Christ on Display

You may have read last week that Dr. John Piper's granddaughter Felicity was stillborn. She was full term. My heart broke as I read some of the details of this situation.

This morning I read a post on Piper's blog that contained his comments at the funeral service. Below I have included two sections that, for me, were the most captivating.

Here are the words he shared with the baby's mother:

"For her entire life she depended on you more than anyone. You fed her, you cleansed her, you supported her, you protected her, you knew her better than anyone. The grace that God has given you to love her greatly and let her go is amazing. Christ is on display in your life."

Piper's father died a few months back. Here are his closing thoughts on what may have transpired in heaven:

"I believe Felicity and her great grandfather met each other early Sunday morning in the presence of Christ. And my father said, perhaps, “Hello, Felicity. I’m your great grandfather Piper. Come, there is somebody I want you to meet. His name is Jesus. He’s the reason you’re here. You don’t need to be afraid. Your Savior has led you all the way. And Jesus does all things well."

I find it difficult to comprehend the pain associated with such a loss. However, I know the God of all comforts. Certainly a world watches as Christ-followers grieve at a time like this. What a blessing when Christ Jesus is on display in the lives of His people.

The Kenyan Contingent

I have added a link to the left for the web page of my friend Ian Leibbrandt. He is currently in Kenya with an organization called Ambassadors In Sport. He will be in Africa for 10 months playing soccer and sharing the gospel. Ian just finished his first season of professional soccer with the Cleveland City Stars. Visit his page for updates and pray for his ministry in Kenya.

[You order one of these cool soccer balls as a tool for evangelism here.]

Demands of Ministry

I am blessed to serve in a wonderful local church. While I often feel unprepared and inept, I believed the Lord has called me to this ministry. There are weeks that fly by and very little happens other than the normal 'day to day.' This week is very different. I am, and will be, stretched by the demands of ministry.

It is at times like this that I must lean more and more upon the Lord. During my years at seminary there were many times it seemed virtually impossible to accomplish the multitude of tasks. I would pray, 'Lord, if this work is going to get done, you must do it.' The work was always done. God is amazing, because frankly I am not that sharp.

The danger for the pastor is to be deceived by the demands of ministry. Often we can substitute busyness for true devotion to Christ. Ministry tasks can interfere with our personal time with the Lord, all in the name of our calling. When this happens we will not only be overwhelmed, but we will be spiritually depleted. I have stumbled on this path before.

Thad has a very helpful post that speaks to the importance of the pastors relationship to Christ. The message of this post may serve to encourage and challenge pastors especially during these demanding times. Read it and share it with your pastor.

I must go now. No time for blogging.

Thirteen Years of Wedded Bliss

Today is our 13th wedding anniversary. The 'young' couple in this picture had no idea what God had in store for them when they said "I do."

It has been a tremendous time of growth for both of us. Good times and bad, ups and downs, but together through it all. God has provided for us in remarkable ways. We still have much to learn and much to do.

I am so thankful that the Lord put this wonderful woman in my life. She promised me 57 years (see "Rocky 1"), we only have 44 more to go.

[For those unfamiliar with the beauty of my home state of West Virginia, that is the State Capitol complex in the background]

Gambling in the Bluegrass

I just received an email, from someone that I do not know, asking me to vote against expanded gambling here in Kentucky. Anyone that reads this blog regularly could just about 'bet' on my position. There is no way anyone with half a brain actually thinks gambling is a viable solution to the economic woes of Kentucky, or anyplace else. My home county in WV just passed a referendum to add table games at the local dog track. Its not bad enough that West Virginia is last in nearly every category. Now they want to see how much farther down the ladder they can slip.

I have not read all the studies. In fact, I have not read any of the studies. But it doesn't take a genius to figure out, the 'house' always wins. These casinos wouldn't be in business if they were giving away tons of money every day. There is too much heartache and destruction being inflicted on the American family already without adding a casino to the mix.

Don't get me started on the mentality of the folks that frequent the casinos. Do they actually think they will solve there financial problems with a roll of the dice or a turn of a card? You won't see very many successful businessmen making a daily trip to Caesars or buying lottery tickets. Plain, old fashioned work, that's the solution to financial hardship. Not scratch off tickets, not joker-poker machines, not power ball. As Dave Ramsey says, "Get up, leave the cave, kill something and drag it home." Money comes from work.

From a ministry perspective this adds yet another layer of turmoil to address in our communities. But, if its not gambling it will be something else. The answer is found in the gospel. That is why we must continue to proclaim it. There is peace and healing found in Christ. You can bet on that.

Recommended Reading

I have just finished reading The Jesus Gospel: Recovering the Lost Message by Liam Goligher. This is one of the books so graciously given to the attendees of the Basics Conference at Parkside Church in the spring.

I highly recommend this work. It is engaging and well written. Although the topic is deep, it is presented in a very readable fashion. This book would appeal to a variety of readers regardless of their theological acumen. Goligher provides a biblical overview of the gospel with emphasis on the atoning work of Christ. Nothing new or groundbreaking, but Goligher provides some clear insights that remind us why we cherish the gospel and Christ. Put it on your list.

