As I see it…
The walk down the hall for the first time flooded my mind of similar long ago trips down almost an identical hall when I was in junior high school. That’s back when we called it, “junior high.” Now days, it’s middle school. You accomplish that my dropping one grade on either end of this awkward-period-in-life spectrum: you go from 7-9 to 6-8. You can decide which is better or how much difference it makes… But there I was, following my younger friend down the hallway to her classroom. Turns out, she attended and graduated from this very Christian school a few years back; now she’s teaching there. I was invited to convey some of what I know about Israel and its geography (complete with maps and pictures). I had 3-one hour sessions each day for two days. Other than being totally “wiped out” at the end of my commitment, nothing outstanding took place. I observed that kids of this age, no matter what the culture, and no matter the change in times or improvement in technology are still pretty much the same. They are caught in the twilight zone of a puberty transition. Bodies, voices and self-confidence factors all go through enormous peaks and valleys. Once in a while a few awkwardness issues occur, but hey, that can happen at any age. It was evident that they enjoyed (if not really loved) their teacher; in turn, she reciprocated the feeling. I can’t remember the last time I observed a teacher who enjoyed with open pleasantness her vocation, her peers and her “kids.” No matter the circumstance or the question, it was treated with graciousness and a smile. Now I want you to know I wasn’t trying to compete with my friend for her student’s affection, but I knew that bribery frequently pays dividends. So, I gave a homework assignment on day one for the next day. (There wasn’t too much grumbling.) But I had made up my mind that no matter the answers to the assignment (open book, open resource, open internet) they would each get a reward. So I stopped at my favorite coffee shop and bought a few dozen donut “holes.” It was an instant success! But just like my donut holes, my impact upon these students only lasted for a moment. For their teacher, though, her discipleship lasted all year long, year after year. It is a great encouragement to my heart to know that Christ’s presence is being manifested in the classroom now days. But no matter the vocation, Jesus still needs to be seen in each of our lives, in each of our experiences.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Marveling at magnifude...
As I see it…
Marveling at magnitude… Superlatives are tossed around in this culture and society with so much ease it is like watching seven year olds downing a bag of m & m’s®. And we preachers don’t help much. We have a tendency toward hyperbole or we expand our numbers by the “evangelistically speaking” formula. With those disclaimers out of the way, consider these statements: Most high God, Everlasting Father, “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to him.” Which causes me to ask, is there anyone as wise as God? Indeed, is anyone like God? Even God asked that question of himself. To my knowledge, no one has come up with a reply to this point. God is a God against whom there is no comparison. And speaking of his wisdom, the psalmist declares, “His understanding is infinite.” (Now at this point I need to digress just a little bit. Those that know me know that I have little patience with those who would add superlatives or modifiers in connection with two non-modifiable words: infinite and unique. If you are unique, one of a kind, how can you be more/most unique or “more/most” one of a kind? Similarly, can one be “very infinite?” It should grate against your collective grammatical nerves to even tolerate such thinking/speech! Okay, digression over…) Since God’s understanding (wisdom) is infinite, He remains in a class by himself. Tozer writes, All God’s acts are done in perfect wisdom, first for His own glory, and then for the highest good of the greatest number for the longest time. And all his acts are as pure as they are wise, and as good as they are wise and pure. Not only could His acts not be better done; a better way to do them could not be imagined. Such a statement should leave the child of God breathless! All of the above reminds me of the first stanza of one of my favorite hymns: Immortal, invisible, God only wise; In light inaccessible, hid from our eyes; Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days; Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise! There’s not much left to say after that…
Marveling at magnitude… Superlatives are tossed around in this culture and society with so much ease it is like watching seven year olds downing a bag of m & m’s®. And we preachers don’t help much. We have a tendency toward hyperbole or we expand our numbers by the “evangelistically speaking” formula. With those disclaimers out of the way, consider these statements: Most high God, Everlasting Father, “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to him.” Which causes me to ask, is there anyone as wise as God? Indeed, is anyone like God? Even God asked that question of himself. To my knowledge, no one has come up with a reply to this point. God is a God against whom there is no comparison. And speaking of his wisdom, the psalmist declares, “His understanding is infinite.” (Now at this point I need to digress just a little bit. Those that know me know that I have little patience with those who would add superlatives or modifiers in connection with two non-modifiable words: infinite and unique. If you are unique, one of a kind, how can you be more/most unique or “more/most” one of a kind? Similarly, can one be “very infinite?” It should grate against your collective grammatical nerves to even tolerate such thinking/speech! Okay, digression over…) Since God’s understanding (wisdom) is infinite, He remains in a class by himself. Tozer writes, All God’s acts are done in perfect wisdom, first for His own glory, and then for the highest good of the greatest number for the longest time. And all his acts are as pure as they are wise, and as good as they are wise and pure. Not only could His acts not be better done; a better way to do them could not be imagined. Such a statement should leave the child of God breathless! All of the above reminds me of the first stanza of one of my favorite hymns: Immortal, invisible, God only wise; In light inaccessible, hid from our eyes; Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days; Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise! There’s not much left to say after that…
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
God, elaborate...
