Advent

You have probably seen this, but pretty cool when Handel goes commercial.

Advent-Prophecy

The Prophecy Candle is the first candle which we light today. It reminds us of the Old Testament prophets who foretold h comes our Scripture reading for today.

The prophecy candle is the first candle during week one of Advent.  It reminds us of the Old Testament prophets predicting our hope in the coming Messiah.

Isaiah 9:6-7 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Advent

Advent means “coming”, and it refers to the time immediately preceding Christmas, beginning on the fourth Sunday prior to Christmas.  Advent is observed by many Christians as a season of celebration, reflection, anticipation.  For most Christians, advent is a time to worship and center on the Incarnation of Jesus and His purpose in coming to earth.  Why not ponder His purpose in coming to earth today such as all the things He gave up so that you could get in?

Thanksgiving

Washington, D.C.
October 3, 1863
By the President of the United States of America.
A Proclamation.
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.
I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.
By the President: Abraham Lincoln

Thanksgiving

In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are under-written, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign Lord, King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, etc.
Having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honor of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant and combine our selves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape Cod, the eleventh of November [New Style, November 21], in the year of the reign of our sovereign lord, King James, of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Dom. 1620.

Thanksgiving

That is a sign posted over the threshold of my daughter’s bedroom.  Not without coincidence, that the sign is facing my bedroom.  In fact, I can see it from where I lay in bed.  Suspicious?  You will have to ask my wife’s intent.  But there it is every morning before I even have the chance to walk out the door with the cruel world, before I have the chance to go downstairs to start my daily routine, before I even have the chance to moan out of bed; there it is to greet me-QUITYERBELLYACHIN.  We stare at each other like the eyes of a final showdown in a Clint Eastwood western.  Which one of us will flinch first?  Then I am reminded of Paul’s exhortations to “rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice.”
The holiday season is gradually coming upon us, and with that time of the year we officially celebrate Thanksgiving.  As I was musing over this occasion (probably while in bed staring at that stupid sign), I thought how much easier it is to complain than it is to be grateful.  Thomas Edison said, “Grouches are nearly always pinheads, small men who have never made any effort to improve their mental capacity.”  Someone once remarked that nothing is easier than faultfinding; it takes no talent, no self-denial, no brains, and no character.  Complaints are for those who take the cheap and lazy way out.  Consider the follow findings from Scripture and allow these citations to cause you to be proactive in thanksgiving.
You should stop complaining because you love God (Exodus 16:7-8; Numbers 11:1).

We should recognize that complaints about the work of God are directly connected to God Himself.  In the passages mentioned above, God takes Israel’s ‘bellyaching” personally.
You should stop complaining because you love your soul (Numbers 11:26ff; 1 Corinthians 10:6-10; Philippians 2:14-15; Jude 16).

These citations indicate that God equates complaining with the wicked.  Jeremy Taylor once said, “It is usually not so much the greatness of our troubles as the littleness of our spirit that makes us complain.”  If you are a constant complainer, you may need to look deep within your heart and ask yourself if you have the Christ Who makes us thankful.
 You should stop complaining because you love others (Leviticus 19:18; Acts 6:1).
In Leviticus 19:18 there is a correlation between holding a grudge against someone else, and not loving him or her.  In other words, you cannot do both at the same time.  Complainers are kamikazes.  They are destructive.  They tear down.  They usually care only for their own selfishness.
You should stop complaining because things could always be worse (Lamentations 3:39).

Jeremiah, the writer of Lamentations, remarks to his audience, how can a mortal man grumble when he still lives in spite of sin?  God could have placed eternal punishment on us the moment we arrived on earth because we are sinners, yet He gives us life.  The next time any one of us are tempted to open are mouths and murmur perhaps we should remind ourselves that living in God’s grace is better than abiding in hell no matter how bad things get.
 You should stop complaining because you do not want to be judged (James 5:9).
Let us remember we are merely rehearsing here what we will review again in the heavenly tribunal.  
You should stop complaining because you like having people around you (1 Peter 4:9).
Few people like being around a grouch.  The Word of God even commends avoiding people who are “sour pusses” (Proverbs 21:19).
You should stop complaining because God does not always give you what you ask for (Exodus 16:2-3).

Complainers tend to act on emotions rather than on rationality.  Numbers 14:1-4 is a good example of grumblers who get carried away and plan to do something foolish.  They often “bite the hand that feeds them”.  Praise God that He delivers deluded minds anyway!



You should stop complaining because God may give you what you ask for.
The lesson with Israel’s ungodly desire for a king is a good reminder to keep quiet and be content in what God gives us than to voice discontentment and regret it the rest of our lives.



As we celebrate this Thanksgiving season, let us be thankful!  Think of ways you can express your gratefulness to God and others.  “Do all things without grumbling or disputing so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world.” (Philippians 2:14-15)  I am thankful for even the little things that God teaches me valuable lessons.  Like a wooden sign hanging over the doorway to my daughter’s room, that greets me every morning and never flinches in its truth.

Nuts and Bolts

Yet another great article from my President Al Mohler.