Quotable Edwards

"The kindling and raising of gracious affections is like kindling a flame; the higher it is raised, the more ardent it is; and the more it burns, the more vehemently does it tend and seek to burn." Jonathan Edwards, Religious Affections pg. 303

I confess that there are times in my life when the flame of my affections for Christ seems to only flicker. It is at those times when I realize it is because I have cast my attention in another direction or idly failed to stoke the blaze. Mind you, the flame does not go out. It can not go out due to the eternal nature of its source.

There is a genuine tension with regard to our "affections." We have come to them because of the work of God in our hearts and lives. Yet, there is a duty that lies with us. To stoke the fire that was set by the Spirit himself.

It is proper for us to seek to have within us a roaring blaze. That is my desire.

Back from the Dark Ages

I have been without my lap top for about ten days. It is back now but still acting a little odd. Soon I must install a new hard drive. I have 'people' who do these things for me as I am a simple man with very little knowledge of such technology. It has been a frustrating ten days. I will blog more later.

The Fields Are White

Here's a brief update on our church's outreach efforts in our community.

We are slowly making our way into some area neighborhoods conducting "surveys." The goal for this portion of our outreach is to be visible to our neighbors and express a Christ-like, caring attitude. While there are evangelistic elements to these surveys, and we may engage in gospel conversations, that is not the primary goal. Tonight my daughter and I covered one street in a fairly large subdivision. We did not speak with tons of folks, but the ones we met were a real mixed bag. Only one individual seemed from all indications to be a genuine believer. You must understand that our church is in a very affluent and growing area. A destination community for many. Still, it seems there are so many without Christ. My heart breaks for those folks that have all the trappings of this world, and yet they are lost and hopeless.

I have several friends that have traveled across the oceans to share Christ. One friend left today for Kenya. However, it is clear that if you travel across your street there is likely someone there who needs the gospel. Laborers are needed.

Take Me Home Country Roads

As a football fan and a native West Virginian, I was pleased to find that ESPN2 was carrying the MU-WVU football game yesterday. From about 250 miles away I watched as the Thundering Herd and the Mountaineers waged war in Huntington.

I love where God has placed me yet from time to time I miss being back home. Yesterday was one of those days. Aside from my very patient wife there are a precious few here in "Cardinal Country" that can appreciate my fondness for 'mountain state' football. I am one of those rare fans that can honestly say I like both Marshall and West Virginia. I can applaud both football programs.

Yesterday was a great day for this football fan. John Denver made a bundle singing about those beloved 'country roads.' Not sure he could truly appreciate the place he sang about. I hummed a few bars yesterday. It was good.

[Due to the slowness of my home computer I was unable to post a very cool picture of a WV country road.]

Organizing Your Prayer Life

The Pulpit and The Pew has a very helpful post concerning prayer. More specifically, how to organize your prayer requests. One look at my desk and the word "disorganized" may come to mind. I have often wrestled with various methods. But, this one sounds usable and for many of us necessary.

I've added this blog to my list on the left and commend it to you. Thad is a Southern grad who is laboring "out west." Press on my Brother!

Lots of Questions

Recently I have seen folks in various stages of life including distress and conflict. Many are asking big questions about God, life, truth, peace and joy. As I ponder some of these issues and questions one thought keeps coming to me. While there are many questions, there is ultimately only one answer. The answer is Christ and the gospel of Christ.

I realize that many people arrive at different answers. Yet, the questions will reemerge eventually. That is not the case when we come to Christ as our 'final answer.' There is an utter sufficiency in Him.

I am not saying that those who find their rest in Christ will have no more questions. That is not the case. However, they will always come back to the same place, the same answer. We may drift and be tossed about but we have, as it were, "an anchor of the soul" (Heb. 6:19).

You may recall the blind man from John 9. He had only one answer to the questioning of the religious crowd, "One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see."

Mankind has become very smart. We have solved a multitude of problems. There are thousands of inventions and a wealth of technology. However, the questions remain. The big questions.

Have you found a sufficient answer?

Outside the Box

Tonight our church will launch "Sharing & Caring," a new outreach and in reach strategy. To the right you see a picture of our church building. It is time for us to get out of the box, out of the safe confines of our building, in order to share Christ with our community.

In addition, we will also be seeking to do "in reach" to folks who are part of our church family, ones who are delinquent or have specific needs. The Church desperately needs to care for those in the Body of Christ. We hope to be more intentional about doing that.

I suspect that many of our folks are anxious about this endeavor. I am. I am excited because I know for certain that God will honor our faithful obedience, and that is exciting! Yet, we may encounter adversity as well. How will we respond?

Please pray for our church and our community. I will keep "the world" posted as to our progress in the coming weeks.

Saving NOLA

Again my buddy Brian B has a great post coming out of the heart of New Orleans. We are right at the 2 year anniversary of Katrina. What is making a difference in that city? If only the national media would talk with Brian and others with an evangelistic perspective.

It is the gospel that will heal New Orleans, LA. Furthermore, it is the gospel that will heal Prospect, KY and St. Albans, WV and Naas, Ireland and Camp Verde, AZ...I guess you get the picture.

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..." Romans 1:16

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