As I see it…
Ravi Zacharias tells of the time he was taking senior exams (if I remember correctly) in theology. His first question was: “God, elaborate.” I’m not sure what his grade was, but Ravi indicated that he felt like he could write for hours on the topic. Then I wondered to myself, if I were asked such a question, what would be my response? Then there was James Boice, who stated at a Bible conference once that (his multiple academic accomplishments notwithstanding), he had turned down several invitation to teach at the seminary or college level. His reason? He believed that his congregation needed good theology. And, as far as he was concerned, he was his congregation’s resident theologian. He remained in that position until the Lord took him. I’ve thought of each man’s comments recently. There are very few of his on this planet that have the brilliant mind of Ravi or the meticulous devotion to the Word of God like Boice. However, by virtue of their presence in and impact upon the Christian world, they have collectively raised the standard by which we should measure our ministry, at least our teaching ministry. Being a country preacher, until recently, I hadn’t thought much about my measure as a theologian. Then it occurred to me that ultimately each counseling session (formal or informal), each phone call from a troubled friend, each contact with a person in a hospital room, each funeral service, each and every wedding and baptismal service, indeed, each and every message I preach brings theology into focus. Every time the Lord calls upon me to minister to someone’s life, theology is the “maid in hand” that I bring along. Conscious or not of her presence, she is the aroma of doctrinal perfume that tints the air. Theology is the study of God. If, as a minister of the Gospel, I do not allow her accompaniment to my conversations, her confirmation to my prayers and her life to my living, I am no better than a mere philosopher. I have forsaken the God of my spiritual fathers and left my audience, singular or plural in number, with a verbal vacuum. Then each of us, audience and I, has a latter end worse than our first. We will become of all men, most miserable. So now I ask you to fill in the blanks: “God, elaborate!” How did you do?
Ravi Zacharias tells of the time he was taking senior exams (if I remember correctly) in theology. His first question was: “God, elaborate.” I’m not sure what his grade was, but Ravi indicated that he felt like he could write for hours on the topic. Then I wondered to myself, if I were asked such a question, what would be my response? Then there was James Boice, who stated at a Bible conference once that (his multiple academic accomplishments notwithstanding), he had turned down several invitation to teach at the seminary or college level. His reason? He believed that his congregation needed good theology. And, as far as he was concerned, he was his congregation’s resident theologian. He remained in that position until the Lord took him. I’ve thought of each man’s comments recently. There are very few of his on this planet that have the brilliant mind of Ravi or the meticulous devotion to the Word of God like Boice. However, by virtue of their presence in and impact upon the Christian world, they have collectively raised the standard by which we should measure our ministry, at least our teaching ministry. Being a country preacher, until recently, I hadn’t thought much about my measure as a theologian. Then it occurred to me that ultimately each counseling session (formal or informal), each phone call from a troubled friend, each contact with a person in a hospital room, each funeral service, each and every wedding and baptismal service, indeed, each and every message I preach brings theology into focus. Every time the Lord calls upon me to minister to someone’s life, theology is the “maid in hand” that I bring along. Conscious or not of her presence, she is the aroma of doctrinal perfume that tints the air. Theology is the study of God. If, as a minister of the Gospel, I do not allow her accompaniment to my conversations, her confirmation to my prayers and her life to my living, I am no better than a mere philosopher. I have forsaken the God of my spiritual fathers and left my audience, singular or plural in number, with a verbal vacuum. Then each of us, audience and I, has a latter end worse than our first. We will become of all men, most miserable. So now I ask you to fill in the blanks: “God, elaborate!” How did you do?
