The Second Half

My Grandparents on my father's side of my family have passed away. One month ago they were both here. Today they are both gone. Obviously this saddens me and things have changed more than I realized. My Dad is now the patriarch. That makes me next in line. Truely "all flesh is grass" .

These changes in my family have given me cause for a significant amount of reflection and prayer. This week I have been at the General Council of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. Today I am by myself and reflecting some more on the significance of what has taken place in my life in recent days and weeks - and this sort of contemplation begets thoughts about the entirety of my life. I am 37 1/2 years old. By all statistical realities my pilgrimage on this planet is at least half way over with, and it seems to me that the days only pass by more quickly. The train is picking up speed and the landscape is flying by the window so quickly now that I can hardly get my bearings on the scenery.

Here's the determination that has been made in my spirit this week:

By God's good grace, I will not waste the second half of my life. The short time that I have on this fallen planet will be used with the utmost efficiency for the Glory of my Creator and Redeemer. I don't know all of what that will mean. I do know it will mean that I will live for the glory of Christ and that I will make whatever sacrifice necessary to to pursue, comprehend, experience and enjoy that Glory - and to introduce others to the same joy. I will not waste the second half. I don't know all that this means. I do know that it will require radical obedience and uncompromising self-discipline - among other things that I don't even realize. But, I will not waste the second half.

An Uncommon Unity

My heart is encouraged after Sunday. I am confident that God is speaking to our fellowship and that we will move forward. I hope that you will take the time to listen to this past Sunday's sermon, if you were not here this past week. I do believe that it was some 'family time' we truly needed to have. I hope it is helpful. It has helped me to be hopeful.

I want to dream Jesus' dream for the church. It is not enough for us to merely 'get along'. The New Testament speaks of a unique 'oneness'. Jesus prayed for "those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
(John 17:20-21 ESV)

This prayer for unity is profound. I am more convinced than ever that it is the disunity of the body of Christ that prevents the blessing of God. The tragedy is the fact that many people don't care enough about 'the blessing of God' to be overly concerned. In the past, I have counted the cost of unity, and the cost was too great for me to pay.

My opinions are more important.
My preferences are more important.
My tastes are more important.

Yet, I am not sure that there is much of anything more important to Jesus. The reason I believe this is because of what Jesus also says here:

"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
(John 13:35 ESV)

The world must know. The epitome of selfishness has to be the prioritization of my opinions and preferences and tastes over souls damned to hell - and me not care an ounce about it. Jesus weeps. So should his people. We should weep over our own callousness. We should repent with our tears. We will have to be intentional in our relationships.

Once again, Paul's word to the Ephesian church: We must be "eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
(Ephesians 4:3 ESV)

Oh God, may we eagerly seek such unity.

The Good, Insane Concordance Maker

I was greatly encouraged when I read this small article from Dr. John Piper. We are all somewhat eccentric, in our own ways. This is a great story of God's grand way of redeeming the eccentric. Read and wonder and worship.

The Good, Insane Concordance Maker

Another Blog - if you attend FCC, please read ...

I read Jon Swift's blog this morning (Dated May 8th) and must say that I was both encouraged and challenged. I commend it to you. (You should also check out Jon's website. It's creative and fun to peruse.)


Growing As I Die

Day of Prayer Musings

Prayer is a marginal activity for most Christians. I greive over this fact this morning. Recent headlines in Nashville regarding the Dell company and Islamic prayer should put most Christians to shame. The Evangelicals cry out "no one would ever think about accomodating Christians who wish to pray" -- and my heart answers "but Christians don't pray".

Here is what I intend. I intend to rearrange my life around prayer, and not marginalize prayer by trying to squeeze it into any holes I may (or may not) find in my life. Prayer will be my first, impulsive activity; not something I do as a last desperate measure.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Father, teach us to pray.