Paul warning saints against the most loathsome sins. "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry." What! Do saints want warning against such sins as these? Yes, they do. The whitest robes, unless their purity be preserved by divine grace, will be defiled by the blackest spots. Experienced Christian, boast not in your experience; you will trip yet if you look away from him who is able to keep you from falling. Ye whose love is fervent, whose faith is constant, whose hopes are bright, say not, "We shall never sin," but rather cry, "Lead us not into temptation." There is enough tinder in the heart of the best of men to light a fire that shall burn to the lowest hell, unless God shall quench the sparks as they fall. Who would have dreamed that righteous Lot could be found drunken, and committing uncleanness? Hazael said, "Is thy servant a dog, that he should do this thing?" and we are very apt to use the same self-righteous question.
May infinite wisdom cure us of the madness of self-confidence.
Our Saturday escape from the house
Yesterday morning Krista and I headed to Lancaster to hit Four Reasons Deli, which Krista had been to a few weeks ago and hadn't stopped talking about. We sat by a man and women in their late 30s on a first date. Both were trying to quit smoking and the guy controlled the entire conversation. I didn't hear the woman talk much. He may not get a second date with her.
After lunch (great chili, mediocre salad, great egg salad and the greatest chicken salad sandwich), we headed to Hobby Lobby where I grabbed this photo in a row of fake flowers.
We headed to Mom and Dad's house in town to pick up some mending (a ripped jacket, tore open flannel shirt elbow and duel butt hole jeans), then went home. Daniel and Maria came over. They are quite difficult to control as Maria is a one-girl wrecking crew and it's hard to tell what exactly Daniel is doing.
We were able to contain them both with Connect Four.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Two chapsticks
In the elevator this morning trying to warm my right hand in my right pocket, I found that I had two chapsticks, Burt's Bees, of course. I am very reliant on chapstick. Some people's Skoal tins wear white spots in their jeans. For others, knives wear through pants pockets. I've worn out some jeans just by sitting too much. Here's a shot (with too much flash) of my two chapsticks on today's work pants.
I may be addicted to chapstick. I am putting it on everyday now because of the weather, but even as a shotgun instructor in New Mexico a few summers ago, I would often reach in my pocket for a 12 gauge shell and come out with a chapstick.
I lose them almost every week. Sometimes I leave them in my pants and they get washed. Sometimes my pockets aren't deep enough and they weasel their way into the car seat crease on the drive home. And sometimes I just lose them. So I was very excited to find two in my pocket today.
All this to ask a question – on what are you relying? In times of trouble and emergency will what you're resting on double as a life preserver?
I may be addicted to chapstick. I am putting it on everyday now because of the weather, but even as a shotgun instructor in New Mexico a few summers ago, I would often reach in my pocket for a 12 gauge shell and come out with a chapstick.
I lose them almost every week. Sometimes I leave them in my pants and they get washed. Sometimes my pockets aren't deep enough and they weasel their way into the car seat crease on the drive home. And sometimes I just lose them. So I was very excited to find two in my pocket today.
All this to ask a question – on what are you relying? In times of trouble and emergency will what you're resting on double as a life preserver?
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