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Tuesdays with Mark
As I see it…
Tuesdays with Mark. For several years, Toni opened her kitchen and laundry room to her bachelor brother on Tuesday evenings. Since Mark would show up earlier than we would get home, he had a key to get in, start his laundry, turn on ESPN and generally make himself at home until we arrived. That pattern lasted quite a while until another sister in the area offered an “every other Tuesday” routine to help out. These supper times with my brother-in-law turned out to be interesting in many ways. Mark could be quite moody (can’t we all!) at times. So our conversations would be determined many times by his state of being. He basically had two passions: sports and spaghetti. He was strongly opinionated about both! There was an occasion when his sister tried to take him on about why the Phillies won their first divisional series in decades: Phillies came on too strong or the Mets choked? It was a vibrant discussion! I was proud of my little wife taking on her, ahem, louder brother, but alas, he was too vociferous for her. As I remember it, they were having this discussion sitting at the table opposite one another over a plate of spaghetti. I kept my head down and concentrated on the pasta. No matter the subject though, you never won an argument with Mark; he just knew he was always right. At least it provided for a little mix occasionally for our dinner time conversations. There was one exception to Mark’s “rightness.” We had a pattern of finishing off dinner time by reading a chapter from the Bible. We started with the Gospels, went through the book of Acts and then started on Psalms. After almost each reading, Mark would ask thoughtful questions or make interesting observations. That would generally lead to some healthy exchange of conversation about biblical content. Mark came to Christ just a few years ago. For him it was a long, difficult and private journey. He realized he wasn’t an expert in the Bible, so he was willing to ask questions. Mark’s health declined rapidly in his last few months; he went to be with the Lord a few weeks ago. I was at his hospital bedside his last afternoon on earth and prayed with him. Mark always appreciated prayers on his behalf, saying a quick, quiet, “Thanks, Keith.” Our Tuesday evenings are once again our own. And, no matter how the Phillies do this year, I won’t be able to eat a plate of spaghetti again without thinking about Mark…and the Gospels, and Acts, and…
Tuesdays with Mark. For several years, Toni opened her kitchen and laundry room to her bachelor brother on Tuesday evenings. Since Mark would show up earlier than we would get home, he had a key to get in, start his laundry, turn on ESPN and generally make himself at home until we arrived. That pattern lasted quite a while until another sister in the area offered an “every other Tuesday” routine to help out. These supper times with my brother-in-law turned out to be interesting in many ways. Mark could be quite moody (can’t we all!) at times. So our conversations would be determined many times by his state of being. He basically had two passions: sports and spaghetti. He was strongly opinionated about both! There was an occasion when his sister tried to take him on about why the Phillies won their first divisional series in decades: Phillies came on too strong or the Mets choked? It was a vibrant discussion! I was proud of my little wife taking on her, ahem, louder brother, but alas, he was too vociferous for her. As I remember it, they were having this discussion sitting at the table opposite one another over a plate of spaghetti. I kept my head down and concentrated on the pasta. No matter the subject though, you never won an argument with Mark; he just knew he was always right. At least it provided for a little mix occasionally for our dinner time conversations. There was one exception to Mark’s “rightness.” We had a pattern of finishing off dinner time by reading a chapter from the Bible. We started with the Gospels, went through the book of Acts and then started on Psalms. After almost each reading, Mark would ask thoughtful questions or make interesting observations. That would generally lead to some healthy exchange of conversation about biblical content. Mark came to Christ just a few years ago. For him it was a long, difficult and private journey. He realized he wasn’t an expert in the Bible, so he was willing to ask questions. Mark’s health declined rapidly in his last few months; he went to be with the Lord a few weeks ago. I was at his hospital bedside his last afternoon on earth and prayed with him. Mark always appreciated prayers on his behalf, saying a quick, quiet, “Thanks, Keith.” Our Tuesday evenings are once again our own. And, no matter how the Phillies do this year, I won’t be able to eat a plate of spaghetti again without thinking about Mark…and the Gospels, and Acts, and…
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