Through a Kid’s Eyes

Update on Southern

I just sent off a paper that I will deliver in a few weeks on Celebrations in Scripture.  It was a pretty intense research.  At one point, I had 120 pages of script that I have to edit down to 20 pages, pretty challenging.  I am also finishing up some book reviews and few projects on Foster/Willard/Whitney’s spirituality as well as a few papers on Benjamin Beddome.  If you remember me in the next few weeks, please pray for me, as the months of research boil down to these few weeks.

Speaking Engagements

With my PhD work, I don’t get as many speaking engagements as I used to, but when I can afford the opportunity, I relish it.  The last few weeks I have had some wonderful moments to interact with various people.

I few weeks ago, I was a guest lecturer at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary  in a pastoral care class led by Dr. Larry Cornine.  This was the second year I lectured, and it was a rich time. 

Then I went back to Midwestern last week, and was on a panel discussion regarding expository preaching with Dr. Ben Awbrey (one of my church members and preaching professor) and Tim Junke, one of my dear friends.  Once again the time was well spent. 

Sunday I had the privilege of preaching at Faith Community Church where Tim serves as pastor.  I have preached there several times, and always count it a joy. 

Cousin Emily’s Sage Advice

Miss Emily Baldwin (from The Walton’s) provided a fitting toast on one of the episodes as she and her sister (Mamie) lamented how few strong men there were in their lives.  Raising her silver cup filled with “the recipe” she toasted, “A toast to the past when men were men and their women were proud of it.”  Sound toast for us all!

To the Garden we go...

In November, I officially “put my garden to bed”.  My last fertilizing of the lawn goes down.  All the vegetation gets pulled.  I am stacking my wood for the winter.  I admit I am rather happy to see this gardening year leave.  It probably has been the less productive than any time of my life.  Although had I planted a fall garden (which I usually do) it probably would have done well.  My friends are still harvesting kale, Swiss chard, and other fall crops.  Goodbye from the garden until next spring (Lord willing).

Steve Lawson on the Fear of God

“Step inside the average church these days, and you will likely see that the services are designed to remove the fear of God rather than to promote it.”  (Steve Lawson, Made in Our Image: What Shall We do with a User Friendly God? Pg. 194)

What I am Reading-The Pastor in Prayer

This is a book that I have used for years.  The work is a collection of pastoral prayers that Spurgeon crafted when he was a pastor at the Metropolitan Tabernacle.  Some made note that when the church had a guest speaker and Spurgeon was present, he would still give the pastoral prayer.  This book will serve pastor’s well.  I have used these prayers to shape my own prayers for the people when I pray in worship.  One consistent feature throughout is how Spurgeon always prays for the advancement in the gospel, not only in his church, but in others in London as well as missionary zeal.

Schindler’s List and Eternity

Here is a clip of one of the last scenes in the movie Schindler’s List, the movie I referred to in my introduction in Sunday’s sermon.  The scene has amazing parallels to what Jesus was driving at in Matthew 6:19-20 and how we can and should use money in light of eternity.

G.K. Chesterton

“Christianity has not so much been tried and found wanting, as it has been found difficult and left untried.”

Nuts and Bolts

Graveyard and Junkyard

When we die, we go to the graveyard, and our stuff goes to the junkyard.  Randy Alcorn describes this truth well, “Take a ride with me.  After a few miles we turn off the road, pass through the gate, and fall in line behind some pickup trucks.  The vehicles ahead are filled with computers, stereo systems, furniture, appliances, fishing gears, and toys.
Higher and higher we climb, until we reach a parking lot.  There the drivers unload their cargo.  Curious, you watch a man hoist a computer.  He staggers to the corner of the lot, and then hurls his computer over the edge.
Now you have got to find out what is going on.  You scramble out of the car and peer over the precipice.  At the bottom of the cliff is a giant pit filled with…stuff.  Finally you understand.  This is a landfill, a junkyard-the final resting place for the things in our lives.
Sooner or later, everything we own ends up here.  Christmas and birthday presents.  Cars, boats, and hot tubs.  Clothes, stereos, and barbecues.  The treasures that children quarreled about, friendships were lost over, honesty was sacrificed for, and marriages broke up over-all end up here.  I recommend a family trip to a junkyard or landfill.  It is a powerful lesson.  Ever see the bumper sticker, “He who dies with the most toys wins?”  Millions of people act as if that were true.  The more accurate saying is “He who dies with the most toys still dies-and never takes his toys with him.”  When we die after devoting our lives to acquiring things, we don’t win-we lose.  We move into eternity (the graveyard), our toys stay behind, filling junkyards.  The bumper sticker could not be more wrong.”

Update On Southern

I am beginning to work through my colloquium subject on spiritual disciplines.  One of the recent controversies is can and should evangelicals practice spiritual disciplines, and isn’t that a religious form of mysticism?  I will be critiquing and comparing Don Whitney, Dallas Willard, and Richard Foster’s works.  This should be a fruitful time.  I certainly can see how this is beneficial for where the local church finds itself these days.

All Saints Day-Tony Felich

We were privileged to have Tony Felich preaching in our church on Sunday.  This is a dear brother who delivers the gospel both in pulpit and in pen.  He pastors at Redeemer Presbyterian Church
They do many things well at this church.  Tony has sent more people to Calvary than any other pastor that I know.  If you are in the Overland Park area, and want a gospel centered, Presbyterian church, look no further.  Tony is a constant reminder that we can disagree on secondary, significant matters, yet have a tight bond with the gospel.