The Worth of One Sparrow

I saw this bird the other day outside my apartment. Hundreds of these sparrows live within a few blocks of my home. This one bird is pretty insignificant when it comes to birds, incredibly insignificant when it comes to all of life. Jesus Christ pointed to sparrows in his "Sending Out" Discourse in Matthew 10:

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows

Take comfort, friend, that our loving Father is in absolute control. He knew and purposed this little sparrow to fall as it flew over the 1200 block of S Floyd St in Louisville, KY, as he purposes all sparrows in their final fall. In a far greater way, he knows and purposes everything having to do with you.

If this God is for us, who can be against us?

Who is sufficient?

I have been mercifully humbled of recent concerning my present inadequacy in serving the church as an elder. I think I knew this before, but wasn't too worried. I reasoned that I'm not an elder yet; I have a few years left before seminary is over, right? No hurry. And even when I'm done, I'll work out the kinks my first years. I can't be perfect, anyway.

The Lord has pointed out the presumption, laziness, immaturity, misunderstanding and lack of reverance and zeal in these thoughts -- all things unbecoming of an elder or elder-to-be. I am thankful for this scolding, and my prayer is that it stays before me for years.

Spurgeon discouraged/encouraged me in his Lectures to My Student, "The Minsiter's Self-Watch." He holds the standard incredibly high (discouraging). But, then Spurgeon encouarges those whom God calls to ministerial labor to "endeavor to get grace that we may be strengthened into fitness for our position" (encouraging).

Pray for me, that I might receive this grace and be made adequate. Pray that I would discipline myself for the purpose of godliness, that my efforts would be as noble as the end for which I desire (1 Tim 3-4). Praise the Lord, as well, knowing that wherever he places me, he has created me in Christ Jesus for good works and gone ahead to prepare them so that I may walk in them. As I quoted earlier, everything is subservient to my salvation.

Heidelberg Question 1

Question 1. What is thy only comfort in life and death?

Answer: That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.

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I cannot get over the line, "All things must be subservient to my salvation." All things? Every moment from the beginning of my day to the end, and then from the end of my day to the beginning again? Every blessing I graciously receive and every woe I rightfully earn? It's all working towards my salvation, towards the day when I will be like him because I will see him as he is! Can you believe it?

This question/answer is so soothing to my soul. To think that I seek comfort in lesser things than Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

What do you say to married unbelievers contemplating divorce?

While in one of Dr. Greg Allison’s systematic theology classes, I was very encouraged to hear him say that he had no qualms about officiating a wedding between two unbelievers. He reasoned that marriage is a creation ordinance which should be celebrated and encouraged for all persons created in the image of God (Gen 1:27b). Marriage is a testimony to our creation (Gen 2:24). It is and should be found in all cultures, believing and unbelieving throughout the world. My heart’s impulse accords with him.

What about when difficulties come? Or, more likely, what about when self-centeredness is challenged? (It was always there, just hadn’t been tested.) What recourse do we as Christians have to encourage persistence in marriage for unbelievers living in a culture that views marriage as expendable? Non-gospel reasons look like Band-Aids on compound fractures (e.g., remember how you used to feel, the good times are worth the bad times, do it for the kids). Others feel like lies (i.e., anything along the lines of “you/he/she can change”).

My wife finds herself in this place with a close family. We’re at a loss because we know the only meaningfulness to be found after the Fall in marriage is the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have defiled Edenic marriage beyond recognition. Like all things, it’s original intention has been destroyed. We need a gospel-centered marriage, which expects spouses to be sinful and selfish and in mercy persists in covenant love towards fruitful relationship and ultimate restoration.

We pray for common grace, that deep in their person they would somehow feel uneasy about divorce and work towards joy, even temporal joy, in marriage. It’s certainly the only reason other non-Christian marriages stay together. More earnestly, we pray for God’s saving grace, that in the emptiness of their present marriage they would long for a Husband who will hold fast to them without condition, a perfect love which casts out fear and frees the soul from sin to delight in Him who knows no sin.

I would appreciate your encouragements, reprimands, wisdom, and past experiences.

Hatred Remembered

NPR has just begun a series marking the 50th anniversary of the desegregation of Central High in Little Rock, Arkansas. The first three segments can be found here, here and here. (This is a picture of Elizabeth Eckford walking to school surrounded by a mob, before she's turned away by the Arkansas National Guard who refused entry. Behind her is a peer yelling "Nigger," at the approval of concerned mothers.)

Over the past year, I have grown to realize my incredible ignorance about the civil rights movement (and all things race, really). It is remarkably significant, even 50 years later. Many, many people live today with these events in their personal history. They are so emotionally charged and hurtful, it is no wonder white people don't tell their kids about it and black people can't help not to.

As well, it is a harrowing picture of hate, hate which is in every heart not renewed by God's grace. The Civil Rights Mov't merely drew that hate out and gave it expression. There's not many places more dangerous than the arena where stereotypes, judgments and privileges go challenged. There's not many places more honest, either.

Private Musings

I've created this blog as a place for me to work out thoughts. Basically, it's a V.I.P. gym for my brain and my heart. If you found this site, you're welcome to watch, to join in, to spot me when I bite off more than I can chew, or to add some challenge when I'm being a wuss.

Above all, though, help me to remember that the goal is not a big brain, but an ability to apply truth to life (my own and others) in a loving, humble and gracious manner. My heart is pastoring. If this is your heart too, join in.